bearingarms--2020-11-10--COVID Leads To Spike In Hunting Numbers

COVID Leads To Spike In Hunting Numbers

Hunting has long been a pastime on the decline .
Fewer and fewer people venture out into the woods each year , which causes some problems when it comes to state conservation efforts .
After all , hunting supports those efforts since they ’ re funding by hunting and fishing permits .
In fact , sometimes it seems the only people still hunting are politicians who say , “ I ’ m a hunter , but… ” Yet all is not lost .
Hunting has enjoyed something of a renaissance in the era of COVID-19 .
Before the COVID-19 pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country were continually declining each year .
Gaming and social media has a way of keeping many folks anchored inside these days , and it seems more and more people lean towards the convenience of buying their food already prepared and sealed in plastic .
On top of that , you have hunters who struggle to make it back to the woods each season due to age , and fewer young folks are stepping in to fill their places .
The U.S .
Fish and Wildlife Service details the decline in hunting numbers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hunting .
They point to the fact 13.6 million American hunters in 2011 fell off to 11.4 million in 2016 .
Here in my home state of Michigan , the number of hunting license sales from 2013 to 2019 also reflects this trend .
According to data from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources , there were nearly 125,000 fewer hunting licenses sold in the state during those years compared to this season .
With all that being said , it appears more hunters in the mitten state have been hitting the woods @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the DNR reports 440,780 people purchased a hunting license through October 12 .
Over 64,000 of those buyers were first-time hunters – 31,000 more new hunters than previously recorded at the same time last year .
It ’ s unlikely that this is isolated to Michigan .
The question asked at the end of that article , though , is will it last ?
That ’ s probably the most important question .
After all , a one-year spike in hunting isn ’ t really going to do much to keep the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What ’ s needed is a sustained effort , an increase in hunting year after year .
So , will it continue ?
That ’ s one of those unknowable question , but we need to first think about why people started doing it this year in the first place .
After all , with COVID a concern , why would people take up hunting of all things ?
The answers probably vary depending on who you ask , but part of it may have been fear of food shortages as producers were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down due to infection risks .
For some , it might have simply been a matter of finally having time to hunt .
Another may simply have been that it was an activity you could leave the house for .
When you ’ re stuck inside all day long , it ’ s easy to get a little stir crazy , so hunting let people leave home for a little while without fear of being harassed or arrested .
What will , however , is the enjoyment someone can get while hunting .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than anything else .
People have to get something out of it .
Since game animals are downright elusive , so getting meat isn ’ t always going to be enough .
That means enjoyment .
And yeah , hunting is fun , even if you don ’ t see a damn thing .
I mean , there are worse ways to spend a morning than sitting in the woods enjoying nature , right ?
If these new hunters agree , they ’ ll likely be back .
If not , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just that simple .

Hunting has long been a pastime on the decline. Fewer and fewer people venture out into the woods each year, which causes some problems when it comes to state conservation efforts. After all, hunting supports those efforts since they’re funding by hunting and fishing permits.
In fact, sometimes it seems the only people still hunting are politicians who say, “I’m a hunter, but…”
Yet all is not lost. Hunting has enjoyed something of a renaissance in the era of COVID-19.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of hunters across the country were continually declining each year. Gaming and social media has a way of keeping many folks anchored inside these days, and it seems more and more people lean towards the convenience of buying their food already prepared and sealed in plastic. On top of that, you have hunters who struggle to make it back to the woods each season due to age, and fewer young folks are stepping in to fill their places. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service details the decline in hunting numbers in their National Survey of Fishing and Hunting. They point to the fact 13.6 million American hunters in 2011 fell off to 11.4 million in 2016. Here in my home state of Michigan, the number of hunting license sales from 2013 to 2019 also reflects this trend. According to data from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, there were nearly 125,000 fewer hunting licenses sold in the state during those years compared to this season. Michigan Sees Spike in Hunters Due to COVID-19 With all that being said, it appears more hunters in the mitten state have been hitting the woods since the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, the DNR reports 440,780 people purchased a hunting license through October 12. Over 64,000 of those buyers were first-time hunters – 31,000 more new hunters than previously recorded at the same time last year.
It’s unlikely that this is isolated to Michigan.
The question asked at the end of that article, though, is will it last?
That’s probably the most important question. After all, a one-year spike in hunting isn’t really going to do much to keep the sport alive, now is it? What’s needed is a sustained effort, an increase in hunting year after year.
So, will it continue?
That’s one of those unknowable question, but we need to first think about why people started doing it this year in the first place. After all, with COVID a concern, why would people take up hunting of all things?
The answers probably vary depending on who you ask, but part of it may have been fear of food shortages as producers were unable to pick crops and processors shut down due to infection risks. For some, it might have simply been a matter of finally having time to hunt. Another may simply have been that it was an activity you could leave the house for. When you’re stuck inside all day long, it’s easy to get a little stir crazy, so hunting let people leave home for a little while without fear of being harassed or arrested.
Those conditions won’t continue indefinitely.
What will, however, is the enjoyment someone can get while hunting. That’s the thing that matters more than anything else. People have to get something out of it. Since game animals are downright elusive, so getting meat isn’t always going to be enough. That means enjoyment. And yeah, hunting is fun, even if you don’t see a damn thing. I mean, there are worse ways to spend a morning than sitting in the woods enjoying nature, right?
If these new hunters agree, they’ll likely be back. If not, they won’t. It’s just that simple.


bearingarms--2020-11-10--Gun Control Polls Are Just As Flawed As Election Polling

You know the polls I ’ m talking about , the ones that claim that 80 % of Americans want universal background checks , or 70 % of Americans support a ban on “ assault weapons.
” With pollsters admitting that they have a “ huge problem ” with the accuracy of their election polling , why should we believe that their polls on support for various gun control laws are any better than their deeply flawed polls of the 2020 races ?
A new piece at Axios lays out some of the handwringing taking place in the polling industry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were worried that perhaps some Trump voters surveyed were simply too embarrassed to tell people that they were voting for him .
The real problem is even worse .
Virtually every poll did not survey enough Trump supporters , period — meaning there ’ s a huge sampling error the industry needs to reckon with .
“ We ’ ve been struggling with this issue and we keep trying to fix it and it ’ s not totally working , ” said one worried pollster who did not want to be named for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quick message to that anonymous pollster ; your industry isn ’ t going to be ruined by you going on the record .
It ’ s going to be ruined by the industry ’ s repeated failures to reflect reality .
According to NRA ’ s Institute for Legislative Action , there are plenty of folks who study Second Amendment issues who believe that polling on guns suffers from inherent flaws .
Wake Forest Professor of Sociology David Yamane shares Lott ’ s belief that inaccurate polling systematically underestimates gun ownership in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Why Surveys Underestimate Gun Ownership Rates in the U.S. , ” Yamane laid out the case for systematic underreporting and provided a bevy of reasons why gun owners would be reluctant to be truthful with pollsters .
The professor noted , “ My educated guess is that the underestimate is at least 10 % , that 25 % would not be an unreasonable amount , and more than 25 % is likely.
” Moreover , in 2015 , Zogby Analytics conducted a poll that attempted to gauge if gun ownership is underestimated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If a national pollster asked you if you owned a firearm , would you determine to tell him or her the truth , or would you feel it was none of their business ?
” The polling firm found “ 36 % of Americans feel it is none of the pollster ’ s business and that includes 35 % of current gun owners 47 % of Republicans and 42 % of Independents.
” A perfect real-world example of this phenomenon took place in Maine a few years ago .
Back in 2016 the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get a universal background check referendum on the ballot , and pre-election polls showed the measure cruising to victory .
One poll in September of that year showed the measure getting support from 61 % of voters , while an October poll found 52 % approval .
When Election Day rolled around , however , Question 3 went down to defeat , with 52 % of voters rejecting the measure instead of approving it .
Should you believe polls that show massive support for gun control measures like universal background checks or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Absolutely not , because the evidence suggests that the polls aren ’ t including the voices and opinions of many gun owners .
That doesn ’ t mean that we don ’ t need to work to educate non-gun owners about the truth of these anti-gun proposals , because we absolutely do .
However , we shouldn ’ t be demoralized or demotivated when we see some poll suggesting a huge majority of voters embracing a gun control measure .
Gun control simply isn ’ t as popular as the media and pollsters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are just as broken as the ones that showed Joe Biden winning Wisconsin by double digits , or Democrats winning control of the Texas state House .

