bearingarms--2020-11-02--New Jersey Sued Over Carry Laws

New Jersey Sued Over Carry Laws

In theory , New Jersey allows for the carrying of a firearm , as long as you have the necessary license to carry .
In practice , the right to bear arms is denied to almost every citizen , thanks to laws that empower local police chiefs to deny licenses to anyone that they believe hasn ’ t demonstrated a “ justifiable need.
” As of 2015 , New Jersey had fewer than 500 active concealed carry licenses , even though there are nearly 9-million residents , and many of those licenses were in the hands of retired judges or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to bear arms doesn ’ t exist in New Jersey .
It ’ s a privilege of a chosen few that ’ s off limits to the average resident , and unfortunately every legal challenge to date has upheld the state ’ s restrictive licensing laws .
The Supreme Court even turned away a challenge to the state ’ s carry regime earlier this year in a case called Rogers v. Grewal , emboldening gun grabbers like Gov .
Phil Murphy .
Now several Second Amendment organizations and two New Jersey residents are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s restrictive carry laws .
The Second Amendment Foundation , along with the Firearms Policy Coalition , New Jersey Second Amendment Society and two private citizens , Stanley Bennett and Michael Hucker , are suing several local and state-level law enforcement officials , including Attorney General Gurbir Grewal , over the state ’ s near-total ban on the bearing of arms in public .
In a press release , Second Amendment Foundation founder and executive vice president Alan Gottlieb said that , “ since the SAF victory in McDonald v. City of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Amendment absolutely applies in New Jersey .
We will continue to sue whoever we need to as we restore the Second Amendment one lawsuit at a time.
” “ The people of New Jersey have been oppressed by an abusive , authoritarian government for far too long , and we intend to remedy that beginning today , ” added FPC President Brandon Combs .
“ Our nation fought the Revolutionary War to forcefully reject the Crown ’ s heavy-handed rule and denial of fundamental liberties , including the right to bear arms , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to that tyranny as inspiration for its current policies .
Governor Murphy , Attorney General Grewal , and other anti-rights government officials may not like that people have the right to carry loaded guns in public , but their opinion doesn ’ t trump the Constitution .
It ’ s time to bring freedom back home to the Garden State.
” In the lawsuit , which can be read here , both Stanley Bennett and Michael Hucker lay out the steps that they took in order to try to get a carry license @ @ @ @ @ @ @ references who were willing to be interviewed by local police .
That provision alone should be enough to get New Jersey ’ s law tossed as unconstitutional , in my opinion , but the suit details further infringements on the right to bear arms stemming from the state ’ s “ justifiable need ” requirement .
Plaintiff Hucker also included with his application a statement of “ Justifiable Reason to Carry Handgun ” in an effort to satisfy the statutory “ justifiable need ” standard .
His statement provided as follows : There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to apply for a permit to carry a handgun ; Safety : I have a real estate business that often requires me to collect rent in cash and carry cash for certain expenses .
This is known by many people and it creates reasonable opportunities for criminals to target me and my wife and children .
I also work for a Fortune 100 company and have access to several bank accounts which could reasonably cause me to be a target of kidnapping for extortion or other criminal purposes .
Sport/hobby : I grew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and have some experience with firearms and would like to explore this more .
I want to be able to legally carry a handgun for these purposes .
Inheritance : My father has a few guns ( including handguns ) that he ’ d like to pass onto me through his estate , but I can not legally accept them until I have the permit .
My father lives in New York State and has had a concealed carry permit for most of his adult life due to his military background .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve been a law abiding citizen for all of my 43 years , having respect for my privilege to drive by keeping within the speed limit and following the rules of the road .
I do my best every day to contribute positively to our society and to raise my children the same .
I have shown a high level of personal accountability and responsibility in my entire adult life and am looking forward to this process .
One of my references ( [ redacted ] ) is a New York State trooper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me .
I ’ m determined to legally exercise my 2nd amendment rights for the reasons listed above .
Michael Hucker was denied his license to carry a few months after his application was dropped off , because he hadn ’ t articulated a justifiable need to carry a firearm for self defense .
As the lawsuit notes , however , even if Hucker had demonstrated some specific and ongoing threat against his life , he could still have been denied because state law allows that “ an otherwise completely satisfactory application can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contrary to the interest of the public health , safety , or welfare.
” New Jersey ’ s insane and unconstitutional gun control laws should have been struck down long ago , but unfortunately they ’ ve been upheld in two major challenges in years past .
Hopefully the third time will be the charm and gun owners find some relief in the federal judiciary against the infringement of their right to bear arms for self-defense .

In theory, New Jersey allows for the carrying of a firearm, as long as you have the necessary license to carry. In practice, the right to bear arms is denied to almost every citizen, thanks to laws that empower local police chiefs to deny licenses to anyone that they believe hasn’t demonstrated a “justifiable need.” As of 2015, New Jersey had fewer than 500 active concealed carry licenses, even though there are nearly 9-million residents, and many of those licenses were in the hands of retired judges or prosecutors.
Simply put, the right to bear arms doesn’t exist in New Jersey. It’s a privilege of a chosen few that’s off limits to the average resident, and unfortunately every legal challenge to date has upheld the state’s restrictive licensing laws. The Supreme Court even turned away a challenge to the state’s carry regime earlier this year in a case called Rogers v. Grewal, emboldening gun grabbers like Gov. Phil Murphy.
Now several Second Amendment organizations and two New Jersey residents are launching a fresh challenge to the state’s restrictive carry laws. The Second Amendment Foundation, along with the Firearms Policy Coalition, New Jersey Second Amendment Society and two private citizens, Stanley Bennett and Michael Hucker, are suing several local and state-level law enforcement officials, including Attorney General Gurbir Grewal, over the state’s near-total ban on the bearing of arms in public.
In a press release, Second Amendment Foundation founder and executive vice president Alan Gottlieb said that, “since the SAF victory in McDonald v. City of Chicago ten years ago, the Second Amendment absolutely applies in New Jersey. We will continue to sue whoever we need to as we restore the Second Amendment one lawsuit at a time.”
“The people of New Jersey have been oppressed by an abusive, authoritarian government for far too long, and we intend to remedy that beginning today,” added FPC President Brandon Combs. “Our nation fought the Revolutionary War to forcefully reject the Crown’s heavy-handed rule and denial of fundamental liberties, including the right to bear arms, but the State has regressively called back to that tyranny as inspiration for its current policies. Governor Murphy, Attorney General Grewal, and other anti-rights government officials may not like that people have the right to carry loaded guns in public, but their opinion doesn’t trump the Constitution. It’s time to bring freedom back home to the Garden State.”
In the lawsuit, which can be read here, both Stanley Bennett and Michael Hucker lay out the steps that they took in order to try to get a carry license, including having to provide multiple character references who were willing to be interviewed by local police.
That provision alone should be enough to get New Jersey’s law tossed as unconstitutional, in my opinion, but the suit details further infringements on the right to bear arms stemming from the state’s “justifiable need” requirement.
Plaintiff Hucker also included with his application a statement of “Justifiable Reason to Carry Handgun” in an effort to satisfy the statutory “justifiable need” standard. His statement provided as follows: There are several justifiable reasons for my request to apply for a permit to carry a handgun; Safety: I have a real estate business that often requires me to collect rent in cash and carry cash for certain expenses. This is known by many people and it creates reasonable opportunities for criminals to target me and my wife and children. I also work for a Fortune 100 company and have access to several bank accounts which could reasonably cause me to be a target of kidnapping for extortion or other criminal purposes. Sport/hobby: I grew up in the Catskills in New York and have some experience with firearms and would like to explore this more. I want to be able to legally carry a handgun for these purposes. Inheritance: My father has a few guns (including handguns) that he’d like to pass onto me through his estate, but I cannot legally accept them until I have the permit. My father lives in New York State and has had a concealed carry permit for most of his adult life due to his military background. I would like to add that I’ve been a law abiding citizen for all of my 43 years, having respect for my privilege to drive by keeping within the speed limit and following the rules of the road. I do my best every day to contribute positively to our society and to raise my children the same. I have shown a high level of personal accountability and responsibility in my entire adult life and am looking forward to this process. One of my references ([redacted]) is a New York State trooper who mentioned he would gladly vouch for me. I’m determined to legally exercise my 2nd amendment rights for the reasons listed above.
Michael Hucker was denied his license to carry a few months after his application was dropped off, because he hadn’t articulated a justifiable need to carry a firearm for self defense. As the lawsuit notes, however, even if Hucker had demonstrated some specific and ongoing threat against his life, he could still have been denied because state law allows that “an otherwise completely satisfactory application can be denied for any reason deemed somehow contrary to the interest of the public health, safety, or welfare.”
New Jersey’s insane and unconstitutional gun control laws should have been struck down long ago, but unfortunately they’ve been upheld in two major challenges in years past. Hopefully the third time will be the charm and gun owners find some relief in the federal judiciary against the infringement of their right to bear arms for self-defense.


