bearingarms--2020-12-09--ATF Searching For Suspects In Gun Store Break-Ins

Violent crime is soaring in towns of pretty much every size imaginable .
The crime rate is spiking at rates here in the last half of the year in ways that are likely unprecedented .
This is , unsurprisingly , leading to renewed calls for gun control all throughout the nation .
Of course , it ’ s important to remember that if the bad guys get their guns from gun stores , it ’ s not like you or I would get them .
No , they ’ re far more likely to get them like this : Authorities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Firearms and Explosives are searching for suspects after two overnight break-ins at area gun stores .
Authorities said around 12:30 a.m. Tuesday , three suspects broke into DrumMagazines LLC , a firearms shop in the 4000 block of Sterling in Kansas City , Missouri .
The suspects stole several guns from the business before fleeing the scene .
Surveillance images of the suspects , and the vehicle used , were captured by the business .
.
@ ATFKansasCity offering up to $ 5000 reward for information leading to arrest & /or recovery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sterling , KCMO early this morning .
Callers remain anonymous Call 888-ATF-TIPS or @ KCCrimeStop 816-474-TIPS or text ATFKC to 63975 pic.twitter.com/N4b5UdnEdu The second break-in took place at a gun store in Blue Springs , Missouri .
In that incident , someone drove an SUV through the front glass at Hughes Defense .
Luckily , those jackwagons weren ’ t able to steal any guns .
This , ladies and gentlemen , are how criminals get guns .
They steal them .
If they don ’ t steal them from gun stores , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This shouldn ’ t surprise anyone .
I mean , they ’ re criminals .
They intend to use these guys to commit various crimes , so it ’ s idiotic to assume they wouldn ’ t commit a crime to obtain a weapon with which to carry out those crimes .
Yet that ’ s the entire premise of gun control .
The entire argument for gun control is that you can stop criminals from doing bad things by passing still more laws for them to ignore in the process .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all agree on is that gun thefts are a problem .
Even if you take everything else off the table , it ’ s someone taking property that doesn ’ t belong to them .
That ’ s almost universally decried as a crime and for good reason .
Another thing everyone should agree on is our desire to see these criminals locked up soon , preferably before they have a chance to use or sell any of the firearms they took .
That ’ s the best-case scenario , but probably not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least some of those guns are already sold , though I could be wrong .
As noted in the tweet above , the ATF is offering a $ 5,000 reward for information leading to arrests .
Let ’ s hope it ’ s enough for someone to speak up and let the authorities find these guys before they make life more difficult for law-abiding citizens .
After all , those guns may be used to commit violent crimes against law-abiding citizens and/or be used in crimes that , in turn , get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
What we ’ re unlikely to see , though , are anti-gunners acknowledging that this is how criminals get guns and that we should probably focus on them for a change .
It ’ s a shame , too , because that would be something we could agree on for once .

Violent crime is soaring in towns of pretty much every size imaginable. The crime rate is spiking at rates here in the last half of the year in ways that are likely unprecedented.
This is, unsurprisingly, leading to renewed calls for gun control all throughout the nation.
Of course, it’s important to remember that if the bad guys get their guns from gun stores, it’s not like you or I would get them. No, they’re far more likely to get them like this:
Authorities with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are searching for suspects after two overnight break-ins at area gun stores. Authorities said around 12:30 a.m. Tuesday, three suspects broke into DrumMagazines LLC, a firearms shop in the 4000 block of Sterling in Kansas City, Missouri. The suspects stole several guns from the business before fleeing the scene. Surveillance images of the suspects, and the vehicle used, were captured by the business. .@ATFKansasCity offering up to $5000 reward for information leading to arrest &/or recovery of guns stolen from DrumMagzines, 4015 Sterling, KCMO early this morning. Callers remain anonymous Call 888-ATF-TIPS or @KCCrimeStop 816-474-TIPS or text ATFKC to 63975 pic.twitter.com/N4b5UdnEdu — ATF Kansas City (@ATFKansasCity) December 8, 2020
The second break-in took place at a gun store in Blue Springs, Missouri.
In that incident, someone drove an SUV through the front glass at Hughes Defense. Luckily, those jackwagons weren’t able to steal any guns.
This, ladies and gentlemen, are how criminals get guns. They steal them. If they don’t steal them from gun stores, they steal them from private citizens. This shouldn’t surprise anyone. I mean, they’re criminals. They intend to use these guys to commit various crimes, so it’s idiotic to assume they wouldn’t commit a crime to obtain a weapon with which to carry out those crimes.
Yet that’s the entire premise of gun control. The entire argument for gun control is that you can stop criminals from doing bad things by passing still more laws for them to ignore in the process.
It’s beyond ridiculous.
That said, the one thing we should all agree on is that gun thefts are a problem. Even if you take everything else off the table, it’s someone taking property that doesn’t belong to them. That’s almost universally decried as a crime and for good reason.
Another thing everyone should agree on is our desire to see these criminals locked up soon, preferably before they have a chance to use or sell any of the firearms they took. That’s the best-case scenario, but probably not a particularly likely one. I suspect at least some of those guns are already sold, though I could be wrong.
As noted in the tweet above, the ATF is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to arrests. Let’s hope it’s enough for someone to speak up and let the authorities find these guys before they make life more difficult for law-abiding citizens.
After all, those guns may be used to commit violent crimes against law-abiding citizens and/or be used in crimes that, in turn, get used to justify still more anti-gun proposals.
What we’re unlikely to see, though, are anti-gunners acknowledging that this is how criminals get guns and that we should probably focus on them for a change. It’s a shame, too, because that would be something we could agree on for once.


bearingarms--2020-12-09--Berkeley Carjacking Brings Up Point About Gun Free Zones

The state of California , as an anti-gun state , has an awful lot of gun-free zones .
Among those zones are going to be college campuses .
I mean , it ’ s not like the Golden State is ever going to be remotely interested in campus carry .
Not anytime soon , anyway .
Yet crime doesn ’ t care about these gun-free zones .
Or , if a criminal does , it ’ s because they see them more as victim disarmament zones .
Yet a recent carjacking at UC Berkeley had me thinking about how the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A man had his car forcibly taken from him in the Underhill parking garage at 2616 Haste St. ( at College Avenue ) on Sunday night , according to UC Berkeley police .
Four people came up to the man at 9:30 p.m. as he was approaching his car , a 2018 grey Ford Fusion .
Two of the men had handguns , and they took his car and other property , according to UC Berkeley police .
The four men then drove away in the Fusion and an older white Honda @ @ @ @ @ @ @ victim was not injured in the carjacking .
This was the parking garage , the kind of place that is often the last point someone can be armed at a gun-free zone , though not necessarily in California .
While it ’ s unlikely that this driver would have been armed otherwise , it wasn ’ t remotely possible for him to be armed .
Even if the parking garage was fine for him to have a firearm , he likely still would have been disarmed .
See , the problem with gun-free @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disarm you at the doors or property line .
A case could be argued that if they provide sufficient security , you aren ’ t less safe in those areas .
The issue is that a gun-free zone requires you to be gun-free at some point before you reach that point .
If you ’ re going to a mall that ’ s gun-free , you have to leave your gun in the car at a minimum , if not at home entirely .
That means you ’ re vulnerable long before you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , protect you .
And with car break-ins being a thing , it ’ s understandable that some would leave their guns at home if they ’ re going to be spending much of their trip in a gun-free zone .
So , tell me just who provides security for that individual to and from their home ?
Who patrols the parking lots to not just keep people safe to and from their vehicles , but to prevent their cars from being broken into and their firearms stolen ?
Who ?
The answer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Even if you could guarantee perfect safety within a gun-free zone–something no one can actually guarantee–that guarantee won ’ t extend beyond a certain point .
However , the regulations that disarm law-abiding citizens do .
This is why no matter how much some people seem to believe that a gun-free zone offers perfect security , those of us on the gun rights side aren ’ t remotely interested .
Even if we believed in the security , we can recognize the truth that such security will end well before we can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for keeping us safe .
The courts have ruled that it ’ s our responsibility .
Gun-free zones make that impossible , and they do it well past the front doors and out into the world in general .

The state of California, as an anti-gun state, has an awful lot of gun-free zones. Among those zones are going to be college campuses. I mean, it’s not like the Golden State is ever going to be remotely interested in campus carry. Not anytime soon, anyway.
Yet crime doesn’t care about these gun-free zones.
Or, if a criminal does, it’s because they see them more as victim disarmament zones. Yet a recent carjacking at UC Berkeley had me thinking about how the problem with gun-free zones extends even further.
A man had his car forcibly taken from him in the Underhill parking garage at 2616 Haste St. (at College Avenue) on Sunday night, according to UC Berkeley police. Four people came up to the man at 9:30 p.m. as he was approaching his car, a 2018 grey Ford Fusion. Two of the men had handguns, and they took his car and other property, according to UC Berkeley police. The four men then drove away in the Fusion and an older white Honda sedan, according to police. The victim was not injured in the carjacking.
This was the parking garage, the kind of place that is often the last point someone can be armed at a gun-free zone, though not necessarily in California. While it’s unlikely that this driver would have been armed otherwise, it wasn’t remotely possible for him to be armed. Even if the parking garage was fine for him to have a firearm, he likely still would have been disarmed.
See, the problem with gun-free zones isn’t just that they disarm you at the doors or property line. A case could be argued that if they provide sufficient security, you aren’t less safe in those areas.
The issue is that a gun-free zone requires you to be gun-free at some point before you reach that point. If you’re going to a mall that’s gun-free, you have to leave your gun in the car at a minimum, if not at home entirely. That means you’re vulnerable long before you reach any security that can, theoretically, protect you.
And with car break-ins being a thing, it’s understandable that some would leave their guns at home if they’re going to be spending much of their trip in a gun-free zone.
So, tell me just who provides security for that individual to and from their home? Who patrols the parking lots to not just keep people safe to and from their vehicles, but to prevent their cars from being broken into and their firearms stolen? Who?
The answer, of course, is no one.
Even if you could guarantee perfect safety within a gun-free zone–something no one can actually guarantee–that guarantee won’t extend beyond a certain point. However, the regulations that disarm law-abiding citizens do.
This is why no matter how much some people seem to believe that a gun-free zone offers perfect security, those of us on the gun rights side aren’t remotely interested. Even if we believed in the security, we can recognize the truth that such security will end well before we can rearm ourselves.
No one is responsible for keeping us safe. The courts have ruled that it’s our responsibility. Gun-free zones make that impossible, and they do it well past the front doors and out into the world in general.


