bearingarms--2020-02-02--Hawaii Gun Owners Face Tidal Wave Of Anti-2A Bills

As bad as things are in Virginia , where I live , gun owners in Hawaii have it even worse than we do this legislative season .
Part of that is because the gun laws in Hawaii are already atrocious .
The right to bear arms is non-existent , with “ may issue ” licenses required to carry either openly or concealed , and the right to keep arms is curtailed as well , with every gun owner required to register their firearms with the police .
In recent years we ’ ve seen the Honolulu police department use that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state ’ s medical marijuana users , before backing down after an outcry and a lot of unwanted media attention .
Gun owners on the islands are now having to deal with dozens of new gun control bills introduced this session , and even the local public radio station seems somewhat sympathetic to their cause ( at least as far as public radio goes ) .
Gun rights advocates say the proposals are only hurting law-abiding citizens .
“ A lot of the firearms problems that we ’ re seeing are stemming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effects , and these laws don ’ t tackle that , ” said Andrew Namiki Roberts , a director of the Hawaii Firearm Coalition .
“ These laws only tackle law-abiding people getting firearms .
They don ’ t look at charging criminals that use firearms .
They don ’ t look at where criminals are actually getting their firearms — which is theft.
” Namiki Roberts says the loopholes that lawmakers are trying to close allow citizens to exercise their Second Amendment rights .
Somehow I doubt that Namiki Roberts actually used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ’ s not what lawmakers are trying to do .
They ’ re trying to put new laws on the books , not “ close loopholes , ” though he ’ s right that the laws they ’ re intent on passing would curtail the rights of citizens , while doing nothing to address criminals .
The NRA is holding a town hall meeting in Honolulu on February 13th to inform gun owners about the dangerous new legislation , and I ’ d strongly encourage anyone who can attend to do so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Western States Director for NRA-ILA out at SHOT Show , and I ’ m hoping to have him on Bearing Arms ’ Cam & Co. in the next week to go over some of these bills as well .
As the organization recently reported , the latest bills to be introduced would be a nightmare for the state ’ s legal gun owners .
We ’ ve seen the problems with California ’ s required background checks for ammunition purchases .
Tens of thousands of legal gun owners have been unable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system the state of California has in place , and now Hawaii lawmakers want to try to put a similarly flawed program in place in their state .
Senate Bill 2519 , like House Bill 1736 and Senate Bill 2154 , reported on previously , prohibits possession of magazines capable of holding more than ten rounds .
These so called “ high capacity ” magazines are in fact standard equipment for commonly-owned firearms that many Americans legally and effectively use for an entire range of legitimate purposes , such as self-defense or competition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these magazines by carving out an exemption for law enforcement , but will still violate the rights of ordinary citizens .
They contain no “ grandfathering ” provision for affected magazines lawfully acquired prior to the ban , so citizens will be forced to dispose of their property , alter it , or surrender it to the government .
Once again , Hawaii lawmakers are taking a page from their counterparts in California , but are ignoring the issues with California ’ s magazine ban .
In fact , California ’ s law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of holding more than ten rounds has been blocked by a federal judge for violating the constitutional rights of residents , but that ’ s not stopping legislators in Hawaii from trying to do the same thing .
Go read the latest ILA alert for even more awful pieces of legislation that have just been filed , because the bills above are really just the tip of the iceberg .
This is where the gun control movement wants to take us .
Not to the sandy beaches and warm sunny days of Hawaii @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the People to keep and bear arms doesn ’ t exist and instead , it ’ s a tightly restricted privilege that can only be pursued by those the State deems to be worthy .

As bad as things are in Virginia, where I live, gun owners in Hawaii have it even worse than we do this legislative season. Part of that is because the gun laws in Hawaii are already atrocious. The right to bear arms is non-existent, with “may issue” licenses required to carry either openly or concealed, and the right to keep arms is curtailed as well, with every gun owner required to register their firearms with the police. In recent years we’ve seen the Honolulu police department use that list to try to seize guns from the state’s medical marijuana users, before backing down after an outcry and a lot of unwanted media attention.
Gun owners on the islands are now having to deal with dozens of new gun control bills introduced this session, and even the local public radio station seems somewhat sympathetic to their cause (at least as far as public radio goes).
Gun rights advocates say the proposals are only hurting law-abiding citizens. “A lot of the firearms problems that we’re seeing are stemming from other, sort of, roll-on effects, and these laws don’t tackle that,” said Andrew Namiki Roberts, a director of the Hawaii Firearm Coalition. “These laws only tackle law-abiding people getting firearms. They don’t look at charging criminals that use firearms. They don’t look at where criminals are actually getting their firearms — which is theft.” Namiki Roberts says the loopholes that lawmakers are trying to close allow citizens to exercise their Second Amendment rights.
Somehow I doubt that Namiki Roberts actually used the word “loophole,” because that’s not what lawmakers are trying to do. They’re trying to put new laws on the books, not “close loopholes,” though he’s right that the laws they’re intent on passing would curtail the rights of citizens, while doing nothing to address criminals.
The NRA is holding a town hall meeting in Honolulu on February 13th to inform gun owners about the dangerous new legislation, and I’d strongly encourage anyone who can attend to do so. I briefly spoke with Dan Reid, the Western States Director for NRA-ILA out at SHOT Show, and I’m hoping to have him on Bearing Arms’ Cam & Co. in the next week to go over some of these bills as well. As the organization recently reported, the latest bills to be introduced would be a nightmare for the state’s legal gun owners.
House Bill 2736 and Senate Bill 2635 restrict ammunition purchases and possession to those who provide a proof of firearm registration for the particular caliber of purchase. Additionally the legislation requires licensing for ammunition sellers.
We’ve seen the problems with California’s required background checks for ammunition purchases. Tens of thousands of legal gun owners have been unable to purchase ammunition because of the broken system the state of California has in place, and now Hawaii lawmakers want to try to put a similarly flawed program in place in their state.
Senate Bill 2519, like House Bill 1736 and Senate Bill 2154, reported on previously, prohibits possession of magazines capable of holding more than ten rounds. These so called “high capacity” magazines are in fact standard equipment for commonly-owned firearms that many Americans legally and effectively use for an entire range of legitimate purposes, such as self-defense or competition. The bills recognize the utility of these magazines by carving out an exemption for law enforcement, but will still violate the rights of ordinary citizens. They contain no “grandfathering” provision for affected magazines lawfully acquired prior to the ban, so citizens will be forced to dispose of their property, alter it, or surrender it to the government.
Once again, Hawaii lawmakers are taking a page from their counterparts in California, but are ignoring the issues with California’s magazine ban. In fact, California’s law that bans the possession of magazines capable of holding more than ten rounds has been blocked by a federal judge for violating the constitutional rights of residents, but that’s not stopping legislators in Hawaii from trying to do the same thing.
Go read the latest ILA alert for even more awful pieces of legislation that have just been filed, because the bills above are really just the tip of the iceberg.
This is where the gun control movement wants to take us. Not to the sandy beaches and warm sunny days of Hawaii, but a place where the right of the People to keep and bear arms doesn’t exist and instead, it’s a tightly restricted privilege that can only be pursued by those the State deems to be worthy.


bearingarms--2020-02-01--PA Judge Blocks New Anti-Gun Policy From Being Enforced

A Pennsylvania judge issued a preliminary injunction on Friday blocking a new state police policy requiring background checks for 80 % lower receivers and other “ partially manufactured receivers ” put in place a few weeks ago following an opinion by the state ’ s Attorney General that declared the unfinished receivers “ firearms ” under Pennsylvania ’ s Uniform Firearms Act .
The Firearms Policy Coalition filed the suit shortly after AG Josh Shapiro released his opinion and the Pennsylvania State Police issued guidance to gun store owners on how to comply with the new order .
Pennsylvania firearms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ simply aren ’ t “ firearms ” under any definition , and that the new policy endangered the rights of Pennsylvanians under the U.S. and state constitutions .
In his order on Friday , Judge Kevin Brobson said the plaintiffs in the case raised valid points about the vagueness of the new policy , which applies even to products that the ATF has determined are not firearms .
From the judge ’ s order : The judge also noted that the new policy by the Pennsylvania State Police requires a new background check @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” even though the State Police now say that those receivers actually are firearms .
If that ’ s the case , the judge wondered , why the need for a new form ?
Shouldn ’ t they be using the existing form for firearms background checks ?
It ’ s another example of how the new policy “ sows confusion within the industry and the public.
” Judge Brobson did say it ’ s possible for the Pennsylvania State Police to change how they ’ re enforcing this policy in such a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to remain in place .
The state uses its own Pennsylvania Instant Check System , which means it wouldn ’ t have to depend on the NICS system to run checks on those purchasing an unfinished receiver ( that would be problematic , since the ATF doesn ’ t define 80 % -finished receivers as firearms , and it ’ s unlikely the FBI would agree to run checks on those products ) .
The biggest problem for the state police and the state ’ s attorney general would appear to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Uniform Firearm Act to require the background checks in the first place .
As the judge notes , the Attorney General claims that “ unfinished receivers ” are still firearms , but the term “ receiver ” is never actually defined in the UFA .
It appears AG Josh Shapiro was trying to write a new law instead of merely interpreting the existing statute .
I ’ d say it ’ s a given that the state police will appeal Judge Brobson ’ s ruling , and this case is still very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the temporary injunction is good news for those who care about the rule of law in Pennsylvania , and a setback for those seeking to turn our rights into privileges to be doled out by the State .

