bearingarms--2020-12-14--Op-Ed Blasts Criticism Of John Lott's Appointment

John Lott is a controversial figure , to be sure .
He ’ s controversial not because he ’ s said offensive things or because he ’ s a bombastic personality .
No , he ’ s controversial because he says things anti-gunners simply don ’ t like .
In particular , he says that guns save lives , and that ’ s something that simply isn ’ t allowed .
Now that he ’ s been appointed to a role at the Department of Justice advising on research and statistics , anti-gunners have been working themselves into a frenzy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” researcher , all because someone else ’ s research contradicted his .
However , writing at The Hill , Andrew Pollack had some insightful remarks regarding just that .
You see , academics disagree with each other all the time .
Many of their disagreements hinge on methodological choices that will inevitably sound arcane to the lay reader but are of crucial importance .
Sorting through arguments to arrive at the most reliable methods is the key to genuine intellectual progress .
In this case , it ’ s true enough that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ study that guns were associated with increases in crime .
But a review of their work , also published in the Stanford Law Review , argued that Donahue and his partner “ simply misread their own results … Their own most general specification that breaks down the impact of the law on a year-by-year basis shows large crime-reducing benefits.
” ( Emphasis added . )
Donahue later , using a different methodology , found that right to carry laws “ are associated with 13-15 percent higher aggregate violent crime rates ten years after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paper and published a piece in Econ Journal Watch concluding that Donahue ’ s results were “ fragile , ” as his study “ fail [ ed ] to control for any of the major factors that cause crime rates to vary , ” and concluded from the same data and similar methodology that “ we find states where crime increased after the implementation of [ right-to-carry ] law and we find more states in which crime decreased.
” ( Emphasis added . )
Pollack is absolutely correct .
Not only do academics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s actually considered healthy in most topics .
That disagreement allows people to refine their arguments and research .
It helps suggest better methodologies for future research .
Further , having someone counter one ’ s research doesn ’ t automatically make someone a pariah in professional circles .
So just why should Lott be different ?
The answer , of course , is that he shouldn ’ t .
While people are certainly entitled to question Lott ’ s findings and his methodologies , the truth is that I ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the years .
It ’ s a fact of firearms research that there ’ s only so much you can do , after all .
Yet Lott doesn ’ t possess the same biases that many other researchers have , and that ’ s where the real problem lies for them .
See , Lott understands that guns aren ’ t the problem .
He understands how they ’ re used many more times to save lives than take them .
This is based on his own research , of course , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what the problem is .
Lott let his own biases be shaped by his research and didn ’ t let biases shape his research .
It ’ s why so many people no longer trust research .
Frankly , I ’ ve seen little research showing gun control works that aren ’ t horribly flawed .
These are flaws that are readily apparent and accepted by researchers in other fields , yet in gun research are ignored .
Bias matters more here than elsewhere , which is why it ’ s an insult @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the nail on its head with his op-ed , that ’ s for sure .

John Lott is a controversial figure, to be sure. He’s controversial not because he’s said offensive things or because he’s a bombastic personality. No, he’s controversial because he says things anti-gunners simply don’t like.
In particular, he says that guns save lives, and that’s something that simply isn’t allowed.
Now that he’s been appointed to a role at the Department of Justice advising on research and statistics, anti-gunners have been working themselves into a frenzy. They call him a “discredited” researcher, all because someone else’s research contradicted his.
However, writing at The Hill, Andrew Pollack had some insightful remarks regarding just that.
You see, academics disagree with each other all the time. Many of their disagreements hinge on methodological choices that will inevitably sound arcane to the lay reader but are of crucial importance. Sorting through arguments to arrive at the most reliable methods is the key to genuine intellectual progress. In this case, it’s true enough that Donahue et al found in a 2003 study that guns were associated with increases in crime. But a review of their work, also published in the Stanford Law Review, argued that Donahue and his partner “simply misread their own results … Their own most general specification that breaks down the impact of the law on a year-by-year basis shows large crime-reducing benefits.” (Emphasis added.) Donahue later, using a different methodology, found that right to carry laws “are associated with 13-15 percent higher aggregate violent crime rates ten years after adoption.” Two other academics reviewed this paper and published a piece in Econ Journal Watch concluding that Donahue’s results were “fragile,” as his study “fail[ed] to control for any of the major factors that cause crime rates to vary,” and concluded from the same data and similar methodology that “we find states where crime increased after the implementation of [right-to-carry] law and we find more states in which crime decreased.” (Emphasis added.)
Pollack is absolutely correct. Not only do academics disagree all the time, but it’s actually considered healthy in most topics. That disagreement allows people to refine their arguments and research. It helps suggest better methodologies for future research. Further, having someone counter one’s research doesn’t automatically make someone a pariah in professional circles.
So just why should Lott be different?
The answer, of course, is that he shouldn’t. While people are certainly entitled to question Lott’s findings and his methodologies, the truth is that I’ve seen a lot of questionable methodologies over the years. It’s a fact of firearms research that there’s only so much you can do, after all.
Yet Lott doesn’t possess the same biases that many other researchers have, and that’s where the real problem lies for them.
See, Lott understands that guns aren’t the problem. He understands how they’re used many more times to save lives than take them. This is based on his own research, of course, which is understandable, but that’s what the problem is. Lott let his own biases be shaped by his research and didn’t let biases shape his research.
It’s why so many people no longer trust research.
Frankly, I’ve seen little research showing gun control works that aren’t horribly flawed. These are flaws that are readily apparent and accepted by researchers in other fields, yet in gun research are ignored. Bias matters more here than elsewhere, which is why it’s an insult to call it science.
Pollack hits the nail on its head with his op-ed, that’s for sure.


bearingarms--2020-12-14--Trump's Remaking Of Ninth Circuit Will Have Long Lasting Impact

When all is said and done , I suspect that Donald Trump ’ s biggest legacy as president will be the hundreds of judges that his administration has been able to place on the bench around the country .
Trump ’ s efforts have helped to reshape the federal judiciary , and nowhere is that more evident than the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals .
Long considered the most liberal ( and anti-gun ) of all the appellate courts , the Ninth Circuit is now at near parity between Democrat-appointed judges and those appointed by Republicans , and the new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Amendment cases , as California attorney Ben Feuer writes in a new piece at the San Francisco Chronicle .
The Ninth Circuit ’ s jurisprudence has started shifting along with its alignment — but the process is slow .
The court is bound by its own precedents , which for half a century have often leaned well to the left .
And only active judges , among whom Democrat appointees still slightly edge out Republican appointees , can call for cases to be reheard by 11-judge “ en banc ” super-panels , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overrule its own precedents .
But change it will , over time .
We ’ re watching one of those en banc super-panels right now in a case called Young vs. Hawaii , which challenges the state ’ s ban on open carry of firearms without a license ( a license which the average resident of Hawaii can not hope to obtain ) .
A three-judge panel on the Ninth Circuit ruled that the state ’ s law violates the constitutional rights of residents , but the en banc panel that ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its opinion , though oral arguments were heard back in September .
That en banc panel consists of six Republican-appointed judges and five judges appointed by Democrats .
While that doesn ’ t automatically mean that we ’ ll get a good decision upholding the original Ninth Circuit ruling , it definitely increases the odds of that happening .
In addition to the appellate judges that Trump ’ s been able to place on the Ninth Circuit , several of his U.S. District judicial appointments in the Ninth Circuit have also offered key @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Judge Roger Benitez , for example , has declared California ’ s ban on so-called high capacity magazines unconstitutional and issued a preliminary injunction against the state ’ s laws barring online and out-of-state ammunition purchases , leading gun owners in the state to nickname the judge “ Saint Benitez.
” As Feuer writes , the changes to the Ninth Circuit won ’ t be able to be easily undone by Democrats , even if Joe Biden is inaugurated next month .
Ironically , though the Ninth Circuit has been a roadblock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the road to full recognition of the right to keep and bear arms may very well run squarely through the Ninth Circuit in the years to come .

When all is said and done, I suspect that Donald Trump’s biggest legacy as president will be the hundreds of judges that his administration has been able to place on the bench around the country. Trump’s efforts have helped to reshape the federal judiciary, and nowhere is that more evident than the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Long considered the most liberal (and anti-gun) of all the appellate courts, the Ninth Circuit is now at near parity between Democrat-appointed judges and those appointed by Republicans, and the new balance already having an impact on Second Amendment cases, as California attorney Ben Feuer writes in a new piece at the San Francisco Chronicle.
The Ninth Circuit’s jurisprudence has started shifting along with its alignment — but the process is slow. The court is bound by its own precedents, which for half a century have often leaned well to the left. And only active judges, among whom Democrat appointees still slightly edge out Republican appointees, can call for cases to be reheard by 11-judge “en banc” super-panels, which are the sole way the court can overrule its own precedents. But change it will, over time.
We’re watching one of those en banc super-panels right now in a case called Young vs. Hawaii, which challenges the state’s ban on open carry of firearms without a license (a license which the average resident of Hawaii cannot hope to obtain). A three-judge panel on the Ninth Circuit ruled that the state’s law violates the constitutional rights of residents, but the en banc panel that’s reviewing the case has yet to release its opinion, though oral arguments were heard back in September.
That en banc panel consists of six Republican-appointed judges and five judges appointed by Democrats. While that doesn’t automatically mean that we’ll get a good decision upholding the original Ninth Circuit ruling, it definitely increases the odds of that happening.
In addition to the appellate judges that Trump’s been able to place on the Ninth Circuit, several of his U.S. District judicial appointments in the Ninth Circuit have also offered key rulings in support of the Second Amendment. Judge Roger Benitez, for example, has declared California’s ban on so-called high capacity magazines unconstitutional and issued a preliminary injunction against the state’s laws barring online and out-of-state ammunition purchases, leading gun owners in the state to nickname the judge “Saint Benitez.”
As Feuer writes, the changes to the Ninth Circuit won’t be able to be easily undone by Democrats, even if Joe Biden is inaugurated next month. Ironically, though the Ninth Circuit has been a roadblock for the Second Amendment for decades, the road to full recognition of the right to keep and bear arms may very well run squarely through the Ninth Circuit in the years to come.


