bearingarms--2020-05-01--Justin Trudeau Announces Immediate Ban On "Military-style Weapons"

After months of delays , Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Friday that a new ban on “ military-style ” semi-automatic rifles is now in effect , and owners of the firearms have two years to either hand over their guns to the government in a compensated confiscation scheme or risk criminal charges .
“ These weapons were designed for one purpose and one purpose only — only to kill the largest amount of people in the shortest amount of time , ” Trudeau said , adding that he acknowledges most gun owners are law-abiding citizens .
“ You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bring down a deer , ” he said .
Thanks to the quirks of a parliamentary system of government , Trudeau doesn ’ t need a vote by Parliament to enact the ban .
Instead , he ’ s using a procedure known as “ orders in council ” to ram through the sweeping gun ban .
The move allows Trudeau ’ s cabinet to supplant Parliament and approve legislation without a pesky vote by politicians .
One of those politicians already objecting to Trudeau ’ s gun ban is Michelle Rempel Garner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a staunch supporter of Canada ’ s gun owners .
Other Canadians , including the Western Standard ‘ s Derek Fildebrandt , are calling on individual provinces to not enforce Trudeau ’ s order .
Canada doesn ’ t have a Second Amendment , but what Fildebrandt is calling for sounds a lot like the Canadian equivalent of Second Amendment sanctuaries .
Meanwhile , some supporters of a gun ban are suggesting that Trudeau ’ s talking up his gun , when the actual text of the legislation isn ’ t as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A.J .
Somerset noted on Twitter that the 1,500 makes and models banned by Trudeau leave many semi-automatic firearms legal to purchase .
The CBC uncovered another bit of fine print that Trudeau didn ’ t talk about during his press conference .
A government official speaking on background at a technical briefing for journalists said the number of these now-banned firearms currently in circulation is unknown .
Some of the firearms being prohibited are currently classified as “ non-restricted ” — mostly firearms like shotguns — meaning licensed owners do not have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( The long-gun registry was abolished by the previous Conservative government . )
There are 105,000 firearms currently classified as “ restricted ” that will now be classified as “ prohibited.
” The government official said that , at the end of the two-year amnesty , gun owners must dispose of the firearm or they may be able apply for the firearm to be “ grandfathered.
” Details on the grandfather process would be released at a later date , the official said .
Public Safety Minister Bill Blair said today that gun @ @ @ @ @ @ @ banned firearms would be subject to criminal penalty , but it sounds like a grandfather clause for existing gun owners also on the table , though why the Trudeau government didn ’ t have those details ready to go is a mystery .
Actually , it ’ s not much of a mystery at all .
Justin Trudeau is shamelessly and cynically trying to use the tragic murders in Nova Scotia as the impetus for his gun ban , and even though he and his cabinet have been working on the gun ban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apparently decided to make the formal announcement before they had a formal plan in place .
Trudeau ’ s announcement is already generating a backlash , and the fact that he is ramming through his ban without a vote by Parliament will only make it worse .
Canada isn ’ t a dictatorship , and threatening to turn hundreds of thousands of Canadians into criminals won ’ t be well received in rural parts of the country .
Orders in council can also still be challenged in court , and I expect that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over Trudeau ’ s new gun ban as early as next week .

After months of delays, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Friday that a new ban on “military-style” semi-automatic rifles is now in effect, and owners of the firearms have two years to either hand over their guns to the government in a compensated confiscation scheme or risk criminal charges.
“These weapons were designed for one purpose and one purpose only — only to kill the largest amount of people in the shortest amount of time,” Trudeau said, adding that he acknowledges most gun owners are law-abiding citizens. “You don’t need an AR-15 to bring down a deer,” he said.
Thanks to the quirks of a parliamentary system of government, Trudeau doesn’t need a vote by Parliament to enact the ban. Instead, he’s using a procedure known as “orders in council” to ram through the sweeping gun ban. The move allows Trudeau’s cabinet to supplant Parliament and approve legislation without a pesky vote by politicians.
One of those politicians already objecting to Trudeau’s gun ban is Michelle Rempel Garner, a member of Parliament from Alberta and a staunch supporter of Canada’s gun owners.
This ban does nothing to prevent firearms violence. Call every Liberal MP and protest. Call every CPC Leadership candidate and ask them to commit to repealing this. https://t.co/MdjirzE8g0 — Michelle Rempel Garner (@MichelleRempel) May 1, 2020
Other Canadians, including the Western Standard‘s Derek Fildebrandt, are calling on individual provinces to not enforce Trudeau’s order.
This gun theft can not be enforced without the consent of the provinces. If they come for your guns, your provincial government is equally responsible. The premiers should refuse to comply. https://t.co/x2NX1btN2P — Derek Fildebrandt (@Dfildebrandt) May 1, 2020
Canada doesn’t have a Second Amendment, but what Fildebrandt is calling for sounds a lot like the Canadian equivalent of Second Amendment sanctuaries.
Meanwhile, some supporters of a gun ban are suggesting that Trudeau’s talking up his gun, when the actual text of the legislation isn’t as sweeping as he claims. Canadian author A.J. Somerset noted on Twitter that the 1,500 makes and models banned by Trudeau leave many semi-automatic firearms legal to purchase.
Trudeau’s description of this ban seems to wildly overstate its scope. 9 families of guns are banned, based on reports we have so far. Many similar guns will remain legal. We have to wait on the technical briefing for the facts behind the rhetoric. https://t.co/g7zOSON1Uu — A.J. Somerset (@ajsomerset) May 1, 2020
The CBC uncovered another bit of fine print that Trudeau didn’t talk about during his press conference.
A government official speaking on background at a technical briefing for journalists said the number of these now-banned firearms currently in circulation is unknown. Some of the firearms being prohibited are currently classified as “non-restricted” — mostly firearms like shotguns — meaning licensed owners do not have to register them with the police. (The long-gun registry was abolished by the previous Conservative government.) There are 105,000 firearms currently classified as “restricted” that will now be classified as “prohibited.” The government official said that, at the end of the two-year amnesty, gun owners must dispose of the firearm or they may be able apply for the firearm to be “grandfathered.” Details on the grandfather process would be released at a later date, the official said.
Public Safety Minister Bill Blair said today that gun owners who did not turn in their banned firearms would be subject to criminal penalty, but it sounds like a grandfather clause for existing gun owners also on the table, though why the Trudeau government didn’t have those details ready to go is a mystery.
Actually, it’s not much of a mystery at all. Justin Trudeau is shamelessly and cynically trying to use the tragic murders in Nova Scotia as the impetus for his gun ban, and even though he and his cabinet have been working on the gun ban for well over a year, they apparently decided to make the formal announcement before they had a formal plan in place.
Trudeau’s announcement is already generating a backlash, and the fact that he is ramming through his ban without a vote by Parliament will only make it worse. Canada isn’t a dictatorship, and threatening to turn hundreds of thousands of Canadians into criminals won’t be well received in rural parts of the country. Orders in council can also still be challenged in court, and I expect that we could see the first lawsuits filed over Trudeau’s new gun ban as early as next week.


bearingarms--2020-05-01--Researchers: Booming Gun Sales May Contribute To Increase In Suicides

Any time you consider a measure to save lives , one thing you need to try and account for is how many lives may be lost as a result of your plan .
For example , if a hundred thousand lives could be saved by passing gun control ( hypothetically and for the sake of argument ONLY ) , is it worth it if a million people die because they couldn ’ t defend themselves ?
Most things are a give and take .
You have to balance things because few things are a total good or a total ill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that .
One thing we ’ re seeing with the pandemic lockdown , for example , is a potential increase in the number of suicides .
According to some researchers , though , the lockdown is only partially to blame .
The rest of the blame falls on increased gun sales .
The coronavirus outbreak is producing voluminous sales of firearms—and guns are already the deadliest method of suicide—so as the U.S. suicide rate increases , the current pandemic could serve as a dangerous accelerant for these deaths , researchers said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most lethal means for suicide that has ever been invented , ” Dr. Eric Fleegler , a professor of emergency medicine at Harvard Medical School and a pediatric emergency physician , told Newsweek .
The pandemic and the economic and social havoc it unleashed in the country can trigger or contribute to mental distress , Fleegler wrote with two other authors in an essay published earlier this month in the Annals of Internal Medicine .
Those factors , combined with “ unfettered access ” to firearms , they said , could also create @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apparently never tried to purchase a firearm in the state of Massachusetts .
After all , the only people who think there is “ unfettered access ” to firearms are those who have never tried to buy one .
Of course , there are a lot fewer of those right now than there were a couple of months ago .
Now , I ’ m not saying we ’ re not going to see a lot more suicides .
I think that ’ s pretty much a given at this point .
However @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contribute to this to any measurable degree .
The problem is that the two-week quarantine we were all looking at has been going on for two months now .
Humans are social creatures .
They need some degree of interaction with other people .
Yes , even introverts .
Without that , when coupled with the lack of vitamin D from staying inside , it can cause rather severe depression .
Rather severely depressed people are far more likely to kill themselves .
It ’ s awful , but it ’ s true @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fleegler has failed to note .
There are more ways to kill yourself than with a gun .
There are a plethora of possibilities out there for someone who wants to take their own life .
Sure , those who use a gun tend to be more successful , but let ’ s also remember that other methods tend to fail because people can intervene .
They know something is wrong and check and find the person and call for help .
That ’ s not really an option when we ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ friends .
That means someone who might otherwise survive may well die .
Worse is the fact that some people may well have already committed suicide and are simply undiscovered because no one realizes there ’ s a problem .
I ’ d be shocked if that ’ s not the case , truth be told .
None of that , though , has anything to do with guns .
No , guns are simply a convenient boogieman for someone like Fleegler to blame .
In this case , though , he ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s spouting an opinion and the folks at Newsweek are conflating that with some actual research about the potential increase in suicides and calling it science .
It ’ s not , and no one is doing these folks any favors by pretending the problem is them having a gun and not the fact that they ’ re not getting the human interaction they desperately need .

