bearingarms--2020-12-24--Demand For AR-15s Greater Than Supply

Demand For AR-15s Greater Than Supply

Ever since anti-gun lawmakers passed the assault weapon ban back in 1994 , the AR-15 and similar pattern rifles have been among the most popular firearms in the country .
Legions headed out to buy them well before the pandemic lockdowns or other fears sent additional legions out to the gun stores .
Now , with all of that , a summer of seemingly endless riots , and an election that resulted in an anti-gun president-elect , well , guns are going to be even more popular than ever , particularly the AR-15 which Joe Biden has pledged to try @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that means things are going to be interesting for AR-15 buyers .
Guns are selling briskly ahead of Christmas , wrapping up a record-breaking year for manufacturers who can ’ t make enough guns and ammunition to meet demand .
“ Demand for guns and ammo is high , ” said Steve Dowdy , owner of Bob ’ s Gun Shop in Norfolk , Virginia , who reopened his shooting range for mask-wearing customers on the weekend before Christmas .
“ Overall sales are comparable to past holiday seasons , but I believe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 40 % if we had more inventory.
” Gun shops are running lean on inventory nationwide , especially for ammunition .
Customers who call Legend Firearms in Monroe Township , Pennsylvania , are greeted by a recording saying that the store is out of handgun ammunition until next year .
The recording also says there ’ s only one Glock left , “ but by the time you hear this message , it will probably be gone.
” Bailey Murphy , manager of Ammo AZ , a Phoenix gun store owned by his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been rationing ammo purchases , which he hates to do , because he doesn ’ t like telling people what to do , which is why he doesn ’ t require mask-wearing in his store , despite the deadly pandemic .
“ We don ’ t have a mask policy , ” he said .
“ We ’ re a free country , so people can wear one , or not wear one.
” He said he ’ s been able to keep AR-15s in stock , since he makes them through Zeus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his father .
“ We could fill our whole wall with own brand if we wanted to , ” he said .
Assault rifles , the prime target in President-elect Joseph Biden ’ s gun control plan , have become harder to find .
This scarcity of inventory has capped sales that could have been higher , if AR-15s had been better stocked during this period of unprecedented demand .
Now , this matters a great deal , especially if we ’ re talking about banning anything .
In the landmark Heller decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ couldn ’ t be banned if it was “ in common use.
” In other words , the test was in place to prevent overturning pre-existing machinegun bans , would probably allow bans of future and particularly dangerous weapons ( in theory , at least ) , but would keep lawmakers from banning most anything currently on the market .
However , some have argued that AR-15s aren ’ t really in common use .
No , I don ’ t see how they make that claim about one of the most popular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do .
With the continued surge in purchasing these weapons , a surge I don ’ t see slowing down anytime soon , how much longer can anyone delude themselves into believing these weapons aren ’ t in common use ?
I ’ m sure plenty will continue to do so for years to come , and it ’ s going to be hilarious to behold , but as more and more evidence mounts , they ’ re going to find themselves on shakier ground than ever before .
What worries me is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we get to that point .

Ever since anti-gun lawmakers passed the assault weapon ban back in 1994, the AR-15 and similar pattern rifles have been among the most popular firearms in the country. Legions headed out to buy them well before the pandemic lockdowns or other fears sent additional legions out to the gun stores.
Now, with all of that, a summer of seemingly endless riots, and an election that resulted in an anti-gun president-elect, well, guns are going to be even more popular than ever, particularly the AR-15 which Joe Biden has pledged to try and ban yet again.
All of that means things are going to be interesting for AR-15 buyers.
Guns are selling briskly ahead of Christmas, wrapping up a record-breaking year for manufacturers who can’t make enough guns and ammunition to meet demand. “Demand for guns and ammo is high,” said Steve Dowdy, owner of Bob’s Gun Shop in Norfolk, Virginia, who reopened his shooting range for mask-wearing customers on the weekend before Christmas. “Overall sales are comparable to past holiday seasons, but I believe we would be up 30% to 40% if we had more inventory.” Gun shops are running lean on inventory nationwide, especially for ammunition. Customers who call Legend Firearms in Monroe Township, Pennsylvania, are greeted by a recording saying that the store is out of handgun ammunition until next year. The recording also says there’s only one Glock left, “but by the time you hear this message, it will probably be gone.” … Bailey Murphy, manager of Ammo AZ, a Phoenix gun store owned by his father Veerachart, said he’s been rationing ammo purchases, which he hates to do, because he doesn’t like telling people what to do, which is why he doesn’t require mask-wearing in his store, despite the deadly pandemic. “We don’t have a mask policy,” he said. “We’re a free country, so people can wear one, or not wear one.” He said he’s been able to keep AR-15s in stock, since he makes them through Zeus Arms, the manufacturer he owns with his father. “We could fill our whole wall with own brand if we wanted to,” he said. Assault rifles, the prime target in President-elect Joseph Biden’s gun control plan, have become harder to find. This scarcity of inventory has capped sales that could have been higher, if AR-15s had been better stocked during this period of unprecedented demand.
Now, this matters a great deal, especially if we’re talking about banning anything.
In the landmark Heller decision, it was ruled that a firearm couldn’t be banned if it was “in common use.” In other words, the test was in place to prevent overturning pre-existing machinegun bans, would probably allow bans of future and particularly dangerous weapons (in theory, at least), but would keep lawmakers from banning most anything currently on the market.
However, some have argued that AR-15s aren’t really in common use.
No, I don’t see how they make that claim about one of the most popular firearms in the nation, but they do.
With the continued surge in purchasing these weapons, a surge I don’t see slowing down anytime soon, how much longer can anyone delude themselves into believing these weapons aren’t in common use?
I’m sure plenty will continue to do so for years to come, and it’s going to be hilarious to behold, but as more and more evidence mounts, they’re going to find themselves on shakier ground than ever before.
What worries me is how much damage they can do before we get to that point.


bearingarms--2020-12-25--Merry Christmas From Bearing Arms!

Merry Christmas From Bearing Arms!

From all ( both ? )
of us here at Bearing Arms , we wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas !
Posting will resume tomorrow , but we ’ re planning on spending today with our families and hope that you ’ re able to do the same .
If you were lucky enough to receive some Christmas cash today , we do have a few lists of our own that we ’ ve been making during the holiday season , so check out some of our picks for 2A swag , optics , range bags , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gear On The Go Show Where You Stand With These Pro-2A Shirts Eye And Ear Protection For The Range On a personal note , I ’ m very grateful during this Christmas season for all of the support and friendship from readers and the Bearing Arms ’ Cam & Co. audience .
This is the fifth Christmas since my wife was diagnosed with lung cancer in September of 2016 , and there ’ s no doubt in my mind that the many prayers and comforting words that we ’ ve both received has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and emotional resilience over the few years .
We are blessed to have you on our side in this battle , and I can not thank you enough for the gift of your thoughts , prayers , fellowship , and friendship .
Enjoy the day , and we ’ ll return soon with more of the latest Second Amendment information from all across the nation .
Cam Edwards has covered the 2nd Amendment for more than 15 years as a broadcast and online journalist , as well as the co-author of `` Heavy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Job , Start a Family , and Other Manly Advice '' with Jim Geraghty .
He lives outside of Farmville , Virginia with his family .

From all (both?) of us here at Bearing Arms, we wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas! Posting will resume tomorrow, but we’re planning on spending today with our families and hope that you’re able to do the same.
If you were lucky enough to receive some Christmas cash today, we do have a few lists of our own that we’ve been making during the holiday season, so check out some of our picks for 2A swag, optics, range bags, and more.
Five Range Bags Great For Gear On The Go
BA Gift Guide – Best EDC Carry Knives
Show Where You Stand With These Pro-2A Shirts
Eye And Ear Protection For The Range
Get Organized With Gun, Magazine, & Ammo Storage
On a personal note, I’m very grateful during this Christmas season for all of the support and friendship from readers and the Bearing Arms’ Cam & Co. audience. This is the fifth Christmas since my wife was diagnosed with lung cancer in September of 2016, and there’s no doubt in my mind that the many prayers and comforting words that we’ve both received has made a difference in both her physical and emotional resilience over the few years.
We are blessed to have you on our side in this battle, and I cannot thank you enough for the gift of your thoughts, prayers, fellowship, and friendship. Enjoy the day, and we’ll return soon with more of the latest Second Amendment information from all across the nation.


bearingarms--2020-12-26--Loeffler Slams Warnock As "Most Radical Anti-Gun Candidate In America"

Objectively , I ’ m not sure that Kelly Loeffler ’ s latest dig at Raphael Warnock and views on gun control are entirely accurate .
There are plenty of other Democrats like Warnock who ’ ve also embraced an anti-gun agenda , and Warnock ’ s fellow Democratic senate nominee Jon Ossoff has actually been a little more vocal about his support for a ban on so-called assault weapons .
Is Warnock really the “ most radical anti-gun candidate in America ” at the moment , or is he just a part of the most radical anti-gun political party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Loeffler ’ s attack on Warnock while also trying to provide some cover for the Democrat himself by downplaying his anti-Second Amendment ideology .
The paper points out that much of Loeffler ’ s criticism stems from Warnock ’ s opposition to a 2014 bill in Georgia that allowed faith leaders to decide for themselves if they wanted to open up their sanctuaries to concealed carry holders , while trying to deflect from Warnock ’ s actual statements in opposition .
Many other religious leaders also denounced the legislation , including then Catholic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Berg of The Temple synagogue in Atlanta , the Atlanta Journal Constitution reported .
“ We reject the notion that more guns held by more people will magically make our communities safer , ” Warnock said at the time .
That same year , his church held a gun buy-back event to get weapons off the streets , the AJC reported .
The 2014 bill became law despite the objections of Warnock and others , and it hasn ’ t posed a problem in Georgia in the years since .
Warnock , however @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his opposition to the right to carry law .
Instead , he ’ s simply trying to duck the issue of gun control as much as possible between now and Election Day on January 5th .
His campaign website has no mention of any specific gun control policies , but gun control groups like Everytown for Gun Safety have still endorsed and embraced the candidate , which tells you all you need to know about his views on the right to keep and bear arms .
Instead of the Journal-Constitution downplaying Warnock ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the paper should be trying to pin the candidate down on issues like Joe Biden ’ s proposed gun ban and compensated confiscation .
Warnock may or may not be the single most radical anti-gun candidate in the country , but he ’ s certainly no friend of the right to keep and bear arms , and if his views on the Second Amendment became law they would make Americans less safe , less secure , and less free .

