bearingarms--2020-08-10--Armed Mob Attacks Wisconsin Police Officer At His Home

Dozens of “ protesters ” descended on the home of Wauwatosa , Wisconsin police officer Joseph Mensah over the weekend , with at least one firing a shotgun at the rear of the residence while others vandalized the structure , all while the officer , his girlfriend , and her children were trapped inside .
In a statement on Facebook , Mensah said that he tried to engage with the dozens of individuals outside his house on Saturday evening , but was physically assaulted instead .
After returning to his home , Mensah reported that at least one round from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the slug missing him “ by inches.
” “ I am all for peaceful protests , even against me , but this was anything but peaceful , ” Mensah said .
“ The irony in all of this is that they chanted Black Lives Matter the entire time , but had zero regard for any of the black children that live there or me , a black man , ” Mensah wrote .
This wasn ’ t a random attack on the officer and his home .
According to FOX 6 in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while the Milwaukee County D.A.
’ s office investigates the officer ’ s fatal shooting of 17-year old Alvin Cole earlier this year .
Cole is the third suspect killed by Mensah in the past five years , though he ’ s been cleared of wrongdoing in the two earlier cases by the D.A .
The lack of charges hasn ’ t meant much to the increasingly violent protesters that have been demanding that Mensah be both fired by the police department and charged by prosecutors .
While the city ’ s common @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mensah from his position on the police force , the vigilante mob that descended on Mensah ’ s home on Saturday night clearly isn ’ t concerned about legalities like due process or even attempted murder .
Ironically , I ’ m sure many in the crowd support the idea of defunding or abolishing the police , even as their actions will cause many more residents to side with law enforcement .
For now , police say they ’ re continuing to investigate , but no arrests have been made .
Wauwatosa Mayor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ steps to “ ensure that Officer Mensah is fully protected and that criminal behavior of this kind will not happen again.
” “ During this difficult time , I ask all members of the community to reflect on their personal responsibility to engage in responsible and civil behavior .
Now more than ever , it is essential that we all work together to heal a divided community .
This will require patience and an understanding that , though changes must occur , they can only occur through the functioning of democratic processes and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that can be taken is to ensure that any members of the mob targeting Mensah with violence are actually arrested and charged .
Actions without consequence will lead to more of those actions , and if the city isn ’ t serious about protecting members of the public from mob violence , they ’ ll likely see more vigilantism against members of their police force or anyone else the mob decides to go after .
Here ’ s hoping that local leaders find some steel in their spine and make some arrests before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ night vigilante visit .
After all , if more shots are fired , Mensah will be well within his rights to defend himself , his girlfriend , and any kids inside the home from the deadly threat at their door .

Dozens of “protesters” descended on the home of Wauwatosa, Wisconsin police officer Joseph Mensah over the weekend, with at least one firing a shotgun at the rear of the residence while others vandalized the structure, all while the officer, his girlfriend, and her children were trapped inside.
In a statement on Facebook, Mensah said that he tried to engage with the dozens of individuals outside his house on Saturday evening, but was physically assaulted instead. After returning to his home, Mensah reported that at least one round from a shotgun was fired into the home, the slug missing him “by inches.”
“I am all for peaceful protests, even against me, but this was anything but peaceful,” Mensah said. “The irony in all of this is that they chanted Black Lives Matter the entire time, but had zero regard for any of the black children that live there or me, a black man,” Mensah wrote.
This wasn’t a random attack on the officer and his home. According to FOX 6 in Milwaukee, Mensah is currently on suspension while the Milwaukee County D.A.’s office investigates the officer’s fatal shooting of 17-year old Alvin Cole earlier this year. Cole is the third suspect killed by Mensah in the past five years, though he’s been cleared of wrongdoing in the two earlier cases by the D.A. The lack of charges hasn’t meant much to the increasingly violent protesters that have been demanding that Mensah be both fired by the police department and charged by prosecutors.
While the city’s common council has already taken steps to remove Mensah from his position on the police force, the vigilante mob that descended on Mensah’s home on Saturday night clearly isn’t concerned about legalities like due process or even attempted murder. Ironically, I’m sure many in the crowd support the idea of defunding or abolishing the police, even as their actions will cause many more residents to side with law enforcement.
For now, police say they’re continuing to investigate, but no arrests have been made. Wauwatosa Mayor Dennis McBride is vowing to take additional steps to “ensure that Officer Mensah is fully protected and that criminal behavior of this kind will not happen again.”
“During this difficult time, I ask all members of the community to reflect on their personal responsibility to engage in responsible and civil behavior. Now more than ever, it is essential that we all work together to heal a divided community. This will require patience and an understanding that, though changes must occur, they can only occur through the functioning of democratic processes and not through violence.”
The biggest step that can be taken is to ensure that any members of the mob targeting Mensah with violence are actually arrested and charged. Actions without consequence will lead to more of those actions, and if the city isn’t serious about protecting members of the public from mob violence, they’ll likely see more vigilantism against members of their police force or anyone else the mob decides to go after. Here’s hoping that local leaders find some steel in their spine and make some arrests before the crowd pays Joseph Mensah another late night vigilante visit. After all, if more shots are fired, Mensah will be well within his rights to defend himself, his girlfriend, and any kids inside the home from the deadly threat at their door.


bearingarms--2020-08-10--NY AG's Previous Comments On NRA Betrays Her Motivations

To say the National Rifle Association is less than popular in liberal circles would be putting it far too mildly .
The hate-on the left has for the nation ’ s oldest civil rights organization has been there for ages , but it ’ s grown over the last few years .
In fact , it ’ s just gotten downright silly .
In case you missed it , she ’ s the attorney general who is trying to completely dissolve the NRA .
Clearly , this isn ’ t surprising to anyone , of course .
However , she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s concerned about the best interests of the NRA ’ s members and donors .
She ’ s not .
In fact , her campaign comments about the group made that quite clear .
New York Attorney General Letitia James made news when she announced her lawsuit asking the courts to dismantle the National Rifle Association , but there ’ s nothing new about her views on the pro-Second Amendment group .
During her campaign to become New York ’ s top cop , she denounced the NRA as a “ terrorist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday with a countersuit of its own .
During an October 2018 interview , the incoming attorney general names some of the targets of her wrath : “ President Donald Trump and the threat to our democracy and our values , ” was one .
“ And the NRA holds [ itself ] out as a charitable organization , but in fact , [ it ] really [ is ] a terrorist organization.
” The article goes on to quote some guy about just what James ’ s motivations might actually be .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ you guys are familiar with him ?
“ In seeking to dissolve the NRA , James is targeting the very people she says are the victims of fraud and financial abuse : the NRA members , ” says Cam Edwards , editor of BearingArms.com and host of “ Cam and Company ” on the now-defunct NRA.TV network .
“ In doing so I think she ’ s opened herself up to charges that this is ultimately a case motivated by politics rather than the public interest.
” Anyway , Cam is absolutely right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charges regarding her motivations are absolutely correct .
James called the NRA a terrorist organization , a popular charge among the far left .
While I can accept not liking the NRA–there are people on this side of the debate that aren ’ t fans of the organization for various reasons–you don ’ t get to make up your own facts .
If the NRA are terrorists , they really suck at terrorism .
I mean , they ’ ve coordinated no attacks , funded no acts of terrorism , had no members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Nothing at all .
All they ’ ve done is refuse to roll over and play dead on numerous legislative proposals that people like James would like to see become law .
You know , those same legislative proposals opposed by the people James claims she ’ s looking out for with her effort to dissolve the NRA .
Funny , that .
Of course , no one is buying that James has our best interests at heart .
We all know that she ’ d just as soon see us all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than protect our interests when it comes to gun rights .
All of this is nothing but a pretext , it ’ s an excuse because she can ’ t find any other way to hit the organization .

To say the National Rifle Association is less than popular in liberal circles would be putting it far too mildly. The hate-on the left has for the nation’s oldest civil rights organization has been there for ages, but it’s grown over the last few years. In fact, it’s just gotten downright silly.
Take New York Attorney General Letitia James.
In case you missed it, she’s the attorney general who is trying to completely dissolve the NRA. Clearly, this isn’t surprising to anyone, of course. However, she’s basically acting as if she’s concerned about the best interests of the NRA’s members and donors. She’s not. In fact, her campaign comments about the group made that quite clear.
New York Attorney General Letitia James made news when she announced her lawsuit asking the courts to dismantle the National Rifle Association, but there’s nothing new about her views on the pro-Second Amendment group. During her campaign to become New York’s top cop, she denounced the NRA as a “terrorist organization.” The NRA fired back late Thursday with a countersuit of its own. During an October 2018 interview, the incoming attorney general names some of the targets of her wrath: “President Donald Trump and the threat to our democracy and our values,” was one. “And the NRA holds [itself] out as a charitable organization, but in fact, [it] really [is] a terrorist organization.”
The article goes on to quote some guy about just what James’s motivations might actually be.
I don’t know, maybe you guys are familiar with him?
“In seeking to dissolve the NRA, James is targeting the very people she says are the victims of fraud and financial abuse: the NRA members,” says Cam Edwards, editor of BearingArms.com and host of “Cam and Company” on the now-defunct NRA.TV network. “In doing so I think she’s opened herself up to charges that this is ultimately a case motivated by politics rather than the public interest.”
(Point of order? Cam & Company is still around. It’s just moved to Townhall’s YouTube channel and is posted here at Bearing Arms. You should check it out.)
Anyway, Cam is absolutely right. In fact, I think those charges regarding her motivations are absolutely correct.
James called the NRA a terrorist organization, a popular charge among the far left. While I can accept not liking the NRA–there are people on this side of the debate that aren’t fans of the organization for various reasons–you don’t get to make up your own facts. If the NRA are terrorists, they really suck at terrorism.
I mean, they’ve coordinated no attacks, funded no acts of terrorism, had no members carry out acts of terrorism, nothing. Nothing at all.
All they’ve done is refuse to roll over and play dead on numerous legislative proposals that people like James would like to see become law. You know, those same legislative proposals opposed by the people James claims she’s looking out for with her effort to dissolve the NRA. Funny, that.
Of course, no one is buying that James has our best interests at heart. We all know that she’d just as soon see us all lined up against a wall and shot than protect our interests when it comes to gun rights. All of this is nothing but a pretext, it’s an excuse because she can’t find any other way to hit the organization.