bearingarms--2020-12-09--Biden Aide Promises "Big, Bold" Executive Actions On Guns

At the moment , the prospects of Joe Biden ’ s sweeping gun and magazine ban getting through a divided Congress appear to be dim , but a top transition official is telling his supporters that the Democrat will move quickly to enact “ “ make big , bold changes through executive action ” if he ’ s inaugurated in January .
The Washington Examinerreports ‘ s Paul Bedard that Stef Feldman , the national policy director of Biden ’ s presidential campaign , brought up the issue of executive actions on guns during an online briefing with Georgetown University @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Service .
It is expected that Biden will use executive orders , especially if the Democrats don ’ t win both Georgia special Senate elections .
Even with those , however , it would be a split chamber — making it difficult for him to push through liberal elements of his agenda , including gun control .
The mention of guns in his initial executive actions is already sparking concern in the industry , which is readying an aggressive lobbying campaign .
“ I ’ m going to be pretty busy , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actions could Biden take ?
As we discussed with Alan Gottlieb of the Second Amendment Foundation on Tuesdays ’ Bearing Arms ’ Cam & Co , a ban on the importation of semi-automatic rifles is one of the first moves that Biden could make , but Gottlieb says he ’ s also concerned that Biden could try to ban the importation of ammunition and ammunition components as well .
The Gun Control Act of 1968 prohibits the importation of ammunition unless it ’ s “ of a type generally recognized as particularly suitable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ purposes ’ ” and the ATF has already used the “ sporting purposes ” test to ban the importation of some semi-automatic firearms since the 1980s .
Biden could not only use executive actions to block so-called assault weapons from being imported into the country , but could ban the importation of common calibers of center-fire rifle ammunition as well , making it even harder for gun owners to acquire already scarce ammo .
What about domestically manufactured modern sporting rifles ?
Is there any way for Biden to ban guns like the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Shooting Sports Foundation ’ s Larry Keane , his transition team is already weighing their options .
“ Right now , there ’ s no legal way that I ’ m aware of where you could deny the right if they had legally purchased them , ” Biden told CNN of his confiscation plans .
“ But we can , in fact , make a major effort to get them off the street and out of the possession of people.
” That was 2019 .
Today , he ’ s looking for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s trying to achieve his agenda is by reclassifying the MSR to fall under the 1934 National Firearms Act so the more than century-old technology would be treated in the same fashion as short-barrel rifles and machine guns .
That would require owners to be put on federal lists , submit fingerprints , photos , inform chief law enforcement officers , endure duplicitous background checks , wait more than nine months for approval and pay a $ 200 tax for the privilege to continue to own what they already legally purchased .
Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the country via executive action would certainly count as a “ big , bold move , ” but you ’ d quickly see equally big and bold challenges to his edict in state legislatures , Congress , and the courts , as well as widespread non-compliance on the part of gun owners .
If Biden wants to pick that fight he better understand that there are tens of millions of Americans who aren ’ t going to voluntarily give up the guns in their possession or pay the federal government hundreds of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ privilege ” of keeping what they already own .
Joe Biden ’ s been claiming he wants to be a unifying president , but there ’ s no faster way to deepen the divide in this country than by targeting our Second Amendment rights , and it sounds like that ’ s exactly what Joe Biden plans to do .

At the moment, the prospects of Joe Biden’s sweeping gun and magazine ban getting through a divided Congress appear to be dim, but a top transition official is telling his supporters that the Democrat will move quickly to enact ““make big, bold changes through executive action” if he’s inaugurated in January.
The Washington Examinerreports‘s Paul Bedard that Stef Feldman, the national policy director of Biden’s presidential campaign, brought up the issue of executive actions on guns during an online briefing with Georgetown University’s Institute of Politics and Public Service.
It is expected that Biden will use executive orders, especially if the Democrats don’t win both Georgia special Senate elections. Even with those, however, it would be a split chamber — making it difficult for him to push through liberal elements of his agenda, including gun control. The mention of guns in his initial executive actions is already sparking concern in the industry, which is readying an aggressive lobbying campaign. “I’m going to be pretty busy,” said one top gun lobbyist.
What actions could Biden take? As we discussed with Alan Gottlieb of the Second Amendment Foundation on Tuesdays’ Bearing Arms’ Cam & Co, a ban on the importation of semi-automatic rifles is one of the first moves that Biden could make, but Gottlieb says he’s also concerned that Biden could try to ban the importation of ammunition and ammunition components as well.
The Gun Control Act of 1968 prohibits the importation of ammunition unless it’s “of a type generally recognized as particularly suitable for or readily adaptable to ‘sporting purposes’” and the ATF has already used the “sporting purposes” test to ban the importation of some semi-automatic firearms since the 1980s. Biden could not only use executive actions to block so-called assault weapons from being imported into the country, but could ban the importation of common calibers of center-fire rifle ammunition as well, making it even harder for gun owners to acquire already scarce ammo.
What about domestically manufactured modern sporting rifles? Is there any way for Biden to ban guns like the AR-15 without legislation? According to the National Shooting Sports Foundation’s Larry Keane, his transition team is already weighing their options.
“Right now, there’s no legal way that I’m aware of where you could deny the right if they had legally purchased them,” Biden told CNN of his confiscation plans. “But we can, in fact, make a major effort to get them off the street and out of the possession of people.” That was 2019. Today, he’s looking for the loopholes. One way Biden’s trying to achieve his agenda is by reclassifying the MSR to fall under the 1934 National Firearms Act so the more than century-old technology would be treated in the same fashion as short-barrel rifles and machine guns. That would require owners to be put on federal lists, submit fingerprints, photos, inform chief law enforcement officers, endure duplicitous background checks, wait more than nine months for approval and pay a $200 tax for the privilege to continue to own what they already legally purchased.
Biden banning the most commonly sold center-fire rifle in the country via executive action would certainly count as a “big, bold move,” but you’d quickly see equally big and bold challenges to his edict in state legislatures, Congress, and the courts, as well as widespread non-compliance on the part of gun owners. If Biden wants to pick that fight he better understand that there are tens of millions of Americans who aren’t going to voluntarily give up the guns in their possession or pay the federal government hundreds of dollars per gun or magazine for the “privilege” of keeping what they already own. Joe Biden’s been claiming he wants to be a unifying president, but there’s no faster way to deepen the divide in this country than by targeting our Second Amendment rights, and it sounds like that’s exactly what Joe Biden plans to do.


bearingarms--2020-12-09--DC Suburb Scraps Thomas Jefferson, George Mason From School Names

The Falls Church , Virginia school board unanimously approved renaming Thomas Jefferson Elementary School and George Mason High School at its meeting on Tuesday evening , declaring that “ schools must be places where all students , staff , and community members feel safe , supported , and inspired.
” Board members didn ’ t explain why attending class at schools named after two of the most important Founding Fathers would make students feel unsafe , uninspired , or unsupported , but the fact that both Jefferson and Mason were slave owners appears to have been the impetus for renaming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put it bluntly , idiotic .
I have no idea if renaming the schools will make students and staff feel safer or more inspired , but I do know that attending school in a district that ’ s afraid or ashamed of Thomas Jefferson and George Mason is going to make people dumber .
Yes , both Jefferson and Mason owned slaves , but they were also men who were outspoken about the evils of slavery , and their efforts in both the state of Virginia and the new United States to secure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end the practice decades after their deaths .
Mason helped to write the Virginia Declaration of Rights in 1776 , which was an inspiration and a guide for the federal Bill of Rights that came fifteen years later , while Jefferson ’ s declaration that “ all men are created equal , ” while not binding in law , became the foundational premise for the individual liberties of all American citizens , even if that statement remained more aspirational than a reality in the decades after the War of Independence .
Those facts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than the simple and unavoidable fact that both men owned slaves , even as they spoke out against the evils of human bondage .
Martin Luther King could approvingly quote Thomas Jefferson in his “ Letter From a Birmingham Jail , ” but kids in Falls Church will only see Jefferson as a fatally flawed figure unworthy of recognition and honor .
But though I was initially disappointed at being categorized as an extremist , as I continued to think about the matter I gradually gained a measure of satisfaction from the label @ @ @ @ @ @ @ love : “ Love your enemies , bless them that curse you , do good to them that hate you , and pray for them which despitefully use you , and persecute you.
” … And Thomas Jefferson : “ We hold these truths to be self-evident , that all men are created equal … ” So the question is not whether we will be extremists , but what kind of extremists we will be .
Jefferson and Mason not only helped to inspire the cause of freedom for all , but their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bear arms helped ensure that black Americans would be able to acquire and use firearms of their own in defense of their individual liberty and civil rights .
To consign them to the dustbin of history is to ignore vital parts of our story in the centuries-long struggle for a more perfect union .
Why should the school district stop with Jefferson and Mason ?
Why not rename the district ’ s Jessie Thackery Preschool ?
Thackery , after all , was born and raised in Jim Crow Virginia , and helped to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 1948 .
City leaders not only drew the boundaries of the city limits to exclude as many black residents as possible , but they refused to allow black students to attend school in the district , even if they lived there .
Instead , they were bussed to nearby Fairfax County to attend segregated schools .
It wasn ’ t until 1961 that the Falls Church school district decided to integrate ; a full five years after the Supreme Court ’ s decision in Brown vs. Board of Education .
To be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second in the state to allow black and white students to attend class together , but they still dragged their feet for years before complying .
If owning slaves in the 18th century is disqualifying for a school name , why should the school district honor any figure that had anything to do with the segregation of students in the 20th century ?
If you go looking through our history hoping to find perfection in human form , you ’ ll undoubtably end up disappointed in every figure you run across .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adults know this , but I ’ m gravely concerned that the students in Falls Church , Virginia won ’ t ever learn that critically important lesson .

