bearingarms--2020-12-20--How Will Northam Respond To Record Gun Sales In Virginia?

The first new gun control laws in decades in the state of Virginia took effect on July 1st of this year , right in the middle of the Great Gun Run of 2020 .
Those new restrictions on the right to keep and bear arms couldn ’ t stop hundreds of thousands of state residents from exercising their right to buy a gun , and it looks like 2020 will go down in history as the best year on record for gun sales in the state .
The Virginia Firearms Transaction Center has kept mandatory background check records , seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transactions with no database tracking total purchases , on buyers in the commonwealth since 1990 .
In the first 11 months of the year , 716,563 background checks for firearm sales were conducted in Virginia .
The previous annual record of 505,722 , set in 2016 , was eclipsed by the end of September 2020 .
“ I ’ ve been in the gun industry 40 years and I ’ ve never seen this before , ” Mark Tosh , president of Town Gun Shop Inc. , told 8News .
“ Nothing comes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country have seen huge spikes in sales , both because of the COVID-19 shutdowns in the spring and a summer of civil unrest , Mark Oliva from the National Shooting Sports Foundation thinks that there ’ s another factor at work when it comes to the eye-popping numbers in Virginia .
While he said self-defense is a key factor , Oliva believes gun-control measures passed in the state legislature earlier this year motivated buyers the most .
“ These are people who didn ’ t have a position before , but they have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continued .
“ Literally invested with their money.
” I think that ’ s a pretty accurate assessment , especially given the massive pushback that Gov .
Ralph Northam and his anti-gun allies in the legislature received when they began pushing to add dozens of new gun control laws to the state statutes .
More than 100 counties , cities , and towns across the state declared themselves Second Amendment Sanctuaries and vowed not to enforce any unconstitutional gun control measures .
Many of the gun control bills that did pass this year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Northam failed to achieve his main objective of a ban on so-called assault weapons , high capacity magazines , and suppressors .
Interestingly , it doesn ’ t appear as if Democrats have filed any gun control bills for the 2021 session yet , though at this point in 2019 we had already seen several dozen bills tossed into the legislative hopper .
With just weeks to go before the 2021 session begins , we ’ ll likely start to see some gun control bills dropping soon , but Democrats including Northam have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ big a priority should gun control be ?
Last year Democrats claimed that their embrace of gun control was one of the reasons why they were able to take control of the statehouse in the 2019 elections , but Democrats didn ’ t have a great night across Virginia in this year ’ s congressional elections .
With every seat in the General Assembly up for election in 2021 along with the offices of governor , lt. governor , and attorney general , Democrats may be a little gun-shy ( no pun intended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after the backlash to their new gun laws and the surge in gun sales .
Back in April , Ralph Northam said he ’ d be bringing his proposed gun ban back before lawmakers in 2021 , but that appears to be the last time he ’ s said anything about it publicly .
I ’ m fairly confident that Northam won ’ t back away completely from his sweeping ban on commonly-owned arms , but I suspect that at least a few Democrats who are up for re-election next year ( particularly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may have temporarily lost their appetite for the destruction of the right to keep and bear arms .

The first new gun control laws in decades in the state of Virginia took effect on July 1st of this year, right in the middle of the Great Gun Run of 2020. Those new restrictions on the right to keep and bear arms couldn’t stop hundreds of thousands of state residents from exercising their right to buy a gun, and it looks like 2020 will go down in history as the best year on record for gun sales in the state.
The Virginia Firearms Transaction Center has kept mandatory background check records, seen as the best method to gauge firearm transactions with no database tracking total purchases, on buyers in the commonwealth since 1990. In the first 11 months of the year, 716,563 background checks for firearm sales were conducted in Virginia. The previous annual record of 505,722, set in 2016, was eclipsed by the end of September 2020. “I’ve been in the gun industry 40 years and I’ve never seen this before,” Mark Tosh, president of Town Gun Shop Inc., told 8News. “Nothing comes close.”
While most states across the country have seen huge spikes in sales, both because of the COVID-19 shutdowns in the spring and a summer of civil unrest, Mark Oliva from the National Shooting Sports Foundation thinks that there’s another factor at work when it comes to the eye-popping numbers in Virginia.
While he said self-defense is a key factor, Oliva believes gun-control measures passed in the state legislature earlier this year motivated buyers the most. “These are people who didn’t have a position before, but they have now chosen their position,” he continued. “Literally invested with their money.”
I think that’s a pretty accurate assessment, especially given the massive pushback that Gov. Ralph Northam and his anti-gun allies in the legislature received when they began pushing to add dozens of new gun control laws to the state statutes. More than 100 counties, cities, and towns across the state declared themselves Second Amendment Sanctuaries and vowed not to enforce any unconstitutional gun control measures.
Many of the gun control bills that did pass this year were watered-down in the process, and Northam failed to achieve his main objective of a ban on so-called assault weapons, high capacity magazines, and suppressors.
Interestingly, it doesn’t appear as if Democrats have filed any gun control bills for the 2021 session yet, though at this point in 2019 we had already seen several dozen bills tossed into the legislative hopper. With just weeks to go before the 2021 session begins, we’ll likely start to see some gun control bills dropping soon, but Democrats including Northam have a big decision to make; how big a priority should gun control be?
Last year Democrats claimed that their embrace of gun control was one of the reasons why they were able to take control of the statehouse in the 2019 elections, but Democrats didn’t have a great night across Virginia in this year’s congressional elections. With every seat in the General Assembly up for election in 2021 along with the offices of governor, lt. governor, and attorney general, Democrats may be a little gun-shy (no pun intended) about pushing for more gun control after the backlash to their new gun laws and the surge in gun sales.
Back in April, Ralph Northam said he’d be bringing his proposed gun ban back before lawmakers in 2021, but that appears to be the last time he’s said anything about it publicly. I’m fairly confident that Northam won’t back away completely from his sweeping ban on commonly-owned arms, but I suspect that at least a few Democrats who are up for re-election next year (particularly those in rural and suburban/exurban districts) may have temporarily lost their appetite for the destruction of the right to keep and bear arms.


bearingarms--2020-12-20--BA Gift Guide - Last Minute Stocking Stuffers For 2A Lovers

Hopefully you ’ re almost finished with your Christmas shopping ( hopefully ) , but if you ’ re in need of a last minute gift for the gun lover in your life , here are some options under $ 20 perfect for a stocking stuffer or a small present under the tree for all the Second Amendment supporters in your life .
I ’ m Your Huckleberry Patch – Defend the right to keep and bear arms ?
You ’ re a daisy if you do , and this Doc Holliday-inspired patch will let the world know where you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ iconic western film Tombstone .
Buck Wear Men ’ s Gadsden Sock – Tread wherever you like in this Gadsden flag-inspired socks , though be aware that these aren ’ t snake-proof .
These snazzy socks feature an athletic rib , arch support , reinforced heel , toe cushioning , and a seamless toe closure .
Fits most sizes 9-15 .
TacX Pro Gear Ankle Holster – The perfect accessory for your pro-2A socks , the TacX ankle holster allows for carry on either leg , and is constructed out of breathable , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ universal holster fits a range of firearms from compacts to full-size , and even comes with a bonus TacLite LED flashlight .
Arcturus Silicone-Treated Handgun Socks ( 4-pack ) – Socks aren ’ t just for feet , you know .
You can also get socks for your guns , and these handgun socks from Arcturus will keep dust and dirt away from your handguns while they ’ re stored or you ’ re traveling to the range .
The 3.5 x 16″ socks feature a drawstring enclosure on one end , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in moisture , which helps to prevent oxidation and rust .
You can also get your gun socks in a rifle-sized version as well .
Splatterburst Targets 12 x18 inch Silhouette Shooting Target – You ’ ll have no trouble seeing your shot patterns when you use the Splatterburst targets , thanks to the fluorescent yellow bursts that appear with every hit to the silhouette target .
Made in the USA and for use from Airsoft rifles to hand cannons and even shotguns .
Bullet Chillers Set of 6 – For those who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but still like a little chill .
Keep these bullet-shaped stainless steel chillers in the freezer and simply drop a couple into your rocks glass with your favorite libation .
Only takes an hour to freeze and comes with a storage pouch and a pair of tongs for precision placement and retrieval .
Also pairs perfectly with these whiskey glasses .
SOG MacV Tool – This handy little multi-tool is TSA compliant and attaches to a key ring , providing you with instant access to a number of tools like a small flathead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Phillips driver , line cutter , blade sharpener , 1/4 ” wrench , 5/16 ” wrench , 3/8 ” wrench and 1/4 ” hex bit driver , as well as a bottle opener .
Green Army Man Bottle Opener – Not nearly as multi-functional as the SOG bottle opener above , but how can you resist the design ?
Made from die-cast metal and not soft plastic , the green army man is a fun addition to your home bar .
And honestly , even if you don ’ t buy this , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ read the wonderfully weird product description .
Our last suggestion for a 2A-related stocking stuffer doesn ’ t have much visual appeal , but it may be the most important pick on the list : a membership to a Second Amendment organization .
Whether it ’ s the NRA , the Second Amendment Foundation , Gun Owners of America , the Firearms Policy Coalition , or your local state-level 2A org , a membership help all of us keep our Second Amendment secure in the months ahead .