bearingarms--2020-08-11--NH Governor Vetos Red Flag Bill

NH Governor Vetos Red Flag Bill

The state motto for New Hampshire is one that has always spoken to me .
“ Live Free or Die , ” just kind of lays everything out there for you , doesn ’ t it ?
For a long time , that motto also reflected the attitude of many of the residents .
They wanted the government to leave them alone .
It ’ s why they were one of the first constitutional carry states in the nation .
However , that status is fading away .
Recently , the governor vetoed a bill that would have been just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ freedom there .
As expected , Gov .
Chris Sununu on Friday vetoed a bill establishing extreme protective orders intended to reduce suicides and mass killings .
House Bill 687 , commonly known as the “ red flag ” bill , would have established a civil procedure to remove firearms and ammunition from someone who is at risk of harming him or herself or others .
The bill would have established extreme risk protection orders through a civil process initiated by a person ’ s family , housemates or law enforcement .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states and the District of Columbia .
Opponents say the bill would trample on the constitutional rights of individuals on hearsay evidence without due process , particularly gun rights .
In his veto message , Sununu said he has signed legislation to bring awareness to suicide prevention and has worked to improve the state ’ s mental health system but can not approve a bill that would strip residents of their constitutional rights .
“ Unfortunately , the process laid out in House Bill 687 goes too far and would weaken the constitutional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Sununu said .
The bill ’ s prime sponsor , Rep. Debra Altschiller , D-Stratham , said the bill is needed now more than ever due to the coronavirus pandemic with more people in mental health crisis and the significant increase in gun sales .
Sununu was right to veto the bill .
It wasn ’ t all that long ago that such a bill would never have sprung up in the first place .
Not in New Hampshire , at least .
Unfortunately , people from nearby Massachusetts have flocked to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , then immediately began trying to make the state just like the hellhole they fled from–the official term for such people appears to be “ Massholes , ” a species related to the “ Californicators ” that inflict many other states , such as Texas–including pushes for gun control .
Altschiller , who authored the bill , can claim this is about mental health , but as we ’ ve already seen , gun control isn ’ t really the answer to suicide .
Other methods are damn near as effective as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to address mental health directly rather than pretend gun control is the answer .
Unless , of course , you don ’ t give a damn about mental health .
The truth is , there are other ways to deal with suicidal individuals .
Taking their guns and pretending you ’ ve done all you need to do isn ’ t going to change anything except allow people to feel warm and tingly without having to actually do anything useful .
That ’ s about par for the course for anti-gun politicians , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s beyond stupid otherwise .

The state motto for New Hampshire is one that has always spoken to me. “Live Free or Die,” just kind of lays everything out there for you, doesn’t it?
For a long time, that motto also reflected the attitude of many of the residents. They wanted the government to leave them alone. It’s why they were one of the first constitutional carry states in the nation.
However, that status is fading away.
Recently, the governor vetoed a bill that would have been just one more nail into the coffin of freedom there.
As expected, Gov. Chris Sununu on Friday vetoed a bill establishing extreme protective orders intended to reduce suicides and mass killings. House Bill 687, commonly known as the “red flag” bill, would have established a civil procedure to remove firearms and ammunition from someone who is at risk of harming him or herself or others. The bill would have established extreme risk protection orders through a civil process initiated by a person’s family, housemates or law enforcement. The legislation is similar to laws in 19 states and the District of Columbia. Opponents say the bill would trample on the constitutional rights of individuals on hearsay evidence without due process, particularly gun rights. In his veto message, Sununu said he has signed legislation to bring awareness to suicide prevention and has worked to improve the state’s mental health system but cannot approve a bill that would strip residents of their constitutional rights. “Unfortunately, the process laid out in House Bill 687 goes too far and would weaken the constitutional rights of law-abiding New Hampshire citizens,” Sununu said. The bill’s prime sponsor, Rep. Debra Altschiller, D-Stratham, said the bill is needed now more than ever due to the coronavirus pandemic with more people in mental health crisis and the significant increase in gun sales.
Sununu was right to veto the bill.
It wasn’t all that long ago that such a bill would never have sprung up in the first place. Not in New Hampshire, at least.
Unfortunately, people from nearby Massachusetts have flocked to the state trying to escape higher taxes, then immediately began trying to make the state just like the hellhole they fled from–the official term for such people appears to be “Massholes,” a species related to the “Californicators” that inflict many other states, such as Texas–including pushes for gun control.
Altschiller, who authored the bill, can claim this is about mental health, but as we’ve already seen, gun control isn’t really the answer to suicide. Other methods are damn near as effective as a firearm, meaning it’s better to address mental health directly rather than pretend gun control is the answer. Unless, of course, you don’t give a damn about mental health.
The truth is, there are other ways to deal with suicidal individuals. Taking their guns and pretending you’ve done all you need to do isn’t going to change anything except allow people to feel warm and tingly without having to actually do anything useful. That’s about par for the course for anti-gun politicians, to be sure, but it’s beyond stupid otherwise.


bearingarms--2020-08-11--Kamala Harris Doesn't Think You Have The Right To Own A Gun

We knew that Joe Biden ’ s vice-presidential pick wasn ’ t going to be an NRA member or a Second Amendment supporter , but that doesn ’ t mean he had to pick someone who actually argued in 2008 that Washington , D.C. ’ s ban on handguns didn ’ t violate the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms .
As District Attorney in San Francisco , Kamala Harris signed on to an amicus brief filed with the Supreme Court in the Heller case , arguing that “ for nearly 70 years courts have consistently sustained criminal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ holding that , inter alia , ( i ) the Second Amendment provides only a militia-related right to bear arms , ( ii ) the Second Amendment does not apply to legislation passed by state or local governments , and ( iii ) the restrictions bear a reasonable relationship to protecting public safety and thus do not violate a personal constitutional right.
” The brief , written by Adrian Fenty ( at the time the Attorney General for Washington , D.C. ) urged the Supreme Court to uphold the District ’ s ban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a firearms storage law requiring guns to be kept locked up or disassembled with ammunition stored separately .
To do otherwise , claimed Fenty , Harris , and several other prosecutors , would create “ a broad private right to possess any firearm that is a ‘ lineal descendant ’ of a founding era weapon and that is in ‘ common use ’ with a ‘ military application ’ today.
” Create a right .
In other words , Kamala Harris told the Supreme Court that Americans didn ’ t have an individual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in common use , turning a right of the people into a privilege to be exercised by a chosen few .
Harris lost the argument in 2008 , but she ’ s been opposing the right to keep and bear arms ever since .
As District Attorney , Harris demanded an end to gun shows at the Cow Palace convention center just outside of the San Francisco city limits , and as California ’ s Attorney General she not only defended the state ’ s gun control laws in court , but according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chuck Michel , she failed to properly oversee several databases that the state uses to determine whether or not someone is eligible to own a firearm .
.. not one but two separate Reports from the California State Auditor have found serious problems with the way the DOJ processes mental health records to determine a person ’ s firearm eligibility .
Despite these multiple admonitions , Harris has failed to fix the problems .
A 2013 Report from the California State Auditor found that under Harris , the DOJ “ had not sufficiently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health facilities to remind them to promptly report required information , ” which if done would have allowed the DOJ to determine when dangerously mentally ill persons were in possession of firearms or attempting to purchase them .
Additionally , this report found that : [ K ] ey decisions , such as whether a person is prohibited , are left to staff whose work does not receive a supervisory review .
Because of these issues , Justice can not identify all armed prohibited persons in California as effectively as it should , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public safety by confiscating firearms is incomplete .
As U.S .
Senator , Kamala Harris has backed bans on so-called assault weapons , universal background check mandates , and more , but it was her short-lived presidential campaign that really allowed her to once again tout her anti-gun agenda .
Harris proclaimed that if she was elected president , she would enact gun control with or without the support of Congress .
“ Five million assault weapons are on the streets of America today .
During the course of this debate , eight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We need action , and Congress has had years to act and failed because they do not have the courage .
When I ’ m elected , I ’ ll give them 100 days to pull their act together , put a bill on my desk for signature and if they don ’ t , I will take executive action and put in place a comprehensive background check requirement and ban the importation of assault weapons into our country , because it is time to act.
” Expect the media to highlight the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gun , in order to portray her as some sort of “ moderate ” on the issue of the right to keep and bear arms .
She ’ s not a moderate .
She ’ s a hypocrite .
Here ’ s what she told a CNN townhall audience last April .
Remember , as a career prosecutor Harris argued that you and I don ’ t have a right to own a handgun for personal safety , and that local governments should be able to ban you and I from legally possessing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enforcement , of course Harris would have been exempt from the very gun bans she wanted to keep in place in Washington , D.C. , but she wanted local governments to be able to strip you of your ability to legally own a firearm for self-defense .
Harris may own a gun , but that doesn ’ t mean she believes that you have a right to own one too .