Objectively, I’m not sure that Kelly Loeffler’s latest dig at Raphael Warnock and views on gun control are entirely accurate. There are plenty of other Democrats like Warnock who’ve also embraced an anti-gun agenda, and Warnock’s fellow Democratic senate nominee Jon Ossoff has actually been a little more vocal about his support for a ban on so-called assault weapons. Is Warnock really the “most radical anti-gun candidate in America” at the moment, or is he just a part of the most radical anti-gun political party in America?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution covered Loeffler’s attack on Warnock while also trying to provide some cover for the Democrat himself by downplaying his anti-Second Amendment ideology.
“They want to take away our guns,” she said of Democrats during a Dec. 6 debate with Warnock at the Atlanta Press Club earlier this month. Loeffler mentioned guns or the Second Amendment several times. Warnock did not. Ahead of the January runoff election, the Warnock campaign has focused instead on criminal justice reform. His website says that if elected, he would work to reduce “senseless gun violence,” but offers few details about how that would be accomplished. His views do not appear to go further than most Democrats. Loeffler hasn’t offered the support to back up her claim that he’s the “most radically anti-gun in America.”
The paper points out that much of Loeffler’s criticism stems from Warnock’s opposition to a 2014 bill in Georgia that allowed faith leaders to decide for themselves if they wanted to open up their sanctuaries to concealed carry holders, while trying to deflect from Warnock’s actual statements in opposition.
Many other religious leaders also denounced the legislation, including then Catholic Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory and Rabbi Peter Berg of The Temple synagogue in Atlanta, the Atlanta Journal Constitution reported. “We reject the notion that more guns held by more people will magically make our communities safer,” Warnock said at the time. That same year, his church held a gun buy-back event to get weapons off the streets, the AJC reported.
The 2014 bill became law despite the objections of Warnock and others, and it hasn’t posed a problem in Georgia in the years since. Warnock, however, hasn’t backed away from his opposition to the right to carry law. Instead, he’s simply trying to duck the issue of gun control as much as possible between now and Election Day on January 5th. His campaign website has no mention of any specific gun control policies, but gun control groups like Everytown for Gun Safety have still endorsed and embraced the candidate, which tells you all you need to know about his views on the right to keep and bear arms.
Instead of the Journal-Constitution downplaying Warnock’s hostility towards our Second Amendment rights, the paper should be trying to pin the candidate down on issues like Joe Biden’s proposed gun ban and compensated confiscation. Warnock may or may not be the single most radical anti-gun candidate in the country, but he’s certainly no friend of the right to keep and bear arms, and if his views on the Second Amendment became law they would make Americans less safe, less secure, and less free.


bearingarms--2020-12-27--'Tis The Season For Armed Self-Defense

'Tis The Season For Armed Self-Defense

Wouldn ’ t it be great if criminals would get into the spirit of the season and offer up peace on earth and good will towards men this time of year ?
Unfortunately , that ’ s apparently too much of a Christmas miracle to ask for .
Thankfully , we live in a country where we ’ re not at the mercy of violent robbers , carjackers , and home invaders .
Anti-gun activists may be doing everything they can to negate our right to keep and bear arms , but there are tens of millions of us who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order to be prepared if the unthinkable happens .
In Rochester , New York , for example , a store owner recently stopped a string of armed robberies with the help of his legally-owned gun .
Investigators say the suspect began by robbing a Kwik Fill in Victor and then robbed a FastTrac on West Ridge Road and a Family Dollar on Dewey Avenue .
They say the suspect was shot while attempting to rob Angelo ’ s Grocery .
The timeline is as follows : • 3:38 p.m. : robbery at Kwik @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vehicle description was broadcast to RPD ) • 6:49 p.m. : robbery at the FastTrac at 375 W Ridge Road • 7:07 p.m. : robbery at the Family Dollar at 706 Dewey Avenue • 7:26 p.m. : attempted robbery at Angelo ’ s Grocery and Deli at 579 Thurston Road While attempting to the last of the robberies , RPD officials said the store owner produced a legally owned hand gun and fired at the suspect , striking him .
The store owner stayed on scene until police arrived .
A similar scene @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week when an armed robber entered a convenience store and fired a shot at one of the clerks .
Another employee pushed her out of the way and drew his own firearm , ordering the armed robber to the ground .
But when robber continued shooting , the employee returned fire and killed him , said owner Nick Hingel , who wasn ’ t present during Tuesday night ’ s holdup , but watched the events unfold on video recorded by the store ’ s surveillance cameras .
Neither of his employees was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been very traumatic for them , ” Hingel said Wednesday afternoon while standing outside of the store , located in the 6500 block of Morrison Road .
Meanwhile , a Christmas Eve carjacking was thwarted in Denver , Colorado when the would-be victim pulled a gun of his own .
It started around 6:30 a.m. Thursday with a carjacking at Speer Boulevard and Colfax Avenue .
The man who was involved in the carjacking then tried to carjack another driver in the area of Buchtel Boulevard and Downing Street , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ location shot and wounded him .
The injured carjacker was found by police a short time later and taken to a local hospital , while the driver who shot the carjacker was unharmed .
While these stories aren ’ t likely to receive any national media attention , they ’ re all incredibly important .
Lives were saved because of the actions of these armed citizens , and if they hadn ’ t been able to exercise their Second Amendment rights these attempted robberies and carjackings would have likely had very different outcomes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world wouldn ’ t have stopped these violent criminals from committing their crimes .
It took armed citizens exercising their right to bear arms to put an end to these attacks .

Wouldn’t it be great if criminals would get into the spirit of the season and offer up peace on earth and good will towards men this time of year? Unfortunately, that’s apparently too much of a Christmas miracle to ask for. Thankfully, we live in a country where we’re not at the mercy of violent robbers, carjackers, and home invaders. Anti-gun activists may be doing everything they can to negate our right to keep and bear arms, but there are tens of millions of us who carry our lawfully-owned firearms every day in order to be prepared if the unthinkable happens.
In Rochester, New York, for example, a store owner recently stopped a string of armed robberies with the help of his legally-owned gun.
Investigators say the suspect began by robbing a Kwik Fill in Victor and then robbed a FastTrac on West Ridge Road and a Family Dollar on Dewey Avenue. They say the suspect was shot while attempting to rob Angelo’s Grocery. The timeline is as follows: 3:38 p.m.: robbery at Kwik Fill in Victor (a suspect and vehicle description was broadcast to RPD)
6:49 p.m.: robbery at the FastTrac at 375 W Ridge Road
7:07 p.m.: robbery at the Family Dollar at 706 Dewey Avenue
7:26 p.m.: attempted robbery at Angelo’s Grocery and Deli at 579 Thurston Road While attempting to the last of the robberies, RPD officials said the store owner produced a legally owned hand gun and fired at the suspect, striking him. The store owner stayed on scene until police arrived.
A similar scene played out in New Orleans earlier this week when an armed robber entered a convenience store and fired a shot at one of the clerks. Another employee pushed her out of the way and drew his own firearm, ordering the armed robber to the ground.
But when robber continued shooting, the employee returned fire and killed him, said owner Nick Hingel, who wasn’t present during Tuesday night’s holdup, but watched the events unfold on video recorded by the store’s surveillance cameras. Neither of his employees was injured, Hingel said. “This has been very traumatic for them,” Hingel said Wednesday afternoon while standing outside of the store, located in the 6500 block of Morrison Road.
Meanwhile, a Christmas Eve carjacking was thwarted in Denver, Colorado when the would-be victim pulled a gun of his own.
It started around 6:30 a.m. Thursday with a carjacking at Speer Boulevard and Colfax Avenue. The man who was involved in the carjacking then tried to carjack another driver in the area of Buchtel Boulevard and Downing Street, according to police. The driver at the second location shot and wounded him.
The injured carjacker was found by police a short time later and taken to a local hospital, while the driver who shot the carjacker was unharmed.
While these stories aren’t likely to receive any national media attention, they’re all incredibly important. Lives were saved because of the actions of these armed citizens, and if they hadn’t been able to exercise their Second Amendment rights these attempted robberies and carjackings would have likely had very different outcomes. All the gun control laws in the world wouldn’t have stopped these violent criminals from committing their crimes. It took armed citizens exercising their right to bear arms to put an end to these attacks.


bearingarms--2020-12-28--Please, No Shooting Into The Air On New Year's Eve

I don ’ t really enjoy having to write the same things year after year .
I ’ d much rather explore new ground and write new stories .
However , from time to time , there comes some things where I don ’ t really have a choice .
I simply have to address it , preferably before it becomes an issue .
Such is the case when we get to the idea of shooting guns in the air in celebration of the new year .
Look , I love shooting my firearms as much as the next guy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ celebrate the end of the crappiest year on record in quite some time .
Shooting to celebrate the new year may sound like harmless fun , but it ’ s not .
What goes up must come down , after all , and year after year , we report on stories where someone is injured or killed by a stray bullet fired from miles away .
See , some figure that the bullet in the air isn ’ t a threat .
Under a very specific set of circumstances , it might not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ angle to the Earth , a round will go into the air until it runs out of energy .
It ’ ll basically stop for a split second , then start plummeting to the Earth .
Once it reaches terminal velocity , it falls at a speed that presents no real danger .
Yet at 89- or 91-degrees , things work very differently .
At that point , the ground will arc and cover miles of distance and land somewhere beyond your control .
It ’ s virtually impossible for a human being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sufficiently to prevent this kind of thing , so don ’ t do it .
There ’ s absolutely nothing to gain .
If you just have to fire your gun , at least fire it into the ground .
The odds of you doing some kind of damage are greatly reduced at that point , though never zero .
You might hit a shallow-buried rock or something and cause a ricochet , so even then use caution .
However , you ’ re far less likely to kill someone that way than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , even better if legal in your state , just by some firework and use them safely .
They ’ ll make plenty of noise and are much safer to use as long as you ’ re not being stupid .
Then again , if you ’ re not being stupid , you ’ re also not firing your gun up into the air , either .