bearingarms--2020-11-02--Why 2A Supporters Love The Mandalorian

Why 2A Supporters Love The Mandalorian

One of the first movies I saw in the theater was when I wasn ’ t even old enough for kindergarten .
I was just four years old when Star Wars premiered .
My uncle , then all of 16 and a newly licensed driver , took me to see what was becoming a cultural phenomenon .
I became a massive science fiction fan at that moment , a genre I still love all these many years later .
Then the prequels came , and they were…not good .
Then we got the new movies .
While I liked The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ freaking awful .
Rise of Skywalker was better , but that was a low bar .
Disney had all but destroyed my beloved Star Wars .
Then Disney Plus launched and premiered The Mandalorian .
It showed that the issue wasn ’ t Disney , but something else .
What I noticed , though , were just how many of my fellow Second Amendment lovers also loved The Mandalorian .
Now in its second season–which premiered this past Friday–the show is continuing where it left off , and I think the show ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will continue to grow .
In fact , I expect to start seeing Mandalorian-themed stuff begin to replace Punisher skulls any day now .
But the question is , why ?
Here are a few reasons I ’ ve seen .
In one season one episode , the Mandalorian has to talk to jawas about parts for his ship .
He ’ s advised to leave his guns behind .
The character , Din Djarin , simply replies that he ’ s a Mandalorian and that “ weapons are part of my religion.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for most of us , the refusal to leave our guns behind speaks to a part of the Second Amendment supporter ’ s soul .
Guns are for self-defense .
Leaving them behind exposes you to danger .
While Djarin has more reason than most of us to be concerned–he ’ s a bounty hunter , after all–but at this point , no one is actively hunting him so far as he ’ s aware .
He simply won ’ t leave his weapons behind .
It ’ s kind of hard not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how similar it feels to how many of us approach things .
A “ Gun Free Zone ” sign is basically telling us to go away , conduct business somewhere else .
An espoused anti-Second Amendment opinion is much the same thing .
While guns aren ’ t part of our religion necessarily , they ’ re a part of our life and we recognize that people danger doesn ’ t go away just because you wish it would .
Over the course of the show , there are a couple of episodes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ peaceful but disarmed folks just trying to get by in life .
It takes someone with a gun to make armed bad guys go away .
Of course , while this is fiction , the reality of it appears everywhere in real life .
Criminals prey on the innocent citizen unless that citizen is armed .
Some who can afford it hire private security to bring their guns , but many of us can ’ t afford to outsource it .
Whether it ’ s protecting a village as Djarin did in season @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slavers down , the only thing that really stops bad people with guns is good people with guns .
I mean , I don ’ t have to lay out why that appeals to the Second Amendment crowd .
More importantly than the symbolism , of course , is the story .
One of the worst things about much of modern science fiction is the idea that politics should trump telling a good story .
In The Mandalorian , story doesn ’ t play second fiddle to anything .
The plot is engaging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ idea of it being a space western in a way that no show has since Firefly .
In fact , there ’ s some debate as to which is better , but since I absolutely love both , I ’ m staying out of that one .
For fans of westerns , you ’ ll recognize the similar themes .
For example , there ’ s the episode with MMA legend Gina Carano which is reminiscent of The Magnificant Seven .
Episode one of season two gives a bit of a shout-out to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Olyphant showing up .
And through it all , there ’ s a weapon on his side .
See , while it tells great stories , it doesn ’ t beat you over the head with all the ways you suck like so much of modern media tries to do .
Instead , it just entertains you while , admittedly , showing all the things that Second Amendment fans have been saying for years .
I know that a lot of people aren ’ t fans of Disney , and I get that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ better than the other side and not try to destroy businesses that disagree with us on stuff .
Instead , support good fiction that maybe shows a bit of what we believe .
Do that enough and they ’ ll start making more of it , especially when so much of their other stuff isn ’ t getting that support .
You win the culture war surrounding the Second Amendment by making sure to support stuff that might not be intended to be pro-2A but actually is .

One of the first movies I saw in the theater was when I wasn’t even old enough for kindergarten. I was just four years old when Star Wars premiered. My uncle, then all of 16 and a newly licensed driver, took me to see what was becoming a cultural phenomenon. I became a massive science fiction fan at that moment, a genre I still love all these many years later.
Then the prequels came, and they were…not good.
Then we got the new movies. While I liked The Force Awakened, The Last Jedi was freaking awful. Rise of Skywalker was better, but that was a low bar.
Disney had all but destroyed my beloved Star Wars.
Then Disney Plus launched and premiered The Mandalorian. It showed that the issue wasn’t Disney, but something else.
What I noticed, though, were just how many of my fellow Second Amendment lovers also loved The Mandalorian.
Now in its second season–which premiered this past Friday–the show is continuing where it left off, and I think the show’s popularity with the Second Amendment crowd will continue to grow. In fact, I expect to start seeing Mandalorian-themed stuff begin to replace Punisher skulls any day now.
But the question is, why? Here are a few reasons I’ve seen.
Weapons are part of my religion
In one season one episode, the Mandalorian has to talk to jawas about parts for his ship. He’s advised to leave his guns behind. The character, Din Djarin, simply replies that he’s a Mandalorian and that “weapons are part of my religion.”
While guns aren’t religious for most of us, the refusal to leave our guns behind speaks to a part of the Second Amendment supporter’s soul. Guns are for self-defense. Leaving them behind exposes you to danger. While Djarin has more reason than most of us to be concerned–he’s a bounty hunter, after all–but at this point, no one is actively hunting him so far as he’s aware. He simply won’t leave his weapons behind.
It’s kind of hard not to look at that and think about how similar it feels to how many of us approach things. A “Gun Free Zone” sign is basically telling us to go away, conduct business somewhere else. An espoused anti-Second Amendment opinion is much the same thing.
While guns aren’t part of our religion necessarily, they’re a part of our life and we recognize that people danger doesn’t go away just because you wish it would.
Bad people do bad things to good people
Over the course of the show, there are a couple of episodes that show evil people preying on the peaceful but disarmed folks just trying to get by in life. It takes someone with a gun to make armed bad guys go away.
Of course, while this is fiction, the reality of it appears everywhere in real life. Criminals prey on the innocent citizen unless that citizen is armed. Some who can afford it hire private security to bring their guns, but many of us can’t afford to outsource it.
Whether it’s protecting a village as Djarin did in season one or watching a would-be marshal put slavers down, the only thing that really stops bad people with guns is good people with guns.
I mean, I don’t have to lay out why that appeals to the Second Amendment crowd.
Oh, yeah. It has great stories
More importantly than the symbolism, of course, is the story. One of the worst things about much of modern science fiction is the idea that politics should trump telling a good story.
In The Mandalorian, story doesn’t play second fiddle to anything. The plot is engaging and entertaining. It fully embraces the idea of it being a space western in a way that no show has since Firefly. In fact, there’s some debate as to which is better, but since I absolutely love both, I’m staying out of that one.
For fans of westerns, you’ll recognize the similar themes. For example, there’s the episode with MMA legend Gina Carano which is reminiscent of The Magnificant Seven. Episode one of season two gives a bit of a shout-out to Justified and Deadwood with guest star Timothy Olyphant showing up.
And through it all, there’s a weapon on his side.
See, while it tells great stories, it doesn’t beat you over the head with all the ways you suck like so much of modern media tries to do. Instead, it just entertains you while, admittedly, showing all the things that Second Amendment fans have been saying for years.
I know that a lot of people aren’t fans of Disney, and I get that. However, let’s be better than the other side and not try to destroy businesses that disagree with us on stuff.
Instead, support good fiction that maybe shows a bit of what we believe. Do that enough and they’ll start making more of it, especially when so much of their other stuff isn’t getting that support. You win the culture war surrounding the Second Amendment by making sure to support stuff that might not be intended to be pro-2A but actually is.


bearingarms--2020-11-02--"Apparent" Terror Attack Reported In Vienna; At Least One Killed

Officials in Vienna , Austria say that multiple gunmen opened fire in the city ’ s center on Monday evening , hours before the city went into lockdown over coronavirus fears .
At least one person has been confirmed dead , and Austrian media is reporting that there are multiple casualties .
Several people are dead and a police officer is among the injured after exchanges of gunfire near a synagogue in Vienna .
The police officer who is seriously injured was shot , the APA news agency has said , citing Austria ’ s interior ministry .
Austrian state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirmed several people are dead .
The interior ministry also said one suspect has been arrested , APA added .
The Austrian news agency also quoted the country ’ s interior ministry as saying that one attacker has been killed and another could be on the run .
The area in the central part of the city where the shooting took place is full of restaurants , bars , and shops , as well as the location of the Seitenstettengasse synagogue , but according to The Guardian , a local leader in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ synagogue was closed when the shooting began .
Earlier reports had suggested that the nearby Stadttempel synagogue could have been the target of the attack .
But Oskar Deutsch , president of the Jewish Community Vienna , said the synagogue on Seitenstettengasse and the office building at the same address were already closed at the time of the attack , and it was “ unclear ” if it was one of the targets of the attack .
Deutsch told the Kurier newspaper that no members of Vienna ’ s Jewish community were among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of attacks on a local Hilton hotel and a restaurant have yet to be confirmed , but police have confirmed that there were multiple targets in the attack .
The Associated Press reports that Rabbi Schlomo Hofmeister witnessed shots being fired at customers eating outside of sidewalk cafes on the last night before the city entered a new COVID-19 lockdown , saying that “ at least 100 rounds ” were fired outside of the rabbi ’ s apartment building .
There are unconfirmed videos circulating that appear to show four young men being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s unknown at this point if these are suspects in the attack or if authorities believe there may be more suspects at large .
So far there ’ s been no word on the motive or ideology behind the attack in Vienna either , but information will undoubtably be flowing in over the next few hours .
We ’ ll update this story with more details as they becomes available .