Hopefully you’re almost finished with your Christmas shopping (hopefully), but if you’re in need of a last minute gift for the gun lover in your life, here are some options under $20 perfect for a stocking stuffer or a small present under the tree for all the Second Amendment supporters in your life.
I’m Your Huckleberry Patch – Defend the right to keep and bear arms? You’re a daisy if you do, and this Doc Holliday-inspired patch will let the world know where you stand on the Second Amendment and the iconic western film Tombstone.
Buck Wear Men’s Gadsden Sock – Tread wherever you like in this Gadsden flag-inspired socks, though be aware that these aren’t snake-proof. These snazzy socks feature an athletic rib, arch support, reinforced heel, toe cushioning, and a seamless toe closure. Fits most sizes 9-15.
TacX Pro Gear Ankle Holster – The perfect accessory for your pro-2A socks, the TacX ankle holster allows for carry on either leg, and is constructed out of breathable, sweat-resistant neoprene and hook-and-loop adjustability. The universal holster fits a range of firearms from compacts to full-size, and even comes with a bonus TacLite LED flashlight.
Arcturus Silicone-Treated Handgun Socks (4-pack) – Socks aren’t just for feet, you know. You can also get socks for your guns, and these handgun socks from Arcturus will keep dust and dirt away from your handguns while they’re stored or you’re traveling to the range. The 3.5 x 16″ socks feature a drawstring enclosure on one end, and the silicon-treated fabric doesn’t hold in moisture, which helps to prevent oxidation and rust. You can also get your gun socks in a rifle-sized version as well.
Splatterburst Targets 12 x18 inch Silhouette Shooting Target – You’ll have no trouble seeing your shot patterns when you use the Splatterburst targets, thanks to the fluorescent yellow bursts that appear with every hit to the silhouette target. Made in the USA and for use from Airsoft rifles to hand cannons and even shotguns.
Bullet Chillers Set of 6 – For those who like their bourbon or whiskey neat, but still like a little chill. Keep these bullet-shaped stainless steel chillers in the freezer and simply drop a couple into your rocks glass with your favorite libation. Only takes an hour to freeze and comes with a storage pouch and a pair of tongs for precision placement and retrieval. Also pairs perfectly with these whiskey glasses.
SOG MacV Tool – This handy little multi-tool is TSA compliant and attaches to a key ring, providing you with instant access to a number of tools like a small flathead driver, large flathead driver, small Phillips driver, line cutter, blade sharpener, 1/4” wrench, 5/16” wrench, 3/8” wrench and 1/4” hex bit driver, as well as a bottle opener.
Green Army Man Bottle Opener – Not nearly as multi-functional as the SOG bottle opener above, but how can you resist the design? Made from die-cast metal and not soft plastic, the green army man is a fun addition to your home bar. And honestly, even if you don’t buy this, you should click the link just to read the wonderfully weird product description.
Our last suggestion for a 2A-related stocking stuffer doesn’t have much visual appeal, but it may be the most important pick on the list: a membership to a Second Amendment organization. Whether it’s the NRA, the Second Amendment Foundation, Gun Owners of America, the Firearms Policy Coalition, or your local state-level 2A org, a membership help all of us keep our Second Amendment secure in the months ahead.
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bearingarms--2020-12-21--Here's How To Comment On The ATF's Proposed Rules For Pistol Braces

The public comment period for the ATF ’ s proposed rules for pistol stabilizing braces just opened last Friday , but already more than 13,000 comments have been received by the agency .
That ’ s a good start , but we still need gun owners and Second Amendment supporters to add their voice to the growing chorus that ’ s objecting to the ATF ’ s proposal .
As a reminder , here ’ s what those new proposed rules would mean for the millions of Americans who own a pistol with a stabilizing brace : In the ATF @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agency outlines several supposedly objective factors that will determine whether a handgun equipped with a pistol stabilizing brace is considered a pistol or a short-barreled rifle that must be registered under the National Firearms Act .
The problem is that while the ATF outlines what those many factors are ( caliber ; weight ; length ; attachment method ; and even after-market accessories like scopes and sights , to name a few ) , the agency doesn ’ t provide gun owners with any specifics that would take the guessing out of whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gun a pistol or an item that must be registered under the National Firearms Act .
The draft proposal is full of weasel words like “ may , ” “ might , ” and “ likely , ” but fail to provide gun owners with a clear standard and set of rules that can be followed .
In fact , the ATF adds that “ no single factor or combination of factors is necessarily dispositive , and FATD examines each weapon holistically on a case-by-case basis .
Because of changes in design or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well as future changes in technology , this list is not exhaustive and other factors may become relevant to a weapon ’ s classification.
” How are gun owners supposed to know if their gun is now considered an NFA item by the ATF ?
They can ’ t , because the ATF makes those determinations on a case-by-case basis .
If , however , the ATF decides that you ’ re in possession of an unregistered NFA item , you could be facing a decade in federal prison .
So , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ separate process by which current possessors of affected stabilizer-equipped firearms may choose to register such firearms to be compliant with the NFA.
” That ’ s the crux of the proposed rules ; make them so vague and fuzzy that gun owners can ’ t know if they ’ re in compliance , and then offer them an amnesty to register their guns just to be on the safe side .
If you want to comment on the proposal , the public comment period ends on January 4th .
Until then , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by visiting the Federal Register at this link : Once there , click the “ submit a formal comment ” button on the top right of the webpage .
You ’ ll have to give your full name and address along with your comment , and that information will be able to be viewed online .
For those who want to keep their info and comments offline , you can also mail or fax your comments , but again , they must be received by midnight on January 4th .
You can mail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to fax your comments , the number is 202-648-9741 .
Your fax must use at least 12-point font , written on 8 1/2 x 11 paper , be no more than five pages in length , and be signed by you along with your full name and mailing address .
The response from gun owners has been great so far , but we need to keep up the momentum .
Hopefully this guide will help , so please consider sharing this on your own social media and with your fellow gun owners to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loud as possible in objecting to the arbitrary and capricious standards that the ATF wants to formally adopt when it comes to pistol braces .

The public comment period for the ATF’s proposed rules for pistol stabilizing braces just opened last Friday, but already more than 13,000 comments have been received by the agency. That’s a good start, but we still need gun owners and Second Amendment supporters to add their voice to the growing chorus that’s objecting to the ATF’s proposal.
As a reminder, here’s what those new proposed rules would mean for the millions of Americans who own a pistol with a stabilizing brace:
In the ATF’s proposed rule change, the agency outlines several supposedly objective factors that will determine whether a handgun equipped with a pistol stabilizing brace is considered a pistol or a short-barreled rifle that must be registered under the National Firearms Act. The problem is that while the ATF outlines what those many factors are (caliber; weight; length; attachment method; and even after-market accessories like scopes and sights, to name a few), the agency doesn’t provide gun owners with any specifics that would take the guessing out of whether or not the ATF would consider the gun a pistol or an item that must be registered under the National Firearms Act. The draft proposal is full of weasel words like “may,” “might,” and “likely,” but fail to provide gun owners with a clear standard and set of rules that can be followed. In fact, the ATF adds that “no single factor or combination of factors is necessarily dispositive, and FATD examines each weapon holistically on a case-by-case basis. Because of changes in design or configuration of a weapon or attachment, as well as future changes in technology, this list is not exhaustive and other factors may become relevant to a weapon’s classification.” How are gun owners supposed to know if their gun is now considered an NFA item by the ATF? They can’t, because the ATF makes those determinations on a case-by-case basis. If, however, the ATF decides that you’re in possession of an unregistered NFA item, you could be facing a decade in federal prison. So, the agency plans “to implement a separate process by which current possessors of affected stabilizer-equipped firearms may choose to register such firearms to be compliant with the NFA.”
That’s the crux of the proposed rules; make them so vague and fuzzy that gun owners can’t know if they’re in compliance, and then offer them an amnesty to register their guns just to be on the safe side.
If you want to comment on the proposal, the public comment period ends on January 4th. Until then, the easiest way to submit your response is by visiting the Federal Register at this link:
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/12/18/2020-27857/objective-factors-for-classifying-weapons-with-stabilizing-braces
Once there, click the “submit a formal comment” button on the top right of the webpage. You’ll have to give your full name and address along with your comment, and that information will be able to be viewed online. For those who want to keep their info and comments offline, you can also mail or fax your comments, but again, they must be received by midnight on January 4th.
You can mail your comment to:
Office of Regulatory Affairs, Enforcement Programs and Services, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives 99 New York Ave. NE, Mail Stop 6N-518, Washington, DC 20226; ATTN: ATF 2020R-10.
If you prefer to fax your comments, the number is 202-648-9741. Your fax must use at least 12-point font, written on 8 1/2 x 11 paper, be no more than five pages in length, and be signed by you along with your full name and mailing address.
The response from gun owners has been great so far, but we need to keep up the momentum. Hopefully this guide will help, so please consider sharing this on your own social media and with your fellow gun owners to help ensure that our voices are as loud as possible in objecting to the arbitrary and capricious standards that the ATF wants to formally adopt when it comes to pistol braces.


bearingarms--2020-12-21--Anti-Gun Dems Turn Their Back On Rural Voters In GA Senate Races