You know the polls I’m talking about, the ones that claim that 80% of Americans want universal background checks, or 70% of Americans support a ban on “assault weapons.” With pollsters admitting that they have a “huge problem” with the accuracy of their election polling, why should we believe that their polls on support for various gun control laws are any better than their deeply flawed polls of the 2020 races?
A new piece at Axios lays out some of the handwringing taking place in the polling industry post-election.
Before the election, pollsters were worried that perhaps some Trump voters surveyed were simply too embarrassed to tell people that they were voting for him. The real problem is even worse. Virtually every poll did not survey enough Trump supporters, period — meaning there’s a huge sampling error the industry needs to reckon with. “We’ve been struggling with this issue and we keep trying to fix it and it’s not totally working,” said one worried pollster who did not want to be named for fear of ruining his industry.
A quick message to that anonymous pollster; your industry isn’t going to be ruined by you going on the record. It’s going to be ruined by the industry’s repeated failures to reflect reality.
According to NRA’s Institute for Legislative Action, there are plenty of folks who study Second Amendment issues who believe that polling on guns suffers from inherent flaws.
Wake Forest Professor of Sociology David Yamane shares Lott’s belief that inaccurate polling systematically underestimates gun ownership in the U.S. In a 2019 piece titled “Why Surveys Underestimate Gun Ownership Rates in the U.S.,” Yamane laid out the case for systematic underreporting and provided a bevy of reasons why gun owners would be reluctant to be truthful with pollsters. The professor noted, “My educated guess is that the underestimate is at least 10%, that 25% would not be an unreasonable amount, and more than 25% is likely.”
Moreover, in 2015, Zogby Analytics conducted a poll that attempted to gauge if gun ownership is underestimated by surveys. Zogby asked respondents “If a national pollster asked you if you owned a firearm, would you determine to tell him or her the truth, or would you feel it was none of their business? ”The polling firm found “36% of Americans feel it is none of the pollster’s business and that includes 35% of current gun owners 47% of Republicans and 42% of Independents.”
A perfect real-world example of this phenomenon took place in Maine a few years ago. Back in 2016 the state chapter of Moms Demand Action managed to get a universal background check referendum on the ballot, and pre-election polls showed the measure cruising to victory.
One poll in September of that year showed the measure getting support from 61% of voters, while an October poll found 52% approval. When Election Day rolled around, however, Question 3 went down to defeat, with 52% of voters rejecting the measure instead of approving it.
Should you believe polls that show massive support for gun control measures like universal background checks or a ban on commonly-owned semi-automatic firearms? Absolutely not, because the evidence suggests that the polls aren’t including the voices and opinions of many gun owners.
That doesn’t mean that we don’t need to work to educate non-gun owners about the truth of these anti-gun proposals, because we absolutely do. However, we shouldn’t be demoralized or demotivated when we see some poll suggesting a huge majority of voters embracing a gun control measure. Gun control simply isn’t as popular as the media and pollsters claim it is, because these polls are just as broken as the ones that showed Joe Biden winning Wisconsin by double digits, or Democrats winning control of the Texas state House.


bearingarms--2020-11-10--Miss USA's Anti-Gun Message Antithesis Of Her Unity One

Pageant queens are typically known for making rather vapid statements .
The long-held joke that they all want world peace actually comes from a real place , after all .
Well , in recent years , there ’ s been less and less of that .
Judges have apparently stopped looking for inoffensive statements and want something real .
That ’ s ultimately a good thing , so long as they don ’ t play favorites with the messaging ( which they will , I ’ m sure ) .
However , sometimes , someone needs to think things through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t at odds with one another .
Last night , Miss Mississippi won the Miss USA pageant .
So far , so good .
The problem is that this morning , her mixed messages are being celebrated .
Miss USA 2020 Asya Branch made history Monday night , becoming the first contestant from Mississippi to win the crown , after she had already made history as the first-ever Black Miss Mississippi .
But before winning the Miss USA crown , live on FYI from Elvis Presley ’ s Graceland in Memphis , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans with a statement on gun reform that showed understanding from both sides of the debate .
“ As someone who grew up in a home with guns , I learned at an early age how to load , how to fire , and gun safety , and I think that education should be available to everyone , ” Branch said .
“ We should require people to pass training and safety courses before they ’ re allowed to purchase a gun , and before receiving a permit .
I think it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , because obviously people will find a way to get what they want anyways , but I think it ’ s our Second Amendment right , and we just need more safety surrounding that.
” Later , she was blasted for having performed at a Trump rally and put out a call for unity .
The problem is , if you take a position like the one above , you ’ ve already made unity impossible .
These are civil liberties we ’ re talking about when we mention gun rights .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ training classes before opening their big mouths on politics .
We don ’ t require people to go through special classes before going to church .
Nor do we make people undergo special training to work in the news media ( no , journalism school isn ’ t actually required ) .
These are all civil liberties , protected by the United States Constitution just like the Second Amendment .
When Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas referred to the Second Amendment as a second-class right , this is precisely the insanity he ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seriously consider putting that kind of a restriction on someone ’ s First Amendment rights , but why would they do it for the Second Amendment ?
The answer is that they don ’ t see those rights as real rights .
No , I don ’ t actually believe that Miss USA has any actual power to create the policies she ’ s espousing .
At least , she doesn ’ t yet .
She ’ s young still , so who knows where she ’ ll end up .
Right now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She ’ s a pageant queen who will spend a year being shown off and then fade into obscurity like all the other past Miss USA winners .
The problem is that she is saying something other people believe , and that nonsense needs to be countered with every waking breath because if we don ’ t , it ’ s what we ’ ll end up with .
So no , she can ’ t talk unity while maintaining that position , simply because it ’ s a position that alienates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ liberties exist without limit or restriction .
All of our sacred liberties .

Pageant queens are typically known for making rather vapid statements. The long-held joke that they all want world peace actually comes from a real place, after all.
Well, in recent years, there’s been less and less of that. Judges have apparently stopped looking for inoffensive statements and want something real. That’s ultimately a good thing, so long as they don’t play favorites with the messaging (which they will, I’m sure). However, sometimes, someone needs to think things through and make sure the messages delivered aren’t at odds with one another.
Last night, Miss Mississippi won the Miss USA pageant. So far, so good.
The problem is that this morning, her mixed messages are being celebrated.
Miss USA 2020 Asya Branch made history Monday night, becoming the first contestant from Mississippi to win the crown, after she had already made history as the first-ever Black Miss Mississippi. But before winning the Miss USA crown, live on FYI from Elvis Presley’s Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee, Branch won the hearts of Americans with a statement on gun reform that showed understanding from both sides of the debate. “As someone who grew up in a home with guns, I learned at an early age how to load, how to fire, and gun safety, and I think that education should be available to everyone,” Branch said. “We should require people to pass training and safety courses before they’re allowed to purchase a gun, and before receiving a permit. I think it’s important that we not ban guns, because obviously people will find a way to get what they want anyways, but I think it’s our Second Amendment right, and we just need more safety surrounding that.”
Later, she was blasted for having performed at a Trump rally and put out a call for unity.
The problem is, if you take a position like the one above, you’ve already made unity impossible. These are civil liberties we’re talking about when we mention gun rights. We don’t make people take special training classes before opening their big mouths on politics. We don’t require people to go through special classes before going to church. Nor do we make people undergo special training to work in the news media (no, journalism school isn’t actually required).
These are all civil liberties, protected by the United States Constitution just like the Second Amendment.
When Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas referred to the Second Amendment as a second-class right, this is precisely the insanity he’s talking about. No one would seriously consider putting that kind of a restriction on someone’s First Amendment rights, but why would they do it for the Second Amendment? The answer is that they don’t see those rights as real rights.
Branch clearly doesn’t.
That’s a big problem for me.
No, I don’t actually believe that Miss USA has any actual power to create the policies she’s espousing. At least, she doesn’t yet. She’s young still, so who knows where she’ll end up. Right now, though, she can’t. She’s a pageant queen who will spend a year being shown off and then fade into obscurity like all the other past Miss USA winners.
The problem is that she is saying something other people believe, and that nonsense needs to be countered with every waking breath because if we don’t, it’s what we’ll end up with.
So no, she can’t talk unity while maintaining that position, simply because it’s a position that alienates all of us who believe our sacred liberties exist without limit or restriction. All of our sacred liberties.


bearingarms--2020-11-10--MI Republican Offers Legislative Fix For Concealed Carry Delays

A Michigan lawmaker thinks that she ’ s come up with the solution for the months-long delays for concealed carry licenses in Detroit and other jurisdictions across the state where gun owners have been twiddling their thumbs waiting for their applications to be processed .
Republican state senator Lana Theis has introduced a bill that she says would ensure applications continue to be processed , even if the state issues more COVID-19 shutdown measures .
It would exempt county clerks from a shutdown order , so they can continue to issue and renew concealed pistol licenses .
The clerk ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be required to continue providing the fingerprinting services necessary to obtain a new concealed pistol license as well .
Theis said the bill was prompted by what she called “ Gov .
Whitmer ’ s unconstitutional shutdown of Michigan ” saying that county clerks across the state “ infringed on law-abiding citizens ’ Second Amendment rights by refusing or delaying the issue or renewal of concealed pistol licenses under the guise of public safety , ” referencing the Governor ’ s public health orders to try and limit the spread of the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those orders exceeded her Constitutional authority without legislative approval .
As of a few weeks ago , the wait time just to apply for a concealed carry license has stretched to nine months for Detroit residents , and Theis is correct in saying that the Second Amendment rights of gun owners are being infringed because of the long delays .
“ I ’ m a single woman , I ’ m a homeowner , I ’ m an entrepreneur , ” said Kristal Hunt .
“ ( I am a ) businesswoman who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , so with those factors – all those together , it ’ s like ok , now it ’ s time to protect myself.
” Right now appointments to wrap up the CPL process are about nine months out if you live in Wayne County .
The wait time for an appointment in Oakland and Macomb counties are at best a week and some change .
At worst , two to three weeks .
“ It seems like that ’ s the common thing in Wayne County ; it ’ s barriers when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things in the right way .
It ’ s people doing this the legit way , why are we having so many barriers ?
” Hunt said .
Under Theis ’ proposal , not only would county clerks continue processing applications under a shutdown order , but the process would be tweaked so that existing concealed carry holders could renew their licenses online , even during a declared emergency .
Republicans kept their legislative majorities in the Michigan state house on Election Day , which bolsters the prospects of Theis ’ bill getting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ desk in the coming months .
The GOP doesn ’ t have the votes to override a Whitmer veto , but it will be interesting to see if they can garner any support from rural Democrats or even Wayne County lawmakers who might not want to publicly tell residents of the most dangerous city in America that their Second Amendment rights should be placed on hold for months on end simply because of a government edict .
Beyond Michigan , Theis ’ legislation could easily be tweaked by legislators in states like Pennsylvania @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others that have seen lengthy delays as well .
Her bill could end up serving as model legislation for lawmakers around the country , offering up the hope of a legislative remedy for a very real problem that ’ s impacting hundreds of thousands of Americans who want to be able to protect themselves with a firearm outside of their home .

