bearingarms--2020-03-31--Inmate Released Due To COVID-19 Fears Arrested For Murder

All over the nation , a lot of criminals have been released from prison .
Overcrowding is an issue in many jails and prisons at the best of times , but when you have a particularly nasty bug flying around , overcrowding can be an even bigger problem .
As a result , many facilities opened their doors and sent a lot of convicted criminals back out on the streets .
In theory , one would think they ’ d be selective about who would be released .
After all , someone in for embezzling is usually not someone who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of armed robberies .
Of course , it only takes one mistake to make it clear that on some level , this was a bad idea .
Jacob Burnett was released in Louisville , KY , two days into his two-year sentence for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon .
Four days after being released , he admitted to stabbing and killing a 60-year-old man in a subdivision just east of the city , according to local media .
Another Louisville inmate , Kenneth Walker , was released to “ home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of shooting local officer John Mattingly on March 13th .
Corrections FOP Spokesperson Tracy Dotson told the media that his lodge has denounced Walker ’ s release .
In New Jersey , Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden told Fox News that a recently released inmate has already been arrested for shoplifting and theft , according to Tap Into Middletown .
“ This is an exploitation of a policy that certainly was pushed with an agenda , ” Golden said .
“ None of the other jails were consulted before this went to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one case we had a release on Tuesday , he was arrested for shoplifting and theft on Wednesday – so this is what ’ s happening here .
It ’ s certainly a drain on our public safety resources.
” Oh , I have no doubt it ’ s a drain on public safety resources .
Honestly , there doesn ’ t seem to have been any rhyme or reason to who got released and who didn ’ t .
You ’ d think someone accused of shooting a police officer wouldn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ release .
I mean , if he made bond or whatever , that ’ s one thing , but that doesn ’ t sound like the case here .
Now , shoplifting and theft are hardly the worst crime someone can commit while out from jail on something like this , but they ’ re still crimes and there are still problems .
If people aren ’ t being punished for their illegal activities , then what disincentive is there ?
They ’ ll figure they can get away with it and continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to claim that increased gun sales were the result of NRA fearmongering , the truth is that crap like this likely played more of a factor than anything the NRA said or did .
People who saw this on the news knew damn good and well that these weren ’ t reformed individuals who would be total Boy Scouts on the outside .
No , they knew they were hardened criminals who would likely continue their criminal ways .
So , they bought guns to protect them and theirs .
Based on some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a very wise move .

All over the nation, a lot of criminals have been released from prison. Overcrowding is an issue in many jails and prisons at the best of times, but when you have a particularly nasty bug flying around, overcrowding can be an even bigger problem. As a result, many facilities opened their doors and sent a lot of convicted criminals back out on the streets.
In theory, one would think they’d be selective about who would be released. After all, someone in for embezzling is usually not someone who is going to go on a string of armed robberies.
Of course, it only takes one mistake to make it clear that on some level, this was a bad idea.
Jacob Burnett was released in Louisville, KY, two days into his two-year sentence for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Four days after being released, he admitted to stabbing and killing a 60-year-old man in a subdivision just east of the city, according to local media. Another Louisville inmate, Kenneth Walker, was released to “home incarceration” even though he was accused of shooting local officer John Mattingly on March 13th. Corrections FOP Spokesperson Tracy Dotson told the media that his lodge has denounced Walker’s release. In New Jersey, Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden told Fox News that a recently released inmate has already been arrested for shoplifting and theft, according to Tap Into Middletown. “This is an exploitation of a policy that certainly was pushed with an agenda,” Golden said. “None of the other jails were consulted before this went to the ‘show cause’ order. In one case we had a release on Tuesday, he was arrested for shoplifting and theft on Wednesday – so this is what’s happening here. It’s certainly a drain on our public safety resources.”
Oh, I have no doubt it’s a drain on public safety resources.
Honestly, there doesn’t seem to have been any rhyme or reason to who got released and who didn’t. You’d think someone accused of shooting a police officer wouldn’t exactly make the shortlist for early release. I mean, if he made bond or whatever, that’s one thing, but that doesn’t sound like the case here.
Now, shoplifting and theft are hardly the worst crime someone can commit while out from jail on something like this, but they’re still crimes and there are still problems. If people aren’t being punished for their illegal activities, then what disincentive is there? They’ll figure they can get away with it and continue stealing and stabbing.
While anti-gunners continue to claim that increased gun sales were the result of NRA fearmongering, the truth is that crap like this likely played more of a factor than anything the NRA said or did. People who saw this on the news knew damn good and well that these weren’t reformed individuals who would be total Boy Scouts on the outside. No, they knew they were hardened criminals who would likely continue their criminal ways.
So, they bought guns to protect them and theirs.
Based on some of these stories, that was probably a very wise move.


bearingarms--2020-03-31--Elderly Woman Reportedly Killed Over "Social Distancing"

While out and about during this COVID-19 thing , one of the key methods for avoiding exposure is called “ social distancing.
” Social distancing is basically standing six feet apart from everyone else .
Social distancing isn ’ t mandated by law or anything , but it ’ s now become a temporary social norm , the kind of thing you do in polite society .
It likely won ’ t survive after the threat of this novel coronavirus is over , but it ’ s here now .
It ’ s definitely not something to assault someone over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happened in a Brooklyn hospital .
As we see climbing numbers of coronavirus deaths , there are , of course , Americans passing away from many other maladies .
And in Brooklyn , one lady has allegedly died due to fear of the virus — combined with idiocy and evil .
As reported by the New York Post , Janie Marshall was seeking medical treatment for blocked bowels Saturday .
According to sources , while Mrs. Marshall sat in the Woodhull Medical Center ’ s emergency room around 2 p.m. , a 32-year-old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearby bed , walked over to the elderly woman , and “ smacked ” her in the face .
The reason ?
As per the Post , the violent nut didn ’ t believe she was practicing sufficient social distancing : Her attacker allegedly told a Health and Hospitals Corp. police officer that she did it because Marshall “ didn ’ t stay more than 6 feet away.
” The blow knocked Mrs. Marshall to the ground .
That ’ s when Mrs. Marshall ’ s head smacked against the hard floor , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scheduled for a CT exam , but hours later she hadn ’ t gotten the test and was found slumped over .
She ’ d apparently died from her injury .
Now , after having to make a store run yesterday , I joked on Facebook about when is it acceptable to throw canned goods a people who wouldn ’ t back up .
Yet it was just that , a joke .
That said , this was a psychiatric patient there for treatment and not necessarily a normally rational human being .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and allowed to go on her way .
That meant she wasn ’ t in the hospital when Mrs. Marshall died .
The patient has reportedly been arrested 17 times for a variety of charges including drugs , trespassing , assault , and even strangulation .
In other words , this doesn ’ t sound like a sane individual .
Regardless , this is still a horrible case and a reminder of just how easy it is to take a human life over something petty .
While social distancing is beneficial , there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t observing social distancing .
It sounds like her attacker was just looking for a reason to lash out .
If it hadn ’ t been Marshall and social distancing , it may well have been someone else over something just as stupid , if not more so .
It ’ s a good reminder that carrying a firearm as well as having the skills to deal with things without that firearm is a good way to go through life .
Who knows when someone like this might decide that you ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effort to control their thoughts or something .

While out and about during this COVID-19 thing, one of the key methods for avoiding exposure is called “social distancing.” Social distancing is basically standing six feet apart from everyone else.
Social distancing isn’t mandated by law or anything, but it’s now become a temporary social norm, the kind of thing you do in polite society. It likely won’t survive after the threat of this novel coronavirus is over, but it’s here now.
It’s definitely not something to assault someone over, yet that’s apparently what happened in a Brooklyn hospital.
As we see climbing numbers of coronavirus deaths, there are, of course, Americans passing away from many other maladies. And in Brooklyn, one lady has allegedly died due to fear of the virus — combined with idiocy and evil. As reported by the New York Post, Janie Marshall was seeking medical treatment for blocked bowels Saturday. According to sources, while Mrs. Marshall sat in the Woodhull Medical Center’s emergency room around 2 p.m., a 32-year-old awaiting psychiatric treatment got out of her nearby bed, walked over to the elderly woman, and “smacked” her in the face. The reason? As per the Post, the violent nut didn’t believe she was practicing sufficient social distancing: Her attacker allegedly told a Health and Hospitals Corp. police officer that she did it because Marshall “didn’t stay more than 6 feet away.” The blow knocked Mrs. Marshall to the ground.
That’s when Mrs. Marshall’s head smacked against the hard floor, cracking her skull. She was then scheduled for a CT exam, but hours later she hadn’t gotten the test and was found slumped over. She’d apparently died from her injury.
Now, after having to make a store run yesterday, I joked on Facebook about when is it acceptable to throw canned goods a people who wouldn’t back up. Yet it was just that, a joke.
That said, this was a psychiatric patient there for treatment and not necessarily a normally rational human being. Police issued her a disorderly conduct summons and allowed to go on her way.
That meant she wasn’t in the hospital when Mrs. Marshall died.
The patient has reportedly been arrested 17 times for a variety of charges including drugs, trespassing, assault, and even strangulation. In other words, this doesn’t sound like a sane individual.
Regardless, this is still a horrible case and a reminder of just how easy it is to take a human life over something petty. While social distancing is beneficial, there’s no evidence Mrs. Marshall wasn’t observing social distancing. It sounds like her attacker was just looking for a reason to lash out. If it hadn’t been Marshall and social distancing, it may well have been someone else over something just as stupid, if not more so.
It’s a good reminder that carrying a firearm as well as having the skills to deal with things without that firearm is a good way to go through life. Who knows when someone like this might decide that you’re secretly broadcasting radio waves in an effort to control their thoughts or something.