Any time you consider a measure to save lives, one thing you need to try and account for is how many lives may be lost as a result of your plan. For example, if a hundred thousand lives could be saved by passing gun control (hypothetically and for the sake of argument ONLY), is it worth it if a million people die because they couldn’t defend themselves?
Most things are a give and take. You have to balance things because few things are a total good or a total ill. The world is more complex than that.
One thing we’re seeing with the pandemic lockdown, for example, is a potential increase in the number of suicides. According to some researchers, though, the lockdown is only partially to blame. The rest of the blame falls on increased gun sales.
The coronavirus outbreak is producing voluminous sales of firearms—and guns are already the deadliest method of suicide—so as the U.S. suicide rate increases, the current pandemic could serve as a dangerous accelerant for these deaths, researchers said. “We are mixing into this epidemic the most lethal means for suicide that has ever been invented,” Dr. Eric Fleegler, a professor of emergency medicine at Harvard Medical School and a pediatric emergency physician, told Newsweek. The pandemic and the economic and social havoc it unleashed in the country can trigger or contribute to mental distress, Fleegler wrote with two other authors in an essay published earlier this month in the Annals of Internal Medicine. Those factors, combined with “unfettered access” to firearms, they said, could also create a suicide epidemic.
Dr. Fleegler has apparently never tried to purchase a firearm in the state of Massachusetts. After all, the only people who think there is “unfettered access” to firearms are those who have never tried to buy one.
Of course, there are a lot fewer of those right now than there were a couple of months ago.
Now, I’m not saying we’re not going to see a lot more suicides. I think that’s pretty much a given at this point. However, guns aren’t going to contribute to this to any measurable degree.
The problem is that the two-week quarantine we were all looking at has been going on for two months now. Humans are social creatures. They need some degree of interaction with other people. Yes, even introverts.
Without that, when coupled with the lack of vitamin D from staying inside, it can cause rather severe depression. Rather severely depressed people are far more likely to kill themselves. It’s awful, but it’s true.
Yet here’s the thing Fleegler has failed to note. There are more ways to kill yourself than with a gun. There are a plethora of possibilities out there for someone who wants to take their own life. Sure, those who use a gun tend to be more successful, but let’s also remember that other methods tend to fail because people can intervene. They know something is wrong and check and find the person and call for help.
That’s not really an option when we’re barred from going to check on our friends. That means someone who might otherwise survive may well die.
Worse is the fact that some people may well have already committed suicide and are simply undiscovered because no one realizes there’s a problem. I’d be shocked if that’s not the case, truth be told.
None of that, though, has anything to do with guns.
No, guns are simply a convenient boogieman for someone like Fleegler to blame. In this case, though, he’s not even a researcher. He’s spouting an opinion and the folks at Newsweek are conflating that with some actual research about the potential increase in suicides and calling it science. It’s not, and no one is doing these folks any favors by pretending the problem is them having a gun and not the fact that they’re not getting the human interaction they desperately need.


bearingarms--2020-05-01--Sheriff Urges Court To Overturn City's Gun Ban

In many places , it seems as though the sheriff is beholden to local officials .
Despite being elected himself , he kind of is .
After all , he doesn ’ t typically raise his own revenues , so he depends on the county for the bulk of his budget .
That means they have some degree of control over what a sheriff can and can ’ t do .
However , that generally only applies at a county level .
Still , sheriffs often don ’ t want to rock the boat very much , but one in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rocking .
Yesterday our legal team filed a Motion for Summary Judgment asking the court to rule that Idaho law clearly provides that the City of Sandpoint can not ban guns at War Memorial Field during the Festival at Sandpoint by entering into a lease with the Festival .
Idaho law is clear on this point , as it specifically provides that municipalities can not restrict the possession of firearms on public property in any manner .
The ability to create any exception to this general rule of law is a power exclusively @ @ @ @ @ @ @ City takes the position that it can create a common law exception to the laws passed by the legislature through a lease agreement , but that position is not consistent with existing Idaho law .
I believe that the law on this point is so clear that the judge should rule in our favor as a matter of law , saving taxpayer money on unnecessary legal fees .
Sheriff Daryl Wheeler is absolutely correct that in a preemption state , communities don ’ t get to restrict weapons in any manner other than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law .
That includes banning guns on public property .
Make no mistake , either , that text is there for a damn good reason .
If public property wasn ’ t specifically mentioned , you ’ d soon have lawmakers in various towns trying to make it illegal to have a gun on a public road or something equally stupid .
More likely , though , they ’ d ban the carry of a firearm in so many places about town that it would become virtually impossible to carry a gun .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrict firearm ownership and/or the carrying of firearms over and over again .
That means those measures need to be fought .
It helps when the county sheriff joins in the fight , though .
It ’ s a reminder to the people that just because lawmakers pass something doesn ’ t make it legal or just .
Wheeler ’ s stand is important .
It ’ s just as important as those sheriffs who have made their states Second Amendment sanctuaries .
They ’ re not just rolling over and accepting the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s simply no other choice .
They ’ re making a stand and making damn sure that those same lawmakers have to consider a world where sheriffs don ’ t just roll over because someone told them to .
I , personally , commend Sheriff Wheeler for his efforts .
It ’ s my hope the court agrees with him , which they should .
He ’ s absolutely right about how the city is overstepping and they need to be smacked down .

In many places, it seems as though the sheriff is beholden to local officials. Despite being elected himself, he kind of is. After all, he doesn’t typically raise his own revenues, so he depends on the county for the bulk of his budget. That means they have some degree of control over what a sheriff can and can’t do.
However, that generally only applies at a county level.
Still, sheriffs often don’t want to rock the boat very much, but one in Idaho appears to not mind a little rocking.
Yesterday our legal team filed a Motion for Summary Judgment asking the court to rule that Idaho law clearly provides that the City of Sandpoint cannot ban guns at War Memorial Field during the Festival at Sandpoint by entering into a lease with the Festival. Idaho law is clear on this point, as it specifically provides that municipalities cannot restrict the possession of firearms on public property in any manner. The ability to create any exception to this general rule of law is a power exclusively limited to the state legislature. The City takes the position that it can create a common law exception to the laws passed by the legislature through a lease agreement, but that position is not consistent with existing Idaho law. I believe that the law on this point is so clear that the judge should rule in our favor as a matter of law, saving taxpayer money on unnecessary legal fees.
And, honestly, he’s right.
Sheriff Daryl Wheeler is absolutely correct that in a preemption state, communities don’t get to restrict weapons in any manner other than in ways explicitly laid out in state law. That includes banning guns on public property.
Make no mistake, either, that text is there for a damn good reason. If public property wasn’t specifically mentioned, you’d soon have lawmakers in various towns trying to make it illegal to have a gun on a public road or something equally stupid. More likely, though, they’d ban the carry of a firearm in so many places about town that it would become virtually impossible to carry a gun.
Yet communities will continue to try and restrict firearm ownership and/or the carrying of firearms over and over again.
That means those measures need to be fought. It helps when the county sheriff joins in the fight, though. It’s a reminder to the people that just because lawmakers pass something doesn’t make it legal or just.
Wheeler’s stand is important. It’s just as important as those sheriffs who have made their states Second Amendment sanctuaries. They’re not just rolling over and accepting the edicts of lawmakers as if there’s simply no other choice. They’re making a stand and making damn sure that those same lawmakers have to consider a world where sheriffs don’t just roll over because someone told them to.
I, personally, commend Sheriff Wheeler for his efforts. It’s my hope the court agrees with him, which they should. He’s absolutely right about how the city is overstepping and they need to be smacked down.


bearingarms--2020-05-01--NM Gun Shops Re-Opening Under New Guidelines From Governor

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham says that New Mexico gun stores can re-open beginning today , as long as they operate by appointment only .
The about-face from the governor comes as she announced an extension of her stay-at-home order on Thursday , but also backed off her order closing all non-essential businesses .
Under the new rules laid out by Grisham , some , but not all , of her earlier restrictions have been relaxed .
From KOB-TV : Grisham said she ’ s modifying the stay-at-home order because the state is “ bending the curve ” in terms of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ official expects the number of new coronavirus cases will grow for at least another month .
Using new projections based on research from Los Alamos National Lab , Dr. David Scrase of the Human Services Department said he expects cases in New Mexico to continue to grow over next six weeks .
The models predict 7,200 COVID-19 cases by beginning of June .
Dr. Scrase also said all 14 ICU beds in McKinley County area are full .
Patients in the area are being transported to Albuquerque , where adjustments are being made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the major hospitals are also full .
Grisham will never admit it , but I suspect that the biggest reason for the changes to her stay-at-home order is the fact that counties and cities around the state were beginning to disregard her orders anyway .
The mayor of Grants , New Mexico allowed businesses to re-open on Monday of this week , though Grisham sent the state police to cite any establishment that listened to the mayor and defied the governor .
Eighteen other mayors joined with the mayor of Grants in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to rescind her order , and some mayors have even declared economic emergencies in their communities because of the shutdown orders .
Some gun shops in the state never did shut their doors , but now all of them will once again be able to serve customers without risking legal action .
As for the lawsuit filed by Second Amendment organizations challenging the governor ’ s gun store shutdowns , it will likely continue .
After all , there ’ s no reason why the governor couldn ’ t modify her order again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so if coronavirus cases continue to climb .
There are still grave constitutional issues at stake here , and I hope that the courts will send a clear message to the governor that she doesn ’ t have the power to suspend the right to acquire a firearm , even in a state of emergency .