We knew that Joe Biden’s vice-presidential pick wasn’t going to be an NRA member or a Second Amendment supporter, but that doesn’t mean he had to pick someone who actually argued in 2008 that Washington, D.C.’s ban on handguns didn’t violate the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms. As District Attorney in San Francisco, Kamala Harris signed on to an amicus brief filed with the Supreme Court in the Heller case, arguing that “for nearly 70 years courts have consistently sustained criminal firearms laws against Second Amendment challenges by holding that, inter alia, (i) the Second Amendment provides only a militia-related right to bear arms, (ii) the Second Amendment does not apply to legislation passed by state or local governments, and (iii) the restrictions bear a reasonable relationship to protecting public safety and thus do not violate a personal constitutional right.”
The brief, written by Adrian Fenty (at the time the Attorney General for Washington, D.C.) urged the Supreme Court to uphold the District’s ban on handgun ownership, as well as a firearms storage law requiring guns to be kept locked up or disassembled with ammunition stored separately. To do otherwise, claimed Fenty, Harris, and several other prosecutors, would create “a broad private right to possess any firearm that is a ‘lineal descendant’ of a founding era weapon and that is in ‘common use’ with a ‘military application’ today.”
Create a right. In other words, Kamala Harris told the Supreme Court that Americans didn’t have an individual right to possess a firearm that is in common use, turning a right of the people into a privilege to be exercised by a chosen few.
Harris lost the argument in 2008, but she’s been opposing the right to keep and bear arms ever since. As District Attorney, Harris demanded an end to gun shows at the Cow Palace convention center just outside of the San Francisco city limits, and as California’s Attorney General she not only defended the state’s gun control laws in court, but according to California Rifle & Pistol Association president Chuck Michel, she failed to properly oversee several databases that the state uses to determine whether or not someone is eligible to own a firearm.
.. not one but two separate Reports from the California State Auditor have found serious problems with the way the DOJ processes mental health records to determine a person’s firearm eligibility. Despite these multiple admonitions, Harris has failed to fix the problems. A 2013 Report from the California State Auditor found that under Harris, the DOJ “had not sufficiently reached out to the courts or mental health facilities to remind them to promptly report required information,” which if done would have allowed the DOJ to determine when dangerously mentally ill persons were in possession of firearms or attempting to purchase them. Additionally, this report found that: [K]ey decisions, such as whether a person is prohibited, are left to staff whose work does not receive a supervisory review. Because of these issues, Justice cannot identify all armed prohibited persons in California as effectively as it should, and the information it uses to ensure public safety by confiscating firearms is incomplete.
As U.S. Senator, Kamala Harris has backed bans on so-called assault weapons, universal background check mandates, and more, but it was her short-lived presidential campaign that really allowed her to once again tout her anti-gun agenda. Harris proclaimed that if she was elected president, she would enact gun control with or without the support of Congress.
“Five million assault weapons are on the streets of America today. During the course of this debate, eight people will die from gun violence. We need action, and Congress has had years to act and failed because they do not have the courage. When I’m elected, I’ll give them 100 days to pull their act together, put a bill on my desk for signature and if they don’t, I will take executive action and put in place a comprehensive background check requirement and ban the importation of assault weapons into our country, because it is time to act.”
Expect the media to highlight the fact that Harris says she owns a gun, in order to portray her as some sort of “moderate” on the issue of the right to keep and bear arms. She’s not a moderate. She’s a hypocrite. Here’s what she told a CNN townhall audience last April.
“I am a gun owner, and I own a gun for probably the reason a lot of people do — for personal safety,” the California Democrat said Thursday. “I was a career prosecutor.”
Remember, as a career prosecutor Harris argued that you and I don’t have a right to own a handgun for personal safety, and that local governments should be able to ban you and I from legally possessing one. As a member of law enforcement, of course Harris would have been exempt from the very gun bans she wanted to keep in place in Washington, D.C., but she wanted local governments to be able to strip you of your ability to legally own a firearm for self-defense. Harris may own a gun, but that doesn’t mean she believes that you have a right to own one too.


bearingarms--2020-08-11--Chicago's Chaos Is Creating More Gun Owners

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot always has an excuse handy when it comes to her repeated failures to address crime in her city .
Shootings are up ?
Blame Indiana gun laws .
Rampant looting downtown ?
Blame the Cook County prosecutor .
Even though Lightfoot is the highest ranking elected official in the city , none of Chicago ’ s woes seem to have anything to do with her.. at least as far as Lightfoot herself is concerned .
While there ’ s more than enough blame to go around , including the abysmal performance of Cook County State ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chicago bears a great deal of culpability for what ’ s happened in her city over the past few months .
On today ’ s Bearing Arms ’ Cam & Co , Second Amendment activist Rhonda Ezell , founder of Chicago Guns Matter , joins me to talk about the rising crime and increasing chaos in the city , and how residents are responding .
Ezell tells me that she believes many residents are choosing to exercise their Second Amendment rights for the very first time , and says she ’ s seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at capacity over the past few months ( though not in Chicago itself , where there are no gun stores or ranges for the public ) .
Even local celebrities are getting into the firearms training business , with rapper Twista announcing this week that he ’ s launching “ The Gun Camp ” in order to help Chicagoans get their concealed carry license and learn to “ want to protect their family the right way.
” Ezell , who ’ s been fighting for the right to keep and bear arms in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s ban on handguns was struck down by the Supreme Court in 2010 , says it ’ s encouraging to see so many residents embrace their Second Amendment rights .
Still , she knows that the reason why so many Chicagoans are choosing to purchase a firearm is because they don ’ t feel safe in their homes , their neighborhoods , and their city .
Ultimately that falls on the shoulders of Lori Lightfoot , no matter how many fingers she wants to point in other directions .
She ’ s the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Foxx can and should be criticized for her unwillingness to prosecute many felony cases , Lightfoot can ’ t escape her own responsibility to ensure that Chicago ’ s streets become safer places .
Lightfoot has failed spectacularly in that regard , and given her refusal to accept that responsibility , Chicago ’ s continued decline seems like the most likely scenario in the months ahead .

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot always has an excuse handy when it comes to her repeated failures to address crime in her city. Shootings are up? Blame Indiana gun laws. Rampant looting downtown? Blame the Cook County prosecutor. Even though Lightfoot is the highest ranking elected official in the city, none of Chicago’s woes seem to have anything to do with her.. at least as far as Lightfoot herself is concerned. While there’s more than enough blame to go around, including the abysmal performance of Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx, the mayor Chicago bears a great deal of culpability for what’s happened in her city over the past few months.
On today’s Bearing Arms’ Cam & Co, Second Amendment activist Rhonda Ezell, founder of Chicago Guns Matter, joins me to talk about the rising crime and increasing chaos in the city, and how residents are responding. Ezell tells me that she believes many residents are choosing to exercise their Second Amendment rights for the very first time, and says she’s seen full gun ranges and concealed carry courses at capacity over the past few months (though not in Chicago itself, where there are no gun stores or ranges for the public).
Even local celebrities are getting into the firearms training business, with rapper Twista announcing this week that he’s launching “The Gun Camp” in order to help Chicagoans get their concealed carry license and learn to “want to protect their family the right way.”
Ezell, who’s been fighting for the right to keep and bear arms in Chicago since shortly after the city’s ban on handguns was struck down by the Supreme Court in 2010, says it’s encouraging to see so many residents embrace their Second Amendment rights. Still, she knows that the reason why so many Chicagoans are choosing to purchase a firearm is because they don’t feel safe in their homes, their neighborhoods, and their city.
Ultimately that falls on the shoulders of Lori Lightfoot, no matter how many fingers she wants to point in other directions. She’s the mayor, and while local prosecutor Kim Foxx can and should be criticized for her unwillingness to prosecute many felony cases, Lightfoot can’t escape her own responsibility to ensure that Chicago’s streets become safer places. Lightfoot has failed spectacularly in that regard, and given her refusal to accept that responsibility, Chicago’s continued decline seems like the most likely scenario in the months ahead.


bearingarms--2020-08-11--TSA Seeing Increased Gun Seizures At Airports

We all know how this goes .
If you ’ re going to fly somewhere , you can take your gun .
You just can ’ t walk through security with it on your hip .
We know this .
While we may not like it , we get it .
More importantly , we all know what happens when you get caught trying to carry a gun through airport security .
The best-case scenario is that you lose your gun .
The worst is that you lose your freedom .
These days , fewer people are flying .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right ?
Well , not really .
Transportation Security Administration screeners found guns in air travelers ’ carry-on bags at three times the usual rate this past July as compared to last year , the agency says .
“ TSA is diligently working to ensure our employees and passengers are safe and secure while traveling during a pandemic , and yet we are noticing a significant increase in loaded firearms coming into checkpoints , ” said TSA administrator David Pekoske in a press release Aug. 10 .
Screeners found 15.3 guns per million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5.1 over the same period last year .
That 200 % increase is “ particularly alarming , ” the agency says , given that air travel has nearly evaporated amid the pandemic—TSA screened about 75 % fewer passengers in July 2020 compared to July 2019 , it says ( given that the vast majority of air travelers are screened , such screenings are a pretty good proxy for overall air travel volume ) .
Alright , let ’ s go over this again for the turdnuggets in the back who haven ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t do it .
You see , part of the problem is that yes , you lose your gun and face criminal charges , but the other part is that this solidifies arguments against gun ownership .
This is what anti-gunners will look at and use to justify their opinions about gun owners .
It ’ s hard to convince people that we ’ re responsible gun owners when people are being this stupid .
Now , that said , let ’ s also acknowledge that while a 200 percent increase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it ’ s not like there are guns being brought in every second of every day or anything .
It ’ s 15.3 guns per million passengers .
That means the odds of a given passenger having a gun is only slightly greater than a coin toss landing on heads 16 times in a row .
Because yeah , while I get pissed about people doing this , I really should do a better job of reminding myself that this isn ’ t nearly the epidemic the media makes it out to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ odds were akin to having conjoined twins , after all , and that ’ s not particularly likely either .
That doesn ’ t absolve the dipsticks who tried to carry guns onto planes , though .
Stupid gets no absolution , nor should it .
In fact , it should hurt .
A lot .
While I don ’ t agree with the laws about guns on airplanes–armed citizens could prevent hijackings , after all–it ’ s the law and I really don ’ t want to see our side start shooting @ @ @ @ @