bearingarms--2020-03-31--Australian State Bans Gun Sales For Civilians During Pandemic

Gun stores in the Australian state of Victoria are off-limits to most customers , after the police minister said she was concerned by the growing number of residents seeking to purchase firearms during the coronavirus crisis .
Lisa Neville made it clear that the new restrictions apply to basically everyone but law enforcement and security guards , which has prompted a furious blowback from gun owners in the region .
Shooters , Farmers and Fishers Party Victorian MP Jeff Bourman pointed out that gun licences were predicated on applicants having safe storage and described the move as “ unmitigated bulls*** @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of admitting it ’ s just another shafting of the most law abiding segment of society because it ’ s easy , ” he said on Twitter .
Keep in mind , in Australia there is no right to own a firearm , and self-defense isn ’ t considered a legitimate reason to acquire one .
Sport shooting and hunting are the primary reasons given for Aussies to purchase guns , but clearly the rise in people seeking to own firearms ( the police minister said requests have doubled in the past week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safety , not a newfound desire to go plinking .
The Victorian government is clearly uninterested in promoting the idea of armed self-defense , and so they ’ ll simply cut off access to firearms for those who don ’ t already own them .
The anti-gun agenda on display isn ’ t all that different from what we ’ re seeing in some jurisdictions here in the United States , though thankfully this week we ’ ve seen New Jersey Gov .
Phil Murphy and Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva rescind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department of Homeland Security released new guidance over the weekend declaring that the firearms industry is considered an essential part of the workforce .
We won ’ t see any similar guidance in Australia , though the Shooters Fishers and Farmers Party says they ’ re working to make sure that firearm retailers are considered essential businesses in the state of New South Wales .
Certain people rely on the use of firearms in their everyday activities , like primary producers and rural landholders that need to conduct feral pest control , euthanise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We would like these people to be able to continue their very important work , which often requires visits to their local firearms dealers for maintenance and ammunition , ” said Robert Borsak .
The SFF believe that firearms dealers should be classified as an essential retail service and be exempted from future COVID-19 related closure .
“ Our Party , and the broader community , accept the gradual tightening of restrictions being imposed by Federal and State Governments , and the enforcement thereof , to control the spread of COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could and will implement stringent measures to comply with other restrictions at their place of business , ” said Phil Donato , SFF Member for Orange .
I feel for gun owners in Australia .
They ’ re fighting the same fights that we are here in the United States , but they ’ re doing so without the protection of the Second Amendment .
With no right to keep and bear arms enshrined in the country ’ s laws , the government can dictate the most draconian of measures regarding the possession @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s not much that gun owners can do about it .
It ’ s yet another reminder of how important it is to fight to strengthen and secure our Second Amendment rights , and what ’ s in store for us if we don ’ t .

Gun stores in the Australian state of Victoria are off-limits to most customers, after the police minister said she was concerned by the growing number of residents seeking to purchase firearms during the coronavirus crisis.
Lisa Neville made it clear that the new restrictions apply to basically everyone but law enforcement and security guards, which has prompted a furious blowback from gun owners in the region.
Shooters, Farmers and Fishers Party Victorian MP Jeff Bourman pointed out that gun licences were predicated on applicants having safe storage and described the move as “unmitigated bulls***”. “Do us the courtesy of admitting it’s just another shafting of the most law abiding segment of society because it’s easy,” he said on Twitter.
Keep in mind, in Australia there is no right to own a firearm, and self-defense isn’t considered a legitimate reason to acquire one. Sport shooting and hunting are the primary reasons given for Aussies to purchase guns, but clearly the rise in people seeking to own firearms (the police minister said requests have doubled in the past week) is based on concern for personal safety, not a newfound desire to go plinking. The Victorian government is clearly uninterested in promoting the idea of armed self-defense, and so they’ll simply cut off access to firearms for those who don’t already own them.
The anti-gun agenda on display isn’t all that different from what we’re seeing in some jurisdictions here in the United States, though thankfully this week we’ve seen New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva rescind their orders closing gun stores after the Department of Homeland Security released new guidance over the weekend declaring that the firearms industry is considered an essential part of the workforce.
We won’t see any similar guidance in Australia, though the Shooters Fishers and Farmers Party says they’re working to make sure that firearm retailers are considered essential businesses in the state of New South Wales.
Certain people rely on the use of firearms in their everyday activities, like primary producers and rural landholders that need to conduct feral pest control, euthanise stock or slaughter meat for personal consumption. “We would like these people to be able to continue their very important work, which often requires visits to their local firearms dealers for maintenance and ammunition,” said Robert Borsak. The SFF believe that firearms dealers should be classified as an essential retail service and be exempted from future COVID-19 related closure. “Our Party, and the broader community, accept the gradual tightening of restrictions being imposed by Federal and State Governments, and the enforcement thereof, to control the spread of COVID-19. “We know that firearms dealers could and will implement stringent measures to comply with other restrictions at their place of business,” said Phil Donato, SFF Member for Orange.
I feel for gun owners in Australia. They’re fighting the same fights that we are here in the United States, but they’re doing so without the protection of the Second Amendment. With no right to keep and bear arms enshrined in the country’s laws, the government can dictate the most draconian of measures regarding the possession and acquisition of firearms, and there’s not much that gun owners can do about it. It’s yet another reminder of how important it is to fight to strengthen and secure our Second Amendment rights, and what’s in store for us if we don’t.


bearingarms--2020-03-31--LA County Sheriff Backs Off Gun Store Closures (Again)

Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said Monday evening that he ’ s reversing course once again and will no longer try to force gun stores in his jurisdiction to close , after Department of Homeland Security guidance released over the weekend declared that the firearms industry is considered an essential part of the workforce .
According to NBC4 in Los Angeles , Villanueva who was facing a lawsuit filed by the National Rifle Association , Second Amendment Foundation , Firearms Policy Center , and the California Gun Rights Foundation , backed down from his ban after reviewing the new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this is the last time Villanueva will change his mind on the issue of gun stores .
For more than a week , the sheriff has issued a series of confusing and contradicting orders ; one day stating that gun stores could remain open , and then ordering them closed the following day .
Villanueva ordered a shutdown of gun shops last week , saying panic-buying that produced long lines at the shops was worrisome from a public safety standpoint .
Days later , he issued a second order closing them to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s finding that the stores are essential businesses that should remain open .
However , Villanueva ’ s second order said the stores may still supply security guard companies , and anyone who already has purchased a gun and possesses a valid safety certificate can pick up their firearms .
On Friday , four groups , including the National Rifle Association of America , filed a federal lawsuit , contending that the sheriff ’ s actions violate the constitutionally guaranteed right to bear arms .
Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in LA County to close as non-essential businesses under the “ Safer At Home ” directive , he announced Monday evening .
Villanueva has claimed that he ’ s a Second Amendment supporter throughout this entire process , but the fact remains that he would prefer that his constituents not be able to exercise their right to keep and bear arms right now .
In fact , given the incredibly low number of concealed carry licenses issued by Villanueva over the past few years , it ’ s clear that he doesn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right to bear arms at all .
In that sense , it wasn ’ t shocking to see Villanueva attempt to shut down gun stores .
It fit with the type of anti-gun policies we ’ d previously seen from the sheriff , but it was still such an egregious abuse of power that Second Amendment organizations saw fit to file suit .
With Villanueva now backing off his decision , the city of San Jose , Santa Clara County , and Alameda County are the biggest jurisdictions in California that continue to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the DHS guidance will be enough to end any further efforts to keep people from exercising their Second Amendment rights in the current emergency .
Those governments have so far avoided a lawsuit over their decisions , but now that the Los Angeles County sheriff has once again changed his mind , we could see new litigation that challenges the restrictions in the Bay area in the days ahead .

Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said Monday evening that he’s reversing course once again and will no longer try to force gun stores in his jurisdiction to close, after Department of Homeland Security guidance released over the weekend declared that the firearms industry is considered an essential part of the workforce.
According to NBC4 in Los Angeles, Villanueva who was facing a lawsuit filed by the National Rifle Association, Second Amendment Foundation, Firearms Policy Center, and the California Gun Rights Foundation, backed down from his ban after reviewing the new DHS guidance.
Villanueva called the non-binding memo “persuasive” and announced that his department won’t order or recommend closing businesses that sell or repair firearms or sell ammunition in the nation’s most populous county.
Let’s hope this is the last time Villanueva will change his mind on the issue of gun stores. For more than a week, the sheriff has issued a series of confusing and contradicting orders; one day stating that gun stores could remain open, and then ordering them closed the following day.
Villanueva ordered a shutdown of gun shops last week, saying panic-buying that produced long lines at the shops was worrisome from a public safety standpoint. Days later, he issued a second order closing them to the public, despite a county legal counsel’s finding that the stores are essential businesses that should remain open. However, Villanueva’s second order said the stores may still supply security guard companies, and anyone who already has purchased a gun and possesses a valid safety certificate can pick up their firearms. On Friday, four groups, including the National Rifle Association of America, filed a federal lawsuit, contending that the sheriff’s actions violate the constitutionally guaranteed right to bear arms. Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva will no longer order or recommend gun stores in LA County to close as non-essential businesses under the “Safer At Home” directive, he announced Monday evening.
Villanueva has claimed that he’s a Second Amendment supporter throughout this entire process, but the fact remains that he would prefer that his constituents not be able to exercise their right to keep and bear arms right now. In fact, given the incredibly low number of concealed carry licenses issued by Villanueva over the past few years, it’s clear that he doesn’t believe the average American has the right to bear arms at all.
In that sense, it wasn’t shocking to see Villanueva attempt to shut down gun stores. It fit with the type of anti-gun policies we’d previously seen from the sheriff, but it was still such an egregious abuse of power that Second Amendment organizations saw fit to file suit.
With Villanueva now backing off his decision, the city of San Jose, Santa Clara County, and Alameda County are the biggest jurisdictions in California that continue to block gun stores from opening. Hopefully the DHS guidance will be enough to end any further efforts to keep people from exercising their Second Amendment rights in the current emergency. Those governments have so far avoided a lawsuit over their decisions, but now that the Los Angeles County sheriff has once again changed his mind, we could see new litigation that challenges the restrictions in the Bay area in the days ahead.