bearingarms--2020-12-14--How The Left Blatantly Misrepresents Rittenhouse Support

There are a lot of pro-gun people who support Kyle Rittenhouse .
After all , we saw the video .
We saw what he was up against .
From someone in a violent mob trying to take his rifle–something I guarantee you would make you fear for your life–to multiple attackers coming after him , including at least one with a firearm , it ’ s not difficult to see that the kid was defending himself .
Yet there are a ton of people who don ’ t see it that way .
Honestly , that ’ s fair .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , people are free to make up their own minds .
What they ’ re not entitled to , though , are their own facts .
That includes making up crap about what the support for Rittenhouse is really about .
For $ 30 , you can buy a white T-shirt on eBay that says “ Don ’ t make me RITTENHOUSE your ass !
!
!
” on the back , from a seller named Gabby in Anson , Texas .
The sleeves are adorned with stencilled semi-automatic rifles , a skull @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Second Amendment .
It ’ s one of dozens of shirts just like it.When 17-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse used a semi-automatic rifle that had allegedly been purchased illegally to shoot and kill two men and wound a third during Black Lives Matter protests in Kenosha , Wisconsin , last August , he became a hero to a large swathe of the right-wing , someone to wear your support for on your chest , or between your shoulder blades.There are now corners of the internet full of merchandise in his honor : T-shirts adorned with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with slogans like “ Don ’ t Tread On Me ” and “ I Stand With Rittenhouse.
” A photo of the teen in a Captain America mask as “ Captain Rittenhouse.
” The most common slogan , across dozens of shirts and multiple sites , is simple : Free Kyle .
Last month Rittenhouse , who has been charged with first-degree intentional homicide , was released from jail after posting his $ 2 million bail , much of it raised through crowdfunding by his supporters .
More than 13,000 donors donated nearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GiveSendGo , which bills itself as the “ # 1 Christian Free Crowdfunding Site.
” “ Kyle Rittenhouse just defended himself from a brutal attack by multiple members of the far-leftist group ANTIFA — the experience was undoubtedly a brutal one , as he was forced to take two lives to defend his own , ” the page reads .
“ Let ’ s give back to someone who bravely tried to defend his community.
” Months of mythmaking had led to this point.His insistence that he was acting in self-defense , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Illinois to “ protect ” Kenosha businesses , as he told a Daily Caller reporter that night , was almost immediately taken up by figures across the right .
Among Rittenhouse ’ s many defenders were President Donald Trump , who claimed the shooter “ would have been killed ” ; Kentucky Representative Thomas Massie , who told a West Virginia radio station that Rittenhouse had shown “ incredible self-restraint , ” and Fox News host Tucker Carlson , who said the shooting happened because authorities had stood back and “ let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has made heroes of killers before — cops being the primary beneficiaries — creating the figures they need to sustain the notion of a nation under siege .
But it would seem , with Rittenhouse , that the recruits into a deadly culture war now extend to a pool of civilian foot-soldiers for white supremacy — no matter how young , or how far outside the law .
A more recent move to embrace vigilante violence , however , suggests a self-deputization en masse .
The right-wing is no longer content to leave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the state , no matter how eagerly and often that power is used .
This narrative was seeded in popular right-wing support for George Zimmerman , who killed unarmed Black teen Trayvon Martin in 2012 .
He then later sold the gun he used in an online auction for a quarter-million dollars .
There ’ s a strong parallel between support for Zimmerman and Rittenhouse , rooted deep in American racism — Zimmerman was acquitted of killing a Black teen outright , while Rittenhouse set out to quell an uprising for Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also framed as self-defense — despite the fact that , against the advice of a 911 dispatcher , he stalked Martin through his neighborhood , gun at the ready .
Still , Zimmerman , his supporters , and the jury saw what he did as “ standing his ground ” — making him into the neighborhood watchman , the beat cop , defending one ’ s home turf from a dangerous other , encountered by chance , turned by a malevolent imagination into a looming threat .
By contrast , Rittenhouse ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an offensive charge : crossing state lines into a sea of people , gun drawn , a soldier entering enemy territory .
The right-wing mindset in the era of Rittenhouse has ripened into one of total war , propped up by the vocal support of key figures in the Republican Party and silence in the remainder of its upper echelons .
For all the talk about the right wanting to make the culture war deadly–it ’ s right in the headline , after all–they spend a lot of time vilifying people who acted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zimmerman and Rittenhouse because , frankly , that ’ s what sells to their readers .
The left doesn ’ t want to hear that Rittenhouse likely had no choice except shoot or be killed .
They still don ’ t want to hear that about Zimmerman , even going so far as to play the “ stand your ground ” canard that wasn ’ t even brought up during Zimmerman ’ s trial .
While claiming the right wants to turn the culture war deadly , they forget the people killed during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rights ” had a body count as well , to say nothing of the millions of dollars in damage and destroyed livelihoods .
That “ uprising for Black rights ” was destroying property and business , something that wasn ’ t even remotely necessary to get a point across .
People don ’ t support Rittenhouse because he supposedly gunned down innocent protestors .
They support him because they know if they were in his shoes , they ’ d have acted similarly .
That ’ s it .
Now , a 17-year-old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we all know that it could be us .

There are a lot of pro-gun people who support Kyle Rittenhouse. After all, we saw the video. We saw what he was up against. From someone in a violent mob trying to take his rifle–something I guarantee you would make you fear for your life–to multiple attackers coming after him, including at least one with a firearm, it’s not difficult to see that the kid was defending himself.
Yet there are a ton of people who don’t see it that way.
Honestly, that’s fair. While I think they’re wrong, people are free to make up their own minds.
What they’re not entitled to, though, are their own facts. That includes making up crap about what the support for Rittenhouse is really about.
For $30, you can buy a white T-shirt on eBay that says “Don’t make me RITTENHOUSE your ass!!!” on the back, from a seller named Gabby in Anson, Texas. The sleeves are adorned with stencilled semi-automatic rifles, a skull and “2A,” for the Second Amendment. It’s one of dozens of shirts just like it.When 17-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse used a semi-automatic rifle that had allegedly been purchased illegally to shoot and kill two men and wound a third during Black Lives Matter protests in Kenosha, Wisconsin, last August, he became a hero to a large swathe of the right-wing, someone to wear your support for on your chest, or between your shoulder blades.There are now corners of the internet full of merchandise in his honor: T-shirts adorned with drawn portraits of him pointing his rifle with slogans like “Don’t Tread On Me” and “I Stand With Rittenhouse.” A photo of the teen in a Captain America mask as “Captain Rittenhouse.” The most common slogan, across dozens of shirts and multiple sites, is simple: Free Kyle. Last month Rittenhouse, who has been charged with first-degree intentional homicide, was released from jail after posting his $2 million bail, much of it raised through crowdfunding by his supporters. More than 13,000 donors donated nearly $600,000 for his legal defense on GiveSendGo, which bills itself as the “#1 Christian Free Crowdfunding Site.” “Kyle Rittenhouse just defended himself from a brutal attack by multiple members of the far-leftist group ANTIFA — the experience was undoubtedly a brutal one, as he was forced to take two lives to defend his own,” the page reads. “Let’s give back to someone who bravely tried to defend his community.” Months of mythmaking had led to this point.His insistence that he was acting in self-defense, and his self-appointed mission to cross state lines from Illinois to “protect” Kenosha businesses, as he told a Daily Caller reporter that night, was almost immediately taken up by figures across the right. Among Rittenhouse’s many defenders were President Donald Trump, who claimed the shooter “would have been killed”; Kentucky Representative Thomas Massie, who told a West Virginia radio station that Rittenhouse had shown “incredible self-restraint,” and Fox News host Tucker Carlson, who said the shooting happened because authorities had stood back and “let Kenosha burn.” The right-wing media apparatus has made heroes of killers before — cops being the primary beneficiaries — creating the figures they need to sustain the notion of a nation under siege. But it would seem, with Rittenhouse, that the recruits into a deadly culture war now extend to a pool of civilian foot-soldiers for white supremacy — no matter how young, or how far outside the law. … A more recent move to embrace vigilante violence, however, suggests a self-deputization en masse. The right-wing is no longer content to leave the power of violence in the hands of the state, no matter how eagerly and often that power is used. This narrative was seeded in popular right-wing support for George Zimmerman, who killed unarmed Black teen Trayvon Martin in 2012. He then later sold the gun he used in an online auction for a quarter-million dollars. There’s a strong parallel between support for Zimmerman and Rittenhouse, rooted deep in American racism — Zimmerman was acquitted of killing a Black teen outright, while Rittenhouse set out to quell an uprising for Black rights. Zimmerman’s actions were also framed as self-defense — despite the fact that, against the advice of a 911 dispatcher, he stalked Martin through his neighborhood, gun at the ready. Still, Zimmerman, his supporters, and the jury saw what he did as “standing his ground” — making him into the neighborhood watchman, the beat cop, defending one’s home turf from a dangerous other, encountered by chance, turned by a malevolent imagination into a looming threat. By contrast, Rittenhouse’s actions feel more warlike, part of an offensive charge: crossing state lines into a sea of people, gun drawn, a soldier entering enemy territory. The right-wing mindset in the era of Rittenhouse has ripened into one of total war, propped up by the vocal support of key figures in the Republican Party and silence in the remainder of its upper echelons.
For all the talk about the right wanting to make the culture war deadly–it’s right in the headline, after all–they spend a lot of time vilifying people who acted in self-defense.
They completely misrepresent both Zimmerman and Rittenhouse because, frankly, that’s what sells to their readers. The left doesn’t want to hear that Rittenhouse likely had no choice except shoot or be killed. They still don’t want to hear that about Zimmerman, even going so far as to play the “stand your ground” canard that wasn’t even brought up during Zimmerman’s trial.
While claiming the right wants to turn the culture war deadly, they forget the people killed during riots. That “uprising for Black rights” had a body count as well, to say nothing of the millions of dollars in damage and destroyed livelihoods. That “uprising for Black rights” was destroying property and business, something that wasn’t even remotely necessary to get a point across.
People don’t support Rittenhouse because he supposedly gunned down innocent protestors. They support him because they know if they were in his shoes, they’d have acted similarly. That’s it.
Now, a 17-year-old kid is on trial for murder and we all know that it could be us.