The Falls Church, Virginia school board unanimously approved renaming Thomas Jefferson Elementary School and George Mason High School at its meeting on Tuesday evening, declaring that “schools must be places where all students, staff, and community members feel safe, supported, and inspired.”
Board members didn’t explain why attending class at schools named after two of the most important Founding Fathers would make students feel unsafe, uninspired, or unsupported, but the fact that both Jefferson and Mason were slave owners appears to have been the impetus for renaming the schools.
This is, to put it bluntly, idiotic. I have no idea if renaming the schools will make students and staff feel safer or more inspired, but I do know that attending school in a district that’s afraid or ashamed of Thomas Jefferson and George Mason is going to make people dumber.
Yes, both Jefferson and Mason owned slaves, but they were also men who were outspoken about the evils of slavery, and their efforts in both the state of Virginia and the new United States to secure the ideals of individual liberty helped to end the practice decades after their deaths.
Mason helped to write the Virginia Declaration of Rights in 1776, which was an inspiration and a guide for the federal Bill of Rights that came fifteen years later, while Jefferson’s declaration that “all men are created equal,” while not binding in law, became the foundational premise for the individual liberties of all American citizens, even if that statement remained more aspirational than a reality in the decades after the War of Independence.
Those facts apparently matter less to the school board than the simple and unavoidable fact that both men owned slaves, even as they spoke out against the evils of human bondage. Martin Luther King could approvingly quote Thomas Jefferson in his “Letter From a Birmingham Jail,” but kids in Falls Church will only see Jefferson as a fatally flawed figure unworthy of recognition and honor.
But though I was initially disappointed at being categorized as an extremist, as I continued to think about the matter I gradually gained a measure of satisfaction from the label. Was not Jesus an extremist for love: “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” … And Thomas Jefferson: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal …” So the question is not whether we will be extremists, but what kind of extremists we will be.
Jefferson and Mason not only helped to inspire the cause of freedom for all, but their support for the right to keep and bear arms helped ensure that black Americans would be able to acquire and use firearms of their own in defense of their individual liberty and civil rights. To consign them to the dustbin of history is to ignore vital parts of our story in the centuries-long struggle for a more perfect union.
Why should the school district stop with Jefferson and Mason? Why not rename the district’s Jessie Thackery Preschool? Thackery, after all, was born and raised in Jim Crow Virginia, and helped to create the independent city of Falls Church in 1948. City leaders not only drew the boundaries of the city limits to exclude as many black residents as possible, but they refused to allow black students to attend school in the district, even if they lived there. Instead, they were bussed to nearby Fairfax County to attend segregated schools.
It wasn’t until 1961 that the Falls Church school district decided to integrate; a full five years after the Supreme Court’s decision in Brown vs. Board of Education. To be fair, the district was just the second in the state to allow black and white students to attend class together, but they still dragged their feet for years before complying. If owning slaves in the 18th century is disqualifying for a school name, why should the school district honor any figure that had anything to do with the segregation of students in the 20th century?
If you go looking through our history hoping to find perfection in human form, you’ll undoubtably end up disappointed in every figure you run across. I’d like to think that most adults know this, but I’m gravely concerned that the students in Falls Church, Virginia won’t ever learn that critically important lesson.


bearingarms--2020-12-09--Man Arrested Ahead Of Lobby Day Protest Sentenced

It ’ s hard to believe that Lobby Day was just earlier this year .
2020 has had a lot of weird ups and downs and it seems like it was a lifetime ago when legions of Second Amendment supporters took to the streets of Richmond to call for an end to Governor Ralph Northam ’ s attempts to infringe upon their rights .
It also seems like a lifetime ago when a group of white supremacists seeking to start a civil war at the event was arrested .
Now , one has been sentenced to five years in prison @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to start seeing some laws addressing domestic terrorism because this is not something that will make people feel warm and tingly .
I ’ m not sure that ’ s a good thing , mind you , but I suspect we ’ ll see it .
Don ’ t get me wrong , five years isn ’ t the worst sentence possible , but it ’ s still less than ideal .
Let ’ s remember , folks , these people wanted to kill us .
They were looking to kill Second Amendment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our brothers and sisters , all so they could spark their idiotic race war and topple the government of the United States of America .
I think I ’ d prefer them to be buried under the prison , but that ’ s just me .
Now , we can turn our attention to the other two jackwagons who wanted to slaughter American citizens for their own perverse purposes .
However , let ’ s also understand that these people are still out there .
Sure , these three are locked up , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a group called The Base , a group that models itself , at least in part , on Al Quida .
They ’ re not going to just stop because three people were arrested .
They ’ ll try this crap again and again until they either succeed or the government rounds the rest up for various crimes .
We ’ ll just have to see how it shakes out .

It’s hard to believe that Lobby Day was just earlier this year. 2020 has had a lot of weird ups and downs and it seems like it was a lifetime ago when legions of Second Amendment supporters took to the streets of Richmond to call for an end to Governor Ralph Northam’s attempts to infringe upon their rights.
It also seems like a lifetime ago when a group of white supremacists seeking to start a civil war at the event was arrested.
Now, one has been sentenced to five years in prison.
One of three men charged with plotting violence at a Virginia gun rights rally pleaded guilty Tuesday and was sentenced to five years in federal prison in what prosecutors said was a scheme by white supremacists to spark a “race war” by shooting “unsuspecting civilians and police officers” during the demonstration. The defendant, William G. Bilbrough IV, was arrested by FBI agents after he and two others allegedly plotted to kill people at random at the January rally in Richmond, hoping to ignite what one of them purportedly called a “full-blown civil war.” Although authorities described the scheme as potential “domestic terrorism,” there is no federal statute dealing specifically with domestic terrorism. Bilbrough, 20, of Maryland, was charged with five felony counts of transporting and harboring an alien, meaning one of his co-defendants, who had entered the country illegally from Canada. The other two men, who are awaiting trials, are charged with weapons offenses. Bilbrough, who faced less serious charges than his co-defendants, pleaded guilty to two of the five counts against him in a deal with prosecutors. Both sides in the case agreed that a five-year prison term would be appropriate, and U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang in Greenbelt, Md., imposed the sentence immediately after Bilbrough entered his plea.
I suspect we’re going to start seeing some laws addressing domestic terrorism because this is not something that will make people feel warm and tingly. I’m not sure that’s a good thing, mind you, but I suspect we’ll see it.
Don’t get me wrong, five years isn’t the worst sentence possible, but it’s still less than ideal.
Let’s remember, folks, these people wanted to kill us. They were looking to kill Second Amendment supporters. They were looking to kill our brothers and sisters, all so they could spark their idiotic race war and topple the government of the United States of America.
I think I’d prefer them to be buried under the prison, but that’s just me.
Now, we can turn our attention to the other two jackwagons who wanted to slaughter American citizens for their own perverse purposes.
However, let’s also understand that these people are still out there. Sure, these three are locked up, but they were also all members of a group called The Base, a group that models itself, at least in part, on Al Quida. They’re not going to just stop because three people were arrested. They’ll try this crap again and again until they either succeed or the government rounds the rest up for various crimes.
We’ll just have to see how it shakes out.


bearingarms--2020-12-09--Felony Charges Dropped Against Oklahoma 2A "Auditor"