A Michigan lawmaker thinks that she’s come up with the solution for the months-long delays for concealed carry licenses in Detroit and other jurisdictions across the state where gun owners have been twiddling their thumbs waiting for their applications to be processed. Republican state senator Lana Theis has introduced a bill that she says would ensure applications continue to be processed, even if the state issues more COVID-19 shutdown measures.
It would exempt county clerks from a shutdown order, so they can continue to issue and renew concealed pistol licenses. The clerk’s office and law enforcement would also be required to continue providing the fingerprinting services necessary to obtain a new concealed pistol license as well. Theis said the bill was prompted by what she called “Gov. Whitmer’s unconstitutional shutdown of Michigan” saying that county clerks across the state “infringed on law-abiding citizens’ Second Amendment rights by refusing or delaying the issue or renewal of concealed pistol licenses under the guise of public safety,” referencing the Governor’s public health orders to try and limit the spread of the virus. The Michigan Supreme Court recently ruled those orders exceeded her Constitutional authority without legislative approval.
As of a few weeks ago, the wait time just to apply for a concealed carry license has stretched to nine months for Detroit residents, and Theis is correct in saying that the Second Amendment rights of gun owners are being infringed because of the long delays.
“I’m a single woman, I’m a homeowner, I’m an entrepreneur,” said Kristal Hunt. “(I am a) businesswoman who frequents a location constantly late at night, so with those factors – all those together, it’s like ok, now it’s time to protect myself.” Right now appointments to wrap up the CPL process are about nine months out if you live in Wayne County. The wait time for an appointment in Oakland and Macomb counties are at best a week and some change. At worst, two to three weeks. “It seems like that’s the common thing in Wayne County; it’s barriers when you’re trying to go about things in the right way. It’s people doing this the legit way, why are we having so many barriers?” Hunt said.
Under Theis’ proposal, not only would county clerks continue processing applications under a shutdown order, but the process would be tweaked so that existing concealed carry holders could renew their licenses online, even during a declared emergency.
Republicans kept their legislative majorities in the Michigan state house on Election Day, which bolsters the prospects of Theis’ bill getting to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s desk in the coming months. The GOP doesn’t have the votes to override a Whitmer veto, but it will be interesting to see if they can garner any support from rural Democrats or even Wayne County lawmakers who might not want to publicly tell residents of the most dangerous city in America that their Second Amendment rights should be placed on hold for months on end simply because of a government edict.
Beyond Michigan, Theis’ legislation could easily be tweaked by legislators in states like Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Massachusetts, and others that have seen lengthy delays as well. Her bill could end up serving as model legislation for lawmakers around the country, offering up the hope of a legislative remedy for a very real problem that’s impacting hundreds of thousands of Americans who want to be able to protect themselves with a firearm outside of their home.


bearingarms--2020-11-10--Why NH Gun Owners Can Breath A Little Easier Now

New Hampshire is a state that is near and dear to my heart , despite the fact that I ’ ve never set foot there .
I mean , how can you not love a state that ’ s motto is “ Live Free or Die ?
” It ’ s the epitome of what created this country , that phrase , and for New Hampshire to immortalize it is important .
However , over the past few years , it hasn ’ t felt like the state really embraced that mentality .
After all , their legislature had a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when it came to things like gun rights .
Time and time again , the legislature passed gun control , only for the citizens there to be saved by Governor Chris Sununu .
For anti-gunners , their best hope was to hope Sununu left office .
After all , he ’ d had two terms as governor .
There was speculation he ’ d run for Senate .
Instead , he went for a third term .
That meant Democrats had to hope to beat him .
Not only did that not work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of other stuff also didn ’ t , either .
In Tuesday ’ s presidential election , New Hampshire voters delivered a decisive win to Democrat Joe Biden and sent three incumbent Democratic lawmakers back to Congress , including Sen. Jeanne Shaheen , who won a third term .
But Granite State voters also sent Sununu back to the governor ’ s office with more than 65 % of the vote , according to preliminary results , and elected Republican majorities in the state House of Representatives , Senate and Executive Council .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Donald Trump among the state ’ s GOP voters , has seen his margin of victory increase with every election .
Longtime observers say that ’ s an indication he has expanded support among the state ’ s majority undeclared or “ independent ” voters , as well as Democrats .
“ He is the most popular Republican in New Hampshire , bar none , ” said Dante Scala , a political science professor at the University of New Hampshire .
“ Sununu has been very adept making sure that he remains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appealing to people outside of his party .
And that ’ s no mean trick.
” It ’ s really not , as we ’ ve seen .
Sununu absolutely curb-stomped his opponent and left no doubt that he clearly won the governorship .
However , by also apparently leading a red wave through the state , he ’ s done something almost as good as vetoing anti-gun legislation .
He ’ s made it so it ’ s unlikely to ever get to his desk in the first place .
That ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a single focus for their ire , they ’ ll try to move Heaven and Earth to remove that one person from office .
They may not be successful , but they ’ ll certainly try .
When there ’ s a large group , though , it ’ s much harder .
Their efforts become diffused and , therefore , less effective .
Ineffective anti-gunners are the best anti-gunners , in my not-so-humble opinion .
There ’ s a lot to look at with Sununu ’ s success in New Hampshire .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ play out the same way throughout the nation , of course , but it might be a valuable guide on how to navigate a battleground state .
In the process , it ’ s a way to help defend gun rights for residents of those states .

New Hampshire is a state that is near and dear to my heart, despite the fact that I’ve never set foot there. I mean, how can you not love a state that’s motto is “Live Free or Die?” It’s the epitome of what created this country, that phrase, and for New Hampshire to immortalize it is important.
However, over the past few years, it hasn’t felt like the state really embraced that mentality. After all, their legislature had a heavy leftist lean to it. Especially when it came to things like gun rights.
Time and time again, the legislature passed gun control, only for the citizens there to be saved by Governor Chris Sununu.
For anti-gunners, their best hope was to hope Sununu left office. After all, he’d had two terms as governor. There was speculation he’d run for Senate. Instead, he went for a third term. That meant Democrats had to hope to beat him. Not only did that not work out as planned, but a lot of other stuff also didn’t, either.
In Tuesday’s presidential election, New Hampshire voters delivered a decisive win to Democrat Joe Biden and sent three incumbent Democratic lawmakers back to Congress, including Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, who won a third term. But Granite State voters also sent Sununu back to the governor’s office with more than 65% of the vote, according to preliminary results, and elected Republican majorities in the state House of Representatives, Senate and Executive Council. The Newfields Republican, who outperformed Republican President Donald Trump among the state’s GOP voters, has seen his margin of victory increase with every election. Longtime observers say that’s an indication he has expanded support among the state’s majority undeclared or “independent” voters, as well as Democrats. “He is the most popular Republican in New Hampshire, bar none,” said Dante Scala, a political science professor at the University of New Hampshire. “Sununu has been very adept making sure that he remains within the mainstream of his party while appealing to people outside of his party. And that’s no mean trick.”
It’s really not, as we’ve seen. Sununu absolutely curb-stomped his opponent and left no doubt that he clearly won the governorship.
However, by also apparently leading a red wave through the state, he’s done something almost as good as vetoing anti-gun legislation. He’s made it so it’s unlikely to ever get to his desk in the first place.
That’s important. If anti-gunners can find a single focus for their ire, they’ll try to move Heaven and Earth to remove that one person from office. They may not be successful, but they’ll certainly try. When there’s a large group, though, it’s much harder. Their efforts become diffused and, therefore, less effective.
Ineffective anti-gunners are the best anti-gunners, in my not-so-humble opinion.
There’s a lot to look at with Sununu’s success in New Hampshire. I’m not saying it will play out the same way throughout the nation, of course, but it might be a valuable guide on how to navigate a battleground state.
In the process, it’s a way to help defend gun rights for residents of those states.


