bearingarms--2020-04-21--Trudeau Vows To Push Gun Control After Nova Scotia Shooting

What do American progressives always do immediately after a mass shooting ?
That ’ s right , they always push for gun control .
Just minutes after news of a mass shooting , they ’ re pushing their pet gun control policies before we even know anything about what happened .
They ’ ll push universal background checks even before we find out that the killer passed a check .
They ’ ll push assault weapon bans well before news breaks that the killer used a handgun .
That ’ s just par for the course .
It also seems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American politicians .
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Monday his government would move ahead on the gun control legislation he promised during last year ’ s election campaign after the deadliest shooting in his country ’ s history , though it was not clear how soon he would do so .
“ I can say that we were on the verge of introducing legislation to ban assault-style weapons across this country , ” he said during his daily coronavirus briefing .
“ It was interrupted when the pandemic caused Parliament to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of moving forward on that measure , and potentially other measures , when Parliament returns.
” Authorities say a single gunman shot and killed at least 18 people in rural Nova Scotia during a rampage Saturday and Sunday before he himself died .
At least 18 killed in Nova Scotia shootings , deadliest in Canada ’ s history On Monday , a coalition of gun control groups implored Canada ’ s public safety minister to immediately ban the new sale of military-style assault weapons .
Well , there aren ’ t any answers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killer in Nova Scotia actually used .
In fact , Royal Canadian Mounted Police officials haven ’ t even given the media any information as to whether the weapons were classified as prohibited , restricted , or non-restricted , nor whether the killer even had a license for a firearm .
That ’ s a requirement to lawfully own a gun in Canada .
So , in other words , we don ’ t know whether an “ assault weapon ” was used or not , but Trudeau wants to ban them .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a shotgun , but that seems mostly irrelevant to Trudeau right now .
Which is par for the course with politicians of his stripe , including his American fellow travelers .
They never seem to give a damn about the facts of the case , they only see the opportunity to jump up on their favorite soapbox and scream to the heavens .
Meanwhile , millions of Canadians who did nothing wrong will continue to be vilified and deprived of their human right to keep and bear arms .
While Canadians don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doesn ’ t mean their gun rights simply don ’ t exist .
These rights exist because they are living , breathing , human beings .
The Second Amendment doesn ’ t grant that right , it protects it .
They don ’ t have that protection , though .
And make no mistake , people like Trudeau will continually find excuses to curtail that right because it makes them uncomfortable .
They don ’ t like the fact that there are people who can resist them , who can stand up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ step too far , so they have to justify it .
They have to make people think it ’ s a good idea .
So they capitalize on tragedies and push their agenda .
Even if it has nothing to do with what happened .

What do American progressives always do immediately after a mass shooting? That’s right, they always push for gun control. Just minutes after news of a mass shooting, they’re pushing their pet gun control policies before we even know anything about what happened. They’ll push universal background checks even before we find out that the killer passed a check. They’ll push assault weapon bans well before news breaks that the killer used a handgun.
That’s just par for the course.
It also seems that it’s not unique to American politicians.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Monday his government would move ahead on the gun control legislation he promised during last year’s election campaign after the deadliest shooting in his country’s history, though it was not clear how soon he would do so. “I can say that we were on the verge of introducing legislation to ban assault-style weapons across this country,” he said during his daily coronavirus briefing. “It was interrupted when the pandemic caused Parliament to be suspended, but we have every intention of moving forward on that measure, and potentially other measures, when Parliament returns.” Authorities say a single gunman shot and killed at least 18 people in rural Nova Scotia during a rampage Saturday and Sunday before he himself died. At least 18 killed in Nova Scotia shootings, deadliest in Canada’s history On Monday, a coalition of gun control groups implored Canada’s public safety minister to immediately ban the new sale of military-style assault weapons.
The problem?
Well, there aren’t any answers to just what weapon or weapons the killer in Nova Scotia actually used. In fact, Royal Canadian Mounted Police officials haven’t even given the media any information as to whether the weapons were classified as prohibited, restricted, or non-restricted, nor whether the killer even had a license for a firearm. That’s a requirement to lawfully own a gun in Canada.
So, in other words, we don’t know whether an “assault weapon” was used or not, but Trudeau wants to ban them. It might have been a handgun or a shotgun, but that seems mostly irrelevant to Trudeau right now.
Which is par for the course with politicians of his stripe, including his American fellow travelers. They never seem to give a damn about the facts of the case, they only see the opportunity to jump up on their favorite soapbox and scream to the heavens.
Meanwhile, millions of Canadians who did nothing wrong will continue to be vilified and deprived of their human right to keep and bear arms. While Canadians don’t have a Second Amendment, that doesn’t mean their gun rights simply don’t exist. These rights exist because they are living, breathing, human beings. The Second Amendment doesn’t grant that right, it protects it.
They don’t have that protection, though.
And make no mistake, people like Trudeau will continually find excuses to curtail that right because it makes them uncomfortable. They don’t like the fact that there are people who can resist them, who can stand up to them should they decided to go one step too far, so they have to justify it. They have to make people think it’s a good idea.
So they capitalize on tragedies and push their agenda. Even if it has nothing to do with what happened.