I don’t really enjoy having to write the same things year after year. I’d much rather explore new ground and write new stories. However, from time to time, there comes some things where I don’t really have a choice. I simply have to address it, preferably before it becomes an issue.
Such is the case when we get to the idea of shooting guns in the air in celebration of the new year.
Look, I love shooting my firearms as much as the next guy. I also get the desire to celebrate the end of the crappiest year on record in quite some time. Shooting to celebrate the new year may sound like harmless fun, but it’s not.
What goes up must come down, after all, and year after year, we report on stories where someone is injured or killed by a stray bullet fired from miles away.
See, some figure that the bullet in the air isn’t a threat. Under a very specific set of circumstances, it might not be. Fired at a precisely 90-degree angle to the Earth, a round will go into the air until it runs out of energy. It’ll basically stop for a split second, then start plummeting to the Earth. Once it reaches terminal velocity, it falls at a speed that presents no real danger.
Yet at 89- or 91-degrees, things work very differently. At that point, the ground will arc and cover miles of distance and land somewhere beyond your control.
It’s virtually impossible for a human being to gauge the angle of their arm sufficiently to prevent this kind of thing, so don’t do it. There’s absolutely nothing to gain.
If you just have to fire your gun, at least fire it into the ground. The odds of you doing some kind of damage are greatly reduced at that point, though never zero. You might hit a shallow-buried rock or something and cause a ricochet, so even then use caution. However, you’re far less likely to kill someone that way than by firing into the air.
Or, even better if legal in your state, just by some firework and use them safely. They’ll make plenty of noise and are much safer to use as long as you’re not being stupid.
Then again, if you’re not being stupid, you’re also not firing your gun up into the air, either.


bearingarms--2020-12-28--Inside the 2A Grassroots Campaign Aiming For Results In Georgia

Next Tuesday is Election Day , Part II in the state of Georgia , and by all accounts it looks like both of the U.S. Senate races are going to come down to the wire .
On today ’ s Bearing Arms ’ Cam & Co , we get an inside look at the Second Amendment ground game in the state with my guest Tim Knight , a longtime 2A activist who ’ s been knocking on doors and talking to voters across the state over the past several weeks .
Knight says that the vast majority of the gun @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his volunteer efforts have been well aware of the anti-gun attitudes of both Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff .
The Democrats are downplaying their support for gun control while on the campaign trail , and the media ’ s more interested in covering up the candidates ’ position on things like Joe Biden ’ s gun ban and “ buyback ” than they are in actually covering what the candidates think , but from what Knight has seen gun owners in Georgia are doing a good job of talking with friends , family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s ridicule for the right to carry and Ossoff ’ s embrace of a gun ban .
Even new gun owners seem to understand what ’ s at stake in this election .
Tim Knight describes meeting a mother and daughter who bought their first firearms about six months ago and have more recently been going through the process of obtaining their concealed carry licenses .
Knight says the daughter , in her mid-to-late 20s , told him that her personal security is important to her , and after buying a gun @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Second Amendment as well .
Turnout on both sides of the aisle is expected to be far higher than a normal special election , but Knight ’ s seen at least anecdotal evidence that not every Joe Biden voter is a lock for the Democrats this time around .
In the Atlanta suburbs Knight says he spoke to several voters who actually cast their ballot for Joe Biden , but want to see Republicans control the Senate to serve as a check on the Democrats ’ power .
The veteran 2A activist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debate voters , but to mobilize them , so he didn ’ t get into a discussion about why someone who cares about their right to keep and bear arms would vote for Biden in the first place , but I ’ m curious to know just how large this voting bloc might be .
I haven ’ t paid much attention to the polling in Georgia since the election , because I ’ m not sure it matters all that much .
The runoff elections were close , and there ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ll be any different this time around .
One good sign , according to Knight , is that he only ran across a single voter in hundreds of contacts who said that they weren ’ t planning on casting a ballot because they thought the presidential election was stolen .
Knight says that almost everyone he spoke to was concerned about election security , but besides that one lone voter none of them were planning on protesting the November election results by staying home next Tuesday , which they know would guarantee a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right up until Election Day , with the National Rifle Association and Gun Owners of America each running their own grassroots get-out-the-vote efforts .
The NRA is also on the air , in mailboxes , and online with their messaging ; spending at least $ 4.5-million during the runoff period in support of Republicans David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler .
The gun vote in Georgia is knowledgable about the issues and aware of the consequences of Democrat victories , according to Knight .
Second Amendment voters aren ’ t just concerned about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other gun control bills to be rammed through Congress ; they ’ re also worried about attempts to add more anti-gun justices to the Supreme Court , and they know that if Republicans keep the Senate majority that ’ s off the table for at least two years .
I appreciate Tim joining me on the show today , and if you ’ re also a part of the grassroots effort to get out the gun vote in Georgia , I ’ d like to thank you on behalf of gun owners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a huge impact on all of our Second Amendment rights , and I ’ m heartened by what Tim has to say about the 2A community in Georgia and next week ’ s elections .

Next Tuesday is Election Day, Part II in the state of Georgia, and by all accounts it looks like both of the U.S. Senate races are going to come down to the wire. On today’s Bearing Arms’ Cam & Co, we get an inside look at the Second Amendment ground game in the state with my guest Tim Knight, a longtime 2A activist who’s been knocking on doors and talking to voters across the state over the past several weeks.
Knight says that the vast majority of the gun owners he’s spoken with in his volunteer efforts have been well aware of the anti-gun attitudes of both Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff. The Democrats are downplaying their support for gun control while on the campaign trail, and the media’s more interested in covering up the candidates’ position on things like Joe Biden’s gun ban and “buyback” than they are in actually covering what the candidates think, but from what Knight has seen gun owners in Georgia are doing a good job of talking with friends, family, and neighbors about things like Warnock’s ridicule for the right to carry and Ossoff’s embrace of a gun ban.
Even new gun owners seem to understand what’s at stake in this election. Tim Knight describes meeting a mother and daughter who bought their first firearms about six months ago and have more recently been going through the process of obtaining their concealed carry licenses. Knight says the daughter, in her mid-to-late 20s, told him that her personal security is important to her, and after buying a gun she now sees the importance of protecting the Second Amendment as well.
Turnout on both sides of the aisle is expected to be far higher than a normal special election, but Knight’s seen at least anecdotal evidence that not every Joe Biden voter is a lock for the Democrats this time around. In the Atlanta suburbs Knight says he spoke to several voters who actually cast their ballot for Joe Biden, but want to see Republicans control the Senate to serve as a check on the Democrats’ power.
The veteran 2A activist says he wasn’t there to debate voters, but to mobilize them, so he didn’t get into a discussion about why someone who cares about their right to keep and bear arms would vote for Biden in the first place, but I’m curious to know just how large this voting bloc might be.
I haven’t paid much attention to the polling in Georgia since the election, because I’m not sure it matters all that much. The runoff elections were close, and there’s no reason to believe that it’ll be any different this time around. One good sign, according to Knight, is that he only ran across a single voter in hundreds of contacts who said that they weren’t planning on casting a ballot because they thought the presidential election was stolen.
Knight says that almost everyone he spoke to was concerned about election security, but besides that one lone voter none of them were planning on protesting the November election results by staying home next Tuesday, which they know would guarantee a Democratic sweep.
The door-knocking will continue right up until Election Day, with the National Rifle Association and Gun Owners of America each running their own grassroots get-out-the-vote efforts. The NRA is also on the air, in mailboxes, and online with their messaging; spending at least $4.5-million during the runoff period in support of Republicans David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler.
The gun vote in Georgia is knowledgable about the issues and aware of the consequences of Democrat victories, according to Knight. Second Amendment voters aren’t just concerned about the potential for Biden’s gun ban and other gun control bills to be rammed through Congress; they’re also worried about attempts to add more anti-gun justices to the Supreme Court, and they know that if Republicans keep the Senate majority that’s off the table for at least two years.
I appreciate Tim joining me on the show today, and if you’re also a part of the grassroots effort to get out the gun vote in Georgia, I’d like to thank you on behalf of gun owners everywhere. Your senate elections could have a huge impact on all of our Second Amendment rights, and I’m heartened by what Tim has to say about the 2A community in Georgia and next week’s elections.


bearingarms--2020-12-28--City In Anti-Gun State Sees 5-Year High In "Gun Arrests"

