bearingarms--2020-07-13--Getting Your Carry License? You Could Be In For A Long Wait.

With gun sales soaring to record highs over the past several months , we ’ ve also seen a surge in demand for concealed carry licenses .
Unfortunately , the COVID-19 coronavirus is causing major issues for some sheriffs departments , which typically are the agency that ’ s in charge of issuing the licenses .
Some sheriffs are now encouraging applicants to make appointments , due to limited office hours , while others are warning that plunging tax revenue as a result of coronavirus-related business closures is already having an impact on their ability to process applications , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s nuts , and frankly , something ’ s going to have to give here .
Either counties are going to have to reallocate some funds to ensure prompt issuance of licenses , or the state ’ s going to have to change the law to allow legal gun owners to carry without a license .
Simply telling people that they can ’ t exercise their right to bear arms because the county can ’ t afford to process applications within the 45 day time limit imposed by Ohio law is an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t think this is a plot by anti-gun sheriffs to deny people their Second Amendment rights , by the way .
I ’ m sure that most of these sheriffs are just as frustrated as applicants about the situation , though I ’ m equally as convinced that there are some who ’ ve used this as an excuse to slow-walk applications .
Regardless of the reasons , the delays are still amounting to a restriction on a constitutional right , particularly for those who are applying for the first time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the time being , extended existing concealed carry licenses for a period of 90 days in recognition of the impact that the coronavirus has had on the ability of sheriffs to process applications .
Lake County Sheriff Frank Leonbruno says he believes the state should extend that for another 90 days at least , which sounds like a good idea to me .
Prioritizing first time applicants over renewals could speed up some of the process as well , but right now the biggest problem is one of supply and demand ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their right to carry while the staff needed to process the applications are in short supply .
The extension of existing concealed carry licenses came about through legislation , not executive action by Gov .
Mike DeWine .
If lawmakers are going to revisit the issue and extend that grace period another 90 days , they should really do something for those applying for a license for the first time as well .
The simplest solution would be to pass a permitless carry bill , though I suspect that might face an uphill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Some lawmakers might not want to pick a fight over the issue , particularly given the fact that legal gun owners can openly carry in Ohio without a license .
If these long delays amounted to a complete deprivation of the right to bear arms , it would be an easier lift , but since it ’ s possible to carry without a license , lawmakers may not want to take up a contentious issue like Constitutional Carry this close to the November elections .
Still , from what I ’ m hearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and are looking at ways to help not just existing concealed carry licensees , but those waiting for their licenses as well .
Given the number of new gun owners and concealed carry applicants who ’ ll likely be casting a vote in November , that ’ s the right thing to do from both a constitutional and political perspective .
While WOIO ’ s story focused specifically on Ohio , we ’ re likely seeing similar delays in other states as well .
It ’ s not like the conditions that created @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only local phenomena , after all .
The same budget shortfalls and surge in demand for concealed carry licenses are being seen across the country , so it wouldn ’ t be a shocking surprise if months-long waits were the norm in other jurisdictions as well .
Last thought : open carry might be an option for some gun owners during the summer months , but they ’ re going to want to put a jacket on at some point this fall , even though they still be months away from their application @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The argument that their right to bear arms isn ’ t being infringed gets a lot weaker when gun owners have to choose between the Second Amendment and staying warm .

With gun sales soaring to record highs over the past several months, we’ve also seen a surge in demand for concealed carry licenses. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 coronavirus is causing major issues for some sheriffs departments, which typically are the agency that’s in charge of issuing the licenses. Some sheriffs are now encouraging applicants to make appointments, due to limited office hours, while others are warning that plunging tax revenue as a result of coronavirus-related business closures is already having an impact on their ability to process applications, as WOIO-TV recently reported in Ohio.
That’s nuts, and frankly, something’s going to have to give here. Either counties are going to have to reallocate some funds to ensure prompt issuance of licenses, or the state’s going to have to change the law to allow legal gun owners to carry without a license. Simply telling people that they can’t exercise their right to bear arms because the county can’t afford to process applications within the 45 day time limit imposed by Ohio law is an untenable position for the counties.
I don’t think this is a plot by anti-gun sheriffs to deny people their Second Amendment rights, by the way. I’m sure that most of these sheriffs are just as frustrated as applicants about the situation, though I’m equally as convinced that there are some who’ve used this as an excuse to slow-walk applications. Regardless of the reasons, the delays are still amounting to a restriction on a constitutional right, particularly for those who are applying for the first time.
The state of Ohio has, for the time being, extended existing concealed carry licenses for a period of 90 days in recognition of the impact that the coronavirus has had on the ability of sheriffs to process applications. Lake County Sheriff Frank Leonbruno says he believes the state should extend that for another 90 days at least, which sounds like a good idea to me. Prioritizing first time applicants over renewals could speed up some of the process as well, but right now the biggest problem is one of supply and demand; there are a lot of people demanding their right to carry while the staff needed to process the applications are in short supply.
The extension of existing concealed carry licenses came about through legislation, not executive action by Gov. Mike DeWine. If lawmakers are going to revisit the issue and extend that grace period another 90 days, they should really do something for those applying for a license for the first time as well.
The simplest solution would be to pass a permitless carry bill, though I suspect that might face an uphill climb even in the Republican-controlled legislature. Some lawmakers might not want to pick a fight over the issue, particularly given the fact that legal gun owners can openly carry in Ohio without a license. If these long delays amounted to a complete deprivation of the right to bear arms, it would be an easier lift, but since it’s possible to carry without a license, lawmakers may not want to take up a contentious issue like Constitutional Carry this close to the November elections.
Still, from what I’m hearing, legislators are aware of the issue and are looking at ways to help not just existing concealed carry licensees, but those waiting for their licenses as well. Given the number of new gun owners and concealed carry applicants who’ll likely be casting a vote in November, that’s the right thing to do from both a constitutional and political perspective.
While WOIO’s story focused specifically on Ohio, we’re likely seeing similar delays in other states as well. It’s not like the conditions that created the delays in the Buckeye State are only local phenomena, after all. The same budget shortfalls and surge in demand for concealed carry licenses are being seen across the country, so it wouldn’t be a shocking surprise if months-long waits were the norm in other jurisdictions as well.
Last thought: open carry might be an option for some gun owners during the summer months, but they’re going to want to put a jacket on at some point this fall, even though they still be months away from their application being looked at, much less approved. The argument that their right to bear arms isn’t being infringed gets a lot weaker when gun owners have to choose between the Second Amendment and staying warm.


bearingarms--2020-07-13--Amid Spike In Crime, Armed Citizens Fight Back In Chicago, St. Louis

It was another deadly weekend in Chicago , with at least 13 homicides and more than 50 people injured across the city as gang violence continues to spiral out of control .
The Chicago Sun-Times reports that this previous weekend actually saw a slight decline in the number of shootings compared to the 4th of July weekend , but shootings are still nearly double what they were this time last year .
At least one of the city ’ s shootings involved an armed citizen , who shot back after the passenger in his car was shot and wounded early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Citing preliminary information , CPD said a 22-year-old man was driving a 21-year-old woman eastbound in the 100 block of West Superior when two white sedans boxed them in around 2:55 a.m. Friday .
An armed man got out of one of the sedans and began shooting at the victims ’ car , striking the woman in her leg and arm , police said .
A 23-year-old man was then shot in the leg when the woman ’ s driver — a concealed carry holder — returned fire , according to police .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ with his passenger , but the two sedans reportedly chased them and caused their vehicle to crash into a building on the 100 block of West Huron moments later .
An ambulance transported the woman to Northwestern Memorial Hospital .
The injured man walked into Lurie Children ’ s Hospital for treatment .
He was subsequently transferred to Northwestern .
According to CWB Chicago , the River North neighborhood where the shooting occurred has been especially hard hit by rising violent crime .
In 2019 , there were a total of ten people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this year eleven people have been injured or killed in the community , and we still have several months to go before the crime rate typically begins to drop in the fall .
St. Louis , Missouri is also seeing a surge in shootings , including five separate shootings in a nine-hour period on Friday evening .
The city ’ s latest homicide , however , looks to be a justifiable use of force on the part of an armed citizen .
It sounds like the intended victim in this case managed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and while few details have been released , based on the initial reporting this sounds like a clear-cut case of self-defense .
Armed citizens alone can ’ t turn the tide of rising violence in St. Louis and Chicago , but the right to keep and bear arms does provide individuals the ability to protect themselves if they find themselves a target , and the presence of a gun in the hands of these would-be victims in Chicago and St. Louis saved at least three innocent lives this weekend .
As bad as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they ’ d be even worse if law-abiding citizens had no means , or no right , to protect themselves .