bearingarms--2020-12-14--Hundreds Rally Seeking "Justice For Casey Goodson"

Tamala Payne wanted a peaceful protest in Columbus , Ohio to honor her son and seek justice for Casey Goodson , and that ’ s what she got this past weekend .
Hundreds of supporters turned out in the city ’ s downtown on Saturday demanding answers in the death of the 23-year old , who was shot and killed by a Franklin County sheriff ’ s deputy on December 4th .
While attorneys for Deputy Jason Meade say the veteran law enforcement officer fired after Goodson refused to drop a gun that he had allegedly pointed at officers as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s family say that would be completely out of character for the legal gun owner and concealed carry holder .
The Goodson case continues to draw national attention , with the New York Times covering the case in detail on Monday .
The paper doesn ’ t have a lot of new information about the shooting itself or the differing accounts by Goodson ’ s family , who say the young man was shot while holding a bag with sandwiches and his face mask in one hand , while he had used the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the family home in the lock .
At a rally at Columbus ’ Statehouse on Saturday , people who knew Mr. Goodson described him as empathetic .
Malissa Thomas-St. Clair , his sixth-grade teacher , said he was a model student who reached out to her by text message when her own son was killed in 2013 .
“ I remember you as a strong woman , but if you ever need an ear to talk to , I ’ ll be here for your support , ” she said he wrote .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ not too long before his death , at a store where he was shopping for his dog .
“ Listen to me clearly , young people , ” she said at the rally .
“ Casey Goodson was a good man .
He couldn ’ t hurt nobody .
When it registered who they were talking about , I knew instantly in my soul , they got this one wrong.
” One new detail that the paper did report for the first time was the fact that the officers who were in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plainclothes .
Mr .
Weeks , Mr. Goodson ’ s neighbor across the street , said that little about the shooting added up .
The officers he saw were not in uniform , so how could Mr. Goodson have known they were law enforcement — either when he drove past them , or when one pursued him , Mr .
Weeks asked .
“ What if he sees the cop , and he has no clue it ’ s a cop ?
” Mr .
Weeks said .
“ The stories are just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a gun from Goodson , but they haven ’ t said where the gun was found .
The Franklin County Medical Examiner has said that Goodson died from gunshot wounds to the torso , but haven ’ t said if Goodson was shot in the back , as the family alleges , or in his chest or side .
Those details would give us a little bit better idea about what happened in the moments before Goodson was shot , but at the moment we have no idea when that information will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ absence of body camera footage and eyewitnesses to the shooting , we may never know with 100 % certainty what happened that led to Goodson being shot and killed on the steps to the family home , but the more open and transparent the investigation is the better ; for both Goodson ’ s family as well as for Deputy Meade .

Tamala Payne wanted a peaceful protest in Columbus, Ohio to honor her son and seek justice for Casey Goodson, and that’s what she got this past weekend. Hundreds of supporters turned out in the city’s downtown on Saturday demanding answers in the death of the 23-year old, who was shot and killed by a Franklin County sheriff’s deputy on December 4th.
While attorneys for Deputy Jason Meade say the veteran law enforcement officer fired after Goodson refused to drop a gun that he had allegedly pointed at officers as he drove by them, Goodson’s family say that would be completely out of character for the legal gun owner and concealed carry holder.
For the first time, the siblings of Casey Goodman Jr. spoke about the loss of their older sibling. “Casey was not only my brother he was my best friend he was also a father figure for me,” said his younger sister. His younger brother said Casey was the kind of big brother who watched out for his siblings by walking them to the store or the park. “No matter if it was rain sleet or hail he would do anything for us,” he said. All of them questioned why their brother was killed. “My brother is not stupid enough to pull a gun to a cop,” said his sister.
The Goodson case continues to draw national attention, with the New York Times covering the case in detail on Monday. The paper doesn’t have a lot of new information about the shooting itself or the differing accounts by Goodson’s family, who say the young man was shot while holding a bag with sandwiches and his face mask in one hand, while he had used the other hand to put the key to the family home in the lock.
At a rally at Columbus’ Statehouse on Saturday, people who knew Mr. Goodson described him as empathetic. Malissa Thomas-St. Clair, his sixth-grade teacher, said he was a model student who reached out to her by text message when her own son was killed in 2013. “I remember you as a strong woman, but if you ever need an ear to talk to, I’ll be here for your support,” she said he wrote. She said she last saw him alive not too long before his death, at a store where he was shopping for his dog. “Listen to me clearly, young people,” she said at the rally. “Casey Goodson was a good man. He couldn’t hurt nobody. When it registered who they were talking about, I knew instantly in my soul, they got this one wrong.”
One new detail that the paper did report for the first time was the fact that the officers who were in the neighborhood to serve a warrant were in plainclothes.
Mr. Weeks, Mr. Goodson’s neighbor across the street, said that little about the shooting added up. The officers he saw were not in uniform, so how could Mr. Goodson have known they were law enforcement — either when he drove past them, or when one pursued him, Mr. Weeks asked. “What if he sees the cop, and he has no clue it’s a cop?” Mr. Weeks said. “The stories are just so different.”
Police say they recovered a gun from Goodson, but they haven’t said where the gun was found. The Franklin County Medical Examiner has said that Goodson died from gunshot wounds to the torso, but haven’t said if Goodson was shot in the back, as the family alleges, or in his chest or side. Those details would give us a little bit better idea about what happened in the moments before Goodson was shot, but at the moment we have no idea when that information will be released to the public.
Given the absence of body camera footage and eyewitnesses to the shooting, we may never know with 100% certainty what happened that led to Goodson being shot and killed on the steps to the family home, but the more open and transparent the investigation is the better; for both Goodson’s family as well as for Deputy Meade.


bearingarms--2020-12-14--Left Wants Biden To Do What They Blasted Trump For Doing

Progressives are rejoicing now that it seems there are no legal challenges left for President Donald Trump to avail himself of .
It looks like we ’ re about to see Joe Biden in the White House .
While that ’ s far from ideal , it simply is what it is .
Unsurprisingly , though , it seems that progressives who have blasted Trump for supposedly abusing the power of his office want Biden to do the exact same thing .
For four years , Democrats have protested President Trump ’ s aggressive use of presidential authority , accusing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sought to bypass Congress ’ control of federal spending , defy its subpoenas and flout the Senate ’ s authority to confirm senior government officials .
Now , President-elect Joe Biden has indicated he would abide by traditional restraints on presidential power — and perhaps accept some new ones — as part of his effort to restore norms that Trump trampled .
But a lot of progressive Democrats would like to see him do just the opposite .
The debate over how aggressively to push executive authority is emerging as the latest point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the Democrats ’ left wing .
Faced with the prospect that Republicans in Congress will block major legislation , progressive groups are increasingly going public with demands that Biden commit to broad uses of executive authority to wipe out student loan debt , reform the immigration system and combat climate change , among other priorities .
And it ’ s not just activists in those topics pushing Biden .
That ’ s right .
The anti-gunners are at it , too .
Major gun control organizations have urged him to use his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president-elect is likely to favor .
Everytown for Gun Safety , for example , recently issued what it described as a “ road map ” for gun policy .
It included executive actions to tighten loopholes in federal background checks for gun sales , crack down on so-called “ ghost guns ” — gun parts that can be purchased online without background checks , then assembled into working firearms — and put new resources into research on the impact of gun violence .
And let ’ s be honest here , Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ able to do just that .
By using the power of his office to push the ATF to reclassify bump stocks , he may have headed off potential legislation , but now he ’ s laid down a roadmap for just such action .
To be sure , Biden may claim he ’ ll respect these “ traditional limits ” on executive power , but he ’ s already made clear his intention to use it to infringe upon our Second Amendment rights .
That makes any other claims he might make regarding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he was Obama ’ s vice president .
His then boss was famous for his use of executive action wherever and whenever he felt like it , so there ’ s little reason to believe Biden won ’ t be the same way .
Yet as the left has lamented every executive action taken by the Trump administration , we can see what the real problem was .
It was simply what the president was doing , not how he was doing it .
If it were a question of his method @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quick to jump and do the exact same thing this time around .