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham says that New Mexico gun stores can re-open beginning today, as long as they operate by appointment only. The about-face from the governor comes as she announced an extension of her stay-at-home order on Thursday, but also backed off her order closing all non-essential businesses.
Under the new rules laid out by Grisham, some, but not all, of her earlier restrictions have been relaxed. From KOB-TV:
Non-essential retailers can operate via curbside service or delivery– where permitted by their license (Does not include liquor stores)
Gun stores will be allowed to operate by appointment only
Pet services will also be allowed to operate
Golf courses allowed to open for golf only- non dine-in food service or retail The governor also announced the businesses that will have to remain closed under the new health order, and other restrictions. Offices, workspaces, retailers (except for curbside/delivery)
Dine-in restaurants and bars (except for curbside/delivery)
Indoor malls, gyms, salons, theaters and casinos to remain closed
Mass gatherings prohibited
14-day quarantine order remains in place for out-of-state airport travel
Grisham said she’s modifying the stay-at-home order because the state is “bending the curve” in terms of new cases, even though one state official expects the number of new coronavirus cases will grow for at least another month.
Using new projections based on research from Los Alamos National Lab, Dr. David Scrase of the Human Services Department said he expects cases in New Mexico to continue to grow over next six weeks. The models predict 7,200 COVID-19 cases by beginning of June. Dr. Scrase also said all 14 ICU beds in McKinley County area are full. Patients in the area are being transported to Albuquerque, where adjustments are being made to expand ICU capabilities because ICU beds at the major hospitals are also full.
Grisham will never admit it, but I suspect that the biggest reason for the changes to her stay-at-home order is the fact that counties and cities around the state were beginning to disregard her orders anyway. The mayor of Grants, New Mexico allowed businesses to re-open on Monday of this week, though Grisham sent the state police to cite any establishment that listened to the mayor and defied the governor. Eighteen other mayors joined with the mayor of Grants in a letter to the governor urging her to rescind her order, and some mayors have even declared economic emergencies in their communities because of the shutdown orders.
Some gun shops in the state never did shut their doors, but now all of them will once again be able to serve customers without risking legal action. As for the lawsuit filed by Second Amendment organizations challenging the governor’s gun store shutdowns, it will likely continue. After all, there’s no reason why the governor couldn’t modify her order again, and she may very well do so if coronavirus cases continue to climb. There are still grave constitutional issues at stake here, and I hope that the courts will send a clear message to the governor that she doesn’t have the power to suspend the right to acquire a firearm, even in a state of emergency.


bearingarms--2020-05-01--Stunt's Over: Jackson, MS Mayor Ends Open Carry Ban

Facing a federal lawsuit , unanimous opposition from city council members , and a growing chorus of criticism from the public as well as public officials , Jackson , Mississippi mayor Chokwe Lumumba on Thursday dropped his attempt to ban the open carrying of firearms in the city even as he extended the city ’ s stay-at-home order .
Lumumba had previously said that he would extend his ban on open carry as well , but backed off of that boast at a press conference where he surrounded himself with gun control activists .
Lumumba was flanked by organizers with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that works to protect people from gun violence , during Thursday ’ s press conference in the garden next to City Hall .
The controversial open carry ban was short-lived , but Lumumba said he still believes such an order is necessary to curb gun violence in the city .
Other organizations , such as the Poor People ’ s Campaign and Everytown for Gun Safety , had also reached out in support , he said .
“ Senseless gun violence has plagued the city for too long…We are simply not doing enough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ residents of Jackson and the police department are fighting a battle with their hands tied behind their backs.
” The mayor said he respected the Second Amendment and gun rights , but believes his order was necessary to get illegal firearms off the streets .
We ’ ll come back to Mayor Lumumba in a paragraph , but let ’ s talk about the fact that “ gun safety ” groups like Moms Demand Action and Everytown for Gun Safety ( which are in essence the same Bloomberg-backed and funded organization ) decided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carry ban .
Not only did the ban have nothing to do with common sense , it was clearly unconstitutional .
Lumumba ’ s edict was the one of the most egregious attempts that I ’ ve seen by a mayor use the state of emergency to infringe on the right to keep and bear arms , and the fact that it was embraced by these organizations is just more proof that the goal of these gun control groups isn ’ t “ gun safety ” but gun bans .
During his press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ felt his order was necessary , but if that was really the case , he would have extended it and fought the good fight in court .
Instead , he caved , because this was never about public safety .
It was always about public relations , and Lumumba didn ’ t get the warm reception he was hoping for , though I ’ m sure that cozying up to Moms Demand Action and Everytown for Gun Safety will earn him some extra Bloomberg bucks for his next campaign .
After covering the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ban , I ’ ve come to the conclusion that not only is the mayor is a political hack , he ’ s a coward as well .
He ’ ll surround himself with gun control activists while claiming to support the Second Amendment , but he won ’ t actually speak to any Second Amendment supporters .
I ’ ve repeatedly reached out to his office this week to invite him on Bearing Arms ’ Cam & Co , but have heard nothing in response .
The good people in Jackson ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a politician eager to exploit their pain for his own political agenda .
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/

Facing a federal lawsuit, unanimous opposition from city council members, and a growing chorus of criticism from the public as well as public officials, Jackson, Mississippi mayor Chokwe Lumumba on Thursday dropped his attempt to ban the open carrying of firearms in the city even as he extended the city’s stay-at-home order.
Lumumba had previously said that he would extend his ban on open carry as well, but backed off of that boast at a press conference where he surrounded himself with gun control activists.
Lumumba was flanked by organizers with Moms Demand Action, a national organization that works to protect people from gun violence, during Thursday’s press conference in the garden next to City Hall. The controversial open carry ban was short-lived, but Lumumba said he still believes such an order is necessary to curb gun violence in the city.
Other organizations, such as the Poor People’s Campaign and Everytown for Gun Safety, had also reached out in support, he said. “Senseless gun violence has plagued the city for too long…We are simply not doing enough,” he said. “The residents of Jackson and the police department are fighting a battle with their hands tied behind their backs.” The mayor said he respected the Second Amendment and gun rights, but believes his order was necessary to get illegal firearms off the streets. We’ll come back to Mayor Lumumba in a paragraph, but let’s talk about the fact that “gun safety” groups like Moms Demand Action and Everytown for Gun Safety (which are in essence the same Bloomberg-backed and funded organization) decided to publicly support Lumumba’s open carry ban. Not only did the ban have nothing to do with common sense, it was clearly unconstitutional. Lumumba’s edict was the one of the most egregious attempts that I’ve seen by a mayor use the state of emergency to infringe on the right to keep and bear arms, and the fact that it was embraced by these organizations is just more proof that the goal of these gun control groups isn’t “gun safety” but gun bans. During his press conference, the mayor said he still felt his order was necessary, but if that was really the case, he would have extended it and fought the good fight in court. Instead, he caved, because this was never about public safety. It was always about public relations, and Lumumba didn’t get the warm reception he was hoping for, though I’m sure that cozying up to Moms Demand Action and Everytown for Gun Safety will earn him some extra Bloomberg bucks for his next campaign.
After covering the debacle of Lumumba’s open carry ban, I’ve come to the conclusion that not only is the mayor is a political hack, he’s a coward as well. He’ll surround himself with gun control activists while claiming to support the Second Amendment, but he won’t actually speak to any Second Amendment supporters. I’ve repeatedly reached out to his office this week to invite him on Bearing Arms’ Cam & Co, but have heard nothing in response. The good people in Jackson’s worst neighborhoods deserve better than what a politician eager to exploit their pain for his own political agenda.


bearingarms--2020-05-01--AirBnB Party Leads To Recovery Of Stolen Guns

Some folks like to party and they ’ re going to still do it regardless of any social distancing protocols you want to put in place .
It ’ s not surprising .
People who don ’ t wish to comply with a rule , simply won ’ t , and since most of the social distancing protocols are orders rather than traditionally-passed laws , even more people are likely to ignore them .
This has given rise to the era of the Karen .
When she can ’ t demand to speak to someone ’ s manager , she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re the manager .
She ’ ll call and make sure everyone knows every single sin being committed in her neighborhood .
However , this time , a Karen being all Karen actually yielded some positive results .
Most were charged with misdemeanors , but a couple got felony charges for the stolen guns .
Of course , there ’ s a good chance that at least some of the other weapons were stolen as well , but weren ’ t reported for whatever reason .
If so , some people caught @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the community didn ’ t .
People who have stolen guns aren ’ t usually collectors .
There are exceptions , of course , but those are for ultra-rare firearms , not guns like these .
No , stolen guns like these suggest criminal behavior .
These aren ’ t good , clean-cut , all-American kids looking to blow off some steam here .
Not all of them , at least .
If people got away with possessing stolen guns , they ’ re not likely to be innocent buyers who just happened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ No , they ’ re likely to be bad people who will go on to do bad things .
But , what could the police do in those instances ?
I ’ m still not even sure how the police gained access , so unless that was done correctly , those two with felony charges are going to walk as well .
Hopefully , that ’ s not the case .
Look , I get that some people don ’ t seem to want to see anyone locked up on any kind of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stolen guns .
They were taken from a law-abiding gun owner who worked hard and paid for those weapons with the sweat of their own brow .
No one has a right to take those from them , yet they did .
So far as I ’ m concerned , those who did it should rot .
Of course , that ’ s also not really a controversial opinion , either .
Even the most hardcore pro-Second kind of guy tends to agree with gun thieves being scum , which is why I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ humanity .