It was another deadly weekend in Chicago, with at least 13 homicides and more than 50 people injured across the city as gang violence continues to spiral out of control. The Chicago Sun-Times reports that this previous weekend actually saw a slight decline in the number of shootings compared to the 4th of July weekend, but shootings are still nearly double what they were this time last year.
At least one of the city’s shootings involved an armed citizen, who shot back after the passenger in his car was shot and wounded early Friday morning. From CWB Chicago:
Citing preliminary information, CPD said a 22-year-old man was driving a 21-year-old woman eastbound in the 100 block of West Superior when two white sedans boxed them in around 2:55 a.m. Friday. An armed man got out of one of the sedans and began shooting at the victims’ car, striking the woman in her leg and arm, police said. A 23-year-old man was then shot in the leg when the woman’s driver — a concealed carry holder — returned fire, according to police. The concealed carry holder then drove away with his passenger, but the two sedans reportedly chased them and caused their vehicle to crash into a building on the 100 block of West Huron moments later. An ambulance transported the woman to Northwestern Memorial Hospital. The injured man walked into Lurie Children’s Hospital for treatment. He was subsequently transferred to Northwestern.
According to CWB Chicago, the River North neighborhood where the shooting occurred has been especially hard hit by rising violent crime. In 2019, there were a total of ten people shot in the neighborhood, but already this year eleven people have been injured or killed in the community, and we still have several months to go before the crime rate typically begins to drop in the fall.
St. Louis, Missouri is also seeing a surge in shootings, including five separate shootings in a nine-hour period on Friday evening. The city’s latest homicide, however, looks to be a justifiable use of force on the part of an armed citizen.
A man was shot and killed after exchanging gunfire with a person he was trying to rob Sunday night. The shooting happened at about 9:49 p.m. on the 800 block of Cole Street, near the border of Downtown and the Columbus Square neighborhood. The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department said a suspect armed with a pistol tried to hold-up a victim who also had a gun. The two exchanged fire and the suspect was shot and killed.
It sounds like the intended victim in this case managed to avoid injury while defending their life, and while few details have been released, based on the initial reporting this sounds like a clear-cut case of self-defense.
Armed citizens alone can’t turn the tide of rising violence in St. Louis and Chicago, but the right to keep and bear arms does provide individuals the ability to protect themselves if they find themselves a target, and the presence of a gun in the hands of these would-be victims in Chicago and St. Louis saved at least three innocent lives this weekend. As bad as things might be in these cities, they’d be even worse if law-abiding citizens had no means, or no right, to protect themselves.


bearingarms--2020-07-13--De Blasio's Public Safety Plan Fails To Protect Anyone

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio announced with great fanfare on Friday that he had a plan to bring down the sharp spike in shootings that have gripped the city in recent weeks ; “ Take Back The Block ” would partner community activists with uniformed police in high crime neighborhoods , sending a message to criminals that neither law enforcement nor the residents would tolerate any more violence .
Unfortunately , the criminals apparently didn ’ t get the message .
CBS 2 in NYC reports that there were at least 22 shootings over the weekend , with 28 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ old boy shot and killed late Sunday evening .
Police said the child was sitting in a stroller with a group of people having a barbecue when gunfire erupted .
It happened around 11:30 p.m. outside Raymond Bush Playground on Madison Street in Bedford-Stuyvesant .
Police said the boy was shot in the stomach and died at the hospital .
Three adults were also wounded , but are expected to survive .
Police believe a group of suspects ambushed the victims , jumping out of a car , firing multiple shots and then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t have any suspects in the case and few leads to go on .
Meanwhile , the New York Post reports that over a 15 hour period on Saturday , 15 people were shot across the city .
The shootings — including a 21-year-old man left fighting for his life after being shot in the head while sitting in a car in Sheepshead Bay early Sunday — were more in one day than the whole of the same week last year , sources said .
They capped 43 shootings so far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year ’ s tally of 13 for the same period , sources said .
“ I had gone to bed early and the next thing I knew I heard two pops out my window that sounded just like fireworks , ” a neighbor who identified herself as Lucy said of the Sheepshead Bay shooting .
“ Well , I heard plenty of fireworks around here a week ago so I didn ’ t think anything of it at first until I heard someone screaming , ” she said .
“ The next thing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police lights and ambulance lights.
” In one , a 41-year-old man identified by neighbors as Thomas Gonzalez was shot in the chest in the East Village as at least three people rode up on bicycles — firing a barrage of at least nine shots , sources said .
A neighbor at the Bracetti Plaza on East 4th Street said Gonzales had been visiting family members — and was shot just after 2:30 a.m. as he sat chatting to friends in seats near a kids ’ play area .
Can the city get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the moment , officials can ’ t even agree on what ’ s driving the spike in crime , with NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea blaming the city ’ s bail laws and the release of hundreds of inmates from local lockups to prevent the spread of the coronavirus .
The New York Post , on the other hand , says that at the moment there have only been a few arrests of people who ’ ve been released early , and the paper cites several criminal justice experts who say the answer is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the city.
” So , de Blasio wants unarmed citizens to stand with cops , the city ’ s top law enforcement officer wants bail reform , and some academics say the focus needs to be on the illicit firearms market .
Unfortunately , virtually no one seems to be calling for some Second Amendment reform that would allow law-abiding New Yorkers to protect themselves with legally-owned firearms of their own .
Instead , city officials will keep flailing away , hoping against hope that at least one of their strategies will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , there ’ s no evidence that will be the case .
Until the city ’ s criminals have good reason to believe that if they shoot someone they ’ re likely to be caught and prosecuted , or stand a good chance of a law-abiding gun owner shooting back in self-defense , there ’ s simply no reason to believe that the city will become a safer place anytime soon .

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio announced with great fanfare on Friday that he had a plan to bring down the sharp spike in shootings that have gripped the city in recent weeks; “Take Back The Block” would partner community activists with uniformed police in high crime neighborhoods, sending a message to criminals that neither law enforcement nor the residents would tolerate any more violence.
Unfortunately, the criminals apparently didn’t get the message. CBS 2 in NYC reports that there were at least 22 shootings over the weekend, with 28 victims in all, including a 1-year old boy shot and killed late Sunday evening.
Police said the child was sitting in a stroller with a group of people having a barbecue when gunfire erupted. It happened around 11:30 p.m. outside Raymond Bush Playground on Madison Street in Bedford-Stuyvesant. Police said the boy was shot in the stomach and died at the hospital. Three adults were also wounded, but are expected to survive. Police believe a group of suspects ambushed the victims, jumping out of a car, firing multiple shots and then driving away.
So far, police don’t have any suspects in the case and few leads to go on. Meanwhile, the New York Post reports that over a 15 hour period on Saturday, 15 people were shot across the city.
The shootings — including a 21-year-old man left fighting for his life after being shot in the head while sitting in a car in Sheepshead Bay early Sunday — were more in one day than the whole of the same week last year, sources said. They capped 43 shootings so far this week — more than triple last year’s tally of 13 for the same period, sources said. “I had gone to bed early and the next thing I knew I heard two pops out my window that sounded just like fireworks,” a neighbor who identified herself as Lucy said of the Sheepshead Bay shooting. “Well, I heard plenty of fireworks around here a week ago so I didn’t think anything of it at first until I heard someone screaming,” she said. “The next thing I knew the street was flooded with police lights and ambulance lights.” In one, a 41-year-old man identified by neighbors as Thomas Gonzalez was shot in the chest in the East Village as at least three people rode up on bicycles — firing a barrage of at least nine shots, sources said. A neighbor at the Bracetti Plaza on East 4th Street said Gonzales had been visiting family members — and was shot just after 2:30 a.m. as he sat chatting to friends in seats near a kids’ play area.
Can the city get a grip on the violence? At the moment, officials can’t even agree on what’s driving the spike in crime, with NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea blaming the city’s bail laws and the release of hundreds of inmates from local lockups to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The New York Post, on the other hand, says that at the moment there have only been a few arrests of people who’ve been released early, and the paper cites several criminal justice experts who say the answer is to focus on “illegal guns coming into the city.”
So, de Blasio wants unarmed citizens to stand with cops, the city’s top law enforcement officer wants bail reform, and some academics say the focus needs to be on the illicit firearms market. Unfortunately, virtually no one seems to be calling for some Second Amendment reform that would allow law-abiding New Yorkers to protect themselves with legally-owned firearms of their own. Instead, city officials will keep flailing away, hoping against hope that at least one of their strategies will eventually pay off.
At the moment, there’s no evidence that will be the case. Until the city’s criminals have good reason to believe that if they shoot someone they’re likely to be caught and prosecuted, or stand a good chance of a law-abiding gun owner shooting back in self-defense, there’s simply no reason to believe that the city will become a safer place anytime soon.


bearingarms--2020-07-14--Florida Cities Want Power To Impose Local Gun Laws

It ’ s absolutely absurd that the legislature wouldn ’ t have the authority to prevent the abuse of the law , particularly at a time when advocates of police reform ( including a lot of local officials ) are arguing for more accountability for officers who willfully violate the law .
Accountability to the law doesn ’ t just apply to law enforcement .
It applies to public officials as well , and any lawmaker that would abuse their position by willfully passing a law that they know violates state statute doesn ’ t deserve to be in office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Sun-Sentinel newspaper , Florida Solicitor General James Percival agreed that the 2011 has a chilling effect on local lawmakers , and said that ’ s by design .
The legislature told localities back in 1987 not to pass local gun laws , but some localities refused to get the message .
“ If you think about what the Legislature was really trying to do here , what they were really trying to do is they are saying , ‘ We don ’ t want to force individual citizens to have to go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passes something that is close to the margins .
We want to shift the burden to local governments.
’ ” Cautious optimism is probably in order if you ’ re hoping for a good ruling from the appeals court , but regardless of which way the decision goes the loser is likely to appeal to the Florida Supreme Court to make a final determination about the legality of the law .
Admittedly , I ’ m biased , but to me this is a no-brainer .
A law that can not be enforced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state ’ s preemption law is to mean anything at all , then there must be consequences for those who willfully violate it in their official capacity .
The state ’ s preemption law needs teeth if it is to mean anything at all , and the legislature was well within its powers to put those teeth in place .