Progressives are rejoicing now that it seems there are no legal challenges left for President Donald Trump to avail himself of. It looks like we’re about to see Joe Biden in the White House. While that’s far from ideal, it simply is what it is.
Unsurprisingly, though, it seems that progressives who have blasted Trump for supposedly abusing the power of his office want Biden to do the exact same thing.
For four years, Democrats have protested President Trump’s aggressive use of presidential authority, accusing him of abusing his powers as he sought to bypass Congress’ control of federal spending, defy its subpoenas and flout the Senate’s authority to confirm senior government officials. Now, President-elect Joe Biden has indicated he would abide by traditional restraints on presidential power — and perhaps accept some new ones — as part of his effort to restore norms that Trump trampled. But a lot of progressive Democrats would like to see him do just the opposite. The debate over how aggressively to push executive authority is emerging as the latest point of tension between the nascent Biden administration and the Democrats’ left wing. Faced with the prospect that Republicans in Congress will block major legislation, progressive groups are increasingly going public with demands that Biden commit to broad uses of executive authority to wipe out student loan debt, reform the immigration system and combat climate change, among other priorities.
And it’s not just activists in those topics pushing Biden.
That’s right. The anti-gunners are at it, too.
Major gun control organizations have urged him to use his authority to achieve less dramatic goals that the president-elect is likely to favor. Everytown for Gun Safety, for example, recently issued what it described as a “road map” for gun policy. It included executive actions to tighten loopholes in federal background checks for gun sales, crack down on so-called “ghost guns” — gun parts that can be purchased online without background checks, then assembled into working firearms — and put new resources into research on the impact of gun violence.
And let’s be honest here, Trump has laid the foundation for Biden being able to do just that. By using the power of his office to push the ATF to reclassify bump stocks, he may have headed off potential legislation, but now he’s laid down a roadmap for just such action.
To be sure, Biden may claim he’ll respect these “traditional limits” on executive power, but he’s already made clear his intention to use it to infringe upon our Second Amendment rights. That makes any other claims he might make regarding respecting those limits suspect.
Then again, he was Obama’s vice president. His then boss was famous for his use of executive action wherever and whenever he felt like it, so there’s little reason to believe Biden won’t be the same way.
Yet as the left has lamented every executive action taken by the Trump administration, we can see what the real problem was. It was simply what the president was doing, not how he was doing it. If it were a question of his method, they wouldn’t be so quick to jump and do the exact same thing this time around.


bearingarms--2020-12-15--BA Gift Guide - Keep Game & Fish Fresh In These Great Coolers

It ’ s been years since we ’ ve had a hunting season with as many folks in the field as we ’ ve seen in 2020 .
Hunting and fishing license sales are both up by more than 10 % , and the trend is expected to continue into 2021 as well .
If you ’ re planning on supplementing your grocery bill with some fresh fish and game , it ’ s important to have a good cooler that ’ s large enough to fit your catch while keeping it on ice until you ’ re able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our picks for some of the best coolers on the market today .
Orca 58 Quart Hard Sided Classic Cooler – This cooler is big enough to handle a couple hundred pounds of fresh meat and can keep food fresh and cool for up to 10 days , according to the manufacturer .
I ’ ve never had to go that long with my Orca , but I have had mine sit for three days in the autumn sunshine with minimal melting from the ice inside .
The Orca Classic Cooler , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is made in the USA and comes with a lifetime warranty , though I haven ’ t had any issues with mine in the three years or so that I ’ ve owned it .
ENGEL HD30 Waterproof Soft-Sided Cooler Tote Bag – If you ’ re actually going to be hauling your harvest through the back country , a soft-side cooler like the HD30 from Engel is a great option , as is the company ’ s 23-quart backpack cooler .
The HD30 is a 32-quart cooler with an ice life of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The cooler also has a patented vacuum valve that removes air from the compartment , maximizing ice retention .
The soft-sided body is still rugged enough to handle the great outdoors , and the welded waterproof zipper will ensure that no other woodland creatures sneak along for the ride .
Coleman 54-Quart Steel Belted Cooler – This Coleman cooler has a cool retro look about it , but its function is as solid as its form .
The steel body is strong enough to support 250 lbs of weight on it , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for up to four days under optimal conditions .
The cooler also features rust-resistant stainless steel hardware and comfort-grip handles for easier lifting and carrying .
This isn ’ t the cooler to take with you on a long off-road hike , but it ’ s a great fit for the campsite .
Igloo Leeward 124 Quart Marine Grade Lockable Insulated Fishing Ice Chest Cooler – While this cooler may be designed for fishing , with an attached cutting board , fish ruler , and tie downs to keep it secured on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ why the 124-quart Igloo Leeward can ’ t join you on a trip to the mountains , the woods , or the open plains .
This cooler features a lockable top , a food-grade liner , and anti-skid feet along with the company ’ s Cool Riser feature , which actually elevates the body of the cooler off the ground in order to better retain cold temperatures .
The ultratherm insulation offers four days of ice retention , and when it ’ s time to empty out your cooler a dual fast/slow drain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Pelican 70 Quart Elite Cooler – Like many folks in radio , television , and online broadcasting , I ’ ve used Pelican cases for years to protect my gear on the road , and the quality of their products is undeniable .
With a lifetime “ you break it , we replace it ” guarantee , this may be the last cooler you ever need to buy .
The 70-quart cooler is made in the USA and features 2 inches of polyurethane insulation along with a 360 degree freezer-grade gasket for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with 3 inch locking latches , a reinforced lockable hasp , stainless steel bottle opener , and tie down slots for your boat , truck , SUV , or ATV .
The cooler ’ s top has four self-draining cup holders built in , and the non-skid rubber feet will help keep it in place when it ’ s not possible to keep it tied down .

It’s been years since we’ve had a hunting season with as many folks in the field as we’ve seen in 2020. Hunting and fishing license sales are both up by more than 10%, and the trend is expected to continue into 2021 as well. If you’re planning on supplementing your grocery bill with some fresh fish and game, it’s important to have a good cooler that’s large enough to fit your catch while keeping it on ice until you’re able to fully break it down. Here are our picks for some of the best coolers on the market today.
Orca 58 Quart Hard Sided Classic Cooler – This cooler is big enough to handle a couple hundred pounds of fresh meat and can keep food fresh and cool for up to 10 days, according to the manufacturer. I’ve never had to go that long with my Orca, but I have had mine sit for three days in the autumn sunshine with minimal melting from the ice inside. The Orca Classic Cooler, which comes in a variety of sizes, is made in the USA and comes with a lifetime warranty, though I haven’t had any issues with mine in the three years or so that I’ve owned it.
ENGEL HD30 Waterproof Soft-Sided Cooler Tote Bag – If you’re actually going to be hauling your harvest through the back country, a soft-side cooler like the HD30 from Engel is a great option, as is the company’s 23-quart backpack cooler. The HD30 is a 32-quart cooler with an ice life of close to 100 hours under optimal conditions. The cooler also has a patented vacuum valve that removes air from the compartment, maximizing ice retention. The soft-sided body is still rugged enough to handle the great outdoors, and the welded waterproof zipper will ensure that no other woodland creatures sneak along for the ride.
Coleman 54-Quart Steel Belted Cooler – This Coleman cooler has a cool retro look about it, but its function is as solid as its form. The steel body is strong enough to support 250 lbs of weight on it, while the 54-quart interior will retain ice for up to four days under optimal conditions. The cooler also features rust-resistant stainless steel hardware and comfort-grip handles for easier lifting and carrying. This isn’t the cooler to take with you on a long off-road hike, but it’s a great fit for the campsite.
Igloo Leeward 124 Quart Marine Grade Lockable Insulated Fishing Ice Chest Cooler – While this cooler may be designed for fishing, with an attached cutting board, fish ruler, and tie downs to keep it secured on the water, there’s no reason why the 124-quart Igloo Leeward can’t join you on a trip to the mountains, the woods, or the open plains. This cooler features a lockable top, a food-grade liner, and anti-skid feet along with the company’s Cool Riser feature, which actually elevates the body of the cooler off the ground in order to better retain cold temperatures. The ultratherm insulation offers four days of ice retention, and when it’s time to empty out your cooler a dual fast/slow drain will have it dry in no time.
Pelican 70 Quart Elite Cooler – Like many folks in radio, television, and online broadcasting, I’ve used Pelican cases for years to protect my gear on the road, and the quality of their products is undeniable. With a lifetime “you break it, we replace it” guarantee, this may be the last cooler you ever need to buy. The 70-quart cooler is made in the USA and features 2 inches of polyurethane insulation along with a 360 degree freezer-grade gasket for maximum ice retention. It also comes with 3 inch locking latches, a reinforced lockable hasp, stainless steel bottle opener, and tie down slots for your boat, truck, SUV, or ATV. The cooler’s top has four self-draining cup holders built in, and the non-skid rubber feet will help keep it in place when it’s not possible to keep it tied down.
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bearingarms--2020-12-15--Mayor Touting Anti-Gun Cred Illustrates Baffling Ignorance

I ’ m always amazed at the number of people who take positions on guns without understanding the first thing about them .
I shouldn ’ t be .
Not at this point in my life , anyway , but I keep hoping people will turn out to be better than they are , that they ’ ll strive to learn more about a subject before articulating an opinion .
I also keep being disappointed .
A good example comes from a Boston Globe article celebrating a small-town mayor .
To be sure , it sounds like Central Falls Mayor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things , such as reigning in fiscal mismanagement and restoring people ’ s faith in government .
However , Diossa was also asked about guns , and that ’ s where he betrays his ignorance .
Here ’ s the disconnect : Mayors Against Illegal Guns should probably focus their attention on , you know , illegal guns .
The measures Diossa is supporting have absolutely nothing to do with illegal guns .
Those laws will only interfere with law-abiding citizens , not the criminals that routinely create threats for law-abiding citizens .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ anyone with a semi-automatic firearm , not just criminals , but a ban will only take them out of the hands of the law-abiding .
Criminals will continue to buy magazines from outside of the state–it ’ s not like Rhode Island is that hard to leave , after all–and it will put the bad guys at a distinct advantage .
As for firearms on school grounds , firearms were banned from campuses in Connecticut eight years ago .
That didn ’ t stop a mad man from taking an AR-15 to Sandy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Nor did it stop a maniac from taking one to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland , Florida .
Nor did it stop another deranged gunman from taking two handguns to Virginia Tech .
In all these cases , guns were banned from school grounds , yet the deranged criminals brought them anyway .
They ignored the law , which is unsurprising since they were already planning on ignoring the laws against murder .
In the face of that kind of evil , what Diossa is suggesting is that we create @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and make it impossible for any law-abiding citizen to be prepared to meet such a threat .
What we don ’ t see here , but can reasonably assume , is that should such a situation take place in his realm , Diossa won ’ t look to the policies he supports and recognize the role they played in such a tragedy .
Instead , he ’ ll lash out at gun rights activists , the firearm industry , the NRA , and everyone but the face staring back at him in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like almost all anti-gunners , are ignorant .
He ’ s the product of a biased media and Democratic Party politics .
While the media may sing his praises , it ’ s clear that on guns , he doesn ’ t have a clue what he ’ s talking about .