bearingarms--2020-03-31--Crime Dips Amid COVID-19 Concerns

Crime Dips Amid COVID-19 Concerns

With COVID-19 dominating the news , it ’ s easy to think that absolutely nothing else is going on .
Yet other stuff actually is .
People are still living their lives as best they can amid all this craziness .
That means some folks are probably breaking the law .
Many agencies have said they ’ re not arresting people for lower-level crimes , but they ’ re still making arrests on the big things .
Shootings , armed robberies , and so on are still going to win someone an all-expenses-paid trip to lockup with a special set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yet it seems that they ’ re not doing nearly as much of that stuff as they did in the past .
AS THE COVID-19 CRISIS intensified in the U.S. in mid-March , police departments from Ohio to Utah issued for criminals to take a break while their forces had time to calibrate .
“ Due to local cases of # COVID-19 , PPD is asking all criminal activities and nefarious behavior to cease , ” a police department in Washington state .
“ We appreciate your cooperation in halting crime & thank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days earlier in a , Salt Lake City police told criminals the department would let them know when they could return to their “ normal behavior.
” Fortunately for police , it appears their wishes have been granted – at least for now .
Initial reports suggest overall crime in the U.S. has dipped in the last few weeks following calls from authorities to stay indoors and practice social distancing .
But while that may seem encouraging , experts agree it ’ s premature to make any definitive claims about how the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ While some crimes are likely to decrease , others are likely to rise during the pandemic , they say .
And long- and medium-term trends will largely be affected by how long COVID-19 enfeebles the economy and keeps people inside .
“ While it ’ s too early to tell how this will play out , so far we ’ re seeing a reduction in crime and a reduction in calls for service for law enforcement , ” says Steven R. Casstevens , chief of police for Illinois ’ Buffalo Grove Police Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chiefs of Police .
“ A lot of it is the fact that people are staying home and businesses are shut down .
As a result , the potential targets for many criminals simply aren ’ t available .
Other potential targets–liquor stores , for example–may still be open , but the risk for many criminals is higher .
After all , there aren ’ t a ton of businesses for the police to pay attention to .
It means their response may well be faster .
At least , that ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all the bad news and scary stories are having an impact on the criminal class and they ’ re more terrified of dying from a virus than they are of the police .
If so , let ’ s count this as a win and move forward .
Of course , it could also be fear of the fact that there are now a lot more gun owners than there were just a few weeks ago .
Armed citizen are known to scare the crap out of criminals , so let ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possibility either .
With that , though , it brings up the question of just how long will this continue to be the case .
The easy answer is “ not long enough .
”

With COVID-19 dominating the news, it’s easy to think that absolutely nothing else is going on. Yet other stuff actually is. People are still living their lives as best they can amid all this craziness. That means some folks are probably breaking the law.
Many agencies have said they’re not arresting people for lower-level crimes, but they’re still making arrests on the big things. Shootings, armed robberies, and so on are still going to win someone an all-expenses-paid trip to lockup with a special set of matching bracelets for the trip.
Yet it seems that they’re not doing nearly as much of that stuff as they did in the past.
AS THE COVID-19 CRISIS intensified in the U.S. in mid-March, police departments from Ohio to Utah issued tongue-in-cheek pleas on social media for criminals to take a break while their forces had time to calibrate. “Due to local cases of #COVID-19, PPD is asking all criminal activities and nefarious behavior to cease,” a police department in Washington state tweeted on March 16 . “We appreciate your cooperation in halting crime & thank the criminals in advance.” Just two days earlier in a Facebook post , Salt Lake City police told criminals the department would let them know when they could return to their “normal behavior.” Fortunately for police, it appears their wishes have been granted – at least for now. Initial reports suggest overall crime in the U.S. has dipped in the last few weeks following calls from authorities to stay indoors and practice social distancing. But while that may seem encouraging, experts agree it’s premature to make any definitive claims about how the coronavirus will affect crime trends in America. While some crimes are likely to decrease, others are likely to rise during the pandemic, they say. And long- and medium-term trends will largely be affected by how long COVID-19 enfeebles the economy and keeps people inside. “While it’s too early to tell how this will play out, so far we’re seeing a reduction in crime and a reduction in calls for service for law enforcement,” says Steven R. Casstevens, chief of police for Illinois’ Buffalo Grove Police Department and president of the International Association of Chiefs of Police. “A lot of it is the fact that people are staying home and businesses are shut down.
As a result, the potential targets for many criminals simply aren’t available.
Other potential targets–liquor stores, for example–may still be open, but the risk for many criminals is higher. After all, there aren’t a ton of businesses for the police to pay attention to. It means their response may well be faster.
At least, that’s my guess.
Then again, maybe all the bad news and scary stories are having an impact on the criminal class and they’re more terrified of dying from a virus than they are of the police. If so, let’s count this as a win and move forward.
Of course, it could also be fear of the fact that there are now a lot more gun owners than there were just a few weeks ago. Armed citizen are known to scare the crap out of criminals, so let’s not dismiss this is a very real possibility either.
With that, though, it brings up the question of just how long will this continue to be the case. The easy answer is “not long enough.”


bearingarms--2020-03-31--Ontario Armed Robberies Another Example Of Gun Control's Failures

Canada has a lot of gun control and they ’ ve only been working to add still more of it over the last couple of years .
They simply don ’ t trust their citizenry with firearms and are bound and determined to make it more difficult for anyone to get them .
Unfortunately , laws don ’ t really work like that .
I mean , sure , the good guys will obey the law and end up with fewer firearms , but criminals won ’ t .
By definition , they don ’ t obey laws .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ string of armed robberies in the Ottowa suburbs have authorities looking for help while hoping no one realizes the gun control rules failed .
Police are asking for help identifying a suspect after a man with a gun tried to mug a pedestrian then robbed two convenience stores in quick succession in Kanata and Stittsville on Monday morning .
“ This suspect is considered armed and dangerous , ” the Ottawa Police Service warned .
“ Please do not approach him , call 911 immediately.
” Police said the man approached his first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Drive and March Road at about 10:39 a.m .
He pointed a gun and demanded the pedestrian ’ s wallet .
He then fled on foot when the victim replied he wasn ’ t carrying one , police said .
At about 11:08 a.m. , he walked into a convenience store on March Road near Terry Fox Drive armed with a gun and demanded cash , police reported .
He fled with an unspecified sum .
Less than 40 minutes later , the suspect entered another convenience store and robbed it .
Now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What I mean by that is that these are the kind of crimes committed by people affiliated with international criminal organizations .
This is the act of a street thug .
Yet here he is , walking around Canada with a firearm despite all the stringent gun control laws up that way .
Why , it ’ s almost like gun control doesn ’ t work at all ; like criminals don ’ t obey the laws in the first place .
Shocking , I know , but there it is .
Which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be true .
All those laws did was disarm ordinary , law-abiding Canadians who did nothing wrong and are now being punished because of the criminals who circumvented the law to get a gun in the first place .
The bad guys will continue to get guns regardless of what laws are put in place because guns will always find their way to customers .
The best you can hope for is to make it so difficult that only a few criminals have them .
That ’ s not a very realistic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of guns already in Canada .
Lawmakers up that way , however , will try and use this to justify more and more draconian anti-gun measures , all while failing to recognize that they made it easier for crimes like this to happen .
After all , you ’ d be less likely to see this kind of thing if he had to worry about an armed citizen putting him down permanently over his stupidity .
You know , like we do here all the time .