Officials in Vienna, Austria say that multiple gunmen opened fire in the city’s center on Monday evening, hours before the city went into lockdown over coronavirus fears. At least one person has been confirmed dead, and Austrian media is reporting that there are multiple casualties.
Several people are dead and a police officer is among the injured after exchanges of gunfire near a synagogue in Vienna. The police officer who is seriously injured was shot, the APA news agency has said, citing Austria’s interior ministry. Austrian state broadcaster ORF has said the police have confirmed several people are dead. The interior ministry also said one suspect has been arrested, APA added. The Austrian news agency also quoted the country’s interior ministry as saying that one attacker has been killed and another could be on the run.
The area in the central part of the city where the shooting took place is full of restaurants, bars, and shops, as well as the location of the Seitenstettengasse synagogue, but according to The Guardian, a local leader in the city’s Jewish community says the synagogue was closed when the shooting began.
Earlier reports had suggested that the nearby Stadttempel synagogue could have been the target of the attack. But Oskar Deutsch, president of the Jewish Community Vienna, said the synagogue on Seitenstettengasse and the office building at the same address were already closed at the time of the attack, and it was “unclear” if it was one of the targets of the attack. Deutsch told the Kurier newspaper that no members of Vienna’s Jewish community were among those injured in the attack.
Rumors of attacks on a local Hilton hotel and a restaurant have yet to be confirmed, but police have confirmed that there were multiple targets in the attack.
ALERT! Terror attack underway in #Vienna #Austria: What we can confirm: * Around 8:00 p.m. shots from the Seitenstettengasse area * Several suspects w/long weapons (rifles) * 6 crime scenes * 1 fatality, several seriously injured, including a police officer * 1 shot by cops — JJ Green (@NATSEC09) November 2, 2020
The Associated Press reports that Rabbi Schlomo Hofmeister witnessed shots being fired at customers eating outside of sidewalk cafes on the last night before the city entered a new COVID-19 lockdown, saying that “at least 100 rounds” were fired outside of the rabbi’s apartment building.
There are unconfirmed videos circulating that appear to show four young men being held by police, but it’s unknown at this point if these are suspects in the attack or if authorities believe there may be more suspects at large.
So far there’s been no word on the motive or ideology behind the attack in Vienna either, but information will undoubtably be flowing in over the next few hours. We’ll update this story with more details as they becomes available.
**UPDATE**
The names of the victims have yet to be released, but police are reporting that four people in all were killed in the attack in Vienna, with another fifteen people wounded. At least one suspect was taken into custody; a 20-year old named Kujtim Fejzula who was sentenced to 22 months in prison last April after traveling to Syria in an attempt to join ISIS. Fejzula, who was released from custody in December of last year, is so far the only suspect in custody, though authorities say they continue to search for any possible accomplices.


bearingarms--2020-11-02--Three Early Races For Gun Owners To Watch On Tuesday

It could be days or even weeks before we know who the winner of the presidential election will be , but I ’ ll still be closely following the election returns on Tuesday night , and chances are you will be as well .
On today ’ s Bearing Arms ’ Cam & Co we take a closer look at three East Coast House races that may give us some early clues as to how the night will unfold across the country .
Each of these contests have very different dynamics , and I ’ ll be watching to see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is faring compared to how the districts voted in 2016 .
A large drop-off in support from four years ago could mean a disastrous night for the Second Amendment , but I ’ m more cautiously optimistic on Election eve than I was even a few weeks ago .
New York ’ s 21st Congressional District is represented by Republican representative and Second Amendment stalwart Elise Stefanik , and this year ’ s election is a rematch from 2018 , when Stefanik defeated Democrat Tedra Cobb 56-42 .
Cobb ran as a moderate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her campaign was damaged by secret recordings of the candidate telling volunteers that she backed a ban on so-called assault weapons , but couldn ’ t say anything publicly because it would cost her the election .
The one poll conducted of the district in 2018 showed Stefanik leading by ten points , so she ended up overperforming by about four points in the actual election .
I ’ m surprised that there ’ s been no polling of the district this election cycle , but one local political scientist says that points @ @ @ @ @ @ @ isn ’ t going to be competitive .
SUNY Plattsburgh Professor of Political Science Dr. Harvey Schantz says two things stand out about the race .
First is the grudge match and second is the level of advertising spending across the district .
“ The challenger has been able to get her message out to the public and has been able to run an expensive campaign .
And so a lot depends I think on how people vote for President ” Schantz adds that there have been no polls conducted regarding the race @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people are not viewing this as a competitive race.
” The district has backed Republicans for more than a century , but in 2009 , ’ 10 and ’ 12 Democrat Bill Owens was elected , and President Barack Obama carried the district twice .
If Stefanik looks like she ’ s in trouble , or Tedra Cobb keeps Stefanik ’ s lead down to single digits , that could be a canary in the coal mine for rural turnout .
If Stefanik matches or increases her 2018 margin , on the other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a sign that rural conservatives are energized to vote , even in a solid-blue state like New York .
Virginia ’ s 7th Congressional District is another race to keep an eye on in the early returns .
The race between first-term Democrat Abigail Spanberger and her Republican challenger , Del .
Nick Freitas , could be one of the closest in the country , and the gun owner vote could be absolutely crucial .
Spanberger won the district over incumbent Republican Dave Brat in 2018 by a narrow 50.3-48.4 margin , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overall .
Spanberger was aided in 2018 by Everytown for Gun Safety , but she ’ s not brought up Joe Biden ’ s gun control agenda on the campaign trail , and Freitas has been courting the votes of Second Amendment supporters throughout the campaign .
There are a lot of gun owners in the 7th District , and it ’ s home to many counties that adopted Second Amendment Sanctuary resolutions in the wake of the Democratic takeover of the Virginia state legislature in 2019 .
Will those gun owners turn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Spanberger packing after one term , or will the suburbs stick with Democrats , as we saw in the last election ?
Finally , I ’ m going to be watching North Carolina ’ s 11th Congressional District closely on Tuesday night .
This is Mark Meadows old seat , and it ’ s R+14 according to the Cook Partisan Voting Index .
Trump won the district over Clinton 62-34 , and Meadows won his 2018 election by more than 20 points .
Meadows resigned his seat to become Trump ’ s chief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year Madison Cawthorn , the 25-year old Republican candidate , has actually trailed Democrat Morris Davis in the only two polls of the race that have been conducted since September .
Some of the competitiveness can be attributed to an unexpected court-mandated redistricting .
Last year ’ s redraw of the district united the city of Asheville , a liberal enclave in the conservative-leaning mountainous region of the state .
But even under the new lines , Trump would have carried this district by 17 points in 2016 .
Cawthorn ’ s grassroots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that drew a crowd of nearly three dozen here Tuesday outside the Buncombe County GOP ’ s strip-mall headquarters .
Some people arrived in a black truck plastered with QAnon conspiracy theory stickers .
The candidate was greeted enthusiastically and posed for pictures .
He had attendees cheering in agreement when he lambasted “ the cowardice ” of the GOP and laughing when he asked a couple of older women in Trump visors if they were college freshmen .
During an interview later that evening in a makeshift Zoom studio at his campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Republican Party , which he said is mostly right on policy but struggles to sell its vision .
On immigration , “ we come across extremely xenophobic , ” he said .
“ When we say we want a secure border — it sounds like , ‘ Oh , well .
It ’ s because you don ’ t like people that are brown.
’ ” On health care , the GOP has offered nothing : “ I ’ m a pretty astute person .
When they say repeal and replace , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plan to replace Obamacare with.
” “ We should be thought leaders in America , ” he said .
“ And , you know , we shouldn ’ t even be in these large social-issue debates with the Democratic Party.
” Redistricting will make this a closer race than 2018 , as will the fact that it ’ s an open seat .
On the Second Amendment , Davis has embraced universal background checks and red flag laws , while backing the idea of subjecting owners of “ military-style assault weapon ” to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support of Everytown for Gun Safety even though he falls short of backing the Biden/Harris gun ban now , because they know he ’ ll likely go along with any and every gun control bill that Nancy Pelosi decides to push if he ’ s elected .
With polls showing Davis ahead in a district that ’ s still pretty Republican , I ’ m going to watch this race closely to see just how out of whack the polling might have been .
If Cawthorn pulls out to a comfortable lead , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be an indication that pollsters got 2020 just as wrong as they did 2016 .
No one House can provide a perfect snapshot of how the overall election will go , but these three races could give us a good idea of how rural/suburban voters are turning out , if Republican support is holding steady or losing ground compared to 2016 , and just how off some of the pre-election polling might have been .

