bearingarms--2020-03-18--Baltimore Mayor: Stop Shooting, We Need The Hospital Beds

Can Baltimore ’ s drug and gang violence be put on hold for a few months while the city copes with the expected influx of coronavirus cases ?
That ’ s what Mayor Jack Young pleaded for on Tuesday during a press conference announcing five cases of COVID-19 in the city .
Young warned that cases are expected to rise , given the fact that all five cases are believed to have taken place through community transmission , and urged the city ’ s criminals to stop shooting each other .
Young said hospital beds are needed to treat positive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Seven people were shot Tuesday night in the Madison Park neighborhood , as Baltimore reported its fifth positive coronavirus case Wednesday .
“ I want to reiterate how completely unacceptable the level of violence is that we have seen recently , ” Young said .
“ We will not stand for mass shootings and an increase in crime.
” “ For those of you who want to continue to shoot and kill people of this city , we ’ re not going to tolerate it , ” Young implored .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and we ’ re going to get you.
” He urged people to put down their guns because “ we can not clog up our hospitals and their beds with people that are being shot senselessly because we ’ re going to need those beds for people infected with the coronavirus .
And it could be your mother , your grandmother or one of your relatives .
So take that into consideration.
” The fact that the mayor is appealing to the altruism of gang members and drug dealers may give you a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the healthcare system ’ s ability to withstand the number of patients in a worst-case scenario ( and perhaps even a best-case scenario as well ) .
These are the same people who are destroying lives and communities every day in Baltimore , but the mayor expects that they ’ re going to stop shooting each other for the common good ?
To be fair , the mayor did say that if criminals don ’ t stop shooting , there will be a law enforcement response .
I think I would have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that law enforcement response will look like , including reminding criminals that if they are caught , they ’ ll likely be spending some time in a jail facility where the coronavirus is spread more easily .
It ’ s not just grandma they should be worried about , it ’ s themselves .
Of course many of these guys feel young and invincible .
Others may feel like it doesn ’ t matter if they or loved ones catch the coronavirus , because they ’ ve already lost loved ones to Baltimore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the future .
There are all kinds of reasons why some Americans aren ’ t adjusting their behavior despite the guidance from the CDC and public officials from the president on down .
I ’ d love to believe that the mayor ’ s statements will have an impact , but if the message is truly going to sink in , it probably needs to come from the “ violence interrupters ” that are already engaging with this population in several high-crime neighborhoods .
Use them to get the word out about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ away from one another just as they ’ re being used now to try to convince the city ’ s gang population to quit shooting at each other .
Honestly , even then I wouldn ’ t expect miraculous results , but it ’ s worth a try .
At the moment Baltimore has a chance to keep the spread of the disease at least somewhat in check and the hospital system from being overwhelmed .
I just wouldn ’ t expect a lot of help from the city ’ s violent criminals @

Can Baltimore’s drug and gang violence be put on hold for a few months while the city copes with the expected influx of coronavirus cases? That’s what Mayor Jack Young pleaded for on Tuesday during a press conference announcing five cases of COVID-19 in the city.
Young warned that cases are expected to rise, given the fact that all five cases are believed to have taken place through community transmission, and urged the city’s criminals to stop shooting each other.
Young said hospital beds are needed to treat positive COVID-19 patients and not for senseless violence. Seven people were shot Tuesday night in the Madison Park neighborhood, as Baltimore reported its fifth positive coronavirus case Wednesday. “I want to reiterate how completely unacceptable the level of violence is that we have seen recently,” Young said. “We will not stand for mass shootings and an increase in crime.” “For those of you who want to continue to shoot and kill people of this city, we’re not going to tolerate it,” Young implored. “We’re going to come after you and we’re going to get you.” He urged people to put down their guns because “we cannot clog up our hospitals and their beds with people that are being shot senselessly because we’re going to need those beds for people infected with the coronavirus. And it could be your mother, your grandmother or one of your relatives. So take that into consideration.”
The fact that the mayor is appealing to the altruism of gang members and drug dealers may give you a sense of how concerned city officials are about the healthcare system’s ability to withstand the number of patients in a worst-case scenario (and perhaps even a best-case scenario as well). These are the same people who are destroying lives and communities every day in Baltimore, but the mayor expects that they’re going to stop shooting each other for the common good?
To be fair, the mayor did say that if criminals don’t stop shooting, there will be a law enforcement response. I think I would have spent a little more time on what that law enforcement response will look like, including reminding criminals that if they are caught, they’ll likely be spending some time in a jail facility where the coronavirus is spread more easily. It’s not just grandma they should be worried about, it’s themselves.
Of course many of these guys feel young and invincible. Others may feel like it doesn’t matter if they or loved ones catch the coronavirus, because they’ve already lost loved ones to Baltimore’s violence and have become fatalistic about the future. There are all kinds of reasons why some Americans aren’t adjusting their behavior despite the guidance from the CDC and public officials from the president on down.
I’d love to believe that the mayor’s statements will have an impact, but if the message is truly going to sink in, it probably needs to come from the “violence interrupters” that are already engaging with this population in several high-crime neighborhoods. Use them to get the word out about the need to stay indoors and keep away from one another just as they’re being used now to try to convince the city’s gang population to quit shooting at each other.
Honestly, even then I wouldn’t expect miraculous results, but it’s worth a try. At the moment Baltimore has a chance to keep the spread of the disease at least somewhat in check and the hospital system from being overwhelmed. I just wouldn’t expect a lot of help from the city’s violent criminals.


bearingarms--2020-03-18--Philly Officials Worry Over Non-Problem Of Ghost Guns

Philadelphia has always been known as something of a rough city .
Then again , these are the same people who famously booed Santa Claus at an Eagles game , so calling them “ rough ” might be a bit of an understatement .
It ’ s unsurprising that city officials are trying to figure out how to deal with violence in their city .
However , it seems that officials are somewhat worried about so-called “ ghost guns ” without nearly that much of a reason .
Wow .
A whole 10 times in a city of nearly 1.6 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noted in a post yesterday , Philly has bigger problems .
In particular : Ghost guns seem like the least of their problems .
Especially since it looks like something of a non-issue .
After all , a whole 10 “ ghost guns ” in the first two and a half months may sound like a lot until you consider just how many other firearms were likely seized during this same time period .
We ’ re talking orders of magnitude of a difference .
Ghost guns don ’ t represent any real @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This is why most media outlets only make vague references to the supposedly growing threat posed by these weapons without giving us hard numbers to evaluate for ourselves .
As it stands , we can see the size of the threat facing Philadelphia and it ’ s less than the threat COVID-19 is to my own hometown .
Honestly , 10 guns ?
Now , I ’ ll grant that it ’ s a short time span we ’ re looking at here , but this is Philadelphia .
This is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sixth-largest in the nation by population .
I ’ m sorry , but if this is how “ bad ” the problem is there , I just can ’ t find myself becoming particularly alarmed .
Again , this is likely why so many reports lack hard numbers .
We ’ ll be able to see that the risk isn ’ t there , that this move to erode our constitutionally-protected rights is motivated not by a real problem , but by the fear of anti-gun politicians and officials that if they don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might actually be able to have guns without their permission .
That ’ s what all this is really about .
Homebuilt firearms scare lawmakers not because the wrong people might get them–they ’ re able to get manufactured weapons easily enough , after all–but because it makes it impossible for them to require their permission before someone arms themselves .
It ’ s why cities are also trying to clamp down on gun sales during a pandemic .
It ’ s not about the guns , but their desire to control everything @

Philadelphia has always been known as something of a rough city. Then again, these are the same people who famously booed Santa Claus at an Eagles game, so calling them “rough” might be a bit of an understatement.
It’s unsurprising that city officials are trying to figure out how to deal with violence in their city.
However, it seems that officials are somewhat worried about so-called “ghost guns” without nearly that much of a reason.
The weapon of choice for a growing number of criminals has no serial number, can’t be traced to a manufacturer, and doesn’t require a background check for purchase. It is sold at gun shows and over the internet — not as a functioning gun, but in a kit of disassembled parts. Buyers use their own tools, including electric drills and sandpaper, to build a handgun or assault rifle. It’s called a ghost gun, and such weapons have been seized by Philadelphia police 10 times this year already.
Wow. A whole 10 times in a city of nearly 1.6 million people.
Clearly, it’s an epidemic!
Meanwhile, as Cam noted in a post yesterday, Philly has bigger problems. In particular:
Due to the coronavirus crisis, Philadelphia police will no longer be making arrests for all narcotics offenses, theft from persons, retail theft, theft from auto, burglary, vandalism, bench warrants, stolen autos, economic crimes such as passing bad checks, fraud, & prostitution. pic.twitter.com/R2OZSPMKHO — Rob O’Donnell (@odonnell_r) March 17, 2020
Ghost guns seem like the least of their problems. Especially since it looks like something of a non-issue.
After all, a whole 10 “ghost guns” in the first two and a half months may sound like a lot until you consider just how many other firearms were likely seized during this same time period. We’re talking orders of magnitude of a difference. Ghost guns don’t represent any real significant threat to the people of Philadelphia.
This is why most media outlets only make vague references to the supposedly growing threat posed by these weapons without giving us hard numbers to evaluate for ourselves. As it stands, we can see the size of the threat facing Philadelphia and it’s less than the threat COVID-19 is to my own hometown.
Honestly, 10 guns? Now, I’ll grant that it’s a short time span we’re looking at here, but this is Philadelphia. This is a major American city that’s the sixth-largest in the nation by population. I’m sorry, but if this is how “bad” the problem is there, I just can’t find myself becoming particularly alarmed.
Again, this is likely why so many reports lack hard numbers. We’ll be able to see that the risk isn’t there, that this move to erode our constitutionally-protected rights is motivated not by a real problem, but by the fear of anti-gun politicians and officials that if they don’t restrict those rights, we might actually be able to have guns without their permission.
That’s what all this is really about. Homebuilt firearms scare lawmakers not because the wrong people might get them–they’re able to get manufactured weapons easily enough, after all–but because it makes it impossible for them to require their permission before someone arms themselves.
It’s why cities are also trying to clamp down on gun sales during a pandemic. It’s not about the guns, but their desire to control everything.


bearingarms--2020-03-18--Policing In A Pandemic- How Are Cities Responding?