bearingarms--2020-11-10--Manchin Says He Won't Vote To Pack The Court

In a rebuke to the AOC wing of the Democratic Party , West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin said on Monday that he would not be the 50th vote in favor of nuking the filibuster and packing the Supreme Court , should Joe Biden ultimately win the presidential election .
The comments , made on Fox News , have thrown some cold water on the idea that Democrats could use Kamala Harris as a tie-breaking vote in the Senate if they pick up both of the seats in Georgia that are heading to runoff elections .
“ 50-50 means there ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ senator does not vote on the Democratic side there is no tie .
… When they talk about , whether it be packing the courts or ending the filibuster , I will not vote to do that , ” Manchin said .
Manchin , referring to chatter that Democrats could nix the filibuster and expand the Supreme Court , said he wanted to “ rest those fears for you.
” “ That won ’ t happen because I will not be the 50th Democrat voting to end that filibuster or to basically stack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pressed if he was saying definitively that if Democratic leadership tried to use the nuclear option to nix the filibuster if he would vote against that , Manchin replied , “ Absolutely .
I will vote against that.
” Consider Manchin ’ s comments a shot across the bow of the socialist wing of the Democratic Party , which has been agitating for a potential Biden administration to take a hard left turn once in office .
That shouldn ’ t come as much of a surprise , given that the West Virginia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solidly for Trump this year while also electing a Republican governor , senator , and three GOP members of Congress .
Manchin , who ’ s up for re-election in 2024 , clearly has no desire to alienate voters back home , but he may also be laying the groundwork for an even bigger bombshell .
A few days ago , my friend Ed Morrissey at HotAir laid out the case for Manchin flipping parties and joining the GOP caucus .
Eventually , Manchin will either have to retire or change parties to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doesn ’ t want to retire , this is the best opportunity he will have to get something significant for the switch .
Until Georgia holds its runoff election , McConnell is looking at the potential for a Kamala Harris-run Senate while he sits at 50 seats for the next two years .
Flipping Manchin would cement Republican control of the Senate now , rather than hoping for at least one out of two runoff wins on January 5 .
What can McConnell offer as an inducement ?
Manchin is ranking member of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , perhaps the most important panel to West Virginia .
Lisa Murkoswki chairs that panel and she might not be happy to step aside , as Alaskans have a lot of interest in that as well , thanks to federal control over most of their state .
Perhaps Murkowski would step aside , but Pat Roberts ’ retirement leaves the Agriculture chair open , which might interest Manchin .
Or McConnell could move Jerry Moran to Ag and have Manchin take over Veterans ’ Affairs .
Lamar Alexander ’ s retirement also leaves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Pensions committee chair open , which is stacked with progressives on the minority side .
Some Democrats are already demanding that Manchin be punished by the party for not going along with the plans to pack the Court .
Mike Seigel lost his race for Congress in the 10th District of Texas this year , so he ’ s not exactly in a position to demand anything of Manchin , but his attitude is indicative of the mood of the AOC wing of the party .
What Seigel apparently doesn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of his committee assignments , he could easily become a committee chairman by becoming a member of the GOP , ensuring their legislative majority for at least two years .
Joe Manchin hasn ’ t been much of a friend to the Second Amendment since 2013 , when he partnered with Pennsylvania ’ s Pat Toomey to offer up a universal background check bill in the Senate .
In 2018 , Manchin received a “ D ” grade from the NRA , but if he does end up blocking the packing of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against removing the 60-vote hurdle for legislation to pass the Senate , he would definitely undo at least some of the damage done to his relationship with gun owners .
Of course if either Georgia Republican wins their runoff election in early January , then Manchin ’ s vote wouldn ’ t be necessary to keep the Supreme Court at nine justices and keep Joe Biden ’ s anti-gun legislation bottled up in committee .
However , we don ’ t know if Manchin will ultimately decide to switch parties or even keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the filibuster .
For that reason alone the Georgia runoffs are going to be critically important in ensuring that Biden ’ s plans to ban and “ buy back ” semi-automatic firearms and ammunition magazines , repeal the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act , ban the online sale of ammunition and gun parts , and more remain stuck in legislative limbo instead of passing out of Congress by the slimmest of majorities .

In a rebuke to the AOC wing of the Democratic Party, West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin said on Monday that he would not be the 50th vote in favor of nuking the filibuster and packing the Supreme Court, should Joe Biden ultimately win the presidential election.
The comments, made on Fox News, have thrown some cold water on the idea that Democrats could use Kamala Harris as a tie-breaking vote in the Senate if they pick up both of the seats in Georgia that are heading to runoff elections.
“50-50 means there’s a tie. But if one senator does not vote on the Democratic side there is no tie. … When they talk about, whether it be packing the courts or ending the filibuster, I will not vote to do that,” Manchin said. Manchin, referring to chatter that Democrats could nix the filibuster and expand the Supreme Court, said he wanted to “rest those fears for you.” “That won’t happen because I will not be the 50th Democrat voting to end that filibuster or to basically stack the court,” Manchin said. Pressed if he was saying definitively that if Democratic leadership tried to use the nuclear option to nix the filibuster if he would vote against that, Manchin replied, “Absolutely. I will vote against that.”
Consider Manchin’s comments a shot across the bow of the socialist wing of the Democratic Party, which has been agitating for a potential Biden administration to take a hard left turn once in office. That shouldn’t come as much of a surprise, given that the West Virginia senator is representing a state that went solidly for Trump this year while also electing a Republican governor, senator, and three GOP members of Congress.
Manchin, who’s up for re-election in 2024, clearly has no desire to alienate voters back home, but he may also be laying the groundwork for an even bigger bombshell. A few days ago, my friend Ed Morrissey at HotAir laid out the case for Manchin flipping parties and joining the GOP caucus.
Eventually, Manchin will either have to retire or change parties to survive in his state. If he doesn’t want to retire, this is the best opportunity he will have to get something significant for the switch. Until Georgia holds its runoff election, McConnell is looking at the potential for a Kamala Harris-run Senate while he sits at 50 seats for the next two years. Flipping Manchin would cement Republican control of the Senate now, rather than hoping for at least one out of two runoff wins on January 5. What can McConnell offer as an inducement? Manchin is ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, perhaps the most important panel to West Virginia. Lisa Murkoswki chairs that panel and she might not be happy to step aside, as Alaskans have a lot of interest in that as well, thanks to federal control over most of their state. Perhaps Murkowski would step aside, but Pat Roberts’ retirement leaves the Agriculture chair open, which might interest Manchin. Or McConnell could move Jerry Moran to Ag and have Manchin take over Veterans’ Affairs. Lamar Alexander’s retirement also leaves the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions committee chair open, which is stacked with progressives on the minority side.
Some Democrats are already demanding that Manchin be punished by the party for not going along with the plans to pack the Court.
Manchin doesn’t even believe in democracy. He’d rather people die of starvation & COVID than amend the Senate rules. If he won’t support Democratic legislation he should lose his committee seats — including Appropriations & Energy. Being a Democrat should mean something. https://t.co/OTEJZFkxLc — Mike Siegel (@SiegelForTexas) November 10, 2020
Mike Seigel lost his race for Congress in the 10th District of Texas this year, so he’s not exactly in a position to demand anything of Manchin, but his attitude is indicative of the mood of the AOC wing of the party. What Seigel apparently doesn’t realize is that if Democrats strip Manchin of his committee assignments, he could easily become a committee chairman by becoming a member of the GOP, ensuring their legislative majority for at least two years.
Joe Manchin hasn’t been much of a friend to the Second Amendment since 2013, when he partnered with Pennsylvania’s Pat Toomey to offer up a universal background check bill in the Senate. In 2018, Manchin received a “D” grade from the NRA, but if he does end up blocking the packing of the Supreme Court and casts a deciding vote against removing the 60-vote hurdle for legislation to pass the Senate, he would definitely undo at least some of the damage done to his relationship with gun owners.
Of course if either Georgia Republican wins their runoff election in early January, then Manchin’s vote wouldn’t be necessary to keep the Supreme Court at nine justices and keep Joe Biden’s anti-gun legislation bottled up in committee.
However, we don’t know if Manchin will ultimately decide to switch parties or even keep his word about not voting to remove the filibuster. For that reason alone the Georgia runoffs are going to be critically important in ensuring that Biden’s plans to ban and “buy back” semi-automatic firearms and ammunition magazines, repeal the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, ban the online sale of ammunition and gun parts, and more remain stuck in legislative limbo instead of passing out of Congress by the slimmest of majorities.


bearingarms--2020-11-10--Columbus, Dayton Sue State Over Gun Background Checks

The NICS background check isn ’ t flawless .
We saw that in Sutherland Springs , TX a couple of years back .
The background check can only find data that ’ s been input into the system .
Much of that was addressed , of course , through legislation passed in the aftermath of Sutherland Springs .
Unfortunately , for some , there ’ s still a big problem remaining .
In Ohio , for example , a couple of cities are filing a lawsuit against the state because of what they claim is a similar problem .
Incomplete @ @ @ @ @ @ @ backgrounds who are prohibited from owning guns is putting public safety at risk , according to a lawsuit filed Monday by the cities of Columbus and Dayton .
The complaint filed in state court in Columbus against Attorney General Dave Yost seeks to have a judge order the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation to fix the problem created by this underreporting .
Yost oversees the bureau .
Many counties don ’ t provide the full number of criminal dispositions to the state , creating a situation that means thousands of people could have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t , the lawsuit said .
For example , more than half of Ohio ’ s 88 counties had “ at least one court or law enforcement department that didn ’ t report records on time or in a few cases , at all , ” Keith Faber , Ohio ’ s Republican state auditor , reported last year , according to the lawsuit .
Faber ’ s review determined that the state ’ s system for entering information into the National Instant Criminal Background Check System is broken and needs immediate attention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ records missing from our background check system create unacceptable risks to public safety , ” said Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley , a leader in addressing gun violence following last year ’ s mass shooting in a city entertainment district that killed nine and wounded more than two dozen .
Now , this is not the most outrageous claim I ’ ve ever heard .
I mean , we ’ ve seen this happen before , after all .
However , Yost argues that there are problems with this claim .
In particular , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out to his office ahead of time about addressing this .
Instead , they jumped straight to a lawsuit .
I can see his point .
Especially since Dayton and Columbus have Democrats at their respective helms and Yost is a Republican .
Reaching out to him would have allowed Yost to address the problem more privately , thus depriving them of their anti-gun headlines and a chance at gaining within their party .
That said , if this came from a state audit , Yost should have already known and addressed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ required a couple of Democrats to reach out or to file a lawsuit .
He should have recognized the political IED for what it was and dealt with it .
On the other hand , though these mayors are overstating the threat .
While a handful of people who shouldn ’ t buy guns may have walked into gun stores and passed background checks , many of those who are prohibited know they are and likely purchased their guns on the black market anyway .
There ’ s really not much evidence that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ within the state .
But Democrats tend to not care about those little things .
The hysteria over what they think might happen is so much more important than what actually happens .