An Oklahoma man who gained a lot of attention ( and cash ) with his “ audits ” of local police departments and their compliance with the state ’ s carry laws has had charges of illegally carrying a rifle in a business where alcohol is served dropped by the Oklahoma County District Attorney .
Timothy Harper was charged with the felony after bringing his AR-15 rifle into an Oklahoma City restaurant back in November of 2019 , but DA David Prater dropped the charge last week “ in the interest of justice.
” Now , Harper , 53 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with carrying a rifle or AR-15 pistol in public to see what the reaction will be .
“ I ’ m not going to be doing that , ” he said Monday .
He said he already has accomplished his purpose and police no longer react to a citizen carrying a rifle like there was a mall shooter .
“ Pretty much everyone knows what the law is , what we can do .
The police have been educated .
… Even Edmond changed their policies a little bit , ” he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to go out and do these … anymore.
” He warned gun owners not to take rifles into restaurants until legislators change the laws .
“ Don ’ t do that .
Don ’ t do what I did until they fix that law , ” he said .
“ You could get into trouble for that.
” Harper found himself not only in legal trouble but isolated from other gun rights activists in the state .
After all , the gun owner wasn ’ t just conducting an experiment to see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were being followed , he was streaming each of these “ audits ” and monetizing the videos .
After Harper ’ s arrest last year the state gun rights group OK2A blasted Harper for his “ needless escalation of concerns and tensions with citizens and law enforcement.
” “ Mr .
Harper is NOT a member of OK2A and has never had any authority to use or represent OK2A at any time .
His actions to draw attention to himself while escalating tensions for profit of a social media platform is uncalled for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the values of the Board of Directors of OK2A or the majority of Oklahomans .
His claim to any such authority with OK2A is FALSE .
“ For over six months , OK2A has requested multiple times that Tim Harper agree to stop conducting these so called “ audits ” of the First and Second Amendments while openly carrying firearms into private business property and some public property areas .
“ The position of OK2A is that these audits are unwarranted unless there has been a previously established problem .
“ While @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the new law of constitutional carry , we request gun owners and those who exercise this right to respect the concerns of business owners and the general public while adjusting to the return of this basic liberty .
Harper ’ s “ activism ” looks more to me like narcissism on display , and while I ’ m glad that he ’ s no longer facing felony charges for his stunts , I ’ m even more appreciative of the fact that he says he ’ s done with his “ audits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than they helped .
I support Constitutional Carry , open carry , and concealed carry .
What I can ’ t get behind are attempts to use the Second Amendment to grandstand , and Harper made a name for himself by giving gun owners a bad name .
When you manage to tick off gun rights groups in Oklahoma , which has some of the best gun laws in the nation as far as gun owners are concerned , you ’ re doing something wrong .
In Harper ’ s case , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to bring attention to himself at the expense of the movement and the activists who ’ ve actually worked within the system to bring things like Constitutional Carry to the state .

An Oklahoma man who gained a lot of attention (and cash) with his “audits” of local police departments and their compliance with the state’s carry laws has had charges of illegally carrying a rifle in a business where alcohol is served dropped by the Oklahoma County District Attorney.
Timothy Harper was charged with the felony after bringing his AR-15 rifle into an Oklahoma City restaurant back in November of 2019, but DA David Prater dropped the charge last week “in the interest of justice.”
Now, Harper, 53, of Choctaw, insists he is done with carrying a rifle or AR-15 pistol in public to see what the reaction will be. “I’m not going to be doing that,” he said Monday. He said he already has accomplished his purpose and police no longer react to a citizen carrying a rifle like there was a mall shooter. “Pretty much everyone knows what the law is, what we can do. The police have been educated. … Even Edmond changed their policies a little bit,” he said. “So there’s no need to go out and do these … anymore.” He warned gun owners not to take rifles into restaurants until legislators change the laws. “Don’t do that. Don’t do what I did until they fix that law,” he said. “You could get into trouble for that.”
Harper found himself not only in legal trouble but isolated from other gun rights activists in the state. After all, the gun owner wasn’t just conducting an experiment to see if the state’s gun laws were being followed, he was streaming each of these “audits” and monetizing the videos. After Harper’s arrest last year the state gun rights group OK2A blasted Harper for his “needless escalation of concerns and tensions with citizens and law enforcement.”
“Mr. Harper is NOT a member of OK2A and has never had any authority to use or represent OK2A at any time. His actions to draw attention to himself while escalating tensions for profit of a social media platform is uncalled for, unwise, and does not hold to the values of the Board of Directors of OK2A or the majority of Oklahomans. His claim to any such authority with OK2A is FALSE. “For over six months, OK2A has requested multiple times that Tim Harper agree to stop conducting these so called “audits” of the First and Second Amendments while openly carrying firearms into private business property and some public property areas. “The position of OK2A is that these audits are unwarranted unless there has been a previously established problem. “While the state of Oklahoma continues to adjust to the new law of constitutional carry, we request gun owners and those who exercise this right to respect the concerns of business owners and the general public while adjusting to the return of this basic liberty.
Harper’s “activism” looks more to me like narcissism on display, and while I’m glad that he’s no longer facing felony charges for his stunts, I’m even more appreciative of the fact that he says he’s done with his “audits” that hurt the cause far more than they helped.
I support Constitutional Carry, open carry, and concealed carry. What I can’t get behind are attempts to use the Second Amendment to grandstand, and Harper made a name for himself by giving gun owners a bad name. When you manage to tick off gun rights groups in Oklahoma, which has some of the best gun laws in the nation as far as gun owners are concerned, you’re doing something wrong. In Harper’s case, it was using his right to bear arms to bring attention to himself at the expense of the movement and the activists who’ve actually worked within the system to bring things like Constitutional Carry to the state.


bearingarms--2020-12-09--Families Sue "Ghost Gun" Parts Vendors

Families Sue "Ghost Gun" Parts Vendors

The term “ ghost gun ” is a favorite among anti-gunners .
They love the scary feeling , the idea that it ’ s “ untraceable ” or something–nevermind that most guns are untraceable after a period of time in any place without a registry–and they love that it can be used to scare other people .
However , according to the ATF , a receiver that isn ’ t a full-on receiver is simply not a firearm .
There ’ s no way around that , really .
There also may not be a way around the fact that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Act may not cover those who sell non-receivers .
Granted , that ’ s typically not an issue , but it ’ s about to be .
Families of those killed and wounded in a rural California shooting rampage three years ago are suing manufacturers and sellers of “ ghost gun ” kits that provide easy-to-assemble firearm parts that make it difficult to track or regulate owners .
A pair of wrongful death lawsuits filed last month in separate state courts accuse 13 defendants of negligence , public nuisance and violation of business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brady United , the national nonprofit that advocates against gun violence , which said Monday that the suits are the first of their kind in the nation .
Ghost guns , which are cobbled together with various parts often purchased separately , have long been popular among hobbyists and firearms enthusiasts .
The weapons that contain no registration numbers that could be used to trace them and require no background checks increasingly have shown up at crime scenes , gun control advocates say .
“ There is an ample and thriving gun market @ @ @ @ @ @ @ citizens can get guns thru proper channels .
This is an industry that appears aimed at supplying people who can ’ t legally have guns , ” Brady ’ s chief counsel Jonathan Lowy said Monday .
Which is total BS , of course .
Sellers of so-called “ ghost guns ” aren ’ t trying to arm criminals .
They ’ re providing a product for people who wish to build their own guns .
Yes , many of those want to do so away from the prying eyes of the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ customers can purchase completed firearms legally .
They just want to build them themselves .
Others do it because they like the idea of putting as much work into their own firearms as possible .
I ’ ve built a gun from an incomplete receiver .
I ’ ve also purchased firearms from licensed gun dealers and passed the NICS check .
It ’ s not overly difficult to find legions of law-abiding citizens who do just that .
Not that anyone at Brady would deign to speak to anyone who has built @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would do such a thing .
However , the lawsuits aren ’ t really about winning .
Not really .
No , the lawsuits are about making it too expensive to do business .
They want to sue anyone who sells anything that gets misused so that law-abiding citizens simply won ’ t be able to buy anything .
There ’ s no need to repeal the Second Amendment if no one can buy a gun or get the parts to build their own in the first place .
With luck , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ count for the Lawful Commerce in Arms act and toss the lawsuit .
We ’ ll just have to see .

The term “ghost gun” is a favorite among anti-gunners. They love the scary feeling, the idea that it’s “untraceable” or something–nevermind that most guns are untraceable after a period of time in any place without a registry–and they love that it can be used to scare other people.
However, according to the ATF, a receiver that isn’t a full-on receiver is simply not a firearm. There’s no way around that, really.
There also may not be a way around the fact that the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act may not cover those who sell non-receivers.
Granted, that’s typically not an issue, but it’s about to be.
Families of those killed and wounded in a rural California shooting rampage three years ago are suing manufacturers and sellers of “ghost gun” kits that provide easy-to-assemble firearm parts that make it difficult to track or regulate owners. A pair of wrongful death lawsuits filed last month in separate state courts accuse 13 defendants of negligence, public nuisance and violation of business codes. The cases were brought by Brady United, the national nonprofit that advocates against gun violence, which said Monday that the suits are the first of their kind in the nation. Ghost guns, which are cobbled together with various parts often purchased separately, have long been popular among hobbyists and firearms enthusiasts. The weapons that contain no registration numbers that could be used to trace them and require no background checks increasingly have shown up at crime scenes, gun control advocates say. “There is an ample and thriving gun market in this country in which law abiding citizens can get guns thru proper channels. This is an industry that appears aimed at supplying people who can’t legally have guns,” Brady’s chief counsel Jonathan Lowy said Monday.
Which is total BS, of course. Sellers of so-called “ghost guns” aren’t trying to arm criminals. They’re providing a product for people who wish to build their own guns.
Yes, many of those want to do so away from the prying eyes of the government, but the vast majority of their customers can purchase completed firearms legally. They just want to build them themselves.
Others do it because they like the idea of putting as much work into their own firearms as possible.
I’ve built a gun from an incomplete receiver. I’ve also purchased firearms from licensed gun dealers and passed the NICS check. It’s not overly difficult to find legions of law-abiding citizens who do just that. Not that anyone at Brady would deign to speak to anyone who has built their own firearm to learn why they would do such a thing.
However, the lawsuits aren’t really about winning. Not really.
No, the lawsuits are about making it too expensive to do business. They want to sue anyone who sells anything that gets misused so that law-abiding citizens simply won’t be able to buy anything.
There’s no need to repeal the Second Amendment if no one can buy a gun or get the parts to build their own in the first place.
With luck, the judge will find that even incomplete receivers count for the Lawful Commerce in Arms act and toss the lawsuit. We’ll just have to see.


bearingarms--2020-12-09--Feds Will Review Police Shooting Of Ohio Concealed Carry Holder