Two days ago , President Trump instituted new guidelines for the next 15 days in an attempt to flatten the curve of the infection rate of the COVID-19 virus .
Since then we ’ ve seen a number of law enforcement agencies around the country announce changes to operations in an attempt to prepare for the spread of the coronavirus that originated in Wuhan , China in late 2019 .
Officers in Philadelphia won ’ t be making arrests for a number of non-violent offenses , while some sheriffs are starting to release non-violent offenders from jails .
The Virginia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some nonviolent inmates from the jail in response to the coronavirus pandemic .
The VBSO has identified 60 inmates in the Virginia Beach Correctional Center who qualify for their Electronic Home Incarceration program .
The program uses GPS-monitored ankle bracelets to allow the VBSO to monitor the location of participating inmates .
The program is available to inmates who have 90 days or less of their sentence to serve , are charged with nonviolent , misdemeanor offenses , and have a safe place to go , according to the VBSO .
People who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the criteria may be eligible for the program , along with some nonviolent felony offenders .
Those will be decided on a case-by-case basis , according to the VBSO .
Former NYPD police officer Rob O ’ Donnell joins me on today ’ s Cam & Co. to talk about some of these dramatic policy changes and what it could mean for public order on the streets , particularly in large cities .
O ’ Donnell would prefer to see steps taken inside of jails to limit the spread of the virus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their cells , restricting communal outdoor time , and other steps to socially distance the inmates from one another and the corrections staff .
We also discuss other steps that departments around the country are taking to ensure that there ’ s no shortage of front-line officers , and O ’ Donnell says it ’ s a mixed bag .
He ’ s particularly critical of the response in New York City , where officers have been told that even limited direct contact with an individual confirmed to have COVID-19 is okay , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the incubation period .
O ’ Donnell says there ’ s a severe shortage of personal protection equipment like N95 masks for officers as well , and he ’ s deeply concerned about the effects that these policies will have on the health of the rank-and-file officers in New York City .
Be sure to check out the entire conversation above , and stick around for today ’ s armed citizen story , our recidivist report , and a pretty special Good Deed of the Day as well .
Thanks as always @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the word !

Two days ago, President Trump instituted new guidelines for the next 15 days in an attempt to flatten the curve of the infection rate of the COVID-19 virus. Since then we’ve seen a number of law enforcement agencies around the country announce changes to operations in an attempt to prepare for the spread of the coronavirus that originated in Wuhan, China in late 2019. Officers in Philadelphia won’t be making arrests for a number of non-violent offenses, while some sheriffs are starting to release non-violent offenders from jails.
The Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office is releasing some nonviolent inmates from the jail in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The VBSO has identified 60 inmates in the Virginia Beach Correctional Center who qualify for their Electronic Home Incarceration program. The program uses GPS-monitored ankle bracelets to allow the VBSO to monitor the location of participating inmates. The program is available to inmates who have 90 days or less of their sentence to serve, are charged with nonviolent, misdemeanor offenses, and have a safe place to go, according to the VBSO. People who have just been arrested but also fit the criteria may be eligible for the program, along with some nonviolent felony offenders. Those will be decided on a case-by-case basis, according to the VBSO.
Former NYPD police officer Rob O’Donnell joins me on today’s Cam & Co. to talk about some of these dramatic policy changes and what it could mean for public order on the streets, particularly in large cities.
O’Donnell would prefer to see steps taken inside of jails to limit the spread of the virus, such as serving meals to inmate in their cells, restricting communal outdoor time, and other steps to socially distance the inmates from one another and the corrections staff.
We also discuss other steps that departments around the country are taking to ensure that there’s no shortage of front-line officers, and O’Donnell says it’s a mixed bag. He’s particularly critical of the response in New York City, where officers have been told that even limited direct contact with an individual confirmed to have COVID-19 is okay, and there is no need to self-quarantine during the incubation period. O’Donnell says there’s a severe shortage of personal protection equipment like N95 masks for officers as well, and he’s deeply concerned about the effects that these policies will have on the health of the rank-and-file officers in New York City.
Be sure to check out the entire conversation above, and stick around for today’s armed citizen story, our recidivist report, and a pretty special Good Deed of the Day as well. Thanks as always for watching, listening, and spreading the word!


bearingarms--2020-03-18--Ohio Sheriff Restarts Concealed Carry Licensing

A bit of good news and perhaps a sign of things to come from Stark County , Ohio , where Sheriff George T. Maier is resuming processing concealed carry applications after briefly closing the office over coronavirus concerns .
Many sheriffs ’ offices and city offices have suspended processing everything from concealed carry applications to wedding licenses in order to hopefully mitigate the spread of the coronavirus , but Sheriff Maier is the first I ’ ve seen to decide to modify the licensing procedure in order to ensure that residents can continue to exercise their Second Amendment rights at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and worried about their personal safety .
Here ’ s what the sheriff is telling his constituents : Sheriff Maier advised in an effort to ensure that we meet the needs of our community , we will be scheduling appointments for the issuance of a concealed handgun permit or renewal effective Thursday , March 19 , 2020 .
Appointments will be scheduled on Tuesdays and Thursdays of each week between 7AM and 3PM .
To schedule an appointment please call 330-451-1383 .
Applicants will be asked to remain in their car in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ensure proper social distancing , and to allow time to sanitize the office between appointments .
Stark County isn ’ t exactly rural .
The county seat is Canton , and there are nearly 400,000 residents .
I don ’ t know if the sheriff is going to be able to meet demand with these new safety precautions , but it ’ s definitely an improvement over simply putting any concealed carry applications on hold .
I think this system would work even better in rural areas of the country , and could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ growing demand for concealed carry licenses .
The biggest issue would likely be finding an instructor offering concealed carry training at the moment .
Trainers that offer private classes and have access to their own range are likely getting swamped with calls at the moment .
In fact , I spoke with Rick Ector , who runs Rick ’ s Firearm Academy of Detroit , earlier today and he says his phone is ringing off the hook .
Many of the calls he ’ s getting right now are from first time gun @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gun for the first time in their lives .
Ector recommends that gun owners who are relatively inexperienced reach out to a local firearms instructor for a one-on-one consultation rather than simply assume they know how to safely and responsibly handle their new firearm .
I ’ m going to have a separate post on how to help new gun owners get some training and basic knowledge , but in order to get a concealed carry license we ’ re going to need issuing authorities to accept applications , even on a limited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s office has suspended processing applications , it might not be a bad idea to reach out via email or the non-emergency number to suggest moving to the system set up by the sheriff in Stark County .
It ’ s not a perfect solution , but those seem to be in short supply these days , and it at least allows for the continuation of services , instead of the deprivation of rights .

A bit of good news and perhaps a sign of things to come from Stark County, Ohio, where Sheriff George T. Maier is resuming processing concealed carry applications after briefly closing the office over coronavirus concerns.
Many sheriffs’ offices and city offices have suspended processing everything from concealed carry applications to wedding licenses in order to hopefully mitigate the spread of the coronavirus, but Sheriff Maier is the first I’ve seen to decide to modify the licensing procedure in order to ensure that residents can continue to exercise their Second Amendment rights at a time when many are feeling concerned and worried about their personal safety. Here’s what the sheriff is telling his constituents:
Sheriff Maier advised in an effort to ensure that we meet the needs of our community, we will be scheduling appointments for the issuance of a concealed handgun permit or renewal effective Thursday, March 19, 2020. Appointments will be scheduled on Tuesdays and Thursdays of each week between 7AM and 3PM. To schedule an appointment please call 330-451-1383. Applicants will be asked to remain in their car in the parking lot until their appointment time to ensure proper social distancing, and to allow time to sanitize the office between appointments.
Stark County isn’t exactly rural. The county seat is Canton, and there are nearly 400,000 residents. I don’t know if the sheriff is going to be able to meet demand with these new safety precautions, but it’s definitely an improvement over simply putting any concealed carry applications on hold.
I think this system would work even better in rural areas of the country, and could allow sheriffs to keep up with the growing demand for concealed carry licenses. The biggest issue would likely be finding an instructor offering concealed carry training at the moment. Trainers that offer private classes and have access to their own range are likely getting swamped with calls at the moment.
In fact, I spoke with Rick Ector, who runs Rick’s Firearm Academy of Detroit, earlier today and he says his phone is ringing off the hook. Many of the calls he’s getting right now are from first time gun owners, who may be holding a gun for the first time in their lives. Ector recommends that gun owners who are relatively inexperienced reach out to a local firearms instructor for a one-on-one consultation rather than simply assume they know how to safely and responsibly handle their new firearm.
I’m going to have a separate post on how to help new gun owners get some training and basic knowledge, but in order to get a concealed carry license we’re going to need issuing authorities to accept applications, even on a limited basis. If your local sheriff’s office has suspended processing applications, it might not be a bad idea to reach out via email or the non-emergency number to suggest moving to the system set up by the sheriff in Stark County. It’s not a perfect solution, but those seem to be in short supply these days, and it at least allows for the continuation of services, instead of the deprivation of rights.