A Pennsylvania judge issued a preliminary injunction on Friday blocking a new state police policy requiring background checks for 80% lower receivers and other “partially manufactured receivers” put in place a few weeks ago following an opinion by the state’s Attorney General that declared the unfinished receivers “firearms” under Pennsylvania’s Uniform Firearms Act.
The Firearms Policy Coalition filed the suit shortly after AG Josh Shapiro released his opinion and the Pennsylvania State Police issued guidance to gun store owners on how to comply with the new order. Pennsylvania firearms attorney Joshua Prince argued that unfinished receivers simply aren’t “firearms” under any definition, and that the new policy endangered the rights of Pennsylvanians under the U.S. and state constitutions.
In his order on Friday, Judge Kevin Brobson said the plaintiffs in the case raised valid points about the vagueness of the new policy, which applies even to products that the ATF has determined are not firearms. From the judge’s order:
The judge also noted that the new policy by the Pennsylvania State Police requires a new background check form for “partially manufactured receivers,” even though the State Police now say that those receivers actually are firearms. If that’s the case, the judge wondered, why the need for a new form? Shouldn’t they be using the existing form for firearms background checks? It’s another example of how the new policy “sows confusion within the industry and the public.”
Judge Brobson did say it’s possible for the Pennsylvania State Police to change how they’re enforcing this policy in such a way that the temporary injunction would not need to remain in place. The state uses its own Pennsylvania Instant Check System, which means it wouldn’t have to depend on the NICS system to run checks on those purchasing an unfinished receiver (that would be problematic, since the ATF doesn’t define 80%-finished receivers as firearms, and it’s unlikely the FBI would agree to run checks on those products).
The biggest problem for the state police and the state’s attorney general would appear to be the vague interpretation of the state’s Uniform Firearm Act to require the background checks in the first place. As the judge notes, the Attorney General claims that “unfinished receivers” are still firearms, but the term “receiver” is never actually defined in the UFA. It appears AG Josh Shapiro was trying to write a new law instead of merely interpreting the existing statute.
I’d say it’s a given that the state police will appeal Judge Brobson’s ruling, and this case is still very much in the early stages. Still, the temporary injunction is good news for those who care about the rule of law in Pennsylvania, and a setback for those seeking to turn our rights into privileges to be doled out by the State.


bearingarms--2020-02-01--Hundreds Rally In KY, NM To Protest "Red Flag" Legislation

They were thousands of miles away from each other , but gun owners in Kentucky and New Mexico rallied at their respective state capitols on Friday in opposition to red flag legislation that ’ s been introduced in both states .
The Courier-Journal newspaper in Kentucky reported that about 100 gun owners were on hand to lobby against the red flag bill , including a few who showed up from Virginia to lend their support .
Dick Heller of DC v Heller fame was on hand to speak , as was Kentucky congressman Thomas Massie , who held what he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as he addressed the crowd .
The media coverage of the rally left much to be desired , frankly .
WKYT-TV , for example , seems to be confused about which Virginia is ramming through gun control bills .
A few gun-related bills have been introduced during the 2020 legislative session .
One bill would “ require the owners of registered assault weapons to store the weapons in a manner which renders them inoperable to unauthorized users.
” Participants in a similar rally in early January at the VA post in Frankfort said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ laws in neighboring West Virginia would become a trend .
Here ’ s a tip for reporters : it ’ s not West Virginia that ’ s passing legislation infringing on the rights of residents .
Meanwhile , Esquire ‘ s coverage claimed that Kentucky gun owners had turned out to protest the state ’ s red flag law , but they were actually protesting a bill , not a law .
Of course , that ’ s a minor complaint given the anti-gun bias throughout the website ’ s reporting on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that seeing people openly carrying rifles is a “ chilling look at the lengths Second Amendment supporters will go for their cause , ” but it ’ s clearly bothered anti-gun advocates .
At the Roundhouse in Santa Fe , New Mexico , firearms were banned from portions of the capitol complex as hundreds of gun owners were on hand to voice their objections to the red flag legislation approved last week by a state Senate committee .
From the Albuquerque Journal : Stefani Lord of the advocacy group Pro-Gun Women led the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to speak to the crowd of roughly 500 people .
As a survivor of domestic violence , she said , she understands the importance of women being able to keep firearms to protect themselves .
“ Stop infringing on our rights , ” she said , looking up at the Capitol .
“ We ’ re drawing a line in the sand.
” Shouts of “ vote them out ” surfaced repeatedly when Democrats were mentioned .
“ We will put you in our political crosshairs , ” Otero County Commissioner and Cowboys @ @ @ @ @ @ @ People in the crowd waved American and “ Don ’ t Tread on Me ” flags and carried rifles and pistols .
Some of the firearms on display were semiautomatic rifles modeled on the AR-15 and AK-47 .
Just like we saw at the much-larger Lobby Day in Virginia , the gun owners in Frankfort , Kentucky and Santa Fe , New Mexico on Friday were peacefully advocating for their constitutional rights .
And just like in Virginia , the media gravitated towards the most unusually dressed in attendance .
If you showed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you were probably ignored by the reporters on hand .
If you showed up kitted out and ready for the Boogaloo to begin , congratulations on making the front page of the paper .
Now that the rallies are over , I hope that those in attendance will keep up the pressure on lawmakers .
I ’ m not convinced that the red flag legislation is going anywhere in Kentucky ’ s Republican-dominated legislature , but it is on the move in New Mexico and faces another crucial committee vote next week before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That ’ s where similar legislation died in the 2019 session , and it ’ s probably the only chance gun owners in the state have of defeating the bill before it gets to Gov .
Grisham ’ s desk .

They were thousands of miles away from each other, but gun owners in Kentucky and New Mexico rallied at their respective state capitols on Friday in opposition to red flag legislation that’s been introduced in both states.
The Courier-Journal newspaper in Kentucky reported that about 100 gun owners were on hand to lobby against the red flag bill, including a few who showed up from Virginia to lend their support.
Met these guys at the 2A rally. They drove 10 hours from Virginia to “stand in the rain with complete strangers.” pic.twitter.com/jZHo7SCXa6 — Jonathan Bullington (@jrbullington) January 31, 2020
Dick Heller of DC v Heller fame was on hand to speak, as was Kentucky congressman Thomas Massie, who held what he called the “first assault rifle” as he addressed the crowd.
What an honor to share the stage in Kentucky with @realDickHeller !#2A pic.twitter.com/z2VqLMw9x1 — Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) January 31, 2020
The media coverage of the rally left much to be desired, frankly. WKYT-TV, for example, seems to be confused about which Virginia is ramming through gun control bills.
A few gun-related bills have been introduced during the 2020 legislative session. One bill would “require the owners of registered assault weapons to store the weapons in a manner which renders them inoperable to unauthorized users.” Participants in a similar rally in early January at the VA post in Frankfort said they were concerned newly proposed gun restriction laws in neighboring West Virginia would become a trend.
Here’s a tip for reporters: it’s not West Virginia that’s passing legislation infringing on the rights of residents.
Meanwhile, Esquire‘s coverage claimed that Kentucky gun owners had turned out to protest the state’s red flag law, but they were actually protesting a bill, not a law. Of course, that’s a minor complaint given the anti-gun bias throughout the website’s reporting on the rally.
The photos here offer a chilling look at the lengths second amendment supporters will go to for their cause. It’s hard to wrap your head around how a group of masked men and women strapped with death machines is an effective way to combat the stigma surrounding gun owners, but here we are.
I’m not sure that seeing people openly carrying rifles is a “chilling look at the lengths Second Amendment supporters will go for their cause,” but it’s clearly bothered anti-gun advocates.
Gun rights activists carrying semi-automatic firearms walk through the Capitol Building on January 31, 2020 in Frankfort, Kentucky. 📷: @woolstonphoto pic.twitter.com/YCGHNtTJNS — Getty Images News (@GettyImagesNews) January 31, 2020
At the Roundhouse in Santa Fe, New Mexico, firearms were banned from portions of the capitol complex as hundreds of gun owners were on hand to voice their objections to the red flag legislation approved last week by a state Senate committee. From the Albuquerque Journal:
Stefani Lord of the advocacy group Pro-Gun Women led the rally, calling on sheriffs and others to speak to the crowd of roughly 500 people. As a survivor of domestic violence, she said, she understands the importance of women being able to keep firearms to protect themselves. “Stop infringing on our rights,” she said, looking up at the Capitol. “We’re drawing a line in the sand.” Shouts of “vote them out” surfaced repeatedly when Democrats were mentioned. “We will put you in our political crosshairs,” Otero County Commissioner and Cowboys for Trump founder Couy Griffin said. People in the crowd waved American and “Don’t Tread on Me” flags and carried rifles and pistols. Some of the firearms on display were semiautomatic rifles modeled on the AR-15 and AK-47.
Just like we saw at the much-larger Lobby Day in Virginia, the gun owners in Frankfort, Kentucky and Santa Fe, New Mexico on Friday were peacefully advocating for their constitutional rights. And just like in Virginia, the media gravitated towards the most unusually dressed in attendance. If you showed up in a suit and tie, you were probably ignored by the reporters on hand. If you showed up kitted out and ready for the Boogaloo to begin, congratulations on making the front page of the paper.
Now that the rallies are over, I hope that those in attendance will keep up the pressure on lawmakers. I’m not convinced that the red flag legislation is going anywhere in Kentucky’s Republican-dominated legislature, but it is on the move in New Mexico and faces another crucial committee vote next week before likely heading to the state Senate floor. That’s where similar legislation died in the 2019 session, and it’s probably the only chance gun owners in the state have of defeating the bill before it gets to Gov. Grisham’s desk.