U.S. Attorney David DeVillers says that his office , along with the Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department and the Cincinnati field office of the FBI , will “ review the facts and evidence ” surrounding the shooting of 23-year old Casey Goodson , Jr. in Columbus , Ohio .
The announcement came a day after the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said that the state agency would not investigate Goodson ’ s death because the Columbus PD waited for three days to make their request , “ after CPD processed & cleared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of witnesses were interviewed , after the canvass.
” The AG went on to say that the BCI does “ these tough investigations all the time—but from the beginning .
This one belongs to Columbus PD.
” Well , now it belongs to the feds as well as the Columbus PD , though I wonder if the DOJ and FBI will suffer from the same issues that led to Ohio ’ s BCI stepping away from the case .
At the very least , I would expect a full round of interviews with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Goodson , which has not yet been released .
Was Goodson shot in the back as he was trying to enter the family home or was he shot after he refused to drop a handgun ?
“ My grandson just got shot in the back when he came in the house , ” Goodson ’ s grandmother told a dispatcher Friday , according to 911 recordings obtained by The Associated Press .
“ I don ’ t know if he ’ s OK. ” Goodson had just gone to the dentist , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ didn ’ t know what had happened or who shot him… The deputy , Jason Meade , a 17-year veteran of the Sheriff ’ s Office , had been assigned to a U.S .
Marshals Office fugitive task force .
The task force had just finished an unsuccessful search for a fugitive Friday afternoon when Goodson , who was not the suspect , drove by and waved a gun at Meade , according to U.S .
Marshal Peter Tobin .
Meade confronted him outside Goodson ’ s vehicle in front of the man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ One witness heard Meade command Goodson to drop his gun , and when he didn ’ t , the deputy shot him , Tobin said .
Goodson was taken to a hospital , where he died .
But attorneys for Goodson ’ s family say that he was shot while walking in his home , and that his grandmother and two toddlers , who were not his own children , witnessed the shooting .
Those are two wildly different stories , but investigators won ’ t have any body camera or dashcam footage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t equipped with either on Friday when he shot Goodson .
A spokesman with the Franklin County coroner says that results of the autopsy won ’ t be released to the public for six to eight weeks , but law enforcement won ’ t have to wait that long to review the physical evidence .
On Tuesday evening Goodson ’ s childhood friend Seth Townes , who plays for the Ohio State University basketball team , took a knee before OSU ’ s game against Notre Dame , posting a picture of him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Goodson.
” Activists across Ohio , meanwhile , are preparing for a protest outside of the Franklin County Courthouse on Friday , with the intent of raising awareness of Goodson ’ s death .
I ’ ll be very interested to see how many Second Amendment supporters are a part of those protests , given Goodson ’ s status as a legal gun owner and concealed carry holder .
Here ’ s hoping for a large and peaceful gathering in support of Goodson and his family .

U.S. Attorney David DeVillers says that his office, along with the Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department and the Cincinnati field office of the FBI, will “review the facts and evidence” surrounding the shooting of 23-year old Casey Goodson, Jr. in Columbus, Ohio.
The announcement came a day after the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said that the state agency would not investigate Goodson’s death because the Columbus PD waited for three days to make their request, “after CPD processed & cleared the scene, after the first round of witnesses were interviewed, after the canvass.”
The AG went on to say that the BCI does “these tough investigations all the time—but from the beginning. This one belongs to Columbus PD.”
Well, now it belongs to the feds as well as the Columbus PD, though I wonder if the DOJ and FBI will suffer from the same issues that led to Ohio’s BCI stepping away from the case. At the very least, I would expect a full round of interviews with those involved as well as autopsy report on Goodson, which has not yet been released. Was Goodson shot in the back as he was trying to enter the family home or was he shot after he refused to drop a handgun?
“My grandson just got shot in the back when he came in the house,” Goodson’s grandmother told a dispatcher Friday, according to 911 recordings obtained by The Associated Press. “I don’t know if he’s OK.” Goodson had just gone to the dentist, she told the dispatcher, and she didn’t know what had happened or who shot him… The deputy, Jason Meade, a 17-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office, had been assigned to a U.S. Marshals Office fugitive task force. The task force had just finished an unsuccessful search for a fugitive Friday afternoon when Goodson, who was not the suspect, drove by and waved a gun at Meade, according to U.S. Marshal Peter Tobin. Meade confronted him outside Goodson’s vehicle in front of the man’s home, Tobin said. One witness heard Meade command Goodson to drop his gun, and when he didn’t, the deputy shot him, Tobin said. Goodson was taken to a hospital, where he died. But attorneys for Goodson’s family say that he was shot while walking in his home, and that his grandmother and two toddlers, who were not his own children, witnessed the shooting.
Those are two wildly different stories, but investigators won’t have any body camera or dashcam footage to review because Deputy Meade wasn’t equipped with either on Friday when he shot Goodson. A spokesman with the Franklin County coroner says that results of the autopsy won’t be released to the public for six to eight weeks, but law enforcement won’t have to wait that long to review the physical evidence.
On Tuesday evening Goodson’s childhood friend Seth Townes, who plays for the Ohio State University basketball team, took a knee before OSU’s game against Notre Dame, posting a picture of him with the caption “Justice for Casey Goodson.” Activists across Ohio, meanwhile, are preparing for a protest outside of the Franklin County Courthouse on Friday, with the intent of raising awareness of Goodson’s death. I’ll be very interested to see how many Second Amendment supporters are a part of those protests, given Goodson’s status as a legal gun owner and concealed carry holder. Here’s hoping for a large and peaceful gathering in support of Goodson and his family.


bearingarms--2020-12-09--Baltimore Paper Botches It On Guns AGAIN

The other day , the Baltimore Sun ran an editorial blaming the spike in gun sales for the city ’ s spike in violent crime .
Cam addressed that one already .
However , it seems the Sun isn ’ t finished in botching the reality surrounding the Second Amendment .
On Tuesday , the paper ran an op-ed stating that the American public wants gun control and questioning whether a Biden administration could actually deliver it .
Except , I ’ m not quite sure the authors know what they ’ re talking about .
Oh , sure , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t make up the numbers or pull them out of their posteriors .
What I do think , though , is that they ’ re misrepresenting the data .
See , as we noted a while back , support for gun control is actually decreasing historically .
According to the polling group , support for gun control is down seven points compared to 2019 , and ten points compared to polling from 2018 .
In the absence of a high-profile mass shooting in the U.S. in 2020 and amid the coronavirus pandemic , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the contentious presidential election campaign , Americans are less likely than they have been since 2016 to call for increased gun control .
The latest majority ( 57 % ) in the U.S. who call for stricter laws covering the sale of firearms marks a seven-percentage-point decline since last year .
At the same time , 34 % of U.S. adults prefer that gun laws be kept as they are now , while 9 % would like them to be less strict .
Gallup has been tracking the public ’ s views @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a record-high 78 % of Americans supported stricter laws for gun sales as the nation ’ s crime rate was rising .
A majority of Americans held that position until 2008 .
Support then fell to a low of 43 % in 2011 , when an equal number said gun laws should be kept as is , but calls for stricter laws increased sharply to 58 % in 2012 after the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown , Connecticut .
Of course , after the polling industry ’ s misfire in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s fair to wonder if Gallup ’ s polling isn ’ t suffering from some of the same issues that we saw from other firms polling the presidential and congressional races ; namely an undersampling of gun owners and pro-2A respondents who may be reluctant to tell pollsters their true views on gun issues .
In other words , support for gun control fell and it may actually be much , much lower .
Further , what the authors used was exit polling data , which can be wildly wrong .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ tell pollsters what they believe they want to hear , versus what they actually think .
This isn ’ t the kind of data you should use to make a legislative point by any stretch of the imagination .
Especially depending on the areas where exit polling takes place .
Focus on cities and you ’ ll get very different results than you ’ d get in rural areas , for example .
So , I wouldn ’ t be too quick to assume the American public will lock in at this point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and will likely continue to decrease as things roll on .
Yet the writer for the Sun would really rather you didn ’ t know that .

The other day, the Baltimore Sun ran an editorial blaming the spike in gun sales for the city’s spike in violent crime. Cam addressed that one already.
However, it seems the Sun isn’t finished in botching the reality surrounding the Second Amendment.
On Tuesday, the paper ran an op-ed stating that the American public wants gun control and questioning whether a Biden administration could actually deliver it.
Joe Biden and Kamala Harris ran on the most ambitious agenda for reducing gun deaths in presidential history and received the most votes ever cast for a presidential ticket in American history. Exit polls tell us that most of those voters supported stricter gun laws. According to recent exit polls, 55% of voters nationally said they back tighter gun laws, including 51% of voters in Wisconsin, and 58% of voters in Pennsylvania and Georgia. Regardless of what happens in the two Georgia run-off elections on Jan. 5, the president-elect can and must take decisive action to respond to Americans’ call for safer communities.
Except, I’m not quite sure the authors know what they’re talking about.
Oh, sure, that polling exists. They didn’t make up the numbers or pull them out of their posteriors. What I do think, though, is that they’re misrepresenting the data.
See, as we noted a while back, support for gun control is actually decreasing historically.
According to the polling group, support for gun control is down seven points compared to 2019, and ten points compared to polling from 2018. In the absence of a high-profile mass shooting in the U.S. in 2020 and amid the coronavirus pandemic, civil unrest related to racial justice issues and the contentious presidential election campaign, Americans are less likely than they have been since 2016 to call for increased gun control. The latest majority (57%) in the U.S. who call for stricter laws covering the sale of firearms marks a seven-percentage-point decline since last year. At the same time, 34% of U.S. adults prefer that gun laws be kept as they are now, while 9% would like them to be less strict. Gallup has been tracking the public’s views on this measure since 1990, when a record-high 78% of Americans supported stricter laws for gun sales as the nation’s crime rate was rising. A majority of Americans held that position until 2008. Support then fell to a low of 43% in 2011, when an equal number said gun laws should be kept as is, but calls for stricter laws increased sharply to 58% in 2012 after the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. Of course, after the polling industry’s misfire in the 2020 election cycle, I think it’s fair to wonder if Gallup’s polling isn’t suffering from some of the same issues that we saw from other firms polling the presidential and congressional races; namely an undersampling of gun owners and pro-2A respondents who may be reluctant to tell pollsters their true views on gun issues.
In other words, support for gun control fell and it may actually be much, much lower.
Further, what the authors used was exit polling data, which can be wildly wrong. People feel put on the spot and tell pollsters what they believe they want to hear, versus what they actually think. This isn’t the kind of data you should use to make a legislative point by any stretch of the imagination. Especially depending on the areas where exit polling takes place. Focus on cities and you’ll get very different results than you’d get in rural areas, for example.
So, I wouldn’t be too quick to assume the American public will lock in at this point. Support for gun control is decreasing and will likely continue to decrease as things roll on.
Yet the writer for the Sun would really rather you didn’t know that.