It could be days or even weeks before we know who the winner of the presidential election will be, but I’ll still be closely following the election returns on Tuesday night, and chances are you will be as well. On today’s Bearing Arms’ Cam & Co we take a closer look at three East Coast House races that may give us some early clues as to how the night will unfold across the country. Each of these contests have very different dynamics, and I’ll be watching to see how the pro-gun candidate in each race is faring compared to how the districts voted in 2016. A large drop-off in support from four years ago could mean a disastrous night for the Second Amendment, but I’m more cautiously optimistic on Election eve than I was even a few weeks ago.
New York’s 21st Congressional District is represented by Republican representative and Second Amendment stalwart Elise Stefanik, and this year’s election is a rematch from 2018, when Stefanik defeated Democrat Tedra Cobb 56-42. Cobb ran as a moderate on the gun control issue, but her campaign was damaged by secret recordings of the candidate telling volunteers that she backed a ban on so-called assault weapons, but couldn’t say anything publicly because it would cost her the election.
The one poll conducted of the district in 2018 showed Stefanik leading by ten points, so she ended up overperforming by about four points in the actual election. I’m surprised that there’s been no polling of the district this election cycle, but one local political scientist says that points to the conventional wisdom that the election isn’t going to be competitive.
SUNY Plattsburgh Professor of Political Science Dr. Harvey Schantz says two things stand out about the race. First is the grudge match and second is the level of advertising spending across the district. “The challenger has been able to get her message out to the public and has been able to run an expensive campaign. And so a lot depends I think on how people vote for President” Schantz adds that there have been no polls conducted regarding the race. “That suggests to me that people are not viewing this as a competitive race.” The district has backed Republicans for more than a century, but in 2009, ’10 and ’12 Democrat Bill Owens was elected, and President Barack Obama carried the district twice.
If Stefanik looks like she’s in trouble, or Tedra Cobb keeps Stefanik’s lead down to single digits, that could be a canary in the coal mine for rural turnout. If Stefanik matches or increases her 2018 margin, on the other hand, I’d view that as a sign that rural conservatives are energized to vote, even in a solid-blue state like New York.
Virginia’s 7th Congressional District is another race to keep an eye on in the early returns. The race between first-term Democrat Abigail Spanberger and her Republican challenger, Del. Nick Freitas, could be one of the closest in the country, and the gun owner vote could be absolutely crucial. Spanberger won the district over incumbent Republican Dave Brat in 2018 by a narrow 50.3-48.4 margin, which amounted to less than 7,000 votes overall. Spanberger was aided in 2018 by Everytown for Gun Safety, but she’s not brought up Joe Biden’s gun control agenda on the campaign trail, and Freitas has been courting the votes of Second Amendment supporters throughout the campaign.
There are a lot of gun owners in the 7th District, and it’s home to many counties that adopted Second Amendment Sanctuary resolutions in the wake of the Democratic takeover of the Virginia state legislature in 2019. Will those gun owners turn out in numbers large enough to send Spanberger packing after one term, or will the suburbs stick with Democrats, as we saw in the last election?
Finally, I’m going to be watching North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District closely on Tuesday night. This is Mark Meadows old seat, and it’s R+14 according to the Cook Partisan Voting Index. Trump won the district over Clinton 62-34, and Meadows won his 2018 election by more than 20 points. Meadows resigned his seat to become Trump’s chief of staff, however, and this year Madison Cawthorn, the 25-year old Republican candidate, has actually trailed Democrat Morris Davis in the only two polls of the race that have been conducted since September.
Some of the competitiveness can be attributed to an unexpected court-mandated redistricting. Last year’s redraw of the district united the city of Asheville, a liberal enclave in the conservative-leaning mountainous region of the state. But even under the new lines, Trump would have carried this district by 17 points in 2016. Cawthorn’s grassroots support was apparent at an early-voting rally that drew a crowd of nearly three dozen here Tuesday outside the Buncombe County GOP’s strip-mall headquarters. Some people arrived in a black truck plastered with QAnon conspiracy theory stickers. The candidate was greeted enthusiastically and posed for pictures. He had attendees cheering in agreement when he lambasted “the cowardice” of the GOP and laughing when he asked a couple of older women in Trump visors if they were college freshmen. During an interview later that evening in a makeshift Zoom studio at his campaign office, Cawthorn detailed his gripes with the Republican Party, which he said is mostly right on policy but struggles to sell its vision. On immigration, “we come across extremely xenophobic,” he said. “When we say we want a secure border — it sounds like, ‘Oh, well. It’s because you don’t like people that are brown.’” On health care, the GOP has offered nothing: “I’m a pretty astute person. When they say repeal and replace, I have absolutely zero idea what they plan to replace Obamacare with.” “We should be thought leaders in America,” he said. “And, you know, we shouldn’t even be in these large social-issue debates with the Democratic Party.”
Redistricting will make this a closer race than 2018, as will the fact that it’s an open seat. On the Second Amendment, Davis has embraced universal background checks and red flag laws, while backing the idea of subjecting owners of “military-style assault weapon” to restrictive licensing requirements. Davis has the support of Everytown for Gun Safety even though he falls short of backing the Biden/Harris gun ban now, because they know he’ll likely go along with any and every gun control bill that Nancy Pelosi decides to push if he’s elected.
With polls showing Davis ahead in a district that’s still pretty Republican, I’m going to watch this race closely to see just how out of whack the polling might have been. If Cawthorn pulls out to a comfortable lead, even in the single digits, it will be an indication that pollsters got 2020 just as wrong as they did 2016.
No one House can provide a perfect snapshot of how the overall election will go, but these three races could give us a good idea of how rural/suburban voters are turning out, if Republican support is holding steady or losing ground compared to 2016, and just how off some of the pre-election polling might have been.


bearingarms--2020-11-02--Anti-Gun Democrats Aiming To Stop Colorado 2A Challenger

One of the elections that gun owners should be paying attention to as returns start coming in on Tuesday evening is the race for Colorado ’ s 3rd Congressional District .
This open seat was held by Republican Scott Tipton for the past decade , but Tipton was tipped out of his chair during the GOP primary when he was unseated by Lauren Boebert , the owner of Shooter ’ s Grill in Rifle , Colorado .
Boebert ’ s a staunch Second Amendment supporter , and the sprawling 3rd district , which stretches across the western half of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conservatives who love their right to keep and bear arms .
On paper , Boebert should win handily tomorrow night , but anti-gun Democrats have been pouring a steady stream of campaign cash into the coffers of their chosen candidate Diane Mitsch Bush , a former state legislator and a reliable backer of the Biden/Harris anti-gun agenda .
In addition to the influx of campaign cash , the national media ’ s also taken an interest in Boebert ’ s campaign , including a recent trip to Rifle , Colorado by New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to brave the wilds of the Western Slope and investigate the deplorable Trumpers that could send Boebert to Congress on Tuesday .
Everyone I spoke to in Rifle agreed that the election would not go smoothly .
Tamara Degler , the owner of the Crescent Moon Spiritual Goods store and a former nurse , told me , “ Protests ?
Violence ?
Yes , for certain.
” She called Trump “ a high-vibration person sent to guide us through this time.
” It ’ s Trump , of course , who has done @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violence around the election .
He will not go easily .
But in the world of Rifle , it ’ s Black Lives Matter pillagers who have created this America pregnant with tumult .
As I was talking to the Halls , one of those gun-holstered waitresses approached me to say she had spoken to Boebert , who did not want me interviewing people in her restaurant .
I stepped outside and carried on the conversation there .
When I went back to my table , she approached me again to say Boebert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Period .
On what grounds ?
“ She just wants you out.
” So much for “ freedom , ” Boebert ’ s slogan on her campaign posters .
So much for freedom of expression and the freedom to talk to people who think differently .
So much for the freedom of the press and that free American “ spirit.
” That ’ s what freedom may look like in a second Trump term : more the my-way-or-the-highway muzzle of a Glock than the liberty enshrined by the Constitution and the rule of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media has mostly looked like during Trump ’ s first term : sanctimonious pundits who jet into middle America as if it was a foreign land .
If Boebert had a “ no guns allowed ” sign , Cohen would have been cheering , but because she apparently didn ’ t want a New York Times columnist bothering her customers , the columnist imagines an attack on the freedom of the press and the American spirit .
This is the type of nonsense that the national media ’ s thrown at Boebert , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ settles and the votes have been counted , Colorado ’ s newest congresswoman is going to be backing the Second Amendment in Washington , D.C. , not backing Joe Biden ’ s gun ban .

One of the elections that gun owners should be paying attention to as returns start coming in on Tuesday evening is the race for Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District. This open seat was held by Republican Scott Tipton for the past decade, but Tipton was tipped out of his chair during the GOP primary when he was unseated by Lauren Boebert, the owner of Shooter’s Grill in Rifle, Colorado.
Boebert’s a staunch Second Amendment supporter, and the sprawling 3rd district, which stretches across the western half of the state, is home to plenty of conservatives who love their right to keep and bear arms. On paper, Boebert should win handily tomorrow night, but anti-gun Democrats have been pouring a steady stream of campaign cash into the coffers of their chosen candidate Diane Mitsch Bush, a former state legislator and a reliable backer of the Biden/Harris anti-gun agenda.
In addition to the influx of campaign cash, the national media’s also taken an interest in Boebert’s campaign, including a recent trip to Rifle, Colorado by New York Times columnist Roger Cohen, who decided to brave the wilds of the Western Slope and investigate the deplorable Trumpers that could send Boebert to Congress on Tuesday.
Everyone I spoke to in Rifle agreed that the election would not go smoothly. Tamara Degler, the owner of the Crescent Moon Spiritual Goods store and a former nurse, told me, “Protests? Violence? Yes, for certain.” She called Trump “a high-vibration person sent to guide us through this time.” It’s Trump, of course, who has done everything he can to stir doubt and violence around the election. He will not go easily. But in the world of Rifle, it’s Black Lives Matter pillagers who have created this America pregnant with tumult. As I was talking to the Halls, one of those gun-holstered waitresses approached me to say she had spoken to Boebert, who did not want me interviewing people in her restaurant. I stepped outside and carried on the conversation there. When I went back to my table, she approached me again to say Boebert wanted me out of the restaurant. Period. On what grounds? “She just wants you out.” So much for “freedom,” Boebert’s slogan on her campaign posters. So much for freedom of expression and the freedom to talk to people who think differently. So much for the freedom of the press and that free American “spirit.” That’s what freedom may look like in a second Trump term: more the my-way-or-the-highway muzzle of a Glock than the liberty enshrined by the Constitution and the rule of law.
And this is what the media has mostly looked like during Trump’s first term: sanctimonious pundits who jet into middle America as if it was a foreign land. If Boebert had a “no guns allowed” sign, Cohen would have been cheering, but because she apparently didn’t want a New York Times columnist bothering her customers, the columnist imagines an attack on the freedom of the press and the American spirit.
This is the type of nonsense that the national media’s thrown at Boebert, but I expect that when the dust settles and the votes have been counted, Colorado’s newest congresswoman is going to be backing the Second Amendment in Washington, D.C., not backing Joe Biden’s gun ban.