bearingarms--2020-04-22--Couple Who Took Down Burglar Offers Advice To Americans: Be Prepared

A couple in Buxton , Maine who ended up holding a burglar at gunpoint until local police arrived are actually getting a fair amount of media attention for their actions , at least locally .
Eric and Missy Bartlett were commended by officers for how they handled themselves when they discovered a stranger in their homes , and the couple recently spoke to the NBC affiliate in Portland about their encounter with the intruder and why Americans should be prepared in case they find themselves in a similar situation .
“ It was nerve-racking obviously .
It was 3 o @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t expect that , ” Eric Bartlett said .
The couple , both certified Maine Guides and avid hunters , jumped into action .
Missy dialed 911 as Eric grabbed his flashlight and gun and headed downstairs .
“ I was on the phone with dispatch when I heard the banging , ” Missy said .
That bang was the intruder barging in through the front door of their house .
Eric said that is when he confronted the man in their dining room .
He said he immediately blinded him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gunpoint into a nearby bathroom .
Eric never fired a shot .
That ’ s the best type of defensive gun use ; one where the presence of the firearm is enough to prevent a crime from escalating any further .
48-year old Joseph Harmon is now spending some time in the county jail instead of a stranger ’ s home , and he ’ s facing a litany of charges including burglary , criminal mischief , and refusing to submit to arrest .
Of course , the NBC affiliate couldn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without asking a gun control advocate to chime in as well .
Rather than praise the couple for protecting themselves , “ gun safety advocate ” Geoff Bickford with the Maine Gun Safety Coalition bemoaned the fact that more Mainers are buying guns for self-defense , and urged new gun owners to keep ’ em locked up .
“ In the age of quarantine our message of gun safety is now more important that ever because not only do we have spike in sale of fire arms , but now you have kids @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
With more gun sales , Bickford hopes to remind people about the importance of using gun locks and gun safes , especially for parents .
Of course gun owners should prevent unauthorized access to their firearms , but Bickford couldn ’ t even take a couple of seconds to praise the couple for how they handled the invasion of their home ?
Why , it ’ s almost like his idea of gun safety is “ don ’ t own a gun ” rather than “ know when and how to appropriately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ themselves very well , and I appreciate them sharing their story with others .
I ’ m sure when they went to bed that night they had no idea that their sleep would be interrupted by a stranger in their home a few hours later , but they were still prepared to handle it .
Prepared , by the way , not paranoid .
It doesn ’ t sound like the Bartletts live their life in constant fear that someone will invade their home .
Quite the opposite .
It sounds like they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ever actually happened , and when the rhetorical became a reality , they were able to meet the crisis and come through unscathed .