bearingarms--2020-12-10--Phoenix Police Agree To Settlement in Shooting Of Armed Citizen

Anytime there ’ s a knock on the door late at night , early in the morning , I don ’ t even approach the door without a firearm in my hand .
While there are plenty of legitimate reasons someone might knock at that time , there are also a whole lot of nefarious reasons for people to do so as well .
In fact , I ’ d say only a fool doesn ’ t answer the door while armed .
That ’ s what Ryan Whitaker did when police knocked on his door in the middle of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with police instructions , though , Whitaker was killed by law enforcement .
Now , a settlement over his death has been reached .
The Phoenix City Council on Wednesday unanimously agreed to pay $ 3 million to the family of Ryan Whitaker , who was shot and killed several months ago by police investigating a noise complaint and who did not receive immediate medical assistance after the incident .
Taxpayers will be footing the bill .
Taxpayers are also footing the bill for the salaries of the cops—Officer Jeff Cooke , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ferragamo , who too was on the call—as they are both still employed by the Phoenix Police Department ( PPD ) .
On May 21 of this year , Whitaker ’ s upstairs neighbor called in a noise complaint : “ I have a domestic dispute going on…and I can tell they ’ rejust at each other ’ s throats down there , ” a man is heard saying on a 911 call .
“ I got ta get to work tomorrow and I can ’ t get no sleep.
” Asked by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ physical or verbal altercation , the neighbor responded that “ it could be physical , I could say yeah , if that makes [ the police ] hurry up on.
” They were playing Crash Bandicoot , a video game , according to Whitaker ’ s girlfriend .
When the officers arrived at Whitaker ’ s apartment , no noise can be heard coming from the unit—potentially an indication that the complainant exaggerated the perceived danger .
Whitaker answered the door with a firearm at his waist , which he legally owned , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cam footage immediately getting on his knees in surrender .
Cooke then shot him twice in the back .
Of course , since Whitaker was white , this didn ’ t make national headlines like other police shootings might have .
While the settlement is all fine and good , the bigger problem is that Cooke hasn ’ t been charged for his crimes .
Yes , gunning down a man who was in the process of complying with orders , who had done nothing illegal or wrong except be a little noisy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ book .
Yet because he wears a badge , he ’ s still working .
Yes , it ’ s a non-enforcement position , but he ’ s still on the payroll .
There ’ s nothing right about this in the least .
Then again , others should probably be charged as well for failing to get Whitaker the medical treatment that may have saved his life .
Inaction can be a criminal act as well , after all , especially if you ’ re a freaking police officer .
Meanwhile , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this .
Why ?
Probably because they ’ ve been trying to claim law enforcement is systemically racist and this might hurt that narrative , that maybe the problem is that law enforcement lacks training or has some other kind of issue rather than one that makes America look more evil than anyone since the Nazis .
Ryan Whitaker deserves better than that .

Anytime there’s a knock on the door late at night, early in the morning, I don’t even approach the door without a firearm in my hand. While there are plenty of legitimate reasons someone might knock at that time, there are also a whole lot of nefarious reasons for people to do so as well. In fact, I’d say only a fool doesn’t answer the door while armed.
That’s what Ryan Whitaker did when police knocked on his door in the middle of the night.
Despite trying to comply with police instructions, though, Whitaker was killed by law enforcement.
Now, a settlement over his death has been reached.
The Phoenix City Council on Wednesday unanimously agreed to pay $3 million to the family of Ryan Whitaker, who was shot and killed several months ago by police investigating a noise complaint and who did not receive immediate medical assistance after the incident. Taxpayers will be footing the bill. Taxpayers are also footing the bill for the salaries of the cops—Officer Jeff Cooke, who pulled the trigger, and Officer John Ferragamo, who too was on the call—as they are both still employed by the Phoenix Police Department (PPD). On May 21 of this year, Whitaker’s upstairs neighbor called in a noise complaint: “I have a domestic dispute going on…and I can tell they’rejust at each other’s throats down there,” a man is heard saying on a 911 call. “I gotta get to work tomorrow and I can’t get no sleep.” Asked by the dispatcher if it sounded like a physical or verbal altercation, the neighbor responded that “it could be physical, I could say yeah, if that makes [the police] hurry up on.” They were playing Crash Bandicoot, a video game, according to Whitaker’s girlfriend. When the officers arrived at Whitaker’s apartment, no noise can be heard coming from the unit—potentially an indication that the complainant exaggerated the perceived danger. Whitaker answered the door with a firearm at his waist, which he legally owned, and can be seen in the body cam footage immediately getting on his knees in surrender. Cooke then shot him twice in the back.
Of course, since Whitaker was white, this didn’t make national headlines like other police shootings might have.
While the settlement is all fine and good, the bigger problem is that Cooke hasn’t been charged for his crimes. Yes, gunning down a man who was in the process of complying with orders, who had done nothing illegal or wrong except be a little noisy, is a criminal act in my book.
Yet because he wears a badge, he’s still working. Yes, it’s a non-enforcement position, but he’s still on the payroll. There’s nothing right about this in the least.
Then again, others should probably be charged as well for failing to get Whitaker the medical treatment that may have saved his life. Inaction can be a criminal act as well, after all, especially if you’re a freaking police officer.
Meanwhile, the national media has all but ignored this. Why? Probably because they’ve been trying to claim law enforcement is systemically racist and this might hurt that narrative, that maybe the problem is that law enforcement lacks training or has some other kind of issue rather than one that makes America look more evil than anyone since the Nazis.
Ryan Whitaker deserves better than that.
Hat tip: Gun Watch


bearingarms--2020-12-10--Five Range Bags Great For Gear On The Go

By all accounts , the millions of new gun owners across the country aren ’ t just keeping their new firearms locked up at home .
Concealed carry applications are soaring nationwide , and gun ranges are full to capacity ( in some cases , limited , of course , by gubernatorial edicts ) .
It ’ s great that so many gun owners are getting out and shooting , but chances are quite a few of them could use a good range bag for their guns and gear .
Who knows , you might even be in the market @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you ’ re shopping for , we ’ ve got five picks for range bags that are durable , versatile , and won ’ t cost more than the guns they ’ re transporting .
Tacticon Double Rifle Bag – While most of the range bags will be taking a look at are pistol-only , Tacticon ’ s double rifle bag can actually hold two long guns in addition to two pistols .
There are several outside pouches to hold magazines and extra ammunition , along with eye and ear protection and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can also be carried by hand or worn as a backpack , and is made in the USA by a veteran-owned company .
Savior Equipment Specialist Series Handgun Firearm Case – There aren ’ t a lot of bells and whistles here , but if you ’ re just bringing a couple of handguns with you to , say , a concealed carry course or a shooting league , this soft pistol case is a perfect choice .
I don ’ t want to undersell this case , however .
The Specialist is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and six additional magazines and also has an outside pocket that ’ s large enough to store eye and ear protection .
You won ’ t have much room for extra ammunition beyond what you can pack into your magazines , but if you don ’ t need the extra ammo this is a practical and affordable option for a quick trip to the range .
Orca Tactical Gun Range Bag – Large enough to hold three handguns with plenty of room and storage compartments for targets , magazines , boxes of ammunition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sandwich for lunch .
Orca Tactical ’ s range bag also features lockable zippers on the side pouches and a wider carrying handle , and each bag comes with a 100 % money back guarantee .
Case Club Tactical Pre-Cut 4-Pistol Backpack with Rainfly & Molle Straps – For the longest time I preferred to carry my range bag , but this backpack-style range bag may have changed my mind completely .
As the name makes clear , Case Club ’ s tactical range bag comes equipped with a foam cradle that holds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that are large enough to hold a total of six magazines , and plenty more storage for eyes and ears , extra ammo , and targets .
Case Club ’ s range bag also features a pull-out rain cover to protect your gear in inclement weather , and the built in Molle straps allow you to attach even more gear to the outside of the bag .
The gun compartment also comes with lockable zippers to help keep your guns secure .
G.P.S .
Tactical Range Backpack – Our last pick features three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the bag itself .
Each storage compartment is large enough for a full-size handgun and four additional magazines , so if you ’ re only heading to the range for a short time and don ’ t want to bring along your entire pack you don ’ t have to .
Pockets are marked for ear protection , safety glasses , tools , targets , and more , and the bag also includes a pull out rain cover as well as a drop flat front pocket that provides a small surface to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your pistol while you ’ re at the range .