bearingarms--2020-03-18--Mandatory Storage Bill Might Increase Crime And Do Little Else

So-called “ safe storage bills ” are really nothing of the kind .
I ’ ve argued that they actually reduce safety because they require people to lock up the weapons they need to defend their homes .
They make people less safe because if they need a gun in an instant , it ’ s not instantly available .
This is a bad scenario , but not an unlikely one .
However , those measures may not have the impact many think they will .
A 2000 paper in Yale University ’ s Journal of Law and Economics by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ examined the effects of safe storage laws on accidental deaths and injuries and on crime rates .
Analysis of available data led Lott and Whitley to the conclusion there is “ little systematic impact of safe-storage laws on accidental deaths.
” “ While there is some weak evidence that safe-storage laws reduce juvenile gun suicides , those intent on committing suicide appear to easily substitute into other methods , as the total number of juvenile suicides actually rises ( if insignificantly ) after passage of safe-storage laws , ” says the paper .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ laws can actually increase crime in the community .
“ The only consistent impact of safe-storage laws is to raise rape , robbery , and burglary rates , and the effects are very large .
Our most conservative estimates show that safe-storage laws resulted in 3,738 more rapes , 21,000 more robberies , and 49,733 more burglaries annually in just the 15 states with these laws .
More realistic estimates indicate across-the-board increases in violent and property crimes , ” the paper says .
Data from the Center for Disease Control ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for 2017 , the latest figures published , list a total of 486 deaths from accidental discharge of firearms nationwide .
Of those only 62 such deaths were reported for children under age 15 and 117 for ages 15 to 24 .
The tables do not explore the circumstances of these deaths .
For 2017 suicides by firearms , 186 children under 15 died , while 2,959 persons between 15 and 24 died out of a total of 6,252 suicides in that age range .
In other words , these laws aren ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claim .
Now , don ’ t get me wrong .
Those children ’ s deaths are a tragedy .
The loss of even one child is awful , especially if it ’ s your own , but let ’ s also acknowledge that many of those were plundering where they didn ’ t belong when they found those guns in the first place .
Those deaths are at least as much of a parenting failure as a failure to secure a firearm .
Regardless , though , in a nation of over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ little more than statistical noise .
Meanwhile , states like Colorado are considering imposing those rules on their residents , regardless of what the data actually tells them .
That ’ s because it ’ s not really about saving lives but about looking like that ’ s what they want to do .
They seek to create new rules and new punishments for law-abiding citizens to potentially run afoul of , all so they can tell people that they ’ re addressing a non-existent problem .
It ’ s only too bad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increase in crime to go along with it .
You ’ d think that would be enough to make some take a step back and rethinking what they ’ re doing , but with anti-gunners , that never seems to matter .

So-called “safe storage bills” are really nothing of the kind. I’ve argued that they actually reduce safety because they require people to lock up the weapons they need to defend their homes. They make people less safe because if they need a gun in an instant, it’s not instantly available. This is a bad scenario, but not an unlikely one.
However, those measures may not have the impact many think they will.
A 2000 paper in Yale University’s Journal of Law and Economics by John Lott, Jr. and John Whitley examined the effects of safe storage laws on accidental deaths and injuries and on crime rates. Analysis of available data led Lott and Whitley to the conclusion there is “little systematic impact of safe-storage laws on accidental deaths.” “While there is some weak evidence that safe-storage laws reduce juvenile gun suicides, those intent on committing suicide appear to easily substitute into other methods, as the total number of juvenile suicides actually rises (if insignificantly) after passage of safe-storage laws,” says the paper. Lott and Whitley also concluded that safe-storage laws can actually increase crime in the community. “The only consistent impact of safe-storage laws is to raise rape, robbery, and burglary rates, and the effects are very large. Our most conservative estimates show that safe-storage laws resulted in 3,738 more rapes, 21,000 more robberies, and 49,733 more burglaries annually in just the 15 states with these laws. More realistic estimates indicate across-the-board increases in violent and property crimes,” the paper says. Accidental gun deaths are rare. Data from the Center for Disease Control’s National Vital Statistics System (NVSS) for 2017, the latest figures published, list a total of 486 deaths from accidental discharge of firearms nationwide. Of those only 62 such deaths were reported for children under age 15 and 117 for ages 15 to 24. The tables do not explore the circumstances of these deaths. For 2017 suicides by firearms, 186 children under 15 died, while 2,959 persons between 15 and 24 died out of a total of 6,252 suicides in that age range.
In other words, these laws aren’t as needed as many like to claim.
Now, don’t get me wrong. Those children’s deaths are a tragedy. The loss of even one child is awful, especially if it’s your own, but let’s also acknowledge that many of those were plundering where they didn’t belong when they found those guns in the first place. Those deaths are at least as much of a parenting failure as a failure to secure a firearm.
Regardless, though, in a nation of over 300 million people, that’s little more than statistical noise.
Meanwhile, states like Colorado are considering imposing those rules on their residents, regardless of what the data actually tells them. That’s because it’s not really about saving lives but about looking like that’s what they want to do. They seek to create new rules and new punishments for law-abiding citizens to potentially run afoul of, all so they can tell people that they’re addressing a non-existent problem.
It’s only too bad that there seems to be a corresponding increase in crime to go along with it. You’d think that would be enough to make some take a step back and rethinking what they’re doing, but with anti-gunners, that never seems to matter.


bearingarms--2020-03-18--Fresno Emergency Order Takes Aim At Guns

The idea of a city in California taking an anti-gun stand at any given opportunity .
We ’ ve seen it through countless bits of legislation at the state and local levels of California ’ s government .
They don ’ t like guns , despite the massive increase in gun ownership in recent days .
For Fresno city officials , though , the COVID-19 virus was just too good of a crisis to allow it to go to waste .
The City of Fresno has now declared a “ state of emergency ” , and doing so grants the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Services Ordinance ” .
Fox26 News asked for and got a copy of the full ordinance .
Among other things , after an emergency declaration , it allows the city to : 1 .
Suspend the sale of firearms and ammo .
4 .
Order the closing of all taverns .
5 .
Order a price or rate freeze on consumer goods and on hotels if lodging is limited .
7 .
Order a halt to gasoline sales , except as fuel pumped into vehicles ’ gasoline tanks .
8 .
Order the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tend to gather ” , including theaters , amusement areas , gyms , stadiums , etc .
Fox26 News reached out to the City Government to ask if the ordinance has been challenged in court , or if it has survived a legal challenge .
Nobody was available to comment at the time of this writing .
We will continue to ask for comment .
Now , while the ordinance doesn ’ t expressly ban guns or alcohol sales , it does give them the authority to do so in an instant .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ but honestly , so is much of these other things as well .
Hell , let ’ s talk about the curfew for a moment .
Is there some evidence the virus is more contagious after midnight ?
No , then what the hell is the point ?
Then again , it ’ s not like gun ownership makes you more contagious either , and they ’ re ready to restrict the Second Amendment .
This isn ’ t surprising , though .
Cities like Fresno have been hoping to find a way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cities for ages now .
For them , the virus is little more than a handy excuse .
In fact , I wouldn ’ t be surprised to learn that they hope the emergency continues for years , just so they can continue to have the pretext to completely restrict people ’ s right to keep and bear arms regardless of any actual bearing on what ’ s happening .
Not to say there won ’ t be an impact on any such restrictions .
There will .
It just won ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get desperate for supplies , supplies that may not be coming , they ’ re going to go out and do what they need to do to get food and other essentials for their families .
Those who are most inclined to take from others , though ?
They ’ ve already got guns .
They have guns and/or friends who will help them take people ’ s stuff .
All that restrictions on lawful gun sales will do is reduce people ’ s ability to purchase the goods they need to protect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city of Fresno likely gives a damn about that .