bearingarms--2020-01-31--New Lawsuit Takes On Illinois State Police Over FOID Card Issues

Illinois requires every gun owner in the state to possess a Firearms Owner ID card before they can legally possess a gun , but the state police have been mired in delays that have left thousands of gun owners in limbo as their existing cards expire or they await approval before purchasing a gun .
Compounding the problem is the fact that Democrats in the state legislature have been apparently raiding the FOID card fund , taking out millions of dollars that could have been spent to ensure the system was actually operating in a functional manner .
Now the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Amendment Foundation have filed suit , alleging that the delays are resulting in a denial of the Second Amendment rights of residents .
The lawsuit , filed in the Northern District of Illinois , Eastern Division federal court , says ISP “ has swept or transferred funds totaling more than $ 29,500,000.00 from the State Police Firearms Services Fund , the State Police Operations Assistance Fund , and the State Police Services Fund away from these funds and into other accounts.
” According to the complaint , “ The money was to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Firearm Owners Identification Card ( “ FOID Card Act ” ) , background checks for firearm-related services , and concealed carry licensing pursuant to the Firearms Concealed Carry Act ( “ FCCA ” ) .
Instead , the more than $ 29,500,000.00 has been subject to interfund transfers which are ostensibly to be repaid but which have not been , or swept into other accounts without an obligation to reimburse the funds at all.
” “ The sweeping of funds has denied qualified Illinois citizens their rights and the ability to defend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb .
“ Because of this practice , ISP processing of FOID and concealed carry applications has slowed to a crawl , allowing paperwork to languish .
That ’ s not just poor performance , it ’ s pathetic.
” The lawsuit comes as the Illinois State Supreme Court is considering whether the state ’ s FOID card system is unconstitutional to begin with .
If the state ’ s high court were to strike down the FOID card requirement , the new federal lawsuit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moot , but the hinderance of the right to keep and bear arms would also disappear .
The state supreme court actually heard two cases dealing with the issue back in the fall , and could issue an opinion at any time .
As for the new case , you can read the entire filing here .
I wish the attorneys the best of luck in this case , and hope that Illinois residents will soon be able to more fully exercise their constitutional rights without being bound up in red tape , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .
He lives outside of Farmville , Virginia with his family .
https : //bearingarms.com/author/camedwards/

Illinois requires every gun owner in the state to possess a Firearms Owner ID card before they can legally possess a gun, but the state police have been mired in delays that have left thousands of gun owners in limbo as their existing cards expire or they await approval before purchasing a gun. Compounding the problem is the fact that Democrats in the state legislature have been apparently raiding the FOID card fund, taking out millions of dollars that could have been spent to ensure the system was actually operating in a functional manner.
Now the Illinois State Rifle Association and the Second Amendment Foundation have filed suit, alleging that the delays are resulting in a denial of the Second Amendment rights of residents.
The lawsuit, filed in the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division federal court, says ISP “has swept or transferred funds totaling more than $29,500,000.00 from the State Police Firearms Services Fund, the State Police Operations Assistance Fund, and the State Police Services Fund away from these funds and into other accounts.” According to the complaint, “The money was to be used for three purposes: administration of the Firearm Owners Identification Card (“FOID Card Act”), background checks for firearm-related services, and concealed carry licensing pursuant to the Firearms Concealed Carry Act (“FCCA”). Instead, the more than $29,500,000.00 has been subject to interfund transfers which are ostensibly to be repaid but which have not been, or swept into other accounts without an obligation to reimburse the funds at all.” “The sweeping of funds has denied qualified Illinois citizens their rights and the ability to defend themselves and their families,” said SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb. “Because of this practice, ISP processing of FOID and concealed carry applications has slowed to a crawl, allowing paperwork to languish. That’s not just poor performance, it’s pathetic.”
The lawsuit comes as the Illinois State Supreme Court is considering whether the state’s FOID card system is unconstitutional to begin with. If the state’s high court were to strike down the FOID card requirement, the new federal lawsuit filed by ISRA and SAF would be moot, but the hinderance of the right to keep and bear arms would also disappear. The state supreme court actually heard two cases dealing with the issue back in the fall, and could issue an opinion at any time.
As for the new case, you can read the entire filing here. I wish the attorneys the best of luck in this case, and hope that Illinois residents will soon be able to more fully exercise their constitutional rights without being bound up in red tape, regulations, and outright government interference.


bearingarms--2020-01-31--Virginia County Sees Surge In Concealed Carry Applications

Virginia Governor Ralph Northam isn ’ t just selling a lot of guns in Virginia these days .
He ’ s also responsible for the increasing number of Virginians applying to get their concealed carry license as well .
Fauquier County , which is in northern Virginia and an exurb of Washington , D.C. fifty miles away , has seen a huge increase in the number of residents applying for their concealed carry license in the past few weeks .
As of Thursday , the Fauquier County Circuit Court clerk ’ s office had received 330 applications — more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same month in 2019 .
Last January , the office received 155 concealed carry applications , Chief Deputy Clerk Helen Zaleski said .
That represents about a 113-percent increase over January 2019 ’ s total .
Last year , the clerk ’ s office received 1,314 concealed carry permit applications .
During the previous five years , it received 6,851 .
Clark Bros. is a well known gun store and range located in the county , and owner Steve Clark tells Fauquier Now that Ralph Northam and Democrat lawmakers can take the credit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to bear arms .
I know that most of it is explained by ( Gov .
Ralph Northam , a Democrat ) wanting to do all of his disgusting gun-control laws , ” said Mr. Clark , whose family 60 years ago opened the popular gun store along Routes 17/17/29 .
“ People are feeling that will help them in a grandfathered-in clause — if they ’ ve already got their concealed carry permits — because the first thing ( the Virginia General Assembly ) will do is stop concealed carry permits.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ easier to renew them than it is to get new ones .
That ’ s the thought process there .
We don ’ t know if that ’ s going to be true or not.
” For all of the gun control laws that are moving in the state legislature , anti-gun Democrats haven ’ t done much to attack the right to carry application process , focusing instead on bills that would empower localities to limit the ability to carry in public places .
I ’ m actually surprised that we didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open carrying of firearms being pushed this session , but without a doubt restrictions on the right to carry are coming as long as Democrats maintain their majority in the state legislature .
While the Fauquier County newspaper focuses their story on what ’ s happening locally , there ’ s evidence that the surge in interest in concealed carry is happening across the state .
Down in Danville , on the Virginia/North Carolina border , firearms instructor Barry Creasy says his classes are filling up fast .
Creasy says he ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30 years .
He says his class size increases when people feel their gun rights are not being protected .
“ People are concerned because some of the proposals are actually going to restrict guns that people have owned for over 40 to 50 years , ” Creasy said .
We ’ ll likely learn the number of NICS checks performed in Virginia in January at some point next week , which will also give us some indication about how Northam ’ s gun proposals are driving residents to exercise their Second Amendment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ December , and from what I ’ m hearing from a few friends in the industry here in the state , I wouldn ’ t be surprised if January ’ s sales were just as high , even though typically it ’ s the slowest month of the year .
In their quest to disarm Virginians , it looks like Northam and his anti-gun cohorts at the capitol have only led more residents to exercise their right to keep and bear arms .

Virginia Governor Ralph Northam isn’t just selling a lot of guns in Virginia these days. He’s also responsible for the increasing number of Virginians applying to get their concealed carry license as well. Fauquier County, which is in northern Virginia and an exurb of Washington, D.C. fifty miles away, has seen a huge increase in the number of residents applying for their concealed carry license in the past few weeks.
As of Thursday, the Fauquier County Circuit Court clerk’s office had received 330 applications — more than double the number it did for the same month in 2019. Last January, the office received 155 concealed carry applications, Chief Deputy Clerk Helen Zaleski said. That represents about a 113-percent increase over January 2019’s total. Last year, the clerk’s office received 1,314 concealed carry permit applications. During the previous five years, it received 6,851.
Clark Bros. is a well known gun store and range located in the county, and owner Steve Clark tells Fauquier Now that Ralph Northam and Democrat lawmakers can take the credit for surge in interest in the right to bear arms.
I know that most of it is explained by (Gov. Ralph Northam, a Democrat) wanting to do all of his disgusting gun-control laws,” said Mr. Clark, whose family 60 years ago opened the popular gun store along Routes 17/17/29. “People are feeling that will help them in a grandfathered-in clause — if they’ve already got their concealed carry permits — because the first thing (the Virginia General Assembly) will do is stop concealed carry permits.” He added: “It’s easier to renew them than it is to get new ones. That’s the thought process there. We don’t know if that’s going to be true or not.”
For all of the gun control laws that are moving in the state legislature, anti-gun Democrats haven’t done much to attack the right to carry application process, focusing instead on bills that would empower localities to limit the ability to carry in public places. I’m actually surprised that we didn’t see a ban on the open carrying of firearms being pushed this session, but without a doubt restrictions on the right to carry are coming as long as Democrats maintain their majority in the state legislature.
While the Fauquier County newspaper focuses their story on what’s happening locally, there’s evidence that the surge in interest in concealed carry is happening across the state. Down in Danville, on the Virginia/North Carolina border, firearms instructor Barry Creasy says his classes are filling up fast.
Creasy says he’s been teaching the class for more than 30 years. He says his class size increases when people feel their gun rights are not being protected. “People are concerned because some of the proposals are actually going to restrict guns that people have owned for over 40 to 50 years,” Creasy said.
We’ll likely learn the number of NICS checks performed in Virginia in January at some point next week, which will also give us some indication about how Northam’s gun proposals are driving residents to exercise their Second Amendment rights. Virginia gun sales surged in December, and from what I’m hearing from a few friends in the industry here in the state, I wouldn’t be surprised if January’s sales were just as high, even though typically it’s the slowest month of the year. In their quest to disarm Virginians, it looks like Northam and his anti-gun cohorts at the capitol have only led more residents to exercise their right to keep and bear arms.