By all accounts, the millions of new gun owners across the country aren’t just keeping their new firearms locked up at home. Concealed carry applications are soaring nationwide, and gun ranges are full to capacity (in some cases, limited, of course, by gubernatorial edicts). It’s great that so many gun owners are getting out and shooting, but chances are quite a few of them could use a good range bag for their guns and gear. Who knows, you might even be in the market for one yourself!
Regardless of who you’re shopping for, we’ve got five picks for range bags that are durable, versatile, and won’t cost more than the guns they’re transporting.
Tacticon Double Rifle Bag – While most of the range bags will be taking a look at are pistol-only, Tacticon’s double rifle bag can actually hold two long guns in addition to two pistols. There are several outside pouches to hold magazines and extra ammunition, along with eye and ear protection and a removable shooting pad. The rifle bag can also be carried by hand or worn as a backpack, and is made in the USA by a veteran-owned company.
Savior Equipment Specialist Series Handgun Firearm Case – There aren’t a lot of bells and whistles here, but if you’re just bringing a couple of handguns with you to, say, a concealed carry course or a shooting league, this soft pistol case is a perfect choice.
I don’t want to undersell this case, however. The Specialist is big enough for two full size handguns and six additional magazines and also has an outside pocket that’s large enough to store eye and ear protection. You won’t have much room for extra ammunition beyond what you can pack into your magazines, but if you don’t need the extra ammo this is a practical and affordable option for a quick trip to the range.
Orca Tactical Gun Range Bag – Large enough to hold three handguns with plenty of room and storage compartments for targets, magazines, boxes of ammunition, safety equipment, and even a sandwich for lunch. Orca Tactical’s range bag also features lockable zippers on the side pouches and a wider carrying handle, and each bag comes with a 100% money back guarantee.
Case Club Tactical Pre-Cut 4-Pistol Backpack with Rainfly & Molle Straps – For the longest time I preferred to carry my range bag, but this backpack-style range bag may have changed my mind completely. As the name makes clear, Case Club’s tactical range bag comes equipped with a foam cradle that holds four full-size handguns, two side pockets that are large enough to hold a total of six magazines, and plenty more storage for eyes and ears, extra ammo, and targets.
Case Club’s range bag also features a pull-out rain cover to protect your gear in inclement weather, and the built in Molle straps allow you to attach even more gear to the outside of the bag. The gun compartment also comes with lockable zippers to help keep your guns secure.
G.P.S. Tactical Range Backpack – Our last pick features three pistol storage cases that are completely removable from the bag itself. Each storage compartment is large enough for a full-size handgun and four additional magazines, so if you’re only heading to the range for a short time and don’t want to bring along your entire pack you don’t have to. Pockets are marked for ear protection, safety glasses, tools, targets, and more, and the bag also includes a pull out rain cover as well as a drop flat front pocket that provides a small surface to clean or do a quick repair on your pistol while you’re at the range.
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bearingarms--2020-12-10--Judge Tosses Prosecutor From McCloskey Gun Case

A St. Louis judge has ordered Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner and her entire office off of the prosecution of Mark and Patricia McCloskey , the St. Louis couple charged with unlawful use of a weapon after they displayed a rifle and pistol as hundreds of protesters trespassed through their private neighborhood as they made their way to the home of St. Louis mayor Lyda Krewson for a demonstration .
On Thursday , Judge Thomas Clark ruled that Gardner ’ s repeated references to the McCloskey case in fundraising emails for her re-election effort “ raise the appearance of impropriety and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a fair trial.
” Clark noted in his 22-page ruling that it ’ s rare for prosecutors to be removed from cases and said that he didn ’ t reach his decision lightly , but added that Gardner ’ s series of fundraising appeals based off of the McCloskey case “ aim to raise money using the defendant and the circumstances surrounding the case to rally Ms. Gardner ’ s political base and fuel contributions.
” Gardner was successful in winning re-election in St. Louis , but her prosecution of the McCloskeys is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voters should have thought a little harder before they cast their ballots .
While Gardner can appeal the judge ’ s decision , it ’ s likely that a special prosecutor will be appointed to handle the case against the McCloskeys .
Today ’ s decision only adds more weight to the argument by the couple that their prosecution was politically motivated from the start , and given the fact that Gov .
Mike Parson has already vowed to pardon the couple if they are convicted , there ’ s little need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trial that ’ s based on trumped up charges in the first place .
Joel Schwartz , the McCloskeys ’ attorney , says he ’ s hopeful that once a special prosecutor has been appointed , they ’ ll decide that charges weren ’ t warranted to begin with .
“ This is what we wanted , ” Schwartz said .
“ We would like a fair-mined prosecutor to take a look at the alleged crimes and reassess the evidence and see what they come up with because we don ’ t believe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the charges .
… as long as that happens , then I think we ’ ll have the right outcome and that would hopefully be no charges.
” Ironically , Gardner herself claimed that the McCloskeys were the ones politicizing the case , but they were out trying to defend themselves , not get re-elected to office .
Judge Clark made the right decision in removing Kim Gardner from the McCloskey case .
Now let ’ s hope the next prosecutor to handle it decides that it ’ s in the best interest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Cam Edwards has covered the 2nd Amendment for more than 15 years as a broadcast and online journalist , as well as the co-author of `` Heavy Lifting : Grow Up , Get a Job , Start a Family , and Other Manly Advice '' with Jim Geraghty .
He lives outside of Farmville , Virginia with his family .

A St. Louis judge has ordered Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner and her entire office off of the prosecution of Mark and Patricia McCloskey, the St. Louis couple charged with unlawful use of a weapon after they displayed a rifle and pistol as hundreds of protesters trespassed through their private neighborhood as they made their way to the home of St. Louis mayor Lyda Krewson for a demonstration.
On Thursday, Judge Thomas Clark ruled that Gardner’s repeated references to the McCloskey case in fundraising emails for her re-election effort “raise the appearance of impropriety and jeopardize the defendant’s right to a fair trial.”
“Ms. Gardner has every right to rebut criticism, but it appears unnecessary to stigmatize defendant – or even mention him – in campaign solicitations, especially when she purports to be responding to others,” he wrote. “In fact, the case law and Rules of Professional Conduct prohibit it.” Should Clark’s ruling stand, a special prosecutor will be appointed to handle the case. In St. Louis, the presiding judge picks the special prosecutor. Judge Rex Burlison is currently St. Louis’ presiding judge. Clark has scheduled a status hearing on the case for Jan. 7, 2021.
Clark noted in his 22-page ruling that it’s rare for prosecutors to be removed from cases and said that he didn’t reach his decision lightly, but added that Gardner’s series of fundraising appeals based off of the McCloskey case “aim to raise money using the defendant and the circumstances surrounding the case to rally Ms. Gardner’s political base and fuel contributions.”
Gardner was successful in winning re-election in St. Louis, but her prosecution of the McCloskeys is an absolute dumpster fire and proof that voters should have thought a little harder before they cast their ballots. While Gardner can appeal the judge’s decision, it’s likely that a special prosecutor will be appointed to handle the case against the McCloskeys. Today’s decision only adds more weight to the argument by the couple that their prosecution was politically motivated from the start, and given the fact that Gov. Mike Parson has already vowed to pardon the couple if they are convicted, there’s little need to waste taxpayer time and expense on a trial that’s based on trumped up charges in the first place.
Joel Schwartz, the McCloskeys’ attorney, says he’s hopeful that once a special prosecutor has been appointed, they’ll decide that charges weren’t warranted to begin with.
“This is what we wanted,” Schwartz said. “We would like a fair-mined prosecutor to take a look at the alleged crimes and reassess the evidence and see what they come up with because we don’t believe any of the evidence supports any of the charges. … as long as that happens, then I think we’ll have the right outcome and that would hopefully be no charges.”


bearingarms--2020-12-10--Chicago Area Man Charged With Selling Device Turning Pistols Full-Auto

The city of Chicago has a long and storied history of blaming its problems with violent crime on Indiana .
After all , the neighboring state has no interest in following Illinois ’ s lead on gun control policy , especially since they don ’ t seem to have any issues with such violent crime .
At least , nowhere near as much as Chicago has , anyway .
See , Chicago officials claim that the only way guns make it into the city is because gun laws in Indiana are too lax , that people buy guns in Indiana @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if the failure of all the other gun laws are Indiana ’ s fault as well .
The arrest of a suburban Chicago man is for something that ’ s going to be kind of hard to blame Indiana for .
A south suburban man is facing federal firearms charges after agents allegedly seized machine guns and more than 100 “ switch ” devices from his home capable of converting a standard pistol into a fully automatic weapon .
Leonard Johnson , 32 , also known as “ Scrap , ” was charged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of illegal possession of a machine gun .
He was arrested Monday after agents from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol , Tobacco , Firearms and Explosives executed a search warrant at his home in Robbins , where they seized five firearms — including three machine guns — and 117 “ switch ” devices , the charges alleged .
The nine-page complaint alleged that after agents asked Johnson about the switches , he replied , “ I ’ m not stupid .
Yes , I got some attachments up there.
” Of course , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that turns a pistol into a full-auto weapon , I have to dispute his claim that he ’ s not stupid .
Seriously .
So , Chicago , how are you going to blame this one on Indiana ?
No , seriously , I want to see this .
It should be good for a laugh if nothing else .
After all , such actions aren ’ t legal anywhere , so you can ’ t blame Indiana ’ s lax gun laws for this one .
No , this resides squarely on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does the rest of the violent crime in the city .
The truth of the matter is that if there weren ’ t a demand for such things , there simply wouldn ’ t be such things .
That demand in Chicago is primarily driven by the criminal element that wants more and more firepower .
They want to be able to overwhelm anyone , up to and including the police .
They call for more and someone will meet that call .
The Law of Supply and Demand waits for no man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Consequences .
Chicago , like many cities , has tripped over itself to treat criminals like the victims .
They want to blame everyone else for their ills and are providing a roadmap so others can do the same .
As a result , people feel justified in acting out in violent ways .
After all , it ’ s not their fault , now is it ?
Well , this is what happens .
Johnson was allegedly selling devices that ramp up the criminals ’ firepower well beyond what we law-abiding citizens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a disadvantage , one anti-gunners want to make even more pronounced .
You can ’ t blame that on Indiana .