bearingarms--2020-11-02--NJ Governor Only Hears One Side Of Gun Debate

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy isn ’ t a fan of your gun rights .
Of course , for most of us , that ’ s not really a big thing for us .
After all , we don ’ t live in New Jersey , thankfully , so his opinion of our gun rights doesn ’ t have much impact on us .
For those who live in New Jersey , though , it has a big impact .
Yuge impact .
And yet , it seems that Murphy is only looking for one side of the debate .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Information Request W163771 I learned there were 13 known “ special ” meetings from February 13 , 2018 to March 13 , 2020 .
These meetings varied in “ title ” , switching names from “ Roundtables ” to “ Town Hall Meetings ” to “ Exciting Announcements ” , so on and so forth ( the full list of which I will include at the end of this article ) .
What was special about some of these meetings ?
Eight of the 13 meetings specifically mention firearms .
All of these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anti-civil rights groups looking to strip citizens of their 2nd Amendment freedoms .
One such lucky correspondent was The Reverend Robert “ Bob ” Moore ( [ email protected ] ) , from The Coalition For Peace Action ( CFPA , peacecoalition.org ) and Ceasefire New Jersey ( www.peacecoalition.org/campaigns/68-ceasefire-nj/628-ceasefire-nj.html ) .
The first such recorded meeting was a roundtable on “ gun violence.
” Scheduled to be in attendance was NJ Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald .
Both CFPA and Ceasefire New Jersey are groups against the individual ’ s right to keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Legislative Director of Ceasefire New Jersey was copied into Bob ’ s email to Hilary Beckett ( Then an Aide to the Governor , Intergovernmental Affairs , [ email protected ] ) , when accepting his invitation to attend the February 13 , 2018 meeting .
I can tell you who was not invited to this meeting… I reached out to several civil-rights oriented organizations that safeguard the Second Amendment : The Association of New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs , The Coalition of New Jersey Firearm Owners , The New Jersey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the National Rifle Association ’ s Institute for Legislative Action , and The National Shooting Sports Foundation .
I sent them the full list of dates and events*** as listed at the end of this article and asked them if they were invited to participate in any of these “ discussions ” that Governor Phil Murphy ’ s administration had concerning firearms , “ gun violence ” , gun safety , etc .
In other words , Murphy didn ’ t bother to include anyone from the gun rights side of the debate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got their take on guns and gun laws , then followed it .
This is essentially Murphy ’ s confirmation bias playing out before our very eyes .
Now , I ’ m quite sure that the results would have been the same even if gun rights groups had been invited to speak with him .
He would have gone with what he wanted to do in the first place , of course .
All he would have done is look like he was trying to be fair .
Instead , though , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of concern for what gun rights advocates have to say about anything .
Of course , that ’ s because gun rights advocates aren ’ t really a threat to him politically .
He can ignore them with impunity , which is what every anti-gun governor does .
They ignore gun rights supporters because there are no repercussions for doing so .
If New Jersey gun owners want to take Murphy and those who follow him to task , they need to increase their numbers sufficiently until they ’ re a force that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sincerely hope they can , because Murphy needs to be brought down a peg or 12 .

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy isn’t a fan of your gun rights. Of course, for most of us, that’s not really a big thing for us. After all, we don’t live in New Jersey, thankfully, so his opinion of our gun rights doesn’t have much impact on us.
For those who live in New Jersey, though, it has a big impact. Yuge impact.
And yet, it seems that Murphy is only looking for one side of the debate.
Through documents AmmoLand obtained through Freedom of Information Request W163771 I learned there were 13 known “special” meetings from February 13, 2018 to March 13, 2020. These meetings varied in “title”, switching names from “Roundtables” to “Town Hall Meetings” to “Exciting Announcements”, so on and so forth (the full list of which I will include at the end of this article). What was special about some of these meetings? Eight of the 13 meetings specifically mention firearms. All of these meetings had notices communicated to members of anti-civil rights groups looking to strip citizens of their 2nd Amendment freedoms. One such lucky correspondent was The Reverend Robert “Bob” Moore ([email protected]), from The Coalition For Peace Action (CFPA, peacecoalition.org) and Ceasefire New Jersey (www.peacecoalition.org/campaigns/68-ceasefire-nj/628-ceasefire-nj.html) . The first such recorded meeting was a roundtable on “gun violence.” Scheduled to be in attendance was NJ Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald. Both CFPA and Ceasefire New Jersey are groups against the individual’s right to keep and bear arms. Dolores Phillips, the Legislative Director of Ceasefire New Jersey was copied into Bob’s email to Hilary Beckett (Then an Aide to the Governor, Intergovernmental Affairs, [email protected]), when accepting his invitation to attend the February 13, 2018 meeting. … I can tell you who was not invited to this meeting… I reached out to several civil-rights oriented organizations that safeguard the Second Amendment: The Association of New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs, The Coalition of New Jersey Firearm Owners, The New Jersey Second Amendment Society, A representative of the National Rifle Association’s Institute for Legislative Action, and The National Shooting Sports Foundation. I sent them the full list of dates and events*** as listed at the end of this article and asked them if they were invited to participate in any of these “discussions” that Governor Phil Murphy’s administration had concerning firearms, “gun violence”, gun safety, etc.
In other words, Murphy didn’t bother to include anyone from the gun rights side of the debate. He went to biased sources, got their take on guns and gun laws, then followed it. This is essentially Murphy’s confirmation bias playing out before our very eyes.
Now, I’m quite sure that the results would have been the same even if gun rights groups had been invited to speak with him. He would have gone with what he wanted to do in the first place, of course. All he would have done is look like he was trying to be fair.
Instead, though, he’s blatant about his lack of concern for what gun rights advocates have to say about anything.
Of course, that’s because gun rights advocates aren’t really a threat to him politically. He can ignore them with impunity, which is what every anti-gun governor does. They ignore gun rights supporters because there are no repercussions for doing so.
If New Jersey gun owners want to take Murphy and those who follow him to task, they need to increase their numbers sufficiently until they’re a force that can’t be ignored.
I sincerely hope they can, because Murphy needs to be brought down a peg or 12.


bearingarms--2020-11-02--The Gun Vote Could Have A Huge Impact On Election Day

A new round of battleground polls shows a tightening race between Donald Trump and Joe Biden in critical states like Pennsylvania , Florida , Arizona , Ohio , and North Carolina , and in each of those states gun owners could provide the crucial votes needed to put Trump over the top .
Over at Fox News , Johnny “ Joey ” Jones argues that while Democrats have largely avoided talking about Biden ’ s gun control plans , even to the point of gun control groups cutting campaign ads that focus on issues other than Biden ’ s support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gun owners are wide awake to the threat posed by a Biden/Harris administration .
After four years of exploiting tragedies and singling out the National Rifle Association , with nothing more than a less than overwhelming midterm win in 2018 to show for it , Democrats are seeing right now , today , that the American people are moving toward gun ownership .
Perhaps this is a rapid response to state governments ’ authoritarian policies dealing with COVID-19 , and riots breaking out all over the country , and disasters like the California @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Coney Barrett was confirmed as a Supreme Court justice , giving the court a presumably 6-3 conservation majority on most heavily partisan cases .
Although during Barrett ’ s confirmation hearings Senate Democrats focused largely on an ongoing case dealing with ObamaCare , it ’ s no small secret that Barrett ’ s placement on the high court locks in the Second Amendment-friendly majority Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas have been waiting for .
To those who may not believe the Second Amendment is a motivating factor for voters in places where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the gun vote exists and we ’ re listening .
Estimates are that in 2016 , Donald Trump won 60 % of the gun owners ’ vote , and Republicans garnered support from 61 % of gun owners in the 2018 mid-term elections .
As the Oxford University Press pointed out a few months ago , those figures could be key to a Trump re-election in many swing states .
Obviously gun control advocates like Michael Bloomberg are spending big to try to drown out the voices and votes of gun owners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the anti-gun groups have only demonstrated that this year , Democratic candidates are largely running from their gun control plans , not running on them .
That won ’ t matter if they gain legislative majorities , in which case these same politicians will almost immediately start pushing for their gun bans , increased taxes on gun owners , licensing and registration laws , and other anti-gun schemes , but it will matter on Election Day , where gun owners have the potential to play an outsized role in electing candidates that will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and bear arms , as long as we get out and cast our vote in support of our Second Amendment rights .

A new round of battleground polls shows a tightening race between Donald Trump and Joe Biden in critical states like Pennsylvania, Florida, Arizona, Ohio, and North Carolina, and in each of those states gun owners could provide the crucial votes needed to put Trump over the top.
Over at Fox News, Johnny “Joey” Jones argues that while Democrats have largely avoided talking about Biden’s gun control plans, even to the point of gun control groups cutting campaign ads that focus on issues other than Biden’s support for anti-gun policies, America’s gun owners are wide awake to the threat posed by a Biden/Harris administration.
After four years of exploiting tragedies and singling out the National Rifle Association, with nothing more than a less than overwhelming midterm win in 2018 to show for it, Democrats are seeing right now, today, that the American people are moving toward gun ownership. Perhaps this is a rapid response to state governments’ authoritarian policies dealing with COVID-19, and riots breaking out all over the country, and disasters like the California wildfires. Just this week, Amy Coney Barrett was confirmed as a Supreme Court justice, giving the court a presumably 6-3 conservation majority on most heavily partisan cases. Although during Barrett’s confirmation hearings Senate Democrats focused largely on an ongoing case dealing with ObamaCare, it’s no small secret that Barrett’s placement on the high court locks in the Second Amendment-friendly majority Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas have been waiting for. To those who may not believe the Second Amendment is a motivating factor for voters in places where it counts, let me be clear, the gun vote exists and we’re listening.
Estimates are that in 2016, Donald Trump won 60% of the gun owners’ vote, and Republicans garnered support from 61% of gun owners in the 2018 mid-term elections. As the Oxford University Press pointed out a few months ago, those figures could be key to a Trump re-election in many swing states.
This is not a small or insignificant political group. Opinion surveys estimate a third to 40% of households have a gun. That percentage increases notably among the all-important rural voting population. Moreover, in several key swing states gun owners comprise a substantial proportion of voters, including Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Florida, Michigan, and Wisconsin. As Democrats remember, in a tight election, gun owners’ vote can be decisive.
Obviously gun control advocates like Michael Bloomberg are spending big to try to drown out the voices and votes of gun owners, but by downplaying their own issue the anti-gun groups have only demonstrated that this year, Democratic candidates are largely running from their gun control plans, not running on them.
That won’t matter if they gain legislative majorities, in which case these same politicians will almost immediately start pushing for their gun bans, increased taxes on gun owners, licensing and registration laws, and other anti-gun schemes, but it will matter on Election Day, where gun owners have the potential to play an outsized role in electing candidates that will protect and strengthen our right to keep and bear arms, as long as we get out and cast our vote in support of our Second Amendment rights.