It appears that Democrats are refusing to learn a very valuable lesson from the 2020 elections , which saw their hopes of a Blue Wave that would sweep the party into a dominating position in Congress come crashing down as a result of their anti-gun agenda and an onslaught of rural , exurban , and suburban voters who cast their votes in favor of the right to keep and bear arms .
Democrats lost nearly a dozen seats in the House , and their plans to take over the Senate now hinge on the state of Georgia , where early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler and Democrats Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock is already underway ( Election Day will officially take place on January 5th ) .
While both Democrats are claiming to be “ moderate ” in their support for new gun laws , Ossoff and Warnock are fully on board with Joe Biden ’ s anti-gun agenda , including his proposal to ban and “ buy back ” tens of millions of legally-owned firearms .
On today ’ s Bearing Arms ’ Cam & Co we take a look at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prospect that details the lack of effort from Democrats in recruiting rural voters in the Georgia senate campaigns and the impact that could have on the election .
Weeks away from the January 5 Election Day , ad buys from Democrats and Republicans in Georgia are mirroring the national strategy that played out during the general election , with the GOP far outspending in the rural south and north , and the Democratic machine buying out the airwaves in Atlanta and Georgia ’ s other big urban markets .
Outside the cities , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Warnock has fared better than Ossoff on the rural front , tapping into his grassroots network cultivated through his time as pastor at Atlanta ’ s Ebenezer Baptist Church ( where Martin Luther King Jr. preached , and his father before him ) .
Meanwhile , Ossoff has relied on a last-minute bus tour and that most sacred of political weapons : the yard sign .
These two tactics were highlighted by Ossoff ’ s campaign as the cornerstones of his rural-outreach strategy , but as one rural organizer in southern Georgia told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drive all the way to Atlanta just to pick up the signs !
” The same organizer , who spoke to the Prospect on background for fear of reprisal from the Democratic Party , said that they were one of multiple rural organizers whom Ossoff personally called over the summer to inform them that rural ad buys and outreach beyond the urban core weren ’ t on the table .
“ It ’ s not part of our strategy , ” he said .
Honestly , why would it be ?
Democrats got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rural counties on Election Day , and the strategy in the runoffs is basically the same as it was in the general election ; concentrate on driving up turnout in Atlanta , Macon , Savannah , and other urban areas by embracing a gun-ban agenda .
Rural voters are an afterthought at best , and more often are viewed as a target of the Democrats ’ ire ; deplorable bumpkins who need to have their Second Amendment rights curtailed for the good of the nation .
If Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ d be the 49th and 50th Democratic votes in the Senate , allowing the vice-president to cast any tie-breaking votes in their role as president of the Senate .
The odds are that it ’ ll be Kamala Harris occupying that spot , and while West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin has publicly stated that he won ’ t cast any votes in favor of nuking the legislative filibuster or packing the Supreme Court , it ’ s easy to make that pledge now .
Whether or not Manchin would stand by his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agenda is at stake is another issue completely , and Georgia gun owners shouldn ’ t put their faith in the West Virginia senator to be the bulwark standing between the Second Amendment and Joe Biden ’ s gun ban .
Thankfully , while Democrats aren ’ t paying much attention to the state ’ s rural voters , Republicans and Second Amendment groups are on the ground and fully engaged .
Donald Trump , Jr. has been crisscrossing the state in recent days , appearing at rallies in towns like Ringgold and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are spending millions in voter outreach efforts .
By the way , I ’ m not paying any attention to the polls in Georgia because of how inaccurate much of the polling was in the general election , but I know that these Senate races are going to be close .
Early voting totals indicate extremely high turnout on both sides of the aisle , which makes polling even trickier .
For those who do want to take a look at the recent polling and some other anecdotal evidence in the Georgia senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ colleague Ed Morrissey at Hot Air has a round-up worth reading that I ’ d encourage you to check out .

It appears that Democrats are refusing to learn a very valuable lesson from the 2020 elections, which saw their hopes of a Blue Wave that would sweep the party into a dominating position in Congress come crashing down as a result of their anti-gun agenda and an onslaught of rural, exurban, and suburban voters who cast their votes in favor of the right to keep and bear arms.
Democrats lost nearly a dozen seats in the House, and their plans to take over the Senate now hinge on the state of Georgia, where early voting in the runoff elections between Republicans David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler and Democrats Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock is already underway (Election Day will officially take place on January 5th). While both Democrats are claiming to be “moderate” in their support for new gun laws, Ossoff and Warnock are fully on board with Joe Biden’s anti-gun agenda, including his proposal to ban and “buy back” tens of millions of legally-owned firearms.
On today’s Bearing Arms’ Cam & Co we take a look at a new report by left-of-center website The American Prospect that details the lack of effort from Democrats in recruiting rural voters in the Georgia senate campaigns and the impact that could have on the election.
Weeks away from the January 5 Election Day, ad buys from Democrats and Republicans in Georgia are mirroring the national strategy that played out during the general election, with the GOP far outspending in the rural south and north, and the Democratic machine buying out the airwaves in Atlanta and Georgia’s other big urban markets. Outside the cities, Democrats’ ground game is sparse. Warnock has fared better than Ossoff on the rural front, tapping into his grassroots network cultivated through his time as pastor at Atlanta’s Ebenezer Baptist Church (where Martin Luther King Jr. preached, and his father before him). Meanwhile, Ossoff has relied on a last-minute bus tour and that most sacred of political weapons: the yard sign. These two tactics were highlighted by Ossoff’s campaign as the cornerstones of his rural-outreach strategy, but as one rural organizer in southern Georgia told the Prospect, “we had to drive all the way to Atlanta just to pick up the signs!” The same organizer, who spoke to the Prospect on background for fear of reprisal from the Democratic Party, said that they were one of multiple rural organizers whom Ossoff personally called over the summer to inform them that rural ad buys and outreach beyond the urban core weren’t on the table. “It’s not part of our strategy,” he said.
Honestly, why would it be? Democrats got clobbered in most of Georgia’s rural counties on Election Day, and the strategy in the runoffs is basically the same as it was in the general election; concentrate on driving up turnout in Atlanta, Macon, Savannah, and other urban areas by embracing a gun-ban agenda. Rural voters are an afterthought at best, and more often are viewed as a target of the Democrats’ ire; deplorable bumpkins who need to have their Second Amendment rights curtailed for the good of the nation.
If Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock were to win on January 5th, they’d be the 49th and 50th Democratic votes in the Senate, allowing the vice-president to cast any tie-breaking votes in their role as president of the Senate. The odds are that it’ll be Kamala Harris occupying that spot, and while West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin has publicly stated that he won’t cast any votes in favor of nuking the legislative filibuster or packing the Supreme Court, it’s easy to make that pledge now. Whether or not Manchin would stand by his word if Joe Biden’s legislative agenda is at stake is another issue completely, and Georgia gun owners shouldn’t put their faith in the West Virginia senator to be the bulwark standing between the Second Amendment and Joe Biden’s gun ban.
Thankfully, while Democrats aren’t paying much attention to the state’s rural voters, Republicans and Second Amendment groups are on the ground and fully engaged. Donald Trump, Jr. has been crisscrossing the state in recent days, appearing at rallies in towns like Ringgold and Ocilla, and organizations like the NRA are spending millions in voter outreach efforts.
By the way, I’m not paying any attention to the polls in Georgia because of how inaccurate much of the polling was in the general election, but I know that these Senate races are going to be close. Early voting totals indicate extremely high turnout on both sides of the aisle, which makes polling even trickier. For those who do want to take a look at the recent polling and some other anecdotal evidence in the Georgia senate races, however, my friend and colleague Ed Morrissey at Hot Air has a round-up worth reading that I’d encourage you to check out.


bearingarms--2020-12-21--OH Passes Stand Your Ground Bill. What Now?

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has been trying to walk a tightrope .
On the one hand , he ’ s wanted to pass new gun control measures , but on the other , he doesn ’ t want to alienate his pro-gun base .
Frankly , he hasn ’ t done a great job of either .
Now , though , that tightrope walk is about to be tested .
A controversial “ stand your ground ” gun rights bill is heading to Gov .
Mike DeWine , a Greene County Republican who promised to push through gun reforms after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oregon District .
The Ohio House voted 51-31 late Thursday in favor of the measure .
The Ohio Senate voted 18-11 on Friday .
Four Republicans , including state Sen. Peggy Lehner of Kettering , joined Democrats voting against the bill .
Under current law , Ohioans have a “ duty to retreat ” from danger in public places before using deadly force in defense of themselves or others .
Senate Bill 175 would remove that duty .
“ Stand Your Ground ” is opposed by many county prosecutors and police chiefs , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who said it would make communities less safe and encourage armed vigilantism .
Which is BS .
It ’ s done no such thing where it ’ s been enacted , but are we surprised that political entities like police chiefs are towing the party line on these laws ?
It doesn ’ t mean the crap they ’ re spouting has any validity .
The big question is just what will happen when the bill hits DeWine ’ s desk .
While he ’ s been trying to walk the aforementioned tightrope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that now , he has to pick a side .
If he sides with the anti-gunners who vehemently oppose these regulations , then he ’ s offering a middle finger to pro-gun voices within his state – the very same pro-gun voices he ’ s going to likely need come re-election time .
So , what will DeWine do ?
Frankly , I ’ d be surprised if DeWine signs it .
Ideally , he ’ d sign it and not blink in the least .
However , DeWine has been taking an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s clear he isn ’ t giving the anti-gun crowd everything they want , he ’ s been beating the anti-gun drum enough that it ’ s clear he ’ s leaning in their direction .
Signing this would run completely counter to that , especially as DeWine has said not to send this bill to him without his anti-gun measures as well .
Lawmakers did no such thing , remembering their role in a divided government is to create laws , not rubber-stamp the executive branch ’ s preferred measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with introducing and passing laws .
However , the flip side is that DeWine ’ s job is to sign or veto bills , which does give him the authority to kill this one .
As noted , though , once he does , he ’ s formally picked a side .
While the most vehemently pro-Second Amendment voices already see him as an anti-gun Republican , a veto here would expand the number who see him that way significantly .
Don ’ t be surprised to see DeWine primaried and potentially lose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republicans are going to have a shot in hell of winning .
DeWine is going to have to determine whether or not he ’ s willing to alienate his base to appease people who weren ’ t going to vote for him anyway .