Some folks like to party and they’re going to still do it regardless of any social distancing protocols you want to put in place. It’s not surprising. People who don’t wish to comply with a rule, simply won’t, and since most of the social distancing protocols are orders rather than traditionally-passed laws, even more people are likely to ignore them.
This has given rise to the era of the Karen. When she can’t demand to speak to someone’s manager, she’s treating the police like they’re the manager. She’ll call and make sure everyone knows every single sin being committed in her neighborhood.
However, this time, a Karen being all Karen actually yielded some positive results.
Stolen weapons, a large crowd and even underage kids were found at an Airbnb rental that allegedly turned into a party house. … Here is a portion of that 911 call: “My carpentry neighbors have let me know at least 20 people have entered the house, which is what they’re not allowed to have. And since it’s social distancing, they’re not practicing social distancing.” Police called for backup, saying it was far more than 20 people, and someone inside slammed the door refusing to give access to officers. When police gained access, some partygoers had exited out the back. But 33 people were identified, and seven weapons were recovered, including an assault rifle, and two stolen weapons.
Most were charged with misdemeanors, but a couple got felony charges for the stolen guns.
Of course, there’s a good chance that at least some of the other weapons were stolen as well, but weren’t reported for whatever reason. If so, some people caught a lucky break and the rest of the community didn’t.
People who have stolen guns aren’t usually collectors. There are exceptions, of course, but those are for ultra-rare firearms, not guns like these. No, stolen guns like these suggest criminal behavior. These aren’t good, clean-cut, all-American kids looking to blow off some steam here. Not all of them, at least.
If people got away with possessing stolen guns, they’re not likely to be innocent buyers who just happened to buy from the wrong crowd. No, they’re likely to be bad people who will go on to do bad things.
But, what could the police do in those instances? I’m still not even sure how the police gained access, so unless that was done correctly, those two with felony charges are going to walk as well.
Hopefully, that’s not the case.
Look, I get that some people don’t seem to want to see anyone locked up on any kind of a weapons charge, but these are stolen guns. They were taken from a law-abiding gun owner who worked hard and paid for those weapons with the sweat of their own brow. No one has a right to take those from them, yet they did.
So far as I’m concerned, those who did it should rot.
Of course, that’s also not really a controversial opinion, either. Even the most hardcore pro-Second kind of guy tends to agree with gun thieves being scum, which is why I still retain at least some faith in humanity.


bearingarms--2020-05-02--NM Gun Shop Facing $60K Fines For Remaining Open

A pawn shop and gun store in northwestern New Mexico that remained open , albeit with social distancing measures in place , despite Gov .
Michelle Lujan ’ s order for gun stores to close has been hit with $ 60,000 in fines from the state Department of Health .
Papas Pawn and Guns owner Diane Rowe acknowledges she remained open , but says the fines shouldn ’ t be nearly as high as what the state has imposed , and believes she ’ s being targeted for standing up for her rights .
“ This is about our small @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rowe said .
“ I am getting a hold of lawyers now and trying to figure out what we ’ re gon na do .
I would like to be able to stay open .
It ’ s my constitutional right to be able to earn a living.
” Rowe said the store has been “ very careful , ” allowing only two customers in at a time and making sure that people stand 6 feet apart from one another .
She was part of a small resistance by owners of stores that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Grants after the city ’ s mayor , Martin “ Modey ” Hicks , ordered city employees back to work and encouraged businesses there to reopen in defiance of public health restrictions shutting them down .
Hicks was ordered Thursday by the New Mexico Supreme Court to comply with the health orders and submit a written response to the court .
We covered the situation in Grants , New Mexico here at Bearing Arms a few days ago when the mayor decided he was going to allow businesses in the Cibola County community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order .
While some counties in the northwestern part of the state have been hit hard by the coronavirus , Cibola County has only reported 52 cases as of May 1st .
Mayor Hicks said the fact that the county has been able to manage the pandemic , coupled with the economic devastation wrought by the stay-at-home order by Grisham , was what compelled him to declare the town was re-open for business .
Gov .
Grisham revised her stay-at-home order on April 30th to allow gun shops across the state to re-open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long as they operate by appointment only .
Unfortunately for Rowe , the revised orders don ’ t include Cibola County .
It also does not apply to McKinley and San Juan counties .
The three areas are COVID-19 hot spots in New Mexico , and Lujan Grisham said during a Thursday address that she would not lift restrictions in those areas because of the explosion of virus cases there .
The Republican Party of New Mexico decried the substantial fine in a statement Friday as “ a violation of Rowe ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unjust action against businesses trying to survive.
” There hasn ’ t been an explosion of cases in Cibola County , though the same can ’ t be said for McKinley and San Juan counties .
Those two counties account for nearly half of the state ’ s confirmed coronavirus cases and deaths , and on Friday Grisham took the unprecedented step of closing the roads in and out of the county seat of McKinley County .
New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham invoked the state ’ s Riot Control Act on Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gallup after its mayor requested that she do so on Thursday .
Under the act , all roads leading into Gallup are now closed off “ to mitigate the uninhibited spread of COVID-19 in that city.
” “ Effective at 12 p.m. , May 1 , all roads into Gallup are closed .
Businesses in the city of Gallup will close from 5 p.m. through 8 a.m. Vehicles may only have a maximum of two individuals .
Residents of the city should remain at home except for emergency outings and those essential for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Grisham ’ s office said in a press release .
Gallup ’ s outbreak is severe , while Grant ’ s outbreak has not been .
Cibola County ’ s had far fewer cases than either San Juan or McKinley County , but it is home not only to a mayor that ’ s defied the governor ’ s order , it ’ s also the home of Sheriff Tony Mace , who ’ s also been a thorn in the side of the governor for years .
In fact , it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the universal background check and red flag laws pushed by Grisham , and the sheriff ’ s been a vocal proponent of the Second Amendment Sanctuary movement as well .
From a health standpoint , it doesn ’ t make much sense to include Cibola County in the list of places that remain on lockdown .
If Gov .
Grisham is playing politics , however , it makes perfect sense to target one of the most disobedient jurisdictions in the state .
Rowe may be right in thinking that the heavy fines handed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do with retaliation than mitigation of the coronavirus .

A pawn shop and gun store in northwestern New Mexico that remained open, albeit with social distancing measures in place, despite Gov. Michelle Lujan’s order for gun stores to close has been hit with $60,000 in fines from the state Department of Health.
Papas Pawn and Guns owner Diane Rowe acknowledges she remained open, but says the fines shouldn’t be nearly as high as what the state has imposed, and believes she’s being targeted for standing up for her rights.
“This is about our small businesses being just picked off,” Rowe said. “I am getting a hold of lawyers now and trying to figure out what we’re gonna do. I would like to be able to stay open. It’s my constitutional right to be able to earn a living.” Rowe said the store has been “very careful,” allowing only two customers in at a time and making sure that people stand 6 feet apart from one another. She was part of a small resistance by owners of stores that have remained open or opened Monday in Grants after the city’s mayor, Martin “Modey” Hicks, ordered city employees back to work and encouraged businesses there to reopen in defiance of public health restrictions shutting them down. Hicks was ordered Thursday by the New Mexico Supreme Court to comply with the health orders and submit a written response to the court.
We covered the situation in Grants, New Mexico here at Bearing Arms a few days ago when the mayor decided he was going to allow businesses in the Cibola County community to re-open despite the governor’s order. While some counties in the northwestern part of the state have been hit hard by the coronavirus, Cibola County has only reported 52 cases as of May 1st. Mayor Hicks said the fact that the county has been able to manage the pandemic, coupled with the economic devastation wrought by the stay-at-home order by Grisham, was what compelled him to declare the town was re-open for business.
Gov. Grisham revised her stay-at-home order on April 30th to allow gun shops across the state to re-open on Friday, May 1st, as long as they operate by appointment only. Unfortunately for Rowe, the revised orders don’t include Cibola County.
It also does not apply to McKinley and San Juan counties. The three areas are COVID-19 hot spots in New Mexico, and Lujan Grisham said during a Thursday address that she would not lift restrictions in those areas because of the explosion of virus cases there. The Republican Party of New Mexico decried the substantial fine in a statement Friday as “a violation of Rowe’s civil rights and constitutional rights and another unjust action against businesses trying to survive.”
There hasn’t been an explosion of cases in Cibola County, though the same can’t be said for McKinley and San Juan counties. Those two counties account for nearly half of the state’s confirmed coronavirus cases and deaths, and on Friday Grisham took the unprecedented step of closing the roads in and out of the county seat of McKinley County.
New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham invoked the state’s Riot Control Act on Friday to essentially lock down the city of Gallup after its mayor requested that she do so on Thursday. Under the act, all roads leading into Gallup are now closed off “to mitigate the uninhibited spread of COVID-19 in that city.” “Effective at 12 p.m., May 1, all roads into Gallup are closed. Businesses in the city of Gallup will close from 5 p.m. through 8 a.m. Vehicles may only have a maximum of two individuals. Residents of the city should remain at home except for emergency outings and those essential for health, safety and welfare,” Grisham’s office said in a press release.
Gallup’s outbreak is severe, while Grant’s outbreak has not been. Cibola County’s had far fewer cases than either San Juan or McKinley County, but it is home not only to a mayor that’s defied the governor’s order, it’s also the home of Sheriff Tony Mace, who’s also been a thorn in the side of the governor for years. In fact, it was Mace who helped spearhead the opposition to the universal background check and red flag laws pushed by Grisham, and the sheriff’s been a vocal proponent of the Second Amendment Sanctuary movement as well.
From a health standpoint, it doesn’t make much sense to include Cibola County in the list of places that remain on lockdown. If Gov. Grisham is playing politics, however, it makes perfect sense to target one of the most disobedient jurisdictions in the state. Rowe may be right in thinking that the heavy fines handed down to her business have more to do with retaliation than mitigation of the coronavirus.


bearingarms--2020-05-02--Police Find Guns, Thousands Of Rounds In Biker Gang Member Raid