It’s absolutely absurd that the legislature wouldn’t have the authority to prevent the abuse of the law, particularly at a time when advocates of police reform (including a lot of local officials) are arguing for more accountability for officers who willfully violate the law. Accountability to the law doesn’t just apply to law enforcement. It applies to public officials as well, and any lawmaker that would abuse their position by willfully passing a law that they know violates state statute doesn’t deserve to be in office in the first place.
According to the Sun-Sentinel newspaper, Florida Solicitor General James Percival agreed that the 2011 has a chilling effect on local lawmakers, and said that’s by design. The legislature told localities back in 1987 not to pass local gun laws, but some localities refused to get the message.
“If you think about what the Legislature was really trying to do here, what they were really trying to do is they are saying, ‘We don’t want to force individual citizens to have to go to court every time a local government passes something that is close to the margins. We want to shift the burden to local governments.’”
Cautious optimism is probably in order if you’re hoping for a good ruling from the appeals court, but regardless of which way the decision goes the loser is likely to appeal to the Florida Supreme Court to make a final determination about the legality of the law. Admittedly, I’m biased, but to me this is a no-brainer. A law that cannot be enforced is a non-entity, so if the state’s preemption law is to mean anything at all, then there must be consequences for those who willfully violate it in their official capacity. The state’s preemption law needs teeth if it is to mean anything at all, and the legislature was well within its powers to put those teeth in place.


bearingarms--2020-07-14--VA Judge Grants Partial Injunction Against New Background Check Law

Virginia ’ s new “ universal background check ” law violates the constitutional rights of state residents between the ages of 18-20 , according to a decision by a circuit court judge Monday afternoon granting a partial injunction against the law that took effect on July 1st .
That means that at the moment , only 18 , 19 , and 20-year olds are exempt from the requirement to undergo a background check before a private or commercial gun sale .
More broadly , however , Judge F. Patrick Yeatts determined that the law requiring background checks on all gun @ @ @ @ @ @ @ constitution ’ s protection of the right to keep and bear arms , so while the case winds its way through the court system , the new law is likely to remain in place ( though still nearly impossible to enforce ) .
Yeatt ’ s decision , which can be read in its entirety here , hinges on the fact that federal law prohibits the transfer of a handgun from an FFL to someone under the age of 21 .
Virginia state law , however , doesn ’ t prohibit possession of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 21 .
Private sales and transfers , though , are really the only way those young adults can legally purchase a handgun .
The state ’ s new background check law , according to Yeatts , amounts to a backdoor handgun ban for those under the age of 21 .
As to the constitutionality of the background check law itself , the judge found that : The legal arguments against that portion of the judge ’ s ruling will be hashed out in the weeks and months to come , but Phillip Van @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Citizens Defense League , tells Bearing Arms that today ’ s ruling is a great first step in the fight to get the new law off the books , though he reminded Virginia gun owners that Threatt ’ s ruling is also subject to change on appeal .
Even with the law largely on the books for now , I would be shocked if Judge Threatt handles an actual case dealing with a violation of the state ’ s background check law in the next twelve months .
It ’ s one thing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s another thing entirely for it to be enforced .
It ’ s nearly impossible to police private transfers of firearms , and even if someone is caught with a gun in the commission of a crime , unless police can find some sort of sales receipt or text conversation about buying a gun without going through a background check , it ’ s going to be next to impossible to prove that the gun was sold and not simply transferred .
Yep , that ’ s right .
All gun @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to go through a background check , but you can still give someone a gun for free without having to conduct a background check .
I ’ m unclear as to how the law works in cases of barter ; three goats for a Glock , for instance .
Is that a sale ?
A transfer ?
And again , how does law enforcement even become aware of such a transaction ?
Inquiring goat owners want to know .
While we try to figure out that pressing ( to me , anyway ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s universal background check law will continue .
The state could appeal the portion of the judge ’ s decision blocking enforcement of the law against handgun purchasers under the age of 21 , and the Virginia Citizens Defense League and Gun Owners of America , which filed the suit along with several individual plaintiffs , could also appeal the bulk of Threatt ’ s ruling .
And all those appeals would deal simply with the request for a temporary injunction , leaving the broader question of the law ’ s constitutionality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opinion , in other words , is likely to be far from the last word on the subject .

Virginia’s new “universal background check” law violates the constitutional rights of state residents between the ages of 18-20, according to a decision by a circuit court judge Monday afternoon granting a partial injunction against the law that took effect on July 1st. That means that at the moment, only 18, 19, and 20-year olds are exempt from the requirement to undergo a background check before a private or commercial gun sale.
More broadly, however, Judge F. Patrick Yeatts determined that the law requiring background checks on all gun sales does not facially violate the state constitution’s protection of the right to keep and bear arms, so while the case winds its way through the court system, the new law is likely to remain in place (though still nearly impossible to enforce).
Yeatt’s decision, which can be read in its entirety here, hinges on the fact that federal law prohibits the transfer of a handgun from an FFL to someone under the age of 21. Virginia state law, however, doesn’t prohibit possession of handguns for adults under the age of 21. Private sales and transfers, though, are really the only way those young adults can legally purchase a handgun. The state’s new background check law, according to Yeatts, amounts to a backdoor handgun ban for those under the age of 21.
As to the constitutionality of the background check law itself, the judge found that:
“Even though private sales and commercial sales are different, the Court is at a loss as to how the historical justifications of preventing felons and the mentally disabled from possessing firearms would allow conditions on commercial sales and not on private sales. So long as the background check is limited to preventing a longstanding prohibition on a historically justified category, it does not violate the right to keep and bear arms.”
The legal arguments against that portion of the judge’s ruling will be hashed out in the weeks and months to come, but Phillip Van Cleave, executive director of the Virginia Citizens Defense League, tells Bearing Arms that today’s ruling is a great first step in the fight to get the new law off the books, though he reminded Virginia gun owners that Threatt’s ruling is also subject to change on appeal.
Even with the law largely on the books for now, I would be shocked if Judge Threatt handles an actual case dealing with a violation of the state’s background check law in the next twelve months. It’s one thing for a law to be passed. It’s another thing entirely for it to be enforced.
It’s nearly impossible to police private transfers of firearms, and even if someone is caught with a gun in the commission of a crime, unless police can find some sort of sales receipt or text conversation about buying a gun without going through a background check, it’s going to be next to impossible to prove that the gun was sold and not simply transferred.
Yep, that’s right. All gun sales in the state of Virginia have to go through a background check, but you can still give someone a gun for free without having to conduct a background check. I’m unclear as to how the law works in cases of barter; three goats for a Glock, for instance. Is that a sale? A transfer? And again, how does law enforcement even become aware of such a transaction? Inquiring goat owners want to know.
While we try to figure out that pressing (to me, anyway) question, the lawsuit challenging the state’s universal background check law will continue. The state could appeal the portion of the judge’s decision blocking enforcement of the law against handgun purchasers under the age of 21, and the Virginia Citizens Defense League and Gun Owners of America, which filed the suit along with several individual plaintiffs, could also appeal the bulk of Threatt’s ruling. And all those appeals would deal simply with the request for a temporary injunction, leaving the broader question of the law’s constitutionality for future hearings. Today’s opinion, in other words, is likely to be far from the last word on the subject.


bearingarms--2020-07-14--Protester Charged With Assault In St. Louis. Are The McCloskeys Next?