The idea of a city in California taking an anti-gun stand at any given opportunity. We’ve seen it through countless bits of legislation at the state and local levels of California’s government. They don’t like guns, despite the massive increase in gun ownership in recent days.
For Fresno city officials, though, the COVID-19 virus was just too good of a crisis to allow it to go to waste.
The City of Fresno has now declared a “state of emergency”, and doing so grants the city wide-ranging powers under its “Emergency Services Ordinance”. Fox26 News asked for and got a copy of the full ordinance. Among other things, after an emergency declaration, it allows the city to: 1. Suspend the sale of firearms and ammo. 2. Suspend the sale of alcohol. 3. Order a general curfew. 4. Order the closing of all taverns. 5. Order a price or rate freeze on consumer goods and on hotels if lodging is limited. 7. Order a halt to gasoline sales, except as fuel pumped into vehicles’ gasoline tanks. 8. Order the closing of any business where crowds “tend to gather”, including theaters, amusement areas, gyms, stadiums, etc. Fox26 News reached out to the City Government to ask if the ordinance has been challenged in court, or if it has survived a legal challenge. Nobody was available to comment at the time of this writing. We will continue to ask for comment.
Now, while the ordinance doesn’t expressly ban guns or alcohol sales, it does give them the authority to do so in an instant. That’s a huge problem, but honestly, so is much of these other things as well.
Hell, let’s talk about the curfew for a moment. Is there some evidence the virus is more contagious after midnight? No, then what the hell is the point?
Then again, it’s not like gun ownership makes you more contagious either, and they’re ready to restrict the Second Amendment. This isn’t surprising, though. Cities like Fresno have been hoping to find a way to completely ban gun sales within their cities for ages now. For them, the virus is little more than a handy excuse.
In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that they hope the emergency continues for years, just so they can continue to have the pretext to completely restrict people’s right to keep and bear arms regardless of any actual bearing on what’s happening.
Not to say there won’t be an impact on any such restrictions. There will. It just won’t help.
You see, if people get desperate for supplies, supplies that may not be coming, they’re going to go out and do what they need to do to get food and other essentials for their families. Those who are most inclined to take from others, though? They’ve already got guns. They have guns and/or friends who will help them take people’s stuff.
All that restrictions on lawful gun sales will do is reduce people’s ability to purchase the goods they need to protect them and theirs.
Not that the city of Fresno likely gives a damn about that.


bearingarms--2020-03-18--Off-Duty Officer Thwarts Omaha Grocery Store Shooting

A shooting at an Omaha grocery store was stopped by an off-duty deputy police chief and a concerned citizen on Tuesday evening , thankfully stopping the attack before there were any injuries .
According to KETV in Omaha , police got a call about shots fired at a Hy-Vee grocery store just before 7 p.m. Deputy Chief Ken Kanger tells KETV NewsWatch 7 that police found two vehicles shot in the pharmacy drive-thru .
The shooter then walked in the store and shot a front window and a monitor , according to Kanger .
Several people ran out of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Off-duty deputy chief Scott Gray was inside the store at the time and ran toward the shots .
He and another customer ended up tackling the suspect and took the gun away from him .
Gray was able to take him into custody .
One woman suffered minor injuries fleeing the store , but thankfully Gray and the customer were able to subdue the suspect before anyone was shot .
We don ’ t yet know the suspect ’ s motivation , but police say the suspect was in the store ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before firing shots at the vehicles in the pharmacy drive-thru and making his way inside the store .
Jason Green was inside the store with his wife when he saw the suspect stroll inside .
The customer said he saw the shooter — “ black revolver , guy had black hair and was wearing black jacket ” — but didn ’ t realize it right away .
” I didn ’ t think he was the shooter until I saw the gun in his hand and then my fight or flight kicked in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feet from him , ” Green said .
“ I was 40 feet from him , and there wasn ’ t anybody in between the two of us .
There was nothing I could have done , knowing he was shooting.
” Green said his wife ducked down then ran out .
” She crouched in one of the aisles , ” he said .
“ She took off , and when I looked back at him , I ran again , tried to find her , and I did find her.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there : the last place you want to be right now is in a jail cell , and while some departments are changing their arrest protocols and are no longer arresting people for some non-violent crimes , if you start shooting in a grocery store you will be heading to jail or a hospital .
Neither place is where you want to be riding out the next couple of weeks .

A shooting at an Omaha grocery store was stopped by an off-duty deputy police chief and a concerned citizen on Tuesday evening, thankfully stopping the attack before there were any injuries.
According to KETV in Omaha, police got a call about shots fired at a Hy-Vee grocery store just before 7 p.m.
Deputy Chief Ken Kanger tells KETV NewsWatch 7 that police found two vehicles shot in the pharmacy drive-thru. The shooter then walked in the store and shot a front window and a monitor, according to Kanger. Several people ran out of the store when they heard the gunfire. Off-duty deputy chief Scott Gray was inside the store at the time and ran toward the shots. He and another customer ended up tackling the suspect and took the gun away from him. Gray was able to take him into custody.
One woman suffered minor injuries fleeing the store, but thankfully Gray and the customer were able to subdue the suspect before anyone was shot.
We don’t yet know the suspect’s motivation, but police say the suspect was in the store’s parking lot for at least a half-hour before firing shots at the vehicles in the pharmacy drive-thru and making his way inside the store. Jason Green was inside the store with his wife when he saw the suspect stroll inside.
The customer said he saw the shooter — “black revolver, guy had black hair and was wearing black jacket” — but didn’t realize it right away. ”I didn’t think he was the shooter until I saw the gun in his hand and then my fight or flight kicked in and I ran, I was 40 feet from him,” Green said. “I was 40 feet from him, and there wasn’t anybody in between the two of us. There was nothing I could have done, knowing he was shooting.” Green said his wife ducked down then ran out. ”She crouched in one of the aisles,” he said. “She took off, and when I looked back at him, I ran again, tried to find her, and I did find her.”
A quick message to any criminals out there: the last place you want to be right now is in a jail cell, and while some departments are changing their arrest protocols and are no longer arresting people for some non-violent crimes, if you start shooting in a grocery store you will be heading to jail or a hospital. Neither place is where you want to be riding out the next couple of weeks.


bearingarms--2020-03-18--Gun Sales Jump 100% In Colorado In One Week

We know that ammunition sale have surged by 300 % for some retailers around the country , but it ’ s been a little difficult to get numbers on the spike in firearm sales .
Larry Keane of the National Shooting Sports Foundation told Bearing Arms on Tuesday that the NICS numbers have soared over the past week or so , but didn ’ t have any hard numbers .
Now we ’ re starting to get an idea of what Larry was talking about , thanks to some new information out of Colorado .
Gun sales in the last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation , the agency responsible for conducting background checks .
FOX31 and Channel 2 investigative reporter Chris Koeberl discovered more than 14,000 firearms were sold in just one week .
About 7,000 guns were sold during the same time period last year .
According to Joe Oltmann , the owner of DCF Guns in Castle Rock , many customers are afraid what ’ s available today may not be tomorrow .
“ The panic started with toilet paper , then moved to food .
Then , obviously when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they want to make sure they will protected if it gets any worse , ” Oltmann said .
As my colleague Tom Knighton noted today , people aren ’ t buying guns because they think they can shoot the virus .
They ’ re buying firearms and ammunition because they ’ re worried about what happens next .
Think about all of the ways your world has changed in just a week .
Is it really paranoid or delusional to be concerned that things will get worse ?
Of course not .
Oltmann @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his store this week are first time gun buyers , and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation is warning that because of the large volume of sales , the state ’ s instant background check system isn ’ t so instantaneous at the moment .
The FOX31 Problem Solvers also found the other fallout to all the guns sales is the time it takes for the CBI to conduct the necessary background checks on buyers .
A couple of weeks ago , that would have taken about 45 minutes to an hour , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ buyers will have to wait two to three days for the background check and final sale to be complete .
“ The demand has created a current queue of nearly 5,000 checks awaiting processing , ” the CBI said in a written statement .
The agency said it implemented the following changes to keep up with demand : • “ Expanding internal InstaCheck hours of operation .
( Public hours of operation remain 9am-9pm ; however , examiners are working outside of those hours to reduce the queue . )
• Cross-training specialized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ background check process off-site to help ensure social distancing related to COVID-19 .
• Retasking employees to InstaCheck who had recently accepted new assignments in other CBI sections .
• Making some modifications to the submission process for background checks.
” Now , this is just one state , but I ’ d say it ’ s probably indicative of where we are as a country right now in terms of the volume of sales .
Obviously in a state like Texas the total number of sales is going to be far higher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t be surprised if sales had doubled there as well .
The spike in sales right now is like nothing gun store owners have ever seen .
My local gun store in Farmville , Virginia sold thousands of dollars in ammunition on Tuesday , when on a normal day they might sell a couple of boxes .
Even in places where most gun owners have a solid supply of ammunition , people are buying more and new gun owners are coming in , eager to pick up something they can use to @ @ @ @ @ @