Critics of our gun rights argue that such rights need to be curtailed for the greater good .
They believe that gun control laws actually stop criminals , at least to some degree .
As such , they think we all need to suck it up a little because , in their minds , it ’ s a small price to pay for safety .
Take Massachusetts , for example .
While the nation is seeing huge spikes in violent crime , none of that is happening in anti-gun Massachusetts , now is it ?
Over the last 12 months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in calls for service , a sharp decline in the number of arrests , and an even sharper decline in the number of drug raids and drug arrests .
The explanation is simple enough : COVID-19 .
But as some law enforcement metrics are going down , others — like the number of illegal and unlawful guns on the streets of the city — are going up .
With a week left in the year , city police have confiscated 259 illegal and unlawful guns .
That ’ s the most in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increase from 2019 .
Forty percent of those guns were seized during narcotics operations — nearly double the amount from 2019 .
Police say the reason these numbers are increasing is the same as the reason others are declining .
I have it on excellent authority–Brady and Gifford and their Bloomberg-funded buddies , don ’ t ya know ?
–that gun control makes this sort of thing virtually impossible .
If you have tough gun laws , criminals simply won ’ t get guns .
There ’ s no way this could happen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That leads us to ask why ?
The pandemic has had a direct impact on law enforcement in Massachusetts .
Trials have been delayed or postponed , judges have seemed reluctant to order any by the most dangerous inmates held , and the state ’ s highest court in the spring ordered the release of hundreds of nonviolent , low-risk defendants awaiting trial .
Many in law enforcement see these as contributing to the surge in gun crimes in cities throughout the Northeast , as dangerous offenders are back out on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ custody .
Public defenders dispute that charge , calling it political grandstanding .
Except , violence has increased pretty much everywhere .
It ’ s not unique to Springfield , Massachusetts by any stretch of the imagination .
It ’ s happening everywhere , including anti-gun states like New York , Illinois , and California .
If gun control worked so well , then just how do we explain any of these facts .
Then again , it ’ s not like gun control ’ s success or failure is relevant for anti-gunners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s proof that we need more of it .
If it succeeds , it ’ s proof we need more of it .
Kind of funny how that works , now isn ’ t it ?
At the end of the day , though , some places don ’ t value our basic civil liberties and others do .
Massachusetts doesn ’ t and we can plainly see that despite all their anti-gun actions in past decades , it did absolutely nothing to actually stop gun crimes in their state .
Hell , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even slowed them down .

Critics of our gun rights argue that such rights need to be curtailed for the greater good. They believe that gun control laws actually stop criminals, at least to some degree. As such, they think we all need to suck it up a little because, in their minds, it’s a small price to pay for safety.
Take Massachusetts, for example. While the nation is seeing huge spikes in violent crime, none of that is happening in anti-gun Massachusetts, now is it?
Oh, my bad.
Over the last 12 months, Springfield police have seen a decline in calls for service, a sharp decline in the number of arrests, and an even sharper decline in the number of drug raids and drug arrests. The explanation is simple enough: COVID-19. But as some law enforcement metrics are going down, others — like the number of illegal and unlawful guns on the streets of the city — are going up. Way up. With a week left in the year, city police have confiscated 259 illegal and unlawful guns. That’s the most in the last five years and a 33% increase from 2019. Forty percent of those guns were seized during narcotics operations — nearly double the amount from 2019. Police say the reason these numbers are increasing is the same as the reason others are declining. It’s because of COVID-19.
UNPOSSIBLE!
I have it on excellent authority–Brady and Gifford and their Bloomberg-funded buddies, don’t ya know?–that gun control makes this sort of thing virtually impossible. If you have tough gun laws, criminals simply won’t get guns.
There’s no way this could happen.
And yet, here we are. That leads us to ask why?
The pandemic has had a direct impact on law enforcement in Massachusetts. Trials have been delayed or postponed, judges have seemed reluctant to order any by the most dangerous inmates held, and the state’s highest court in the spring ordered the release of hundreds of nonviolent, low-risk defendants awaiting trial. Many in law enforcement see these as contributing to the surge in gun crimes in cities throughout the Northeast, as dangerous offenders are back out on the streets committing crimes instead of being in custody. Public defenders dispute that charge, calling it political grandstanding.
Except, violence has increased pretty much everywhere. It’s not unique to Springfield, Massachusetts by any stretch of the imagination. It’s happening everywhere, including anti-gun states like New York, Illinois, and California.
If gun control worked so well, then just how do we explain any of these facts.
Then again, it’s not like gun control’s success or failure is relevant for anti-gunners. If it fails, it’s proof that we need more of it. If it succeeds, it’s proof we need more of it. Kind of funny how that works, now isn’t it?
At the end of the day, though, some places don’t value our basic civil liberties and others do. Massachusetts doesn’t and we can plainly see that despite all their anti-gun actions in past decades, it did absolutely nothing to actually stop gun crimes in their state.
Hell, it doesn’t look like it even slowed them down.


bearingarms--2020-12-28--Beware Of This Scam Targeting Concealed Carry

Alongside the record-setting pace of gun sales across the country , we ’ re also seeing a sharp increase in the number of people applying for their concealed carry license .
In fact , the growing number of Americans embracing their right to carry has now led to a new scam aimed directly at concealed carry license holders and those who ’ ve been thinking about applying for a license of their own .
According to multiple law enforcement agencies , the scam involves texts or emails warning the recipient that “ today is the last day ” for them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The scam has popped up in a number of states , from Massachusetts to Alabama to Utah , and all follow the same similar pattern .
Here ’ s how one Utah law enforcement agency described the scam .
The Department of Public Safety is warning people of a new text scam that asks for personal information after referencing concealed firearm permits .
DPS says that the fake texts have an embedded link which scammers use to access personal information .
It doesn ’ t matter whether or not you actually have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still get the text .
Obviously if you ’ re not a concealed carry licensee the scam is likely to be ignored , but for the roughly 20-million Americans who do possess a carry license , this could be an issue .
At least one agency reports that the phishing emails and texts claim they ’ re from a company called Permitium , which is a real business that provides fingerprinting and other services to law enforcement agencies .
The company recently sent out an email to its clients warning of the scam @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alerts from the company will contain links .
If you do receive one of these messages , don ’ t click the link .
Instead , the company asks you to report the scam here .
Remember , law enforcement agencies aren ’ t going to send you emails or texts asking you for personal information .
You might get a reminder in the mail about your soon-to-expire carry license depending on your local sheriff , but not a text or an email that contains a link where you can submit your personal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it may be .
There ’ s no telling how widespread this scam is at the moment , but given the number of law enforcement agencies warning residents about it , it appears to be a genuine concern and a real threat for identify theft or worse .
When it doubt , throw out any emails or texts that you suspect are part of this scam in order to keep your bank account and personal information secure .

Alongside the record-setting pace of gun sales across the country, we’re also seeing a sharp increase in the number of people applying for their concealed carry license. In fact, the growing number of Americans embracing their right to carry has now led to a new scam aimed directly at concealed carry license holders and those who’ve been thinking about applying for a license of their own. According to multiple law enforcement agencies, the scam involves texts or emails warning the recipient that “today is the last day” for them to apply for a concealed carry license.
The scam has popped up in a number of states, from Massachusetts to Alabama to Utah, and all follow the same similar pattern. Here’s how one Utah law enforcement agency described the scam.
The Department of Public Safety is warning people of a new text scam that asks for personal information after referencing concealed firearm permits. DPS says that the fake texts have an embedded link which scammers use to access personal information. It doesn’t matter whether or not you actually have a concealed firearm permit, you may still get the text.
Obviously if you’re not a concealed carry licensee the scam is likely to be ignored, but for the roughly 20-million Americans who do possess a carry license, this could be an issue.
At least one agency reports that the phishing emails and texts claim they’re from a company called Permitium, which is a real business that provides fingerprinting and other services to law enforcement agencies. The company recently sent out an email to its clients warning of the scam and advising that no genuine text message alerts from the company will contain links.
If you do receive one of these messages, don’t click the link. Instead, the company asks you to report the scam here.
Remember, law enforcement agencies aren’t going to send you emails or texts asking you for personal information. You might get a reminder in the mail about your soon-to-expire carry license depending on your local sheriff, but not a text or an email that contains a link where you can submit your personal information, no matter how official looking it may be.
There’s no telling how widespread this scam is at the moment, but given the number of law enforcement agencies warning residents about it, it appears to be a genuine concern and a real threat for identify theft or worse. When it doubt, throw out any emails or texts that you suspect are part of this scam in order to keep your bank account and personal information secure.


bearingarms--2020-12-28--Arkansas Legislature To Take Another Swing At "Stand Your Ground"