I’m always amazed at the number of people who take positions on guns without understanding the first thing about them. I shouldn’t be. Not at this point in my life, anyway, but I keep hoping people will turn out to be better than they are, that they’ll strive to learn more about a subject before articulating an opinion.
I also keep being disappointed.
A good example comes from a Boston Globe article celebrating a small-town mayor.
To be sure, it sounds like Central Falls Mayor James A. Diossa has done some good things, such as reigning in fiscal mismanagement and restoring people’s faith in government. However, Diossa was also asked about guns, and that’s where he betrays his ignorance.
On gun control: He said Rhode Island should pass gun control measures such as banning high-capacity magazines and prohibiting guns on public school grounds except for those carried by law enforcement — both measures he has supported as a member of Mayors Against Illegal Guns.
Here’s the disconnect: Mayors Against Illegal Guns should probably focus their attention on, you know, illegal guns. The measures Diossa is supporting have absolutely nothing to do with illegal guns. Those laws will only interfere with law-abiding citizens, not the criminals that routinely create threats for law-abiding citizens.
So-called high capacity magazines are useful to anyone with a semi-automatic firearm, not just criminals, but a ban will only take them out of the hands of the law-abiding. Criminals will continue to buy magazines from outside of the state–it’s not like Rhode Island is that hard to leave, after all–and it will put the bad guys at a distinct advantage.
As for firearms on school grounds, firearms were banned from campuses in Connecticut eight years ago. That didn’t stop a mad man from taking an AR-15 to Sandy Hook Elementary School, now did it?
Nor did it stop a maniac from taking one to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.
Nor did it stop another deranged gunman from taking two handguns to Virginia Tech.
In all these cases, guns were banned from school grounds, yet the deranged criminals brought them anyway. They ignored the law, which is unsurprising since they were already planning on ignoring the laws against murder. In the face of that kind of evil, what Diossa is suggesting is that we create more laws for these people to ignore and make it impossible for any law-abiding citizen to be prepared to meet such a threat.
What we don’t see here, but can reasonably assume, is that should such a situation take place in his realm, Diossa won’t look to the policies he supports and recognize the role they played in such a tragedy. Instead, he’ll lash out at gun rights activists, the firearm industry, the NRA, and everyone but the face staring back at him in the mirror.
So yeah, Diossa, like almost all anti-gunners, are ignorant. He’s the product of a biased media and Democratic Party politics. While the media may sing his praises, it’s clear that on guns, he doesn’t have a clue what he’s talking about.


bearingarms--2020-12-15--Canadian Media Touches On Why Lethal Force Exists

Canada may look and feel a bit like the United States in many ways , but it ’ s still a very different country .
Cultural similarities are generally only superficial , and that ’ s often where the similarities begin and end .
When it comes to things like gun rights , for example , we have different views .
I mean , we acknowledge that gun rights are a thing and they don ’ t .
Yet the Canadian media is currently doing something our media isn ’ t .
Our news is filled with stories and op-eds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , even when it ’ s clearly justified , as people who know nothing about the use of force demand that police use less-lethal options instead .
Meanwhile , the Canadian media is asking about what happens when those don ’ t work .
In the hands of police , stun guns like Tasers are designed to save lives , but when the weapons don ’ t incapacitate someone there can be fatal consequences — from officers using lethal force to a person continuing to harm themselves .
In New Brunswick and in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have died in recent years after the weapons didn ’ t immobilize them .
Nova Scotia RCMP say stun guns are effective 87 per cent of the time at making a person comply with police orders , including instances when the weapon is simply drawn and not fired .
Last year , its officers in the province drew their stun guns 59 times , firing them in 17 cases .
But the success rate isn ’ t high enough for Temitope Oriola , a criminology professor who studied stun guns at the University @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he doesn ’ t know of anyone tracking how often stun gun failures lead to police using deadly force .
“ Some fields can not afford any real margin of error , ” said Oriola .
“ Within a field such as policing you ’ ve got to get it right practically all of the time , and this is where those tensions arise .
This tool still needs further refinement.
” There are a number of reasons why a taser may not work , but when they don ’ t , bad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the reason for that is an officer who deploys a Taser can not also have a firearm at the ready .
Both require two hands to use as effectively as possible .
That means an officer who fires his Taser and it fails to stop the attack must then transition to his firearm in a stressful situation .
That might take too much time .
Even a quick transition may give an offender just enough time to move in such a way as to make it impossible for an officer to end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to take a hostage .
He may be able to do far worse .
Look , Tasers are great tools and there are a lot of times when officers should use them .
They ’ re an option , and a good one , but for those lashing out at police for using lethal force , they need to understand that they ’ re not an automatic stop .
Nothing is .
Even a firearm isn ’ t .
The difference , though , is that a Taser is a single shot .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ gun itself is a very expensive paperweight until it can be reloaded .
While it ’ s not quite as bad as a flintlock pistol from the days of yore , it ’ s bad enough .
With a firearm , though , you don ’ t have to worry if your first shot doesn ’ t end the threat because you can keep shooting until it does .
Even if all it does is convince the bad guy that he really doesn ’ t want to continue .
That ’ s still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lethal force , sure , but let ’ s stop pretending that a Taser is the answer to all the anti-lethal force prayers .
Lethal force exists because sometimes , there ’ s really no other option .

Canada may look and feel a bit like the United States in many ways, but it’s still a very different country. Cultural similarities are generally only superficial, and that’s often where the similarities begin and end. When it comes to things like gun rights, for example, we have different views. I mean, we acknowledge that gun rights are a thing and they don’t.
Yet the Canadian media is currently doing something our media isn’t.
Our news is filled with stories and op-eds criticizing the police for using lethal force, even when it’s clearly justified, as people who know nothing about the use of force demand that police use less-lethal options instead. Meanwhile, the Canadian media is asking about what happens when those don’t work.
In the hands of police, stun guns like Tasers are designed to save lives, but when the weapons don’t incapacitate someone there can be fatal consequences — from officers using lethal force to a person continuing to harm themselves. In New Brunswick and in Nova Scotia, at least two people have died in recent years after the weapons didn’t immobilize them. Nova Scotia RCMP say stun guns are effective 87 per cent of the time at making a person comply with police orders, including instances when the weapon is simply drawn and not fired. Last year, its officers in the province drew their stun guns 59 times, firing them in 17 cases. But the success rate isn’t high enough for Temitope Oriola, a criminology professor who studied stun guns at the University of Alberta in Edmonton. He said he doesn’t know of anyone tracking how often stun gun failures lead to police using deadly force. “Some fields cannot afford any real margin of error,” said Oriola. “Within a field such as policing you’ve got to get it right practically all of the time, and this is where those tensions arise. This tool still needs further refinement.”
There are a number of reasons why a taser may not work, but when they don’t, bad things can happen.
At least part of the reason for that is an officer who deploys a Taser cannot also have a firearm at the ready. Both require two hands to use as effectively as possible. That means an officer who fires his Taser and it fails to stop the attack must then transition to his firearm in a stressful situation.
That might take too much time.
Even a quick transition may give an offender just enough time to move in such a way as to make it impossible for an officer to end the threat. He may be able to take a hostage. He may be able to do far worse.
Look, Tasers are great tools and there are a lot of times when officers should use them. They’re an option, and a good one, but for those lashing out at police for using lethal force, they need to understand that they’re not an automatic stop. Nothing is. Even a firearm isn’t.
The difference, though, is that a Taser is a single shot. Once that’s done, the gun itself is a very expensive paperweight until it can be reloaded. While it’s not quite as bad as a flintlock pistol from the days of yore, it’s bad enough.
With a firearm, though, you don’t have to worry if your first shot doesn’t end the threat because you can keep shooting until it does. Even if all it does is convince the bad guy that he really doesn’t want to continue. That’s still a win.
Not every instance requires lethal force, sure, but let’s stop pretending that a Taser is the answer to all the anti-lethal force prayers.
Lethal force exists because sometimes, there’s really no other option.