A couple in Buxton, Maine who ended up holding a burglar at gunpoint until local police arrived are actually getting a fair amount of media attention for their actions, at least locally. Eric and Missy Bartlett were commended by officers for how they handled themselves when they discovered a stranger in their homes, and the couple recently spoke to the NBC affiliate in Portland about their encounter with the intruder and why Americans should be prepared in case they find themselves in a similar situation.
“It was nerve-racking obviously. It was 3 o’clock in the morning. You don’t expect that,” Eric Bartlett said. The couple, both certified Maine Guides and avid hunters, jumped into action. Missy dialed 911 as Eric grabbed his flashlight and gun and headed downstairs. “I was on the phone with dispatch when I heard the banging,” Missy said. That bang was the intruder barging in through the front door of their house. Eric said that is when he confronted the man in their dining room. He said he immediately blinded him with a flashlight and forced him at gunpoint into a nearby bathroom. Eric never fired a shot.
That’s the best type of defensive gun use; one where the presence of the firearm is enough to prevent a crime from escalating any further. 48-year old Joseph Harmon is now spending some time in the county jail instead of a stranger’s home, and he’s facing a litany of charges including burglary, criminal mischief, and refusing to submit to arrest.
Of course, the NBC affiliate couldn’t just let the Bartletts tell their story without asking a gun control advocate to chime in as well. Rather than praise the couple for protecting themselves, “gun safety advocate” Geoff Bickford with the Maine Gun Safety Coalition bemoaned the fact that more Mainers are buying guns for self-defense, and urged new gun owners to keep ’em locked up.
“In the age of quarantine our message of gun safety is now more important that ever because not only do we have spike in sale of fire arms, but now you have kids home all day,” Bickford said. With more gun sales, Bickford hopes to remind people about the importance of using gun locks and gun safes, especially for parents.
Of course gun owners should prevent unauthorized access to their firearms, but Bickford couldn’t even take a couple of seconds to praise the couple for how they handled the invasion of their home? Why, it’s almost like his idea of gun safety is “don’t own a gun” rather than “know when and how to appropriately use your firearm.”
The Bartletts handled themselves very well, and I appreciate them sharing their story with others. I’m sure when they went to bed that night they had no idea that their sleep would be interrupted by a stranger in their home a few hours later, but they were still prepared to handle it. Prepared, by the way, not paranoid. It doesn’t sound like the Bartletts live their life in constant fear that someone will invade their home. Quite the opposite. It sounds like they knew just what to do if that ever actually happened, and when the rhetorical became a reality, they were able to meet the crisis and come through unscathed.


bearingarms--2020-04-22--CA Man Arrested After 50 Break-Ins, Found With Guns, Ammo

The gun control debate shouldn ’ t really exist .
The debate should revolve exclusively around trying to reduce crime , especially violent crime .
In theory , that ’ s what the debate is to some people .
They ’ re just really convinced that the only potential solution is gun control .
Meanwhile , criminals continue to get guns through illicit means .
They either steal them or buy them from someone after they were stolen .
Maybe the seller stole them , maybe he bought it from a third-party .
It doesn ’ t really matter in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matters is that criminals get their guns on the black market .
They get them because of people like this California man .
The San Mateo County Sheriff ’ s Office said detectives along with South San Francisco Police detectives obtained a $ 5 million arrest warrant for 20-year-old Francisco Cruz-Ramirez following a year-long investigation .
Cruz-Ramirez was arrested on April 18 in the city of Modesto on 53 counts of residential burglary , all of them occuring in San Mateo County , the sheriff ’ s office said .
As part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eight rifles , three shotguns , two handguns , ammunition , a bullet-proof vest , and several pieces of stolen property , the sheriff ’ s office said .
The DA ’ s office said Cruz-Ramirez ’ s primary modus operandi was to shatter the homes ’ sliding glass doors to gain entry , and that five of the homes were occupied at the time .
Approximately $ 2 million in property was stolen , including more than 100 firearms , the DA ’ s office said .
So they found 13 guns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stole more than 100 .
I guess we all know what happened to the rest of the weapons , now don ’ t we ?
He sold them to others , most likely .
What do you want to bet he didn ’ t have the buyers fill out a Form 4473 and conduct a NICS background check ?
Criminals have long been known to do this kind of thing .
They steal guns , then sell them .
It ’ s kind of why they steal stuff in the first place , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases .
I mean , no one steals a Ferrari simply because they want a Ferrari of their very own .
They steal it and sell it or they just drive it around a while .
That ’ s about it .
The same is true of guns .
Unfortunately , you ’ re never going to stop this kind of thing from happening .
The only way you can stop criminals from stealing guns is if there are no guns for criminals to steal .
Of course , many gun grabbers are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You ’ re damn right !
” The problem is , the idea of a world with no guns to steal is a non-starter .
For one , the Second Amendment protects our right to keep and bear arms .
That means you don ’ t get to ban them no matter how much you want to .
Further , even if you tried , there are a lot of people who just wouldn ’ t tell you about their guns .
That includes me .
So there will always be guns for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them up doesn ’ t automatically make them protected , either .
Gun locked aren ’ t that hard to defeat and don ’ t actually prevent theft .
Gun safes might , but they ’ re expensive and heavy and less than ideal for things like second-story apartments .
As such , you can only do so much .
And even if you somehow made it so no one had a gun to steal , the bad guys would find other ways to get guns .