The NICS background check isn’t flawless. We saw that in Sutherland Springs, TX a couple of years back. The background check can only find data that’s been input into the system.
Much of that was addressed, of course, through legislation passed in the aftermath of Sutherland Springs.
Unfortunately, for some, there’s still a big problem remaining. In Ohio, for example, a couple of cities are filing a lawsuit against the state because of what they claim is a similar problem.
Incomplete reporting by counties of people with criminal backgrounds who are prohibited from owning guns is putting public safety at risk, according to a lawsuit filed Monday by the cities of Columbus and Dayton. The complaint filed in state court in Columbus against Attorney General Dave Yost seeks to have a judge order the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation to fix the problem created by this underreporting. Yost oversees the bureau. Many counties don’t provide the full number of criminal dispositions to the state, creating a situation that means thousands of people could have access to gun purchases who shouldn’t, the lawsuit said. For example, more than half of Ohio’s 88 counties had “at least one court or law enforcement department that didn’t report records on time or in a few cases, at all,” Keith Faber, Ohio’s Republican state auditor, reported last year, according to the lawsuit. Faber’s review determined that the state’s system for entering information into the National Instant Criminal Background Check System is broken and needs immediate attention, the lawsuit said. “The records missing from our background check system create unacceptable risks to public safety,” said Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley, a leader in addressing gun violence following last year’s mass shooting in a city entertainment district that killed nine and wounded more than two dozen.
Now, this is not the most outrageous claim I’ve ever heard. I mean, we’ve seen this happen before, after all.
However, Yost argues that there are problems with this claim. In particular, it seems no one bothered to reach out to his office ahead of time about addressing this. Instead, they jumped straight to a lawsuit.
I can see his point.
Especially since Dayton and Columbus have Democrats at their respective helms and Yost is a Republican. Reaching out to him would have allowed Yost to address the problem more privately, thus depriving them of their anti-gun headlines and a chance at gaining within their party.
That said, if this came from a state audit, Yost should have already known and addressed the issue. It shouldn’t have required a couple of Democrats to reach out or to file a lawsuit. He should have recognized the political IED for what it was and dealt with it.
On the other hand, though these mayors are overstating the threat. While a handful of people who shouldn’t buy guns may have walked into gun stores and passed background checks, many of those who are prohibited know they are and likely purchased their guns on the black market anyway. There’s really not much evidence that this has resulted in much of anything within the state.
But Democrats tend to not care about those little things. The hysteria over what they think might happen is so much more important than what actually happens.


bearingarms--2020-11-11--Illinois Bandits Steal 39 Firearms From Gun Store

The state of Illinois has some very strict gun control on the books .
The largest city in the state , Chicago , likes to blame every other state for their problem with violence .
They particularly like to blame Indiana for some reason .
Yet the truth of the matter is that bad guys get guns however they can , but mostly from stealing them .
Illinois should be familiar with the concept after a recent break-in .
In total , the quartet stole 32 handguns , five rifles , and two shotguns .
What ’ s worse is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ card prior to the theft and failed to fill out Form 4473 or complete the NICS check .
What is this world coming to ?
What happened to all the good , law-abiding criminals that might break the law , but they didn ’ t break the law ?
This is the world we live in , though .
You just can ’ t trust the bad guys anymore .
Yes , I ’ m being ridiculous on purpose .
That ’ s because there are people who legitimately think FOIDs and background @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They think the solution is more of these things because they tried them and they didn ’ t work , so they want to double down on failed policies .
They don ’ t seem to understand that the criminal gun market exists outside the law and always has .
Criminals may , from time to time , try to buy a firearm from a gun store , but those are the rare exceptions .
Instead , they buy them from the guy they know down the street who has a trunk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a few bucks and walk away with a new firearm that they can use for whatever they want .
Hell , half of them think there ’ s a gun registry in every single state , so why would they go to a gun store and end up in that registry ?
I mean , no , there isn ’ t one in most places , but most people seem to think there is because of what they see on TV .
It governs their actions .
But , that won ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in criminal hands and those people will use those guns for criminal acts , acts which will then be used to justify gun control that impacts law-abiding citizens but does virtually nothing to stop the criminals .
This is just how it goes and unless people wake up to this fact , we ’ re not likely to see anything change .
The criminals aren ’ t law-abiding gun owners , and the sooner people understand that , the better .

The state of Illinois has some very strict gun control on the books. The largest city in the state, Chicago, likes to blame every other state for their problem with violence. They particularly like to blame Indiana for some reason.
Yet the truth of the matter is that bad guys get guns however they can, but mostly from stealing them.
Illinois should be familiar with the concept after a recent break-in.
Winthrop Harbor police say they are looking for four people who broke into a gun and hunting store early Tuesday and stole 39 firearms. The break-in happened at the Outdoorsman store in the 200 block of North Sheridan Road and was captured on security camera video, Withrop Harbor police Detective Sergeant Chris Willets said Tuesday. The video showed a dark-colored Toyota RAV-4 drive up to the store, and four people exit from the vehicle at 12:34 a.m. Using crowbars and bolt cutters, the group broke through a glass door and then breached a security gate inside, Willets said.
In total, the quartet stole 32 handguns, five rifles, and two shotguns.
What’s worse is that they failed to show their FOID card prior to the theft and failed to fill out Form 4473 or complete the NICS check. What is this world coming to? What happened to all the good, law-abiding criminals that might break the law, but they didn’t break the law?
This is the world we live in, though. You just can’t trust the bad guys anymore.
Yes, I’m being ridiculous on purpose. That’s because there are people who legitimately think FOIDs and background checks actually stop criminals from buying guns. They think the solution is more of these things because they tried them and they didn’t work, so they want to double down on failed policies.
They don’t seem to understand that the criminal gun market exists outside the law and always has. Criminals may, from time to time, try to buy a firearm from a gun store, but those are the rare exceptions. Instead, they buy them from the guy they know down the street who has a trunk full of stolen guns. They drop a few bucks and walk away with a new firearm that they can use for whatever they want.
Hell, half of them think there’s a gun registry in every single state, so why would they go to a gun store and end up in that registry? I mean, no, there isn’t one in most places, but most people seem to think there is because of what they see on TV. It governs their actions.
But, that won’t matter. Those guns will end up in criminal hands and those people will use those guns for criminal acts, acts which will then be used to justify gun control that impacts law-abiding citizens but does virtually nothing to stop the criminals.
This is just how it goes and unless people wake up to this fact, we’re not likely to see anything change. The criminals aren’t law-abiding gun owners, and the sooner people understand that, the better.


bearingarms--2020-11-11--Gun Industry Warns: Beware A Backdoor Biden Gun Ban

Firearms industry officials are warning that Joe Biden could still try to impose his plan to ban the possession , sale , and manufacture of modern sporting rifles if he assumes the presidency , even if the Democrat doesn ’ t have the votes in Congress to enact the centerpiece of his anti-gun agenda through legislation .
Mark Oliva , the director of public affairs for the National Shooting Sports Foundation , joins me on today ’ s Bearing Arms ’ Cam & Co. to talk about the biggest concerns that the firearms industry has about a potential Biden/Harris administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gun ban is on the table .
According to Oliva , members of the Biden transition team are already exploring options to place AR-15s and other modern sporting rifles under the National Firearms Act without legislation , instead using the regulatory power of the ATF to redefine the rifles themselves .
The NSSF ’ s primary message to its industry partners at the moment is “ take Biden at his word , ” as the organization ’ s senior vice president and general counsel Larry Keane warned on Tuesday .
Biden made it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the onset of the Democratic presidential primary race in July 2019 .
“ Our enemy is the gun manufacturers , not the NRA , the gun manufacturers , ” Biden said .
Biden ’ s gun control plan would criminalize private firearm sales , requiring every firearm transfer to be conducted through licensed firearm retailers .
He ’ d also crack down on those retailers , using the Bureau of Alcohol , Tobacco , Firearms and Explosives ( ATF ) as an anvil by which to crush businesses for even minor clerical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same failed so-called mandatory “ smart gun ” technology for which he led a task force in the Obama administration .
It wasn ’ t ready for testing then and it ’ s still not ready today .
That was the beginning of the Biden gun control agenda .
That ’ s now burgeoned to include every radical gun control wish list item .
It starts at a national state-by-state licensing scheme and rationing gun rights to just one sale per month for every law-abiding American .
That ’ s not all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ industry by pushing to repeal the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act , exposing manufacturers to harassing lawsuits by activist lawyers that long to bankrupt manufacturers for political means and use the courts to advance an agenda that doesn ’ t survive legislative scrutiny .
Be sure to check out the entire conversation with Mark Oliva in the video window above for more on the areas of concern for the firearms industry , including potential moves by the ATF to go after pistol braces and AR-style pistols themselves .
Coming up on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ll be exploring similar topics with the Firearms Policy Coalition ’ s Adam Kraut , with an extra focus on the Second Amendment-related litigation that could soon be heading to the Supreme Court .