bearingarms--2020-11-02--Media's Warnings Of Election Day Violence One-Sided

I will not sit here and tell you that no one on the right will do anything on election day .
I ’ m going to start off with that because , if I don ’ t , someone will pretend that I think our side is as pure as snow or something .
No , I know differently since no cause is so noble that it won ’ t attract fuggheads .
Ours is no exception .
The thing is , though , there ’ s not a whole lot of evidence expect fearmongering that anyone on the right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on election day or afterward .
And yet , that fearmongering is doing its job .
Armed men at polling places .
Post-election violence .
These are not scenes typically associated with American democracy .
But that ’ s exactly what extremism experts are warning could happen on and after Nov. 3 .
And the anti-government groups these experts are concerned about are likely to be a force long after the election , regardless of outcome .
That gets to a lot of experts ’ concerns : the potential for followers of these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the polls armed , which could intimidate voters .
“ I ’ m worried that at least in some cases , those situations could easily escalate into violence , ” said Amy Cooter , a professor at Vanderbilt University who studies militias .
She said armed freelance poll-watchers could have an especially chilling effect in places with a history of suppressing voting by people of color .
And that potential may be heightened by President Donald Trump continually undermining the election ’ s integrity .
In a recent debate Trump said , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the polls and watch very carefully because that ’ s what needs to happen.
” He also called on the xenophobic Proud Boys to “ stand back and stand by ” in lieu of disavowing them , which many took as tacit support from the White House .
Since then , some far-right leaders have explicitly called for members to show up armed to polling places as unsanctioned observers .
That includes Stewart Rhodes , leader of the national militia movement Oath Keepers .
One gun rights activist in the key battleground @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to bring armed supporters to polling places .
Of course , while they like to place the blame for this on President Trump , all he said was for people to watch the polls carefully .
He made no mention of guns .
Regardless , though , let ’ s note that all of this is about just how scary right-wing groups are , but there ’ s not a single mention of Antifa , a group known for committing widespread acts of violence if they don ’ t get their way .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ years ago , riots followed then-candidate Trump as he went to various cities .
Let ’ s not forget the absolute meltdown as riots broke out simply because he won the election .
Of course , it ’ s easy to forget those riots because they pale in comparison to 2020 ’ s riots , but they still happened .
See , while right-leaning groups may show up with guns at right-leaning protests , they never hurt anyone .
They don ’ t intentionally intimidate anyone .
If someone feels intimidated simply because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advise them to seek psychological help over their hoplophobia .
An unreasonable fear of weapons really should be treated by professionals , especially if you ’ re so paralyzed with fear that you can ’ t cast a secret ballot .
Honestly , you need help .
That ’ s not on those with the guns , though .
The world doesn ’ t revolve around your psychological hangups .
Yet again , there ’ s absolutely no mention of concerns regarding leftist violence should Donald Trump win a second term .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this is far more likely than actual violence by guys standing around with guns .
In fact , so far , the only cases of a right-leaning person using their firearms is when they ’ ve been attacked by leftists , so I fail to see the justification for the fear .
Then again , it ’ s not about actual threats .
It ’ s about making people believe the right is a threat so others will fear them and oppose them .
That ’ s all it is .

I will not sit here and tell you that no one on the right will do anything on election day. I’m going to start off with that because, if I don’t, someone will pretend that I think our side is as pure as snow or something. No, I know differently since no cause is so noble that it won’t attract fuggheads. Ours is no exception.
The thing is, though, there’s not a whole lot of evidence expect fearmongering that anyone on the right is going to do a damned thing on election day or afterward.
And yet, that fearmongering is doing its job.
Armed men at polling places. Post-election violence. These are not scenes typically associated with American democracy. But that’s exactly what extremism experts are warning could happen on and after Nov. 3. And the anti-government groups these experts are concerned about are likely to be a force long after the election, regardless of outcome. … That gets to a lot of experts’ concerns: the potential for followers of these groups and ideologies to show up to the polls armed, which could intimidate voters. “I’m worried that at least in some cases, those situations could easily escalate into violence,” said Amy Cooter, a professor at Vanderbilt University who studies militias. She said armed freelance poll-watchers could have an especially chilling effect in places with a history of suppressing voting by people of color. And that potential may be heightened by President Donald Trump continually undermining the election’s integrity. In a recent debate Trump said, “I am urging my supporters to go into the polls and watch very carefully because that’s what needs to happen.” He also called on the xenophobic Proud Boys to “stand back and stand by” in lieu of disavowing them, which many took as tacit support from the White House. Since then, some far-right leaders have explicitly called for members to show up armed to polling places as unsanctioned observers. That includes Stewart Rhodes, leader of the national militia movement Oath Keepers. One gun rights activist in the key battleground of Erie, Pennsylvania, has threatened to bring armed supporters to polling places.
Of course, while they like to place the blame for this on President Trump, all he said was for people to watch the polls carefully. He made no mention of guns.
Regardless, though, let’s note that all of this is about just how scary right-wing groups are, but there’s not a single mention of Antifa, a group known for committing widespread acts of violence if they don’t get their way.
Let’s not forget that four years ago, riots followed then-candidate Trump as he went to various cities. Let’s not forget the absolute meltdown as riots broke out simply because he won the election.
Of course, it’s easy to forget those riots because they pale in comparison to 2020’s riots, but they still happened.
See, while right-leaning groups may show up with guns at right-leaning protests, they never hurt anyone. They don’t intentionally intimidate anyone. If someone feels intimidated simply because a weapon is present, then I advise them to seek psychological help over their hoplophobia. An unreasonable fear of weapons really should be treated by professionals, especially if you’re so paralyzed with fear that you can’t cast a secret ballot. Honestly, you need help.
That’s not on those with the guns, though. The world doesn’t revolve around your psychological hangups.
Yet again, there’s absolutely no mention of concerns regarding leftist violence should Donald Trump win a second term. The thing is, based on experience, this is far more likely than actual violence by guys standing around with guns. In fact, so far, the only cases of a right-leaning person using their firearms is when they’ve been attacked by leftists, so I fail to see the justification for the fear.
Then again, it’s not about actual threats. It’s about making people believe the right is a threat so others will fear them and oppose them. That’s all it is.


bearingarms--2020-11-02--Is This The Beginning Of The End For Gun Control?

That ’ s the very optimistic take from Stanford Ph.D. candidate Scott Borgeson , who writes in a new column at the Stanford Review that the millions of new gun owners across the country this year heralds the impending demise of the gun control movement .
Borgeson believes that the influx of new gun owners , most of whom have purchased a firearm for self-defense because of concerns over riots and unrest in recent months , has the potential to upend support for gun control laws at both the state and federal level .
In light of this , many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are likely to lose a great deal of support .
Waiting periods are one example : they may be a fine idea on paper , but that quickly changes when you realize your city can turn into a riot zone at the drop of a hat – or in this case , at the drop of a grand jury ’ s decision to not indict two officers .
Gun licenses that can take up to 18 months , background checks that can be delayed arbitrarily , and mandatory safety courses that can be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shift in public opinion .
So far we haven ’ t seen any moves to undo any of the restrictions that Borgeson mentions , at least not through legislation .
Instead , we have seen a wave of litigation filed against localities that have imposed months-long waits to apply for concealed carry permits or gun licenses , including a federal lawsuit filed just a few days ago by the Gun Owners Action League in Massachusetts .
Borgeson believes that the biggest impact the millions of new gun owners will have will be on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ high capacity ” magazines .
After all , these new gun owners didn ’ t fork over hundreds of dollars for a short-term lease on their new AR-15 .
They bought their gun , and they aren ’ t likely to embrace a law that demands they either turn over their gun to the government for pennies on the dollar , pay hundreds of dollars to register their gun with the federal government , or risk a ten-year federal prison sentence .
Support for new gun laws has trended down this year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re still a long way from gun control becoming a non-issue .
No matter who wins the presidential election , we know that we ’ re going to be facing well-funded anti-gun groups who ’ ll seek to impose new restrictions wherever they can .
If Biden wins and Democrats take control of the Senate , our fight will primarily be at the federal level .
If Trump wins , then gun control groups are going to continue to funnel resources to states where they think they can get some of their anti-gun @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the beginning of the end of gun control , I think the influx of new gun owners heralds a new chapter in the fight for our right to keep and bear arms .
Gun control isn ’ t going to disappear as an issue , but Second Amendment supporters may very well find themselves with some new allies on the Left who believe that traditional gun control policies like gun and magazine bans and restrictive gun licensing laws are part of a systemically racist criminal justice system in need of an overhaul .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Scott Borgeson that we ’ re witnessing the beginning of the end of the gun control movement .
In fact , if Joe Biden wins , then gun owners , new and old alike , will soon be engaged in the biggest fight for our Second Amendment rights since the passage of the Gun Control Act of 1968 .
Cam Edwards has covered the 2nd Amendment for more than 15 years as a broadcast and online journalist , as well as the co-author of `` Heavy Lifting : Grow Up , Get a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Other Manly Advice '' with Jim Geraghty .
He lives outside of Farmville , Virginia with his family .