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has been trying to walk a tightrope. On the one hand, he’s wanted to pass new gun control measures, but on the other, he doesn’t want to alienate his pro-gun base.
Frankly, he hasn’t done a great job of either.
Now, though, that tightrope walk is about to be tested.
A controversial “stand your ground” gun rights bill is heading to Gov. Mike DeWine, a Greene County Republican who promised to push through gun reforms after the mass shooting in Dayton’s Oregon District. The Ohio House voted 51-31 late Thursday in favor of the measure. The Ohio Senate voted 18-11 on Friday. Four Republicans, including state Sen. Peggy Lehner of Kettering, joined Democrats voting against the bill. Under current law, Ohioans have a “duty to retreat” from danger in public places before using deadly force in defense of themselves or others. Senate Bill 175 would remove that duty. “Stand Your Ground” is opposed by many county prosecutors and police chiefs, including Dayton Police Chief Richard Biehl, who said it would make communities less safe and encourage armed vigilantism.
Which is BS. It’s done no such thing where it’s been enacted, but are we surprised that political entities like police chiefs are towing the party line on these laws?
It doesn’t mean the crap they’re spouting has any validity.
The big question is just what will happen when the bill hits DeWine’s desk.
While he’s been trying to walk the aforementioned tightrope, the truth of the matter is that now, he has to pick a side. If he sides with the anti-gunners who vehemently oppose these regulations, then he’s offering a middle finger to pro-gun voices within his state – the very same pro-gun voices he’s going to likely need come re-election time.
So, what will DeWine do?
Frankly, I’d be surprised if DeWine signs it.
Ideally, he’d sign it and not blink in the least. However, DeWine has been taking an anti-gun approach ever since Dayton. While it’s clear he isn’t giving the anti-gun crowd everything they want, he’s been beating the anti-gun drum enough that it’s clear he’s leaning in their direction. Signing this would run completely counter to that, especially as DeWine has said not to send this bill to him without his anti-gun measures as well.
Lawmakers did no such thing, remembering their role in a divided government is to create laws, not rubber-stamp the executive branch’s preferred measures. They’re the ones charged with introducing and passing laws.
However, the flip side is that DeWine’s job is to sign or veto bills, which does give him the authority to kill this one.
As noted, though, once he does, he’s formally picked a side. While the most vehemently pro-Second Amendment voices already see him as an anti-gun Republican, a veto here would expand the number who see him that way significantly. Don’t be surprised to see DeWine primaried and potentially lose.
The pro-gun crowd is important if Republicans are going to have a shot in hell of winning. DeWine is going to have to determine whether or not he’s willing to alienate his base to appease people who weren’t going to vote for him anyway.
I don’t think he’ll choose wisely.


bearingarms--2020-12-21--ACLU Attorney Reportedly Fired Gun At Car His Kids Were In

The American Civil Liberties Union ( ACLU ) ostensibly serves to protect the civil rights of all Americans .
I say “ ostensibly ” because it ’ s been the target of criticism over the years regarding its refusal to support the Second Amendment .
While some have argued that the ACLU is justified by this because there are other groups who defend gun rights , others have argued its rank hypocrisy to only protect nine of the 10 amendments that make up the Bill of Rights .
In recent years , the ACLU has become more openly anti-gun .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ignore gun rights , it ’ s actively against them .
All of that makes this story all the more interesting .
It seems an ACLU attorney was arrested based on his actions with a firearm .
Just one day after the American Civil Liberties Union of Utah announced it had hired Aaron Kinikini as its new staff attorney , Salt Lake police arrested him after they say he fired a gun at a car in which his children were riding .
The mother of at least three of Kinikini ’ s children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ residence Friday evening .
The woman and three children were inside the vehicle when Kinikini “ stood behind the vehicle , preventing the victim from leaving , ” according to a police booking affidavit .
Kinikini told police that the woman “ drove at him at a high rate of speed , ” the affidavit states .
Police say he then produced a handgun and fired at the vehicle , hitting the “ driver side front and rear tires.
” The report does not indicate whether anyone in the vehicle was injured by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of aggravated assault , three counts of domestic violence in the presence of a child , unlawful detention , criminal mischief and illegal discharge of a firearm .
A spokesman for the ACLU of Utah declined to comment Saturday about Kinikini ’ s arrest .
Was Kinikini justified ?
Probably not .
While a car does count as a lethal weapon , the fact that he was standing in front of it with the intention of preventing her from going could be construed to be unlawful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ try to get away from someone .
Regardless , the law has typically found that if you escalate the confrontation in the first place , use of force becomes a very different thing .
You can ’ t start a confrontation , do everything to egg it on , then scream self-defense when you end up shooting someone .
You played a role .
And it sounds like Kinikini did as well .
Plus , I ’ m skeptical of how fast the woman could have been driving under the circumstances .
Regardless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own children is…wow .
It might be different if this was a carjacking and he was afraid that his kids would be harmed .
It would still be less than ideal , but I could at least see the reasoning .
As it stands , though ?
Nope .
I suspect Kinikini ’ s time with the ACLU will turn out to be relatively short .
Then again , it ’ s not like it ’ s known for showing any kind of consistency when guns are part of the discussion , so @ @ @ @ @ @

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) ostensibly serves to protect the civil rights of all Americans. I say “ostensibly” because it’s been the target of criticism over the years regarding its refusal to support the Second Amendment. While some have argued that the ACLU is justified by this because there are other groups who defend gun rights, others have argued its rank hypocrisy to only protect nine of the 10 amendments that make up the Bill of Rights.
In recent years, the ACLU has become more openly anti-gun. It’s not content to just ignore gun rights, it’s actively against them.
All of that makes this story all the more interesting. It seems an ACLU attorney was arrested based on his actions with a firearm.
Just one day after the American Civil Liberties Union of Utah announced it had hired Aaron Kinikini as its new staff attorney, Salt Lake police arrested him after they say he fired a gun at a car in which his children were riding. The mother of at least three of Kinikini’s children arrived to pick them up at his residence Friday evening. The woman and three children were inside the vehicle when Kinikini “stood behind the vehicle, preventing the victim from leaving,” according to a police booking affidavit. Kinikini told police that the woman “drove at him at a high rate of speed,” the affidavit states. Police say he then produced a handgun and fired at the vehicle, hitting the “driver side front and rear tires.” The report does not indicate whether anyone in the vehicle was injured by the gunfire. Kinikini was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of aggravated assault, three counts of domestic violence in the presence of a child, unlawful detention, criminal mischief and illegal discharge of a firearm. … A spokesman for the ACLU of Utah declined to comment Saturday about Kinikini’s arrest.
Yeah, that doesn’t surprise me.
Was Kinikini justified? Probably not.
While a car does count as a lethal weapon, the fact that he was standing in front of it with the intention of preventing her from going could be construed to be unlawful detention. She has a right to try to get away from someone.
Regardless, the law has typically found that if you escalate the confrontation in the first place, use of force becomes a very different thing. You can’t start a confrontation, do everything to egg it on, then scream self-defense when you end up shooting someone. You played a role.
And it sounds like Kinikini did as well.
Plus, I’m skeptical of how fast the woman could have been driving under the circumstances.
Regardless, firing at a vehicle containing your own children is…wow. It might be different if this was a carjacking and he was afraid that his kids would be harmed. It would still be less than ideal, but I could at least see the reasoning. As it stands, though? Nope.
I suspect Kinikini’s time with the ACLU will turn out to be relatively short. Then again, it’s not like it’s known for showing any kind of consistency when guns are part of the discussion, so why should they start now?