bearingarms--2020-01-31--The Group Quietly Training Chicago's Jewish Community In Armed Self-Defense

On today ’ s Bearing Arms ’ Cam & Co .
I talk with Chaim Naiditch , the founder of CCL Shul Members .
The Chicago-area group is home to about 150 members who get together on a regular basis to train to protect themselves and members of the Jewish community , and according to Naiditch has grown over the past several months as more individuals have expressed an interest in self-defense and defense of synagogues in the wake of the machete attack in New York over Hanukkah , as well as Jack Wilson stopping an attack at the West @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Texas in December .
Following the 2013 Firearm Concealed Carry Act in Illinois , many Jewish people privately applied for — and received — CCLs .
While firearms training is a requirement in order to obtain a CCL , the organization ’ s founders recognized a need for more advanced and situation-specific training to ensure that all those who chose to carry would be able to responsibly and effectively use them , should the need ever arise .
“ CCL Shul Members came into being to fill a need , ” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to arm themselves in self-defense , and we were founded to provide high-level , standardized training to ensure we ’ re all on the same page , and that we ’ re doing everything we can to ensure we are defending what we hold most dear in a responsible way.
” Also on today ’ s program , I answer several emails about the current state of things in Virginia , where Democrats in the state House of Delegates recently approved seven more bad bills .
The big fight now is going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of things like “ one gun a month ” and “ red flag ” language .
While neither chamber produced legislation worth supporting , the Senate versions are generally less onerous than what ’ s come out of the House .
I don ’ t think the final versions are going to get the backing of Second Amendment supporters , but their awfulness may be somewhat moderated in conference , though I ’ m not holding my breath .
Don ’ t forget to subscribe to the show at Apple Podcasts , Spotify @ @ @ @ @ @ @ podcast page , as well as Townhall Media on YouTube .
Thanks as always for watching , listening , and spreading the word !
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 .
He lives outside of Farmville , Virginia with his family .
https : //bearingarms.com/author/camedwards/

On today’s Bearing Arms’ Cam & Co. I talk with Chaim Naiditch, the founder of CCL Shul Members. The Chicago-area group is home to about 150 members who get together on a regular basis to train to protect themselves and members of the Jewish community, and according to Naiditch has grown over the past several months as more individuals have expressed an interest in self-defense and defense of synagogues in the wake of the machete attack in New York over Hanukkah, as well as Jack Wilson stopping an attack at the West Freeway Church of Christ in White Settlement, Texas in December.
Following the 2013 Firearm Concealed Carry Act in Illinois, many Jewish people privately applied for — and received — CCLs. While firearms training is a requirement in order to obtain a CCL, the organization’s founders recognized a need for more advanced and situation-specific training to ensure that all those who chose to carry would be able to responsibly and effectively use them, should the need ever arise. “CCL Shul Members came into being to fill a need,” said Naiditch. “Many Jews have chosen to arm themselves in self-defense, and we were founded to provide high-level, standardized training to ensure we’re all on the same page, and that we’re doing everything we can to ensure we are defending what we hold most dear in a responsible way.”
Also on today’s program, I answer several emails about the current state of things in Virginia, where Democrats in the state House of Delegates recently approved seven more bad bills. The big fight now is going to be between the Senate and House versions of things like “one gun a month” and “red flag” language. While neither chamber produced legislation worth supporting, the Senate versions are generally less onerous than what’s come out of the House. I don’t think the final versions are going to get the backing of Second Amendment supporters, but their awfulness may be somewhat moderated in conference, though I’m not holding my breath.
Don’t forget to subscribe to the show at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and Townhall.com’s podcast page, as well as Townhall Media on YouTube. Thanks as always for watching, listening, and spreading the word!


bearingarms--2020-01-31--Lyft Driver Defends Himself With A Gun And May Lose His Job Because Of It

A Cape Coral , Florida driver for the rideshare company Lyft used his legally owned and carried firearm to defend himself when a passenger pulled a knife and began threatening him .
According to WINK-TV , the driver didn ’ t have to pull the trigger , but the fact that he had his gun may have saved his life .
While the Lyft driver was driving around 1:10 a.m. , the passenger retrieved a small , black knife and began dictating where to drive .
According to the Cape Coral Police Dept .
arrest report , at the intersection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Mormon banged the dashboard with the knife while waving it in a “ threatening manner.
” The driver told Mormon to exit the vehicle because he was in fear for his life .
When Mormon did not listen , the victim pulled out a firearm and told Mormon once again to exit the vehicle .
The arrest report states that Mormon complied and the victim left the scene .
As WINK notes , Lyft ’ s policy is that drivers must be disarmed in their own cars while on the clock ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kudos to reporter Justin Case ( great name , by the way ) for knowing that fact and asking nearby residents what they thought about the prospect of the driver losing his gig with Lyft for protecting himself with a gun .
“ You have to look at the situation , ” said Joanne and Bob Syversen , “ before you clamp down on exactly what the rule says or what the law says.
” Police detained Mormon , who was found with a black pocket knife in his jeans .
The victim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a request to press charges .
Right now , Mormon is at Lee County Jail with a trial date on Feb. 10 .
WINK News reached out to Lyft to see if the driver will face punishment for brandishing a gun to protect his life .
So far , the rideshare company has not responded .
This is the second armed citizen story out of Cape Coral , Florida in recent days that WINK-TV has covered , and covered well .
The previous story featured a concealed carry holder who came to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being attacked by a man who allegedly became enraged after they refused his advances .
It ’ s great to see the solid local reporting on these stories , especially since the national media will ignore them both .
In both cases , “ average Americans ” used firearms in public spaces to protect innocent lives .
Yet Democrats like Mike Bloomberg , who ’ s spending his way up the polls , believe that this Lyft driver and Amir Rossi , the man who protected two women who needed help , should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans , says Bloomberg , just can ’ t be trusted with a gun .
In Bloomberg ’ s America , the Lyft driver might not just be looking for a new job .
He ’ d be looking at hard time .

A Cape Coral, Florida driver for the rideshare company Lyft used his legally owned and carried firearm to defend himself when a passenger pulled a knife and began threatening him. According to WINK-TV, the driver didn’t have to pull the trigger, but the fact that he had his gun may have saved his life.
While the Lyft driver was driving around 1:10 a.m., the passenger retrieved a small, black knife and began dictating where to drive. According to the Cape Coral Police Dept. arrest report, at the intersection of Chiquita Blvd and El Dorado Pkwy, Mormon banged the dashboard with the knife while waving it in a “threatening manner.” The driver told Mormon to exit the vehicle because he was in fear for his life. When Mormon did not listen, the victim pulled out a firearm and told Mormon once again to exit the vehicle. The arrest report states that Mormon complied and the victim left the scene.
As WINK notes, Lyft’s policy is that drivers must be disarmed in their own cars while on the clock (Uber has the same policy). Kudos to reporter Justin Case (great name, by the way) for knowing that fact and asking nearby residents what they thought about the prospect of the driver losing his gig with Lyft for protecting himself with a gun.
“You have to look at the situation,” said Joanne and Bob Syversen, “before you clamp down on exactly what the rule says or what the law says.” Police detained Mormon, who was found with a black pocket knife in his jeans. The victim later identified the detained suspect for officers with a request to press charges. Right now, Mormon is at Lee County Jail with a trial date on Feb. 10. WINK News reached out to Lyft to see if the driver will face punishment for brandishing a gun to protect his life. So far, the rideshare company has not responded.
This is the second armed citizen story out of Cape Coral, Florida in recent days that WINK-TV has covered, and covered well. The previous story featured a concealed carry holder who came to the aid of two strangers who were being attacked by a man who allegedly became enraged after they refused his advances. It’s great to see the solid local reporting on these stories, especially since the national media will ignore them both.
In both cases, “average Americans” used firearms in public spaces to protect innocent lives. Yet Democrats like Mike Bloomberg, who’s spending his way up the polls, believe that this Lyft driver and Amir Rossi, the man who protected two women who needed help, should both have been disarmed. Those average Americans, says Bloomberg, just can’t be trusted with a gun. In Bloomberg’s America, the Lyft driver might not just be looking for a new job. He’d be looking at hard time.


bearingarms--2020-01-31--VT Governor Says No To Waiting Periods, Yes To Red Flag Laws