Canada has a lot of gun control and they’ve only been working to add still more of it over the last couple of years. They simply don’t trust their citizenry with firearms and are bound and determined to make it more difficult for anyone to get them.
Unfortunately, laws don’t really work like that. I mean, sure, the good guys will obey the law and end up with fewer firearms, but criminals won’t. By definition, they don’t obey laws. That includes gun laws.
Yet a recent string of armed robberies in the Ottowa suburbs have authorities looking for help while hoping no one realizes the gun control rules failed.
Police are asking for help identifying a suspect after a man with a gun tried to mug a pedestrian then robbed two convenience stores in quick succession in Kanata and Stittsville on Monday morning. “This suspect is considered armed and dangerous,” the Ottawa Police Service warned. “Please do not approach him, call 911 immediately.” Police said the man approached his first victim on Bishops Mills Way near Campeau Drive and March Road at about 10:39 a.m. He pointed a gun and demanded the pedestrian’s wallet. He then fled on foot when the victim replied he wasn’t carrying one, police said. At about 11:08 a.m., he walked into a convenience store on March Road near Terry Fox Drive armed with a gun and demanded cash, police reported. He fled with an unspecified sum.
Less than 40 minutes later, the suspect entered another convenience store and robbed it.
Now, these are relatively low-level crimes. What I mean by that is that these are the kind of crimes committed by people affiliated with international criminal organizations. This is the act of a street thug.
Yet here he is, walking around Canada with a firearm despite all the stringent gun control laws up that way. Why, it’s almost like gun control doesn’t work at all; like criminals don’t obey the laws in the first place. Shocking, I know, but there it is.
Which, of course, we all know to be true. All those laws did was disarm ordinary, law-abiding Canadians who did nothing wrong and are now being punished because of the criminals who circumvented the law to get a gun in the first place. The bad guys will continue to get guns regardless of what laws are put in place because guns will always find their way to customers. The best you can hope for is to make it so difficult that only a few criminals have them.
That’s not a very realistic goal, though. Not with the number of guns already in Canada.
Lawmakers up that way, however, will try and use this to justify more and more draconian anti-gun measures, all while failing to recognize that they made it easier for crimes like this to happen. After all, you’d be less likely to see this kind of thing if he had to worry about an armed citizen putting him down permanently over his stupidity.
You know, like we do here all the time.


bearingarms--2020-04-01--Calling Gun Grabbers "Human Rights" Activists Is Blatant Lie

As we battle COVID-19 , we ’ re also having to battle for our Second Amendment rights at a time when no one should be required to worry about it .
While many people are clamoring for guns right about now , anti-gunners are trying to shut down the only avenue for firearms for millions of people .
They want to see all the gun stores closed , effectively banning large segments of the population from having guns .
Perhaps more insidious than this , though , is how some in the media try to reframe these people are “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ’ s not a blatant lie , I don ’ t know what is .
Of course , this is at Common Dreams , which describes itself as a progressive media outlet , but it also claims : Looks like they blew that part .
I say that because calling gun control advocates “ human rights defenders ” is nothing more than a blatant lie designed to reframe their efforts to curtail an essential human right and pretend they ’ re actually defending something .
Of course , anti-gunners will counter by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ live free from harm .
I won ’ t actually argue this .
Sure , there are semantical arguments to be made , but the general point is valid .
No one is disputing that .
However , criminals violate the rights of others on a regular basis , even without firearms .
They don ’ t need guns to infringe on people ’ s right to live .
Knives , blunt objects , and “ personal weapons ” such as hands and feet all account for a sizeable portion of the weapons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Guns aren ’ t a requirement .
Yet if you ’ re a 120 lbs woman , please tell me how you ’ re supposed to use those “ personal weapons ” to defend yourself against a 250 lbs attacker ?
I mean , if you ’ re a UFC-level mixed martial artist , you just might be able to , but most folks aren ’ t at that level .
That ’ s where guns come in .
You see , the right to defend yourself from harm is an actual human @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right to access the tools needed to defend themselves .
That means guns .
( Let ’ s also not forget the right to keep and bear arms , a human right explicitly protected by the Constitution . )
While Common Dreams may want to argue that gun grabbers are defending human rights , the truth is they ’ re doing the exact opposite .
They ’ re working to deny people their means to defend themselves and , by extension , the right to defend themselves altogether .
In other words , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but instead , seek to eliminate a basic human right .
And they ’ re doing it at a time when more and more people are suddenly recognizing how important a firearm is for protecting themselves and their families .
What ’ s worse is that on some level , they know they ’ re not defending any human right .
They know that “ gun rights ” are actual rights and that they ’ re pushing for gun control .
They know it , yet still present the allies like this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not getting away with that kind of a lie .

As we battle COVID-19, we’re also having to battle for our Second Amendment rights at a time when no one should be required to worry about it. While many people are clamoring for guns right about now, anti-gunners are trying to shut down the only avenue for firearms for millions of people. They want to see all the gun stores closed, effectively banning large segments of the population from having guns.
Perhaps more insidious than this, though, is how some in the media try to reframe these people are “human rights advocates.”
Human rights defenders on Tuesday demanded that the Trump administration reverse its decision to designate gun stores as “essential businesses” during the coronavirus pandemic and warned that increased gun violence during the national public health crisis will only add to the strain on overwhelmed health systems.
Well, if that’s not a blatant lie, I don’t know what is.
Of course, this is at Common Dreams, which describes itself as a progressive media outlet, but it also claims:
Common Dreams works diligently to uncover and publish honest, independent news and information that you can rely on. Every day.
Looks like they blew that part.
I say that because calling gun control advocates “human rights defenders” is nothing more than a blatant lie designed to reframe their efforts to curtail an essential human right and pretend they’re actually defending something.
Of course, anti-gunners will counter by claiming that people have a right to live free from harm. I won’t actually argue this. Sure, there are semantical arguments to be made, but the general point is valid. No one is disputing that.
However, criminals violate the rights of others on a regular basis, even without firearms. They don’t need guns to infringe on people’s right to live. Knives, blunt objects, and “personal weapons” such as hands and feet all account for a sizeable portion of the weapons used to kill people each year. Guns aren’t a requirement.
Yet if you’re a 120 lbs woman, please tell me how you’re supposed to use those “personal weapons” to defend yourself against a 250 lbs attacker? I mean, if you’re a UFC-level mixed martial artist, you just might be able to, but most folks aren’t at that level.
That’s where guns come in.
You see, the right to defend yourself from harm is an actual human right. That means people have a right to access the tools needed to defend themselves. That means guns. (Let’s also not forget the right to keep and bear arms, a human right explicitly protected by the Constitution.)
While Common Dreams may want to argue that gun grabbers are defending human rights, the truth is they’re doing the exact opposite. They’re working to deny people their means to defend themselves and, by extension, the right to defend themselves altogether. In other words, they’re not human rights defenders, but instead, seek to eliminate a basic human right.
And they’re doing it at a time when more and more people are suddenly recognizing how important a firearm is for protecting themselves and their families.
What’s worse is that on some level, they know they’re not defending any human right. They know that “gun rights” are actual rights and that they’re pushing for gun control. They know it, yet still present the allies like this.
Sorry, but they’re not getting away with that kind of a lie.


bearingarms--2020-04-01--Debunking Social Media Post On Negligent Discharges

There ’ s an awful lot of stupid that flows around on social media .
It ’ s really not that hard to imagine why , either .
After all , you have a fairly representative population of society as a whole on there , but with the ability to magnify each other ’ s opinions to the point that the truly brilliant and the truly dumb are able to be spotlighted like never before in human history .
Most of the time , the dumb is pretty well self-contained , but there are moments when it ’ s not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only ones impacted by the stupidity directly are the stupid people themselves .
They might inspire other stupid people , sure , but they tend to shoot themselves or have someone else shoot them so even many of the dumb people see it and think , “ No , that ’ s a bad idea.
” Yet there ’ s a post floating around social media that is generally mocked , but some might actually take seriously , so I thought I ’ d address it .
Protip : if you own a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ negligent discharge ) at least once , you aren ’ t handling it enough .
NDs are a natural part of handling weapons , just like tweaking your back is part of weightlifting and car accidents are part of driving .
I ND several times a year because I actually HANDLE and know how to USE my weapons .
It makes me a better firearms handler and marksman , and it ’ s a small part of the price you pay in the sheepdog lifestyle Simple fact is , the “ safety mentality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ head that will get you killed .
You need to be comfortable putting your finger on the trigger and pointing the gun wherever you want no matter the time , place , or status of the weapon .
Taking time to check whether the gun is loaded whenever you pick one up will serve to make you hesitate in a personal defense scenario .
You safety idiots are going to get people killed all because of this “ ND ” shaming .
Guns are inherently dangerous , you need to accept it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ believe this is a parody .
I really would .
Unfortunately , in this day and age , there are people who would see this and accept it .
Especially as it touches on just enough reality that it can easily confuse the uninitiated .
And with so many new gun owners running around , now is probably not the best time to confuse them .
So , with those people in mind , allow me to address this point by point .
Actual pros think you ’ re a freaking idiot .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ re not some market that you should pride yourself on .
They ’ re not a sign that you ’ re handling your firearm enough .
They ’ re a sign that you ’ re unsafe and that it ’ s only a matter of time before you kill someone .
Negligent discharges are a fairly common occurrence , enough that some might consider them “ natural.
” And yes , going back to the whole “ protip ” thing , many professionals have negligent discharges .
However , what happens is that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complacent .
That complacency leads to a negligent discharge .
It ’ s not a good thing .
Of course , the fact that they also think tweaking your back is a natural part of lifting weights and car accidents are a natural part of driving is one reason I think this was meant as satire .
Thank you for confirming you ’ re a complete and total idiot .
For the record , I actually handle and know how to use my weapons too .
I don ’ t have negligent discharges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because I ’ m careful .
I ’ d prefer not to put extra holes in my walls .
And this is why so many people are actively sick of the whole “ sheepdog ” thing .
It ’ s not that some people consider themselves sheepdogs , but that so many in the gun community are complete idiots and throw around the term while also being morons .
Case in point .
Further , there ’ s no evidence it would make anyone a better firearms handler and marksman except if a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do .
If you ’ re having several a year , though , you ’ re clearly not getting the lesson .
Really ?
I guess that ’ s why the military and law enforcement just completely ignore safety in their training , right ?
Right ?
See , this is one of those points that touch on just enough truth to trip someone up .
Training improperly can build mental blocks that may cause problems in an actual fight .
Safety , however , is unlikely to be one of them .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ guns at people can make people reluctant to point a gun at a bad guy , but the rule is generally given as “ do not point your weapon at anything you don ’ t intend to destroy.
” That includes bad people looking to do bad things to good people .
In fact , one thing we haven ’ t seen in years of following self-defense shootings and violent crime are people who die because they can ’ t put their finger on the trigger when a person is in their sights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your wife or kids and put the finger on the trigger and be perfectly comfortable .
I dare you .
Only , I don ’ t .
You ’ ll probably get them killed with your “ several ” negligent discharges a year butt .
Honestly , this is beyond stupid .
Now , I ’ m not saying to never to put your finger on the trigger .
Hell , I ’ m a big believer in dry firing as part of my training , which requires a finger on the trigger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make sure my chamber is empty and still point it in as safe a direction as possible should something happen .
Look , there ’ s some validity to being comfortable putting your finger on the trigger at certain times , but there ’ s nothing wrong with being uncomfortable at others .
I ’ d say I feel attacked , but I don ’ t .
Anyone who buys this nonsense is literally too stupid for me to take seriously .
After all , we decades upon decades of data showing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contexts .
Guess what we don ’ t see ?
Like , at all ?
That ’ s because the way most people train doesn ’ t have them checking a chamber every time they draw a weapon with the intent to fire it .
Checking a chamber when you pick up a firearm isn ’ t just a safety thing , either .
It makes tactical sense .
After all , you need to make sure there ’ s a round in the chamber before holstering your weapon for the day , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do it because it could cause a problem in a fight ignores the potential for having an empty weapon .
No , it ’ s not likely , but it ’ s far more likely than you simply forgetting you ’ re in a gunfight and checking the chamber first .
Citation needed .
Especially since we have evidence of people being killed due to negligent discharges , but none for people dying because they were “ too safe ” with a firearm .
Oh , but we do .
That ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exist to help mitigate the risk .
In that way , it ’ s no different than table saws , cranes , or cars .
All are inherently dangerous , so we create rules to mitigate the risk .
Pretending you ’ re doing something stupid by not needlessly putting human lives at risk isn ’ t edgy or clever .
It doesn ’ t mean your tactical Jesus either .
It means you ’ re a moron who probably has their phone set to remind them to breathe occasionally because they ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their own .
Again , this might be a parody , but it ’ s irresponsible parody if it is .
There are some who will see this and think it ’ s legitimate .
Others will see this and use it to justify their unsafe behavior .
The problem is , we can ’ t just allow things like this to go unanswered .
If we do , others will take that silence as approval when no one should approve of this knuckle-dragging stupidity .
Look , if you want to ignore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ please do me a favor .
Make it so the only life you take with your stupidity is your own .
I ’ d rather no one gets hurt , but if you ’ re bound and determined to believe your irresponsible behavior somehow makes you a badass , then let ’ s at least home no one else has to pay for your stupidity .