We all know how this goes. If you’re going to fly somewhere, you can take your gun. You just can’t walk through security with it on your hip. We know this. While we may not like it, we get it.
More importantly, we all know what happens when you get caught trying to carry a gun through airport security. The best-case scenario is that you lose your gun. The worst is that you lose your freedom.
These days, fewer people are flying. That means there are fewer gun seizures, right?
Well, not really.
Transportation Security Administration screeners found guns in air travelers’ carry-on bags at three times the usual rate this past July as compared to last year, the agency says. “TSA is diligently working to ensure our employees and passengers are safe and secure while traveling during a pandemic, and yet we are noticing a significant increase in loaded firearms coming into checkpoints,” said TSA administrator David Pekoske in a press release Aug. 10. Screeners found 15.3 guns per million passengers this past July, compared to 5.1 over the same period last year. That 200% increase is “particularly alarming,” the agency says, given that air travel has nearly evaporated amid the pandemic—TSA screened about 75% fewer passengers in July 2020 compared to July 2019, it says (given that the vast majority of air travelers are screened, such screenings are a pretty good proxy for overall air travel volume).
**sigh**
Alright, let’s go over this again for the turdnuggets in the back who haven’t been paying attention.
Do not carry a gun through airport security. It will not go well for anyone involved except, maybe, the TSA officer who gets to feel like a real police officer for a day.
Honestly, just don’t do it.
You see, part of the problem is that yes, you lose your gun and face criminal charges, but the other part is that this solidifies arguments against gun ownership. This is what anti-gunners will look at and use to justify their opinions about gun owners. It’s hard to convince people that we’re responsible gun owners when people are being this stupid.
Now, that said, let’s also acknowledge that while a 200 percent increase in the number of guns is bad, it’s not like there are guns being brought in every second of every day or anything. It’s 15.3 guns per million passengers. That means the odds of a given passenger having a gun is only slightly greater than a coin toss landing on heads 16 times in a row.
Because yeah, while I get pissed about people doing this, I really should do a better job of reminding myself that this isn’t nearly the epidemic the media makes it out to be. The previous year’s odds were akin to having conjoined twins, after all, and that’s not particularly likely either.
That doesn’t absolve the dipsticks who tried to carry guns onto planes, though. Stupid gets no absolution, nor should it. In fact, it should hurt. A lot.
While I don’t agree with the laws about guns on airplanes–armed citizens could prevent hijackings, after all–it’s the law and I really don’t want to see our side start shooting ourselves in the foot.


bearingarms--2020-08-11--Seattle Police Chief Quits After Council Cuts Police Budget

“ Defund the Police ” often means precisely that .
Many who spout that actually want the police to be completely defunded .
Others want police budgets cut and resources to be reallocated toward social programs they think will reduce crime in the long run .
Now , I have no issue with reducing crime by addressing the root causes of it .
It ’ s something I ’ ve long advocated for , after all .
There are just two problems .
One is that we ’ re really not sure of what those root causes actually are .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s not really enough hard data to back anyone ’ s up to a sufficient degree .
Second , the idea of defunding the police to pay for this fails to acknowledge that any such programs will take years to yield results , so there will be fewer resources for police to deal with the existing crime but the programs meant to mitigate that fact are still years from potentially showing any results .
More than that , though , anyone with half a brain knows it ’ s dumb .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do it anyway .
The police chief showed that not everyone there lacks a functioning brain .
Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best has officially resigned after the Democrat-controlled Seattle City Council voted on Monday to slash millions of dollars from the Seattle Police Department ’ s budget .
News broke within the around 9 p.m. PST that Best was expected to resign tomorrow and about 30 minutes later she had reportedly submitted her letter of resignation to the Seattle Police Deparment .
“ Chief Best has been an outspoken critic of the council @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s budget , citing concerns over public safety in a scenario where the department is forced to lose personnel , ” KIRO radio reported .
“ She has served as SPD ’ s police chief since 2018 , after moving through the ranks as an officer , sergeant , lieutenant , captain , and deputy chief.
” Let ’ s also keep in mind that this is Seattle , home of the CHOP .
In other words , this is a city that has such little control over what ’ s going on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whole new country within the city ’ s borders .
Now they ’ re determined to cut the police budget to such a significant degree , all because of the anti-police animus that ’ s so fashionable among the leftists that make up Seattle ’ s political elite .
What ’ s worse is that when crime increases as a result of these cuts , we all know these same dipsticks will begin complaining about how the real problem is guns or whatever else they can think of , rather than acknowledge that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Frankly , I don ’ t blame Best for quitting .
She said that she felt personally targeted .
After all , the cuts included a 40 percent pay cut for her , which is far beyond a reasonable cut by anyone ’ s estimation .
That suggests it ’ s nothing more than an attempt to appease the kind of mob that made up the CHOP but that ’ s more spread out in the city .
I don ’ t blame Best for quitting .
It ’ s the only real @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if the rest of the department would follow suit , we ’ d start to see how quickly the council can rethink their decision .

“Defund the Police” often means precisely that. Many who spout that actually want the police to be completely defunded. Others want police budgets cut and resources to be reallocated toward social programs they think will reduce crime in the long run.
Now, I have no issue with reducing crime by addressing the root causes of it. It’s something I’ve long advocated for, after all.
There are just two problems. One is that we’re really not sure of what those root causes actually are. Everyone has a theory, but there’s not really enough hard data to back anyone’s up to a sufficient degree.
Second, the idea of defunding the police to pay for this fails to acknowledge that any such programs will take years to yield results, so there will be fewer resources for police to deal with the existing crime but the programs meant to mitigate that fact are still years from potentially showing any results.
In other words, it’s dumb.
More than that, though, anyone with half a brain knows it’s dumb.
In Seattle, the city council decided to do it anyway. The police chief showed that not everyone there lacks a functioning brain.
Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best has officially resigned after the Democrat-controlled Seattle City Council voted on Monday to slash millions of dollars from the Seattle Police Department’s budget. News broke within the around 9 p.m. PST that Best was expected to resign tomorrow and about 30 minutes later she had reportedly submitted her letter of resignation to the Seattle Police Deparment. “Chief Best has been an outspoken critic of the council’s plans to cut SPD’s budget, citing concerns over public safety in a scenario where the department is forced to lose personnel,” KIRO radio reported. “She has served as SPD’s police chief since 2018, after moving through the ranks as an officer, sergeant, lieutenant, captain, and deputy chief.”
Let’s also keep in mind that this is Seattle, home of the CHOP. In other words, this is a city that has such little control over what’s going on there that Antifa tried to create a whole new country within the city’s borders.
Now they’re determined to cut the police budget to such a significant degree, all because of the anti-police animus that’s so fashionable among the leftists that make up Seattle’s political elite.
What’s worse is that when crime increases as a result of these cuts, we all know these same dipsticks will begin complaining about how the real problem is guns or whatever else they can think of, rather than acknowledge that they might have screwed up royally.
Frankly, I don’t blame Best for quitting. She said that she felt personally targeted. After all, the cuts included a 40 percent pay cut for her, which is far beyond a reasonable cut by anyone’s estimation. That suggests it’s nothing more than an attempt to appease the kind of mob that made up the CHOP but that’s more spread out in the city.
I don’t blame Best for quitting. It’s the only real move she had left.
Now, if the rest of the department would follow suit, we’d start to see how quickly the council can rethink their decision.


bearingarms--2020-08-11--Chicagoans Getting Fed Up Over "Growing Lawlessness"

After more than two months of politically-motivated violence in addition to a sharp increase in street crime , Chicago residents seem to be increasingly fed up with the lackluster response from city officials .
That ’ s certainly true of the editorial board of the Chicago Tribune , which launched a broadside aimed squarely at Mayor Lori Lightfoot , Police Superintendent David Brown , and Cook County Prosecutor Kim Foxx on Monday , accusing the officials of not doing nearly enough to crime under control .
In the wake of widespread looting and violence late Sunday night and early Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is failing to protect residents .
As the Tribune correctly notes , the conditions that have led to the increased violence in Chicago didn ’ t develop overnight .
In fact , the paper called out Kim Foxx specifically for the large number of felony cases that her office has dismissed in recent years .
This soft-on-crime approach may win Foxx accolades from wealthy donors and activists on the Left , but it doesn ’ t seem to have made Chicago any safer .
Now the city ’ s at a breaking point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ editors .
It ’ s not just the reputational damage that the paper ’ s editors should be worried about .
Chaos and lawlessness is bad for attracting new businesses and tourism , but it ’ s even worse for the residents of high crime neighborhoods , who suffer even more when police resources have to be diverted to protect retailers from looting instead of patrolling in those high crime hot spots .
Chicago ’ s leadership is failing , and as a result the city is failing as well .
Cam Edwards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 15 years as a broadcast and online journalist , as well as the co-author of `` Heavy Lifting : Grow Up , Get a Job , Start a Family , and Other Manly Advice '' with Jim Geraghty .
He lives outside of Farmville , Virginia with his family .
https : //bearingarms.com/author/camedwards/