When I was younger , I remember being told that motorcycle clubs–a.k.a .
“ biker gangs ” –weren ’ t all they were described as being in television and movies .
While those bad apples certainly existed , most people who could be described as bikers weren ’ t really bad people .
They got together and rode motorcycles and then held regular jobs and spent time with their families like the rest of us .
As I ’ ve grown older , I like to think that understanding has worked out well for me .
However , it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bad apples really do exist , and sometimes , they can be kind of scary .
Authorities on Thursday found a weapons cache with over a dozen guns , thousands of rounds of ammunition and body armor during the arrest of a man suspected in a double homicide in Alabama .
Tyrone Johnson , 37 , was wanted in connection to the fatal shooting of two men outside a motorcycle club in Huntsville , Alabama , on March 27 .
A U.S.
Marshal ’ s task force found 17 guns , two sets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rounds ammunition when they arrested Johnson at his home in Nashville , Tennessee , according to the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department .
The shooting , which injured two others , was one of three shootings outside the club within an 8-hour span , according to AL.com .
The Huntsville police chief described the incident as a “ culmination ” of tensions between motorcycle gangs .
Yep .
Sounds like something out of an episode of Sons of Anarchy , doesn ’ t it ?
One has to wonder whether Johnson had a previous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , just how in the hell did he get his hands on so many firearms ?
These guns aren ’ t like so many other “ arsenals ” either where you ’ ve got an AR , a shotgun , a few handguns , and the rest are bolt-action rifles .
No , this one includes a FAL and a number of ARs , a couple shotguns , some handguns , and what looks an awful lot like some MP-5 variant , though I might be wrong on that one .
And Johnson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been quite ugly , to be sure .
Regardless , there ’ s no information claiming that the weapons were stolen or anything and there ’ s no information suggesting Johnson is facing a weapons charge , which makes this quite interesting .
Johnson is the second arrest in this case .
The first arrest was of Albert Vinson and the only gun-related charge he ’ s facing is discharging a weapon at an unoccupied building .
In other words , there ’ s a good chance that neither of these guys @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the case , the number of guns and the amount of ammo is irrelevant .
After all , if you ’ re not a criminal , none of those guns appear to be illegal .
Instead , it looks to be prejudicial ; an attempt to paint Johnson as violent simply because he has a lot of guns .
Are Johnson and Vinson the bad apple type bikers or are they simply getting the blame ?
Who knows .
That ’ s what trials are for .
It should be an interesting case @ @ @ @ @

When I was younger, I remember being told that motorcycle clubs–a.k.a. “biker gangs”–weren’t all they were described as being in television and movies. While those bad apples certainly existed, most people who could be described as bikers weren’t really bad people. They got together and rode motorcycles and then held regular jobs and spent time with their families like the rest of us.
As I’ve grown older, I like to think that understanding has worked out well for me.
However, it’s also important to remember that those bad apples really do exist, and sometimes, they can be kind of scary.
Authorities on Thursday found a weapons cache with over a dozen guns, thousands of rounds of ammunition and body armor during the arrest of a man suspected in a double homicide in Alabama. Tyrone Johnson, 37, was wanted in connection to the fatal shooting of two men outside a motorcycle club in Huntsville, Alabama, on March 27. A U.S. Marshal’s task force found 17 guns, two sets of body armor, and thousands of rounds ammunition when they arrested Johnson at his home in Nashville, Tennessee, according to the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department. The shooting, which injured two others, was one of three shootings outside the club within an 8-hour span, according to AL.com. The Huntsville police chief described the incident as a “culmination” of tensions between motorcycle gangs.
Yep. Sounds like something out of an episode of Sons of Anarchy, doesn’t it?
One has to wonder whether Johnson had a previous criminal record and, if he did, just how in the hell did he get his hands on so many firearms? These guns aren’t like so many other “arsenals” either where you’ve got an AR, a shotgun, a few handguns, and the rest are bolt-action rifles. No, this one includes a FAL and a number of ARs, a couple shotguns, some handguns, and what looks an awful lot like some MP-5 variant, though I might be wrong on that one.
It’s some fairly serious hardware.
And Johnson was wanted for murder. That could have been quite ugly, to be sure.
Regardless, there’s no information claiming that the weapons were stolen or anything and there’s no information suggesting Johnson is facing a weapons charge, which makes this quite interesting. Johnson is the second arrest in this case. The first arrest was of Albert Vinson and the only gun-related charge he’s facing is discharging a weapon at an unoccupied building.
In other words, there’s a good chance that neither of these guys were felons.
If that’s the case, the number of guns and the amount of ammo is irrelevant. After all, if you’re not a criminal, none of those guns appear to be illegal. Instead, it looks to be prejudicial; an attempt to paint Johnson as violent simply because he has a lot of guns.
Are Johnson and Vinson the bad apple type bikers or are they simply getting the blame? Who knows. That’s what trials are for. It should be an interesting case to watch, though.


bearingarms--2020-05-03--Canadian Gun Group Demands Trudeau Withdraw Gun Ban Order

Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau ’ s sweeping ban on tens of thousands of legally owned firearms , announced on Friday , isn ’ t going over well in many parts of the country .
In Ottawa , premier Doug Ford blasted the move during a Saturday press conference , telling reporters that the ban will have a far bigger impact on legal gun owners than it will on violent criminals .
He said he would rather see the millions planned for the gun buyback program go instead toward beefing up border security to stop guns from being illegally smuggled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t help but think that money could be put at a much better use hunting down the violent criminals and stopping the illegal guns at our borders , ” he said .
Ottawa ’ s priority should be strengthening bail conditions and jail sentences for criminals and gang members who commit gun crimes , he added .
Ford said he finds it “ frustrating ” that weapons offenders are often back on the streets within a few days of being arrested and that some receive sentences of only a year or two .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ gun owners , we need to target the smugglers and we need to throw the book at these gangsters out there terrorizing our streets , ” he said .
“ Throw the key away with these people if they get caught with guns , don ’ t give them a slap on the wrist and then try to point the finger at legal , law abiding gun owners.
” Other provincial leaders are sounding off as well , including Alberta premier Jason Kenney , who says lawmakers are looking at all possible responses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ottawa is singling out law-abiding Canadians who purchased their property legally , have owned these items safely for years , and who have committed no crimes , ” Kenney said in a statement .
“ We know that the overwhelming majority of firearms used criminally in Canada are smuggled in illegally from the United States .
Instead of addressing this , Ottawa will instead spend vast sums of money to criminalize law-abiding Canadians .
That money would be far better used to pursue the smugglers and drug gangs that plague our society , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extremely disappointed by ( Friday ’ s ) announcement by the federal government of a firearms ban that only serves to penalize law-abiding gun owners , ” Moe said .
Canada ’ s largest gun owners organizations are also lashing out at the Trudeau government , with several of them , including the Canadian Shooting Sports Association , demanding the resignation of the architect of the Trudeau gun grab and the withdrawal of the firearms ban .
On May 1 , 2020 , CSSA participated in briefings with officials from Public Safety , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Department of Justice .
An examination of the new regulations showed a clear lack of understanding of the subject matter and that little care was taken in the preparation of these documents .
Officials from these departments were unable to provide a working definition of the firearms that were placed on the “ banned ” list and displayed a shocking ignorance of current laws .
They were unable to answer simple question about how the current ban would dovetail with the prohibitions contained in Bill C-71 , legislation passed eleven months ago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claimed that the Minister , Bill Blair , had ruled that the firearms contained on the list were unsuitable for sport or hunting , despite the fact the government of Canada had been providing transport permits for the “ purposes of sport shooting ” for well over 30 years .
Many of the firearms that were claimed to be unsuitable for hunting were given exemptions for First Nation Canadians so they could continue to use them for hunting , a clear violation of Canada ’ s constitution .
Since all transport of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the two-year amnesty period , owners of these firearms will find themself in serious legal jeopardy should they move residences .
The Canadian Shooting Sports Association feels the Prime Minister and Canadians have been poorly served by Minister Blair and call for his immediate removal from this portfolio .
We also demand the immediate withdrawal of this flawed Order in Council .
While Trudeau ’ s order took immediate effect on Friday after his announcement , the gun ban comes with a two year amnesty period for gun owners to either hand over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cash , or potentially apply to have their firearms grandfathered in and maintain possession of their prohibited firearms .
There ’ s still a great amount of confusion over how that portion of the Canadian gun grab will ultimately be implemented .
Unlike Trudeau ’ s decision to reclassify 1,500 makes and models of firearms from “ restricted ” to “ prohibited , ” which was done without a vote in Parliament , any money spent on compensating Canadian gun owners for their confiscated firearms will have to be approved by lawmakers .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ much discussion about yet is the potential for a lawsuit .
Orders in council like Trudeau ’ s ban can be challenged in court , and separate lawsuits could be filed over any bills approved by Parliament to help with the enforcement of the ban .
The Canadian Shooting Sports Association hinted at one avenue of legal attack by noting that some of the firearms now prohibited to own are still legal for First Nation Canadians to use to hunt , even though Trudeau stated that one of the reasons he ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that , in his opinion , these aren ’ t firearms that are suited for hunting .
Trudeau got his desired headlines on Friday , but moving forward , his ban is likely to generate more headaches for him than anything else as federal and provincial lawmakers , along with Canada ’ s gun owners , push back on the ban any way they can .

Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau’s sweeping ban on tens of thousands of legally owned firearms, announced on Friday, isn’t going over well in many parts of the country. In Ottawa, premier Doug Ford blasted the move during a Saturday press conference, telling reporters that the ban will have a far bigger impact on legal gun owners than it will on violent criminals.
He said he would rather see the millions planned for the gun buyback program go instead toward beefing up border security to stop guns from being illegally smuggled into Canada. “I can’t help but think that money could be put at a much better use hunting down the violent criminals and stopping the illegal guns at our borders,” he said. Ottawa’s priority should be strengthening bail conditions and jail sentences for criminals and gang members who commit gun crimes, he added. Ford said he finds it “frustrating” that weapons offenders are often back on the streets within a few days of being arrested and that some receive sentences of only a year or two. “The problem is not the legal gun owners, we need to target the smugglers and we need to throw the book at these gangsters out there terrorizing our streets,” he said. “Throw the key away with these people if they get caught with guns, don’t give them a slap on the wrist and then try to point the finger at legal, law abiding gun owners.”
Other provincial leaders are sounding off as well, including Alberta premier Jason Kenney, who says lawmakers are looking at all possible responses to Trudeau’s edict.
“Ottawa is singling out law-abiding Canadians who purchased their property legally, have owned these items safely for years, and who have committed no crimes,” Kenney said in a statement. “We know that the overwhelming majority of firearms used criminally in Canada are smuggled in illegally from the United States. Instead of addressing this, Ottawa will instead spend vast sums of money to criminalize law-abiding Canadians. That money would be far better used to pursue the smugglers and drug gangs that plague our society,” added Kenney. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe joined the chorus of disappointment. “I am extremely disappointed by (Friday’s) announcement by the federal government of a firearms ban that only serves to penalize law-abiding gun owners,” Moe said.
Canada’s largest gun owners organizations are also lashing out at the Trudeau government, with several of them, including the Canadian Shooting Sports Association, demanding the resignation of the architect of the Trudeau gun grab and the withdrawal of the firearms ban.
On May 1, 2020, CSSA participated in briefings with officials from Public Safety, CBSA, Global Affairs, RCMP and the Department of Justice. An examination of the new regulations showed a clear lack of understanding of the subject matter and that little care was taken in the preparation of these documents. Officials from these departments were unable to provide a working definition of the firearms that were placed on the “banned” list and displayed a shocking ignorance of current laws. They were unable to answer simple question about how the current ban would dovetail with the prohibitions contained in Bill C-71, legislation passed eleven months ago. Further to this, it was claimed that the Minister, Bill Blair, had ruled that the firearms contained on the list were unsuitable for sport or hunting, despite the fact the government of Canada had been providing transport permits for the “purposes of sport shooting” for well over 30 years. Many of the firearms that were claimed to be unsuitable for hunting were given exemptions for First Nation Canadians so they could continue to use them for hunting, a clear violation of Canada’s constitution. Since all transport of the newly prohibited firearms is not permitted within the two-year amnesty period, owners of these firearms will find themself in serious legal jeopardy should they move residences. The Canadian Shooting Sports Association feels the Prime Minister and Canadians have been poorly served by Minister Blair and call for his immediate removal from this portfolio. We also demand the immediate withdrawal of this flawed Order in Council.
While Trudeau’s order took immediate effect on Friday after his announcement, the gun ban comes with a two year amnesty period for gun owners to either hand over their banned firearms in exchange for some cash, or potentially apply to have their firearms grandfathered in and maintain possession of their prohibited firearms. There’s still a great amount of confusion over how that portion of the Canadian gun grab will ultimately be implemented. Unlike Trudeau’s decision to reclassify 1,500 makes and models of firearms from “restricted” to “prohibited,” which was done without a vote in Parliament, any money spent on compensating Canadian gun owners for their confiscated firearms will have to be approved by lawmakers.
One thing we haven’t heard much discussion about yet is the potential for a lawsuit. Orders in council like Trudeau’s ban can be challenged in court, and separate lawsuits could be filed over any bills approved by Parliament to help with the enforcement of the ban. The Canadian Shooting Sports Association hinted at one avenue of legal attack by noting that some of the firearms now prohibited to own are still legal for First Nation Canadians to use to hunt, even though Trudeau stated that one of the reasons he’s banning the guns to begin with is that, in his opinion, these aren’t firearms that are suited for hunting.
Trudeau got his desired headlines on Friday, but moving forward, his ban is likely to generate more headaches for him than anything else as federal and provincial lawmakers, along with Canada’s gun owners, push back on the ban any way they can.


bearingarms--2020-05-03--Police Department Gives Gun Safety Reminder After Accidental Shootings

Gun safety is something that many of us take for granted .
I mean , we follow all the rules and tend to share them with everyone as well as calling out people on the internet who are being stupid about it , but some folks tend to just kind of assume everyone knows the rules already .
In fairness , everyone should .
Unfortunately , they don ’ t .
Now , with millions of new gun owners in the last few months , there are bound to be accidents .
This fact has prompted police in Portsmouth , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with their firearms .
Lt. Scott Blystone with the Portsmouth Police Department says right now , police are seeing people who have experience with firearms get a little complacent since they ’ re spending more time at home — which is leading to more shooting accidents .
Blystone says , as of late , people have been mishandling guns while trying to take care of them , or not putting them away in the proper places .
Those situations have led to some scary 911 calls .
“ We are seeing a lot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they ’ re cleaning their firearms or not properly putting them in holsters , or just shoving them down their pants , and unfortunately that ’ s lead to a couple of our gunshot wounds , ” Blystone explained .
Blystone also advises people to get some kind of a lockbox to store the firearm in so children can ’ t get hold of it .
It ’ s a shame that it ’ s come to this , but this isn ’ t unexpected .
Not really .
You see , you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Every gun store owner I ’ ve seen asked about who are buying guns tell you that these are typically new gun buyers .
That means they ’ re individuals who are unlikely to have any firearms training to speak of or , if they did , it was years previously .
Then the entire planet goes on lockdown .
With that , most firearms classes–including the basic safety classes that are most useful for new gun owners–were canceled all across the country .
People who had never handled a firearm were suddenly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Some went to YouTube or Google and got some good information .
Some probably figured they ’ d seen enough movies they didn ’ t need to worry about it .
As a result , you get stupid accidents .
More correctly , negligence .
Make no mistake , not knowing how to handle a firearm does not excuse someone from being negligent .
Ignorance is not a virtue , nor should it ever be considered such .
So yeah , people need training .
They need education on guns .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that people should be required to undergo such training before being permitted to buy a gun–that ’ s an infringement on their right to keep and bear arms , after all–but instead to be inundated with proper firearm handling all throughout their lives .
We should have this as part of school curriculums throughout the nation .
Make it so no one ever has ignorance as an excuse again .
Will it stop accidents ?
Probably not .
After all , driver ’ s ed classes haven ’ t stopped people being stupid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What it may do , though , is save a handful of lives without costing anyone else theirs .
That ’ s a big win for everyone .

Gun safety is something that many of us take for granted. I mean, we follow all the rules and tend to share them with everyone as well as calling out people on the internet who are being stupid about it, but some folks tend to just kind of assume everyone knows the rules already. In fairness, everyone should. Unfortunately, they don’t.
Now, with millions of new gun owners in the last few months, there are bound to be accidents.
This fact has prompted police in Portsmouth, Virginia to remind people to take care with their firearms.
Lt. Scott Blystone with the Portsmouth Police Department says right now, police are seeing people who have experience with firearms get a little complacent since they’re spending more time at home — which is leading to more shooting accidents. Blystone says, as of late, people have been mishandling guns while trying to take care of them, or not putting them away in the proper places. Those situations have led to some scary 911 calls. “We are seeing a lot of people accidentally get shot, whether they’re cleaning their firearms or not properly putting them in holsters, or just shoving them down their pants, and unfortunately that’s lead to a couple of our gunshot wounds,” Blystone explained.
Blystone also advises people to get some kind of a lockbox to store the firearm in so children can’t get hold of it.
It’s a shame that it’s come to this, but this isn’t unexpected. Not really.
You see, you have millions of new gun owners. Every gun store owner I’ve seen asked about who are buying guns tell you that these are typically new gun buyers. That means they’re individuals who are unlikely to have any firearms training to speak of or, if they did, it was years previously.
Then the entire planet goes on lockdown.
With that, most firearms classes–including the basic safety classes that are most useful for new gun owners–were canceled all across the country. People who had never handled a firearm were suddenly trying to figure all of it out. Some went to YouTube or Google and got some good information. Some probably figured they’d seen enough movies they didn’t need to worry about it.
As a result, you get stupid accidents. More correctly, negligence.
Make no mistake, not knowing how to handle a firearm does not excuse someone from being negligent. Ignorance is not a virtue, nor should it ever be considered such.
So yeah, people need training. They need education on guns.
I’m not remotely prepared to argue that people should be required to undergo such training before being permitted to buy a gun–that’s an infringement on their right to keep and bear arms, after all–but instead to be inundated with proper firearm handling all throughout their lives. We should have this as part of school curriculums throughout the nation. Make it so no one ever has ignorance as an excuse again.
Will it stop accidents? Probably not. After all, driver’s ed classes haven’t stopped people being stupid in cars, now has it?
What it may do, though, is save a handful of lives without costing anyone else theirs. That’s a big win for everyone.


bearingarms--2020-05-04--Bloomberg Gun Control Group Aims At TX Lawmakers In New Ad