There’s an awful lot of stupid that flows around on social media. It’s really not that hard to imagine why, either. After all, you have a fairly representative population of society as a whole on there, but with the ability to magnify each other’s opinions to the point that the truly brilliant and the truly dumb are able to be spotlighted like never before in human history.
Most of the time, the dumb is pretty well self-contained, but there are moments when it’s not.
Most of the time, the only ones impacted by the stupidity directly are the stupid people themselves. They might inspire other stupid people, sure, but they tend to shoot themselves or have someone else shoot them so even many of the dumb people see it and think, “No, that’s a bad idea.”
Yet there’s a post floating around social media that is generally mocked, but some might actually take seriously, so I thought I’d address it.
Protip: if you own a gun over a year without NDing (negligent discharge) at least once, you aren’t handling it enough. NDs are a natural part of handling weapons, just like tweaking your back is part of weightlifting and car accidents are part of driving. I ND several times a year because I actually HANDLE and know how to USE my weapons. It makes me a better firearms handler and marksman, and it’s a small part of the price you pay in the sheepdog lifestyle Simple fact is, the “safety mentality” will build mental blocks in your head that will get you killed. You need to be comfortable putting your finger on the trigger and pointing the gun wherever you want no matter the time, place, or status of the weapon. Taking time to check whether the gun is loaded whenever you pick one up will serve to make you hesitate in a personal defense scenario. You safety idiots are going to get people killed all because of this “ND” shaming. Guns are inherently dangerous, you need to accept it.
Now, I’d like to believe this is a parody. I really would.
Unfortunately, in this day and age, there are people who would see this and accept it. Especially as it touches on just enough reality that it can easily confuse the uninitiated.
And with so many new gun owners running around, now is probably not the best time to confuse them.
So, with those people in mind, allow me to address this point by point.
Protip: if you own a gun over a year without NDing (negligent discharge) at least once, you aren’t handling it enough.
Actual pros think you’re a freaking idiot. While negligent discharges happen, they’re not some market that you should pride yourself on. They’re not a sign that you’re handling your firearm enough. They’re a sign that you’re unsafe and that it’s only a matter of time before you kill someone.
NDs are a natural part of handling weapons, just like tweaking your back is part of weightlifting and car accidents are part of driving.
Negligent discharges are a fairly common occurrence, enough that some might consider them “natural.” And yes, going back to the whole “protip” thing, many professionals have negligent discharges.
However, what happens is that because of that familiarity, they become complacent. That complacency leads to a negligent discharge. It’s not a good thing.
Of course, the fact that they also think tweaking your back is a natural part of lifting weights and car accidents are a natural part of driving is one reason I think this was meant as satire.
Moving on, though:
I ND several times a year because I actually HANDLE and know how to USE my weapons.
Thank you for confirming you’re a complete and total idiot.
For the record, I actually handle and know how to use my weapons too. I don’t have negligent discharges several times a year. Again, because I’m careful. I’d prefer not to put extra holes in my walls.
It makes me a better firearms handler and marksman, and it’s a small part of the price you pay in the sheepdog lifestyle.
And this is why so many people are actively sick of the whole “sheepdog” thing. It’s not that some people consider themselves sheepdogs, but that so many in the gun community are complete idiots and throw around the term while also being morons. Case in point.
Further, there’s no evidence it would make anyone a better firearms handler and marksman except if a negligent discharge teaches you what not to do. If you’re having several a year, though, you’re clearly not getting the lesson.
Simple fact is, the “safety mentality” will build mental blocks in your head that will get you killed.
Really? I guess that’s why the military and law enforcement just completely ignore safety in their training, right? Right?
Oh, wait. They don’t.
See, this is one of those points that touch on just enough truth to trip someone up. Training improperly can build mental blocks that may cause problems in an actual fight. Safety, however, is unlikely to be one of them.
Sure, being told not to point guns at people can make people reluctant to point a gun at a bad guy, but the rule is generally given as “do not point your weapon at anything you don’t intend to destroy.” That includes bad people looking to do bad things to good people.
In fact, one thing we haven’t seen in years of following self-defense shootings and violent crime are people who die because they can’t put their finger on the trigger when a person is in their sights.
You need to be comfortable putting your finger on the trigger and pointing the gun wherever you want no matter the time, place, or status of the weapon.
You first. Point it at your wife or kids and put the finger on the trigger and be perfectly comfortable. I dare you.
Only, I don’t. You’ll probably get them killed with your “several” negligent discharges a year butt.
Honestly, this is beyond stupid. Now, I’m not saying to never to put your finger on the trigger. Hell, I’m a big believer in dry firing as part of my training, which requires a finger on the trigger. However, I also religiously check to make sure my chamber is empty and still point it in as safe a direction as possible should something happen.
Look, there’s some validity to being comfortable putting your finger on the trigger at certain times, but there’s nothing wrong with being uncomfortable at others.
Taking time to check whether the gun is loaded whenever you pick one up will serve to make you hesitate in a personal defense scenario.
I’d say I feel attacked, but I don’t. Anyone who buys this nonsense is literally too stupid for me to take seriously.
After all, we decades upon decades of data showing people with firearms in military and civilian contexts. Guess what we don’t see? Like, at all?
That’s because the way most people train doesn’t have them checking a chamber every time they draw a weapon with the intent to fire it.
Checking a chamber when you pick up a firearm isn’t just a safety thing, either. It makes tactical sense. After all, you need to make sure there’s a round in the chamber before holstering your weapon for the day, right? Saying you shouldn’t do it because it could cause a problem in a fight ignores the potential for having an empty weapon.
No, it’s not likely, but it’s far more likely than you simply forgetting you’re in a gunfight and checking the chamber first.
You safety idiots are going to get people killed all because of this “ND” shaming.
Citation needed. Especially since we have evidence of people being killed due to negligent discharges, but none for people dying because they were “too safe” with a firearm.
Guns are inherently dangerous, you need to accept it.
Oh, but we do. That’s why we have safety rules. They exist to help mitigate the risk. In that way, it’s no different than table saws, cranes, or cars. All are inherently dangerous, so we create rules to mitigate the risk.
Pretending you’re doing something stupid by not needlessly putting human lives at risk isn’t edgy or clever. It doesn’t mean your tactical Jesus either. It means you’re a moron who probably has their phone set to remind them to breathe occasionally because they’re too stupid to do it on their own.
Again, this might be a parody, but it’s irresponsible parody if it is. There are some who will see this and think it’s legitimate. Others will see this and use it to justify their unsafe behavior.
The problem is, we can’t just allow things like this to go unanswered. If we do, others will take that silence as approval when no one should approve of this knuckle-dragging stupidity.
Look, if you want to ignore me and follow this advice, then please do me a favor. Make it so the only life you take with your stupidity is your own. I’d rather no one gets hurt, but if you’re bound and determined to believe your irresponsible behavior somehow makes you a badass, then let’s at least home no one else has to pay for your stupidity.