Vermont ’ s governor Phil Scott says he will veto any legislation that gets to his desk requiring a waiting period to purchase a firearm , but he ’ s unfortunately embracing one gun control proposal even as he rejects another .
WCAX-TV reports that Scott is rejecting data from Harvard researchers that the academics claim shows waiting periods lead to a reduction in both homicides and suicides .
In the last session , Scott vetoed a bill which creates a 24-hour waiting period to receive a handgun after purchase .
He said there wasn ’ t enough research on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enough to tackle guns in his sweeping gun bills back in 2018 .
Additionally , in his proposed budget , Scott also says he ’ s invested more than $ 2 million in early intervention and suicide prevention resources .
The governor says the state should focus on red flag laws , which allow law enforcement to take away firearms from someone who could be a harm to themselves or others .
“ I would also ask the experts from Harvard if they have compared states that have red flag laws and if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how effective that has been , ” said Scott , R-Vermont .
I ’ ve done some research , and I ’ ve got some bad news for the governor .
In the two states that have had red flag laws on the books for the longest time , suicides have increased substantially , though there was a slight reduction in firearm-related suicides .
Scott is a Republican governor in a state that regularly elects a socialist to the U.S. Senate , so he may be simply looking at this from a political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spot between the longstanding support for the Second Amendment in the state and the desire to “ do something ” on the part of the state ’ s left-leaning voters .
Gun owners have been very vocal in their opposition to any new gun laws .
In fact , WCAX-TV reported earlier this week that a number of towns in the state are considering resolutions declaring themselves Second Amendment Sanctuaries .
“ The township or the town of Clarendon hereby declares itself to be a Second Amendment and Article 16 constitutional gun owner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mike Klopchin , reading a new resolution signed by the board .
It ’ s a measure this small , mostly conservative community agrees on .
“ It ’ s more or less just to let our state and federal representatives know where our community stands on this particular issue.
” Vermont has some of the lowest violent crime rates in the country , but a higher-than-average suicide rate .
What the state should be focusing on is increasing the help available for people in crisis , not going after legal gun owners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s largest in-patient mental health center could soon be closing its doors .
Vermont ’ s largest in-patient mental health facility , the Brattleboro Retreat , has voted to begin the process of either closing or selling the facility due to financial troubles .
Vermont Human Services Secretary Mike Smith says the state has invested millions of dollars into the privately run facility but says management “ has failed to deliver fiscal stability to the institution.
” AHS officials say from 2016 to 2018 there were 7,680 patient discharges .
On average @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year , staying an average of eight days .
Secretary Smith says last week Retreat officials asked for an additional $ 2 million in funding .
They said the number of patients they had budgeted for was much lower than expected .
Smith denied the request .
If the privately-run facility closes down , what ’ s the plan to deal with the 2,500 people it typically handles every year ?
File red flag petitions against them all and hope for the best ?
Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s legal gun owners in an attempt to avoid the mental health crisis in the state .
Vermont ’ s Second Amendment supporters and those genuinely in crisis both deserve better .

Vermont’s governor Phil Scott says he will veto any legislation that gets to his desk requiring a waiting period to purchase a firearm, but he’s unfortunately embracing one gun control proposal even as he rejects another.
WCAX-TV reports that Scott is rejecting data from Harvard researchers that the academics claim shows waiting periods lead to a reduction in both homicides and suicides.
In the last session, Scott vetoed a bill which creates a 24-hour waiting period to receive a handgun after purchase. He said there wasn’t enough research on the topic and that he had done enough to tackle guns in his sweeping gun bills back in 2018. Additionally, in his proposed budget, Scott also says he’s invested more than $2 million in early intervention and suicide prevention resources. The governor says the state should focus on red flag laws, which allow law enforcement to take away firearms from someone who could be a harm to themselves or others. “I would also ask the experts from Harvard if they have compared states that have red flag laws and if they’ve done any research on how effective that has been,” said Scott, R-Vermont.
I’ve done some research, and I’ve got some bad news for the governor. In the two states that have had red flag laws on the books for the longest time, suicides have increased substantially, though there was a slight reduction in firearm-related suicides.
Scott is a Republican governor in a state that regularly elects a socialist to the U.S. Senate, so he may be simply looking at this from a political angle and trying to find the sweet spot between the longstanding support for the Second Amendment in the state and the desire to “do something” on the part of the state’s left-leaning voters. Gun owners have been very vocal in their opposition to any new gun laws. In fact, WCAX-TV reported earlier this week that a number of towns in the state are considering resolutions declaring themselves Second Amendment Sanctuaries.
“The township or the town of Clarendon hereby declares itself to be a Second Amendment and Article 16 constitutional gun owner township,” said Clarendon Selectboard Chair Mike Klopchin, reading a new resolution signed by the board. It’s a measure this small, mostly conservative community agrees on. “It’s more or less just to let our state and federal representatives know where our community stands on this particular issue.”
Vermont has some of the lowest violent crime rates in the country, but a higher-than-average suicide rate. What the state should be focusing on is increasing the help available for people in crisis, not going after legal gun owners. Instead, it looks like Vermont’s largest in-patient mental health center could soon be closing its doors.
Vermont’s largest in-patient mental health facility, the Brattleboro Retreat, has voted to begin the process of either closing or selling the facility due to financial troubles. Vermont Human Services Secretary Mike Smith says the state has invested millions of dollars into the privately run facility but says management “has failed to deliver fiscal stability to the institution.” AHS officials say from 2016 to 2018 there were 7,680 patient discharges. On average, the facility serves 2,500 patients per year, staying an average of eight days. Secretary Smith says last week Retreat officials asked for an additional $2 million in funding. They said the number of patients they had budgeted for was much lower than expected. Smith denied the request.
If the privately-run facility closes down, what’s the plan to deal with the 2,500 people it typically handles every year? File red flag petitions against them all and hope for the best?
Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle need to get serious and quit scapegoating the state’s legal gun owners in an attempt to avoid the mental health crisis in the state. Vermont’s Second Amendment supporters and those genuinely in crisis both deserve better.


bearingarms--2020-01-31--CO Woman Facing Felony Warrant For Abusing 'Red Flag' Law

A Colorado woman who tried to take out an Extreme Risk Protection Order against the police officer who shot and killed her son in 2017 is now facing a felony perjury charge and has a warrant out for her arrest .
We first told you about Susan Holmes a few weeks ago , when she first filed the application to declare Cpl .
Phillip Morris a risk to himself or others .
Holmes declared on her application that she and Morris had children together , which isn ’ t true .
Instead , it was Morris and another officer who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an incident police described as “ suicide by cop.
” The judge denied Susan Holmes ’ petition on Jan. 16 .
The fact she is not related to Morris was one of the key reasons for the denial .
The Larimer County Sheriff ’ s Office ( LCSO ) said deputies have attempted to serve their warrant multiple times since last week .
She is not in custody .
The sheriff ’ s office also put out a digital “ wanted poster ” for Holmes .
“ Every week we put out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most public interest charge to generate public interest and leads , ” said LCSO spokesman Jared Kramer .
I ’ m sure that Susan Holmes is devastated by the loss of her son .
In fact , it sounds like she might be able to use some mental health services to help her cope with her grief .
Unfortunately , as the Colorado Springs Gazette covered in an extensive series in 2019 , Colorado ’ s mental health system is failing to keep up with the demand from state residents .
Frankly , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support things like “ red flag ” laws to begin with ; they allow politicians to say they ’ re “ doing something , ” even if they ’ re not addressing the real crisis in the mental health system .
It ’ s also good to see the Latimer County Sheriff take the fraudulent attempt to disarm Cpl .
Morris seriously .
Gun owners and Second Amendment supporters warned before the state ’ s red flag law took effect that people would try to use it to go after people they didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took a couple of weeks for it to actually happen .
Law enforcement has to crack down on any attempt to weaponize the red flag law , and it sounds like the sheriff is doing exactly that .
Larimer County Sheriff Justin Smith was highly critical of Holmes and said on Facebook that the Sheriff ’ s Office would be exploring charges against her .
Smith will make a statement on the charges on Friday , Kramer said .
In a complaint filed in 8th Judicial District court on Jan. 23 , District @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to influence Howard by means of deceit and knowingly made a false statement .
Holmes “ unlawfully , feloniously , and knowingly made a materially false statement , alleging that she had legal standing and that Larimer County had venue over an application for an Extreme Risk Protection Order , which she did not believe to be true , ” the complaint said .
I hope that Holmes gets the help she needs and the justice she deserves , and I hope that the legislators in Colorado who pushed the red flag law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s already creating .

A Colorado woman who tried to take out an Extreme Risk Protection Order against the police officer who shot and killed her son in 2017 is now facing a felony perjury charge and has a warrant out for her arrest. We first told you about Susan Holmes a few weeks ago, when she first filed the application to declare Cpl. Phillip Morris a risk to himself or others. Holmes declared on her application that she and Morris had children together, which isn’t true. Instead, it was Morris and another officer who shot her son Jeremy three years ago in an incident police described as “suicide by cop.”
The judge denied Susan Holmes’ petition on Jan. 16. The fact she is not related to Morris was one of the key reasons for the denial. The Larimer County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) said deputies have attempted to serve their warrant multiple times since last week. She is not in custody. The sheriff’s office also put out a digital “wanted poster” for Holmes. “Every week we put out one for the most egregious or the most public interest charge to generate public interest and leads,” said LCSO spokesman Jared Kramer.
I’m sure that Susan Holmes is devastated by the loss of her son. In fact, it sounds like she might be able to use some mental health services to help her cope with her grief. Unfortunately, as the Colorado Springs Gazette covered in an extensive series in 2019, Colorado’s mental health system is failing to keep up with the demand from state residents. Frankly, that’s one reason some lawmakers support things like “red flag” laws to begin with; they allow politicians to say they’re “doing something,” even if they’re not addressing the real crisis in the mental health system.
It’s also good to see the Latimer County Sheriff take the fraudulent attempt to disarm Cpl. Morris seriously. Gun owners and Second Amendment supporters warned before the state’s red flag law took effect that people would try to use it to go after people they didn’t like, and it only took a couple of weeks for it to actually happen. Law enforcement has to crack down on any attempt to weaponize the red flag law, and it sounds like the sheriff is doing exactly that.
Larimer County Sheriff Justin Smith was highly critical of Holmes and said on Facebook that the Sheriff’s Office would be exploring charges against her. Smith will make a statement on the charges on Friday, Kramer said. In a complaint filed in 8th Judicial District court on Jan. 23, District Attorney Cliff Riedel said that Holmes attempted to influence Howard by means of deceit and knowingly made a false statement. Holmes “unlawfully, feloniously, and knowingly made a materially false statement, alleging that she had legal standing and that Larimer County had venue over an application for an Extreme Risk Protection Order, which she did not believe to be true,” the complaint said.
I hope that Holmes gets the help she needs and the justice she deserves, and I hope that the legislators in Colorado who pushed the red flag law are aware of the problems it’s already creating.