bearingarms--2020-12-15--The Unanswered Questions In Casey Goodson's Killing

As the investigation into the police shooting death of 23-year old concealed carry holder Casey Goodson , Jr. continues , several basic questions and disputed events remain unanswered and unaddressed .
What happened in the minutes before Goodson was shot on a quiet residential street in Columbus , Ohio on December 4th ?
Did he have his gun out , as Franklin Deputy Jason Meade says , or was it holstered , as his family claims ?
Where in the torso was Goodson shot ?
Were Goodson ’ s keys in the door of the family ’ s home , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he exited his vehicle ?
The absence of facts isn ’ t preventing folks from reaching their own conclusions , of course .
Defenders of Deputy Meade say that the veteran law enforcement officer wouldn ’ t have mistaken a plastic bag full of sandwiches for a gun , while defenders of Goodson say the young man would never have recklessly waved or pointed a gun at anyone , much less a police officer .
On today ’ s Bearing Arms ’ Cam & Co. L.E.P.D .
Firearms , Range , and Training @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who ’ s also the host of the OnTarget radio show and podcast , joins me to talk about the Goodson case and how it ’ s impacted the Second Amendment community in the city .
Delbert , who ’ s active in law enforcement himself , calls the case a tragedy and says that he ’ s open to hearing the results of the investigation , which is currently being led by the Columbus PD with assistance from the Department of Justice ’ s Civil Rights division and the Cincinnati field @ @ @ @ @ @ @ m doing my best to keep an open mind as well , because we simply don ’ t know why Goodson was shot on December 4th .
We know that he wasn ’ t the subject of the federal task force serving warrants in the area .
We know that Deputy Meade and several other officers were in plainclothes when Goodson allegedly drove by them waving a gun .
We know that Goodson was heading home from a dentist ’ s appointment and had stopped off at a Subway to grab sandwiches for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We know that a neighbor says he heard a man shouting just before shots were fired , and when he looked out the window he saw three men , one holding a rifle , standing near the Goodson home .
We know that he couldn ’ t immediately identify them as police , and called 911 to report a shooting oblivious to the fact that the men were law enforcement .
We know that Goodson ’ s grandmother also called 911 , and reportedly told them that her grandson had just been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We know that the Franklin County coroner has said that Goodson died from multiple gunshot wounds to the torso , but hasn ’ t said where on the torso the entry wounds are located .
None of it makes sense .
Why would Goodson , by all accounts a responsible gun owner , flash a gun at police officers ?
Would Casey Goodson even have been aware that the men he drove by were police ?
Is it possible that Goodson himself saw several people with guns and pulled his own to warn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Why would Meade , by all accounts a responsible police officer , have shot a man steps from his own home without believing his life was in danger ?
Why did Deputy Meade decide to give chase while other officers chose not to do so ?
Is it possible that Meade saw a gun that wasn ’ t there , or one that was flashed in self-defense ?
I have no idea what the answer to any of these questions might be , and the most frustrating thing is that we may never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ given the lack of body camera or other video footage of the incident .
That doesn ’ t mean we won ’ t keep looking for answers , however , or stop covering this case .
Despite all of the unknowns , we do know that this tragedy deserves our attention , and for now , an open mind .

As the investigation into the police shooting death of 23-year old concealed carry holder Casey Goodson, Jr. continues, several basic questions and disputed events remain unanswered and unaddressed.
What happened in the minutes before Goodson was shot on a quiet residential street in Columbus, Ohio on December 4th? Did he have his gun out, as Franklin Deputy Jason Meade says, or was it holstered, as his family claims? Where in the torso was Goodson shot? Were Goodson’s keys in the door of the family’s home, or was Goodson shot and killed as he exited his vehicle?
The absence of facts isn’t preventing folks from reaching their own conclusions, of course. Defenders of Deputy Meade say that the veteran law enforcement officer wouldn’t have mistaken a plastic bag full of sandwiches for a gun, while defenders of Goodson say the young man would never have recklessly waved or pointed a gun at anyone, much less a police officer.
On today’s Bearing Arms’ Cam & Co. L.E.P.D. Firearms, Range, and Training Facility in Columbus executive officer Eric Delbert, who’s also the host of the OnTarget radio show and podcast, joins me to talk about the Goodson case and how it’s impacted the Second Amendment community in the city. Delbert, who’s active in law enforcement himself, calls the case a tragedy and says that he’s open to hearing the results of the investigation, which is currently being led by the Columbus PD with assistance from the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights division and the Cincinnati field office of the FBI.
I’m doing my best to keep an open mind as well, because we simply don’t know why Goodson was shot on December 4th. We know that he wasn’t the subject of the federal task force serving warrants in the area. We know that Deputy Meade and several other officers were in plainclothes when Goodson allegedly drove by them waving a gun. We know that Goodson was heading home from a dentist’s appointment and had stopped off at a Subway to grab sandwiches for himself and some of his family members.
We know that a neighbor says he heard a man shouting just before shots were fired, and when he looked out the window he saw three men, one holding a rifle, standing near the Goodson home. We know that he couldn’t immediately identify them as police, and called 911 to report a shooting oblivious to the fact that the men were law enforcement.
We know that Goodson’s grandmother also called 911, and reportedly told them that her grandson had just been shot three times in the back. We know that the Franklin County coroner has said that Goodson died from multiple gunshot wounds to the torso, but hasn’t said where on the torso the entry wounds are located.
None of it makes sense. Why would Goodson, by all accounts a responsible gun owner, flash a gun at police officers? Would Casey Goodson even have been aware that the men he drove by were police? Is it possible that Goodson himself saw several people with guns and pulled his own to warn them off has he drove away?
Why would Meade, by all accounts a responsible police officer, have shot a man steps from his own home without believing his life was in danger? Why did Deputy Meade decide to give chase while other officers chose not to do so? Is it possible that Meade saw a gun that wasn’t there, or one that was flashed in self-defense?
I have no idea what the answer to any of these questions might be, and the most frustrating thing is that we may never really get answers to our satisfaction, given the lack of body camera or other video footage of the incident. That doesn’t mean we won’t keep looking for answers, however, or stop covering this case. Despite all of the unknowns, we do know that this tragedy deserves our attention, and for now, an open mind.


bearingarms--2020-12-15--Come And Take It: Gun Range Defies COVID Shutdown Order

A northern Minnesota gun range is open for business , despite being warned by the state Attorney General that the range is violating Gov .
Tim Walz ’ s COVID-19 shutdown orders .
Dead on Arms actually did shut down briefly back in the spring under the governor ’ s original shutdown order , which specifically referenced indoor shooting ranges , but Chad Walsh , who owns the range outside of Duluth , says the governor ’ s latest emergency declaration shouldn ’ t apply to his training facility .
“ You need to figure out where you fit in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immediately .
That ’ s what we were told , ” said Walsh .
Walsh was sent a letter by the Minnesota Attorney General ’ s Office on December 4th .
The letter stated that he violated the state ’ s order , as his business classifies as a sports facility .
Walsh said his shooting range isn ’ t a sports facility , as shooting a gun can be deadly .
“ There is a side to the firearms industry which is sporting , that would be sporting clays .
We don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a place for people to come and get proficient with their firearm and train to learn how to use it , ” said Walsh .
After hearing from the AG ’ s office , Walsh contacted an attorney of his own and fired off a response to the state .
In the letter , Walsh ’ s states that the gun range takes the position that use of the range isn ’ t prohibited under Walz ’ s most recent executive order , but says that if the order is amended to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company will comply .
I ’ d encourage Walsh to reach out to Second Amendment organizations like the Firearms Policy Coalition , Second Amendment Foundation , NRA , and GOA if Walz does amend his executive order to encompass indoor gun ranges .
A federal judge in Massachusetts has already overturned the decision by Gov .
Charlie Baker to shut down gun stores in the state , and the Supreme Court has recently opined that our constitutional rights don ’ t disappear in an emergency .
Walsh has a pretty good argument that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ record numbers of new gun owners , his range is absolutely essential to providing the basic training that every gun owner should have as well as the training that ’ s necessary to obtain a license to carry in Minnesota .
It ’ s quite possible that Walz will modify the current shutdown order this week , and could specifically add indoor ranges to the list of businesses effected .
If Dead on Arms chooses to fight , they won ’ t be alone .
According to the Star-Tribune newspaper , more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ governor and his current shutdown order by re-opening tomorrow , with no plans to close again even if ordered to do so .
ReOpen Minnesota Coalition , which claims support from roughly 160 statewide businesses ranging from bars to fitness studios , plans to defy the governor by encouraging members to reopen Wednesday , the same day Walz is expected to extend or modify his executive order or let it expire .
Their livelihoods — and their constitutional rights — are at stake , said Lisa Monet Zarza , a coalition member who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The financial part of it sucks , ” Zarza said , adding that she ’ s furloughed 45 employees at Alibi and another bar she owns .
“ But it ’ s more than just that .
We donate catering , support youth sports , the police and the Rotary .
It ’ s hurting the fabric of the community.
” The first COVID-19 vaccines are already being administered in Minnesota , and new cases are actually on the decline along with hospitalizations and deaths .
It would be a huge mistake for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on businesses by keeping them completely closed , both from a practical and a political standpoint .
The civil disobedience on the part of small business owners will only grow in response to any heavy-handed attempts at enforcement , and the financial pain from the closures will linger long after the governor ’ s emergency order has expired .
We ’ ll see what happens later this week , but for now Dead on Arms remains open for business , with a concealed carry class scheduled to start at 9:30 Saturday morning .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ be open this weekend , no matter what Minnesota ’ s governor announces on Wednesday .