That’s the very optimistic take from Stanford Ph.D. candidate Scott Borgeson, who writes in a new column at the Stanford Review that the millions of new gun owners across the country this year heralds the impending demise of the gun control movement.
Borgeson believes that the influx of new gun owners, most of whom have purchased a firearm for self-defense because of concerns over riots and unrest in recent months, has the potential to upend support for gun control laws at both the state and federal level.
In light of this, many previously-acceptable, “common-sense” gun-control policies are likely to lose a great deal of support. Waiting periods are one example: they may be a fine idea on paper, but that quickly changes when you realize your city can turn into a riot zone at the drop of a hat – or in this case, at the drop of a grand jury’s decision to not indict two officers. Gun licenses that can take up to 18 months, background checks that can be delayed arbitrarily, and mandatory safety courses that can be cancelled indefinitely will likely undergo a similar shift in public opinion.
So far we haven’t seen any moves to undo any of the restrictions that Borgeson mentions, at least not through legislation. Instead, we have seen a wave of litigation filed against localities that have imposed months-long waits to apply for concealed carry permits or gun licenses, including a federal lawsuit filed just a few days ago by the Gun Owners Action League in Massachusetts.
Borgeson believes that the biggest impact the millions of new gun owners will have will be on attempts to ban so-called assault weapons and “high capacity” magazines. After all, these new gun owners didn’t fork over hundreds of dollars for a short-term lease on their new AR-15. They bought their gun, and they aren’t likely to embrace a law that demands they either turn over their gun to the government for pennies on the dollar, pay hundreds of dollars to register their gun with the federal government, or risk a ten-year federal prison sentence.
All this is not to say that the gun control debate will simply vanish overnight. It’s been a major element in many politicians’ platforms platforms for decades, so it seems unlikely that their positions will change any time soon—even with the recent buying spree. But a fundamental, grassroots shift in the way we view guns is already underway. More and more Americans now realize the importance of owning one, and have personal experience with purchasing one in a time of extreme demand. The more that becomes true, the less support gun control will receive. “There are no atheists in foxholes,” goes the saying. Well, I contend that there are no gun-control activists in the middle of a riot zone. And tragically, more and more of America is finding itself in exactly that situation.


bearingarms--2020-11-02--Did Hunter Biden Break Federal Law Purchasing Firearm?

Hunter Biden is the proverbial albatross for his father ’ s campaign .
The deal with his laptop and the rather incriminating evidence on that laptop isn ’ t helping the elder Biden ’ s presidential ambitions by any means .
Then , last week , we learned about Hunter ’ s gun escapades .
In particular , his brother ’ s widow and Hunter ’ s girlfriend at the time tossing a handgun into the trash .
However , there ’ s an aspect I didn ’ t consider when covering that story .
ATF Form 4473 , Firearms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transferee to answer “ Yes ” or “ No ” to : “ Are you an unlawful user of , or addicted to , marijuana or any depressant , stimulant , narcotic drug , or any other controlled substance ?
” If he ’ d answered “ Yes , ” the purchase would have been denied .
It is a matter of record that Biden was discharged from the United States Navy in 2014 after testing positive for cocaine .
And his drug abuse has reportedly been ongoing , from his 1998 possession @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a rental car he ’ s damaged in 2016 , to the latest revelations from his laptop computer that “ includes a raunchy , 12-minute video that appears to show Hunter , who ’ s admitted struggling with addiction problems , smoking crack while engaged in a sex act with an unidentified woman… ” If Biden answered “ No , ” as the completed transfer of the firearm proves , this is what he signed and acknowledged : “ I certify that my answers in Section B are true , correct , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ understand the Notices , Instructions , and Definitions on ATF Form 4473 … I understand that a person who answers “ yes ” to any of the questions 21.b .
through 21.k .
is prohibited from receiving or possessing a firearm … I also understand that making any false oral or written statement , or exhibiting any false or misrepresented identification with respect to this transaction , is a crime punishable as a felony under Federal law , and may also violate State and/or local law.
” It ’ s curious that one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ achievements ” is his campaign website claim that he “ beat the NRA ” on Brady Act background checks : “ In 1993 , he shepherded through Congress the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act , which established the background check system that has since kept more than 3 million firearms out of dangerous hands.
” If the evidence is to be believed , it did not stop Hunter Biden .
And unsurprisingly , that is something that neither Joe Biden , not any of the national “ commonsense gun safety groups ” want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what their motives really are .
And yes , they do know about it ; Joe , Brady , Everytown , Giffords and Moms Demand Action .
They just don ’ t want you to .
Hunter ’ s drug issues are extremely well-documented and , based on evidence from the aforementioned laptop , ongoing .
As such , he most likely did like on his 4473 when he sought to obtain a handgun .
Of course , don ’ t think for a moment he ’ ll be prosecuted for that .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a nation where the elites are never prosecuted for their misdeeds , but where you or I will get hammered for every incident .
Oh , law enforcement will argue that they don ’ t have evidence he was using drugs at the time of purchase or whatever , but even if they did , nothing would happen .
And that ’ s the real shame .
See , while Joe Biden seeks to hammer us for our lawful ownership of firearms , his son is ( allegedly ) breaking the law with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ play dad to the country when it comes to firearms , he should really be looking closer to home .

Hunter Biden is the proverbial albatross for his father’s campaign. The deal with his laptop and the rather incriminating evidence on that laptop isn’t helping the elder Biden’s presidential ambitions by any means.
Then, last week, we learned about Hunter’s gun escapades. In particular, his brother’s widow and Hunter’s girlfriend at the time tossing a handgun into the trash.
However, there’s an aspect I didn’t consider when covering that story.
ATF Form 4473, Firearms Transaction Record, Section B.21.e requires the transferee to answer “Yes” or “No” to: “Are you an unlawful user of, or addicted to, marijuana or any depressant, stimulant, narcotic drug, or any other controlled substance?” If he’d answered “Yes,” the purchase would have been denied. It is a matter of record that Biden was discharged from the United States Navy in 2014 after testing positive for cocaine. And his drug abuse has reportedly been ongoing, from his 1998 possession arrest to a crack pipe being found in a rental car he’s damaged in 2016, to the latest revelations from his laptop computer that “includes a raunchy, 12-minute video that appears to show Hunter, who’s admitted struggling with addiction problems, smoking crack while engaged in a sex act with an unidentified woman…” If Biden answered “No,” as the completed transfer of the firearm proves, this is what he signed and acknowledged: “I certify that my answers in Section B are true, correct, and complete. I have read and understand the Notices, Instructions, and Definitions on ATF Form 4473 … I understand that a person who answers “yes” to any of the questions 21.b. through 21.k. is prohibited from receiving or possessing a firearm … I also understand that making any false oral or written statement, or exhibiting any false or misrepresented identification with respect to this transaction, is a crime punishable as a felony under Federal law, and may also violate State and/or local law.” It’s curious that one of Joe Biden’s “proud achievements” is his campaign website claim that he “beat the NRA” on Brady Act background checks: “In 1993, he shepherded through Congress the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, which established the background check system that has since kept more than 3 million firearms out of dangerous hands.” If the evidence is to be believed, it did not stop Hunter Biden. And unsurprisingly, that is something that neither Joe Biden, not any of the national “commonsense gun safety groups” want to talk about, which makes suspect what their motives really are. And yes, they do know about it; Joe, Brady, Everytown, Giffords and Moms Demand Action. They just don’t want you to.
Hunter’s drug issues are extremely well-documented and, based on evidence from the aforementioned laptop, ongoing. As such, he most likely did like on his 4473 when he sought to obtain a handgun.
Of course, don’t think for a moment he’ll be prosecuted for that. Unfortunately, we seem to live in a nation where the elites are never prosecuted for their misdeeds, but where you or I will get hammered for every incident.
Oh, law enforcement will argue that they don’t have evidence he was using drugs at the time of purchase or whatever, but even if they did, nothing would happen.
And that’s the real shame. See, while Joe Biden seeks to hammer us for our lawful ownership of firearms, his son is (allegedly) breaking the law with impunity. Maybe before he tries to play dad to the country when it comes to firearms, he should really be looking closer to home.


bearingarms--2020-11-02--Joe Biden Finally Talks Gun Control

Joe Biden Finally Talks Gun Control

Joe Biden has made it a point not to talk too much about gun control in the general election .
While it was a key point in the Democratic primary , the landscape has changed significantly since then .
Not only is gun control more of a progressive issue than one that ’ ll win over Middle America , but there ’ s also the fact that millions of people–including many liberals–have started buying guns .
They ’ ve seen how much BS has been peddled about guns .
Biden has been quiet , but he hasn ’ t quite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Over the weekend , the former vice president opened up on Twitter about his anti-gun agenda .
Of course , so-called assault weapons represent a fraction of the total number of crimes carried out with firearms .
While they are often used in high-profile shootings , they don ’ t even account for even half of those firearms used in mass shootings .
When broken down by the numbers , just 25 percent of mass shootings are carried out by people with semi-automatic rifles–and that includes semi-autos that aren ’ t actually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use semi-auto handguns .
So , even if Biden could make assault weapons disappear completely from the country , it wouldn ’ t make mass shootings go away .
It wouldn ’ t make any crime go away , really , since the lion ’ s share of gun-related crimes involve handguns .
First , there are tens of thousands of these magazines floating around in the United States right now .
Biden ’ s plan would require people to register each of their magazines as an NFA item .
That ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ magazine ( and , of course , your “ assault rifle .
Let ’ s not forget that ) .
The problem ?
Magazines aren ’ t serialized .
There ’ s absolutely no way to determine whose magazine is whose , which magazines are registered and which aren ’ t , and so on .
At least in past eras , they had enough sense to simply grandfather in past magazines and trust attrition to deal with the older ones , but not Biden .
Honestly , that proposal sounds like something @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t know anything but isn ’ t remotely feasible .
In other words , it ’ s a campaign promise that Biden simply can ’ t deliver .
As for universal background checks , talk about an idea that sounds great on paper but is unworkable .
Oh , sure , a number of states have done them to some degree , but there are serious problems with some of these laws .
For one , it makes things virtually impossible for something like giving a gun as a gift or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In some states , the statutes are so strict that even loaning a firearm to someone requires a background check .
In fact , one university had to shut down the armory they kept for students to store personal firearms because the way the state ’ s universal background check law was written , each handing over of the gun constituted a transfer .
And Biden wants to pass this kind of thing nationally ?
Nevermind that the vast majority of criminals use firearms obtained through illegal means .
Most come from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ purchased through straw buyers .
While a handful of criminals may get them from law-abiding citizens selling their personal firearms directly to someone else , they represent a tiny fraction of the total guns in criminal hands .
Just how is a universal background check going to stop that , anyway .
Straw buyers are still a thing , after all .
They ’ re illegal , but the average guy selling a gun isn ’ t going to recognize that .
Yet even if it did stop all of those gun sales @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make a lick of difference .
Black market guns would still be a thing and that ’ s all the criminals would need .
Then again , Biden calls these “ common-sense reforms ” like that term actually means something .
The phrase is usually thrown around by people who think these things make perfect sense because to them , it does .
However , they only count as “ common sense ” if you ’ re so ignorant of the reality that you can ’ t see how the only people who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and not the criminals that represent the problem .
But it ’ s Joe Biden .
What do you expect ?