bearingarms--2020-01-30--Rhode Island Senate Approves Ban On 3D Printed Guns

One of the things I do when I ’ m not writing here at Bearing Arms is reading and writing science fiction and fantasy stories ( new book out today , BTW ) .
That means considering new technologies and the impact they may have on the future .
To me , one of the most fascinating is the 3D printer .
Whereas you once needed special skills to fabricate something out of nothing but raw materials , the 3D printer lets you use a file to create something in the privacy of your own home .
I don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s pretty bada** .
Unsurprisingly , someone immediately turned their attention to using this technology to make guns .
Makes sense , right ?
After all , if the government becomes tyrannical and bans guns somehow , the good people of this country will still need at least some access to arms to take their country back , right ?
Also , unsurprisingly , lawmakers want to ban using the new technology to make guns .
The Rhode Island Senate on Wednesday approved legislation sponsored by Sen. Cynthia Coyne to outlaw 3-D @ @ @ @ @ @ @ untraceable or undetectable firearms in Rhode Island .
“ Ghost guns , 3-D printed guns and undetectable plastic guns are designed especially for criminal activity .
They are meant to dodge the legal safeguards that protect public safety .
Our state laws should be very clear that possessing , creating or selling them is a criminal act , and we should be doing everything we can to keep these dangerous weapons from proliferating here , ” said Coyne , of District , 32 , Barrington , Bristol , East Providence .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has expedited this common-sense legislation , which addresses a loophole that has developed via new technology while protecting the rights of law-abiding citizens.
” The legislation , a version of which was also approved by the Senate last year , would make it unlawful in Rhode Island for any person to manufacture , sell , offer to sell , transfer , purchase , possess , or have under his or her control any gun that is made from plastic , fiberglass or through a 3-D printing process ; or a ghost gun , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the requirements of the Federal Gun Control Act of 1968 ; or one that would be undetectable by a metal detector after removal of all parts other than a major component , or whose major component would not generate an accurate image if subjected to the type of screening equipment used at airports and public buildings .
As noted above , this legislation also inhibits law-abiding citizens who enjoy building their own firearms from unregistered receivers .
What ’ s not noted above is that there ’ s not a hope in hell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ making guns if they want to , either with a 3D printer or with a less than 80 percent receiver .
That ’ s because criminals , by definition , don ’ t obey the law .
They ’ ll ignore this one like they ignore all the other laws .
As per usual , lawmakers seek to ignore the real problem–criminals–and instead want to impose restrictions on the very people they don ’ t need to worry about .
You can give a law-abiding citizen a rocket launcher and he won ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but a violent criminal will use a rock or his bare hands to hurt another if that ’ s all they can get .
The problem isn ’ t the guns , but the people .
How about trying to start there ?

One of the things I do when I’m not writing here at Bearing Arms is reading and writing science fiction and fantasy stories (new book out today, BTW). That means considering new technologies and the impact they may have on the future.
To me, one of the most fascinating is the 3D printer.
Whereas you once needed special skills to fabricate something out of nothing but raw materials, the 3D printer lets you use a file to create something in the privacy of your own home. I don’t care who you are, that’s pretty bada**.
Unsurprisingly, someone immediately turned their attention to using this technology to make guns. Makes sense, right? After all, if the government becomes tyrannical and bans guns somehow, the good people of this country will still need at least some access to arms to take their country back, right?
Also, unsurprisingly, lawmakers want to ban using the new technology to make guns.
The Rhode Island Senate on Wednesday approved legislation sponsored by Sen. Cynthia Coyne to outlaw 3-D printed guns, ghost guns and other untraceable or undetectable firearms in Rhode Island. “Ghost guns, 3-D printed guns and undetectable plastic guns are designed especially for criminal activity. They are meant to dodge the legal safeguards that protect public safety. Our state laws should be very clear that possessing, creating or selling them is a criminal act, and we should be doing everything we can to keep these dangerous weapons from proliferating here,” said Coyne, of District, 32, Barrington, Bristol, East Providence. “I’m very grateful that the Senate has expedited this common-sense legislation, which addresses a loophole that has developed via new technology while protecting the rights of law-abiding citizens.” The legislation, a version of which was also approved by the Senate last year, would make it unlawful in Rhode Island for any person to manufacture, sell, offer to sell, transfer, purchase, possess, or have under his or her control any gun that is made from plastic, fiberglass or through a 3-D printing process; or a ghost gun, one that lacks a serial number under the requirements of the Federal Gun Control Act of 1968; or one that would be undetectable by a metal detector after removal of all parts other than a major component, or whose major component would not generate an accurate image if subjected to the type of screening equipment used at airports and public buildings.
As noted above, this legislation also inhibits law-abiding citizens who enjoy building their own firearms from unregistered receivers.
What’s not noted above is that there’s not a hope in hell that this bill will interfere with criminals making guns if they want to, either with a 3D printer or with a less than 80 percent receiver. That’s because criminals, by definition, don’t obey the law. They’ll ignore this one like they ignore all the other laws.
As per usual, lawmakers seek to ignore the real problem–criminals–and instead want to impose restrictions on the very people they don’t need to worry about.
You can give a law-abiding citizen a rocket launcher and he won’t hurt a living soul with it, but a violent criminal will use a rock or his bare hands to hurt another if that’s all they can get.
The problem isn’t the guns, but the people. How about trying to start there?


bearingarms--2020-02-03--John Kerry: No One Needs “AR-16 With A Long Clip” To Hunt

At a campaign event for Joe Biden in Iowa over the weekend , former Secretary of State John Kerry let loose with a high-powered political gaffe when he talked about his disdain for so-called “ assault weapons.
” “ You heard from Joe about the things he did with the NRA , ” the former Massachusetts senator said .
“ That took courage .
Delaware is a tough state .
I ’ m a hunter .
I ’ m a gun owner .
I ’ ve been one all my life .
There ’ s not a veteran here who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clip to go out and shoot a deer or shoot anything .
There is no business — Joe led the fight to get those things off the street.
” Hoo boy .
If you want a ban a gun , shouldn ’ t you at least know what it ’ s called ?
And why is it that so many “ lifelong gun owners ” who love gun control talk about firearms like someone speaking a foreign language ?
I ’ ve been covering Second Amendment issues long enough to have made fun @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign when he went along on a goose hunt in Ohio in an ill-fated attempt to pretend to be a hunter and sportsman .
John Kerry yesterday got his gun – and his hands – bloody in an Ohio goose hunt that was elaborately staged for 35 photographers in a bid to hunt rural votes by portraying him as a down-to-earth kind of guy .
Kerry – clad in a new camouflage outfit with his left hand bloody as he emerged from a field of cornstalks toting a 12-gauge shotgun – said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he let someone else carry it for the cameras .
“ I ’ m too lazy , ” the wannabe commander in chief quipped .
“ I ’ m still giddy over the Red Sox .
It was hard to focus.
” The photo shoot seven miles south of Youngstown left nothing to chance – before Kerry emerged after a 7-9 a.m. hunt , an aide instructed the waiting fotogs : “ He ’ s going to walk down that line of corn .
He ’ ll turn down there and walk up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s learned nothing about firearms or the Second Amendment , or even how to talk to gun owners in the 16 years since .
Kerry doesn ’ t sound “ reasonable ” here .
He sounds ignorant , and not just about firearms .
Kerry may have been correct about his audience not having any veterans who would use a semi-automatic rifle to hunt , but there are plenty of Americans who do .
Gun control advocates like Kerry would rather pretend those gun owners don ’ t exist , because they have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to say .
John Kerry starts from the position that any gun he doesn ’ t like should be banned , and builds his entire argument around that premise .
As if that wasn ’ t lazy enough , he then tries to convince his audience that they should listen to his argument because of his own experience as a gun owner , while being almost aggressively ignorant about the subject at hand .
Even if I were a gun control-loving Democrat , I ’ d be insulted by this idiotic argument @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m not a gun control-loving Democrat , and I ’ m not John Kerry ’ s target audience .
He ’ s hoping that the people he talks to about guns are just as ignorant as he is .
In fact , his argument depends on it .
The point of this isn ’ t to just mock Kerry for not knowing that it ’ s called an AR-15 .
The point is , if John Kerry can ’ t even get the name of the gun he wants to ban correct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when it comes to firearms ?
That ’ s the question we need to be asking those non-gun owners who take anti-gun statements like Kerry ’ s at face value .
Ignorance is a treatable condition , and knowledge is the cure .
John Kerry may be too far gone to expect any improvement , but I don ’ t believe the same is true for the American people .