Michael Bloomberg ’ s Everytown for Gun Safety has launched a $ 250,000 digital ad campaign targeting several members of Texas ’ congressional delegation , in its first salvo of campaign spending designed to keep Democrats in control of the U.S. House and flip the Texas State Senate as well .
The new ads are focused on five congressional districts in the state , all of them currently held by Republicans .
The gun control group ’ s ads will run in districts held by Reps. Dan Crenshaw , Michael McCaul , John Carter and Chip Roy , as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ District , where Beth Van Duyne is running for Congress .
The Cook Political Report rates the 24th District a “ toss-up , ” while McCaul ’ s and Roy ’ s seats are rated “ lean Republican.
” Crenshaw ’ s and Carter ’ s seats are classified as “ likely Republican.
” The 24th Congressional District is currently represented by Kenny Marchant , who announced last August that he wouldn ’ t seek re-election .
The district is fairly conservative , though Democrats have made gains in recent elections .
When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was elected with 64-percent of the vote .
By 2018 , Marchant pulled in just 50.6 percent of the vote , though he still won election in the blue wave midterms .
Beth Van Duyne , the Republican nominee in the district , is the former mayor of Irving , Texas who was appointed to a regional position in the Department of Housing and Urban Development by President Trump in 2017 .
Two Democrats hoping to oppose her are headed for a runoff election scheduled for July 14th , but Everytown isn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nominee is before coming out in opposition to Van Duyne ’ s candidacy .
The ads , titled “ Ignore Our Safety ” , start out by proclaiming that the coronavirus isn ’ t the only threat to the lives of Texans , pointing to the attack at an El Paso WalMart last August and and accusing the Republicans of “ siding with the gun lobby over us.
” By “ us , ” Everytown is referring to Texas voters , but it ’ s actually more accurate to say that Crenshaw and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Constitution over the gun control movement .
The only policy that the ad specifically mentions is universal background checks , which is the policy that polls best for gun control advocates , and claims that “ we ” can ’ t afford the risk of re-electing pro-Second Amendment candidates this November .
I doubt any of the candidates themselves will hit back at Everytown , but if they do , I hope they point out that the anti-gun organization is on the record as declaring that gun stores are not essential businesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shops across the Lone Star State at a time when sales have been soaring , and a lot of the foot traffic in stores is coming from first time gun buyers .
Do you want to elect a candidate who ’ s going to do everything they can to prevent you from exercising your Second Amendment rights during a state of emergency , or do you want to vote for the candidate who ’ s going to ensure that your rights remain intact ?
Granted , I ’ m biased , but it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me .
You can check out the Everytown for Gun Safety ad targeting Rep. Dan Crenshaw below .

Michael Bloomberg’s Everytown for Gun Safety has launched a $250,000 digital ad campaign targeting several members of Texas’ congressional delegation, in its first salvo of campaign spending designed to keep Democrats in control of the U.S. House and flip the Texas State Senate as well.
The new ads are focused on five congressional districts in the state, all of them currently held by Republicans.
The gun control group’s ads will run in districts held by Reps. Dan Crenshaw, Michael McCaul, John Carter and Chip Roy, as well as the state’s 24th Congressional District, where Beth Van Duyne is running for Congress. The Cook Political Report rates the 24th District a “toss-up,” while McCaul’s and Roy’s seats are rated “lean Republican.” Crenshaw’s and Carter’s seats are classified as “likely Republican.”
The 24th Congressional District is currently represented by Kenny Marchant, who announced last August that he wouldn’t seek re-election. The district is fairly conservative, though Democrats have made gains in recent elections. When Marchant first took office in 2004, he was elected with 64-percent of the vote. By 2018, Marchant pulled in just 50.6 percent of the vote, though he still won election in the blue wave midterms.
Beth Van Duyne, the Republican nominee in the district, is the former mayor of Irving, Texas who was appointed to a regional position in the Department of Housing and Urban Development by President Trump in 2017. Two Democrats hoping to oppose her are headed for a runoff election scheduled for July 14th, but Everytown isn’t waiting to see who the nominee is before coming out in opposition to Van Duyne’s candidacy.
The ads, titled “Ignore Our Safety”, start out by proclaiming that the coronavirus isn’t the only threat to the lives of Texans, pointing to the attack at an El Paso WalMart last August and and accusing the Republicans of “siding with the gun lobby over us.” By “us,” Everytown is referring to Texas voters, but it’s actually more accurate to say that Crenshaw and the rest of the Republicans sided with the Constitution over the gun control movement.
The only policy that the ad specifically mentions is universal background checks, which is the policy that polls best for gun control advocates, and claims that “we” can’t afford the risk of re-electing pro-Second Amendment candidates this November.
I doubt any of the candidates themselves will hit back at Everytown, but if they do, I hope they point out that the anti-gun organization is on the record as declaring that gun stores are not essential businesses, and would have shut down gun shops across the Lone Star State at a time when sales have been soaring, and a lot of the foot traffic in stores is coming from first time gun buyers. Do you want to elect a candidate who’s going to do everything they can to prevent you from exercising your Second Amendment rights during a state of emergency, or do you want to vote for the candidate who’s going to ensure that your rights remain intact? Granted, I’m biased, but it’s a pretty easy choice for me.
You can check out the Everytown for Gun Safety ad targeting Rep. Dan Crenshaw below.


bearingarms--2020-05-04--Is This County Shut Down To Protect The Public Or Punish Them?

On today ’ s Bearing Arms ’ Cam & Co , Cibola County Sheriff Tony Mace joins me to discuss a troubling development in his community ; a continued lockdown of the local economy that Mace believes is motivated far more by politics than public safety .
Over the weekend , we reported on a Cibola County , New Mexico gun store that ’ s been hit with $ 60,000 in fines after remaining open during Gov .
Michelle Lujan Grisham ’ s order to for non-essential businesses to close .
Papas Pawn and Guns was one of several businesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their doors open on a limited basis during the shutdown order , and the mayor Grants , Martin “ Modey ” Hicks , has come under political fire by the governor ’ s allies for encouraging businesses to re-open before the governor lifted the lockdown .
As for Papas Pawn & Guns , Mace says it never should have shut down to begin with , calling the business an example of “ the poor man ’ s bank ” for its pawn services , and noting that the gun store side of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well as the general public .
Last Friday , Grisham revised her orders and allowed gun stores and other businesses deemed non-essential to partially re-open , but her order excluded three counties in the northwestern part of the state ; San Juan , McKinley , and Cibola .
The governor announced that those three counties would remain on lockdown because of the severity of the outbreaks in the counties .
The only thing is that Cibola County hasn ’ t been hit particularly hard , especially compared to their neighbors .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been 3,732 confirmed coronavirus cases and 139 coronavirus deaths in New Mexico , and about half of them have been in McKinley and San Juan counties .
McKinley County has 1,144 cases and 21 reported deaths , while San Juan County has 736 cases and 57 deaths .
There have been at least six reported outbreaks at long term care facilities in San Juan County , and at least four more outbreaks in care facilities in McKinley County .
Cibola County , on other hand , has just 68 coronavirus cases , 3 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care facilities .
Why then are residents and businesses in the county still on lockdown ?
Sheriff Mace says he believes the governor is trying to make an example of the county for its civil disobedience , which predates the coronavirus pandemic .
Mace was one of the early leaders of the Second Amendment Sanctuary movement in the state , and has refused to enforce the state ’ s universal background check laws in addition to threatening a lawsuit over the state ’ s red flag firearms seizure law .
On today ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hicks has also been an outspoken opponent of Gov .
Grisham ’ s gun control agenda , and the sheriff says he can ’ t help but wonder if Cibola County would be included with the hard hit counties of McKinley and San Juan if he and others had simply gone along with the governor ’ s anti-gun agenda .
Make sure you check out the entire interview above , and be sure to subscribe to Townhall Media on YouTube or the Bearing ’ Arms Cam & Co podcast on Apple Podcasts so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Stick around after our inteview with Sheriff Mace for more discussion on Justin Trudeau ’ s sweeping gun ban announced on Friday , as well as an armed citizen who won ’ t be facing charges after shooting and killing an intruder in his North Carolina home , a high risk sex offender released early because of coronavirus concerns who was arrested less than a week after being let go , and a NYPD officer in the right place at the right time to save a life in a subway station .

On today’s Bearing Arms’ Cam & Co, Cibola County Sheriff Tony Mace joins me to discuss a troubling development in his community; a continued lockdown of the local economy that Mace believes is motivated far more by politics than public safety.
Over the weekend, we reported on a Cibola County, New Mexico gun store that’s been hit with $60,000 in fines after remaining open during Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s order to for non-essential businesses to close. Papas Pawn and Guns was one of several businesses in Grants, New Mexico to keep their doors open on a limited basis during the shutdown order, and the mayor Grants, Martin “Modey” Hicks, has come under political fire by the governor’s allies for encouraging businesses to re-open before the governor lifted the lockdown.
As for Papas Pawn & Guns, Mace says it never should have shut down to begin with, calling the business an example of “the poor man’s bank” for its pawn services, and noting that the gun store side of the business is essential for local law enforcement as well as the general public.
Last Friday, Grisham revised her orders and allowed gun stores and other businesses deemed non-essential to partially re-open, but her order excluded three counties in the northwestern part of the state; San Juan, McKinley, and Cibola. The governor announced that those three counties would remain on lockdown because of the severity of the outbreaks in the counties. The only thing is that Cibola County hasn’t been hit particularly hard, especially compared to their neighbors.
As of May 4th, there’ve been 3,732 confirmed coronavirus cases and 139 coronavirus deaths in New Mexico, and about half of them have been in McKinley and San Juan counties. McKinley County has 1,144 cases and 21 reported deaths, while San Juan County has 736 cases and 57 deaths. There have been at least six reported outbreaks at long term care facilities in San Juan County, and at least four more outbreaks in care facilities in McKinley County.
Cibola County, on other hand, has just 68 coronavirus cases, 3 reported deaths, and zero outbreaks at care facilities. Why then are residents and businesses in the county still on lockdown?
Sheriff Mace says he believes the governor is trying to make an example of the county for its civil disobedience, which predates the coronavirus pandemic. Mace was one of the early leaders of the Second Amendment Sanctuary movement in the state, and has refused to enforce the state’s universal background check laws in addition to threatening a lawsuit over the state’s red flag firearms seizure law. On today’s show Mace pointed out that Mayor Hicks has also been an outspoken opponent of Gov. Grisham’s gun control agenda, and the sheriff says he can’t help but wonder if Cibola County would be included with the hard hit counties of McKinley and San Juan if he and others had simply gone along with the governor’s anti-gun agenda.
Make sure you check out the entire interview above, and be sure to subscribe to Townhall Media on YouTube or the Bearing’ Arms Cam & Co podcast on Apple Podcasts so you’ll never miss a show. Stick around after our inteview with Sheriff Mace for more discussion on Justin Trudeau’s sweeping gun ban announced on Friday, as well as an armed citizen who won’t be facing charges after shooting and killing an intruder in his North Carolina home, a high risk sex offender released early because of coronavirus concerns who was arrested less than a week after being let go, and a NYPD officer in the right place at the right time to save a life in a subway station.