We know that ammunition sale have surged by 300% for some retailers around the country, but it’s been a little difficult to get numbers on the spike in firearm sales. Larry Keane of the National Shooting Sports Foundation told Bearing Arms on Tuesday that the NICS numbers have soared over the past week or so, but didn’t have any hard numbers.
Now we’re starting to get an idea of what Larry was talking about, thanks to some new information out of Colorado.
From Fox 31 in Denver:
Gun sales in the last week have doubled in Colorado, according to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, the agency responsible for conducting background checks. FOX31 and Channel 2 investigative reporter Chris Koeberl discovered more than 14,000 firearms were sold in just one week. About 7,000 guns were sold during the same time period last year. According to Joe Oltmann, the owner of DCF Guns in Castle Rock, many customers are afraid what’s available today may not be tomorrow. “The panic started with toilet paper, then moved to food. Then, obviously when people see bare shelves, then obviously they want to make sure they will protected if it gets any worse,” Oltmann said.
As my colleague Tom Knighton noted today, people aren’t buying guns because they think they can shoot the virus. They’re buying firearms and ammunition because they’re worried about what happens next.
Think about all of the ways your world has changed in just a week. Is it really paranoid or delusional to be concerned that things will get worse? Of course not.
Oltmann says many of the people crowding into his store this week are first time gun buyers, and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation is warning that because of the large volume of sales, the state’s instant background check system isn’t so instantaneous at the moment.
The FOX31 Problem Solvers also found the other fallout to all the guns sales is the time it takes for the CBI to conduct the necessary background checks on buyers. A couple of weeks ago, that would have taken about 45 minutes to an hour, with about 97% approved. Now, buyers will have to wait two to three days for the background check and final sale to be complete. “The demand has created a current queue of nearly 5,000 checks awaiting processing,” the CBI said in a written statement. The agency said it implemented the following changes to keep up with demand: “Expanding internal InstaCheck hours of operation. (Public hours of operation remain 9am-9pm; however, examiners are working outside of those hours to reduce the queue.)
Cross-training specialized CBI staff members to assist in the background check process off-site to help ensure social distancing related to COVID-19.
Retasking employees to InstaCheck who had recently accepted new assignments in other CBI sections.
Making some modifications to the submission process for background checks.”
Now, this is just one state, but I’d say it’s probably indicative of where we are as a country right now in terms of the volume of sales. Obviously in a state like Texas the total number of sales is going to be far higher than 14,000 firearms, but I wouldn’t be surprised if sales had doubled there as well.
The spike in sales right now is like nothing gun store owners have ever seen. My local gun store in Farmville, Virginia sold thousands of dollars in ammunition on Tuesday, when on a normal day they might sell a couple of boxes. Even in places where most gun owners have a solid supply of ammunition, people are buying more and new gun owners are coming in, eager to pick up something they can use to protect themselves and their families.


bearingarms--2020-03-18--Increase In Guns, Ammo Sales Prudence, Not Point Of Mockery

Canadians have a reputation for being extraordinarily polite .
My own experiences with them tend to bear that out to some degree , though they ’ re human and there ’ s variation in any group .
I have no doubt that our neighbors to the north have plenty of jackwagons too , people who simply mock what they don ’ t comprehend or things like that .
At least one of those such people writes for the Toronto Sun , too .
According to the Daily Mail , there has been a surge in gun sales in coronavirus-ravaged New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there have been lineups at gun stores across the U.S. Reasons : Protecting family from looters if food and supply shortages emerge , fears the government will slash gun rights , and Asian-Americans who fear racist attacks .
Amelia Adams , U.S. correspondent for Australian network Nine News , tweeted : “ Queues to buy guns in LA .
Buyers tell me they ’ re scared of what will happen if people run out of food and supplies , and they need to protect their families.
” One man told the Los Angeles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been telling us for the longest time that we don ’ t need guns .
But right now , a lot of people are truly scared , and they can make that decision themselves.
” We ’ ve touched on some of these before , of course , but the first couple lines reek of “ those silly Americans.
” However , let ’ s understand something .
The fear is real and , more importantly , not inappropriate .
Guns and ammo sales have spiked all over the nation .
One @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worth of merchandise on Monday alone .
Others are reporting decreases in the availability of ammunition from their suppliers .
People are buying guns and even the New York Post is writing about it .
Look , it ’ s easy for a writer to sit in their ivory tower and pontificate on what everyone else does .
Believe me , I know better than most just how easy it is .
After all , a case could be made that it ’ s all I do .
However , people are scared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minds are telling them it ’ s going to get a lot worse before it gets better .
I ’ m someone who has said before that I didn ’ t think this was going to be that bad , but I ’ m starting to reevaluate that .
It ’ s not that the virus is just so deadly , but that it ’ s spreading and overwhelming the logical system .
Right now , we ’ re short of things like toilet paper , but what happens when we can ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Should people become hungry and have no means of getting more food , what do you think is going to happen ?
Even with massive government spending going to help the poor and with countless charities seeking to do the same , we have people committing various crimes under the excuse that they ’ re just trying to support their families .
What happens if those charities and the government simply can ’ t help people anymore for whatever reason ?
What happens then ?
That ’ s when people go out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Most of those folks already have guns .
Either that or they can get them .
When that happens , what do you think happens to those folks who didn ’ t buy guns ?
While it ’ s easy for a writer at a Canadian newspaper to point and laugh and the concern , those who are buying guns right now are being a lot smarter than those who think this is grounds to mock them .
One is going be far more likely to thrive going forward no matter what than @ @ @

Canadians have a reputation for being extraordinarily polite. My own experiences with them tend to bear that out to some degree, though they’re human and there’s variation in any group. I have no doubt that our neighbors to the north have plenty of jackwagons too, people who simply mock what they don’t comprehend or things like that.
At least one of those such people writes for the Toronto Sun, too.
GUNS KILL THE CORONAVIRUS American exceptionalism, indeed! According to the Daily Mail, there has been a surge in gun sales in coronavirus-ravaged New York, California and Washington. And there have been lineups at gun stores across the U.S. Reasons: Protecting family from looters if food and supply shortages emerge, fears the government will slash gun rights, and Asian-Americans who fear racist attacks. Amelia Adams, U.S. correspondent for Australian network Nine News, tweeted: “Queues to buy guns in LA. Buyers tell me they’re scared of what will happen if people run out of food and supplies, and they need to protect their families.” One man told the Los Angeles Times: “Politicians and anti-gun people have been telling us for the longest time that we don’t need guns. But right now, a lot of people are truly scared, and they can make that decision themselves.”
We’ve touched on some of these before, of course, but the first couple lines reek of “those silly Americans.”
However, let’s understand something. The fear is real and, more importantly, not inappropriate.
Guns and ammo sales have spiked all over the nation. One gun store reports selling over $30,000 worth of merchandise on Monday alone. Others are reporting decreases in the availability of ammunition from their suppliers.
People are buying guns and even the New York Post is writing about it.
Look, it’s easy for a writer to sit in their ivory tower and pontificate on what everyone else does. Believe me, I know better than most just how easy it is. After all, a case could be made that it’s all I do.
However, people are scared. They’re scared and their minds are telling them it’s going to get a lot worse before it gets better.
I’m someone who has said before that I didn’t think this was going to be that bad, but I’m starting to reevaluate that. It’s not that the virus is just so deadly, but that it’s spreading and overwhelming the logical system. Right now, we’re short of things like toilet paper, but what happens when we can’t put enough food on the shelves?
Should people become hungry and have no means of getting more food, what do you think is going to happen?
Even with massive government spending going to help the poor and with countless charities seeking to do the same, we have people committing various crimes under the excuse that they’re just trying to support their families.
What happens if those charities and the government simply can’t help people anymore for whatever reason? What happens then?
That’s when people go out and start taking whatever they want. Most of those folks already have guns. Either that or they can get them. When that happens, what do you think happens to those folks who didn’t buy guns?
While it’s easy for a writer at a Canadian newspaper to point and laugh and the concern, those who are buying guns right now are being a lot smarter than those who think this is grounds to mock them. One is going be far more likely to thrive going forward no matter what than the other.


bearingarms--2020-03-19--McSally Suspends TV Ads, Canvasing Amid Virus Concerns

From a gun rights perspective , one of the most important races in the Senate may be the election for senator from Arizona .
There , incumbent Sen. Martha McSally takes on former astronaut turned professional gun-grabber Mark Kelly .
It ’ s a tense election even without a pandemic shadow hanging over the campaigns .
Now , McSally has suspended direct TV advertising and canvassing .
That doesn ’ t mean there won ’ t still be media advertising for McSally .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is reportedly dropping $ 700,000 in television ad buys on her behalf @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enough .
Currently , McSally is trailing by a significant margin .
Further , her opponent may have suspended canvassing , but he ’ s still using his campaign funds to advertise .
In other words , it doesn ’ t look like McConnell ’ s help is going to be enough .
That shouldn ’ t be too surprising .
While McSally looks great as a candidate on paper–she ’ s a former fighter pilot , after all–she doesn ’ t engender much enthusiasm among the Arizona electorate .
She lost her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2018 election in a state that had been seriously trending red for quite some time .
McSally only made it to the Senate after the death of Sen. John McCain .
She was appointed to fulfill McCain ’ s term , which is now coming up .
Unless something changes , Kelly will join Sinema in pushing through new anti-gun regulations in Congress and potentially erode the GOP hold on the Senate .
That majority has been one of the only things protecting gun rights in this county so far .
To be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right to suspend canvassing right now .
There ’ s zero reason to risk volunteers by asking them to go door to door when people are sick with a deadly disease .
She may also be using the COVID-19 fear to justify holding onto her campaign funds until closer to the election when she can launch an all-out media blitz that overwhelms Kelly .
I don ’ t know if that ’ s the case , but I hope so .
Otherwise , hold on tight to your guns , folks .