Yesterday I pointed out that if St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kimberly Gardner were to charge Mark and Patricia McCloskey for protecting their property from protesters without filing a case against Terrence Page for assaulting a man at demonstration in downtown St. Louis , she ’ d be opening herself up to charges that she ’ s using her office to play politics instead of seeking justice .
Well , Page has now officially been arrested and charged with four counts of assault , which I think makes it a near certainty that the McCloskeys will soon face charges as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the charges against Page , which are the result of an assault that took place the day before the McCloskeys drew their firearms after protesters broke down a gate and entered the private neighborhood where they live .
The charges stem from a protest at the base of the famous [ Louis IX ] statue that sits at the top of Art Hill .
The statue has been under scrutiny for several weeks now .
Protesters have gathered around it calling for it to be removed , while others have been praying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday , June 27 , officers received a call for an assault that happened at the statue earlier in the day at about 2:15 p.m. A 37-year-old man said he was at the protest when someone slapped his head several times .
The man wasn ’ t injured but went home and called police .
Later , police said three more men also were victims of an assault during the protest .
Page has proudly admitted that he was the one who assaulted several individuals , accusing them of being members of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the statue , yet it took weeks for Gardner to officially charge him for his crimes .
Now that he ’ s in custody , expect Gardner to move quickly in charging the McCloskeys as well .
Mark McCloskey was on Tucker Carlson ’ s show on Monday night and said he believes an indictment is “ imminent , ” but as my colleague Ed Morrissey at Hot Air points out , the case against the couple is so weak that it ’ s going to be awfully difficult for Gardner to win @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cities are burning from Minneapolis to New York to Los Angeles .
An angry mob breaks down the gate on the property and begins illegally demonstrating on private property , which the McCloskeys have the right to defend .
What would a reasonable person conclude ?
They would likely conclude that their property and maybe their lives were in danger , which means they could use lethal force to protect themselves and their property , according to state law .
If Gardner could find twelve jurors to ignore all of that — which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t find an appellate court that will .
The McCloskeys reportedly tend to be litigious too , so the county has to decide whether they want to risk paying out millions in a wrongful prosecution lawsuit just to conduct a stunt trial pour encourager les autres .
When Gardner made her first comments about the McCloskey case , my first guess was that she would ultimately forgo charges against the couple and choose instead to rail against the Castle Doctrine in Missouri , as well as maybe call for a few more gun @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the issue .
I still think the fundraising is likely to happen , but at the moment it appears that Gardner believes she can make more political hay by prosecuting the pair rather than using them as the primary example of why Missouri needs to ban AR-15s and pass other “ commonssense ” gun control laws .
Just like the aggravated assault charges filed against Steven Ray Baca in Albuquerque , however , prosecutors in the McCloskey case are going to run up against a big problem once this case moves into a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Unlike Baca , the McCloskeys weren ’ t actually attacked and never had to use their firearms in self-defense , but the pair do have a right under Missouri law to protect their home and lives with lethal force if necessary .
The court of public opinion may largely dismiss those rights , but hopefully a judge and a jury will adhere to the Constitution , and not the capricious whims of the mob .

Yesterday I pointed out that if St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kimberly Gardner were to charge Mark and Patricia McCloskey for protecting their property from protesters without filing a case against Terrence Page for assaulting a man at demonstration in downtown St. Louis, she’d be opening herself up to charges that she’s using her office to play politics instead of seeking justice. Well, Page has now officially been arrested and charged with four counts of assault, which I think makes it a near certainty that the McCloskeys will soon face charges as well.
KSDK-TV has some of the details on the charges against Page, which are the result of an assault that took place the day before the McCloskeys drew their firearms after protesters broke down a gate and entered the private neighborhood where they live.
The charges stem from a protest at the base of the famous [Louis IX] statue that sits at the top of Art Hill. The statue has been under scrutiny for several weeks now. Protesters have gathered around it calling for it to be removed, while others have been praying at the base defending it. On Saturday, June 27, officers received a call for an assault that happened at the statue earlier in the day at about 2:15 p.m. A 37-year-old man said he was at the protest when someone slapped his head several times. The man wasn’t injured but went home and called police. Later, police said three more men also were victims of an assault during the protest.
Page has proudly admitted that he was the one who assaulted several individuals, accusing them of being members of the KKK or white supremacists for praying at the statue, yet it took weeks for Gardner to officially charge him for his crimes. Now that he’s in custody, expect Gardner to move quickly in charging the McCloskeys as well.
Mark McCloskey was on Tucker Carlson’s show on Monday night and said he believes an indictment is “imminent,” but as my colleague Ed Morrissey at Hot Air points out, the case against the couple is so weak that it’s going to be awfully difficult for Gardner to win in court.
Consider the context: cities are burning from Minneapolis to New York to Los Angeles. An angry mob breaks down the gate on the property and begins illegally demonstrating on private property, which the McCloskeys have the right to defend. What would a reasonable person conclude? They would likely conclude that their property and maybe their lives were in danger, which means they could use lethal force to protect themselves and their property, according to state law. If Gardner could find twelve jurors to ignore all of that — which I seriously doubt — she won’t find an appellate court that will. The McCloskeys reportedly tend to be litigious too, so the county has to decide whether they want to risk paying out millions in a wrongful prosecution lawsuit just to conduct a stunt trial pour encourager les autres.
When Gardner made her first comments about the McCloskey case, my first guess was that she would ultimately forgo charges against the couple and choose instead to rail against the Castle Doctrine in Missouri, as well as maybe call for a few more gun control laws and try to fundraise off the issue. I still think the fundraising is likely to happen, but at the moment it appears that Gardner believes she can make more political hay by prosecuting the pair rather than using them as the primary example of why Missouri needs to ban AR-15s and pass other “commonssense” gun control laws.
Just like the aggravated assault charges filed against Steven Ray Baca in Albuquerque, however, prosecutors in the McCloskey case are going to run up against a big problem once this case moves into a courtroom: the right of self-defense. Unlike Baca, the McCloskeys weren’t actually attacked and never had to use their firearms in self-defense, but the pair do have a right under Missouri law to protect their home and lives with lethal force if necessary. The court of public opinion may largely dismiss those rights, but hopefully a judge and a jury will adhere to the Constitution, and not the capricious whims of the mob.


bearingarms--2020-07-14--This Pro-2A Trauma Surgeon Could Be TN's Next U.S. Senator

Early voting kicks off later this week in Tennessee ’ s Republican primary , and the race for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate is one to keep an eye on .
Senator Lamar Alexander is retiring , and the open seat has attracted dozens of candidates on both sides of the aisle who are vying to replace him .
Given Tennessee politics , it ’ s likely that the winner of the GOP primary will win in the general election , and at the moment two Republican candidates seem to be standing out from the rest of the field @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bill Hagerty , a Tennessee businessman , has the endorsement of President Donald Trump and much of the state ’ s political establishment , but Dr. Manny Sethi , an orthopedic trauma surgeon from Nashville is making a strong impression on voters , and his campaign says internal polling shows the race within the margin of error at the moment .
Sethi ’ s also picked up some endorsements of his own , including Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky .
Dr. Sethi joins me on Bearing Arms ’ Cam & Co. today to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rural Tennessee as the son of immigrant doctors , and how that experience helped to shape his views on the Second Amendment .
Not only was Sethi raised in a culture of responsible gun ownership , after a threat to himself and his family about six years ago , the doctor purchased a Glock handgun , got his concealed carry license , and continues to train regularly .
Sethi has seen firsthand the impact of violent crime and misuse of firearms , but he ’ s not your stereotypical anti-gun medical professional .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of fact .
The surgeon tells me that , in his opinion , gun control laws like a ban on so-called assault weapons or red flag laws aren ’ t just unconstitutional , they actually impede efforts to address the roots causes of violent crime .
“ It ’ s not about the guns , ” Sethi explained to me .
“ That ’ s just some politicians way of trying to act like they ’ re doing something .
If they really wanted to do something , let ’ s talk about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and someone who ’ s run this non-profit called Healthy Tennessee for nine years , that ’ s what I ’ ve always been interested in , is prevention .
So let ’ s get on the front side of this problem , and the front side is talking about some of these very complicated problems of kids and broken homes who don ’ t feel that there ’ s anyone there , that loves them , that cares for them .
Nobody ’ s around to talk to them about these issues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ church , and so we ’ ve got ta delve much deeper into these complex problems that society faces.
” Be sure to check out the entire interview with Dr. Manny Sethi above , including a fascinating discussion about a conflict resolution program that Sethi helped to introduce into a local school in Nashville back in 2013 that saw a noticeable reduction in bullying , threats , and even students carrying a gun to school , all without a single new restriction on legal , law-abiding gun owners .
I ’ m not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to say I love the idea of a pro-2A trauma surgeon getting elected to the U.S. Senate , especially given the push for sweeping gun bans and other restrictions that are headed our way if Joe Biden were to win in November .
Sethi ’ s experience in treating gunshot victims , his long-term advocacy for addressing those root causes of violence , and his staunch support for the Second Amendment would help to make him a pretty powerful voice for the tens of millions of Americans who are concerned about violent crime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ isn ’ t the way to make the country a safer place .
We ’ ve got more news on today ’ s show as well , including two brothers sentenced in the death of a Utah police officer in 2016 who were released early from their already short sentences due to coronavirus concerns , but who are now facing charges in a shooting over the weekend ; an Indianapolis woman who shot and killed a man breaking into her home , and a police officer in a Detroit suburb who was in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to save the life of a three-week-old child .
You ’ ll want to tune in tomorrow as well when we ’ ll talk with Virginia Del .
C. Todd Gilbert about the upcoming special session in the state and what gun owners can expect when lawmakers return to Richmond next month .