Firearms industry officials are warning that Joe Biden could still try to impose his plan to ban the possession, sale, and manufacture of modern sporting rifles if he assumes the presidency, even if the Democrat doesn’t have the votes in Congress to enact the centerpiece of his anti-gun agenda through legislation.
Mark Oliva, the director of public affairs for the National Shooting Sports Foundation, joins me on today’s Bearing Arms’ Cam & Co. to talk about the biggest concerns that the firearms industry has about a potential Biden/Harris administration, and he says that a backdoor gun ban is on the table. According to Oliva, members of the Biden transition team are already exploring options to place AR-15s and other modern sporting rifles under the National Firearms Act without legislation, instead using the regulatory power of the ATF to redefine the rifles themselves.
The NSSF’s primary message to its industry partners at the moment is “take Biden at his word,” as the organization’s senior vice president and general counsel Larry Keane warned on Tuesday.
Biden made it crystal clear his thoughts on firearm manufacturers at the onset of the Democratic presidential primary race in July 2019. “Our enemy is the gun manufacturers, not the NRA, the gun manufacturers,” Biden said. Biden’s gun control plan would criminalize private firearm sales, requiring every firearm transfer to be conducted through licensed firearm retailers. He’d also crack down on those retailers, using the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) as an anvil by which to crush businesses for even minor clerical errors in inspections. He argued for the same failed so-called mandatory “smart gun” technology for which he led a task force in the Obama administration. It wasn’t ready for testing then and it’s still not ready today. That was the beginning of the Biden gun control agenda. That’s now burgeoned to include every radical gun control wish list item. It starts at a national state-by-state licensing scheme and rationing gun rights to just one sale per month for every law-abiding American. That’s not all. He’d destroy the firearm industry by pushing to repeal the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, exposing manufacturers to harassing lawsuits by activist lawyers that long to bankrupt manufacturers for political means and use the courts to advance an agenda that doesn’t survive legislative scrutiny.
Be sure to check out the entire conversation with Mark Oliva in the video window above for more on the areas of concern for the firearms industry, including potential moves by the ATF to go after pistol braces and AR-style pistols themselves.
Coming up on tomorrow’s show, we’ll be exploring similar topics with the Firearms Policy Coalition’s Adam Kraut, with an extra focus on the Second Amendment-related litigation that could soon be heading to the Supreme Court.


bearingarms--2020-11-11--Wisconsin Officials Raising COVID Concerns Over.. Hunting?

When I think about all the activities that someone could take part in without worrying too much about the coronavirus , hunting would be near the top of my list , right up there with solo skydiving and snorkeling .
Officials with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources are warning would-be hunters this year , though , that taking to the woods could result in hunters bringing home more than some tasty venison .
While deer season is still set to kick off on November 21st in Wisconsin , folks like Eric Lobner , who ’ s the wildlife management @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , say they ’ re not really concerned about hunters catching the coronavirus while they ’ re up in a tree stand .
Instead , it ’ s the pre-and-post-hunt activities that have them worried .
Hunting in small , socially distanced groups can be safe , according to Barron County Public Health Specialist Sarah Turner .
However , she suggests hunters avoid camps this year .
Turner said , “ It ’ s great because it ’ s something you can do alone and very well social distanced .
The problem is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s a lot of people who don ’ t live in the same house as you .
So , we ’ re not as concerned with the actual act of hunting as we are with all the gathering that goes along with that.
” Lobner said , “ We ’ re really trying to encourage people to , you know , stick with people within your household .
I know that may be a challenge sometimes when you think of the tradition of deer camps .
And I get it .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next , but maybe there are some opportunities there where you can do stuff outside rather than getting into a building.
” That does make some sense , though I think that the risk of infection could be mitigated even at hunting camps if hunters take some simple precautions like washing their hands and not bunking down with the relative who lives a couple of hours away .
We do have to continue to live our lives , but we can also be smart about how we do it .
Wisconsin is definitely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the way , with hospitals in the northwestern part of the state reporting that they ’ re at 100 % capacity .
The state saw a record 66 coronavirus-related deaths on Tuesday , and both case counts and hospitalizations are rising steadily .
Still , it sounds like DNR officials aren ’ t expecting a big drop-off in the number of hunters this fall .
In fact , as of last week the agency reports that deer licenses are up about 10 % compared to the same time period in 2019 .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have also increased in neighboring Michigan as well , and many other states are expecting the strongest hunting season in years as millions of Americans look to put some quality protein in the freezer for the upcoming winter months .
I doubt that the first weekend of deer season is going to turn into a superspreader event , but I do hope that those taking to the field will use real common sense when it comes to the older , more susceptible members of their party .
We should be aiming for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ahead , but that doesn ’ t mean we want this to be the last hunt of Grandma or Grandpa ’ s life .

When I think about all the activities that someone could take part in without worrying too much about the coronavirus, hunting would be near the top of my list, right up there with solo skydiving and snorkeling. Officials with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources are warning would-be hunters this year, though, that taking to the woods could result in hunters bringing home more than some tasty venison.
While deer season is still set to kick off on November 21st in Wisconsin, folks like Eric Lobner, who’s the wildlife management program director for Wisconsin’s DNR, say they’re not really concerned about hunters catching the coronavirus while they’re up in a tree stand. Instead, it’s the pre-and-post-hunt activities that have them worried.
Hunting in small, socially distanced groups can be safe, according to Barron County Public Health Specialist Sarah Turner. However, she suggests hunters avoid camps this year. Turner said, “It’s great because it’s something you can do alone and very well social distanced. The problem is when you go to hunting camp it’s a lot of people who don’t live in the same house as you. So, we’re not as concerned with the actual act of hunting as we are with all the gathering that goes along with that.” Lobner said, “We’re really trying to encourage people to, you know, stick with people within your household. I know that may be a challenge sometimes when you think of the tradition of deer camps. And I get it. I enjoy those just as much as the next, but maybe there are some opportunities there where you can do stuff outside rather than getting into a building.”
That does make some sense, though I think that the risk of infection could be mitigated even at hunting camps if hunters take some simple precautions like washing their hands and not bunking down with the relative who lives a couple of hours away. We do have to continue to live our lives, but we can also be smart about how we do it.
Wisconsin is definitely seeing another surge in cases, by the way, with hospitals in the northwestern part of the state reporting that they’re at 100% capacity. The state saw a record 66 coronavirus-related deaths on Tuesday, and both case counts and hospitalizations are rising steadily.
Still, it sounds like DNR officials aren’t expecting a big drop-off in the number of hunters this fall. In fact, as of last week the agency reports that deer licenses are up about 10% compared to the same time period in 2019. As Tom Knighton mentioned yesterday, hunting licenses have also increased in neighboring Michigan as well, and many other states are expecting the strongest hunting season in years as millions of Americans look to put some quality protein in the freezer for the upcoming winter months.
I doubt that the first weekend of deer season is going to turn into a superspreader event, but I do hope that those taking to the field will use real common sense when it comes to the older, more susceptible members of their party. We should be aiming for the hunt of a lifetime in the weeks ahead, but that doesn’t mean we want this to be the last hunt of Grandma or Grandpa’s life.


bearingarms--2020-11-11--Utah Man Charged For Shooting At Trump Supporters

Orem , Utah isn ’ t the kind of place you expect politically-motivated violence , yet it wasn ’ t that long ago when just that took place .
A man allegedly took shots at Trump supporters at a rally there .
The incident didn ’ t get a lot of play with the media .
It ’ s not like they actually care about that kind of thing .
In their mind , he didn ’ t shoot at people , he shot at Trump supporters , which is something completely different in their minds , apparently .
Now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ firing those shots has been formally charged .
A Sandy man is facing several charges after he allegedly shot a gun and made death threats at a pro-Trump rally in Orem earlier this month .
Adrian Michael Coronel , 23 , was charged in Utah ’ s Fourth District Court with aggravated assault , a third-degree felony , possession of a firearm by a restricted person , a third-degree felony , possession of a controlled substance , a class A misdemeanor , and unlawful discharge of a firearm , a class B misdemeanor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in support of President Donald Trump was taking place on the northeast corner of State Street and University Parkway on Tuesday , Nov. 3 at 9:30 p.m. After driving past , a passenger fired two gunshots into the air .
Police say the vehicle then circled around and parked behind the group .
The passengers continued to shout at them .
Witnesses told police one passenger pointed a gun out the car window and made death threats to people at the pro-Trump rally .
The vehicle drove away before the police arrived .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ground near the rally .
This is hardly the first time we ’ ve seen Trump supporters targeted by violence , though it seems that the mainstream media has no interest in covering these facts .
Regardless of the outcome of the election , the media should face a serious backlash over their complete lack of objectivity .
Between this and the Hunter Biden story , it seems clear the field was cleared to help Biden secure a victory without the American public realizing what they were getting .
After four years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we aren ’ t the ones showing up at opponents rallies and threatening to kill people .
Meanwhile , the media made a big deal about people driving next to a Biden bus .
The question is if Biden does actually win , does this kind of thing end ?
I don ’ t think so .
Instead , we ’ ll see people feeling emboldened and ready to run roughshod over their opponents , much like we saw during the Obama administration , only now they ’ re likely to think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ These are often the same people who freak out about people carrying guns to protests .
They see a gun and think it ’ s intimidation , but the truth is that such claims were always projection .
As already noted , Democrats have actually tried to threaten their opponents directly , so they figure that if we have guns , that ’ s why .
It ’ s not , but they ’ ll never believe that because they figure their hearts are mirrors of ours .
They ’ re not .