From a gun rights perspective, one of the most important races in the Senate may be the election for senator from Arizona. There, incumbent Sen. Martha McSally takes on former astronaut turned professional gun-grabber Mark Kelly. It’s a tense election even without a pandemic shadow hanging over the campaigns.
Now, McSally has suspended direct TV advertising and canvassing.
Sen. Martha McSally (R-Ariz.) is directing her campaign to halt television advertising and canvassing activities during the coronavirus outbreak. McSally’s campaign said in a statement that it is “not the time for politics” and will instead be encouraging staffers to help those in their communities who are particularly vulnerable to contracting the virus. “This is not a time for politics; it is a time for us to remember that we are in this together as Americans, regardless of party or ideology,” said McSally. “As such, I’ve directed my campaign to cease all television political adverting[sic] for at least the next 30 days. I have also suspended all door to door canvassing and have instead encouraged those staffers to help the elderly and vulnerable in their communities.” McSally added that she will dedicate “100%” of her time to legislating in an effort to curb the health and economic impacts of the coronavirus. She urged her fellow lawmakers to join her in pausing their campaign efforts. “Members of Congress and candidates around the country should join me in this call for a national moratorium on ‘us vs. them.’ We need social distancing from our usual corners, and we need to look at each other as fellow Americans and with a servant’s heart, not with a politically jaundiced eye,” she said.
That doesn’t mean there won’t still be media advertising for McSally. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is reportedly dropping $700,000 in television ad buys on her behalf.
However, that may not be enough.
Currently, McSally is trailing by a significant margin. Further, her opponent may have suspended canvassing, but he’s still using his campaign funds to advertise.
In other words, it doesn’ t look like McConnell’s help is going to be enough.
That shouldn’t be too surprising. While McSally looks great as a candidate on paper–she’s a former fighter pilot, after all–she doesn’t engender much enthusiasm among the Arizona electorate. She lost her Senate bid to Krysten Sinema during the 2018 election in a state that had been seriously trending red for quite some time.
McSally only made it to the Senate after the death of Sen. John McCain. She was appointed to fulfill McCain’s term, which is now coming up.
Unless something changes, Kelly will join Sinema in pushing through new anti-gun regulations in Congress and potentially erode the GOP hold on the Senate. That majority has been one of the only things protecting gun rights in this county so far.
To be fair to McSally, she’s right to suspend canvassing right now. There’s zero reason to risk volunteers by asking them to go door to door when people are sick with a deadly disease.
She may also be using the COVID-19 fear to justify holding onto her campaign funds until closer to the election when she can launch an all-out media blitz that overwhelms Kelly.
I don’t know if that’s the case, but I hope so.
Otherwise, hold on tight to your guns, folks.


bearingarms--2020-03-19--Gun Control Advocates Plead: Now's Not The Time To Buy Firearms

Of course , for gun control advocates , there ’ s never a good time for you to purchase a firearm , but Igor Volsky of “ Guns Down ” and Dr. Joseph V. Sakran of Johns Hopkins are out with a new op-ed telling Americans that , while they ’ re rushing out to horde toilet paper and hand sanitizer , they should be staying far away from the country ’ s gun stores .
In their piece , the pair claim that pro-Second Amendment voice and organizations like the NRA are “ exploiting ” the coronavirus panic to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s get real .
The emergency order signed by the mayor of Champaign , Illinois does give the mayor the authority to ban and the transfer of everything from food to firearms , even if the city says the mayor could only do so with city council approval .
When Volsky and Sakran downplay the significance of these types of orders , or the closing of a gun store because the mayor of San Jose , California says it ’ s a “ non-essential ” business , they ’ re ignoring the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are buying firearms for the first time .
As for the independent sellers , those names are clearly an attempt at dark humor , not an attempt to exploit the coronavirus pandemic .
The gun and ammunition rush could lead to a spike in firearm suicides and domestic violence incidents , however… And , so , if the best way to stop the coronavirus pandemic is to listen to the guidance of health professionals and scientists , then Americans must also tune out the grifters who are using this crisis to sell more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ science around the dangers of gun ownership .
If you ’ re looking to protect your family , continue to buy food and basic essentials as needed , not guns and ammunition — and then stay home .
Volsky and Sakran are correct to be concerned about an increase in suicides related to the coronavirus and the economic impacts that are already being felt , but they ’ re off-base in making it a gun issue .
Non-gun suicides have been increasing in this country as well , and it ’ s vitally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gun owners , are able to get the help they need right now .
If you ’ re feeling depressed or suicidal , please contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255 .
It ’ s also okay to let others know that you ’ re struggling with depression or feelings of despair right now .
You are not alone , and there are lots of people out there who want to help .
The pair are completely out of touch , however , when they tell Americans to remain disarmed during this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t seem to be paying them much mind .
As we reported , the NSSF says the NICS system saw a 300 % spike in background checks on March 16th , and some states have been reporting an even higher surge in sales .
Cam Edwards has covered the 2nd Amendment for more than 15 years as a broadcast and online journalist , as well as the co-author of `` Heavy Lifting : Grow Up , Get a Job , Start a Family , and Other Manly Advice '' with Jim Geraghty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Virginia with his family .
https : //bearingarms.com/author/camedwards/

Of course, for gun control advocates, there’s never a good time for you to purchase a firearm, but Igor Volsky of “Guns Down” and Dr. Joseph V. Sakran of Johns Hopkins are out with a new op-ed telling Americans that, while they’re rushing out to horde toilet paper and hand sanitizer, they should be staying far away from the country’s gun stores.
In their piece, the pair claim that pro-Second Amendment voice and organizations like the NRA are “exploiting” the coronavirus panic to “help grow profits further.”
Let’s get real. The emergency order signed by the mayor of Champaign, Illinois does give the mayor the authority to ban and the transfer of everything from food to firearms, even if the city says the mayor could only do so with city council approval. When Volsky and Sakran downplay the significance of these types of orders, or the closing of a gun store because the mayor of San Jose, California says it’s a “non-essential” business , they’re ignoring the very real reasons why so many Americans are buying firearms for the first time.
As for the independent sellers, those names are clearly an attempt at dark humor, not an attempt to exploit the coronavirus pandemic.
The gun and ammunition rush could lead to a spike in firearm suicides and domestic violence incidents, however… And, so, if the best way to stop the coronavirus pandemic is to listen to the guidance of health professionals and scientists, then Americans must also tune out the grifters who are using this crisis to sell more firearms and embrace the overwhelming and conclusive science around the dangers of gun ownership. If you’re looking to protect your family, continue to buy food and basic essentials as needed, not guns and ammunition — and then stay home.
Volsky and Sakran are correct to be concerned about an increase in suicides related to the coronavirus and the economic impacts that are already being felt, but they’re off-base in making it a gun issue. Non-gun suicides have been increasing in this country as well, and it’s vitally important that all Americans, not just gun owners, are able to get the help they need right now. If you’re feeling depressed or suicidal, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255. It’s also okay to let others know that you’re struggling with depression or feelings of despair right now. You are not alone, and there are lots of people out there who want to help.
The pair are completely out of touch, however, when they tell Americans to remain disarmed during this state of emergency, and Americans don’t seem to be paying them much mind. As we reported, the NSSF says the NICS system saw a 300% spike in background checks on March 16th, and some states have been reporting an even higher surge in sales.


bearingarms--2020-03-19--It's Not Just Americans Buying Guns Amid COVID-19 Concerns

Yesterday morning , I wrote about how a writer at the Toronto Sun thought stocking up on guns and ammo was just an example of how silly we Americans are , what with our love of firearms and all that .
Frankly , the implication annoyed me , primarily because the people buying guns were exercising some common sense .
However , if the writer at the Sun wants to mock someone for buying guns during a pandemic , he can start looking a little closer to home .
The COVID-19 outbreak coupled with fears about more restrictive gun legislation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ammunition sales , several dealers said this week .
Buyers , they say , are stocking up while they can ― a development that has alarmed gun-control advocates .
“ We are seeing a surge in sales , ″ said Ross Faulkner , owner of The Gun Dealer in McAdam , N.B.
, which bills itself Atlantic Canada ’ s largest firearms store .
“ When things get tough , it ’ s certainly a feeling of security , especially when you ’ re dealing with uncertain times like we ’ re dealing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wes Winkel , head of the Canadian Sporting Arms and Ammunition Association , has been an “ extreme surge″ in domestic sales .
Part of it relates to concerns about being able to get permits as government offices close , as well as overall supply fears .
“ In no product in our supply chain does it take longer to replenish than in firearms and ammunition , ” said Winkel , whose association represents retailers , distributors and manufacturers .
“ People know if they don ’ t get stuff and the supply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re going to run out quickly.
” So it ’ s not just Americans concerned with being able to protect themselves during these tense times .
Of course , that ’ s not really surprising .
I expect that people are buying guns in every country in which they ’ re legally allowed to have them .
I also expect they ’ re buying them in countries where they ’ re not .
It ’ s interesting that they ’ re also including concerns of new regulations in the midst of this .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Of course , which is the primary driver ?
Really , it depends on the individual .
People who own several firearms and are showing up to buy more are rarely buying due to pandemic concerns .
They ’ ve got weapons to see them through a crisis .
They might be stocking up on ammunition due to being worried about the disease , but not guns .
New gun owners , though , are typically driven by pandemic concerns .
They ’ re worried that things will get bad and they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of means to defend themselves from those who wish to harm them and their families .
They ’ re new to guns and many may have been anti-gunners previously , but now they recognize the role a firearm can play in keeping one ’ s family safe and sound .
And that ’ s regardless of which side of the border they fall on .
Look , people buying guns are doing it for their own reasons and , frankly , it doesn ’ t matter what they are .
The right to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ granted by the Constitution .
It ’ s granted to us by nature of being free men and women .
I hope more and more Canadians remember that after all this passes .