A northern Minnesota gun range is open for business, despite being warned by the state Attorney General that the range is violating Gov. Tim Walz’s COVID-19 shutdown orders. Dead on Arms actually did shut down briefly back in the spring under the governor’s original shutdown order, which specifically referenced indoor shooting ranges, but Chad Walsh, who owns the range outside of Duluth, says the governor’s latest emergency declaration shouldn’t apply to his training facility.
“You need to figure out where you fit in here. You need to close down immediately. That’s what we were told,” said Walsh. Walsh was sent a letter by the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office on December 4th. The letter stated that he violated the state’s order, as his business classifies as a sports facility. Walsh said his shooting range isn’t a sports facility, as shooting a gun can be deadly. “There is a side to the firearms industry which is sporting, that would be sporting clays. We don’t offer that here. This is a place for people to come and get proficient with their firearm and train to learn how to use it,” said Walsh.
After hearing from the AG’s office, Walsh contacted an attorney of his own and fired off a response to the state. In the letter, Walsh’s states that the gun range takes the position that use of the range isn’t prohibited under Walz’s most recent executive order, but says that if the order is amended to specifically shut down indoor ranges, the company will comply.
I’d encourage Walsh to reach out to Second Amendment organizations like the Firearms Policy Coalition, Second Amendment Foundation, NRA, and GOA if Walz does amend his executive order to encompass indoor gun ranges. A federal judge in Massachusetts has already overturned the decision by Gov. Charlie Baker to shut down gun stores in the state, and the Supreme Court has recently opined that our constitutional rights don’t disappear in an emergency.
Walsh has a pretty good argument that a time of both increased unrest and record numbers of new gun owners, his range is absolutely essential to providing the basic training that every gun owner should have as well as the training that’s necessary to obtain a license to carry in Minnesota.
It’s quite possible that Walz will modify the current shutdown order this week, and could specifically add indoor ranges to the list of businesses effected. If Dead on Arms chooses to fight, they won’t be alone. According to the Star-Tribune newspaper, more than 150 businesses are preparing to defy the governor and his current shutdown order by re-opening tomorrow, with no plans to close again even if ordered to do so.
ReOpen Minnesota Coalition, which claims support from roughly 160 statewide businesses ranging from bars to fitness studios, plans to defy the governor by encouraging members to reopen Wednesday, the same day Walz is expected to extend or modify his executive order or let it expire. Their livelihoods — and their constitutional rights — are at stake, said Lisa Monet Zarza, a coalition member who owns Alibi Drinkery in Lakeville. “The financial part of it sucks,” Zarza said, adding that she’s furloughed 45 employees at Alibi and another bar she owns. “But it’s more than just that. We donate catering, support youth sports, the police and the Rotary. It’s hurting the fabric of the community.”
The first COVID-19 vaccines are already being administered in Minnesota, and new cases are actually on the decline along with hospitalizations and deaths. It would be a huge mistake for Walz to try to further crack down on businesses by keeping them completely closed, both from a practical and a political standpoint. The civil disobedience on the part of small business owners will only grow in response to any heavy-handed attempts at enforcement, and the financial pain from the closures will linger long after the governor’s emergency order has expired.
We’ll see what happens later this week, but for now Dead on Arms remains open for business, with a concealed carry class scheduled to start at 9:30 Saturday morning. Here’s hoping the doors will be open this weekend, no matter what Minnesota’s governor announces on Wednesday.


bearingarms--2020-12-15--No Charges Filed Because Rioters Destroyed The Evidence

In the wake of the death of George Floyd , things got very ugly in Minneapolis .
We all watched as neighborhoods burned to the ground , all because some people were angry and didn ’ t want to try to express themselves in a more productive way .
During the course of the ensuing riots , a lot of things happened .
I doubt anyone knows all the stories , but at least one is public knowledge .
A Minneapolis pawnshop owner shot someone claiming self-defense .
Prosecutors opted to take a look at the claims .
Now that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not to press charges because the rioters destroyed all the evidence .
Hennepin County prosecutors said Monday that they would not bring criminal charges against a south Minneapolis pawnshop owner who fatally shot a man during the unrest that followed George Floyd ’ s death earlier this year , saying they lacked the evidence to rebut the owner ’ s self-defense claim .
County Attorney Mike Freeman said in a statement that the destruction of potential video evidence by looters and the refusal of key witnesses to testify precluded prosecutors from charging the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death of 43-year-old Calvin Horton .
“ Based upon the facts and available evidence , the state could not prove it was not self-defense and prosecutors are ethically prohibited from filing charges against someone knowing it would not be possible to prove it beyond a reasonable doubt , ” the statement read .
Prosecutors said they reached their decision following an “ exhaustive ” six-month police investigation .
While the Star Tribune generally does not identify people who haven ’ t been charged with a crime , it is doing so with Rieple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pawnshop is widely known and because he has been identified in other news accounts of Horton ’ s killing .
Rieple , who was arrested the same night and later released , has maintained that he fired at Horton in self-defense .
He has also refused to speak to investigators , prosecutors said .
Horton ’ s relatives have pushed back on the suggestion that the father of seven took part in the looting that followed Floyd ’ s death .
And , they argued that even if he had he didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Neither police nor prosecutors have publicly described Horton as a looter , though they ’ ve acknowledge that it was one of the theories they were investigating .
I ’ m sorry , the guy was knee-deep in the middle of a freaking riot .
You can claim he wasn ’ t looting all you want , and he might not have been .
However , that doesn ’ t mean he wasn ’ t engaged in activities that are arguably worse .
After all , the widespread arson during that time could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life was threatened .
Considering what happened to the evidence that might have said what happened one way or another , that ’ s a plausible explanation .
Then again , what ’ s rare is a family that mourns the loss of their loved ones while not trying to tell the world that they were good people who simply couldn ’ t have threatened someone ’ s life .
In this case , we don ’ t know for sure if they ’ re wrong or not .
The rioters in Minneapolis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t they ?
Honestly , the prosecutors made the right call , no matter what actually happened .
Rieple may have gotten away with something or he may have acted in self-defense , but without evidence one way or another , what can they do .
Since Horton was involved with the “ unrest ” taking place , it was his compatriots who made any prosecution impossible .
I hope his family takes it up with them .

In the wake of the death of George Floyd, things got very ugly in Minneapolis. We all watched as neighborhoods burned to the ground, all because some people were angry and didn’t want to try to express themselves in a more productive way.
During the course of the ensuing riots, a lot of things happened. I doubt anyone knows all the stories, but at least one is public knowledge. A Minneapolis pawnshop owner shot someone claiming self-defense.
Prosecutors opted to take a look at the claims. Now that they have, they’ve decided not to press charges because the rioters destroyed all the evidence.
Hennepin County prosecutors said Monday that they would not bring criminal charges against a south Minneapolis pawnshop owner who fatally shot a man during the unrest that followed George Floyd’s death earlier this year, saying they lacked the evidence to rebut the owner’s self-defense claim. County Attorney Mike Freeman said in a statement that the destruction of potential video evidence by looters and the refusal of key witnesses to testify precluded prosecutors from charging the owner, John Rieple, in the death of 43-year-old Calvin Horton. “Based upon the facts and available evidence, the state could not prove it was not self-defense and prosecutors are ethically prohibited from filing charges against someone knowing it would not be possible to prove it beyond a reasonable doubt,” the statement read. Prosecutors said they reached their decision following an “exhaustive” six-month police investigation. While the Star Tribune generally does not identify people who haven’t been charged with a crime, it is doing so with Rieple because his identity as the owner of the pawnshop is widely known and because he has been identified in other news accounts of Horton’s killing. Rieple, who was arrested the same night and later released, has maintained that he fired at Horton in self-defense. He has also refused to speak to investigators, prosecutors said. Horton’s relatives have pushed back on the suggestion that the father of seven took part in the looting that followed Floyd’s death. And, they argued that even if he had he didn’t deserve to be killed. Neither police nor prosecutors have publicly described Horton as a looter, though they’ve acknowledge that it was one of the theories they were investigating.
I’m sorry, the guy was knee-deep in the middle of a freaking riot. You can claim he wasn’t looting all you want, and he might not have been. However, that doesn’t mean he wasn’t engaged in activities that are arguably worse. After all, the widespread arson during that time could certainly necessitate someone feeling as if their life was threatened.
Considering what happened to the evidence that might have said what happened one way or another, that’s a plausible explanation.
Then again, what’s rare is a family that mourns the loss of their loved ones while not trying to tell the world that they were good people who simply couldn’t have threatened someone’s life.
In this case, we don’t know for sure if they’re wrong or not. The rioters in Minneapolis made sure of that, didn’t they?
Honestly, the prosecutors made the right call, no matter what actually happened. Rieple may have gotten away with something or he may have acted in self-defense, but without evidence one way or another, what can they do.
Since Horton was involved with the “unrest” taking place, it was his compatriots who made any prosecution impossible. I hope his family takes it up with them.


bearingarms--2020-12-15--Hunting Is Booming During COVID Shutdowns

Hundreds of thousands more Americans are taking to the field and the tree stand this fall as hunting license sales have increased by more than 10 % across the country .
According to the National Shooting Sports Foundation , that could translate to as many as one million new hunters this year , as COVID-19 restrictions have inspired many to get out of the house and into the great outdoors .
Economic uncertainty and food insecurity may also be driving some of the increase in the number of hunters , though a recent story from the Wall St. Journal puts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by highlighting some new hunters who have embraced their newfound hobby out of curiosity rather than need .
Jonathon Nguyen of Victoria , Texas , grew up a city kid who became interested as an adult in firearms for personal safety .
Friends had talked about hunting , so he signed up for a mentored hunt workshop with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department .
The program teaches the basics to adults who didn ’ t grow up in the sport , and this year brought more than twice as many applicants as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which include a guided hunt .
After a day of safety instruction and equipment-testing at a rifle range , Nguyen and the rest of his group headed out Wednesday morning to a state park outside Austin .
“ Whenever the sun comes out and you put your phone down and you look around , you get to see how everything works and how the birds talk to each other , ” said Nguyen , a 26-year-old electrician .
His awe gave way to adrenaline when a plump doe appeared and Nguyen ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was shaking a little bit , so I calmed down and took the shot , ” he said .
He dropped the deer with one shot .
Nguyen emerged from the morning with 30 pounds of meat that he and his wife plan to grind it into patties and sausage–and a new love of hunting .
Mentor programs like the one mentioned above are absolutely crucial to bringing interested adults into the hunting fold .
If you don ’ t know a hunter , or you didn ’ t grow up in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to begin hunting all by yourself .
Sure , there ’ s always the possibility that you might meet a mentor at your hunter safety course , church , or the local gun shop , but established programs like the one run by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department help to ensure that those who are interested get the help that they need .
Of course , given the fact that the program only had room for about half of those who applied , there ’ s clearly much more that we can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the COVID-19 shutdowns could make it tough for state wildlife agencies to expand or even maintain their mentoring programs next year .
That economic damage is also showing up in food pantries around the country .
Normally , many food banks receive an influx of quality venison this time of year as hunters donate millions of pounds of fresh meat through programs like Farmes and Hunters Feeding the Hungry .
This year , however , FHFH executive director Josh Wilson says that donations are down , even as the number of deer harvested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in years .
“ I ’ ve heard from a few butchers that hunters are keeping a few more deer for themselves , ” said Wilson .
So far , donations are down by 15 to 20 percent , but he cautioned that could change as the season continues .
“ It ’ s subsistence , ” he said .
“ People know that times are tighter , or they ’ re concerned times may get tight before it gets better .
Over the winter , they want to have more meat for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s for a family member or friend who ’ s in worse shape than they are , and don ’ t get it processed through the program.
” While it ’ s great to see more Americans embracing their hunting heritage , the fact remains that for some of us , it ’ s about putting food on the table rather than spending time in the great outdoors .
You can learn more about Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry here , and you can also check with your state wildlife department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where you can donate your harvest to those in need .