Joe Biden has made it a point not to talk too much about gun control in the general election. While it was a key point in the Democratic primary, the landscape has changed significantly since then. Not only is gun control more of a progressive issue than one that’ll win over Middle America, but there’s also the fact that millions of people–including many liberals–have started buying guns. They’ve seen how much BS has been peddled about guns.
Biden has been quiet, but he hasn’t quite tried to memory hole his anti-gun credentials.
Over the weekend, the former vice president opened up on Twitter about his anti-gun agenda.
It’s long past time we take action to end the scourge of gun violence in America. As president, I’ll ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, implement universal background checks, and enact other common-sense reforms to end our gun violence epidemic. — Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) November 1, 2020
Of course, so-called assault weapons represent a fraction of the total number of crimes carried out with firearms. While they are often used in high-profile shootings, they don’t even account for even half of those firearms used in mass shootings. When broken down by the numbers, just 25 percent of mass shootings are carried out by people with semi-automatic rifles–and that includes semi-autos that aren’t actually “assault weapons”–while 45 percent use semi-auto handguns.
So, even if Biden could make assault weapons disappear completely from the country, it wouldn’t make mass shootings go away. It wouldn’t make any crime go away, really, since the lion’s share of gun-related crimes involve handguns.
Now, let’s talk “high-capacity magazines.”
First, there are tens of thousands of these magazines floating around in the United States right now. Biden’s plan would require people to register each of their magazines as an NFA item. That’s a $200 tax stamp for each magazine (and, of course, your “assault rifle. Let’s not forget that). The problem? Magazines aren’t serialized. There’s absolutely no way to determine whose magazine is whose, which magazines are registered and which aren’t, and so on. At least in past eras, they had enough sense to simply grandfather in past magazines and trust attrition to deal with the older ones, but not Biden.
Honestly, that proposal sounds like something that will play well with people who don’t know anything but isn’t remotely feasible. In other words, it’s a campaign promise that Biden simply can’t deliver.
As for universal background checks, talk about an idea that sounds great on paper but is unworkable.
Oh, sure, a number of states have done them to some degree, but there are serious problems with some of these laws. For one, it makes things virtually impossible for something like giving a gun as a gift or passing it down to a family member. In some states, the statutes are so strict that even loaning a firearm to someone requires a background check.
In fact, one university had to shut down the armory they kept for students to store personal firearms because the way the state’s universal background check law was written, each handing over of the gun constituted a transfer.
And Biden wants to pass this kind of thing nationally?
Nevermind that the vast majority of criminals use firearms obtained through illegal means. Most come from the black market. Still others are purchased through straw buyers. While a handful of criminals may get them from law-abiding citizens selling their personal firearms directly to someone else, they represent a tiny fraction of the total guns in criminal hands.
Just how is a universal background check going to stop that, anyway. Straw buyers are still a thing, after all. They’re illegal, but the average guy selling a gun isn’t going to recognize that.
Yet even if it did stop all of those gun sales from happening, it wouldn’t make a lick of difference. Black market guns would still be a thing and that’s all the criminals would need.
Then again, Biden calls these “common-sense reforms” like that term actually means something. The phrase is usually thrown around by people who think these things make perfect sense because to them, it does. However, they only count as “common sense” if you’re so ignorant of the reality that you can’t see how the only people who will be burdened are the law-abiding citizens and not the criminals that represent the problem.
But it’s Joe Biden. What do you expect?


bearingarms--2020-11-04--Are Permits Being Delayed On Purpose?

Are Permits Being Delayed On Purpose?

Not everyone buys a gun with the intention of carrying it .
Many do , of course , but many others buy a gun for keeping at home .
They seem to think that ’ s the only time they ’ ll face danger or whatever .
However , regardless of why they do it , the bulk of most gun owners at least consider carrying a firearm .
With gun sales surging this year , one would think carry permits would surge as well .
Unfortunately , that doesn ’ t seem to be happening , and some are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Reports from around the country reveal that a number of state and local agencies are not approving concealed-carry permit applications in a timely fashion .
In some cases , the delays are well past the time frames written into the application laws .
The states and agencies that work with providing these services have generally blamed the same thing for the slowdowns : COVID-19 and associated problems with staffing .
As John Lott has documented at the Crime Prevention Research Center , the number of concealed-carry permits increased every year over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boom in gun sales this year , especially among first-time firearms owners , one would assume a surge in new carry permits , too .
Instead , the number of new carry permits for 2020 has declined compared to past years .
“ There is a simple reason that concealed handgun permits have not increased as much as gun sales : many states stopped issuing new permits for many months because of the [ COVID-19 ] virus , ” Lott reported .
In Michigan , for example , FOX2 Detroit found that concealed-carry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wait times up to nine months in length .
To give a specific example in Michigan , Kristal Hunt , who says she needs some protection , took the state ’ s required Concealed Pistol License class and filled out the necessary paperwork .
But for the application to be finalized , Hunt and others must have a face-to-face appointment with a county official .
Hunt recently received her appointment date—for July 2021 !
“ It seems like that ’ s the common thing in Wayne County ; it ’ s barriers when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things in the right way , ” said Hunt .
To be fair , I ’ m not sure I agree with delays being intentional , meaning I don ’ t think the delays are the goal .
However , it does seem to me that their failure to expedite things is certainly intentional .
They ’ ve got such a tremendous backlog yet they ’ ve taken zero steps to address it .
The delays are more of a byproduct than the end goal .
I can ’ t rule out an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well be a desire to delay people that ’ s behind the refusal to take any steps to clear the backlog .
Their thinking might be that if you make people wait , they ’ ll rethink their desire to have a permit .
Some people really do think buying a gun and getting a permit is an impulsive act rather than one born of actual rational thinking .
Perhaps someone figured that if they can hold people off , they ’ ll come to their senses or something .
That wouldn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I don ’ t know that there ’ s much that can be done about it without evidence of this being a conscious decision to intentionally try and prevent people from getting permits .
If that comes up , though , it ’ s time to lower the boom on these folks however you can .

Not everyone buys a gun with the intention of carrying it. Many do, of course, but many others buy a gun for keeping at home. They seem to think that’s the only time they’ll face danger or whatever.
However, regardless of why they do it, the bulk of most gun owners at least consider carrying a firearm.
With gun sales surging this year, one would think carry permits would surge as well. Unfortunately, that doesn’t seem to be happening, and some are thinking that’s because of shenanigans.
Reports from around the country reveal that a number of state and local agencies are not approving concealed-carry permit applications in a timely fashion. In some cases, the delays are well past the time frames written into the application laws. The states and agencies that work with providing these services have generally blamed the same thing for the slowdowns: COVID-19 and associated problems with staffing. As John Lott has documented at the Crime Prevention Research Center, the number of concealed-carry permits increased every year over the last decade through 2019. With the boom in gun sales this year, especially among first-time firearms owners, one would assume a surge in new carry permits, too. Instead, the number of new carry permits for 2020 has declined compared to past years. “There is a simple reason that concealed handgun permits have not increased as much as gun sales: many states stopped issuing new permits for many months because of the [COVID-19] virus,” Lott reported. In Michigan, for example, FOX2 Detroit found that concealed-carry applicants in Wayne County have experienced approval wait times up to nine months in length. To give a specific example in Michigan, Kristal Hunt, who says she needs some protection, took the state’s required Concealed Pistol License class and filled out the necessary paperwork. But for the application to be finalized, Hunt and others must have a face-to-face appointment with a county official. Hunt recently received her appointment date—for July 2021! “It seems like that’s the common thing in Wayne County; it’s barriers when you’re trying to go about things in the right way,” said Hunt.
Honestly, this makes no sense.
To be fair, I’m not sure I agree with delays being intentional, meaning I don’t think the delays are the goal. However, it does seem to me that their failure to expedite things is certainly intentional. They’ve got such a tremendous backlog yet they’ve taken zero steps to address it. The delays are more of a byproduct than the end goal.
Maybe.
I can’t rule out an intention, you see. It may well be a desire to delay people that’s behind the refusal to take any steps to clear the backlog. Their thinking might be that if you make people wait, they’ll rethink their desire to have a permit. Some people really do think buying a gun and getting a permit is an impulsive act rather than one born of actual rational thinking. Perhaps someone figured that if they can hold people off, they’ll come to their senses or something.
That wouldn’t be surprising, really.
Regardless, I don’t know that there’s much that can be done about it without evidence of this being a conscious decision to intentionally try and prevent people from getting permits. If that comes up, though, it’s time to lower the boom on these folks however you can.