Yesterday morning, I wrote about how a writer at the Toronto Sun thought stocking up on guns and ammo was just an example of how silly we Americans are, what with our love of firearms and all that. Frankly, the implication annoyed me, primarily because the people buying guns were exercising some common sense.
However, if the writer at the Sun wants to mock someone for buying guns during a pandemic, he can start looking a little closer to home.
The COVID-19 outbreak coupled with fears about more restrictive gun legislation has fuelled a spike in firearm and ammunition sales, several dealers said this week. Buyers, they say, are stocking up while they can ― a development that has alarmed gun-control advocates. “We are seeing a surge in sales,″ said Ross Faulkner, owner of The Gun Dealer in McAdam, N.B., which bills itself Atlantic Canada’s largest firearms store. “When things get tough, it’s certainly a feeling of security, especially when you’re dealing with uncertain times like we’re dealing with now.” The result, said Wes Winkel, head of the Canadian Sporting Arms and Ammunition Association, has been an “extreme surge″ in domestic sales. Part of it relates to concerns about being able to get permits as government offices close, as well as overall supply fears. “In no product in our supply chain does it take longer to replenish than in firearms and ammunition,” said Winkel, whose association represents retailers, distributors and manufacturers. “People know if they don’t get stuff and the supply chain is being depleted, they’re going to run out quickly.”
So it’s not just Americans concerned with being able to protect themselves during these tense times.
Good to know.
Of course, that’s not really surprising. I expect that people are buying guns in every country in which they’re legally allowed to have them. I also expect they’re buying them in countries where they’re not.
It’s interesting that they’re also including concerns of new regulations in the midst of this. That tends to drive sales as well. Of course, which is the primary driver?
Really, it depends on the individual. People who own several firearms and are showing up to buy more are rarely buying due to pandemic concerns. They’ve got weapons to see them through a crisis. They might be stocking up on ammunition due to being worried about the disease, but not guns.
New gun owners, though, are typically driven by pandemic concerns. They’re worried that things will get bad and they’ll need to have some kind of means to defend themselves from those who wish to harm them and their families. They’re new to guns and many may have been anti-gunners previously, but now they recognize the role a firearm can play in keeping one’s family safe and sound.
And that’s regardless of which side of the border they fall on.
Look, people buying guns are doing it for their own reasons and, frankly, it doesn’t matter what they are. The right to keep and bear arms isn’t granted by the Constitution. It’s granted to us by nature of being free men and women. I hope more and more Canadians remember that after all this passes.


bearingarms--2020-03-19--Prescription for Panic: Some Local Governments Adding To Fear With Their Decisions

As cities across the country announce new restrictions on businesses and are encouraging individuals to limit contact with one another and practice social distancing , they ’ re also putting in place new strategies to help frontline workers like police , EMTs and paramedics , and firefighters stay healthy and on the job during the pandemic .
In order to do so , however , some local leaders are only adding to the panic and fear felt by many Americans right now .
Does it help or hurt when Baltimore ’ s mayor urges gang members to quit shooting each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beds ?
What about the mayor of San Jose declaring that gun stores aren ’ t essential businesses and must close , even though we ’ re seeing record numbers of Americans flock to gun stores to purchase firearms and ammunition ?
Andrew Langer is the president of the Institute for Liberty , as well as a talk show host in Baltimore and an adjunct professor at William & Mary in Virginia .
He joins me on today ’ s Bearing Arms Cam & Co to discuss how Baltimore ’ s crime rate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and local prosecutor are telling residents .
Baltimore City State ’ s Attorney Marilyn Mosby ordered her staff Wednesday to drop all pending charges against people arrested for certain non-violent crimes .
Some of those crimes include drug possession , prostitution , trespassing , minor traffic offenses , urinating in public and other non-violent crimes .
Mosby said the decision is to prevent the spread of coronavirus behind bars .
The concern , of course , isn ’ t that we ’ re suddenly going to see widespread prostitution and urinating in public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law-breakers may both see this as a sign that the public safety system can not be maintained during this state of emergency .
Langer says that , as bad as Baltimore ’ s crime rate has been the past few years , it could get even worse if there ’ s a sense that law and order is breaking down .
Let ’ s hope it doesn ’ t happen .
There are similar concerns about the actions of San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo , who declared that gun stores aren ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to close down during the shelter-in-place order that was issued earlier this week .
If people feel like they can ’ t protect themselves , that ’ s only going to lead to an increase in fear , and a government shutdown of a gun store is going to breed not just fear but distrust of the local government at a time when we need openness , honesty , and transparency from elected officials .
Meanwhile , Langer himself is riding out the coronavirus in the Peninsula District of Virginia , where the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been reported .
What ’ s life like there , and what are people doing to protect themselves ?
Langer says most Virginians are taking the outbreak seriously , and offers up some solid advice from his wife in the healthcare field ; act like you yourself are infected when around other people to avoid close contact and help maintain social distancing .
Check out the entire interview above , as well as today ’ s armed citizen story , our recidivist report , and ways that you may be able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ times .
Thanks as always for watching , listening , and spreading the word !
Friday ’ s Cam & Co. will feature a lot of your emails , so if you have any questions or comments send them my way at

As cities across the country announce new restrictions on businesses and are encouraging individuals to limit contact with one another and practice social distancing, they’re also putting in place new strategies to help frontline workers like police, EMTs and paramedics, and firefighters stay healthy and on the job during the pandemic.
In order to do so, however, some local leaders are only adding to the panic and fear felt by many Americans right now. Does it help or hurt when Baltimore’s mayor urges gang members to quit shooting each other because the city needs the hospital beds? What about the mayor of San Jose declaring that gun stores aren’t essential businesses and must close, even though we’re seeing record numbers of Americans flock to gun stores to purchase firearms and ammunition?
Andrew Langer is the president of the Institute for Liberty, as well as a talk show host in Baltimore and an adjunct professor at William & Mary in Virginia. He joins me on today’s Bearing Arms Cam & Co to discuss how Baltimore’s crime rate could be impacted by what the mayor and local prosecutor are telling residents.
Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby ordered her staff Wednesday to drop all pending charges against people arrested for certain non-violent crimes. Some of those crimes include drug possession, prostitution, trespassing, minor traffic offenses, urinating in public and other non-violent crimes. Mosby said the decision is to prevent the spread of coronavirus behind bars.
The concern, of course, isn’t that we’re suddenly going to see widespread prostitution and urinating in public, but that the law-abiding and the law-breakers may both see this as a sign that the public safety system cannot be maintained during this state of emergency.
Langer says that, as bad as Baltimore’s crime rate has been the past few years, it could get even worse if there’s a sense that law and order is breaking down. Let’s hope it doesn’t happen.
There are similar concerns about the actions of San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo, who declared that gun stores aren’t “essential businesses” and therefore have to close down during the shelter-in-place order that was issued earlier this week. If people feel like they can’t protect themselves, that’s only going to lead to an increase in fear, and a government shutdown of a gun store is going to breed not just fear but distrust of the local government at a time when we need openness, honesty, and transparency from elected officials.
Meanwhile, Langer himself is riding out the coronavirus in the Peninsula District of Virginia, where the state’s largest outbreak of coronavirus has been reported. What’s life like there, and what are people doing to protect themselves? Langer says most Virginians are taking the outbreak seriously, and offers up some solid advice from his wife in the healthcare field; act like you yourself are infected when around other people to avoid close contact and help maintain social distancing.
Check out the entire interview above, as well as today’s armed citizen story, our recidivist report, and ways that you may be able to perform a good deed during these troubled times. Thanks as always for watching, listening, and spreading the word! Friday’s Cam & Co. will feature a lot of your emails, so if you have any questions or comments send them my way at [email protected]


bearingarms--2020-03-19--Wrongfully Arrested NJ Gun Owner Considering Civil Suit

If there ’ s one state in the nation I refuse to even pass through , it ’ s New Jersey .
Nothing against many of the people there , mind you .
It ’ s simply the fact that I ’ m pretty sure with my luck , I ’ ll be arrested and prosecuted for the jacketed hollow points I typically carry in my EDC weapon .
However , residents of the state aren ’ t any better off .
Take the story of Roosevelt Twyne .
Mr. Twyne was fortunate , though .
Eventually , the charges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ civil rights had been trampled on more than any decent human being should stand for .
Now , he ’ s considering taking action of his own .
The New Jersey man who was arrested for illegally carrying a gun despite having a valid permit is exploring legal action against authorities after charges were dropped on Friday .
Roosevelt Twyne ’ s lawyer told the Washington Free Beacon he is researching legal avenues for recovering damages from the Roselle Park Police Department and the prosecutor ’ s office .
Attorney Evan Nappen said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspension from his job as a licensed security guard since the February arrest , is “ extremely pleased ” the case was dropped .
He said , however , there are significant issues left to resolve , and Twyne is looking at the best way to seek damages over the ordeal .
“ We still need to get his gun back , ” Nappen told the Free Beacon .
“ We ’ re working on that .
Then , of course , you want to clear the record with expungement so he doesn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We ’ re looking at and weighing the options on further civil action.
” Nappen said the civil case faces significant legal hurdles , but it is a necessary step to prevent New Jersey gun owners from being put through similar circumstances by law enforcement officials .
Twyne ’ s situation has also prompted Republican lawmakers in the state to call for changes to gun laws in order to better protect owners .
“ New Jersey ’ s over-zealous gun laws have enabled scenarios where law-abiding citizens—in this case , a security guard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DiMaio ( R. ) said in a statement .
“ Unfortunately , those good intentions have bad consequences .
We want to fix that.
” Frankly , I hope Twyne is able to get all that he wants , potentially without the lawsuit .
It ’ s not that I want to spare the Roselle Park Police Department , but Mr. Twyne himself .
Lawsuits are involved and expensive , so skipping that would be ideal .
If not , or if the legal services are being provided pro bono , then yeah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the matter is that New Jersey ’ s draconian ban on hollow-point ammunition is probably the dumbest bit of gun control I have ever seen .
As bad as other gun control laws are , most of them result in an annoyance for gun owners .
There ’ s the endangerment of the public , of course , but not like banning this particular type of ammunition that ’ s designed to prevent over-penetration and thus minimize danger to the general public .
While I ’ m glad Twyne has had charges dropped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he ’ ll get his record fully expunged and get his firearm returned to him .
With the ammunition in question .
Lord knows , he deserves far more than that .