Early voting kicks off later this week in Tennessee’s Republican primary, and the race for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate is one to keep an eye on. Senator Lamar Alexander is retiring, and the open seat has attracted dozens of candidates on both sides of the aisle who are vying to replace him. Given Tennessee politics, it’s likely that the winner of the GOP primary will win in the general election, and at the moment two Republican candidates seem to be standing out from the rest of the field.
Former U.S. Ambassador to Japan Bill Hagerty, a Tennessee businessman, has the endorsement of President Donald Trump and much of the state’s political establishment, but Dr. Manny Sethi, an orthopedic trauma surgeon from Nashville is making a strong impression on voters, and his campaign says internal polling shows the race within the margin of error at the moment. Sethi’s also picked up some endorsements of his own, including Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky.
Dr. Sethi joins me on Bearing Arms’ Cam & Co. today to talk about his experience growing up in rural Tennessee as the son of immigrant doctors, and how that experience helped to shape his views on the Second Amendment. Not only was Sethi raised in a culture of responsible gun ownership, after a threat to himself and his family about six years ago, the doctor purchased a Glock handgun, got his concealed carry license, and continues to train regularly.
Sethi has seen firsthand the impact of violent crime and misuse of firearms, but he’s not your stereotypical anti-gun medical professional. Far from it, as a matter of fact. The surgeon tells me that, in his opinion, gun control laws like a ban on so-called assault weapons or red flag laws aren’t just unconstitutional, they actually impede efforts to address the roots causes of violent crime.
“It’s not about the guns,” Sethi explained to me. “That’s just some politicians way of trying to act like they’re doing something. If they really wanted to do something, let’s talk about the deeper issues. As a physician and someone who’s run this non-profit called Healthy Tennessee for nine years, that’s what I’ve always been interested in, is prevention. So let’s get on the front side of this problem, and the front side is talking about some of these very complicated problems of kids and broken homes who don’t feel that there’s anyone there, that loves them, that cares for them. Nobody’s around to talk to them about these issues, people aren’t going to church, and so we’ve gotta delve much deeper into these complex problems that society faces.”
Be sure to check out the entire interview with Dr. Manny Sethi above, including a fascinating discussion about a conflict resolution program that Sethi helped to introduce into a local school in Nashville back in 2013 that saw a noticeable reduction in bullying, threats, and even students carrying a gun to school, all without a single new restriction on legal, law-abiding gun owners.
I’m not a Tennessee voter, but I have to say I love the idea of a pro-2A trauma surgeon getting elected to the U.S. Senate, especially given the push for sweeping gun bans and other restrictions that are headed our way if Joe Biden were to win in November. Sethi’s experience in treating gunshot victims, his long-term advocacy for addressing those root causes of violence, and his staunch support for the Second Amendment would help to make him a pretty powerful voice for the tens of millions of Americans who are concerned about violent crime but know that restricting our constitutionally-protected rights isn’t the way to make the country a safer place.
We’ve got more news on today’s show as well, including two brothers sentenced in the death of a Utah police officer in 2016 who were released early from their already short sentences due to coronavirus concerns, but who are now facing charges in a shooting over the weekend; an Indianapolis woman who shot and killed a man breaking into her home, and a police officer in a Detroit suburb who was in the right place at the right time to save the life of a three-week-old child. You’ll want to tune in tomorrow as well when we’ll talk with Virginia Del. C. Todd Gilbert about the upcoming special session in the state and what gun owners can expect when lawmakers return to Richmond next month.


bearingarms--2020-07-14--Shootings Soar After Portland Ends Police Gun Violence Reduction Team

Police violence is gun violence , or so says Shannon Watts and other gun control activists , but in Portland , Oregon , the dismantling of the police department ’ s Gun Violence Reduction Team has coincided with a spike in shootings across the city .
KPTV in Portland is reporting that the number of shootings in July of this year is almost 400 % higher than July of 2019 , and the Portland Police Chief Chuck Lowell is hinting that that the elimination of the police unit may be contributing to the spike in crime .
Last week , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a span of 24 hours , including 18-year-old Shai-India Harris , who was shot near Southeast 84th and Flavel .
Family members said the shooting occurred after Harris had an argument with her boyfriend .
Lovell on Monday called the recent violence staggering and said the bureau has had to get creative to stay on top of each case after losing the Gun Violence Reduction Team .
“ We ’ ve had to re resource our folks because of the loss of the GVRT , but I want to assure you that these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Lovell said .
“ We ’ re having to rely a little bit more heavily on patrol.
” Lovell said there doesn ’ t seem to be a clear reason for the spike in violence .
Ohh , I think we can probably come up with a couple of reasons .
After all , it ’ s not like Portland is the only city to see a spike in shootings over the past few months , though it ’ s worth noting that shootings in the city have increased year-to-year every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March , when Oregon ’ s stay-at-home order was first issued .
It may be that the surge in violence in Portland began before the protests and riots started in early June after George Floyd ’ s death in Minneapolis , but the continued violence on the streets of the ultra-liberal city certainly hasn ’ t made anything better .
And yes , the riots in Portland have continued , even as things have started to calm down in other cities across the country .
Police in Portland declared another riot early Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Officers reported making arrests after protesters were blocking Northeast Lombard Street and surrounding roads .
When one of the arrest attempts were made , others reportedly interfered — struggling with police to free the person being arrested .
Just before 12:30 A.M. , police reported making more arrests , but no specifics were given .
Shortly after midnight , Portland police declared the situation a riot and told protesters to leave immediately .
On Twitter , officers warned they could use tear gas if protesters did not disperse .
Portland Police say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the night .
Do the riots have any bearing on the increased violence ?
You bet they do , even if the spike in shootings aren ’ t directly related to any specific protest .
Not only do the nightly protests and riots mean fewer officers in high-crime neighborhoods , but the attacks on policing further erode the trust and relationship between the city ’ s police force and the community that they serve .
Given Portland ’ s politics , I don ’ t see things getting better any time soon , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Trump as the city ’ s biggest problem , not the rioters , violent agitators , and street criminals who aren ’ t just keeping Portland weird , but are making Portland less safe .

Police violence is gun violence, or so says Shannon Watts and other gun control activists, but in Portland, Oregon, the dismantling of the police department’s Gun Violence Reduction Team has coincided with a spike in shootings across the city. KPTV in Portland is reporting that the number of shootings in July of this year is almost 400% higher than July of 2019, and the Portland Police Chief Chuck Lowell is hinting that that the elimination of the police unit may be contributing to the spike in crime.
Last week, police say five people were killed in a span of 24 hours, including 18-year-old Shai-India Harris, who was shot near Southeast 84th and Flavel. Family members said the shooting occurred after Harris had an argument with her boyfriend. Lovell on Monday called the recent violence staggering and said the bureau has had to get creative to stay on top of each case after losing the Gun Violence Reduction Team. “We’ve had to re resource our folks because of the loss of the GVRT, but I want to assure you that these cases are still important and being investigated,” Lovell said. “We’re having to rely a little bit more heavily on patrol.” Lovell said there doesn’t seem to be a clear reason for the spike in violence.
Ohh, I think we can probably come up with a couple of reasons. After all, it’s not like Portland is the only city to see a spike in shootings over the past few months, though it’s worth noting that shootings in the city have increased year-to-year every month in 2020 with the exception of March, when Oregon’s stay-at-home order was first issued. It may be that the surge in violence in Portland began before the protests and riots started in early June after George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis, but the continued violence on the streets of the ultra-liberal city certainly hasn’t made anything better.
And yes, the riots in Portland have continued, even as things have started to calm down in other cities across the country. Police in Portland declared another riot early Tuesday morning, as a matter of fact.
Officers reported making arrests after protesters were blocking Northeast Lombard Street and surrounding roads. When one of the arrest attempts were made, others reportedly interfered — struggling with police to free the person being arrested. Just before 12:30 A.M., police reported making more arrests, but no specifics were given. Shortly after midnight, Portland police declared the situation a riot and told protesters to leave immediately. On Twitter, officers warned they could use tear gas if protesters did not disperse. Portland Police say officers were hit with multiple objects through the night.
Do the riots have any bearing on the increased violence? You bet they do, even if the spike in shootings aren’t directly related to any specific protest. Not only do the nightly protests and riots mean fewer officers in high-crime neighborhoods, but the attacks on policing further erode the trust and relationship between the city’s police force and the community that they serve. Given Portland’s politics, I don’t see things getting better any time soon, unfortunately. Mayor Ted Wheeler still views President Trump as the city’s biggest problem, not the rioters, violent agitators, and street criminals who aren’t just keeping Portland weird, but are making Portland less safe.