The state of Arkansas is pretty strong on gun rights in very many ways .
However , no state seems to get it perfect .
In Arkansas , one of their flaws isn ’ t really a gun issue , but a self-defense issue .
You see , Arkansas has a “ Duty to Retreat ” law .
In other words , if you ’ re faced with a life-threatening situation , you ’ re legally required to look for escape rather than being allowed to just defend yourself .
That ’ s right , you have to waste precious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to determine if you can get away from an attacker before you can actually defend yourself .
And if you think there isn ’ t and a prosecutor who wasn ’ t there at the time thinks there was , well…you ’ re in for a bad time .
Over the last several years , there has been an effort to change the state ’ s self-defense laws so that Arkansas would become a Stand Your Ground state .
Thus far , they ’ ve been unsuccessful .
Now , they ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Legislature introduced a so-called “ stand-your-ground ” self-defense bill Wednesday , vowing to enact the measure in 2021 after past efforts failed in the face of law enforcement opposition .
The legislation , Senate Bill 24 , proposes to eliminate language from the state ’ s criminal codes requiring a person to retreat , if possible , before using deadly force in self-defense .
The bill was introduced by state Sen. Bob Ballinger , R- Berryville , and Rep. Aaron Pilkington , R-Clarksville , and co-sponsored by more than two dozen other GOP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sponsors of similar legislation in 2019 to eliminate the duty to retreat , but they encountered opposition from gun-control groups , law enforcement and prosecutors .
Gov .
Asa Hutchinson , while never formally taking a stance for or against the measure in 2019 , said at the time he was “ hesitant ” to change the state ’ s self-defense laws .
Ultimately , the 2019 effort failed after a single Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee joined with the committee ’ s three Democrats to vote against the measure , stalling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tweet announcing a return of the legislation Wednesday , Ballinger thanked both the National Rifle Association — a long-time proponent of stand-your-ground laws — and the Arkansas Prosecuting Attorneys Association , which opposed the 2019 legislation before switching to a neutral stance after changes to the bill were made .
Now , that doesn ’ t mean the bill will pass this time around .
The best we can do is hope .
Well , that ’ s the best those of us outside the state might be able to do , anyway @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s imperative to call your legislators and express your support for this law .
The truth of the matter is that while Stand Your Ground is vilified , it ’ s vilified by people who either don ’ t understand it or what to do what they can to make sure no one else understands it .
All it does is remove a duty to try and get away from an attack you might not be able to find away to escape from in the first place .
It prevents you from being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s it .
You still have to meet other legal standards such as having a reasonable belief that your life was being threatened .
Yet opponents of such measures ignore that little tidbit .
As such , if you ’ re in Arkansas , call your legislators and get this passed .
If not , the life ruined might , God forbid , be yours .

The state of Arkansas is pretty strong on gun rights in very many ways. However, no state seems to get it perfect. In Arkansas, one of their flaws isn’t really a gun issue, but a self-defense issue.
You see, Arkansas has a “Duty to Retreat” law. In other words, if you’re faced with a life-threatening situation, you’re legally required to look for escape rather than being allowed to just defend yourself. That’s right, you have to waste precious seconds in the face of an attack to determine if you can get away from an attacker before you can actually defend yourself.
And if you think there isn’t and a prosecutor who wasn’t there at the time thinks there was, well…you’re in for a bad time.
Over the last several years, there has been an effort to change the state’s self-defense laws so that Arkansas would become a Stand Your Ground state. Thus far, they’ve been unsuccessful.
Now, they’re trying again.
Republicans in the Arkansas Legislature introduced a so-called “stand-your-ground” self-defense bill Wednesday, vowing to enact the measure in 2021 after past efforts failed in the face of law enforcement opposition. The legislation, Senate Bill 24, proposes to eliminate language from the state’s criminal codes requiring a person to retreat, if possible, before using deadly force in self-defense. The bill was introduced by state Sen. Bob Ballinger, R- Berryville, and Rep. Aaron Pilkington, R-Clarksville, and co-sponsored by more than two dozen other GOP lawmakers. Ballinger and Pilkington were each sponsors of similar legislation in 2019 to eliminate the duty to retreat, but they encountered opposition from gun-control groups, law enforcement and prosecutors. Gov. Asa Hutchinson, while never formally taking a stance for or against the measure in 2019, said at the time he was “hesitant” to change the state’s self-defense laws. Ultimately, the 2019 effort failed after a single Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee joined with the committee’s three Democrats to vote against the measure, stalling the bill in committee. In a tweet announcing a return of the legislation Wednesday, Ballinger thanked both the National Rifle Association — a long-time proponent of stand-your-ground laws — and the Arkansas Prosecuting Attorneys Association, which opposed the 2019 legislation before switching to a neutral stance after changes to the bill were made.
Now, that doesn’t mean the bill will pass this time around. The best we can do is hope.
Well, that’s the best those of us outside the state might be able to do, anyway. Inside the state, it’s imperative to call your legislators and express your support for this law.
The truth of the matter is that while Stand Your Ground is vilified, it’s vilified by people who either don’t understand it or what to do what they can to make sure no one else understands it. All it does is remove a duty to try and get away from an attack you might not be able to find away to escape from in the first place. It prevents you from being prosecuted for not running away and that’s it. You still have to meet other legal standards such as having a reasonable belief that your life was being threatened.
Yet opponents of such measures ignore that little tidbit.
As such, if you’re in Arkansas, call your legislators and get this passed. If not, the life ruined might, God forbid, be yours.


bearingarms--2020-12-28--Ohio Paper Calls Stand Your Ground Bill "Racist"

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has until Thursday to sign or veto a bill expanding the state ’ s “ Stand Your Ground ” protections , and the managing editor of the Sandusky Register is going all in with his attempt to drum up opposition to the measure .
In a story bizarrely headlined “ Lawmakers Don ’ t Defend ‘ Racist Law ’ ” editor Matt Westerhold abandons all attempts at neutrality in favor of outright misinformation about what the bill actually does .
Three local lawmakers voted in favor of expanding gun rights in a way civil rights organizations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the deaths of more Black people .
But state Sen. Theresa Gavarone and state representatives DJ Swearingen and Dick Stein aren ’ t providing any explanation for why they support the “ Stand Your Ground ” provision in Senate Bill 175 , which expands the definition of self-defense to include instances in which a person with a gun who feels threatened can chase down and kill another person .
Call me old-school , but it seems to me that if you ’ re going to state that SB 175 allows people to chase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should be able to back up that claim .
Westerhold , however , doesn ’ t back up his assertion with any facts .
Here ’ s what the actual text of the bill says : For purposes of any section of the Revised Code that sets forth a criminal offense , a person who lawfully is in that person ’ s residence has no duty to retreat before using force in self defense , defense of another , or defense of that person ’ s residence , and a person who lawfully @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s vehicle or who lawfully is an occupant in a vehicle owned by an immediate family member of the person has no duty to retreat before using force in self-defense or defense of another if that person is in a place in which the person lawfully has a right to be .
Note that the language that ’ s been struck through is already a part of Ohio law , while the new text revises the existing statutes .
SB 175 doesn ’ t establish a Stand Your Ground law , in other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where gun owners are entitled to defend themselves without attempting to retreat beforehand .
There ’ s simply nothing in the bill that would allow for a gun owner to chase down a suspect , because even under Stand Your Ground provisions gun owners must be responding to a threat against their own life or the life of another .
There ’ s a reason why the provisions have been nicknamed Stand Your Ground and not Chase After Criminals .
Westerhold goes on to claim that the bill itself is “ racist ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the legislation .
Daryl Murphy , president of the Sandusky branch of the NAACP , said he was confounded that Ohio lawmakers would support the blatantly racist law , especially in a year that saw the deaths of Aubrey and other Black people caused by racist violence .
It ’ s also been a year of protest against racial violence , he said .
Lawmakers would not say what response they have for Murphy and other critics .
The lawmakers who voted for the racist legislation failed to provide any explanation for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ majority deputy press secretary who occasionally provides talking point responses on their behalf , also failed to provide any reply .
It ’ s not clear if he shared the inquiry with other lawmakers who support the chase and kill legislation .
As researcher Howard Nemerov has pointed out , there ’ s no evidence that Stand Your Ground laws are racist in practice or in theory .
In fact , according to Nemerov ’ s research , there has been no significant increase in black justifiable homicide victims in Stand Your Ground @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both a higher percent of justifiable homicides and a higher percent of all justifiable defenses against white attackers .
This is simply media malpractice on the part of Westerhold , who has a duty to inform readers of the facts about SB 175 .
Is the opinion of the head of the local NAACP newsworthy ?
Sure , but his opinion doesn ’ t replace or negate what ’ s actually contained within the bill , and the simple fact is that Stand Your Ground doesn ’ t give anyone a license to @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has until Thursday to sign or veto a bill expanding the state’s “Stand Your Ground” protections, and the managing editor of the Sandusky Register is going all in with his attempt to drum up opposition to the measure. In a story bizarrely headlined “Lawmakers Don’t Defend ‘Racist Law’” editor Matt Westerhold abandons all attempts at neutrality in favor of outright misinformation about what the bill actually does.
Three local lawmakers voted in favor of expanding gun rights in a way civil rights organizations say is racist and will lead to the deaths of more Black people. But state Sen. Theresa Gavarone and state representatives DJ Swearingen and Dick Stein aren’t providing any explanation for why they support the “Stand Your Ground” provision in Senate Bill 175, which expands the definition of self-defense to include instances in which a person with a gun who feels threatened can chase down and kill another person.
Call me old-school, but it seems to me that if you’re going to state that SB 175 allows people to chase down and kill another person, you should be able to back up that claim. Westerhold, however, doesn’t back up his assertion with any facts. Here’s what the actual text of the bill says:
For purposes of any section of the Revised Code that sets forth a criminal offense, a person who lawfully is in that person’s residence has no duty to retreat before using force in self defense, defense of another, or defense of that person’s residence, and a person who lawfully is an occupant of that person’s vehicle or who lawfully is an occupant in a vehicle owned by an immediate family member of the person has no duty to retreat before using force in self-defense or defense of another if that person is in a place in which the person lawfully has a right to be.
Note that the language that’s been struck through is already a part of Ohio law, while the new text revises the existing statutes. SB 175 doesn’t establish a Stand Your Ground law, in other words, it simply simplifies and clarifies where gun owners are entitled to defend themselves without attempting to retreat beforehand. There’s simply nothing in the bill that would allow for a gun owner to chase down a suspect, because even under Stand Your Ground provisions gun owners must be responding to a threat against their own life or the life of another. There’s a reason why the provisions have been nicknamed Stand Your Ground and not Chase After Criminals.
Westerhold goes on to claim that the bill itself is “racist” while demonizing lawmakers who voted in favor of the legislation.
Daryl Murphy, president of the Sandusky branch of the NAACP, said he was confounded that Ohio lawmakers would support the blatantly racist law, especially in a year that saw the deaths of Aubrey and other Black people caused by racist violence. It’s also been a year of protest against racial violence, he said. Lawmakers would not say what response they have for Murphy and other critics. The lawmakers who voted for the racist legislation failed to provide any explanation for their support of it. A House majority deputy press secretary who occasionally provides talking point responses on their behalf, also failed to provide any reply. It’s not clear if he shared the inquiry with other lawmakers who support the chase and kill legislation.
As researcher Howard Nemerov has pointed out, there’s no evidence that Stand Your Ground laws are racist in practice or in theory. In fact, according to Nemerov’s research, there has been no significant increase in black justifiable homicide victims in Stand Your Ground states, while black defenders account for both a higher percent of justifiable homicides and a higher percent of all justifiable defenses against white attackers.
This is simply media malpractice on the part of Westerhold, who has a duty to inform readers of the facts about SB 175. Is the opinion of the head of the local NAACP newsworthy? Sure, but his opinion doesn’t replace or negate what’s actually contained within the bill, and the simple fact is that Stand Your Ground doesn’t give anyone a license to “chase and kill” another.