At a campaign event for Joe Biden in Iowa over the weekend, former Secretary of State John Kerry let loose with a high-powered political gaffe when he talked about his disdain for so-called “assault weapons.”
“You heard from Joe about the things he did with the NRA,” the former Massachusetts senator said. “That took courage. Delaware is a tough state. I’m a hunter. I’m a gun owner. I’ve been one all my life. There’s not a veteran here who would take an AR-16 with a long clip to go out and shoot a deer or shoot anything. There is no business — Joe led the fight to get those things off the street.”
Hoo boy. If you want a ban a gun, shouldn’t you at least know what it’s called? And why is it that so many “lifelong gun owners” who love gun control talk about firearms like someone speaking a foreign language?
I’ve been covering Second Amendment issues long enough to have made fun of John Kerry during his 2004 presidential campaign when he went along on a goose hunt in Ohio in an ill-fated attempt to pretend to be a hunter and sportsman.
John Kerry yesterday got his gun – and his hands – bloody in an Ohio goose hunt that was elaborately staged for 35 photographers in a bid to hunt rural votes by portraying him as a down-to-earth kind of guy. Kerry – clad in a new camouflage outfit with his left hand bloody as he emerged from a field of cornstalks toting a 12-gauge shotgun – said he’d bagged one Canada goose but he let someone else carry it for the cameras. “I’m too lazy,” the wannabe commander in chief quipped. “I’m still giddy over the Red Sox. It was hard to focus.” The photo shoot seven miles south of Youngstown left nothing to chance – before Kerry emerged after a 7-9 a.m. hunt, an aide instructed the waiting fotogs: “He’s going to walk down that line of corn. He’ll turn down there and walk up this way.”
Apparently, he’s learned nothing about firearms or the Second Amendment, or even how to talk to gun owners in the 16 years since.
Kerry doesn’t sound “reasonable” here. He sounds ignorant, and not just about firearms. Kerry may have been correct about his audience not having any veterans who would use a semi-automatic rifle to hunt, but there are plenty of Americans who do. Gun control advocates like Kerry would rather pretend those gun owners don’t exist, because they have absolutely no interest in hearing what they have to say.
John Kerry starts from the position that any gun he doesn’t like should be banned, and builds his entire argument around that premise. As if that wasn’t lazy enough, he then tries to convince his audience that they should listen to his argument because of his own experience as a gun owner, while being almost aggressively ignorant about the subject at hand. Even if I were a gun control-loving Democrat, I’d be insulted by this idiotic argument.
As it so happens, I’m not a gun control-loving Democrat, and I’m not John Kerry’s target audience. He’s hoping that the people he talks to about guns are just as ignorant as he is. In fact, his argument depends on it.
The point of this isn’t to just mock Kerry for not knowing that it’s called an AR-15. The point is, if John Kerry can’t even get the name of the gun he wants to ban correct, what else is he wrong about when it comes to firearms? That’s the question we need to be asking those non-gun owners who take anti-gun statements like Kerry’s at face value. Ignorance is a treatable condition, and knowledge is the cure. John Kerry may be too far gone to expect any improvement, but I don’t believe the same is true for the American people.


bearingarms--2020-02-03--A Little Bit Of Good News For Virginia Gun Owners

We ’ re a little more than a week away from the crossover deadline in the Virginia legislature , and lawmakers are still hard at work in Richmond trying to infringe on the Second Amendment rights of residents .
But as Dave Adams , legislative affairs director for Virginia Shooting Sports Association tells me on today ’ s Bearing Arms ’ Cam & Co. , several anti-gun bills were actually set aside or defeated in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday , and Governor Northam ’ s proposed gun , magazine , and suppressor ban appears to be in some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Senate Judiciary committee this morning as a number of gun bills were brought up .
Surprisingly , a number of bills were set aside by the committee , which basically means they will see no more action this year .
Another gun control bill was suffered an outright defeat in the committee today .
SB 851 would have made it a misdemeanor to allow a child under the age of 18 to have access to a firearm , and during questioning Sen. Chap Petersen , a northern Virginia state senator who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bills this session to make them slightly less awful , talked about how this bill could impact gun owners like him who take their kids to the range to teach them responsible gun use .
The bill ultimately died on a 7-8 vote , which is great news for gun owners and a sign that a similar House bill will face trouble in the state Senate , especially since the House version makes it a felony to allow a minor under the age of 18 to have unsupervised access to a gun , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the bills heard in the Senate Judiciary committee today , there are a lot of folks wondering what ’ s going on with Northam ’ s proposed gun ban .
The crossover deadline for legislation is February 11th , and HB 961 hasn ’ t even had its first committee hearing yet .
The gun , magazine , and suppressor ban has the backing of the governor , but four Democrat state senators say they won ’ t vote for the current language , and the bill appears to be having some difficulties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have no doubt that Democratic leadership wants to get the bill to the governor in some form , but they ’ re going to have to move quickly to do so .
The House Public Safety committee meets on Friday , and that may be one of the last opportunities for anti-gun lawmakers to try to send the bill to the House for a floor vote .
Unfortunately , we likely won ’ t know until Wednesday or Thursday if Democrats plan on bringing the bill up in committee on Friday , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be contacting their lawmakers and urging them to oppose the measure .
We are still certain to see some bad bills become bad laws , but as Adams made clear in today ’ s interview , gun owners are making a difference with their engagement with legislators .
Make sure you check out the entire interview with Dave Adams above for more info on some of the bills that did make it out of committee , as well as more background on the gun bills that are done for the year .
Also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an armed citizen story and a Recidivist Report , both from Cleveland , Ohio , as well as the story of a school resource officer in Florida who saved a life on his way to work the other day .
Don ’ t forget you can subscribe to the show at Apple Podcasts , Spotify , Stitcher , and the Townhall.com podcast page , as well as subscribing to Townhall Media on YouTube .
Thanks as always for watching , listening , and spreading the word !

We’re a little more than a week away from the crossover deadline in the Virginia legislature, and lawmakers are still hard at work in Richmond trying to infringe on the Second Amendment rights of residents. But as Dave Adams, legislative affairs director for Virginia Shooting Sports Association tells me on today’s Bearing Arms’ Cam & Co., several anti-gun bills were actually set aside or defeated in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday, and Governor Northam’s proposed gun, magazine, and suppressor ban appears to be in some serious trouble as well.
Adams was in the Senate Judiciary committee this morning as a number of gun bills were brought up. Surprisingly, a number of bills were set aside by the committee, which basically means they will see no more action this year.
Bills to be carried over for year SB13, SB15, SB353 and SB490 11-0. Bell's range bill, Ebbin's firearms on Capitol grounds, as well as his bill carrying firearms in building owned or leased by state, — Virginia Shooting Sports Association (@VSSA) February 3, 2020
Another gun control bill was suffered an outright defeat in the committee today. SB 851 would have made it a misdemeanor to allow a child under the age of 18 to have access to a firearm, and during questioning Sen. Chap Petersen, a northern Virginia state senator who’s successfully amended several gun control bills this session to make them slightly less awful, talked about how this bill could impact gun owners like him who take their kids to the range to teach them responsible gun use. The bill ultimately died on a 7-8 vote, which is great news for gun owners and a sign that a similar House bill will face trouble in the state Senate, especially since the House version makes it a felony to allow a minor under the age of 18 to have unsupervised access to a gun, even for hunting or self-defense.
Beyond the bills heard in the Senate Judiciary committee today, there are a lot of folks wondering what’s going on with Northam’s proposed gun ban. The crossover deadline for legislation is February 11th, and HB 961 hasn’t even had its first committee hearing yet. The gun, magazine, and suppressor ban has the backing of the governor, but four Democrat state senators say they won’t vote for the current language, and the bill appears to be having some difficulties in the House as well. I have no doubt that Democratic leadership wants to get the bill to the governor in some form, but they’re going to have to move quickly to do so.
The House Public Safety committee meets on Friday, and that may be one of the last opportunities for anti-gun lawmakers to try to send the bill to the House for a floor vote. Unfortunately, we likely won’t know until Wednesday or Thursday if Democrats plan on bringing the bill up in committee on Friday, but gun owners in the state should still be contacting their lawmakers and urging them to oppose the measure. We are still certain to see some bad bills become bad laws, but as Adams made clear in today’s interview, gun owners are making a difference with their engagement with legislators.
Make sure you check out the entire interview with Dave Adams above for more info on some of the bills that did make it out of committee, as well as more background on the gun bills that are done for the year.
Also on today’s show we have an armed citizen story and a Recidivist Report, both from Cleveland, Ohio, as well as the story of a school resource officer in Florida who saved a life on his way to work the other day.
Don’t forget you can subscribe to the show at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and the Townhall.com podcast page, as well as subscribing to Townhall Media on YouTube. Thanks as always for watching, listening, and spreading the word!