bearingarms--2020-12-21--Why This 2A Supporter Isn't Crossing The Rubicon...Yet

Decades from now , no matter which side is writing the history books , 2020 is going to go down in history as the year of the Great American Breakdown .
Whether 2021 will be known as the year of the Great American Breakup remains to be seen , but the civic , economic , political , and social stress tests put on our society since the first COVID-19 lockdowns began in March is on a scope and scale that we simply haven ’ t seen since the years of the Great Depression and World War II , which means @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like this at all .
We are in uncharted waters .
Truth be told , we haven ’ t handled it that well .
Suicides are up .
Drug overdose deaths are soaring ( the black market remains strong even as small businesses are failing left and right , apparently ) .
Food pantries are being overwhelmed .
Even for many of those who haven ’ t fallen behind on rent and utilities because of a job loss , there are plenty of sleepless nights and upset stomachs over the prospect of layoffs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t the only stressor we ’ re dealing with .
The rise in violent crime and the increasing civil unrest is another fracture point .
In the summer and early fall , it was largely Antifa , Black Lives Matter , and other far-Left revolutionary groups driving the unrest .
Since the election , however , the calls for revolution have been increasingly loud on the Right .
Over the weekend , the hashtag # CrossTheRubicon was trending on social media .
The Rubicon , in this case , is a metaphor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seven U.S. states in order to investigate voter fraud , which , make no mistake , would absolutely be a revolutionary act .
I don ’ t like those numbers any more than I like the idea of the president imposing martial law anywhere to try to challenge the election results .
Though I have no doubt that election fraud took place , I also have no idea if it was enough to change the outcome of the election , and so far , the evidence presented has not been enough to convince @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Taking a step like imposing martial law over “ might bes ” and “ maybes , ” no matter how compelling we might find the anecdotal evidence , is a treatment that is at least as damaging to the republic as the disease it ’ s intended to cure .
Let ’ s presume that this presidential election was stolen .
It wouldn ’ t be the first time , but never have these elections ended with the inauguration delayed and martial law declared in any state so that the fraud could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thanks to the help of Mayor Daley and his Chicago machine , but Richard Nixon declined to challenge the election , at least in part because of the damage that it would do to the country and the emboldening of our enemies during the Cold War ( today ’ s adversaries would be just as thrilled with the ensuing chaos and further divide that would come with a declaration of martial law ) .
The Election of 1876 was perhaps the worst of all , with several southern states submitting multiple sets of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legal issue over an Oregon elector as well ) .
Eventually , the election was decided with a backroom deal that to this day remains one of the darkest stains on the history of the fight for civil rights and equality in the United States .
Democrats agreed to award the electoral votes of all the disputed states to Republican Rutherford B. Hayes , and in return , Republicans agreed to remove all remaining federal troops from the former Confederate states , which resulted in the imposition of the Jim Crow era and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after the passage of the 14th Amendment that was supposed to provide for equality under the law and allowed for the first black Republican to be elected from the South .
Maybe we should have crossed the Rubicon back in 1876 , but frankly , a decade after wading in the bloody waters of civil war most of the nation wasn ’ t interested in another electoral fight that could tear the country asunder .
The compromise of 1877 seemed like an expedient option , at least for those Americans who didn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few years after having been recognized under the law as being equal .
We are not so weary and wary of war today , at least not one that ’ s waged domestically .
Of that experience , the vast majority of us are truly innocent , unless you ’ re a veteran deployed to a war-torn nation or a refugee from a country ravaged by the brutality of a 21st-century domestic conflict .
Even those of us who love to lose ourselves in a history book can only experience these things second-hand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ study , and we can try to learn from the past , but we can not remember .
How many of us know where the expression “ crossing the Rubicon ” came from and what it truly means ?
When Julius Caesar crossed the river Rubicon with his army in 49 B.C .
it meant civil war , and when Caesar triumphed it meant the end of the nearly 500-year old Roman Republic and the establishment of a line of god-kings .
For those who revere the Constitution and the republic , Caesar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far more a warning than a rallying cry .
It may ultimately be unavoidable , but I believe that those of us who truly cherish individual liberty should never rush headlong into the fray bellowing “ Leeeeeroy Jenkins !
” The Founders certainly didn ’ t .
From the first Stamp Act protests to the signing of the Declaration of Independence , more than ten years passed ; time the Founders put to good use organizing and planning for the defense of their rights , but also continually appealing to Parliament and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an attempt to avoid the painful consequences of a fatal split .
The current calls by some in favor of martial law remind me more of the Fire-Eaters in 1860 , agitating for the immediate secession of the South from the Union after the election ( but before the inauguration ) of Abraham Lincoln .
The Fire-Eaters got their way starting in South Carolina , with ultimately much of the South following suit , but they also ironically helped to bring about an end to slavery in the south far sooner than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Union after Lincoln was elected .
Would establishing martial law in seven states over the 2020 election pose a threat to the Constitution akin to the firing on Fort Sumter ?
Well , flip the script .
Imagine a Democrat president declaring martial law in Texas in order to investigate election fraud .
What would the reaction on the Right be ?
Would Second Amendment supporters see that as a drastic yet constitutional step in order to avoid the prospect of a stolen election or an act of tyranny ?
For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my experience with the Second Amendment Sanctuary movement .
It was almost one year ago that I drove through the November darkness to the courthouse square in Amelia County , Virginia .
The small building where the county supervisors were meeting was jammed , and hundreds of residents who couldn ’ t fit inside gathered on the courthouse lawn straining to hear the voices inside who were demanding that the rural county declare itself a Second Amendment Sanctuary where unconstitutional gun control laws would not be enforced with county funds .
I listened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the courthouse steps on that cold November night and praised the crowd for coming out to stand up for their constitutional rights .
Now , however , Chase has joined in with those voices demanding martial law .
If one side in our current fight is going to suspend the Constitution , I don ’ t want it to be mine .
I ’ m a conservative because I believe deeply that individual liberty is essential to a free society , and I can ’ t honestly understand how a Second Amendment supporter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , has also railed against the executive overreach of Gov .
Ralph Northam ’ s COVID orders ) can call for the suspension of the Constitution , no matter how temporarily or limited she believes would be the case .
I ’ m trying to imagine the reaction of the crowd in Amelia County a year ago if Chase had suggested a temporary suspension of the Constitution , even in the name of election integrity , and I don ’ t think it would have received a positive response .
Remember , one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ growth of Second Amendment sanctuaries in Virginia was the call from Rep. Donald McEachin to have the National Guard go out and enforce gun control laws , which rightfully caused alarm and anger among gun owners .
I don ’ t dismiss the idea that our country is clearly divided , nor do I shrug off the prospect that one day before long ( perhaps as early as 2024 ) that divide may lead to another painful split .
I can not , however , embrace preemptive authoritarianism as a tactic to ensure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the republic that it serves .
The act would weaken , if not destroy , the very thing it ’ s supposed to protect .
I actually do believe in the right to revolution , by the way .
I just don ’ t believe this is the right revolution , any more than I think Antifa ’ s call for class warfare and a Communist takeover is the right revolution .
A pre-condition of my approval of any revolutionary activity is that it is in defense of the Constitution and not in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I simply don ’ t know how to believe otherwise without rejecting all I know of our American history and system of government .
Like each of us living in the United States in 2020 , I ’ m wading in the waters of the Rubicon .
I will cross to defend the Constitution , but not to light the match that sets it ablaze .

Decades from now, no matter which side is writing the history books, 2020 is going to go down in history as the year of the Great American Breakdown. Whether 2021 will be known as the year of the Great American Breakup remains to be seen, but the civic, economic, political, and social stress tests put on our society since the first COVID-19 lockdowns began in March is on a scope and scale that we simply haven’t seen since the years of the Great Depression and World War II, which means many of us have never experienced anything like this at all. We are in uncharted waters.
Truth be told, we haven’t handled it that well. Suicides are up. Drug overdose deaths are soaring (the black market remains strong even as small businesses are failing left and right, apparently). Food pantries are being overwhelmed. Even for many of those who haven’t fallen behind on rent and utilities because of a job loss, there are plenty of sleepless nights and upset stomachs over the prospect of layoffs or closures.
The economic insecurity isn’t the only stressor we’re dealing with. The rise in violent crime and the increasing civil unrest is another fracture point. In the summer and early fall, it was largely Antifa, Black Lives Matter, and other far-Left revolutionary groups driving the unrest. Since the election, however, the calls for revolution have been increasingly loud on the Right.
Over the weekend, the hashtag #CrossTheRubicon was trending on social media. The Rubicon, in this case, is a metaphor for Donald Trump declaring martial law in seven U.S. states in order to investigate voter fraud, which, make no mistake, would absolutely be a revolutionary act.
Georgia, Michigan, Arizona, Nevada, Wisconsin, Minnesota & Pennsylvania are states in which martial law should be imposed & machines/ballots seized. 7 states under martial law.
43 states not under martial law. I like those numbers. Do it @realDonaldTrump! Nation supports you. — Lin Wood (@LLinWood) December 20, 2020
I don’t like those numbers any more than I like the idea of the president imposing martial law anywhere to try to challenge the election results. Though I have no doubt that election fraud took place, I also have no idea if it was enough to change the outcome of the election, and so far, the evidence presented has not been enough to convince a single court to challenge the outcome.
Taking a step like imposing martial law over “might bes” and “maybes,” no matter how compelling we might find the anecdotal evidence, is a treatment that is at least as damaging to the republic as the disease it’s intended to cure.
Let’s presume that this presidential election was stolen. It wouldn’t be the first time, but never have these elections ended with the inauguration delayed and martial law declared in any state so that the fraud could be investigated.
1960 was arguably stolen thanks to the help of Mayor Daley and his Chicago machine, but Richard Nixon declined to challenge the election, at least in part because of the damage that it would do to the country and the emboldening of our enemies during the Cold War (today’s adversaries would be just as thrilled with the ensuing chaos and further divide that would come with a declaration of martial law).
The Election of 1876 was perhaps the worst of all, with several southern states submitting multiple sets of ballots and electors (along with a legal issue over an Oregon elector as well). Eventually, the election was decided with a backroom deal that to this day remains one of the darkest stains on the history of the fight for civil rights and equality in the United States.
Democrats agreed to award the electoral votes of all the disputed states to Republican Rutherford B. Hayes, and in return, Republicans agreed to remove all remaining federal troops from the former Confederate states, which resulted in the imposition of the Jim Crow era and decades of inequality less than ten years after the passage of the 14th Amendment that was supposed to provide for equality under the law and allowed for the first black Republican to be elected from the South.
Maybe we should have crossed the Rubicon back in 1876, but frankly, a decade after wading in the bloody waters of civil war most of the nation wasn’t interested in another electoral fight that could tear the country asunder. The compromise of 1877 seemed like an expedient option, at least for those Americans who didn’t quickly become second-class citizens just a few years after having been recognized under the law as being equal.
We are not so weary and wary of war today, at least not one that’s waged domestically. Of that experience, the vast majority of us are truly innocent, unless you’re a veteran deployed to a war-torn nation or a refugee from a country ravaged by the brutality of a 21st-century domestic conflict. Even those of us who love to lose ourselves in a history book can only experience these things second-hand. We can imagine, we can study, and we can try to learn from the past, but we cannot remember.
How many of us know where the expression “crossing the Rubicon” came from and what it truly means? When Julius Caesar crossed the river Rubicon with his army in 49 B.C. it meant civil war, and when Caesar triumphed it meant the end of the nearly 500-year old Roman Republic and the establishment of a line of god-kings. For those who revere the Constitution and the republic, Caesar’s crossing of the Rubicon is far more a warning than a rallying cry.
It may ultimately be unavoidable, but I believe that those of us who truly cherish individual liberty should never rush headlong into the fray bellowing “Leeeeeroy Jenkins!” The Founders certainly didn’t. From the first Stamp Act protests to the signing of the Declaration of Independence, more than ten years passed; time the Founders put to good use organizing and planning for the defense of their rights, but also continually appealing to Parliament and the king for a redress of their grievances in an attempt to avoid the painful consequences of a fatal split.
The current calls by some in favor of martial law remind me more of the Fire-Eaters in 1860, agitating for the immediate secession of the South from the Union after the election (but before the inauguration) of Abraham Lincoln. The Fire-Eaters got their way starting in South Carolina, with ultimately much of the South following suit, but they also ironically helped to bring about an end to slavery in the south far sooner than would have happened had the South remained in the Union after Lincoln was elected.
Would establishing martial law in seven states over the 2020 election pose a threat to the Constitution akin to the firing on Fort Sumter? Well, flip the script. Imagine a Democrat president declaring martial law in Texas in order to investigate election fraud. What would the reaction on the Right be? Would Second Amendment supporters see that as a drastic yet constitutional step in order to avoid the prospect of a stolen election or an act of tyranny?
For me, the answer is found in my experience with the Second Amendment Sanctuary movement. It was almost one year ago that I drove through the November darkness to the courthouse square in Amelia County, Virginia. The small building where the county supervisors were meeting was jammed, and hundreds of residents who couldn’t fit inside gathered on the courthouse lawn straining to hear the voices inside who were demanding that the rural county declare itself a Second Amendment Sanctuary where unconstitutional gun control laws would not be enforced with county funds.
I listened as state Senator Amanda Chase stood on the courthouse steps on that cold November night and praised the crowd for coming out to stand up for their constitutional rights. Now, however, Chase has joined in with those voices demanding martial law.
She supports former Gen. Michael Flynn, and the call to impose martial law and temporarily “suspend the Constitution,” but only under “extreme” circumstances. “You never want to suspend the Constitution,” she said. “You know the question is, if we get into an extreme situation where we feel like the Democratic Party has committed treason, we really don’t have much of a choice but to suspend the Constitution and have a very limited focus on martial law as it pertains to election integrity, and votes, and securing the equipment that we used to vote to ensure we get to the bottom of what happened.”
If one side in our current fight is going to suspend the Constitution, I don’t want it to be mine. I’m a conservative because I believe deeply that individual liberty is essential to a free society, and I can’t honestly understand how a Second Amendment supporter like Chase (who, like me, has also railed against the executive overreach of Gov. Ralph Northam’s COVID orders) can call for the suspension of the Constitution, no matter how temporarily or limited she believes would be the case.
I’m trying to imagine the reaction of the crowd in Amelia County a year ago if Chase had suggested a temporary suspension of the Constitution, even in the name of election integrity, and I don’t think it would have received a positive response. Remember, one of the driving factors in the explosive growth of Second Amendment sanctuaries in Virginia was the call from Rep. Donald McEachin to have the National Guard go out and enforce gun control laws, which rightfully caused alarm and anger among gun owners.
I don’t dismiss the idea that our country is clearly divided, nor do I shrug off the prospect that one day before long (perhaps as early as 2024) that divide may lead to another painful split. I cannot, however, embrace preemptive authoritarianism as a tactic to ensure the continued viability of the Constitution and the republic that it serves. The act would weaken, if not destroy, the very thing it’s supposed to protect.
I actually do believe in the right to revolution, by the way. I just don’t believe this is the right revolution, any more than I think Antifa’s call for class warfare and a Communist takeover is the right revolution. A pre-condition of my approval of any revolutionary activity is that it is in defense of the Constitution and not in support of its suspension or destruction. I simply don’t know how to believe otherwise without rejecting all I know of our American history and system of government. Like each of us living in the United States in 2020, I’m wading in the waters of the Rubicon. I will cross to defend the Constitution, but not to light the match that sets it ablaze.