After more than two months of politically-motivated violence in addition to a sharp increase in street crime, Chicago residents seem to be increasingly fed up with the lackluster response from city officials. That’s certainly true of the editorial board of the Chicago Tribune, which launched a broadside aimed squarely at Mayor Lori Lightfoot, Police Superintendent David Brown, and Cook County Prosecutor Kim Foxx on Monday, accusing the officials of not doing nearly enough to crime under control. In the wake of widespread looting and violence late Sunday night and early Monday morning, the paper says the city is failing to protect residents.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot, police Superintendent David Brown and Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx seemed to agree that the looting erupted in a coordinated effort with no fear of consequences. It was not connected to a demonstration to honor George Floyd, protest police brutality or support Black Lives Matter. It was an inexcusable crime spree, they said. Yeah? No kidding. We all saw it. What is really going on here? Our elected officials admit to a growing sense of lawlessness. The looters knew they had an opportunity to pillage because of a stand-down posture from police who get little and only late support from Lightfoot; because of a stand-down posture from Foxx, whose prosecutors brushed aside “smash and grab” long before Sunday; and because of a stand-down position from judges experimenting with bail reform.
As the Tribune correctly notes, the conditions that have led to the increased violence in Chicago didn’t develop overnight. In fact, the paper called out Kim Foxx specifically for the large number of felony cases that her office has dismissed in recent years.
The Tribune reported Monday morning, coincidentally after months of reporting, that during Foxx’s first three years as state’s attorney, prosecutors dropped all charges against 29.9% of felony defendants. The higher rate of dropped cases compared to her predecessor, Anita Alvarez, included those accused of shootings, murder, sex crimes and attacks on police. Foxx’s office dropped 1 out of every 4 cases considered serious Class X drug cases, the Tribune reported. Among the greatest disparities between Foxx and Alvarez was for defendants charged with felony escape, which typically refers to someone destroying an electronic monitoring bracelet. Foxx during her first three years dropped 429 cases of felony escape compared with Alvarez who dropped 55.
This soft-on-crime approach may win Foxx accolades from wealthy donors and activists on the Left, but it doesn’t seem to have made Chicago any safer. Now the city’s at a breaking point, according to the Tribune‘s editors.
So you can listen to the words of the politicians. You can look at the conflicting data. And you can sweep aside both and assess the situation outright: chaos. Lawlessness. A city forced to raise its drawbridges to protect residents and businesses. Perception is reality in Chicago, and the perception is that this is not a safe city — anywhere. The long-term damage of that reputation is incalculable.


bearingarms--2020-08-11--NYPD Commish Needs To Rethink "People Who Carry Guns"

No one expects the New York police commissioner to be pro-gun .
It ’ s a political appointment in a vehemently anti-gun city .
Even if the person filling the role believes in the Second Amendment , he certainly can ’ t say it .
However , I ’ m more than a little annoyed by the commissioner ’ s recent comments regarding people who carry guns .
The NYPD has been working to reduce a growth in gun violence across the city .
But Police Commissioner Dermot Shea says first and foremost , people need to be held accountable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ firearms to know three things — that there ’ s going to be swift , certain , punishment .
Period .
And if we get to that point , we ’ re going to be in a much , much better place , ” he told NY1 in an exclusive interview .
Shea pointed to a recent double shooting incident in Elmhurst , Queens , where he recognized a person ’ s name on the report .
“ In a city of 8.6 million people , how does the police commissioner recognize and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Well the reason is because he ’ s had five prior gun incidents in New York City , ” he said .
“ We need people to have consequences for carrying guns , ” said Shea .
See , this is a problem for a number of reasons .
Perhaps most importantly is that Shea has failed to recognize that some people carry guns lawfully and are not part of the freaking problem in New York or anywhere else .
Yes , even in the Big Apple , some people can carry firearms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Sure , they ’ re rare as hens ’ teeth , but they exist .
So far , not a one of those individuals has turned up to be part of the problem New York is having with violence .
The problem is the criminal element that is illegally carrying guns with the intent to use them for illegal purposes .
However , those are individuals who are breaking the law as it currently stands .
New laws aren ’ t going to stop them because the legion of existing gun laws @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Meanwhile , Shea and his bosses are failing to recognize that law-abiding citizens are powerless against the bad guys because New York ’ s gun laws are so draconian that only the very wealthy and/or very connected can get the permits that allow them to protect themselves .
Those are the same permits that the bad guys simply ignore the need for .
The problem isn ’ t people with guns and it would be nice if Shea recognized that .
The problem in New York is that there isn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for carrying out a criminal act against a law-abiding person .
Oh , Shea can talk tough about it , but he and I both know that his officers simply aren ’ t going to be everywhere all the time .
There ’ s no “ swift , certain , punishment ” without an armed population that can meet the threats when it happens .
If you want to put an end to the violence , New York has to do something that it ’ s simply unwilling to do .
It needs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ means to protect themselves and others .
It needs to comply with the Constitution for a change .

No one expects the New York police commissioner to be pro-gun. It’s a political appointment in a vehemently anti-gun city. Even if the person filling the role believes in the Second Amendment, he certainly can’t say it.
However, I’m more than a little annoyed by the commissioner’s recent comments regarding people who carry guns.
The NYPD has been working to reduce a growth in gun violence across the city. But Police Commissioner Dermot Shea says first and foremost, people need to be held accountable. “We need people that carry firearms to know three things — that there’s going to be swift, certain, punishment. Period. And if we get to that point, we’re going to be in a much, much better place,” he told NY1 in an exclusive interview. Shea pointed to a recent double shooting incident in Elmhurst, Queens, where he recognized a person’s name on the report. “In a city of 8.6 million people, how does the police commissioner recognize and know the history of this individual? Well the reason is because he’s had five prior gun incidents in New York City,” he said. “We need people to have consequences for carrying guns,” said Shea.
See, this is a problem for a number of reasons. Perhaps most importantly is that Shea has failed to recognize that some people carry guns lawfully and are not part of the freaking problem in New York or anywhere else.
Yes, even in the Big Apple, some people can carry firearms lawfully. They have the required permits. Sure, they’re rare as hens’ teeth, but they exist. So far, not a one of those individuals has turned up to be part of the problem New York is having with violence.
Imagine that.
The problem is the criminal element that is illegally carrying guns with the intent to use them for illegal purposes. However, those are individuals who are breaking the law as it currently stands. New laws aren’t going to stop them because the legion of existing gun laws in New York certainly haven’t.
Meanwhile, Shea and his bosses are failing to recognize that law-abiding citizens are powerless against the bad guys because New York’s gun laws are so draconian that only the very wealthy and/or very connected can get the permits that allow them to protect themselves. Those are the same permits that the bad guys simply ignore the need for.
The problem isn’t people with guns and it would be nice if Shea recognized that.
The problem in New York is that there isn’t “swift, certain, punishment” for carrying out a criminal act against a law-abiding person. Oh, Shea can talk tough about it, but he and I both know that his officers simply aren’t going to be everywhere all the time. There’s no “swift, certain, punishment” without an armed population that can meet the threats when it happens.
If you want to put an end to the violence, New York has to do something that it’s simply unwilling to do. It needs to trust its law-abiding citizens with the means to protect themselves and others. It needs to comply with the Constitution for a change.


bearingarms--2020-08-11--Minneapolis Armed Robber Shot By Smoke Shop Employee

The push to abolish the Minneapolis Police Department may have hit a major roadblock , but according to the Star-Tribune the department is still down about 100 officers since early June , when rioting and looting and widespread violence rocked the city in the wake of the death of George Floyd while in police custody .
As the number of officers on the street has declined , shootings and robberies are up across the city , with the police department ’ s 3rd Precinct reporting 100 robberies in the month of July .
Criminals feel emboldened at the moment , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pair of armed robbers decided to hold up the USA Smoke Shop in Minneapolis over the weekend .
Store owner Fouad Elharfaoui says the two men came into his store just before closing time Saturday evening looking for some quick cash and cigarettes , but were surprised when a store employee fought back .
“ Two guys walked in with a gun and tried to rob [ my employee ] , but he has a concealed weapon and he pulled it out and tried to defend himself , ” Elharfaoui said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them.
” According to Elharfaoui , his employee fired at the robbers ’ car as they drove away , and hit the man in the passenger seat .
Minutes later , a barely-conscious man stumbled into the Super USA convenience store at 38th Street and Minnehaha Avenue , a little more than a mile from USA Smoke Shop .
Mohamed Kassab was working at Super USA that evening .
“ We called the police for him to get help , you know .
He ’ s bleeding .
It ’ s very crazy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kassab said .
According to police , the injured man was taken to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries , and while he has not yet been arrested or charged in connection with the smoke shop robbery , authorities say he does match the description of one of the two suspects .
Elharfaoui is standing by his employee , adding that he wasn ’ t worried about the loss of property as much as he was concerned about the safety of his friend and employee .
The business owner says his store @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this summer , and as you can imagine , he ’ s not a fan of the idea of abolishing the city ’ s police force .
Of course , as the Star-Tribune recently reported , the police department is facing major challenges beyond the existential threat it faces from the City Council .
The decreased staffing levels among the MPD ’ s five precincts is a dilemma for the department , as it grapples with COVID-related budget cuts and sinking officer morale .
For instance , a recent Monday night found just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Third Precinct , according to MPD officials .
The department must constantly balance shortages , as officers call in sick or take vacation time .
They do so by holding over earlier shifts , using response cars from other precincts at particularly busy times , and offering so-called “ green days ” — putting out a citywide bid for officers to work overtime to backfill positions .
Meanwhile , officers from disbanded units like the Police Athletic League , procedural justice and community engagement have been reassigned , with some sent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former school resource officers .
Officials would not disclose which units the departures are coming from , but MPD insiders say the Second Precinct was particularly hard hit .
Investigation units haven ’ t been spared either , with the juvenile crimes unit losing several detectives in the exodus .
The deployment picture has worsened as the department tries to dig itself out of the budgetary hole it ’ s been in since the COVID-19 pandemic struck .
While a recent class of recruits hit the streets last month , another class that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been canceled .
And with a citywide hiring freeze in effect until at least the end of the year , there are no replacements in sight .
As long as the MPD is struggling , criminals are going to believe they stand a good chance at getting away with their crimes .
Thankfully the Second Amendment is alive and well in the Twin Cities , and those looking for an easy score should keep in mind that the police aren ’ t the only ones who are able to stop a crime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can ’ t get a handle on its crime rate , expect more armed citizen stories like this in the days and weeks ahead .