bearingarms--2020-07-14--Gun Pulled In Parking Lot Over Argument About Masks

No matter where you come down in the Great Mask Debate of 2020 ( I ’ m pro-mask but not pro-mandate , for the record ) , I think we can all agree on a couple of simple ground rules for how the debate is conducted .
Let ’ s start with “ don ’ t pull a gun on someone because they are/aren ’ t wearing a mask.
” Not only will you find yourself facing charges , you ’ re only going to provide more evidence to the other side of the debate that your side is unhinged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inside a Walgreens on July 3 when he noticed a 30-year-old man not wearing a mask , police say .
The argument then escalated , and Goulston reportedly pulled a gun out of his car and pointed it at the victim .
“ He wasn ’ t wearing a mask .
He said ‘ you should have a mask on , ’ then they had a little confrontation , and the guy pulled a gun on him , ” said Kevin Prosper with Bridgewater Discount Liquors .
So , once again we ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chipotle Incident in suburban Detroit ; an argument that neither side will let go , and so it escalates to the point of criminality .
Goulston should have gotten himself in his car rather than pull a gun from it .
If he ’ d simply driven away , he ’ d be enjoying his summer instead of worrying about a prison sentence .
“ He is a lung cancer survivor , that is why he asked the man to wear a mask .
My father had cancer in both lungs which spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diagnosed as stage four , ” his daughter said .
“ I am heartbroken that my father is being put through this.
” Once in custody , Goulston complained of a medical issue and was taken to a local hospital .
I get why Goulston was upset .
My wife ’ s been fighting lung cancer for four years , and she and I have had the “ wouldn ’ t it suck if you died from COVID-19 when you ’ ve been keeping the cancer at bay ” conversation more than once @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only left the house a handful of times , and most of those were for her chemotherapy appointments .
I ’ ve taken over the grocery shopping , and I ’ m the one who goes to the hardware store or the occasional restaurant for take out as well .
I ’ m pretty paranoid about my wife coming down with COVID-19 , and by extension , that means I ’ m kind of paranoid about me catching it and giving it to her .
So yes , I wear a mask , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it doesn ’ t offer 100 % ( or even 70 % ) protection against the virus .
Do I get mad when I ’ m out and I see someone without a mask ?
No .
Rebellion is in our cultural DNA .
It ’ s to be expected that some people will refuse to wear a mask out of spite .
As paranoid as I am about catching COVID-19 , I still understand how the world works .
What did Nancy Pelosi say about the people who tore down the Christopher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are gon na do what they ’ re gon na do , ” right ?
Well , the same holds true for masks , and there ’ s no point getting enraged either way .
So what do I do ?
I shop quickly .
I spend as little time as possible around large groups of people , whether they ’ re masked or not .
And I try to have some empathy for everyone I do come in contact with , because these are stressful times for everyone .
Try not to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And if someone ’ s an ***hole to you , sometimes you ’ ve just got ta let it go .
It ’ s not worth your time , your energy , and certainly not your liberty to continue escalating things just because you let them get under your skin .
Walk away .
Drive away .
There ’ s no need to throw a chunk of your life away , as may very well be the case for Mr. Goulston in Massachusetts .

No matter where you come down in the Great Mask Debate of 2020 (I’m pro-mask but not pro-mandate, for the record), I think we can all agree on a couple of simple ground rules for how the debate is conducted. Let’s start with “don’t pull a gun on someone because they are/aren’t wearing a mask.” Not only will you find yourself facing charges, you’re only going to provide more evidence to the other side of the debate that your side is unhinged.
Todd Goulston, 59, was inside a Walgreens on July 3 when he noticed a 30-year-old man not wearing a mask, police say. The argument then escalated, and Goulston reportedly pulled a gun out of his car and pointed it at the victim. “He wasn’t wearing a mask. He said ‘you should have a mask on,’ then they had a little confrontation, and the guy pulled a gun on him,” said Kevin Prosper with Bridgewater Discount Liquors.
So, once again we’ve got a situation similar to the Chipotle Incident in suburban Detroit; an argument that neither side will let go, and so it escalates to the point of criminality. Goulston should have gotten himself in his car rather than pull a gun from it. If he’d simply driven away, he’d be enjoying his summer instead of worrying about a prison sentence.
“He is a lung cancer survivor, that is why he asked the man to wear a mask. My father had cancer in both lungs which spread to his lymph nodes. He was diagnosed as stage four,” his daughter said. “I am heartbroken that my father is being put through this.” Once in custody, Goulston complained of a medical issue and was taken to a local hospital.
I get why Goulston was upset. My wife’s been fighting lung cancer for four years, and she and I have had the “wouldn’t it suck if you died from COVID-19 when you’ve been keeping the cancer at bay” conversation more than once. Since March, she’s only left the house a handful of times, and most of those were for her chemotherapy appointments. I’ve taken over the grocery shopping, and I’m the one who goes to the hardware store or the occasional restaurant for take out as well. I’m pretty paranoid about my wife coming down with COVID-19, and by extension, that means I’m kind of paranoid about me catching it and giving it to her.
So yes, I wear a mask, though I’m well aware that it doesn’t offer 100% (or even 70%) protection against the virus. Do I get mad when I’m out and I see someone without a mask? No. Rebellion is in our cultural DNA. It’s to be expected that some people will refuse to wear a mask out of spite. As paranoid as I am about catching COVID-19, I still understand how the world works. What did Nancy Pelosi say about the people who tore down the Christopher Columbus statue in Baltimore? “People are gonna do what they’re gonna do,” right? Well, the same holds true for masks, and there’s no point getting enraged either way.
So what do I do? I shop quickly. I spend as little time as possible around large groups of people, whether they’re masked or not. And I try to have some empathy for everyone I do come in contact with, because these are stressful times for everyone.
Try not to be an ***hole, in other words. And if someone’s an ***hole to you, sometimes you’ve just gotta let it go. It’s not worth your time, your energy, and certainly not your liberty to continue escalating things just because you let them get under your skin. Walk away. Drive away. There’s no need to throw a chunk of your life away, as may very well be the case for Mr. Goulston in Massachusetts.


bearingarms--2020-07-14--New Charges For Albuquerque Man In Statue Protest Shooting

A New Mexico man who drew his gun and fired at a protester after he was attacked during a melee over a statue in Albuquerque ’ s Old Town in June is now facing aggravated assault charges in the incident .
31-year old Steven Ray Baca was facing charges of carrying a firearm without a license , but on Monday Bernalillo County District Attorney Raul Torrez amended the criminal complaint against Baca , alleging that Baca actually started the fight that led to him firing shots .
“ Any individual who would otherwise be able to claim self-defense can not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a violent confrontation , ” Torrez said .
“ It ’ s our belief Mr. Baca was the first aggressor in this context and the individual that he shot was acting in response to his violent provocation.
” Torrez acknowledged that it ’ s going to be a difficult case to present in court given the complex legal issues surrounding the allegations .
“ Difficult ” may be putting it mildly .
As Baca ’ s attorney has noted , there ’ s video evidence showing Baca retreating from the protest area with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out pepper spray in an attempt to create some distance between himself and the mob , and continues to try to leave the area before a group assaults him .
Baca was hit with a skateboard , which is when he drew his gun and fired .
The D.A .
argues that video taken before the incident shows Baca shoving a woman to the ground after she backed into him and blocked him from moving around the statue area , but even if Baca is found guilty of misdemeanor battery for that incident @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time seeing how that justifies a crowd chasing him down to beat him .
In addition to the new charges against Baca , the Bernalillo County D.A .
is also pursuing a civil case against 14 members of the New Mexico Civil Guard who were at the protest site on the evening of June 15th as well .
From Courthouse News : According to the 39-page complaint filed Monday in Bernalillo County Court , “ Numerous members of the NMCG attended the protest as a private vigilante or paramilitary unit wearing matching camouflage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military-style gear .
Their professed purpose was to ‘ protect ’ the Oñate statue from defacement .
In the tense atmosphere exacerbated by NMCG ’ s heavily armed presence an individual who apparently is not affiliated with the paramilitary group battered several female protesters before he ultimately shot and injured another protester.
” “ NMCG ’ s presence fostered and encouraged violence by counter-protesters unaffiliated with NMCG .
The armed presence simultaneously intimidated protesters and established an environment in which counter-protesters resorted to violence over words to convey their message .
Steven Ray @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a member of NMCG , joined with NMCG in attempting to keep protesters away from the statue .
But with the backdrop of a heavily armed presence seemingly on his side , Baca was not content to express his viewpoint or even to simply restrain protesters .
Instead , he began his agitation of the crowd by using a bullhorn and pepper spray , graduated to a battery on a woman with her back turned , escalated his violence further to an aggravated battery against another woman in the defenseless position of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finished what he began by shooting an unarmed man.
” The civil case against the NMGC seeks to declare the group a “ public nuisance , ” but is also pursuing an injunction that would prevent the group from “ operating as a military unit independent of civil authority.
” On Monday evening , the group posted a defense of their actions on the New Mexico Civil Guard Facebook page , stating : “ The Governor is again falsely accusing the NMCG , and threatening charges .
She could not label us as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the shooter who none of us knew and is now trying another tactic .
She is trying to deflect from the fact that on her watch and Mayor Keller ’ s police were told to stand down and a man was shot .
More individuals would have been hurt if we had not been there to do what APD wanted to do but the mayor and deputy chief ordered them not to .
By ordering police to let protesters tear down statues and destroy property they made that situation violent if one cruiser @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been no blood on the streets that day.
” The prosecution of Steven Baca on aggravated assault charges looks a lot more like a politically motivated legal stunt than an actual attempt at justice , at least at this point .
Torrez , the local prosecutor , admits it ’ s going to be difficult to prove his case against Baca , but given the comments by Gov .
Michelle Lujan Grisham and Albuquerque Mayor Tom Keller after the shooting , it was clear that the prosecutor was under political pressure to go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , even if it involved a weak case .
As for the civil litigation against the New Mexico Civil Guard , the Durango Herald points out that Torrez is working with a local law firm and the Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection at Georgetown University Law Center on the case .
The Georgetown group has been advocating for states to crack down on armed protesters , from New Mexico to Idaho , though the organization has said nothing about armed protesters on the Left , including the armed “ security ” at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ civil suit too seems to be far more about seeking headlines than actual justice .
We ’ ll soon see how these cases play out in a court of law , as opposed to the court of public opinion .