If there’s one state in the nation I refuse to even pass through, it’s New Jersey. Nothing against many of the people there, mind you. It’s simply the fact that I’m pretty sure with my luck, I’ll be arrested and prosecuted for the jacketed hollow points I typically carry in my EDC weapon.
However, residents of the state aren’t any better off. Take the story of Roosevelt Twyne.
Mr. Twyne was fortunate, though. Eventually, the charges were dropped, but not before his civil rights had been trampled on more than any decent human being should stand for.
Now, he’s considering taking action of his own.
The New Jersey man who was arrested for illegally carrying a gun despite having a valid permit is exploring legal action against authorities after charges were dropped on Friday. Roosevelt Twyne’s lawyer told the Washington Free Beacon he is researching legal avenues for recovering damages from the Roselle Park Police Department and the prosecutor’s office. Attorney Evan Nappen said Twyne, who has been on unpaid suspension from his job as a licensed security guard since the February arrest, is “extremely pleased” the case was dropped. He said, however, there are significant issues left to resolve, and Twyne is looking at the best way to seek damages over the ordeal. “We still need to get his gun back,” Nappen told the Free Beacon. “We’re working on that. Then, of course, you want to clear the record with expungement so he doesn’t have an arrest record. We’re looking at and weighing the options on further civil action.” Nappen said the civil case faces significant legal hurdles, but it is a necessary step to prevent New Jersey gun owners from being put through similar circumstances by law enforcement officials. Twyne’s situation has also prompted Republican lawmakers in the state to call for changes to gun laws in order to better protect owners. “New Jersey’s over-zealous gun laws have enabled scenarios where law-abiding citizens—in this case, a security guard nonetheless—are being prosecuted,” Assemblyman John DiMaio (R.) said in a statement. “Unfortunately, those good intentions have bad consequences. We want to fix that.”
Good luck with that.
Frankly, I hope Twyne is able to get all that he wants, potentially without the lawsuit. It’s not that I want to spare the Roselle Park Police Department, but Mr. Twyne himself. Lawsuits are involved and expensive, so skipping that would be ideal.
If not, or if the legal services are being provided pro bono, then yeah, hammer them.
The truth of the matter is that New Jersey’s draconian ban on hollow-point ammunition is probably the dumbest bit of gun control I have ever seen. As bad as other gun control laws are, most of them result in an annoyance for gun owners. There’s the endangerment of the public, of course, but not like banning this particular type of ammunition that’s designed to prevent over-penetration and thus minimize danger to the general public.
While I’m glad Twyne has had charges dropped against him, my hope is that he’ll get his record fully expunged and get his firearm returned to him. With the ammunition in question.
Lord knows, he deserves far more than that.


bearingarms--2020-03-19--CA Governor Newsom Prepared To Enact Martial Law

As the COVID-19 virus continues its march across the United States , many government officials are struggling to figure how just how to deal with the spread of the deadly disease .
For many , it ’ s essential to balance what may look like the public good and civil liberties .
It ’ s not an easy tightrope to walk by any stretch of the imagination .
However , some lawmakers aren ’ t sweating the whole idea of civil liberties .
They ’ re ready to go full jackboot at the drop of a hat , apparently .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the coronavirus pandemic heightens , including the possibility of enacting martial law .
Governor Gavin Newsom said during a press conference on Tuesday he would consider implementing martial law if it was necessary to curb the novel virus .
“ We have the ability to do martial law … if we feel the necessity , ” he said .
Now , martial law has been declared from time to time in the midst of a natural disaster .
During that time , civil rule becomes replaced with military rule .
That ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s arguably necessary in the midst of something huge like the aftermath of a hurricane or tornados .
Especially if there ’ s some degree of civil unrest in that aftermath , such as looting .
But this is a different matter entirely .
With a natural disaster , you always know things will get better and generally do so in a relatively short period of time .
With a pandemic , though , it ’ s something else entirely .
We don ’ t have any clue when this crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unlikely to be too prolonged , we don ’ t necessarily know for a fact that it won ’ t .
That makes declaring martial law at a time like this worrisome .
Well , that and the fact that this is California .
You see , this is an anti-gun state with some degree of firearm registration in place .
In particular , so-called “ assault weapons ” are registered .
As people like Newsom like to wet their pants over such weapons , don ’ t be surprised if martial law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nebulous claims about public welfare .
Already , some government officials are trying to cut off the supply of guns for those who may wish to own them .
Cam already talked about San Jose earlier today .
Couple that with Newsom ’ s readiness to declare martial law and we have a problematic situation brewing in the state .
Make no mistake , there ’ s no reason to even consider such a draconian measure .
Not at this time .
While things are tense , there ’ s no civil unrest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with what happened readily enough .
Local governments and law enforcement can more than handle what ’ s happening so far .
So why would Newsom even suggest martial law ?
My guess is that he , on some level , hopes to have the justification for it so he can finally do whatever he wants and no one will be prepared to stop him .
That may well include gun confiscation .
Of course , that might also spark a civil war in the midst of a pandemic .
If you think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ willing to fight just because of a virus , you ’ re sorely mistaken .
I suspect a lot of people have masks with filters that can handle the virus just fine , so if Newsom thinks this is how to disarm the populace , he ’ s mistaken .
It ’ s also possible , and maybe even far more likely , that Newsom hasn ’ t even thought that far ahead .
He may not even have pondered the ramifications of martial law .
After all , he hasn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

As the COVID-19 virus continues its march across the United States, many government officials are struggling to figure how just how to deal with the spread of the deadly disease. For many, it’s essential to balance what may look like the public good and civil liberties. It’s not an easy tightrope to walk by any stretch of the imagination.
However, some lawmakers aren’t sweating the whole idea of civil liberties. They’re ready to go full jackboot at the drop of a hat, apparently.
California has prepared for worst case scenarios as the coronavirus pandemic heightens, including the possibility of enacting martial law. Governor Gavin Newsom said during a press conference on Tuesday he would consider implementing martial law if it was necessary to curb the novel virus. “We have the ability to do martial law … if we feel the necessity,” he said.
Now, martial law has been declared from time to time in the midst of a natural disaster. During that time, civil rule becomes replaced with military rule. That’s never a good thing, but it’s arguably necessary in the midst of something huge like the aftermath of a hurricane or tornados. Especially if there’s some degree of civil unrest in that aftermath, such as looting.
But this is a different matter entirely. With a natural disaster, you always know things will get better and generally do so in a relatively short period of time. With a pandemic, though, it’s something else entirely. We don’t have any clue when this crisis will pass. While it’s unlikely to be too prolonged, we don’t necessarily know for a fact that it won’t.
That makes declaring martial law at a time like this worrisome.
Well, that and the fact that this is California.
You see, this is an anti-gun state with some degree of firearm registration in place. In particular, so-called “assault weapons” are registered. As people like Newsom like to wet their pants over such weapons, don’t be surprised if martial law also leads to firearm confiscation under some nebulous claims about public welfare.
Already, some government officials are trying to cut off the supply of guns for those who may wish to own them. Cam already talked about San Jose earlier today.
Couple that with Newsom’s readiness to declare martial law and we have a problematic situation brewing in the state.
Make no mistake, there’s no reason to even consider such a draconian measure. Not at this time. While things are tense, there’s no civil unrest to speak of and people are dealing with what happened readily enough. Local governments and law enforcement can more than handle what’s happening so far.
So why would Newsom even suggest martial law?
My guess is that he, on some level, hopes to have the justification for it so he can finally do whatever he wants and no one will be prepared to stop him. That may well include gun confiscation.
Of course, that might also spark a civil war in the midst of a pandemic. If you think the Big Igloo boys aren’t willing to fight just because of a virus, you’re sorely mistaken. I suspect a lot of people have masks with filters that can handle the virus just fine, so if Newsom thinks this is how to disarm the populace, he’s mistaken.
It’s also possible, and maybe even far more likely, that Newsom hasn’t even thought that far ahead. He may not even have pondered the ramifications of martial law.
After all, he hasn’t struck me as being all that bright.