bearingarms--2020-04-01--Gone Too Soon: AR-15.com Founder Edward Avila Passes Away

AR-15.com founder Edward Avila has lost his years-long battle with cancer , according to his brother , who announced the sad news on the website that he created more than 20 years ago .
He fought until the end , sharing his story with the community ( in the Team Forum ) and hopefully inspiring hope in others .
He was ever stoic , honest , and accepting of what life had put before him and he made the most of every moment he was able to cram into his last year .
Even at the end , he did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complain , did not give in .
He went out on his own terms , fighting and stubborn to the last .
I ’ m having to write this early because I know when the time comes , I wont have the strength to do so .
Edward started this site as a mailing list back in 1996 when he left the military .
He had a passion for the AR platform , but there simply was no information online about it .
It was small back then , about 20 people for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and interest began to grow .
The mail list quickly became 200+ people and needed a new approach .
He enlisted my help and we moved it to a discussion forum format .
It has since grown into an amazing community of folks , not just to talk and share firearm information , but to make friendships and look out for one another .
ARFCOM changed from a firearm site , to a collection of patriots with a shared love of this country and what our founding fathers died for .
His legacy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out for one another , find the best in ourselves , and never give up on our rights .
Edward ’ s loss is a big one for the community .
He was a huge source of knowledge , which he always loved to share .
He was a passionate humanitarian and helped so many people because of this site .
He was an incredible brother , one of my heroes , and my best friend .
He was an amazing father , son , and loving husband .
This world , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ less special without him in it .
I could talk for days about Ed and the lives we lived and shared .
I could talk about his impact on the world and the legacy he leaves behind .
Instead , I invite you to share a memory you may have of Edward .
A story , a shared experience , an exchange of ideas , a conversation , anything that made you smile .
Let ’ s celebrate him for the things he did and remember a hero of the community .
Sharing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to live within each of us .
Hopefully this will help his spirit continue to touch other folks and maybe inspire a few to change for the better .

He fought until the end, sharing his story with the community (in the Team Forum) and hopefully inspiring hope in others. He was ever stoic, honest, and accepting of what life had put before him and he made the most of every moment he was able to cram into his last year. Even at the end, he did not ask for anything, did not complain, did not give in. He went out on his own terms, fighting and stubborn to the last.
I’m having to write this early because I know when the time comes, I wont have the strength to do so. Edward started this site as a mailing list back in 1996 when he left the military. He had a passion for the AR platform, but there simply was no information online about it. It was small back then, about 20 people for the long while, until internet usages and interest began to grow. The mail list quickly became 200+ people and needed a new approach. He enlisted my help and we moved it to a discussion forum format. It has since grown into an amazing community of folks, not just to talk and share firearm information, but to make friendships and look out for one another. ARFCOM changed from a firearm site, to a collection of patriots with a shared love of this country and what our founding fathers died for. His legacy will remain as long as we look out for one another, find the best in ourselves, and never give up on our rights.
Edward’s loss is a big one for the community. He was a huge source of knowledge, which he always loved to share. He was a passionate humanitarian and helped so many people because of this site. He was an incredible brother, one of my heroes, and my best friend. He was an amazing father, son, and loving husband. This world, which he leaves behind, will be a less special without him in it.
I could talk for days about Ed and the lives we lived and shared. I could talk about his impact on the world and the legacy he leaves behind. Instead, I invite you to share a memory you may have of Edward. A story, a shared experience, an exchange of ideas, a conversation, anything that made you smile. Let’s celebrate him for the things he did and remember a hero of the community. Sharing his memory will allow him to continue to live within each of us. Hopefully this will help his spirit continue to touch other folks and maybe inspire a few to change for the better.


bearingarms--2020-04-01--FBI Says March Gun Background Checks Set New NICS Record

We ’ ve all seen the photos of long lines and empty shelves at gun stores across the country , but we had to wait until the FBI released its monthly report on the number of NICS checks to get a real sense of how big the surge in gun sales has been .
As it turns out , a record number of us headed to the gun store last month to buy a hangun , rifle , or shotgun .
NICS reports 3,740,688 checks were performed in March , which is the most recorded checks since the National Instant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fact , this is the first time in NICS history that the agency has conducted more than 3-million background checks in one month , and the 3.7 million checks performed in March dwarfs the previous record of 3,314,594 set in December of 2015 .
It ’ s worth noting , however that the raw number of NICS checks performed also includes checks for permits , and some states conduct those checks on a daily basis .
The National Shooting Sports Foundation releases revised figures that separate out those permit checks and rechecks from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the organization is currently compiling their figures , but Small Arms Analytics and Forecasting , an estimated 2.5 million firearms were sold in March , which is an 83-percent increase over March of last year .
According to SAAF , approximately 1.5 million handguns were sold , along with more than 850,000 rifles .
“ This is overwhelming evidence that Americans value their ability to take responsibility for their own safety in times of uncertainty , ” said the NSSF ’ s Director of Public Affairs Mark Oliva .
“ The figures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ telling us that the overwhelming majority of those buying firearms over the last month have been first-time gun owners .
This puts to rest America ’ s thoughts on gun control ideas .
Americans across the country chose to exercise their right to lawfully purchase a gun when their safety became more than a rhetorical question.
” We have no way of knowing how many of these checks were performed on first-time gun buyers , but gun shop employees and owners have said 50-percent or more of their current customers are new gun @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the course of the month of March , more than 1-million Americans made the decision to exercise their right to keep and bear arms for the first time in their lives .
That is a staggering number , and it would undoubtably be even higher if states like New Jersey and Pennsylvania had allowed gun stores to remain open , instead of forcing them to close for more than a week .
Gun control groups are busy spinning that the spike in gun sales is simply a result of NRA propaganda , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s simply human nature to want to protect yourself and your loved ones , and that need becomes much more acute during uncertain times .
Americans who have never given much thought to their personal safety are now thinking long and hard about how to protect themselves from the coronavirus , but they ’ re also concerned about what the current state of the economy could mean for crime rates where they live .
Second Amendment organizations and individuals have done a great job ensuring that these new gun owners have access to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they can ’ t get to a range at the moment , while the supposed “ gun safety ” groups have been busy trying to block access to firearms and ammunition .
Americans are rejecting the arguments of gun control advocates in record numbers , and now we ’ ve got the data to prove it .

We’ve all seen the photos of long lines and empty shelves at gun stores across the country, but we had to wait until the FBI released its monthly report on the number of NICS checks to get a real sense of how big the surge in gun sales has been. As it turns out, a record number of us headed to the gun store last month to buy a hangun, rifle, or shotgun. NICS reports 3,740,688 checks were performed in March, which is the most recorded checks since the National Instant Check System began in 1998.
In fact, this is the first time in NICS history that the agency has conducted more than 3-million background checks in one month, and the 3.7 million checks performed in March dwarfs the previous record of 3,314,594 set in December of 2015. It’s worth noting, however that the raw number of NICS checks performed also includes checks for permits, and some states conduct those checks on a daily basis.
The National Shooting Sports Foundation releases revised figures that separate out those permit checks and rechecks from the NICS checks for firearm purchases, and the organization is currently compiling their figures, but Small Arms Analytics and Forecasting, an estimated 2.5 million firearms were sold in March, which is an 83-percent increase over March of last year. According to SAAF, approximately 1.5 million handguns were sold, along with more than 850,000 rifles.
“This is overwhelming evidence that Americans value their ability to take responsibility for their own safety in times of uncertainty,” said the NSSF’s Director of Public Affairs Mark Oliva. “The figures are simply eye-popping. Retailers have been telling us that the overwhelming majority of those buying firearms over the last month have been first-time gun owners. This puts to rest America’s thoughts on gun control ideas. Americans across the country chose to exercise their right to lawfully purchase a gun when their safety became more than a rhetorical question.”
We have no way of knowing how many of these checks were performed on first-time gun buyers, but gun shop employees and owners have said 50-percent or more of their current customers are new gun owners. It’s likely that over the course of the month of March, more than 1-million Americans made the decision to exercise their right to keep and bear arms for the first time in their lives. That is a staggering number, and it would undoubtably be even higher if states like New Jersey and Pennsylvania had allowed gun stores to remain open, instead of forcing them to close for more than a week.
Gun control groups are busy spinning that the spike in gun sales is simply a result of NRA propaganda, when the truth is that it’s simply human nature to want to protect yourself and your loved ones, and that need becomes much more acute during uncertain times. Americans who have never given much thought to their personal safety are now thinking long and hard about how to protect themselves from the coronavirus, but they’re also concerned about what the current state of the economy could mean for crime rates where they live.
Second Amendment organizations and individuals have done a great job ensuring that these new gun owners have access to the basics of gun safety even if they can’t get to a range at the moment, while the supposed “gun safety” groups have been busy trying to block access to firearms and ammunition. Americans are rejecting the arguments of gun control advocates in record numbers, and now we’ve got the data to prove it.