bearingarms--2020-12-21--Biden Needs Big Wins In Georgia To Advance Gun Control Agenda

My home state of Georgia has been a red state for a very long time .
Even when it voted Democrat , it was never for the kind of hard left-leaning Democrats we see these days .
Old-school Georgia Democrats were something very different .
Today , though , it looks like things are different .
Georgia came down for Biden in the presidential election , though how much of that was because of shifting opinions and how much was outright fraud is officially unknown , and now we ’ ve got two runoff elections for our senate seats .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ them if he wants to advance his anti-gun agenda .
If there were any mistaking the significance of the final two U.S. Senate runoff elections in Georgia , it ’ s now crystal clear .
President-elect Joe Biden knows it .
He can not carry out his gun control agenda by executive overreach .
Georgians began casting early ballots this week ahead of the Jan. 5 election .
Polling margins are close and with a 50-48 Republican advantage in the upper chamber , firearm supporters have almost no wiggle room to protect the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the most antigun presidential ticket in history .
There ’ s nothing President-elect Biden and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer ( D-N.Y. ) want more than for Georgia Democratic challengers Jon Ossoff and Reverend Raphael Warnock to sweep victory .
Sen. Schumer proclaimed , “ Now we take Georgia .
Then we change America !
” That would put him in charge of running the Senate with Vice President-elect Kamala Harris breaking the 50-50 tie for Democrats and opening the floodgates on gun control policies .
That means the right to keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ block and legislation to bankrupt the firearm industry gets a green light .
Ossoff embraced the gun grabbing policies of Everytown for Gun Safety and garnered their endorsement .
These ideas include banning modern sporting rifles ( MSRs ) , of which there are more than 20 million in circulation .
He ’ s also called for a ban on standard capacity magazines .
Don ’ t expect a public explanation of these ideas .
Ossoff tried to trick voters on his true antigun stances but was caught red-handed .
Rev .
Warnock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s step-for-step , but he ’ s gone afoul of law enforcement by calling police officers “ gangsters , thugs and bullies , ” saying they ’ re “ a threat ” to children .
He said this at the same time he was demeaning law-abiding gun owners in Georgia for exercising their Second Amendment right while violence in Atlanta soared .
There are still those who think they can punish Georgia ’ s Democratic leadership by not coming out to vote during the runoff election .
The thing is , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ except the American people .
Sens .
David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler aren ’ t responsible for whatever happened during the election and they don ’ t have the authority to change any of it .
Plus , frankly , they have their own fish to fry , so I don ’ t blame them for not pontificating on some of this other stuff .
If Warnock and Ossoff win , then we ’ re going to be in for a very difficult time as gun owners .
Both are vehemently anti-gun and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disarmed .
They ’ ll go right along with Biden ’ s anti-gun agenda .
Should that happen , you might as well say goodbye to your gun rights .

My home state of Georgia has been a red state for a very long time. Even when it voted Democrat, it was never for the kind of hard left-leaning Democrats we see these days. Old-school Georgia Democrats were something very different.
Today, though, it looks like things are different. Georgia came down for Biden in the presidential election, though how much of that was because of shifting opinions and how much was outright fraud is officially unknown, and now we’ve got two runoff elections for our senate seats.
And President-Elect Joe Biden needs both of them if he wants to advance his anti-gun agenda.
If there were any mistaking the significance of the final two U.S. Senate runoff elections in Georgia, it’s now crystal clear. President-elect Joe Biden knows it. He cannot carry out his gun control agenda by executive overreach. Georgians began casting early ballots this week ahead of the Jan. 5 election. Polling margins are close and with a 50-48 Republican advantage in the upper chamber, firearm supporters have almost no wiggle room to protect the Second Amendment from the antigun platform championed by the most antigun presidential ticket in history. … First Georgia, Then America! There’s nothing President-elect Biden and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) want more than for Georgia Democratic challengers Jon Ossoff and Reverend Raphael Warnock to sweep victory. Sen. Schumer proclaimed, “Now we take Georgia. Then we change America!” That would put him in charge of running the Senate with Vice President-elect Kamala Harris breaking the 50-50 tie for Democrats and opening the floodgates on gun control policies. That means the right to keep and bear arms is on the chopping block and legislation to bankrupt the firearm industry gets a green light. Ossoff embraced the gun grabbing policies of Everytown for Gun Safety and garnered their endorsement. These ideas include banning modern sporting rifles (MSRs), of which there are more than 20 million in circulation. He’s also called for a ban on standard capacity magazines. Don’t expect a public explanation of these ideas. Ossoff tried to trick voters on his true antigun stances but was caught red-handed. Rev. Warnock’s gun control platform matches Ossoff’s step-for-step, but he’s gone afoul of law enforcement by calling police officers “gangsters, thugs and bullies,” saying they’re “a threat” to children. He said this at the same time he was demeaning law-abiding gun owners in Georgia for exercising their Second Amendment right while violence in Atlanta soared.
There are still those who think they can punish Georgia’s Democratic leadership by not coming out to vote during the runoff election. The thing is, that’s not going to hurt anyone except the American people. Sens. David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler aren’t responsible for whatever happened during the election and they don’t have the authority to change any of it.
Plus, frankly, they have their own fish to fry, so I don’t blame them for not pontificating on some of this other stuff.
If Warnock and Ossoff win, then we’re going to be in for a very difficult time as gun owners. Both are vehemently anti-gun and want nothing more than to see you disarmed. They’ll go right along with Biden’s anti-gun agenda.
Should that happen, you might as well say goodbye to your gun rights.


bearingarms--2020-12-21--Armed Citizen Shoots Ex As He Breaks Into Her Home

A Beaumont , Texas woman shot and killed her ex-boyfriend as he was attempting to break into her home on Friday evening .
Police in the southern Texas town say the woman was on the phone with 911 dispatchers just after 6 p.m. when the fatal shots were fired .
The caller told 911 dispatch that her ex-boyfriend was breaking into her home , Officer Haley Morrow said .
Then she fired a gun and hit the man , who was pronounced dead at the scene , she said .
Jefferson County Precinct One Justice of the Peace Ben Collins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gunshot wound to the chest and was from Georgia .
He said the homeowner fired one shot which struck the man in the chest and he has ordered an autopsy .
There hasn ’ t been much reporting on this story , which I find a little odd given the fact that this guy apparently traveled halfway across the country to break into his ex ’ s home , but hopefully the local media in Beaumont will have a followup this week .
This isn ’ t the only recent armed citizen story @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a home , by the way .
Over the weekend another man was shot and killed in Albion , Michigan in an apparent act of self-defense .
Albion Director of Public Safety Scott Kipp said it appears the man was attempting to kick in the door of his former girlfriend ’ s apartment and was shot by another man already inside .
Officers were first called about 8:10 a.m. to an apartment in the 100 block of West Porter Street for a man attempting to kick open the apartment door , Kipp said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was gone and they left .
But within 30 minutes the man returned and Kipp said the preliminary investigation shows he had a gun but did not fire a shot .
Police believe a 24-year-old man in the apartment also was armed and and shot the intruder .
Unfortunately , police say the armed citizen also accidentally shot the woman inside the apartment as well .
Thankfully , it looks as though she ’ s going to recover from her injury , and while police are investigating , they say at this point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We have no way of knowing the full intent of the guys trying to break into their ex ’ s homes , but I think it ’ s safe to assume they weren ’ t trying to drop off a Christmas present .
Thankfully , their plans were stopped thanks to the fact that their intended victims had the means to protect themselves .
It obviously would have been better for all parties had these guys decided to simply stay away from their ex-girlfriends , but they chose to risk their own lives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had no right to be .