The push to abolish the Minneapolis Police Department may have hit a major roadblock, but according to the Star-Tribune the department is still down about 100 officers since early June, when rioting and looting and widespread violence rocked the city in the wake of the death of George Floyd while in police custody. As the number of officers on the street has declined, shootings and robberies are up across the city, with the police department’s 3rd Precinct reporting 100 robberies in the month of July.
Criminals feel emboldened at the moment, which may be one reason why a pair of armed robbers decided to hold up the USA Smoke Shop in Minneapolis over the weekend. Store owner Fouad Elharfaoui says the two men came into his store just before closing time Saturday evening looking for some quick cash and cigarettes, but were surprised when a store employee fought back.
“Two guys walked in with a gun and tried to rob [my employee], but he has a concealed weapon and he pulled it out and tried to defend himself,” Elharfaoui said. “The guys took off, he chased them.” According to Elharfaoui, his employee fired at the robbers’ car as they drove away, and hit the man in the passenger seat. Minutes later, a barely-conscious man stumbled into the Super USA convenience store at 38th Street and Minnehaha Avenue, a little more than a mile from USA Smoke Shop. Mohamed Kassab was working at Super USA that evening. “We called the police for him to get help, you know. He’s bleeding. It’s very crazy, scary, you know?” Kassab said.
According to police, the injured man was taken to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries, and while he has not yet been arrested or charged in connection with the smoke shop robbery, authorities say he does match the description of one of the two suspects.
Elharfaoui is standing by his employee, adding that he wasn’t worried about the loss of property as much as he was concerned about the safety of his friend and employee. The business owner says his store has already been hit by looters once this summer, and as you can imagine, he’s not a fan of the idea of abolishing the city’s police force. Of course, as the Star-Tribune recently reported, the police department is facing major challenges beyond the existential threat it faces from the City Council.
The decreased staffing levels among the MPD’s five precincts is a dilemma for the department, as it grapples with COVID-related budget cuts and sinking officer morale. For instance, a recent Monday night found just six officers patrolling the 14.5 square miles of the Third Precinct, according to MPD officials. The department must constantly balance shortages, as officers call in sick or take vacation time. They do so by holding over earlier shifts, using response cars from other precincts at particularly busy times, and offering so-called “green days” — putting out a citywide bid for officers to work overtime to backfill positions. Meanwhile, officers from disbanded units like the Police Athletic League, procedural justice and community engagement have been reassigned, with some sent back to the streets, as have former school resource officers. Officials would not disclose which units the departures are coming from, but MPD insiders say the Second Precinct was particularly hard hit. Investigation units haven’t been spared either, with the juvenile crimes unit losing several detectives in the exodus. The deployment picture has worsened as the department tries to dig itself out of the budgetary hole it’s been in since the COVID-19 pandemic struck. While a recent class of recruits hit the streets last month, another class that was scheduled to start training in August has been canceled. And with a citywide hiring freeze in effect until at least the end of the year, there are no replacements in sight.
As long as the MPD is struggling, criminals are going to believe they stand a good chance at getting away with their crimes. Thankfully the Second Amendment is alive and well in the Twin Cities, and those looking for an easy score should keep in mind that the police aren’t the only ones who are able to stop a crime from being committed. If the city can’t get a handle on its crime rate, expect more armed citizen stories like this in the days and weeks ahead.


bearingarms--2020-08-11--Chicago Mayor Wants Trump's Help, But Only With Gun Control

The massive looting that took place recently in Chicago isn ’ t good for anyone .
Not really .
Neither is the increased bloodshed that ’ s sweeping the city .
It was violent enough there as it was , yet now the violence has jumped to new heights since the protests and riots that swept the nation just a couple of months back .
Despite the violence , Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot wanted to make it clear that she had little interest in getting help from President Trump .
It happened anyway , of course , but she was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want it .
Now , she ’ s changed her tune…but only if Trump betrays his base right before the election .
Chicago ’ s Mayor Lori Lightfoot had strong words for the hundreds of rioters and looters that took to the streets of Chicago Sunday night , causing major damage to some of the city ’ s tourist areas and stealing thousands of dollars in merchandise from high-end shops and boutiques located in the city ’ s “ Magnificent Mile ” shopping district .
Lightfoot is now asking for President Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assisting the Chicago Police Department in controlling the city ’ s spike in violence — but only if those resources are targeted towards “ federally licensed gun dealers.
” “ We are waking up in shock this morning , ” Lightfoot said at a joint press conference with the city ’ s police superintendent , David Brown .
“ What happened in our city last night and this morning of course is deeply painful for every Chicagoan.
” The looting , Lightfoot said , was “ brazen and extensive criminal destruction.
” She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was in response to an officer-involved shooting on the city ’ s South Side , calling the prevailing narrative about the incident false , and lashing out at previous claims , made by individuals like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( D-NY ) that property violence in cities like Chicago is motivated by poverty .
“ This is not legitimate 1st Amendment-protected speech .
These were not poor people engaging in petty theft to feed themselves and their families , ” Lightfoot said .
“ This was straight up-felony , criminal conduct.
” Again , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protected speech , nor should it be .
It directly infringes on the property rights of the owners of the looted stores .
That means it can ’ t be considered a free speech issue .
The looting is a serious problem , a problem that can ’ t be ignored .
If people in Chicago believe that going around and looting businesses is the proper response to what they perceive as some kind of injustice , they ’ re going to be in for a bad time .
It doesn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ornery about stuff like that .
We dig in our heels and make it a point not to capitulate to the mob .
So far , I ’ m with Lightfoot .
However , she decided that there is something President Trump can help with .
Lightfoot did note that she would not call in National Guard troops to help secure the city and prevent rioting .
She did , however , suggest that President Donald Trump could provide greater assistance to the city by providing more resources to agents of the Alcohol @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chicago police violence control efforts , but only if those resources are aimed at conducting background checks on federally licensed gun dealers .
“ Lightfoot urges Trump to provide adequate resources to ATF and get behind federally licensed gun dealers .
‘ Don ’ t rattle the sabre .
Don ’ t make threats , ’ ” one local Chicago reporter noted on Twitter .
First , federally licensed gun dealers have already undergone background checks .
They ’ re also conducting background checks on prospective gun buyers .
They ’ re following @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chicago is that criminals get guns through illegal means .
They steal guns from lawful gun owners .
They misrepresent themselves with false identification to try and get a gun from a licensed dealer .
They use straw buyers to obtain them .
They have a plethora of ways in which they can get a gun , none of which are the fault of licensed dealers .
Lightfoot , however , is wanting Trump to lower the hammer on law-abiding gun dealers right before the election knowing full well that it wouldn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s violence problem .
She also likely knows that gun rights advocates would view such a move as a betrayal .
Trump needs their votes , so such a betrayal could be disastrous for the president .
Luckily , I don ’ t see it happening .
Trump doesn ’ t like being dictated to , so he ’ ll either do it his way or not at all .