A New Mexico man who drew his gun and fired at a protester after he was attacked during a melee over a statue in Albuquerque’s Old Town in June is now facing aggravated assault charges in the incident. 31-year old Steven Ray Baca was facing charges of carrying a firearm without a license, but on Monday Bernalillo County District Attorney Raul Torrez amended the criminal complaint against Baca, alleging that Baca actually started the fight that led to him firing shots.
“Any individual who would otherwise be able to claim self-defense cannot claim self-defense if he or she initiates a violent confrontation,” Torrez said. “It’s our belief Mr. Baca was the first aggressor in this context and the individual that he shot was acting in response to his violent provocation.” Torrez acknowledged that it’s going to be a difficult case to present in court given the complex legal issues surrounding the allegations.
“Difficult” may be putting it mildly. As Baca’s attorney has noted, there’s video evidence showing Baca retreating from the protest area with a crowd pursuing him. Baca pulls out pepper spray in an attempt to create some distance between himself and the mob, and continues to try to leave the area before a group assaults him. Baca was hit with a skateboard, which is when he drew his gun and fired.
The D.A. argues that video taken before the incident shows Baca shoving a woman to the ground after she backed into him and blocked him from moving around the statue area, but even if Baca is found guilty of misdemeanor battery for that incident, I’m having a hard time seeing how that justifies a crowd chasing him down to beat him.
In addition to the new charges against Baca, the Bernalillo County D.A. is also pursuing a civil case against 14 members of the New Mexico Civil Guard who were at the protest site on the evening of June 15th as well. From Courthouse News:
According to the 39-page complaint filed Monday in Bernalillo County Court, “Numerous members of the NMCG attended the protest as a private vigilante or paramilitary unit wearing matching camouflage attire and sporting assault rifles and other military-style gear. Their professed purpose was to ‘protect’ the Oñate statue from defacement. In the tense atmosphere exacerbated by NMCG’s heavily armed presence an individual who apparently is not affiliated with the paramilitary group battered several female protesters before he ultimately shot and injured another protester.” “NMCG’s presence fostered and encouraged violence by counter-protesters unaffiliated with NMCG. The armed presence simultaneously intimidated protesters and established an environment in which counter-protesters resorted to violence over words to convey their message. Steven Ray Baca, who does not appear to be a member of NMCG, joined with NMCG in attempting to keep protesters away from the statue. But with the backdrop of a heavily armed presence seemingly on his side, Baca was not content to express his viewpoint or even to simply restrain protesters. Instead, he began his agitation of the crowd by using a bullhorn and pepper spray, graduated to a battery on a woman with her back turned, escalated his violence further to an aggravated battery against another woman in the defenseless position of facing away from Baca, and finally finished what he began by shooting an unarmed man.”
The civil case against the NMGC seeks to declare the group a “public nuisance,” but is also pursuing an injunction that would prevent the group from “operating as a military unit independent of civil authority.” On Monday evening, the group posted a defense of their actions on the New Mexico Civil Guard Facebook page, stating:
“The Governor is again falsely accusing the NMCG, and threatening charges. She could not label us as racists and terrorists or tie us to the shooter who none of us knew and is now trying another tactic. She is trying to deflect from the fact that on her watch and Mayor Keller’s police were told to stand down and a man was shot. More individuals would have been hurt if we had not been there to do what APD wanted to do but the mayor and deputy chief ordered them not to. By ordering police to let protesters tear down statues and destroy property they made that situation violent if one cruiser would have been there there would have been no blood on the streets that day.”
The prosecution of Steven Baca on aggravated assault charges looks a lot more like a politically motivated legal stunt than an actual attempt at justice, at least at this point. Torrez, the local prosecutor, admits it’s going to be difficult to prove his case against Baca, but given the comments by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and Albuquerque Mayor Tom Keller after the shooting, it was clear that the prosecutor was under political pressure to go after Baca as hard as he could, even if it involved a weak case.
As for the civil litigation against the New Mexico Civil Guard, the Durango Herald points out that Torrez is working with a local law firm and the Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection at Georgetown University Law Center on the case. The Georgetown group has been advocating for states to crack down on armed protesters, from New Mexico to Idaho, though the organization has said nothing about armed protesters on the Left, including the armed “security” at the now-disassembled CHOP/CHAZ in Seattle. The civil suit too seems to be far more about seeking headlines than actual justice. We’ll soon see how these cases play out in a court of law, as opposed to the court of public opinion.


bearingarms--2020-07-16--Alabama Raid Illustrates Gun Control Fail

How many times have we heard that kind of nonsense ?
Over and over again , anti-gunners routinely argue that gun laws work .
They believe that criminals somehow follow gun laws and that with just a few more laws , our land will be peaceful and everyone will get along .
Of course , that ’ s a load of male bovine excrement .
We all know that criminals get guns in a myriad of ways .
Most come from some kind of illegal activity such as a straw purchase , theft , or being bought on the black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ illustrated by a raid in Alabama .
Now , the media always like to make it sound like the person has an arsenal , but 45 guns ain ’ t anything to sneeze out .
While I ’ m sure we all know people with more guns–possibly including ourselves–that ’ s still not a small collection .
But , in and of itself , having a lot of guns doesn ’ t many anything other than you probably like guns .
Where the problem lies is in where some of these guns came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than one gun .
In fact , they found 45 along with a stash of ammo .
“ Those were pistols , long guns , shot guns , rifles , that kind of thing .
Also recovered quite a bit of ammunition and a significant bullet proof vest that was actually issued by the U.S. Navy Special Forces , ” he said .
Chief Norris says some of the guns came back stolen .
They are still processing the others .
He said this operation is just one of many planned to continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wasn ’ t some random raid , either .
Police received a tip that the shooter in a recent attack lived at that address .
While it remains to be seen if the person there was the shooter or not , at least some of those weapons were stolen , which is going to cause at least some problems for the person in question .
Yet here ’ s the thing .
This is someone who had at least some stolen guns .
Some of the others may well have been stolen but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guns or lack the serial number for the guns to turn up as stolen if recovered–but others may have been obtained through any number of other means .
And yet , you ’ re going to tell me that somehow , gun control will make this all go away ?
Seriously ?
Only the truly deluded could actually hold to that insane line of “ reasoning.
” The truth is that gun control has never stopped criminals .
At best , it ’ s only slowed them down .
What it does , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of law-abiding citizens who would like to follow the law , but are now inhibited from exercising their Second Amendment rights over this kind of stupidity .
It ’ s enough to drive a man to drink , but gun control damn sure won ’ t stop criminals from doing anything .

“Gun laws work.”
How many times have we heard that kind of nonsense? Over and over again, anti-gunners routinely argue that gun laws work. They believe that criminals somehow follow gun laws and that with just a few more laws, our land will be peaceful and everyone will get along.
Of course, that’s a load of male bovine excrement.
We all know that criminals get guns in a myriad of ways. Most come from some kind of illegal activity such as a straw purchase, theft, or being bought on the black market.
Much of this can be illustrated by a raid in Alabama.
Citronelle Police Chief Tyler Norris said 45 guns were seized in a raid at a home around 3:30 Wednesday morning. Chief Norris said this was a part of “Operation Safer-in-Citro,” trying to get weapons off the street.
Now, the media always like to make it sound like the person has an arsenal, but 45 guns ain’t anything to sneeze out. While I’m sure we all know people with more guns–possibly including ourselves–that’s still not a small collection.
But, in and of itself, having a lot of guns doesn’t many anything other than you probably like guns.
Where the problem lies is in where some of these guns came from.
Inside, police found more than one gun. In fact, they found 45 along with a stash of ammo. “Those were pistols, long guns, shot guns, rifles, that kind of thing. Also recovered quite a bit of ammunition and a significant bullet proof vest that was actually issued by the U.S. Navy Special Forces,” he said. Chief Norris says some of the guns came back stolen. They are still processing the others. He said this operation is just one of many planned to continue to clean up the streets.
This wasn’t some random raid, either. Police received a tip that the shooter in a recent attack lived at that address. While it remains to be seen if the person there was the shooter or not, at least some of those weapons were stolen, which is going to cause at least some problems for the person in question.
Yet here’s the thing. This is someone who had at least some stolen guns. Some of the others may well have been stolen but not reported–many don’t report stolen guns or lack the serial number for the guns to turn up as stolen if recovered–but others may have been obtained through any number of other means.
And yet, you’re going to tell me that somehow, gun control will make this all go away? Seriously?
Only the truly deluded could actually hold to that insane line of “reasoning.” The truth is that gun control has never stopped criminals. At best, it’s only slowed them down. What it does, though, is get in the way of law-abiding citizens who would like to follow the law, but are now inhibited from exercising their Second Amendment rights over this kind of stupidity.
It’s enough to drive a man to drink, but gun control damn sure won’t stop criminals from doing anything.


bearingarms--2020-07-16--Armed Citizen Kills Man Who Opened Fire On Cemetery Workers