A Beaumont, Texas woman shot and killed her ex-boyfriend as he was attempting to break into her home on Friday evening. Police in the southern Texas town say the woman was on the phone with 911 dispatchers just after 6 p.m. when the fatal shots were fired.
The caller told 911 dispatch that her ex-boyfriend was breaking into her home, Officer Haley Morrow said. Then she fired a gun and hit the man, who was pronounced dead at the scene, she said. Jefferson County Precinct One Justice of the Peace Ben Collins, Sr. said the man had a gunshot wound to the chest and was from Georgia. He said the homeowner fired one shot which struck the man in the chest and he has ordered an autopsy.
There hasn’t been much reporting on this story, which I find a little odd given the fact that this guy apparently traveled halfway across the country to break into his ex’s home, but hopefully the local media in Beaumont will have a followup this week.
This isn’t the only recent armed citizen story involving an ex trying to break into a home, by the way. Over the weekend another man was shot and killed in Albion, Michigan in an apparent act of self-defense.
Albion Director of Public Safety Scott Kipp said it appears the man was attempting to kick in the door of his former girlfriend’s apartment and was shot by another man already inside. Officers were first called about 8:10 a.m. to an apartment in the 100 block of West Porter Street for a man attempting to kick open the apartment door, Kipp said. When officers arrived, the man was gone and they left. But within 30 minutes the man returned and Kipp said the preliminary investigation shows he had a gun but did not fire a shot. Police believe a 24-year-old man in the apartment also was armed and and shot the intruder.
Unfortunately, police say the armed citizen also accidentally shot the woman inside the apartment as well. Thankfully, it looks as though she’s going to recover from her injury, and while police are investigating, they say at this point this case too looks like self-defense.
We have no way of knowing the full intent of the guys trying to break into their ex’s homes, but I think it’s safe to assume they weren’t trying to drop off a Christmas present. Thankfully, their plans were stopped thanks to the fact that their intended victims had the means to protect themselves. It obviously would have been better for all parties had these guys decided to simply stay away from their ex-girlfriends, but they chose to risk their own lives by attempting to violently intrude where they had no right to be.


bearingarms--2020-12-21--Just How Anti-Gun Is Biden's Cabinet? Take A Look For Yourself

There ’ s no great mystery surrounding Joe Biden ’ s feelings regarding the Second Amendment .
His record and his campaigning clearly speak for his ideas regarding your right to keep and bear arms , which is to say that he ’ d take it all away in a heartbeat if given the opportunity .
But , Biden doesn ’ t run the executive branch of government all on his lonesome .
He has cabinet secretaries to handle a lot of the details .
They run the various departments , which means they have a direct finger on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Biden is apparently set to surround himself with anti-gunners in places that , ostensibly , have nothing to do with guns .
At least five of President-elect Joe Biden ’ s reported cabinet picks have expressed pro-gun control views in past statements , a Daily Caller News Foundation review has found .
Biden , who is set to be inaugurated on Jan. 20 , has said he plans to end the sale of so-called “ assault weapons ” and “ high-capacity magazines ” in addition to instituting red flag legislation and ending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to his campaign website .
The former vice president ’ s gun control plan , coupled with his slew of cabinet picks that seem to share his views on the issue , has pro-Second Amendment groups on edge .
“ We ’ re going to be fighting for our rights continuously over the next four years no doubt about it , ” senior vice president of the Gun Owners of America Erich Pratt told the DCNF .
“ And a lot of this is going to be in Congress and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if and when Biden is inaugurated , he ’ s going to try to do a lot from executive action.
” Among these are California ’ s radical anti-gun Attorney General Xavier Becerra to head up Health and Human Services , Dr. Vivek Murty who called gun violence a “ health care issue ” for surgeon general , Susan Rice to head up domestic policy , former presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg to head up the Department of Transportation , and former Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm to head up the Department of Energy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidential run .
Granholm famously espoused her support for gun control after the Aurora , Colorado theater shooting .
Now , the question becomes , why does any of this matter .
After all , just how much authority can these people have over guns .
The answer is more than you might think .
Each sets policies for their respective departments .
As our legislative branch has outsourced so much of the job of lawmaking to the executive branch by dictating those departments will be in charge of creating regulations , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than enough authority to make life difficult for gun owners .
What ’ s worse is that no one can keep up with all the regulations , meaning many gun owners may do something that was legal just weeks earlier , only to find out the hard way that what they ’ ve done is now illegal .
Yes , the executive branch has way too much power .
This won ’ t be unique to the Biden administration , of course , and is part of why people get that worked up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is what it is .
Unless something weird happens , expect it to be a rough couple of years at a minimum .

There’s no great mystery surrounding Joe Biden’s feelings regarding the Second Amendment. His record and his campaigning clearly speak for his ideas regarding your right to keep and bear arms, which is to say that he’d take it all away in a heartbeat if given the opportunity.
But, Biden doesn’t run the executive branch of government all on his lonesome. He has cabinet secretaries to handle a lot of the details. They run the various departments, which means they have a direct finger on the policies of those departments.
And yet, Biden is apparently set to surround himself with anti-gunners in places that, ostensibly, have nothing to do with guns.
At least five of President-elect Joe Biden’s reported cabinet picks have expressed pro-gun control views in past statements, a Daily Caller News Foundation review has found. Biden, who is set to be inaugurated on Jan. 20, has said he plans to end the sale of so-called “assault weapons” and “high-capacity magazines” in addition to instituting red flag legislation and ending liability protections for gun manufacturers and sellers, according to his campaign website. The former vice president’s gun control plan, coupled with his slew of cabinet picks that seem to share his views on the issue, has pro-Second Amendment groups on edge. “We’re going to be fighting for our rights continuously over the next four years no doubt about it,” senior vice president of the Gun Owners of America Erich Pratt told the DCNF. “And a lot of this is going to be in Congress and a lot of it in the courts because if and when Biden is inaugurated, he’s going to try to do a lot from executive action.”
Among these are California’s radical anti-gun Attorney General Xavier Becerra to head up Health and Human Services, Dr. Vivek Murty who called gun violence a “health care issue” for surgeon general, Susan Rice to head up domestic policy, former presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg to head up the Department of Transportation, and former Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm to head up the Department of Energy.
Buttigieg campaigned on gun control during his presidential run. Granholm famously espoused her support for gun control after the Aurora, Colorado theater shooting.
Now, the question becomes, why does any of this matter. After all, just how much authority can these people have over guns. The answer is more than you might think.
Each sets policies for their respective departments. As our legislative branch has outsourced so much of the job of lawmaking to the executive branch by dictating those departments will be in charge of creating regulations, they’ve handed each cabinet member more than enough authority to make life difficult for gun owners.
What’s worse is that no one can keep up with all the regulations, meaning many gun owners may do something that was legal just weeks earlier, only to find out the hard way that what they’ve done is now illegal.
Yes, the executive branch has way too much power. This won’t be unique to the Biden administration, of course, and is part of why people get that worked up about who is president, but it is what it is.
Unless something weird happens, expect it to be a rough couple of years at a minimum.


bearingarms--2020-12-23--VIP Gold Live Chat - Ed Morrissey & Cam Edwards 1:30 Eastern

It ’ s the Christmas Eve-Eve edition of our weekly VIP Gold live chat , and I have a feeling Ed and I may be dipping into the eggnog before the hour is out .
There ’ s so much to talk about , from the bloated COVID relief/omnibus bill that President Trump pilloried on Tuesday night to the growing protests over lockdowns , including the riot at the Oregon statehouse earlier this week .
Ultimately though , you ’ re the one driving the conversation , and Ed and I always enjoy the sharp questions and comments from our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a VIP Gold member of Townhall Media you can join here , and use the promo code LOYALTY for a 25 % discount .
Not only will you get exclusive content from Bearing Arms , but you ’ ll also get access to VIP content on all Townhall Media sites , including Hot Air , RedState , Twitchy , PJ Media , and of course Townhall.com itself .
Your support helps make journalism like Bearing Arms ’ Cam & Co. possible , and I greatly appreciate your support .
I hope you can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be an informative and entertaining hour , but if you can ’ t make it live you can always catch the replay on demand .
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 .

Ultimately though, you’re the one driving the conversation, and Ed and I always enjoy the sharp questions and comments from our participants.
If you’re not a VIP Gold member of Townhall Media you can join here, and use the promo code LOYALTY for a 25% discount.
Not only will you get exclusive content from Bearing Arms, but you’ll also get access to VIP content on all Townhall Media sites, including Hot Air, RedState, Twitchy, PJ Media, and of course Townhall.com itself. Your support helps make journalism like Bearing Arms’ Cam & Co. possible, and I greatly appreciate your support.


bearingarms--2020-12-22--If UK Gun Laws Are So Effective, What Are These Charges, Then?

Gun control advocates claim that gun laws in places like the UK and Australia are the reason gun crime in these countries is so low .
Of course , crime rates themselves are still pretty high and criminals who couldn ’ t get guns simply switched to other weapons , but sure , let ’ s pretend the claim has validity on some level .
If that ’ s the case , then just what are these alleged criminals in England being charged with again ?
Four people have been charged with firearms offences after police executed warrants and seized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dannell Jammeh , 40 , and Mark Crolla , 39 , both of Scotland Hall Road , Newton Heath and Martin Joyce , 36 , of Ashley Lane , Moston have been charged with conspiracy to possess a firearm with intent to danger life .
In a statement Greater Manchester Police said : “ On Tuesday 15 and Thursday 17 December 2020 , officers executed warrants at properties in Newton Health and the Audenshaw area of Tameside resulting in the seizure of a number of suspected firearms .
Enquiries are ongoing.
” So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supposedly work oh-so-well , we ’ ve got four people charged with having illegal guns .
This isn ’ t the first case of such a thing I ’ ve written about in the United Kingdom , either .
While firearms may not be as common there as they are in the United States , both the UK and Australia are islands .
That makes it a bit more difficult to smuggle guns into the country , though not impossible .
Because of that difficulty , you ’ d think they ’ d @ @ @ @ @ @ @ illicit firearm market .
Yet I keep seeing stories about people being arrested for having illegal firearms there .
I write about a fair number of them , but I don ’ t have time to write about all of them , even if I wanted to .
What all of that does , though , is make it clear that the UK ’ s gun laws aren ’ t nearly the answer gun control activists here in the States would have you believe .
They don ’ t keep guns out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prevent violent crime , and they don ’ t really do much of anything except keep law-abiding citizens from being able to exercise their right to keep and bear arms .
No , the UK doesn ’ t recognize such a right , that doesn ’ t mean such a right doesn ’ t exist for subjects of the crown .
A right to be armed is the natural right of all people , one that must be defended and preserved .
They didn ’ t do that in the UK and now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law-abiding citizens are effectively disarmed .
There ’ s nothing right about this in the least .
However , unless residents there are willing to step up and demand their right to be armed be restored to them , nothing is going to change .
Criminals will keep getting guns , good guys will continue to be victims , and absolutely nothing will be any different .
The problem is , there are people who want this for us here in the United States .
They want us disarmed and they ’ ll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happen .
Unlike the law-abiding subjects of the British government , we Americans aren ’ t known for being compliant to tyranny .