Hundreds of thousands more Americans are taking to the field and the tree stand this fall as hunting license sales have increased by more than 10% across the country. According to the National Shooting Sports Foundation, that could translate to as many as one million new hunters this year, as COVID-19 restrictions have inspired many to get out of the house and into the great outdoors.
Economic uncertainty and food insecurity may also be driving some of the increase in the number of hunters, though a recent story from the Wall St. Journal puts a more positive spin on the issue by highlighting some new hunters who have embraced their newfound hobby out of curiosity rather than need.
Jonathon Nguyen of Victoria, Texas, grew up a city kid who became interested as an adult in firearms for personal safety. Friends had talked about hunting, so he signed up for a mentored hunt workshop with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The program teaches the basics to adults who didn’t grow up in the sport, and this year brought more than twice as many applicants as there were slots for the workshops, which include a guided hunt. After a day of safety instruction and equipment-testing at a rifle range, Nguyen and the rest of his group headed out Wednesday morning to a state park outside Austin. “Whenever the sun comes out and you put your phone down and you look around, you get to see how everything works and how the birds talk to each other,” said Nguyen, a 26-year-old electrician. His awe gave way to adrenaline when a plump doe appeared and Nguyen’s mentor gave the go-ahead. “I was shaking a little bit, so I calmed down and took the shot,” he said. He dropped the deer with one shot. Nguyen emerged from the morning with 30 pounds of meat that he and his wife plan to grind it into patties and sausage–and a new love of hunting.
Mentor programs like the one mentioned above are absolutely crucial to bringing interested adults into the hunting fold. If you don’t know a hunter, or you didn’t grow up in a hunting family, it can be daunting to begin hunting all by yourself. Sure, there’s always the possibility that you might meet a mentor at your hunter safety course, church, or the local gun shop, but established programs like the one run by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department help to ensure that those who are interested get the help that they need.
Of course, given the fact that the program only had room for about half of those who applied, there’s clearly much more that we can do, and economic damage caused by the COVID-19 shutdowns could make it tough for state wildlife agencies to expand or even maintain their mentoring programs next year.
That economic damage is also showing up in food pantries around the country. Normally, many food banks receive an influx of quality venison this time of year as hunters donate millions of pounds of fresh meat through programs like Farmes and Hunters Feeding the Hungry. This year, however, FHFH executive director Josh Wilson says that donations are down, even as the number of deer harvested is the highest it’s been in years.
“I’ve heard from a few butchers that hunters are keeping a few more deer for themselves,” said Wilson. So far, donations are down by 15 to 20 percent, but he cautioned that could change as the season continues. “It’s subsistence,” he said. “People know that times are tighter, or they’re concerned times may get tight before it gets better. Over the winter, they want to have more meat for themselves in the freezer. Or it’s for a family member or friend who’s in worse shape than they are, and don’t get it processed through the program.”
While it’s great to see more Americans embracing their hunting heritage, the fact remains that for some of us, it’s about putting food on the table rather than spending time in the great outdoors. You can learn more about Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry here, and you can also check with your state wildlife department to see about any other programs available where you can donate your harvest to those in need.


bearingarms--2020-12-15--Mall Santa Nixed Kid's Nerf Gun, But The NRA Delivered

All over the nation , children are telling Santa what they want for Christmas .
Some are writing letters or sending emails .
Most , however , are visiting the malls to see Santa , same as many of us did as children .
Remember the wonder of sitting in Santa ’ s lap , telling him what you wanted for Christmas , positive that you were talking to The Big Guy ( and I ’ m not talking about Joe Biden here ) and that your Christmas wish would come true .
That ’ s what young Michael DeCarlo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to take a great big dump on his wishes .
Well , what the mall Santa denied the young boy , someone else has delivered .
It seems the NRA has an interest in all types of guns these days .
A mall Santa refused Michael DeCarlo ’ s request for a Nerf gun for Christmas , so now the National Rifle Association is stepping in to help the 4-year-old expand his toy arsenal .
The gun rights group released a video of Santa delivering a sack of the popular toys to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of their “ mission to make Michael ’ s Christmas the best ever.
” “ Mean Santa won ’ t be happy I have this , ” DeCarlo says in the clip before emerging victorious in a Nerf battle with this more generous – and sunglasses-wearing – version of St. Nick .
Mall Santa didn ’ t want to give Michael a Nerf gun for Christmas and made him cry .
The @ NRA made it our mission to fix this and make Michael ’ s Christmas the best EVER .
pic.twitter.com/wpGAzcpqAs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nerf brand , also said it sent DeCarlo “ a care package of our latest Nerf blasters just in time for the holidays.
” “ I am so grateful for all of the people who reached out and sent Nerf guns to Michael .
Americans of all backgrounds came together and rallied for my son , ” the boy ’ s mother , Sabella , later says in the NRA ’ s video , which doubles as an advertisement for the organization .
“ We have received hundreds of Nerf guns and Michael @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patriots in need.
” This is what makes Christmas so wonderful , in my opinion .
It brings people together , even as some people like the “ mean Santa ” try to tear us apart .
I mean , it ’ s a toy .
It ’ s not a mall Santa ’ s job to tell a kid that he can ’ t bring anything , especially considering the insane things kids often ask for .
Does this Santa say no to requests for ponies ?
Probably not , so why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gun ?
The NRA stepped up , as did a lot of other people , for one simple reason : Because this anti-gun insanity has got to stop .
Toy guns aren ’ t real guns .
Let ’ s stop pretending that they are , or that they lead children to become violent or anything of the sort .
They don ’ t .
Honestly , some people need to get the hell over themselves and recognize that a kid wants a toy and there ’ s absolutely nothing wrong with that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them be kids , for crying out loud .
Good on the NRA for stepping up .
I don ’ t care if they used the video as a commercial .
Considering the scrutiny they ’ re under right now , they probably had to in order to justify the expenditure .
Regardless , it was the right move for them and for Hasbro .

All over the nation, children are telling Santa what they want for Christmas. Some are writing letters or sending emails. Most, however, are visiting the malls to see Santa, same as many of us did as children. Remember the wonder of sitting in Santa’s lap, telling him what you wanted for Christmas, positive that you were talking to The Big Guy (and I’m not talking about Joe Biden here) and that your Christmas wish would come true.
That’s what young Michael DeCarlo did, only for the mall Santa to take a great big dump on his wishes.
Well, what the mall Santa denied the young boy, someone else has delivered. It seems the NRA has an interest in all types of guns these days.
A mall Santa refused Michael DeCarlo’s request for a Nerf gun for Christmas, so now the National Rifle Association is stepping in to help the 4-year-old expand his toy arsenal. The gun rights group released a video of Santa delivering a sack of the popular toys to the child’s home in Illinois as part of their “mission to make Michael’s Christmas the best ever.” “Mean Santa won’t be happy I have this,” DeCarlo says in the clip before emerging victorious in a Nerf battle with this more generous – and sunglasses-wearing – version of St. Nick. Mall Santa didn’t want to give Michael a Nerf gun for Christmas and made him cry. The @NRA made it our mission to fix this and make Michael’s Christmas the best EVER. pic.twitter.com/wpGAzcpqAs — NRA (@NRA) December 14, 2020 … Hasbro, the company that owns the Nerf brand, also said it sent DeCarlo “a care package of our latest Nerf blasters just in time for the holidays.” “I am so grateful for all of the people who reached out and sent Nerf guns to Michael. Americans of all backgrounds came together and rallied for my son,” the boy’s mother, Sabella, later says in the NRA’s video, which doubles as an advertisement for the organization. “We have received hundreds of Nerf guns and Michael will be distributing those to other little patriots in need.”
This is what makes Christmas so wonderful, in my opinion. It brings people together, even as some people like the “mean Santa” try to tear us apart.
I mean, it’s a toy. It’s not a mall Santa’s job to tell a kid that he can’t bring anything, especially considering the insane things kids often ask for. Does this Santa say no to requests for ponies? Probably not, so why tell a kid no on a Nerf gun?
The NRA stepped up, as did a lot of other people, for one simple reason: Because this anti-gun insanity has got to stop.
Toy guns aren’t real guns. Let’s stop pretending that they are, or that they lead children to become violent or anything of the sort. They don’t. Honestly, some people need to get the hell over themselves and recognize that a kid wants a toy and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. Let them have fun. Let them be kids, for crying out loud.
Good on the NRA for stepping up. I don’t care if they used the video as a commercial. Considering the scrutiny they’re under right now, they probably had to in order to justify the expenditure.
Regardless, it was the right move for them and for Hasbro.