bearingarms--2020-12-28--St Paul Police To Review Policies Over Three Percenter Sticker

There ’ s a lot of hysteria surrounding just about any group on the right .
This is especially true about groups like the Three Percenters .
The group formed behind the idea that no more than three percent of the American population during the time of the American Revolution ever took the field at any one time .
In short , they ’ re a militia , though they appear to disagree that the term applies to them .
I don ’ t , but I don ’ t see the term “ militia ” as a bad thing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their stickers has popped up on the truck of a St. Paul , MN police officer and that kicked the hornet ’ s nest .
A sticker affixed to the back window of a vehicle parked in downtown St. Paul caught a resident ’ s attention — it was the Three Percenter logo .
When Trevor Burns saw a uniformed St. Paul officer head to the pickup , he was even more concerned .
The Anti-Defamation League describes Three Percenters as “ anti-government extremists who are part of the militia movement.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they are not a militia and they are “ very pro-government , so long as the government abides by the Constitution.
” Burns wrote recently to Police Chief Todd Axtell , and talked to the chief .
He said he now has no reason to believe the officer with the pick-up “ is an actual member of a group that believes in overthrow of the government.
” Still , Burns said he ’ s still troubled that “ somebody in our police force was comfortable enough to display ” the sticker , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
CHIEF : ‘ NO ROOM FOR HATE OR BIAS IN THIS POLICE DEPARTMENT ’ In Axtell ’ s response to Burns , he wrote that because the sticker was on an officer ’ s private vehicle , the department wasn ’ t aware of it .
Now , the department is “ able to use it as an opportunity to educate all SPPD employees about the importance of considering the larger context of political issues , actions and organizations — especially those that are multifaceted , ” Axtell wrote .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for hate or bias in this police department , ” he continued .
Of course , the Three Percenters aren ’ t generally considered a racist militia .
They ’ re anti-government , according to the ADL , and if the ADL can ’ t find a way to label them as racist , then there ’ s probably not any hate or bias to be concerned about , even if the officer is a full-fledged member of the group .
However , this does cause me to shake my head .
Look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support a militia , then fine .
If you ’ re concerned about the government overstepping their constitutional bounds and acting tyrannically , you probably should consider supporting such a group .
But to advertise it like that ?
Honestly , this is beyond stupid .
Remember how people freak when someone shows support for Antifa or ISIS ?
Do you honestly think the other side won ’ t see a Three Percent sticker and not make the same value judgment ?
All the officer did–which is legal and not in any way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clear–is mark himself out .
Now everyone knows where he stands and who he stands will .
If shooting starts , there will be some who will look at him first .
Regardless , though , the department ’ s reaction to the sticker is a bigger concern .
By talking about reviewing policies , they ’ re making it quite clear that they believe the officer shouldn ’ t have a right to speak .
That ’ s what a sticker on your truck is , after all .
It appears they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acceptable and forbid others .
If this officer had a Black Lives Matter sticker on his truck , nothing would be said , yet Black Lives Matter is responsible for more violence in 2020 than the Three Percenters are , that ’ s for damn sure .
And that is what will turn this into a big problem and we all know it .

There’s a lot of hysteria surrounding just about any group on the right. This is especially true about groups like the Three Percenters. The group formed behind the idea that no more than three percent of the American population during the time of the American Revolution ever took the field at any one time.
In short, they’re a militia, though they appear to disagree that the term applies to them. I don’t, but I don’t see the term “militia” as a bad thing, either.
However, one of their stickers has popped up on the truck of a St. Paul, MN police officer and that kicked the hornet’s nest.
A sticker affixed to the back window of a vehicle parked in downtown St. Paul caught a resident’s attention — it was the Three Percenter logo. When Trevor Burns saw a uniformed St. Paul officer head to the pickup, he was even more concerned. The Anti-Defamation League describes Three Percenters as “anti-government extremists who are part of the militia movement.” The Three Percenter website, meanwhile, says they are not a militia and they are “very pro-government, so long as the government abides by the Constitution.” Burns wrote recently to Police Chief Todd Axtell, and talked to the chief. He said he now has no reason to believe the officer with the pick-up “is an actual member of a group that believes in overthrow of the government.” Still, Burns said he’s still troubled that “somebody in our police force was comfortable enough to display” the sticker, but he believes Axtell is taking important steps. CHIEF: ‘NO ROOM FOR HATE OR BIAS IN THIS POLICE DEPARTMENT’ In Axtell’s response to Burns, he wrote that because the sticker was on an officer’s private vehicle, the department wasn’t aware of it. Now, the department is “able to use it as an opportunity to educate all SPPD employees about the importance of considering the larger context of political issues, actions and organizations — especially those that are multifaceted,” Axtell wrote. “I assure you, there is no room for hate or bias in this police department,” he continued.
Of course, the Three Percenters aren’t generally considered a racist militia. They’re anti-government, according to the ADL, and if the ADL can’t find a way to label them as racist, then there’s probably not any hate or bias to be concerned about, even if the officer is a full-fledged member of the group.
However, this does cause me to shake my head.
Look, if you’re going to support a militia, then fine. If you’re concerned about the government overstepping their constitutional bounds and acting tyrannically, you probably should consider supporting such a group.
But to advertise it like that? Honestly, this is beyond stupid.
Remember how people freak when someone shows support for Antifa or ISIS? Do you honestly think the other side won’t see a Three Percent sticker and not make the same value judgment?
All the officer did–which is legal and not in any way immoral or unethical, just to be clear–is mark himself out. Now everyone knows where he stands and who he stands will. If shooting starts, there will be some who will look at him first.
Nicely done.
Regardless, though, the department’s reaction to the sticker is a bigger concern. By talking about reviewing policies, they’re making it quite clear that they believe the officer shouldn’t have a right to speak. That’s what a sticker on your truck is, after all. It appears they want to make certain types of speech acceptable and forbid others.
If this officer had a Black Lives Matter sticker on his truck, nothing would be said, yet Black Lives Matter is responsible for more violence in 2020 than the Three Percenters are, that’s for damn sure.
And that is what will turn this into a big problem and we all know it.


bearingarms--2020-12-28--Christmas Eve Carjacking Shows Why We Should Carry

Maryland ’ s draconian gun control laws didn ’ t stop a group of armed men from targeting a pair of delivery drivers in the D.C. suburbs on Christmas Eve , but they did prevent the drivers from being able to fight back .
The pair were abducted at gunpoint and their box truck full of packages stolen by a group of individuals on Christmas Eve in Prince George ’ s County , Maryland after several men in two different cars forced the truck off of a busy highway and and on to the shoulder of the road .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two armed , forced the delivery drivers to get into the back of the truck where over 100 packages were stored .
The victims told police they were taken to unknown locations , but they believed it was in Maryland .
That ’ s where they were held inside the truck while the packages were removed .
All five suspects were wearing black or dark clothing with full face coverings .
Once all the packages were unloaded , the victims were released along with the truck .
The delivery drivers drove to D.C. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ barrack to report these crimes .
According to Prince George ’ s police , carjackings and “ jump-in thefts ” of vehicles have increased by more than 300 % compared to 2019 , with a total of 469 incidents so far this year .
Given the state ’ s restrictive carry laws that prevent the average citizen from obtaining a concealed carry license , crooks seem to have figured out that the odds are in their favor .
Under Maryland law , those hoping to receive a license to carry have to demonstrate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so , and self-defense isn ’ t seen as a valid reason .
Neither is living or working in a county with a crime rate that ’ s spiraling out of control .
No , instead applicants must demonstrate evidence of a specific , ongoing threat against their life or document some special circumstance in their job or personal life that elevates their desire for self-protection above those of the average resident in Baltimore , Prince George ’ s County , or anywhere else in the state .
If you live in Maryland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve likely heard public service announcements featuring Governor Larry Hogan telling people to “ wear the damn mask ” in order to fight COVID-19 .
Why isn ’ t the governor demanding that Democrats in the state “ fix the damn law ” and recognize that the Second Amendment protects the right of the average citizen to bear arms as well as to keep them ?
It ’ s doubtful that the Democrats in charge of the state house in Annapolis would comply with his demand , but at least he ’ d @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Given Hogan ’ s rumored interest in running for president in 2024 , you ’ d think he ’ d be quick to jump on the issue , but for whatever reason the governor has been mostly mum on the right to carry since lawmakers overrode his veto of a bill abolishing the state ’ s Handgun Review Board , which provided concealed carry applicants with an appeals process if they believed their application was wrongly denied .
There ’ s also a federal lawsuit challenging the state ’ s carry laws that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Second Amendment Foundation , Firearms Policy Coalition , and Maryland Shall Issue which could provide some relief to gun owners in the state , but at the moment the criminals clearly have the upper hand .
They don ’ t care that they ’ re carrying a gun without a license any more than they ’ re concerned about breaking the law prohibiting carjackings .
It ’ s the law-abiding gun owners in Maryland who are feeling the brunt of the state ’ s gun control laws , and that appears to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the state .