bearingarms--2020-04-01--Life In The Rural Epicenter Of The Coronavirus Pandemic

If you haven ’ t heard much about the coronavirus outbreak in Albany , Georgia , you ’ re not alone .
Until the New York Times ran a story on Tuesday focusing on the outbreak , most Americans had no idea that on a per capita basis , Albany ’ s coronavirus crisis is as big as New York City ’ s .
Bearing Arms ’ Tom Knighton is at ground zero of the rural epicenter of the pandemic , and he joins me on today ’ s Bearing Arms ’ Cam & Co to talk about how life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continues to spiral upwards , and whether or not residents are beginning to take the crisis seriously .
The outbreak in Albany began when an infected person attended two funerals in the area .
As Tom points out , funerals in the South are social affairs as well as an opportunity to say goodbye to loved ones .
After the graveside service , it ’ s common to return to a family member ’ s home for food , drink , and socializing .
That was the nexus for the outbreak , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ residents have become infected , dozens have been hospitalized , and at least 33 people have died as of noon on Tuesday .
To put that into perspective , last year in Albany , there were 13 homicides over the course of the entire year .
In just one month , Albany has seen nearly three times as many deaths due to the coronavirus , and there ’ s no sign that the curve is starting to flatten yet .
Tom says the virus is in his neighborhood , and from his front @ @ @ @ @ @ @ families who have tested positive for the virus .
Still , according to him , many residents in Albany still aren ’ t taking the situation as seriously as they should be .
Albany should be a warning for the rest of us .
You only need a few individuals to spark a tsunami of cases that can quickly overwhelm the ability of local hospitals to respond and treat those in need .
The local hospital in Albany , in fact , is now referring patients to other facilities miles away because they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the staffing to provide care for all of the locals who need it .
I ’ ve been watching what ’ s happened in Albany for several weeks now , and Tom and I have been talking regularly off-air about how the situation ’ s been changing .
In my own county , we just had our first two cases formally diagnosed , and our local emergency management director has warned county supervisors that our numbers will quickly rise , because the two patients had participated in several large family gatherings recently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s two grocery stores .
It ’ s quite possible that we could find ourselves in a similar situation to Albany , albeit with a smaller population , in a matter of weeks .
There are many things to be concerned about right now , including government overreach , an erosion of civil liberties , and the need to defend them in a time of emergency .
At the heart of the matter , however , is the fact that we are in the midst of a global pandemic , and one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allow the virus to spread unchecked .
As gun owners , we will continue to protect and defend our rights during this emergency , but we also need to protect and defend ourselves and our families from this invisible killer , and the best way to do that is to take the threat seriously .
Also on today ’ s show , we have an armed citizen story from Florida featuring a mom of three and a home intruder who claimed to be running away from the dinosaurs that were chasing him , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already back on the streets after allegedly beating and robbing a woman at a dollar store , and members of the Rochester , New York police department who are going above and beyond to ensure that at-risk individuals continue to get the food and essentials that they need while they ’ re self-isolating .

If you haven’t heard much about the coronavirus outbreak in Albany, Georgia, you’re not alone. Until the New York Times ran a story on Tuesday focusing on the outbreak, most Americans had no idea that on a per capita basis, Albany’s coronavirus crisis is as big as New York City’s.
Bearing Arms’ Tom Knighton is at ground zero of the rural epicenter of the pandemic, and he joins me on today’s Bearing Arms’ Cam & Co to talk about how life has changed as the number of cases continues to spiral upwards, and whether or not residents are beginning to take the crisis seriously.
The outbreak in Albany began when an infected person attended two funerals in the area. As Tom points out, funerals in the South are social affairs as well as an opportunity to say goodbye to loved ones. After the graveside service, it’s common to return to a family member’s home for food, drink, and socializing. That was the nexus for the outbreak, and in the weeks since, hundreds of residents have become infected, dozens have been hospitalized, and at least 33 people have died as of noon on Tuesday.
To put that into perspective, last year in Albany, there were 13 homicides over the course of the entire year. In just one month, Albany has seen nearly three times as many deaths due to the coronavirus, and there’s no sign that the curve is starting to flatten yet.
Tom says the virus is in his neighborhood, and from his front door he can see three homes with families who have tested positive for the virus. Still, according to him, many residents in Albany still aren’t taking the situation as seriously as they should be.
Albany should be a warning for the rest of us. You only need a few individuals to spark a tsunami of cases that can quickly overwhelm the ability of local hospitals to respond and treat those in need. The local hospital in Albany, in fact, is now referring patients to other facilities miles away because they simply don’t have the room and the staffing to provide care for all of the locals who need it.
I’ve been watching what’s happened in Albany for several weeks now, and Tom and I have been talking regularly off-air about how the situation’s been changing. In my own county, we just had our first two cases formally diagnosed, and our local emergency management director has warned county supervisors that our numbers will quickly rise, because the two patients had participated in several large family gatherings recently, as well as visiting our county’s two grocery stores. It’s quite possible that we could find ourselves in a similar situation to Albany, albeit with a smaller population, in a matter of weeks.
There are many things to be concerned about right now, including government overreach, an erosion of civil liberties, and the need to defend them in a time of emergency. At the heart of the matter, however, is the fact that we are in the midst of a global pandemic, and one that will become much worse if we allow the virus to spread unchecked. As gun owners, we will continue to protect and defend our rights during this emergency, but we also need to protect and defend ourselves and our families from this invisible killer, and the best way to do that is to take the threat seriously.
Also on today’s show, we have an armed citizen story from Florida featuring a mom of three and a home intruder who claimed to be running away from the dinosaurs that were chasing him, four teenagers in New York who are already back on the streets after allegedly beating and robbing a woman at a dollar store, and members of the Rochester, New York police department who are going above and beyond to ensure that at-risk individuals continue to get the food and essentials that they need while they’re self-isolating.


bearingarms--2020-04-01--Missouri AG Right To Be Concerned Over Released Inmates

COVID-19 has been the impetus of a lot of weird things happening .
Among those weird things is the push by some areas to release inmates from incarceration out of concerns over the disease .
People who are locked up and anticipating being there for years are finding themselves released sometimes just days after their sentence .
However , that particular brand of strange comes with a risk .
After all , these are criminals .
While not all criminals are violent sociopaths who will immediately go on a three-state murder spree , they ’ re not all one-time offenders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the straight and narrow , either .
In Missouri , the attorney general has concerns about some recently released inmates .
A man who fired a shot at a cab driver during a robbery .
A man accused of assaulting a woman who said her child accused him of sexual abuse .
A man who robbed a restaurant and pointed a gun at an employee .
A man who left the scene of a fatal accident .
These are the types of inmates who Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt said have been released @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effort to reduce the population due to coronavirus outbreak concerns .
And , their victims were not notified of their release , according to a letter Schmitt sent to Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner Tuesday .
In the letter , Schmitt writes that he is charged with enforcing the state ’ s Sunshine law and finds Gardner refusal to make the identities of the released inmates public “ particularly troubling.
” “ I am deeply concerned by public reports that persons charged with violent felonies are being released into our communities out of concerns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transparency , ” he wrote .
Gardner responded with a letter of her own , and said there were no complaints about her violating the state ’ s public records law and accused Schmitt of repeating inaccuracies contained in local media reports on the issue as well as playing politics .
There may well be some partisanship at work here since Schmitt is a Republican and Gardner is a Democrat .
However , I ’ d also say that Schmitt is right to be concerned .
If these are the kind of people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criminals have been put back into society before they ’ d finished their sentence .
Sure , with the coronavirus keeping everyone inside for the time being , overall crime is down , but the virus won ’ t last forever .
At some point , the plague will pass and these people will still be on the streets .
And don ’ t try to say nothing will happen .
We already know better , don ’ t we ?
At least one person is already dead at the hands of someone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There ’ s no reason to believe that to be an isolated case , either .
If Garner released violent felons over a virus and failed to notify people as required by law , then we have a problem .
Frankly , we have a problem if violent criminals were released at all .
Let ’ s just hope that they ’ re more concerned about the virus than they were about being arrested .
At least then , there ’ s a chance they ’ ll just stay home instead of some @ @ @ @

COVID-19 has been the impetus of a lot of weird things happening. Among those weird things is the push by some areas to release inmates from incarceration out of concerns over the disease. People who are locked up and anticipating being there for years are finding themselves released sometimes just days after their sentence.
It’s strange.
However, that particular brand of strange comes with a risk. After all, these are criminals. While not all criminals are violent sociopaths who will immediately go on a three-state murder spree, they’re not all one-time offenders who want nothing more than to walk the straight and narrow, either.
In Missouri, the attorney general has concerns about some recently released inmates.
A man who fired a shot at a cab driver during a robbery. A man accused of assaulting a woman who said her child accused him of sexual abuse. A man who robbed a restaurant and pointed a gun at an employee. A man who shot another man. A man who left the scene of a fatal accident. These are the types of inmates who Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt said have been released from the St. Louis jail in an effort to reduce the population due to coronavirus outbreak concerns. And, their victims were not notified of their release, according to a letter Schmitt sent to Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner Tuesday. In the letter, Schmitt writes that he is charged with enforcing the state’s Sunshine law and finds Gardner refusal to make the identities of the released inmates public “particularly troubling.” “I am deeply concerned by public reports that persons charged with violent felonies are being released into our communities out of concerns relating to COVID-19, without any public transparency,” he wrote. Gardner responded with a letter of her own, and said there were no complaints about her violating the state’s public records law and accused Schmitt of repeating inaccuracies contained in local media reports on the issue as well as playing politics.
There may well be some partisanship at work here since Schmitt is a Republican and Gardner is a Democrat.
However, I’d also say that Schmitt is right to be concerned. If these are the kind of people being released early, that means violent criminals have been put back into society before they’d finished their sentence.
Sure, with the coronavirus keeping everyone inside for the time being, overall crime is down, but the virus won’t last forever. At some point, the plague will pass and these people will still be on the streets.
And don’t try to say nothing will happen. We already know better, don’t we? At least one person is already dead at the hands of someone released from prison amid COVID-19 fears. There’s no reason to believe that to be an isolated case, either.
If Garner released violent felons over a virus and failed to notify people as required by law, then we have a problem. Frankly, we have a problem if violent criminals were released at all.
Let’s just hope that they’re more concerned about the virus than they were about being arrested. At least then, there’s a chance they’ll just stay home instead of some of the alternatives.