The massive looting that took place recently in Chicago isn’t good for anyone. Not really.
Neither is the increased bloodshed that’s sweeping the city. It was violent enough there as it was, yet now the violence has jumped to new heights since the protests and riots that swept the nation just a couple of months back.
Despite the violence, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot wanted to make it clear that she had little interest in getting help from President Trump. It happened anyway, of course, but she was clear that she didn’t really want it.
Now, she’s changed her tune…but only if Trump betrays his base right before the election.
Chicago’s Mayor Lori Lightfoot had strong words for the hundreds of rioters and looters that took to the streets of Chicago Sunday night, causing major damage to some of the city’s tourist areas and stealing thousands of dollars in merchandise from high-end shops and boutiques located in the city’s “Magnificent Mile” shopping district. Lightfoot is now asking for President Donald Trump to send additional resources to federal agents assisting the Chicago Police Department in controlling the city’s spike in violence — but only if those resources are targeted towards “federally licensed gun dealers.” “We are waking up in shock this morning,” Lightfoot said at a joint press conference with the city’s police superintendent, David Brown. “What happened in our city last night and this morning of course is deeply painful for every Chicagoan.” The looting, Lightfoot said, was “brazen and extensive criminal destruction.”
I agree; it’s definitely criminal.
Lightfoot didn’t stop there, either.
She then took aim at claims the looting was in response to an officer-involved shooting on the city’s South Side, calling the prevailing narrative about the incident false, and lashing out at previous claims, made by individuals like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) that property violence in cities like Chicago is motivated by poverty. “This is not legitimate 1st Amendment-protected speech. These were not poor people engaging in petty theft to feed themselves and their families,” Lightfoot said. “This was straight up-felony, criminal conduct.”
Again, I agree. Looting isn’t protected speech, nor should it be. It directly infringes on the property rights of the owners of the looted stores. That means it can’t be considered a free speech issue.
The looting is a serious problem, a problem that can’t be ignored.
If people in Chicago believe that going around and looting businesses is the proper response to what they perceive as some kind of injustice, they’re going to be in for a bad time. It doesn’t convince anyone. Americans are historically pretty ornery about stuff like that. We dig in our heels and make it a point not to capitulate to the mob.
So far, I’m with Lightfoot.
However, she decided that there is something President Trump can help with.
Lightfoot did note that she would not call in National Guard troops to help secure the city and prevent rioting. She did, however, suggest that President Donald Trump could provide greater assistance to the city by providing more resources to agents of the Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms bureau assisting Chicago police violence control efforts, but only if those resources are aimed at conducting background checks on federally licensed gun dealers. “Lightfoot urges Trump to provide adequate resources to ATF and get behind federally licensed gun dealers. ‘Don’t rattle the sabre. Don’t make threats,’” one local Chicago reporter noted on Twitter.
Oh boy.
First, federally licensed gun dealers have already undergone background checks. They’re also conducting background checks on prospective gun buyers. They’re following the laws.
But the problem in Chicago is that criminals get guns through illegal means. They steal guns from lawful gun owners. They misrepresent themselves with false identification to try and get a gun from a licensed dealer. They use straw buyers to obtain them. They have a plethora of ways in which they can get a gun, none of which are the fault of licensed dealers.
Lightfoot, however, is wanting Trump to lower the hammer on law-abiding gun dealers right before the election knowing full well that it wouldn’t have any impact on Chicago’s violence problem. She also likely knows that gun rights advocates would view such a move as a betrayal. Trump needs their votes, so such a betrayal could be disastrous for the president.
Luckily, I don’t see it happening. Trump doesn’t like being dictated to, so he’ll either do it his way or not at all.


bearingarms--2020-08-11--Kansas City's Attempt At Murder-Free Weekend Not Off To A Great Start

We ’ ve talked a lot about the staggering increase in shootings in places like New York City and Chicago quite a bit here , but those aren ’ t the only big cities in the grips of a crime wave .
Shootings in Portland , Oregon are at the highest levels in 30 years , and in Kansas City , Missouri , there were six homicides in a 24-hour span this past weekend , putting the city on pace for its highest homicide rate in history .
Several churches across the city are engaged in efforts to get through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but sadly , that hasn ’ t happened yet this summer .
Back in early July , KSHB-TV spoke with Pastor Marvin Kirkwood of Contagious Life Church about his plan to hand out fireworks in the hopes of distracting would-be shooters with Black Cats and roman candles , but to no avail .
Now Pastor Kirkwood is hoping that a “ gun buyback ” will lead to better results for this coming weekend .
Kirkwood and others said they ’ re giving people an alternative .
This weekend , trade in your illegal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 200 .
“ The $ 200 gift card to either go to Target or Walmart to purchase items , ” Kirkwood said , “ that you don ’ t have to go out an rob somebody for or commit a crime for.
” On top of the gift card , you ’ ll get a ‘ Life Card ’ with a list of resources and information on conflict resolution .
“ If you bring me five guns , you ’ ll get $ 200 per gun , ” Kirkwood said .
He said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ name or personal information .
“ We ’ re not locking people up for a gun .
We ’ re not reporting people to the police for guns , ” Kirkwood explained .
“ We ’ re giving them jobs , resources , opportunities ; we ’ re mediating conflict ; we ’ re helping them with food.
” I appreciate and understand that Pastor Kirkwood ’ s heart is in the right place , but if he really believes that this so-called “ buyback ” is actually going to lead to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be bitterly disappointed .
Most of the guns that are turned in during compensated confiscation programs like the one hosted by Kirkwood are “ garbage guns ” ; old and broken down firearms that haven ’ t been used in a crime or for any other purpose in years .
These aren ’ t guns that are coming off the street , in other words .
More like coming down from the attic .
We ’ re also witnessing record high gun sales at the moment , so I imagine that any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a $ 200 gift card would be willing to sell that same firearm to a private citizen for even more money .
That will likely cut down on the number of firearms turned over , but that won ’ t be the only reason .
Things are rough in Kansas City right now , with more than 120 homicides already recorded this year , and it stands to reason that plenty of good folks living in bad neighborhoods may decide to hang on to their handgun , even if they could use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , resources , and opportunities that Pastor Kirkwood is offering will be of far more benefit to the community than any gun buyback , and he should take the money set aside for the buyback and spend it on some of those other initiatives .
The “ buyback ” may generate headlines , but I don ’ t think it ’ s going to save any lives .
With the city ’ s homicide clearance rate for the year currently at just 43 % , guns aren ’ t the problem ; the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ getting away with their crimes is the real issue , and it ’ s one that isn ’ t touched by a “ buyback ” of firearms , no questions asked .

We’ve talked a lot about the staggering increase in shootings in places like New York City and Chicago quite a bit here, but those aren’t the only big cities in the grips of a crime wave. Shootings in Portland, Oregon are at the highest levels in 30 years, and in Kansas City, Missouri, there were six homicides in a 24-hour span this past weekend, putting the city on pace for its highest homicide rate in history.
Several churches across the city are engaged in efforts to get through a single weekend without a homicide, but sadly, that hasn’t happened yet this summer. Back in early July, KSHB-TV spoke with Pastor Marvin Kirkwood of Contagious Life Church about his plan to hand out fireworks in the hopes of distracting would-be shooters with Black Cats and roman candles, but to no avail. Now Pastor Kirkwood is hoping that a “gun buyback” will lead to better results for this coming weekend.
Kirkwood and others said they’re giving people an alternative. This weekend, trade in your illegal gun for a gift card worth $200. “The $200 gift card to either go to Target or Walmart to purchase items,” Kirkwood said, “that you don’t have to go out an rob somebody for or commit a crime for.” On top of the gift card, you’ll get a ‘Life Card’ with a list of resources and information on conflict resolution. “If you bring me five guns, you’ll get $200 per gun,” Kirkwood said. He said they won’t ask for your name or personal information. “We’re not locking people up for a gun. We’re not reporting people to the police for guns,” Kirkwood explained. “We’re giving them jobs, resources, opportunities; we’re mediating conflict; we’re helping them with food.”
I appreciate and understand that Pastor Kirkwood’s heart is in the right place, but if he really believes that this so-called “buyback” is actually going to lead to a murder-free weekend, he’s going to be bitterly disappointed. Most of the guns that are turned in during compensated confiscation programs like the one hosted by Kirkwood are “garbage guns”; old and broken down firearms that haven’t been used in a crime or for any other purpose in years. These aren’t guns that are coming off the street, in other words. More like coming down from the attic.
We’re also witnessing record high gun sales at the moment, so I imagine that any gun owner ready to sell their firearm for a $200 gift card would be willing to sell that same firearm to a private citizen for even more money. That will likely cut down on the number of firearms turned over, but that won’t be the only reason. Things are rough in Kansas City right now, with more than 120 homicides already recorded this year, and it stands to reason that plenty of good folks living in bad neighborhoods may decide to hang on to their handgun, even if they could use the money.
I believe the jobs, resources, and opportunities that Pastor Kirkwood is offering will be of far more benefit to the community than any gun buyback, and he should take the money set aside for the buyback and spend it on some of those other initiatives. The “buyback” may generate headlines, but I don’t think it’s going to save any lives. With the city’s homicide clearance rate for the year currently at just 43%, guns aren’t the problem; the fact that a majority of murderers are getting away with their crimes is the real issue, and it’s one that isn’t touched by a “buyback” of firearms, no questions asked.