Maryland’s draconian gun control laws didn’t stop a group of armed men from targeting a pair of delivery drivers in the D.C. suburbs on Christmas Eve, but they did prevent the drivers from being able to fight back.
The pair were abducted at gunpoint and their box truck full of packages stolen by a group of individuals on Christmas Eve in Prince George’s County, Maryland after several men in two different cars forced the truck off of a busy highway and and on to the shoulder of the road.
A total of five men, at least two armed, forced the delivery drivers to get into the back of the truck where over 100 packages were stored. The victims told police they were taken to unknown locations, but they believed it was in Maryland. That’s where they were held inside the truck while the packages were removed. All five suspects were wearing black or dark clothing with full face coverings. Once all the packages were unloaded, the victims were released along with the truck. The delivery drivers drove to D.C. before eventually going to the College Park barrack to report these crimes.
According to Prince George’s police, carjackings and “jump-in thefts” of vehicles have increased by more than 300% compared to 2019, with a total of 469 incidents so far this year. Given the state’s restrictive carry laws that prevent the average citizen from obtaining a concealed carry license, crooks seem to have figured out that the odds are in their favor.
Under Maryland law, those hoping to receive a license to carry have to demonstrate a “justifiable need” to do so, and self-defense isn’t seen as a valid reason. Neither is living or working in a county with a crime rate that’s spiraling out of control. No, instead applicants must demonstrate evidence of a specific, ongoing threat against their life or document some special circumstance in their job or personal life that elevates their desire for self-protection above those of the average resident in Baltimore, Prince George’s County, or anywhere else in the state.
If you live in Maryland or the D.C. area, you’ve likely heard public service announcements featuring Governor Larry Hogan telling people to “wear the damn mask” in order to fight COVID-19. Why isn’t the governor demanding that Democrats in the state “fix the damn law” and recognize that the Second Amendment protects the right of the average citizen to bear arms as well as to keep them? It’s doubtful that the Democrats in charge of the state house in Annapolis would comply with his demand, but at least he’d raise some attention to the issue.
Given Hogan’s rumored interest in running for president in 2024, you’d think he’d be quick to jump on the issue, but for whatever reason the governor has been mostly mum on the right to carry since lawmakers overrode his veto of a bill abolishing the state’s Handgun Review Board, which provided concealed carry applicants with an appeals process if they believed their application was wrongly denied.
There’s also a federal lawsuit challenging the state’s carry laws that was filed back in November by the Second Amendment Foundation, Firearms Policy Coalition, and Maryland Shall Issue which could provide some relief to gun owners in the state, but at the moment the criminals clearly have the upper hand. They don’t care that they’re carrying a gun without a license any more than they’re concerned about breaking the law prohibiting carjackings. It’s the law-abiding gun owners in Maryland who are feeling the brunt of the state’s gun control laws, and that appears to be just fine with the officials in charge of the state.


bearingarms--2020-12-28--Historic Leaders Understood Second Amendment's Importance

For Second Amendment advocates , the right to keep and bear arms is paramount .
It ’ s a bulwark against encroaching tyranny from a government that forgets that it serves the people and that the people do not exist to serve the government .
Advocates for that right also understand it ’ s under assault and has been for quite some time .
However , various leaders of the past knew what the Second Amendment was for , including a couple held in high esteem by the left .
A post at the Foundation for Economic Education highlights some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not limited in scope at the time of inception , in part because it was put in place as a bulwark against the despotism and tyranny that could arise out of an all-powerful government and standing army .
Any cursory review of the writings of many of the founding fathers would support that .
However , we don ’ t need to hearken back to the colonial era to understand the importance of the Second Amendment .
One of America ’ s most revered Democratic Presidents , John F Kennedy , stressed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commemorative message on Roosevelt Day in 1961 : “ In my own native state of Massachusetts , the battle for American freedom was begun by the thousands of farmers and tradesmen who made up the Minute Men―citizens who were ready to defend their liberty at a moment ’ s notice .
Today we need a nation of minute men ; citizens who are not only prepared to take up arms , but citizens who regard the preservation of freedom as a basic purpose of their daily life and who are willing to consciously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The cause of liberty , the cause of America , can not succeed with any lesser effort.
” It ’ s important to note that JFK preserved the link between the “ Minute Men ” of America ’ s Revolutionary period and ordinary modern-day American citizens .
Unfortunately , that linkage tends to be broken whenever there is a debate over the “ true meaning ” of the Second Amendment .
With that in mind , securing our individual rights has always been inextricably linked to our ability to collectively defend them .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Adams .
“ Among the natural rights of the colonists are these : First a right to life , secondly to liberty , and thirdly to property ; together with the right to defend them in the best manner they can , ” said Adams .
This sentiment has become even more relevant today as we struggle through draconian lockdowns and restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic .
State governments around the country have taken extreme actions that include closing businesses , infringing upon the right to worship , and even restricting the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s own home .
The great American social reformer and abolitionist Frederick Douglass , who having escaped the horrors of ( government-sanctioned ) slavery , understood the vital role firearms played in preserving individual freedom .
“ …the liberties of the American people were dependent upon the ballot-box , the jury-box , and the cartridge-box ; that without these no class of people could live and flourish in this country , Douglass wrote in his autobiography , Life and Times of Frederick Douglass .
It has been said that these three boxes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of free speech , make up the foundational rights of a free people .
Now , I don ’ t actually disagree with any of the quotes by these men .
I may think JFK was a scumball as a husband , but he was right with regard to the need for armed individuals to be prepared to sacrifice their lives for the cause of freedom .
It ’ s the surest way to make damn sure our rights aren ’ t erased .
All around the world , gun rights are essentially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nation pays lip service to gun rights , no one else actually acts as if the right to keep and bear arms is actually a thing .
What ’ s more , that right is under constant attack , an attack that will intensify in January to unprecedented levels .
Yet people like JFK , Sam Adams , and Fredrick Douglas knew damn good and well that our rights matter .
They ’ re the very thing that preserves our liberty .
Take a look at the UK .
They gave up their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but surely , they ’ re losing their right to speak up as well .
Folks are being investigated for hate crimes because they misgendered someone .
A man was prosecuted for teaching a dog to raise its paw as part of a joke .
Numerous other examples of people not really being free to speak , and they can do absolutely nothing about it .
And some want that to happen here .
The thing is , as long as Americans have the ability to resist , there will always be an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that even if the courts were to uphold some bit of tyrannical law , the American people may not be interested in allowing it to stand .
It ’ s an additional check and balance on the government .
Our Founding Fathers weren ’ t fans of standing armies or of government in general .
They recognized that if one isn ’ t very careful , the fire that keeps you warm can also burn your house to the ground .
They wanted the citizens of this great land to be prepared to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far .
And men like Douglas and Kennedy understood that .
They understood that governmental authority is not automatically good and decent and that we may need to fight back against that governmental authority .
The same governmental authority some who claim to be their spiritual descendants say we should capitulate to now regardless of what is demanded .

For Second Amendment advocates, the right to keep and bear arms is paramount. It’s a bulwark against encroaching tyranny from a government that forgets that it serves the people and that the people do not exist to serve the government. Advocates for that right also understand it’s under assault and has been for quite some time.
However, various leaders of the past knew what the Second Amendment was for, including a couple held in high esteem by the left.
A post at the Foundation for Economic Education highlights some of these.
The Second Amendment was not limited in scope at the time of inception, in part because it was put in place as a bulwark against the despotism and tyranny that could arise out of an all-powerful government and standing army. Any cursory review of the writings of many of the founding fathers would support that. However, we don’t need to hearken back to the colonial era to understand the importance of the Second Amendment. One of America’s most revered Democratic Presidents, John F Kennedy, stressed the importance of an armed citizenry during a commemorative message on Roosevelt Day in 1961: “In my own native state of Massachusetts, the battle for American freedom was begun by the thousands of farmers and tradesmen who made up the Minute Men―citizens who were ready to defend their liberty at a moment’s notice. Today we need a nation of minute men; citizens who are not only prepared to take up arms, but citizens who regard the preservation of freedom as a basic purpose of their daily life and who are willing to consciously work and sacrifice for that freedom. The cause of liberty, the cause of America, cannot succeed with any lesser effort.” It’s important to note that JFK preserved the link between the “Minute Men” of America’s Revolutionary period and ordinary modern-day American citizens. Unfortunately, that linkage tends to be broken whenever there is a debate over the “true meaning” of the Second Amendment. … With that in mind, securing our individual rights has always been inextricably linked to our ability to collectively defend them. We need look no further than Samuel Adams. “Among the natural rights of the colonists are these: First a right to life, secondly to liberty, and thirdly to property; together with the right to defend them in the best manner they can,” said Adams. This sentiment has become even more relevant today as we struggle through draconian lockdowns and restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. State governments around the country have taken extreme actions that include closing businesses, infringing upon the right to worship, and even restricting the amount of people allowed inside one’s own home. … The great American social reformer and abolitionist Frederick Douglass, who having escaped the horrors of (government-sanctioned) slavery, understood the vital role firearms played in preserving individual freedom. “…the liberties of the American people were dependent upon the ballot-box, the jury-box, and the cartridge-box; that without these no class of people could live and flourish in this country, Douglass wrote in his autobiography, Life and Times of Frederick Douglass. It has been said that these three boxes, combined with the “soap box“ of free speech, make up the foundational rights of a free people.
Now, I don’t actually disagree with any of the quotes by these men. I may think JFK was a scumball as a husband, but he was right with regard to the need for armed individuals to be prepared to sacrifice their lives for the cause of freedom. It’s the surest way to make damn sure our rights aren’t erased.
All around the world, gun rights are essentially non-existent. While at least one other nation pays lip service to gun rights, no one else actually acts as if the right to keep and bear arms is actually a thing. What’s more, that right is under constant attack, an attack that will intensify in January to unprecedented levels.
Yet people like JFK, Sam Adams, and Fredrick Douglas knew damn good and well that our rights matter. They’re the very thing that preserves our liberty.
Take a look at the UK. They gave up their guns and then what happened? Slowly but surely, they’re losing their right to speak up as well. Folks are being investigated for hate crimes because they misgendered someone. A man was prosecuted for teaching a dog to raise its paw as part of a joke. Numerous other examples of people not really being free to speak, and they can do absolutely nothing about it.
And some want that to happen here.
The thing is, as long as Americans have the ability to resist, there will always be an unspoken threat. Lawmakers have to consider that even if the courts were to uphold some bit of tyrannical law, the American people may not be interested in allowing it to stand. It’s an additional check and balance on the government.
Our Founding Fathers weren’t fans of standing armies or of government in general. They recognized that if one isn’t very careful, the fire that keeps you warm can also burn your house to the ground. They wanted the citizens of this great land to be prepared to resist the government if it goes too far.
And men like Douglas and Kennedy understood that. They understood that governmental authority is not automatically good and decent and that we may need to fight back against that governmental authority.
The same governmental authority some who claim to be their spiritual descendants say we should capitulate to now regardless of what is demanded.