Orem, Utah isn’t the kind of place you expect politically-motivated violence, yet it wasn’t that long ago when just that took place. A man allegedly took shots at Trump supporters at a rally there.
The incident didn’t get a lot of play with the media. It’s not like they actually care about that kind of thing. In their mind, he didn’t shoot at people, he shot at Trump supporters, which is something completely different in their minds, apparently.
Now, though, the man accused of firing those shots has been formally charged.
A Sandy man is facing several charges after he allegedly and made death threats at a pro-Trump rally in Orem earlier this month. Adrian Michael Coronel, 23, was charged in Utah’s Fourth District Court with aggravated assault, a third-degree felony, possession of a firearm by a restricted person, a third-degree felony, possession of a controlled substance, a class A misdemeanor, and unlawful discharge of a firearm, a class B misdemeanor, court documents state. A rally in support of President Donald Trump was taking place on the northeast corner of State Street and University Parkway on Tuesday, Nov. 3 at 9:30 p.m. … After driving past, a passenger fired two gunshots into the air. Police say the vehicle then circled around and parked behind the group. The passengers continued to shout at them. Witnesses told police one passenger pointed a gun out the car window and made death threats to people at the pro-Trump rally. The vehicle drove away before the police arrived. Officers found two 9 mm casings on the ground near the rally.
This is hardly the first time we’ve seen Trump supporters targeted by violence, though it seems that the mainstream media has no interest in covering these facts.
Regardless of the outcome of the election, the media should face a serious backlash over their complete lack of objectivity. Between this and the Hunter Biden story, it seems clear the field was cleared to help Biden secure a victory without the American public realizing what they were getting.
After four years of being told we were violent fascists, we aren’t the ones showing up at opponents rallies and threatening to kill people. Meanwhile, the media made a big deal about people driving next to a Biden bus.
The question is if Biden does actually win, does this kind of thing end?
I don’t think so. Instead, we’ll see people feeling emboldened and ready to run roughshod over their opponents, much like we saw during the Obama administration, only now they’re likely to think violence works.
The irony here? These are often the same people who freak out about people carrying guns to protests. They see a gun and think it’s intimidation, but the truth is that such claims were always projection. As already noted, Democrats have actually tried to threaten their opponents directly, so they figure that if we have guns, that’s why.
It’s not, but they’ll never believe that because they figure their hearts are mirrors of ours. They’re not.


bearingarms--2020-11-11--Legislator Moves To Make Whole State 2A Sanctuary

When Democrats took control of the state of Virginia , over 90 percent of the state embraced some form of Second Amendment sanctuary status .
While it ’ s debatable as to whether or not such a measure actually does any good or not , it sent a clear signal , even if Governor Ralph Northam was too deaf to hear it .
Now we ’ re faced with a real possibility that we ’ ll see Joe Biden in the White House .
We already know where he stands on the issue of guns and our gun rights .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It seems at least one lawmaker in Oklahoma agrees , and he ’ s trying to do something about it .
Some Republican state lawmakers are drafting legislation that they say will protect gun rights in Oklahoma when presumptive President-elect Joe Biden takes office .
Biden ’ s plan includes a ban the manufacture and sale of assault weapons and high-capacity magazines , similar to the assault weapons ban of 1994 ; it would regulate possession of existing assault weapons under the National Firearms Act ; the plan would also buy back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in our communities ; and require background checks for all gun sales and end the online sale of firearms and ammunition .
State Sen. Nathan Dahm , R-Broken Arrow said he ’ s working on legislation that would make Oklahoma a Second Amendment sanctuary state .
“ Meaning that those cities , those states , those counties that enact this will not implement any unconstitutional gun control measures , ” Dahm said .
Dahm is also considering language that would forbid police in the state from enforcing federal gun control measures .
Unsurprisingly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plans are trying to argue that Dahm ’ s proposal is unconstitutional , though I suspect all of them support immigration sanctuaries .
Anyway , Dahm is the first , but I don ’ t expect him to be the last .
While I don ’ t know enough about Oklahoma politics to know if it ’ ll pass , I do expect to see lawmakers in many other states–particularly red states–making similar proposals .
Especially in light of Biden ’ s radical anti-gun agenda .
By becoming sanctuary states , they can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a warning to the federal government that they ’ re not interested in giving up their Second Amendment rights .
I don ’ t think it ’ ll stop Biden anymore than it ’ s stopped Northam in Virginia , but that ’ s not really the point .
What matters more is that people don ’ t just roll over and die because of the results of an election .
It ’ s vital that we dig in and fight back with everything we can .
Sure , the election might well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back is even more important , not less so .
Dahm is described as something of a radical , but the truth is that he ’ s making the right move .
What we need to see are far more lawmakers follow his lead on this .
Let ’ s turn every red state into a Second Amendment sanctuary .
Then , if the feds decide that assault weapons are NFA items and we need to give them up , then they ’ ll realize they ’ ll have to go into states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

When Democrats took control of the state of Virginia, over 90 percent of the state embraced some form of Second Amendment sanctuary status. While it’s debatable as to whether or not such a measure actually does any good or not, it sent a clear signal, even if Governor Ralph Northam was too deaf to hear it.
Now we’re faced with a real possibility that we’ll see Joe Biden in the White House. We already know where he stands on the issue of guns and our gun rights. We know they’re in danger.
It seems at least one lawmaker in Oklahoma agrees, and he’s trying to do something about it.
Some Republican state lawmakers are drafting legislation that they say will protect gun rights in Oklahoma when presumptive President-elect Joe Biden takes office. Biden’s plan includes a ban the manufacture and sale of assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, similar to the assault weapons ban of 1994; it would regulate possession of existing assault weapons under the National Firearms Act; the plan would also buy back the assault weapons and high-capacity magazines already in our communities; and require background checks for all gun sales and end the online sale of firearms and ammunition. State Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow said he’s working on legislation that would make Oklahoma a Second Amendment sanctuary state. “Meaning that those cities, those states, those counties that enact this will not implement any unconstitutional gun control measures,” Dahm said.
Dahm is also considering language that would forbid police in the state from enforcing federal gun control measures.
Unsurprisingly, those who support Biden’s plans are trying to argue that Dahm’s proposal is unconstitutional, though I suspect all of them support immigration sanctuaries.
Anyway, Dahm is the first, but I don’t expect him to be the last. While I don’t know enough about Oklahoma politics to know if it’ll pass, I do expect to see lawmakers in many other states–particularly red states–making similar proposals. Especially in light of Biden’s radical anti-gun agenda.
By becoming sanctuary states, they can make a stand. They can issue a warning to the federal government that they’re not interested in giving up their Second Amendment rights.
I don’t think it’ll stop Biden anymore than it’s stopped Northam in Virginia, but that’s not really the point. What matters more is that people don’t just roll over and die because of the results of an election. It’s vital that we dig in and fight back with everything we can. Sure, the election might well be fraudulent, but that means fighting back is even more important, not less so.
Dahm is described as something of a radical, but the truth is that he’s making the right move. What we need to see are far more lawmakers follow his lead on this. Let’s turn every red state into a Second Amendment sanctuary. Then, if the feds decide that assault weapons are NFA items and we need to give them up, then they’ll realize they’ll have to go into states that are downright hostile to the idea.
Molon Labe, baby. Molon Labe.


bearingarms--2020-11-11--Man Defends Disabled Residents From Home Invader

A Greeley , Colorado man says he had no choice but to pull the trigger when a stranger invaded his home and attacked him on Sunday evening .
Bobby Destine , who provides housing for disabled individuals at his home , says the stranger first began knocking at his door demanding money .
Destine refused to open the door to the man , and told a tenant to call 911 , but before officers arrived the stranger was able to force his way inside the residence when another tenant arrived at the house .
The man charged Destine and knocked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s when the homeowner drew his gun from its holster .
The intruder tackled Destine and tried wrestling him for the gun , according to Destine .
Destine said he was concerned for his life , as well as the lives of his tenants , so he fired two shots at the intruder .
The intruder , who police have not yet publicly identified , was taken to North Colorado Medical Center , but his injuries did not appear life threatening , according to police .
Destine was also hospitalized , but said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elbow injury .
“ I tried really hard to shoot last second when I had zero choice .
After I was hurt , ” Destine said .
“ Luckily no one else was hurt but me and the intruder .
My training came in handy .
I ’ m praying he recovers fine.
” Police said Sunday they weren ’ t yet sure what the alleged intruder was doing at the home .
Police noted earlier this year that Colorado law allows people to use deadly force if they reasonably believe lesser force @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in danger of death or great bodily injury .
So far there ’ s no word on what might have motivated the intruder , but ultimately that doesn ’ t really matter .
What ’ s important is that Destine was able to protect himself and his tenants thanks to the fact that he had his firearm with him .
While police continue to investigate , at this point it looks like a clear cut case of self-defense .
Destine isn ’ t facing any charges in connection with the shooting , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very cooperative with investigators .
Colorado may have trended blue over the past decade , but Greeley is still home to plenty of gun owners like Bobby Destine .
In fact , Weld County , where Greeley is located , designated itself a Second Amendment Sanctuary in March of 2019 as a sign of opposition to the state ’ s new red flag firearms seizure law .
Gun owners don ’ t give up without a fight , whether it ’ s pushing back against unconstitutional gun control laws or squaring off against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Bobby Destine had the presence of mind and situational awareness to be prepared for the threat and could protect both himself and the tenants under his care when a stranger invaded the sanctuary of their home .