bearingarms--2020-08-11--Rally For Chicago Looters Betrays BLM's Real Agenda

It seems a simple phrase and one that few of us can really disagree with in spirit .
While we may counter that all lives matter , few would disagree that black lives fall into that category .
So sure , they matter .
Just like anyone else ’ s should .
However , when all the words are capitalized like that , it ’ s not a phrase .
It ’ s an organization , a movement .
It ’ s an entity with goals of its own that may or may not move beyond simply saying black Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chicago following a night of senseless looting , over a hundred arrests were made .
The looting didn ’ t accompany a protest that got out of hand , either .
It was just looting for the sake of looting .
Now , Black Lives Matter held a rally .
It wasn ’ t to stop the violence , to stop the looting that may turn public opinion against their organization .
Oh no .
It was demanding the release of all those arrested .
Black Lives Matter members in Chicago held a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 100 arrested last night following widespread looting and rioting that caused at least $ 60 million in property damage and saw 13 police officers injured , according to a report .
The rally was organized by Black Lives Matter Chicago and was held at a police station in the South Loop where organizers say individuals are currently being held in custody .
At least one organizer called the looting tantamount to “ reparations.
” “ I don ’ t care if someone decides to loot a Gucci or a Macy ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ makes sure that person eats , ” said Ariel Atkins , a BLM organizer , according to NBC Chicago .
“ That makes sure that person has clothes.
” “ That is reparations , ” Atkins continued .
“ Anything they wanted to take , they can take it because these businesses have insurance.
” In other words , any degree of lawlessness carried out by African-Americans is somehow justified because of the sins from a century and a half ago and woe be unto you if you disagree .
Now , unlike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the looting .
The unrest was prompted by a social media post urging people to converge on Chicago ’ s business district after police shot a man on the South Side around 2:30 p.m. Sunday .
Officers had responded to a call about a man with a gun in the Englewood neighborhood .
While being pursued by police , the man , who was on foot , “ turned and fired shots ” at officers before being struck himself and taken to a local hospital , Deputy Chief Delonda Tally told Fox 32 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was charged with attempted murder Monday after firing on officers , according to Chicago police .
A video posted on Facebook around 6:30 p.m. falsely claimed that officers had shot and killed a 15-year-old boy .
An armed man fired at police , and that was cause for looting ?
And now Black Lives Matter somehow seems to believe that looting is justified because…what ?
People are poor ?
Because someone owned someone else down your genealogical line , someone you ’ ve never met ?
Looting isn ’ t reparations .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a grander scale .
It doesn ’ t benefit the community .
It doesn ’ t expunge the evils of slavery .
It doesn ’ t even address income disparity .
It does nothing except suggest that Black Lives Matter is everything horrible they ’ ve been accused of being .
It makes it even more difficult to believe their claims that white supremacists infiltrated their protests and sparked the riots that swept the nation .
It ’ s impossible to buy that because look at what we ’ re seeing now .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ real agenda of Black Lives Matter .
It ’ s not to raise awareness of police brutality against the black community .
It ’ s not to call for police reform or anything of the sort .
No , it ’ s to justify lawlessness on behalf of that same black community .
It ’ s to demand a world where there are zero repercussions against African American criminals who commit crimes for whatever reason .
It ’ s to create a different set of rules for black Americans than applies to anyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go the way Black Lives Matter thinks it will .

Black Lives Matter.
It seems a simple phrase and one that few of us can really disagree with in spirit. While we may counter that all lives matter, few would disagree that black lives fall into that category. So sure, they matter. Just like anyone else’s should.
However, when all the words are capitalized like that, it’s not a phrase. It’s an organization, a movement. It’s an entity with goals of its own that may or may not move beyond simply saying black Americans have a right to live.
In Chicago following a night of senseless looting, over a hundred arrests were made. The looting didn’t accompany a protest that got out of hand, either. It was just looting for the sake of looting.
Now, Black Lives Matter held a rally. It wasn’t to stop the violence, to stop the looting that may turn public opinion against their organization. Oh no. It was demanding the release of all those arrested.
Black Lives Matter members in Chicago held a rally on Monday to support the more than 100 arrested last night following widespread looting and rioting that caused at least $60 million in property damage and saw 13 police officers injured, according to a report. The rally was organized by Black Lives Matter Chicago and was held at a police station in the South Loop where organizers say individuals are currently being held in custody. At least one organizer called the looting tantamount to “reparations.” “I don’t care if someone decides to loot a Gucci or a Macy’s or a Nike store, because that makes sure that person eats,” said Ariel Atkins, a BLM organizer, according to NBC Chicago. “That makes sure that person has clothes.” “That is reparations,” Atkins continued. “Anything they wanted to take, they can take it because these businesses have insurance.”
In other words, any degree of lawlessness carried out by African-Americans is somehow justified because of the sins from a century and a half ago and woe be unto you if you disagree.
Now, unlike on Monday, we know what prompted the looting.
The unrest was prompted by a social media post urging people to converge on Chicago’s business district after police shot a man on the South Side around 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Officers had responded to a call about a man with a gun in the Englewood neighborhood. While being pursued by police, the man, who was on foot, “turned and fired shots” at officers before being struck himself and taken to a local hospital, Deputy Chief Delonda Tally told Fox 32 Chicago. Latrell Allen, 20, was charged with attempted murder Monday after firing on officers, according to Chicago police. A video posted on Facebook around 6:30 p.m. falsely claimed that officers had shot and killed a 15-year-old boy.
An armed man fired at police, and that was cause for looting?
And now Black Lives Matter somehow seems to believe that looting is justified because…what? People are poor? Because someone owned someone else down your genealogical line, someone you’ve never met?
Sorry, that doesn’t fly.
Looting isn’t reparations. It’s smash and grab robbery on a grander scale. It doesn’t benefit the community. It doesn’t expunge the evils of slavery. It doesn’t even address income disparity.
It does nothing except suggest that Black Lives Matter is everything horrible they’ve been accused of being. It makes it even more difficult to believe their claims that white supremacists infiltrated their protests and sparked the riots that swept the nation. It’s impossible to buy that because look at what we’re seeing now.
In the process, we see the real agenda of Black Lives Matter. It’s not to raise awareness of police brutality against the black community. It’s not to call for police reform or anything of the sort.
No, it’s to justify lawlessness on behalf of that same black community. It’s to demand a world where there are zero repercussions against African American criminals who commit crimes for whatever reason. It’s to create a different set of rules for black Americans than applies to anyone else.
And that won’t go the way Black Lives Matter thinks it will.


bearingarms--2020-08-12--Armed Citizen Thwarts Waffle House Robbery

We all know this , of course .
The problem is , not everyone does .
They ’ ll tell us that someone having a gun makes a situation worse , despite having a very hard time actually proving that case .
Regardless , though , we do know that armed citizens stop crimes all the time .
Kind of like this one .
K-9 units were dispatched and the suspects arrested .
However , I can ’ t help but think that these two dipsticks may have picked the second dumbest place to hold up right after the local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not have the number of police officers you normally see at a donut store , their normal clientele is also far more likely to be armed than almost anywhere else besides a gun store .
Per capita , Waffle House customers may be the best-armed people almost anywhere , so how did these turdnuggets think this was going to go ?
Well , it went about as you ’ d expect .
However , there ’ s also a lesson here .
In particular , these two numbskulls outnumbered and outgunned the armed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Most violent criminals aren ’ t really tough guys .
They ’ re cowards who are too screwed up in the head to know how to hold down a real job , so they take up crime as a career .
The moment they ’ re met with armed resistance , they freak out .
That ’ s because most criminals aren ’ t like the bad guys in the movie .
They ’ re not hardened killers who will blow away anyone who opposes them , whether they ’ re armed or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scared little children in adult-sized bodies .
The moment they can ’ t bully someone , they freak out .
One single armed citizen who didn ’ t even apparently hit what he was aiming at managed to stop two robbers simply by offering resistance .
Meanwhile , we ’ ve been told that resistance is wrong , that you should just comply with the wishes of the criminal .
Well , we know that ’ s not always right .
In fact , it ’ s usually not right .
There may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but to believe that ’ s the automatically correct answer in all circumstances is ridiculous Instead , resistance offers up a great many more alternatives for you , including surviving the encounter .
It also helps dissuade such people from continuing with their criminal ways .
I mean , if I got shot at for doing something I knew damn well to be wrong , I ’ d probably do some long , hard rethinking of my life choices .
At the end of the day , though , I ’ m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m glad there was an armed citizen present to prevent these two alleged criminals from hurting anyone .
I ’ m also glad they ’ re off the streets .

Guns save lives.
We all know this, of course. The problem is, not everyone does. They’ll tell us that someone having a gun makes a situation worse, despite having a very hard time actually proving that case.
Regardless, though, we do know that armed citizens stop crimes all the time.
Kind of like this one.
Officers cahrged 19-year-old Jamal Ford and 22-year-old Kenji Yates with attempted armed robbery. Investigators say it happened around midnight on Tuesday, August 11 at the Waffle House located on 2345 Broad River Road. According to officials, the suspects walked into the business, pointed guns at the cook, and demanded money. Deputies say one customers in the restaurant who is also a licensed gun owner confronted the suspects. Gunfire was exchanged in the restaurant and the suspects ran away without any money. No injuries were reported.
K-9 units were dispatched and the suspects arrested.
However, I can’t help but think that these two dipsticks may have picked the second dumbest place to hold up right after the local donut shop. While Waffle House may not have the number of police officers you normally see at a donut store, their normal clientele is also far more likely to be armed than almost anywhere else besides a gun store.
Per capita, Waffle House customers may be the best-armed people almost anywhere, so how did these turdnuggets think this was going to go?
Well, it went about as you’d expect.
However, there’s also a lesson here. In particular, these two numbskulls outnumbered and outgunned the armed citizen, yet who ran away?
Most violent criminals aren’t really tough guys. They’re cowards who are too screwed up in the head to know how to hold down a real job, so they take up crime as a career. The moment they’re met with armed resistance, they freak out.
That’s because most criminals aren’t like the bad guys in the movie. They’re not hardened killers who will blow away anyone who opposes them, whether they’re armed or not. No, they’re scared little children in adult-sized bodies. The moment they can’t bully someone, they freak out.
One single armed citizen who didn’t even apparently hit what he was aiming at managed to stop two robbers simply by offering resistance.
Meanwhile, we’ve been told that resistance is wrong, that you should just comply with the wishes of the criminal. Well, we know that’s not always right. In fact, it’s usually not right. There may be tactical reasons to comply, sure, but to believe that’s the automatically correct answer in all circumstances is ridiculous
Instead, resistance offers up a great many more alternatives for you, including surviving the encounter. It also helps dissuade such people from continuing with their criminal ways. I mean, if I got shot at for doing something I knew damn well to be wrong, I’d probably do some long, hard rethinking of my life choices.
At the end of the day, though, I’m glad everything turned out well. I’m glad there was an armed citizen present to prevent these two alleged criminals from hurting anyone. I’m also glad they’re off the streets.