bearingarms--2020-02-03--Alaskan Gun Owners Push Back Against Range Restrictions

Most people wouldn ’ t think of Alaska as a hotbed of anti-gun activism , but frankly , there is no safe state anymore when it comes to the exercise of our right to keep and bear arms .
Hundreds of gun owners and Second Amendment supporters in the Last Frontier rallied this weekend in opposition to a proposed ordinance in one Alaskan borough that could make it much more difficult for residents to have a safe place to shoot and train .
A pro-gun rally drew a couple hundred people to the Matanuska-Susitna Borough building in Palmer to protest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ September , the Mat-Su Borough Assembly narrowly passed a resolution asking for an ordinance that would create a conditional use permit for new educational , nonprofit and commercial outdoor shooting ranges .
Rally organizer LD Howard said he and other gun advocates don ’ t want any regulations when it comes to their second amendment rights .
“ A lot of the U.S. , a lot of the Lower 48 is watching Alaska because they ’ re looking at us as a barometer because if it can happen here it can happen anywhere @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say the resolution wouldn ’ t apply to private ranges on private land , but that hasn ’ t appeased gun owners.
, and according to KTVA in Alaska , some anti-gun residents say the measure doesn ’ t go far enough .
Mark Troutman and Bev Cutler , who own Little Susitna Farm off Palmer Fishhook , emailed the KTVA newsroom to say they would like to see conditional use permits apply to those who already have shooting ranges next to existing buildings .
Troutman and Cutler said the borough has a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it continues to grow and become more crowded .
“ To not regulate shooting in some fashion when people are living close to each other is a dereliction of duty by elected officials , ” they wrote .
Despite the turnout by hundreds of local gun owners , it sounds like borough officials are intent on passing something , though they claim to be revising the ordinance based on the concerns of gun owners .
The range ordinance is expected to return to the borough ’ s assembly in just a couple of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gun owners in Alaska who should be worried about restrictions on gun ranges .
Gun control activists love the idea of requiring range time and training before folks can exercise their right to keep and bear arms , but paradoxically , they also want fewer gun ranges around where people can actually get the training they want to mandate .
In New Hampshire , for example , lawmakers are considering a bill that would repeal the state ’ s range protection law and allow for municipalities to impose all kinds of new restrictions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decades .
There ’ s nothing commonsense about this proposal , and it has nothing to do with “ gun safety ” either .
It ’ s just an anti-gun move that , if successful , will actually inhibit the training and education gun control advocates claim to support .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lives outside of Farmville , Virginia with his family .
https : //bearingarms.com/author/camedwards/

Most people wouldn’t think of Alaska as a hotbed of anti-gun activism, but frankly, there is no safe state anymore when it comes to the exercise of our right to keep and bear arms. Hundreds of gun owners and Second Amendment supporters in the Last Frontier rallied this weekend in opposition to a proposed ordinance in one Alaskan borough that could make it much more difficult for residents to have a safe place to shoot and train.
A pro-gun rally drew a couple hundred people to the Matanuska-Susitna Borough building in Palmer to protest potential limits on shooting ranges. In September, the Mat-Su Borough Assembly narrowly passed a resolution asking for an ordinance that would create a conditional use permit for new educational, nonprofit and commercial outdoor shooting ranges. Rally organizer LD Howard said he and other gun advocates don’t want any regulations when it comes to their second amendment rights. “A lot of the U.S., a lot of the Lower 48 is watching Alaska because they’re looking at us as a barometer because if it can happen here it can happen anywhere,” he said.
Borough officials say the resolution wouldn’t apply to private ranges on private land, but that hasn’t appeased gun owners., and according to KTVA in Alaska, some anti-gun residents say the measure doesn’t go far enough.
Mark Troutman and Bev Cutler, who own Little Susitna Farm off Palmer Fishhook, emailed the KTVA newsroom to say they would like to see conditional use permits apply to those who already have shooting ranges next to existing buildings. Troutman and Cutler said the borough has a responsibility to protect residents, especially as it continues to grow and become more crowded. “To not regulate shooting in some fashion when people are living close to each other is a dereliction of duty by elected officials,” they wrote.
Despite the turnout by hundreds of local gun owners, it sounds like borough officials are intent on passing something, though they claim to be revising the ordinance based on the concerns of gun owners. The range ordinance is expected to return to the borough’s assembly in just a couple of weeks.


bearingarms--2020-02-03--CA Paper Stuck On Stupid When It Comes To Reporting On Guns

Why do so many gun owners distrust the media ?
Perhaps it ’ s because so many media outlets routinely exhibit their ignorance about firearms and gun owners .
Case in point- the Ventura County Star , which recently misinformed its readers about a firearm seized from a suspected gang member .
What does the paper mean when it says “ this type ” of gun can be 3D-printed ?
A handgun ?
A Glock ?
As many users on Twitter pointed out , the P80 polymer frame is available commercially , and isn ’ t an item that someone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3D printer .
However , the P80 frame is sold as an 80 % receiver , which means it does not meet the federal definition of a firearm and must be finished by the purchaser .
That appears to be what the Ventura Star was focusing on with its misleading tweet .
There ’ s a huge push underway in California to ban so-called “ ghost guns , ” and if anti-gun advocates have to use sloppy reporting to make their case , they ’ re apparently happy to do so .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspect caught with the gun is still in violation of several of the state ’ s gun control laws , even without a ban on “ ghost guns.
” At about 3:55 p.m. Friday , officers with the Oxnard Police Department ’ s gang unit spoke with four people in a vehicle parked in the south alley of the 300 block of Canterbury Way , authorities said .
The block is southwest of Pleasant Valley and Saviers roads in the Southwinds neighborhood .
The subjects were reportedly drinking alcohol in public and were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to police , and were known to be Oxnard criminal street gang members .
Officers searching the vehicle found a loaded .40-caliber Glock 23 pistol in the possession of Edwin Garcia , 19 , of Oxnard , police said .
The gun turned out to be a finished polymer “ 80 percent frame ” Glock-style gun that was not registered to Garcia , authorities said .
Kits for the polymer firearms , which can be made using 3D printers , are typically sold 80 % complete .
Garcia was arrested on suspicion of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Ventura County jail Saturday afternoon with bail set at $ 500,000 , jail records showed .
California has plenty of gun control laws on the books , and plenty of criminals like Garcia who are willing to violate those laws .
Instead of cracking down on violent criminals , however , lawmakers in California are aiming their legal fire squarely at the state ’ s legal gun owners , aided and abetted by media outlets like the Star newspaper and Los Angeles TV station ABC 7 , which recently ran a piece @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % receivers .
Here at Eyewitness News , we purchased a gun kit to build a pistol and it arrived within 10 days .
There were 13 pieces in the box with the exact jig included to guide the buyer on where to drill the gun frame .
We did not drill into our frame , because in California , there are state laws you must follow first .
That includes applying for a serial number with the Department of Justice before building a pistol or rifle , and most pistol kits do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ standards to get serial number approval .
In other words , people making unserialized firearms in California are already breaking the law , but somehow another law will stop them .
It ’ s an asinine assertion , but given the fact that this is California we ’ re talking about , that argument may be enough to turn another bad bill into a bad law in the state .

Why do so many gun owners distrust the media? Perhaps it’s because so many media outlets routinely exhibit their ignorance about firearms and gun owners.
Case in point- the Ventura County Star, which recently misinformed its readers about a firearm seized from a suspected gang member.
Oxnard police say they found this gun – the type that can be made with a 3D printer – loaded and in the possession of Edwin Garcia as he was in a car illegally parked in an alley. Garcia was arrested on suspicion of several felony firearm violations. https://t.co/X6KL10B8x6 pic.twitter.com/5ZCKDHJpRE — Ventura County Star (@vcstar) February 2, 2020
What does the paper mean when it says “this type” of gun can be 3D-printed? A handgun? A Glock? As many users on Twitter pointed out, the P80 polymer frame is available commercially, and isn’t an item that someone would just print at home using a 3D printer.
However, the P80 frame is sold as an 80% receiver, which means it does not meet the federal definition of a firearm and must be finished by the purchaser. That appears to be what the Ventura Star was focusing on with its misleading tweet. There’s a huge push underway in California to ban so-called “ghost guns,” and if anti-gun advocates have to use sloppy reporting to make their case, they’re apparently happy to do so.
As the paper notes, however, the suspect caught with the gun is still in violation of several of the state’s gun control laws, even without a ban on “ghost guns.”
At about 3:55 p.m. Friday, officers with the Oxnard Police Department’s gang unit spoke with four people in a vehicle parked in the south alley of the 300 block of Canterbury Way, authorities said. The block is southwest of Pleasant Valley and Saviers roads in the Southwinds neighborhood. The subjects were reportedly drinking alcohol in public and were illegally parked in the alley, according to police, and were known to be Oxnard criminal street gang members. Officers searching the vehicle found a loaded .40-caliber Glock 23 pistol in the possession of Edwin Garcia, 19, of Oxnard, police said. The gun turned out to be a finished polymer “80 percent frame” Glock-style gun that was not registered to Garcia, authorities said. Kits for the polymer firearms, which can be made using 3D printers, are typically sold 80% complete. Garcia was arrested on suspicion of several felony firearms violations. He remained in Ventura County jail Saturday afternoon with bail set at $500,000, jail records showed.
California has plenty of gun control laws on the books, and plenty of criminals like Garcia who are willing to violate those laws. Instead of cracking down on violent criminals, however, lawmakers in California are aiming their legal fire squarely at the state’s legal gun owners, aided and abetted by media outlets like the Star newspaper and Los Angeles TV station ABC 7, which recently ran a piece pushing for new laws restricting the 80% receivers.
Here at Eyewitness News, we purchased a gun kit to build a pistol and it arrived within 10 days. There were 13 pieces in the box with the exact jig included to guide the buyer on where to drill the gun frame. We did not drill into our frame, because in California, there are state laws you must follow first. That includes applying for a serial number with the Department of Justice before building a pistol or rifle, and most pistol kits do not meet California’s latest handgun standards to get serial number approval.
In other words, people making unserialized firearms in California are already breaking the law, but somehow another law will stop them. It’s an asinine assertion, but given the fact that this is California we’re talking about, that argument may be enough to turn another bad bill into a bad law in the state.