bearingarms--2020-12-28--Biden's Bureaucrats And The Assault On The Second Amendment

Joe Biden has yet to announce some key cabinet picks like his nominee for Attorney General , but he and his team have apparently been busy picking out loyal Democrats and life-long bureaucrats as he prepares to weaponize the powers of the regulatory state against disfavored industries .
According to The Hill , Biden plans to move aggressively on all kinds of regulations ; trying to both undo Trump-era regulatory decisions as well as add his own rules and regulations throughout the federal bureaucracy .
“ There is not an area of our life the regulation doesn ’ t touch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because of gridlock or partisan differences , president after president has turned to regulation , and Biden will be no different , ” said Stuart Shapiro , a Rutgers University professor who worked in the Office of Management and Budget under the Clinton and George W. Bush administrations .
Biden has already drawn in experts with deep government and regulatory backgrounds to head some of his agencies .
Many of those who will serve in his White House or broader administration have worked in multiple previous administrations .
What are some of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Obviously the Attorney General will be a big pick , and Biden ’ s short list is allegedly down to three names , including D.C .
Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Merrick Garland , who had a history of anti-gun decisions .
Another potential contender is newly un-elected Alabama Senator Doug Jones , who used his first speech on the Senate floor to call for more gun control laws .
Sally Yates , the third name reported to be on Biden ’ s short list , also spoke out in favor of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , shortly after the attack in Parkland , Florida .
Yates threw her support behind the students who immediately demanded gun control measures , and the businesses , including Atlanta ’ s Delta Air Lines and Dick ’ s Sporting Goods , that took a public stance on the issue… Yates said the country has been moved by the voices of students in the aftermath of the Florida high school shooting .
She specifically pointed to a CNN Town Hall where students confronted public officials .
“ Maybe I ’ m being overly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now , ” Yates said .
“ And I don ’ t know what that ’ s going to translate into in terms of common-sense gun reform , but it feels markedly different.
” “ But these kids can ’ t do it by themselves , ” she added .
“ I think it is up to all of us to ensure that our voices continue to be heard so that we can have a rational debate .
… We have to be able to discuss what common-sense gun measures make sense for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ praised Dick ’ s Sporting Goods , which announced Wednesday that it would no longer sell guns to people under 21 , and would no longer sell assault-style weapons .
“ And I guess the last thing I would say is fly Delta , ” she said to loud applause , referencing the airline ’ s announcement that it will no longer give membership discounts to National Rifle Association members .
Every one of the names on Biden ’ s purported short list believe your right to keep and bear arms should be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know the kind of damage that an anti-gun Attorney General can do thanks to Eric Holder , and we ’ re likely to see an anti-gun Justice Department working hand-in-hand ( though largely behind the scenes ) with gun control groups on everything from 80 % frames and receivers ( “ ghost gun ” is the new “ assault weapon , ” after all ) to lawsuits against the firearms industry over their marketing and advertising .
We should also be watching closely to see if Biden will nominate a permanent director of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Firearms , and Explosives .
The agency has been without a permanent head since then-director B. Todd Jones resigned in March of 2015 .
It ’ s a true shame , in my opinion , that Donald Trump never nominated a reformer to clean house in the agency soon after he was elected .
Instead , the agency has continued to run under the direction of career bureaucrats , and on November 10th the agency reportedly reached out to members of Biden ’ s transition team to brief them on the ATF ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % frames and receivers .
The ATF has now suspended its proposed guidance on pistol braces , but that doesn ’ t mean the agency is done with the issue , and it ’ s really only getting started in its crackdown on unfinished frames and receivers .
Because the agency and acting director Gina Lombardo appear eager to assist the Biden administration in using the power of the regulatory state to restrict the rights of gun owners , Biden himself might not see the need to appoint a permanent director at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the boat , and Biden ’ s going to have some fights on his hands over several of his cabinet picks .
He may very well decide it ’ s not worth the expense in political capital to get an ATF director confirmed when the acting director and upper management are willing and capable of implementing his regulatory attack on our right to keep and bear arms .

Joe Biden has yet to announce some key cabinet picks like his nominee for Attorney General, but he and his team have apparently been busy picking out loyal Democrats and life-long bureaucrats as he prepares to weaponize the powers of the regulatory state against disfavored industries.
According to The Hill, Biden plans to move aggressively on all kinds of regulations; trying to both undo Trump-era regulatory decisions as well as add his own rules and regulations throughout the federal bureaucracy.
“There is not an area of our life the regulation doesn’t touch and when progress in Congress is stifled because of gridlock or partisan differences, president after president has turned to regulation, and Biden will be no different,” said Stuart Shapiro, a Rutgers University professor who worked in the Office of Management and Budget under the Clinton and George W. Bush administrations. Biden has already drawn in experts with deep government and regulatory backgrounds to head some of his agencies. Many of those who will serve in his White House or broader administration have worked in multiple previous administrations.
What are some of the key positions gun owners should be watching? Obviously the Attorney General will be a big pick, and Biden’s short list is allegedly down to three names, including D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Merrick Garland, who had a history of anti-gun decisions. Another potential contender is newly un-elected Alabama Senator Doug Jones, who used his first speech on the Senate floor to call for more gun control laws. Sally Yates, the third name reported to be on Biden’s short list, also spoke out in favor of more gun control laws back in 2018, shortly after the attack in Parkland, Florida.
Yates threw her support behind the students who immediately demanded gun control measures, and the businesses, including Atlanta’s Delta Air Lines and Dick’s Sporting Goods, that took a public stance on the issue… Yates said the country has been moved by the voices of students in the aftermath of the Florida high school shooting. She specifically pointed to a CNN Town Hall where students confronted public officials. “Maybe I’m being overly optimistic, but it feels different right now,” Yates said. “And I don’t know what that’s going to translate into in terms of common-sense gun reform, but it feels markedly different.” “But these kids can’t do it by themselves,” she added. “I think it is up to all of us to ensure that our voices continue to be heard so that we can have a rational debate. … We have to be able to discuss what common-sense gun measures make sense for our country going forward.” She also praised Dick’s Sporting Goods, which announced Wednesday that it would no longer sell guns to people under 21, and would no longer sell assault-style weapons. “And I guess the last thing I would say is fly Delta,” she said to loud applause, referencing the airline’s announcement that it will no longer give membership discounts to National Rifle Association members.
Every one of the names on Biden’s purported short list believe your right to keep and bear arms should be restricted, not protected. We already know the kind of damage that an anti-gun Attorney General can do thanks to Eric Holder, and we’re likely to see an anti-gun Justice Department working hand-in-hand (though largely behind the scenes) with gun control groups on everything from 80% frames and receivers (“ghost gun” is the new “assault weapon,” after all) to lawsuits against the firearms industry over their marketing and advertising.
We should also be watching closely to see if Biden will nominate a permanent director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The agency has been without a permanent head since then-director B. Todd Jones resigned in March of 2015. It’s a true shame, in my opinion, that Donald Trump never nominated a reformer to clean house in the agency soon after he was elected. Instead, the agency has continued to run under the direction of career bureaucrats, and on November 10th the agency reportedly reached out to members of Biden’s transition team to brief them on the ATF’s priorities: pistol braces and 80% frames and receivers.
The ATF has now suspended its proposed guidance on pistol braces, but that doesn’t mean the agency is done with the issue, and it’s really only getting started in its crackdown on unfinished frames and receivers.
Because the agency and acting director Gina Lombardo appear eager to assist the Biden administration in using the power of the regulatory state to restrict the rights of gun owners, Biden himself might not see the need to appoint a permanent director at the moment. Lombardo seems unlikely to rock the boat, and Biden’s going to have some fights on his hands over several of his cabinet picks. He may very well decide it’s not worth the expense in political capital to get an ATF director confirmed when the acting director and upper management are willing and capable of implementing his regulatory attack on our right to keep and bear arms.