Gun control advocates claim that gun laws in places like the UK and Australia are the reason gun crime in these countries is so low. Of course, crime rates themselves are still pretty high and criminals who couldn’t get guns simply switched to other weapons, but sure, let’s pretend the claim has validity on some level.
If that’s the case, then just what are these alleged criminals in England being charged with again?
Four people have been charged with firearms offences after police executed warrants and seized guns in Newton Heath and Tameside. Dannell Jammeh , 40, and Mark Crolla, 39, both of Scotland Hall Road, Newton Heath and Martin Joyce, 36, of Ashley Lane, Moston have been charged with conspiracy to possess a firearm with intent to danger life. … In a statement Greater Manchester Police said: “On Tuesday 15 and Thursday 17 December 2020, officers executed warrants at properties in Newton Health and the Audenshaw area of Tameside resulting in the seizure of a number of suspected firearms. Enquiries are ongoing.”
So, despite all those gun laws that supposedly work oh-so-well, we’ve got four people charged with having illegal guns.
This isn’t the first case of such a thing I’ve written about in the United Kingdom, either. While firearms may not be as common there as they are in the United States, both the UK and Australia are islands. That makes it a bit more difficult to smuggle guns into the country, though not impossible. Because of that difficulty, you’d think they’d have a pretty good lock on the illicit firearm market.
Yet I keep seeing stories about people being arrested for having illegal firearms there. I write about a fair number of them, but I don’t have time to write about all of them, even if I wanted to.
What all of that does, though, is make it clear that the UK’s gun laws aren’t nearly the answer gun control activists here in the States would have you believe. They don’t keep guns out of criminal hands, they don’t prevent violent crime, and they don’t really do much of anything except keep law-abiding citizens from being able to exercise their right to keep and bear arms.
No, the UK doesn’t recognize such a right, that doesn’t mean such a right doesn’t exist for subjects of the crown. A right to be armed is the natural right of all people, one that must be defended and preserved.
They didn’t do that in the UK and now criminals can get guns without issue while law-abiding citizens are effectively disarmed. There’s nothing right about this in the least.
However, unless residents there are willing to step up and demand their right to be armed be restored to them, nothing is going to change. Criminals will keep getting guns, good guys will continue to be victims, and absolutely nothing will be any different.
The problem is, there are people who want this for us here in the United States. They want us disarmed and they’ll do whatever they can to make it happen.
Unlike the law-abiding subjects of the British government, we Americans aren’t known for being compliant to tyranny.


bearingarms--2020-12-22--New York Socialite Pays For Toy Gun "Buyback"

You probably already know by now that there ’ s absolutely no evidence that so-called gun buybacks do anything to reduce violent crime , suicides with firearms , or accidents involving guns .
They ’ re what I call “ soundbite solutions ” ; something that a politician can extol for the cameras in order to claim they ’ re doing “ something ” as opposed to doing something that works .
As inane as these compensated confiscation events are , the town of Hempstead Village on Long Island has once again taken the absurdity to a new level with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guns .
Hempstead children Monday traded their water pistols and plastic revolvers for holiday gifts in an exchange program meant to teach youths that toy guns can be mistaken for real ones .
About 100 toy guns were swapped for other less provocative alternatives during the Long Island Toy Gun Exchange Program Monday morning at the village ’ s Brierley Park .
LaMont Johnson , a village trustee and school board president , said Monday marked the fifth year the event was held in Hempstead .
Johnson said it ’ s important for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the dangers of real guns .
“ We don ’ t want a police officer to mistake a toy gun for a real gun .
… Guns are for adults who are licensed .
They are not for little kids.
” I ’ ve got no issues with kids learning from a young age that firearms aren ’ t toys , but treating toy guns like real firearms is a strange way to do it .
The event was paid for by Long Island philanthropist and socialite Jean Shafiroff , who probably meant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teach kids true gun safety she ’ d be better off sponsoring 4H shooting sports clubs across the island instead of offering up a new toy in exchange for a used toy gun .
Of course , there ’ s a chance that Shafiroff had the same motivation in hosting the toy gun exchange as a politician has when they hold a gun “ buyback ” ; attention from the press .
As a 2017 New York Times profile coyly noted , the wealthy socialite ’ s actions have caused “ some to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or publicity.
” Mrs. Shafiroff exemplifies a new breed of hands-on philanthropist , one who isn ’ t necessarily born with the right family name , or introduced through debutante balls , or nurtured through the ranks of junior benefit committees .
Instead , she is what her husband calls a working socialite , who regards the philanthropy circuit as a profession and is a master of promoting her own image alongside the charities she supports .
To maintain the flow of the ink , Mrs. Shafiroff works with four publicity agencies : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Norah Lawlor , R. Couri Hay and Todd Shapiro .
Those publicists must do pretty good work , because Shafiroff landed a quote of her own in the Newsday coverage of her toy gun compensated confiscation event .
Jean Shafiroff , founder of the New York Gun Exchange Program , who was listed in a press statement as the donator of the toys in exchange for toy guns , said because of the pandemic , a toy drive is more important this year than in past holidays .
“ This year has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” she said .
“ We ’ re in a situation where parents don ’ t have food for their children , and they certainly don ’ t have toys for their children .
… Every single child deserves toys during the holidays.
” I agree that every child deserves a toy during the holidays .
It ’ s just a shame that someone as wealthy as Shafiroff would make kids turn in toys they already own in order to get a new one , rather than simply donating those toys out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nope , she had to throw in a healthy portion of social conditioning along with her philanthropy .
Actually , in my opinion this isn ’ t philanthropy at all .
At best , it ’ s plain old activism .
At worst , it ’ s using kids as a prop for publicity , and it may very well be a blend of the two .
I have no idea what the true motivation was , but I do know the toy gun exchange won ’ t do a single thing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earn Jean Shafiroff some press .

You probably already know by now that there’s absolutely no evidence that so-called gun buybacks do anything to reduce violent crime, suicides with firearms, or accidents involving guns. They’re what I call “soundbite solutions”; something that a politician can extol for the cameras in order to claim they’re doing “something” as opposed to doing something that works.
As inane as these compensated confiscation events are, the town of Hempstead Village on Long Island has once again taken the absurdity to a new level with its annual “buyback” for toy guns.
Hempstead children Monday traded their water pistols and plastic revolvers for holiday gifts in an exchange program meant to teach youths that toy guns can be mistaken for real ones. About 100 toy guns were swapped for other less provocative alternatives during the Long Island Toy Gun Exchange Program Monday morning at the village’s Brierley Park. LaMont Johnson, a village trustee and school board president, said Monday marked the fifth year the event was held in Hempstead. Johnson said it’s important for children to learn at a young age the dangers of real guns. “We don’t want a police officer to mistake a toy gun for a real gun. … Guns are for adults who are licensed. They are not for little kids.”
I’ve got no issues with kids learning from a young age that firearms aren’t toys, but treating toy guns like real firearms is a strange way to do it. The event was paid for by Long Island philanthropist and socialite Jean Shafiroff, who probably meant well. If she really wants to teach kids true gun safety she’d be better off sponsoring 4H shooting sports clubs across the island instead of offering up a new toy in exchange for a used toy gun.
Of course, there’s a chance that Shafiroff had the same motivation in hosting the toy gun exchange as a politician has when they hold a gun “buyback”; attention from the press. As a 2017 New York Times profile coyly noted, the wealthy socialite’s actions have caused “some to question whether her primary motive is philanthropy or publicity.”
Mrs. Shafiroff exemplifies a new breed of hands-on philanthropist, one who isn’t necessarily born with the right family name, or introduced through debutante balls, or nurtured through the ranks of junior benefit committees. Instead, she is what her husband calls a working socialite, who regards the philanthropy circuit as a profession and is a master of promoting her own image alongside the charities she supports. To maintain the flow of the ink, Mrs. Shafiroff works with four publicity agencies: Rubenstein Public Relations and firms owned by Norah Lawlor, R. Couri Hay and Todd Shapiro.
Those publicists must do pretty good work, because Shafiroff landed a quote of her own in the Newsday coverage of her toy gun compensated confiscation event.
Jean Shafiroff, founder of the New York Gun Exchange Program, who was listed in a press statement as the donator of the toys in exchange for toy guns, said because of the pandemic, a toy drive is more important this year than in past holidays. “This year has been a really hard year for most Americans,” she said. “We’re in a situation where parents don’t have food for their children, and they certainly don’t have toys for their children. … Every single child deserves toys during the holidays.”
I agree that every child deserves a toy during the holidays. It’s just a shame that someone as wealthy as Shafiroff would make kids turn in toys they already own in order to get a new one, rather than simply donating those toys out of the goodness of her heart. Nope, she had to throw in a healthy portion of social conditioning along with her philanthropy.
Actually, in my opinion this isn’t philanthropy at all. At best, it’s plain old activism. At worst, it’s using kids as a prop for publicity, and it may very well be a blend of the two. I have no idea what the true motivation was, but I do know the toy gun exchange won’t do a single thing to make anybody safer, but it did earn Jean Shafiroff some press.