bearingarms--2020-05-04--Off-Duty Chicago Firefighter Fired Back At Attacker

It ’ s easy for many of us to look at Chicago and see a great big hole when it comes to guns .
After all , Chicago is the driving political force in one of the most anti-gun states in the nation .
It was a city that enacted such draconian attempts at gun control that the Supreme Court had to smack them down via the McDonald decision .
Yet it ’ s important to remember that Chicago isn ’ t a monolithic entity .
There are gun people in the city .
Law-abiding gun people , that is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of armed criminals .
Well , one of those armed criminals decided to tangle with an off-duty firefighter .
The problem for the bad guy is that the firefighter didn ’ t intend on being easy prey for anyone .
Chicago police did catch the suspect , recovering his coat and firearm from a nearby garbage can .
It ’ s a shame that the firefighter didn ’ t hit the target , but even putting up a fight is important .
This particular thug and all his buddies are now going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re running around shooting up the entire city .
They ’ ll remember that there are armed citizens who don ’ t appreciate being caught in the crossfire .
Putting a couple of holes in the bad guy might have been a better reminder , but we have to take what we can get .
The firefighter is one of tens of thousands of armed Chicagoans , but that ’ s a city almost 2.7 million people .
It ’ s simply not enough to have an appreciable impact on crime as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of thousands of people with their carry permits in the Windy City .
Hundreds of thousands of people who can fight back against the thugs who dominate so many Chicago headlines .
If that happens , watch how things change .
It won ’ t be the gun laws that legislators in the state keep trying to cram down people ’ s throats , it ’ ll be the actions of ordinary citizens empowered by the Second Amendment that change Chicago for the better .
That ’ s what it will take to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that too many people have been indoctrinated to believe otherwise .

It’s easy for many of us to look at Chicago and see a great big hole when it comes to guns. After all, Chicago is the driving political force in one of the most anti-gun states in the nation. It was a city that enacted such draconian attempts at gun control that the Supreme Court had to smack them down via the McDonald decision.
Yet it’s important to remember that Chicago isn’t a monolithic entity. There are gun people in the city. Law-abiding gun people, that is. We already know they have plenty of armed criminals.
Well, one of those armed criminals decided to tangle with an off-duty firefighter. The problem for the bad guy is that the firefighter didn’t intend on being easy prey for anyone.
An off-duty Chicago firefighter who was shot several times while chatting with friends and cutting the lawn on the Far South Side Thursday night fired back at the assailant in self-defense, officials said. The firefighter, 54, was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where he was stabilized and where his family was gathered at his bedside Thursday night, according to Chicago Fire Department spokesman Larry Langford. “He had multiple gunshot wounds to his lower extremities,” Langford said. About 6:45 p.m. an assailant ran past the fireman and several of his friends who about talking near an alley or gangway and fired thirteen times at them near the 9900 block of South Yale Avenue in the Fernwood neighborhood, Langford and police said. After bullets ripped through the fireman’s ankle, buttocks and right leg, he returned fire in self-defense, but didn’t hit anyone, police said. He was not the intended target.
Chicago police did catch the suspect, recovering his coat and firearm from a nearby garbage can.
It’s a shame that the firefighter didn’t hit the target, but even putting up a fight is important. This particular thug and all his buddies are now going to have to think about that when they’re running around shooting up the entire city. They’ll remember that there are armed citizens who don’t appreciate being caught in the crossfire.
Putting a couple of holes in the bad guy might have been a better reminder, but we have to take what we can get.
The firefighter is one of tens of thousands of armed Chicagoans, but that’s a city almost 2.7 million people. It’s simply not enough to have an appreciable impact on crime as a whole.
But just imagine hundreds of thousands of people with their carry permits in the Windy City. Hundreds of thousands of people who can fight back against the thugs who dominate so many Chicago headlines. If that happens, watch how things change. It won’t be the gun laws that legislators in the state keep trying to cram down people’s throats, it’ll be the actions of ordinary citizens empowered by the Second Amendment that change Chicago for the better. That’s what it will take to end the bloodshed.
The problem is that too many people have been indoctrinated to believe otherwise.


bearingarms--2020-05-04--Maryland County Approves 2A Sanctuary Resolution

After weeks of debate and discussion , county commissioners in St. Mary ’ s County , Maryland have declared the county a Second Amendment Sanctuary .
The vote makes the southern Maryland county the sixth 2A sanctuary in the state , although commissioners and the county attorney stressed that the resolution is symbolic in nature .
Commissioner Mike Hewitt ( R ) asked , “ If Annapolis passes some type of law that goes against the grain of the 2nd Amendment … is this symbolic or would we not enforce the laws from the legislature ?
” “ This is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] Weiskopf replied .
“ If somebody has a problem with a law that ’ s passed then you go to court , which is what they did with the Maryland Safe Gun Act passed in 2010 or so .
It went to the federal district of Maryland and it was upheld and the Supreme Court refused.
” Compared to other counties , Weiskopf claimed he “ wrote a pretty vanilla ” resolution .
“ In Calvert County it says that any law passed for any reason for ammo or guns violates the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I think you did a very good job with the wording , ” Commissioner Todd Morgan ( R ) told Weiskopf .
The specific language in St. Mary ’ s resolution affirms “ the commissioners ’ commitment to the values of the founding fathers and the United States Constitution ; express the commissioners ’ continued commitment to support all provisions of the Constitution , including the right of the people to keep and bear arms ; express the commissioners ’ strong support for the rights of law-abiding citizens to keep and bear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ general assembly and the governor to take no action which would violate the freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution and Bill of Rights ; and declare the commissioners ’ support of other elected bodies making similar declarations on behalf of Maryland counties , cities and towns , ” according to Weiskopf .
I would have liked to have seen language included that promised legal action by the county if any unconstitutional gun control bills are signed into law , but this is a good first step .
Commissioner John O ’ Connor ( R @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way on the initiative , told The Enterprise on Wednesday , he is “ glad we took the steps forward to get it passed and support those who legally own firearms and are responsible with them.
” Although COVID-19 has limited county activity since the sanctuary discussion began , he said commissioners continued to receive letters of support from residents advocating for the designation .
While the resolution may be “ pretty vanilla ” as Weiskopf described it , it ’ s also a clear rebuke to the anti-gun politicians in Annapolis who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of focusing their efforts on violent criminals .
Commissioner Eric Colvin remarked before the vote that he and many of his constituents want to see lawmakers increase the penalties for gun thieves and those who use stolen firearms in the commission of a violent crime .
With St. Mary ’ s resolution now in effect , a quarter of the state ’ s 24 counties have now approved resolutions supporting the right to keep and bear arms , though the language varies from county to county .
While the coronavirus pandemic may have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sanctuary movement , it ’ s clear that the movement hasn ’ t gone away .

After weeks of debate and discussion, county commissioners in St. Mary’s County, Maryland have declared the county a Second Amendment Sanctuary. The vote makes the southern Maryland county the sixth 2A sanctuary in the state, although commissioners and the county attorney stressed that the resolution is symbolic in nature.
Commissioner Mike Hewitt (R) asked, “If Annapolis passes some type of law that goes against the grain of the 2nd Amendment … is this symbolic or would we not enforce the laws from the legislature?” “This is symbolic,” [County Attorney David] Weiskopf replied. “If somebody has a problem with a law that’s passed then you go to court, which is what they did with the Maryland Safe Gun Act passed in 2010 or so. It went to the federal district of Maryland and it was upheld and the Supreme Court refused.” Compared to other counties, Weiskopf claimed he “wrote a pretty vanilla” resolution. “In Calvert County it says that any law passed for any reason for ammo or guns violates the Second Amendment,” he said. “I think you did a very good job with the wording,” Commissioner Todd Morgan (R) told Weiskopf.
The specific language in St. Mary’s resolution affirms “the commissioners’ commitment to the values of the founding fathers and the United States Constitution; express the commissioners’ continued commitment to support all provisions of the Constitution, including the right of the people to keep and bear arms; express the commissioners’ strong support for the rights of law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms and urges the members of the general assembly and the governor to take no action which would violate the freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution and Bill of Rights; and declare the commissioners’ support of other elected bodies making similar declarations on behalf of Maryland counties, cities and towns,” according to Weiskopf.
I would have liked to have seen language included that promised legal action by the county if any unconstitutional gun control bills are signed into law, but this is a good first step.
Commissioner John O’Connor (R), who has been leading the way on the initiative, told The Enterprise on Wednesday, he is “glad we took the steps forward to get it passed and support those who legally own firearms and are responsible with them.” Although COVID-19 has limited county activity since the sanctuary discussion began, he said commissioners continued to receive letters of support from residents advocating for the designation.
While the resolution may be “pretty vanilla” as Weiskopf described it, it’s also a clear rebuke to the anti-gun politicians in Annapolis who continue to target legal gun owners instead of focusing their efforts on violent criminals. Commissioner Eric Colvin remarked before the vote that he and many of his constituents want to see lawmakers increase the penalties for gun thieves and those who use stolen firearms in the commission of a violent crime.
With St. Mary’s resolution now in effect, a quarter of the state’s 24 counties have now approved resolutions supporting the right to keep and bear arms, though the language varies from county to county. While the coronavirus pandemic may have slowed the growth of the Second Amendment Sanctuary movement, it’s clear that the movement hasn’t gone away.