bearingarms--2020-04-01--Woman Attacked, Robbed For Wearing N95 Mask In Dollar Store

Four teenagers have been charged after allegedly beating and robbing a woman in western New York , and police say the attack began all because the woman was wearing a respirator mask while shopping .
According to police , the victim called 911 from the parking lot of the Dollar General in Hilton , New York and told authorities that she ’ d been robbed .
The victim stated that a group of people had confronted her because she was inside the store wearing a respirator mask .
The woman claimed they said she was infected with coronavirus and upon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the face by multiple people of the group .
Her wallet and keys were stolen , officials say .
MCSO said the suspects fled the scene in a vehicle , but were later located at Manitou Road and Lyell Road .
With assistance of the Ogden Police Department , all occupants were detained .
Those charged were arraigned in Parma Town Court and released on Bail Reform Laws for a court appearance at a later date .
Note that last line .
All four of these suspects have already been released from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thanks to New York ’ s bail reform laws , despite being accused of a violent crime .
How safe do you think people in Hilton , New York feel at the moment , knowing that they could be beaten and robbed and still see their attackers released within hours of their arrest ?
This is an untenable situation .
Not only is the state of New York releasing hundreds of inmates in an attempt to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus behind bars , the state ’ s bail reform laws are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , instead of being held on a high bond due to their risk of flight or a danger to the community .
At the same time New York is letting criminals like these go free , authorities are preventing people like the victim in this case from legally acquiring a firearm for self-defense .
Gov .
Andrew Cuomo ’ s order allowing essential businesses to remain open doesn ’ t mention gun stores , and most gun stores across the state are now closed .
It wouldn ’ t be unreasonable for this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a firearm from now on , but the state has stymied her ability to do so , at least legally .
There ’ s virtually no chance of Gov .
Cuomo rescinding the bail reform laws , but there is hope that the governor could modify his order that has forced gun shops across the state to shut down for an undefined period of time .
If the anti-gun governors of New Jersey , Pennsylvania , and Connecticut ( to name a few ) can decide to keep gun stores open , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take a lawsuit to make it happen .

Four teenagers have been charged after allegedly beating and robbing a woman in western New York, and police say the attack began all because the woman was wearing a respirator mask while shopping.
According to police, the victim called 911 from the parking lot of the Dollar General in Hilton, New York and told authorities that she’d been robbed.
The victim stated that a group of people had confronted her because she was inside the store wearing a respirator mask. The woman claimed they said she was infected with coronavirus and upon existing the store, she was punched in the face by multiple people of the group. Her wallet and keys were stolen, officials say. MCSO said the suspects fled the scene in a vehicle, but were later located at Manitou Road and Lyell Road. With assistance of the Ogden Police Department, all occupants were detained. Those charged were arraigned in Parma Town Court and released on Bail Reform Laws for a court appearance at a later date.
Note that last line. All four of these suspects have already been released from custody and are back on the streets thanks to New York’s bail reform laws, despite being accused of a violent crime. How safe do you think people in Hilton, New York feel at the moment, knowing that they could be beaten and robbed and still see their attackers released within hours of their arrest?
This is an untenable situation. Not only is the state of New York releasing hundreds of inmates in an attempt to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus behind bars, the state’s bail reform laws are ensuring that even violent suspects are released, instead of being held on a high bond due to their risk of flight or a danger to the community.
At the same time New York is letting criminals like these go free, authorities are preventing people like the victim in this case from legally acquiring a firearm for self-defense. Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s order allowing essential businesses to remain open doesn’t mention gun stores, and most gun stores across the state are now closed. It wouldn’t be unreasonable for this crime victim to choose to protect herself with a firearm from now on, but the state has stymied her ability to do so, at least legally.
There’s virtually no chance of Gov. Cuomo rescinding the bail reform laws, but there is hope that the governor could modify his order that has forced gun shops across the state to shut down for an undefined period of time. If the anti-gun governors of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut (to name a few) can decide to keep gun stores open, so can Cuomo, though it may take a lawsuit to make it happen.


bearingarms--2020-04-01--Maine Governor Latest To Back Off On Gun Store Closures

A lot of states closed gun stores , citing COVID-19 concerns .
It was nothing of the sort , but that ’ s what most of them said .
They simply used COVID-19 as a pretext to do something they wanted to do all along and couldn ’ t .
However , most of them also found out that they really couldn ’ t get away with it even with the virus going around .
As a result , the vast majority backed off and reopened the stores .
That includes vehement anti-gunners like Phil Murphy of New Jersey and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the governor of Maine has joined their ranks .
Gun shops will be allowed to reopen in Maine after the administration of Gov .
Janet Mills on Tuesday included them on an updated list of businesses that will be allowed to operate despite a new stay-at-home order aimed at fighting the coronavirus .
It came as the Democratic governor used her emergency powers to put Maine among a majority of states that have issued a stay-at-home order aimed at stopping the spread of the virus .
Last week , she ordered the closure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That earlier order relied on guidance from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that outlines “ the critical infrastructure workforce ” — including first responders and health care , grocery , pharmacy and utility workers .
All of those types of business have stayed open in Maine .
Gun shops were not on that federal list until Saturday , when the administration of President Donald Trump updated its list amid advocacy from gun-rights groups .
The Maine Department of Economic and Community Development changed its list to include them on Tuesday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ didn ’ t mandate gun stores remaining open , it may have had something of the desired effect .
That ’ s good .
Maybe .
The move , however , is especially good since we don ’ t really know what ’ s coming next as we brace for still more deaths from the coronavirus as well as a potentially devastating economic downturn .
There ’ s a lot to be concerned about .
Mills move , however , is interesting , though .
As a Democrat , it seems unlikely that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at this time .
Partisan politics hasn ’ t exactly proven to be a COVID-19 casualty so far , after all .
So why reopen the gun stores following the move by Trump ’ s Department of Homeland Security ?
The answer is simple .
She already wanted to but needed an excuse .
She needed something she could point to and say , “ Hey , I was just following their lead.
” In this case , President Trump .
With the Department of Homeland Security ’ s announcement last week , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she needed .
She can now deflect anti-gun criticism by saying she was simply doing as DHS suggested .
That ’ s important for some lawmakers , to be sure .
Especially if they ’ re not sure the seas are really changing in their neck of the woods .
Mills is likely in that boat .
Regardless of why she did it , though , it ’ s a big win for would-be gun owners in Maine .
They can now go and buy their firearms , as they should have been @ @ @ @ @

A lot of states closed gun stores, citing COVID-19 concerns. It was nothing of the sort, but that’s what most of them said. They simply used COVID-19 as a pretext to do something they wanted to do all along and couldn’t.
However, most of them also found out that they really couldn’t get away with it even with the virus going around. As a result, the vast majority backed off and reopened the stores. That includes vehement anti-gunners like Phil Murphy of New Jersey and Ned Lamont of Connecticut.
Now, the governor of Maine has joined their ranks.
Gun shops will be allowed to reopen in Maine after the administration of Gov. Janet Mills on Tuesday included them on an updated list of businesses that will be allowed to operate despite a new stay-at-home order aimed at fighting the coronavirus. It came as the Democratic governor used her emergency powers to put Maine among a majority of states that have issued a stay-at-home order aimed at stopping the spread of the virus. Last week, she ordered the closure of public-facing businesses that were deemed nonessential. That earlier order relied on guidance from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that outlines “the critical infrastructure workforce” — including first responders and health care, grocery, pharmacy and utility workers. All of those types of business have stayed open in Maine. Gun shops were not on that federal list until Saturday, when the administration of President Donald Trump updated its list amid advocacy from gun-rights groups. The Maine Department of Economic and Community Development changed its list to include them on Tuesday.
It seems that while the federal declaration didn’t mandate gun stores remaining open, it may have had something of the desired effect. That’s good. Maybe.
The move, however, is especially good since we don’t really know what’s coming next as we brace for still more deaths from the coronavirus as well as a potentially devastating economic downturn. There’s a lot to be concerned about.
Mills move, however, is interesting, though.
As a Democrat, it seems unlikely that she turned to President Trump for leadership at this time. Partisan politics hasn’t exactly proven to be a COVID-19 casualty so far, after all.
So why reopen the gun stores following the move by Trump’s Department of Homeland Security?
The answer is simple. She already wanted to but needed an excuse. She needed something she could point to and say, “Hey, I was just following their lead.” In this case, President Trump. With the Department of Homeland Security’s announcement last week, it provided Mills with all the cover she needed. She can now deflect anti-gun criticism by saying she was simply doing as DHS suggested.
That’s important for some lawmakers, to be sure. Especially if they’re not sure the seas are really changing in their neck of the woods. Mills is likely in that boat.
Regardless of why she did it, though, it’s a big win for would-be gun owners in Maine. They can now go and buy their firearms, as they should have been able to all along.