A Greeley, Colorado man says he had no choice but to pull the trigger when a stranger invaded his home and attacked him on Sunday evening.
Bobby Destine, who provides housing for disabled individuals at his home, says the stranger first began knocking at his door demanding money. Destine refused to open the door to the man, and told a tenant to call 911, but before officers arrived the stranger was able to force his way inside the residence when another tenant arrived at the house.
The man charged Destine and knocked him to the ground. That’s when the homeowner drew his gun from its holster.
The intruder tackled Destine and tried wrestling him for the gun, according to Destine. Destine said he was concerned for his life, as well as the lives of his tenants, so he fired two shots at the intruder. The intruder, who police have not yet publicly identified, was taken to North Colorado Medical Center, but his injuries did not appear life threatening, according to police. Destine was also hospitalized, but said he’s OK except for an elbow injury. “I tried really hard to shoot last second when I had zero choice. After I was hurt,” Destine said. “Luckily no one else was hurt but me and the intruder. My training came in handy. I’m praying he recovers fine.” Police said Sunday they weren’t yet sure what the alleged intruder was doing at the home. Police noted earlier this year that Colorado law allows people to use deadly force if they reasonably believe lesser force is inadequate and that they’re in danger of death or great bodily injury.
So far there’s no word on what might have motivated the intruder, but ultimately that doesn’t really matter. What’s important is that Destine was able to protect himself and his tenants thanks to the fact that he had his firearm with him.
While police continue to investigate, at this point it looks like a clear cut case of self-defense. Destine isn’t facing any charges in connection with the shooting, and police say that he’s been very cooperative with investigators.
Colorado may have trended blue over the past decade, but Greeley is still home to plenty of gun owners like Bobby Destine. In fact, Weld County, where Greeley is located, designated itself a Second Amendment Sanctuary in March of 2019 as a sign of opposition to the state’s new red flag firearms seizure law.
Gun owners don’t give up without a fight, whether it’s pushing back against unconstitutional gun control laws or squaring off against home invaders. I’m glad that Bobby Destine had the presence of mind and situational awareness to be prepared for the threat and could protect both himself and the tenants under his care when a stranger invaded the sanctuary of their home.


bearingarms--2020-11-11--The One Thing Joe Biden Isn't Lying About

We all know the old joke : “ How can you tell if a politician is lying ?
His lips are moving.
” Everyone knows that politicians generally lie .
They say what it takes to get them elected , maybe do enough leg work to justify themselves to their constituents , and little else .
Still , we ’ ve seen some real doozies over the years .
“ Read my lips : No new taxes , ” and “ I did not have sexual relations with that woman , ” and things of that sort .
With Joe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thing we should absolutely take his word on , though .
Former Vice President Joe Biden declared election victory , even as President Donald Trump continues to challenge results in several states .
Runoffs are slated for both U.S. Senate seats from Georgia , which could decide the balance of power in Washington , D.C. and whether agendas get an unquestioned green light or hit roadblocks .
The Biden camp is already forming the presidential transition team and increased gun control is on the table .
While everyone is trying to read the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happen , the firearm industry is taking a pragmatic approach .
When it comes to gun control , take Biden at his word .
He ’ s given plenty of public comment to know exactly what he wants to do if he ’ s unchecked .
It ’ s nothing short of ending Second Amendment rights and reducing them to a nanny-state privilege that ’ s closely monitored and meted out piecemeal to a select few .
It also means the firearm industry would be decimated through harassing litigation , overburdening regulation and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t improve public safety but would render law-abiding Americans vulnerable to criminals .
Biden made it crystal clear his thoughts on firearm manufacturers at the onset of the Democratic presidential primary race in July 2019 .
“ Our enemy is the gun manufacturers , not the NRA , the gun manufacturers , ” Biden said .
Biden ’ s gun control plan would criminalize private firearm sales , requiring every firearm transfer to be conducted through licensed firearm retailers .
He ’ d also crack down on those retailers , using the Bureau @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Explosives ( ATF ) as an anvil by which to crush businesses for even minor clerical errors in inspections .
He argued for the same failed so-called mandatory “ smart gun ” technology for which he led a task force in the Obama administration .
It wasn ’ t ready for testing then and it ’ s still not ready today .
I advise you to go read all of Larry Keane ’ s column because he ’ s right .
When it comes to political promises , take Joe Biden at his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t believe it ’ s all doom and gloom .
You see , we know what Biden wants to do , but some of that may be a far cry from what he ’ s able to do .
While we know there are administrative measures Biden can take , much of his anti-gun agenda , but the lion ’ s share of what he wants to do will require Congress , and I don ’ t think he has a hope in hell of making that happen .
Democrats control the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those Democrats , though , are in vulnerable districts and aren ’ t willing to risk their careers by backing gun control measures that won ’ t be popular back home .
They ’ ll dig in and oppose the measures .
Yet even if they do get through the House , they hit a Senate that will be , at worst , a 50-50 split , and that ’ s assuming both Georgia senators lose their races .
That ’ s something I wouldn ’ t hold my breath on .
Not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state that ’ s traditionally been rather red .
But , for the sake of argument , let ’ s assume they do .
That means they ’ ll go to a divided Senate where Republicans can filibuster anything that comes through .
Gun control will stall out in the Senate before it goes anywhere else .
So , while Biden can do a lot of damage to our gun rights , he can ’ t do as much as he ’ d like to do .

We all know the old joke: “How can you tell if a politician is lying? His lips are moving.”
Everyone knows that politicians generally lie. They say what it takes to get them elected, maybe do enough leg work to justify themselves to their constituents, and little else. Still, we’ve seen some real doozies over the years. “Read my lips: No new taxes,” and “I did not have sexual relations with that woman,” and things of that sort.
With Joe Biden, though, we know one thing we should absolutely take his word on, though.
Former Vice President Joe Biden declared election victory, even as President Donald Trump continues to challenge results in several states. Runoffs are slated for both U.S. Senate seats from Georgia, which could decide the balance of power in Washington, D.C. and whether agendas get an unquestioned green light or hit roadblocks. The Biden camp is already forming the presidential transition team and increased gun control is on the table. While everyone is trying to read the political tea leaves to predict what will happen, the firearm industry is taking a pragmatic approach. When it comes to gun control, take Biden at his word. He’s given plenty of public comment to know exactly what he wants to do if he’s unchecked. It’s nothing short of ending Second Amendment rights and reducing them to a nanny-state privilege that’s closely monitored and meted out piecemeal to a select few. It also means the firearm industry would be decimated through harassing litigation, overburdening regulation and a bevy of laws that won’t improve public safety but would render law-abiding Americans vulnerable to criminals. ‘The Enemy’ Biden made it crystal clear his thoughts on firearm manufacturers at the onset of the Democratic presidential primary race in July 2019. “Our enemy is the gun manufacturers, not the NRA, the gun manufacturers,” Biden said. Biden’s gun control plan would criminalize private firearm sales, requiring every firearm transfer to be conducted through licensed firearm retailers. He’d also crack down on those retailers, using the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) as an anvil by which to crush businesses for even minor clerical errors in inspections. He argued for the same failed so-called mandatory “smart gun” technology for which he led a task force in the Obama administration. It wasn’t ready for testing then and it’s still not ready today.
I advise you to go read all of Larry Keane’s column because he’s right. When it comes to political promises, take Joe Biden at his word.
However, I also don’t believe it’s all doom and gloom. You see, we know what Biden wants to do, but some of that may be a far cry from what he’s able to do.
While we know there are administrative measures Biden can take, much of his anti-gun agenda, but the lion’s share of what he wants to do will require Congress, and I don’t think he has a hope in hell of making that happen.
Democrats control the House, but barely. Some of those Democrats, though, are in vulnerable districts and aren’t willing to risk their careers by backing gun control measures that won’t be popular back home. They’ll dig in and oppose the measures.
Yet even if they do get through the House, they hit a Senate that will be, at worst, a 50-50 split, and that’s assuming both Georgia senators lose their races. That’s something I wouldn’t hold my breath on. Not with the stakes so high in a state that’s traditionally been rather red. But, for the sake of argument, let’s assume they do.
That means they’ll go to a divided Senate where Republicans can filibuster anything that comes through. Gun control will stall out in the Senate before it goes anywhere else.
Hopefully.
So, while Biden can do a lot of damage to our gun rights, he can’t do as much as he’d like to do.