The city of Chicago has a long and storied history of blaming its problems with violent crime on Indiana. After all, the neighboring state has no interest in following Illinois’s lead on gun control policy, especially since they don’t seem to have any issues with such violent crime. At least, nowhere near as much as Chicago has, anyway.
See, Chicago officials claim that the only way guns make it into the city is because gun laws in Indiana are too lax, that people buy guns in Indiana and then smuggle them into Illinois as if the failure of all the other gun laws are Indiana’s fault as well.
The arrest of a suburban Chicago man is for something that’s going to be kind of hard to blame Indiana for.
A south suburban man is facing federal firearms charges after agents allegedly seized machine guns and more than 100 “switch” devices from his home capable of converting a standard pistol into a fully automatic weapon. Leonard Johnson, 32, also known as “Scrap,” was charged in a criminal complaint with one count of illegal possession of a machine gun. He was arrested Monday after agents from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives executed a search warrant at his home in Robbins, where they seized five firearms — including three machine guns — and 117 “switch” devices, the charges alleged. The nine-page complaint alleged that after agents asked Johnson about the switches, he replied, “I’m not stupid. Yes, I got some attachments up there.”
Of course, since Johnson admitted to having a device that turns a pistol into a full-auto weapon, I have to dispute his claim that he’s not stupid. Seriously.
So, Chicago, how are you going to blame this one on Indiana?
No, seriously, I want to see this. It should be good for a laugh if nothing else. After all, such actions aren’t legal anywhere, so you can’t blame Indiana’s lax gun laws for this one. No, this resides squarely on your shoulders.
Then again, so does the rest of the violent crime in the city.
The truth of the matter is that if there weren’t a demand for such things, there simply wouldn’t be such things. That demand in Chicago is primarily driven by the criminal element that wants more and more firepower. They want to be able to overwhelm anyone, up to and including the police. They call for more and someone will meet that call.
The Law of Supply and Demand waits for no man, nor does the Law of Unintended Consequences.
Chicago, like many cities, has tripped over itself to treat criminals like the victims. They want to blame everyone else for their ills and are providing a roadmap so others can do the same. As a result, people feel justified in acting out in violent ways. After all, it’s not their fault, now is it?
Well, this is what happens. Johnson was allegedly selling devices that ramp up the criminals’ firepower well beyond what we law-abiding citizens can obtain. It puts us at a disadvantage, one anti-gunners want to make even more pronounced.
You can’t blame that on Indiana.


bearingarms--2020-12-10--2A Activists Demand Answers In Death Of Casey Goodson, Jr.

Second Amendment supporters across Ohio are sharing their concerns and demanding answers about the police shooting of 23-year old Casey Goodson , Jr. As we ’ ve previously reported here , the concealed carry holder was killed by a Franklin County deputy last Friday after authorities say he “ waved a gun ” at officers , but his family disputes that account and says Goodson was killed as he was trying to enter the family home .
The Buckeye Firearms Association has now weighed in on the case , and on today ’ s Bearing Arms ’ Cam & Co @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to talk about the attention that Goodson ’ s death is starting to receive in the Second Amendment community , as well as an update on several pieces of pro-2A legislation in the Ohio statehouse .
Most will agree that it is best to withhold judgment until all the facts come in .
But I hope that all concealed handgun license-holders will agree that this situation is very concerning .
First , let me say that I agree with the family ’ s attorney in this : no law enforcement spokesperson should be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigation has been done .
Such statements cause a lack of trust for family members and others as to whether a fair and impartial weighing of the facts will be done at all .
Cause for additional concern is the fact that the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation declined a request by Columbus police on Monday to lead the investigation and questioned the decision to wait three days before requesting help .
It ’ s important to note , as Baus did , that we don ’ t have all of the facts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me , the wildly different accounts of what transpired before Goodson was shot are reason enough for skepticism .
Maloney says that he ’ s pleased the Department of Justice ’ s Civil Rights Division and the Cincinnati field office of the FBI are now taking part in the investigation , and he wonders why the Columbus police department didn ’ t immediately request the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation take charge of the investigation into the shooting .
The deputy who shot Goodson is also speaking out , albeit through his attorney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Meade shot Goodson only after the concealed carry holder pointed a gun at him .
Obviously , not all these talking points are able to be proven .
We don ’ t know whether or not Meade mistook a sandwich for a gun .
We don ’ t know that Goodson pointed a gun at the deputy .
I ’ m a little curious as to how there can be confirmation that Meade gave verbal commands for Goodson to drop the gun , yet no eyewitnesses to the shooting have been identified , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members of Goodson ’ s family or law enforcement heard Meade , but couldn ’ t see the confrontation with Goodson .
The fact that a gun was recovered from Woodson is also in an of itself not evidence that the shooting was justified .
Goodson was licensed to carry a firearm .
There was nothing illegal about him having a gun on him .
The bigger question is where was the gun recovered ?
Was it in his hand , or on the ground nearby , or was it in a holster @ @ @ @ @ @ @ autopsy report could also answer some questions , since Goodson ’ s grandmother told 911 dispatchers that her grandson had been shot in the back as he was unlocking the door to the home while Meade says he shot Goodson after he refused to drop a gun after he stepped out of his car .
So far Franklin County coroner has said only that Goodson was shot multiple times in the torso .
The Buckeye Firearms Association ’ s Sean Maloney says he expects to see a number of Second Amendment supporters in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in support of Goodson and a full investigation into his death .
Like Maloney and Goodson ’ s own family , I hope these protests are peaceful , and that Casey Goodson ’ s family can soon get the answers that they deserve .

Second Amendment supporters across Ohio are sharing their concerns and demanding answers about the police shooting of 23-year old Casey Goodson, Jr. As we’ve previously reported here, the concealed carry holder was killed by a Franklin County deputy last Friday after authorities say he “waved a gun” at officers, but his family disputes that account and says Goodson was killed as he was trying to enter the family home.
The Buckeye Firearms Association has now weighed in on the case, and on today’s Bearing Arms’ Cam & Co BFA’s Sean Maloney joins me to talk about the attention that Goodson’s death is starting to receive in the Second Amendment community, as well as an update on several pieces of pro-2A legislation in the Ohio statehouse.
As Buckeye Firearms’ Chad Baus writes:
Most will agree that it is best to withhold judgment until all the facts come in. But I hope that all concealed handgun license-holders will agree that this situation is very concerning. First, let me say that I agree with the family’s attorney in this: no law enforcement spokesperson should be saying the shooting was justified before an investigation has been done. Such statements cause a lack of trust for family members and others as to whether a fair and impartial weighing of the facts will be done at all. Cause for additional concern is the fact that the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation declined a request by Columbus police on Monday to lead the investigation and questioned the decision to wait three days before requesting help.
It’s important to note, as Baus did, that we don’t have all of the facts here. Still, as Maloney told me, the wildly different accounts of what transpired before Goodson was shot are reason enough for skepticism. Maloney says that he’s pleased the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division and the Cincinnati field office of the FBI are now taking part in the investigation, and he wonders why the Columbus police department didn’t immediately request the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation take charge of the investigation into the shooting.
The deputy who shot Goodson is also speaking out, albeit through his attorney. Mark Collins says that Deputy Jason Meade shot Goodson only after the concealed carry holder pointed a gun at him.
In the statement, Collins responds to several points related to Goodson’s death that have come from media reports or members of Goodson’s family. Those responses include: At no time did Meade mistake a sandwich for a gun.
Goodson pointed his gun at Meade.
There has been confirmation that Meade gave verbal commands for Goodson to drop the gun.
There have been no eyewitnesses to the shooting identified.
The released 911 call makes it clear nobody witnessed the shooting from inside the house.
A gun was recovered from Goodson.
Obviously, not all these talking points are able to be proven. We don’t know whether or not Meade mistook a sandwich for a gun. We don’t know that Goodson pointed a gun at the deputy. I’m a little curious as to how there can be confirmation that Meade gave verbal commands for Goodson to drop the gun, yet no eyewitnesses to the shooting have been identified, but I’m assuming that perhaps members of Goodson’s family or law enforcement heard Meade, but couldn’t see the confrontation with Goodson.
The fact that a gun was recovered from Woodson is also in an of itself not evidence that the shooting was justified. Goodson was licensed to carry a firearm. There was nothing illegal about him having a gun on him. The bigger question is where was the gun recovered? Was it in his hand, or on the ground nearby, or was it in a holster or tucked into a pocket?
The autopsy report could also answer some questions, since Goodson’s grandmother told 911 dispatchers that her grandson had been shot in the back as he was unlocking the door to the home while Meade says he shot Goodson after he refused to drop a gun after he stepped out of his car. So far Franklin County coroner has said only that Goodson was shot multiple times in the torso.
The Buckeye Firearms Association’s Sean Maloney says he expects to see a number of Second Amendment supporters in Columbus this weekend for protests and rallies in support of Goodson and a full investigation into his death. Like Maloney and Goodson’s own family, I hope these protests are peaceful, and that Casey Goodson’s family can soon get the answers that they deserve.