Police in Brownsburg , Indiana say an armed citizen saved the life of a man who had been targeted in an “ unprovoked attack ” at a local cemetery on Tuesday afternoon , though not before the suspect took the life of one cemetery worker .
Authorities still don ’ t know what might have motivated 22-year old Joshua Hayes to attack the pair of workers , but they credit the armed citizen with putting a stop to the shootings that spilled out into a residential neighborhood not far from the downtown area of the city .
WISH-TV in Indianapolis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before leaving his car and approaching the two men on foot before he started shooting .
“ This led to a foot chase where [ Seth ] Robertson and Victim 2 separated to seek safety and cover from Hayes ’ gun fire ( sic ) , ” the news release said .
“ Hayes continued his pursuit of Robertson , while firing upon him , until he caught up with him in the intersection of 56th St. and N. Grant St , where he ultimately shot and killed Robertson.
” The release said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a residential neighborhood and back onto 56th Street , where a physical altercation ensued and shots continued to be fired .
Eventually , the chase led to an intersection where a passing motorist , identified only as Victim 3 , was stopped at a traffic light .
As Hayes continued firing at Victim 2 , one of the rounds struck the driver .
“ Victim 3 was armed with a firearm that they are legally licensed to carry and intervened on the behalf of Victim 2 and numerous other civilians in the immediate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 and/or stopped in traffic , ” the news release said .
“ Victim 3 fired his firearm at Hayes as Hayes was pointing his firearm at Victim 2 ’ s head .
Hayes died on the scene.
” It sounds like the armed citizen definitely saved at least one life , and possibly several others as well .
Thankfully , the injury he received at the hands of Hayes wasn ’ t life threatening , and it looks like both he and Victim 2 will recover from their injuries .
Police say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ known connection between Hayes and the men he targeted , and the motive for his attack remains unclear .
What ’ s obvious is that if Hayes hadn ’ t encountered the armed citizen , the carnage in Brownsburg could have been much , much worse .
I ’ m sure when Victim 3 left his house Tuesday morning , he wasn ’ t anticipating having to pull his gun and defend his life and the lives of total strangers at a traffic light , but thankfully he was prepared to do so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and not need it than to need one and not have it .
I wouldn ’ t be surprised if the number of gun owners in Brownsburg increases exponentially as the news of the bravery and heroism of the unnamed armed citizen spreads through the community .
Hopefully at some point we ’ ll learn a little more about the man who defended himself and others with the help of his firearm , as well as what could have motivated the suspect to randomly target strangers for murder .

Police in Brownsburg, Indiana say an armed citizen saved the life of a man who had been targeted in an “unprovoked attack” at a local cemetery on Tuesday afternoon, though not before the suspect took the life of one cemetery worker. Authorities still don’t know what might have motivated 22-year old Joshua Hayes to attack the pair of workers, but they credit the armed citizen with putting a stop to the shootings that spilled out into a residential neighborhood not far from the downtown area of the city.
WISH-TV in Indianapolis reports that Hayes drove to the cemetery before leaving his car and approaching the two men on foot before he started shooting.
“This led to a foot chase where [Seth] Robertson and Victim 2 separated to seek safety and cover from Hayes’ gun fire (sic),” the news release said. “Hayes continued his pursuit of Robertson, while firing upon him, until he caught up with him in the intersection of 56th St. and N. Grant St, where he ultimately shot and killed Robertson.” The release said Hayes then began chasing Victim 2 through a residential neighborhood and back onto 56th Street, where a physical altercation ensued and shots continued to be fired.
Eventually, the chase led to an intersection where a passing motorist, identified only as Victim 3, was stopped at a traffic light. As Hayes continued firing at Victim 2, one of the rounds struck the driver.
“Victim 3 was armed with a firearm that they are legally licensed to carry and intervened on the behalf of Victim 2 and numerous other civilians in the immediate area that were rendering aid to Victim 1 and/or stopped in traffic,” the news release said. “Victim 3 fired his firearm at Hayes as Hayes was pointing his firearm at Victim 2’s head. Hayes died on the scene.”
It sounds like the armed citizen definitely saved at least one life, and possibly several others as well. Thankfully, the injury he received at the hands of Hayes wasn’t life threatening, and it looks like both he and Victim 2 will recover from their injuries.
Police say at this point there’s no known connection between Hayes and the men he targeted, and the motive for his attack remains unclear. What’s obvious is that if Hayes hadn’t encountered the armed citizen, the carnage in Brownsburg could have been much, much worse.
I’m sure when Victim 3 left his house Tuesday morning, he wasn’t anticipating having to pull his gun and defend his life and the lives of total strangers at a traffic light, but thankfully he was prepared to do so. Far better to have a gun and not need it than to need one and not have it. I wouldn’t be surprised if the number of gun owners in Brownsburg increases exponentially as the news of the bravery and heroism of the unnamed armed citizen spreads through the community. Hopefully at some point we’ll learn a little more about the man who defended himself and others with the help of his firearm, as well as what could have motivated the suspect to randomly target strangers for murder.


bearingarms--2020-07-16--"Black Guns Matter" Getting Mainstream Media Attention

All around the nation , some are still bound and determined to try and claim that gun rights are racist .
They routinely try to paint gun owners as violent bigots , misogynists , and homophobes just looking for an opportunity to shoot anyone who isn ’ t exactly like us .
We can argue until we ’ re blue in the fact that such a characterization isn ’ t remotely accurate , but until and unless the media starts showing that , no one is going to believe it .
After all , people feel this way because that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ light .
Which is why I was glad to see this piece at Business Insider .
Grief and rage swept the country after the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis , Minnesota , in late May .
His death renewed debate about racialized police violence and the disproportionate killing of Black Americans , who are up to four times likelier than white Americans to be killed by police .
That debate has typically centered on policing itself .
But Maj Toure , the founder of Black Guns Matter , has taken another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take up arms for self-defense .
While many argue that the way to prevent violence is to have fewer guns , he says the opposite .
“ I believe that more Black people would be alive if they were armed , ” Toure told Business Insider Weekly .
“ So when I hear ‘ unarmed Black man , ’ I ’ m sad , ” he added , “ because there should be no such thing.
” Look , I love Maj.
I ’ ve never met the guy and only talked to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media , but I genuinely like his approach to the Second Amendment .
He ’ s not a Republican yes-man but he ’ s more critical of the anti-gun Democratic Party from what I ’ ve seen .
Yet he ’ ll call anyone on their BS , which I just have to respect .
Additionally , I have to agree completely that there would be a whole lot fewer innocent black men being killed if they were armed .
Oh , don ’ t get me wrong , I don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with law enforcement–not unless they were in a position to shoot back when they were unlawfully fired upon–but I do think we ’ d start seeing fewer innocent black men and women being killed , particularly in the crossfire between criminals .
We ’ d also likely see fewer dead black children as well and for the same reason .
More importantly , though , it ’ s good to see Black Guns Matter getting some attention from the non-gun media .
It ’ s long overdue .
If Toure and his group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we may see is Democrats start to back off on their constant anti-gun rhetoric .
After all , they don ’ t want to alienate an important demographic and push them toward the GOP .
Especially since many in the African-American community already share many Republican values as it is , but vote Democrat out of a sense of tradition or something .
Let ’ s be clear here .
Black guns really do matter , same as anyone else ’ s guns .

All around the nation, some are still bound and determined to try and claim that gun rights are racist. They routinely try to paint gun owners as violent bigots, misogynists, and homophobes just looking for an opportunity to shoot anyone who isn’t exactly like us.
We can argue until we’re blue in the fact that such a characterization isn’t remotely accurate, but until and unless the media starts showing that, no one is going to believe it. After all, people feel this way because that same media painted us in such a light.
Which is why I was glad to see this piece at Business Insider.
Grief and rage swept the country after the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in late May. His death renewed debate about racialized police violence and the disproportionate killing of Black Americans, who are up to four times likelier than white Americans to be killed by police. That debate has typically centered on policing itself. But Maj Toure, the founder of Black Guns Matter, has taken another tack: Advocating for Black Americans to take up arms for self-defense. While many argue that the way to prevent violence is to have fewer guns, he says the opposite. “I believe that more Black people would be alive if they were armed,” Toure told Business Insider Weekly. “So when I hear ‘unarmed Black man,’ I’m sad,” he added, “because there should be no such thing.”
I can’t disagree with Toure.
Look, I love Maj. I’ve never met the guy and only talked to him a time or two on social media, but I genuinely like his approach to the Second Amendment. He’s not a Republican yes-man but he’s more critical of the anti-gun Democratic Party from what I’ve seen. Yet he’ll call anyone on their BS, which I just have to respect.
Additionally, I have to agree completely that there would be a whole lot fewer innocent black men being killed if they were armed.
Oh, don’t get me wrong, I don’t think that would necessarily help with issues with law enforcement–not unless they were in a position to shoot back when they were unlawfully fired upon–but I do think we’d start seeing fewer innocent black men and women being killed, particularly in the crossfire between criminals. We’d also likely see fewer dead black children as well and for the same reason.
More importantly, though, it’s good to see Black Guns Matter getting some attention from the non-gun media. It’s long overdue.
If Toure and his group can sway the black community, what we may see is Democrats start to back off on their constant anti-gun rhetoric. After all, they don’t want to alienate an important demographic and push them toward the GOP. Especially since many in the African-American community already share many Republican values as it is, but vote Democrat out of a sense of tradition or something.
Let’s be clear here. Black guns really do matter, same as anyone else’s guns.