The gun control debate shouldn’t really exist. The debate should revolve exclusively around trying to reduce crime, especially violent crime. In theory, that’s what the debate is to some people. They’re just really convinced that the only potential solution is gun control.
Meanwhile, criminals continue to get guns through illicit means. They either steal them or buy them from someone after they were stolen. Maybe the seller stole them, maybe he bought it from a third-party. It doesn’t really matter in the grand scheme of things. What matters is that criminals get their guns on the black market.
They get them because of people like this California man.
The San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office said detectives along with South San Francisco Police detectives obtained a $5 million arrest warrant for 20-year-old Francisco Cruz-Ramirez following a year-long investigation. Cruz-Ramirez was arrested on April 18 in the city of Modesto on 53 counts of residential burglary, all of them occuring in San Mateo County, the sheriff’s office said. … As part of the investig,ation, detectived seized eight rifles, three shotguns, two handguns, ammunition, a bullet-proof vest, and several pieces of stolen property, the sheriff’s office said. The DA’s office said Cruz-Ramirez’s primary modus operandi was to shatter the homes’ sliding glass doors to gain entry, and that five of the homes were occupied at the time. Approximately $2 million in property was stolen, including more than 100 firearms, the DA’s office said.
So they found 13 guns at his home, but suspect he stole more than 100. I guess we all know what happened to the rest of the weapons, now don’t we? He sold them to others, most likely.
What do you want to bet he didn’t have the buyers fill out a Form 4473 and conduct a NICS background check?
Criminals have long been known to do this kind of thing. They steal guns, then sell them. It’s kind of why they steal stuff in the first place, at least in the vast majority of cases. I mean, no one steals a Ferrari simply because they want a Ferrari of their very own. They steal it and sell it or they just drive it around a while. That’s about it.
The same is true of guns.
Unfortunately, you’re never going to stop this kind of thing from happening. The only way you can stop criminals from stealing guns is if there are no guns for criminals to steal. Of course, many gun grabbers are reading that sentence and thinking, “You’re damn right!” The problem is, the idea of a world with no guns to steal is a non-starter. For one, the Second Amendment protects our right to keep and bear arms. That means you don’t get to ban them no matter how much you want to.
Further, even if you tried, there are a lot of people who just wouldn’t tell you about their guns. That includes me.
So there will always be guns for people like this to steal. Locking them up doesn’t automatically make them protected, either. Gun locked aren’t that hard to defeat and don’t actually prevent theft. Gun safes might, but they’re expensive and heavy and less than ideal for things like second-story apartments. As such, you can only do so much.
And even if you somehow made it so no one had a gun to steal, the bad guys would find other ways to get guns.


bearingarms--2020-04-22--New Database Provides Details Of Defensive Gun Uses

Every day on Bearing Arms ’ Cam & Co , we feature an armed citizen story from somewhere around the country , and most days I have to decide which armed story I ’ m going to highlight , because there are several to choose from .
We know that Americans are protecting themselves with firearms every day of the week , but it ’ s hard to get a handle on just how many defensive gun uses are covered in the media .
Well , it used to be hard , but thanks to a new database from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quite easy to see where and when these defensive gun uses are taking place .
Amy Swearer of the Heritage Foundation and the Daily Signal joins me on today ’ s Bearing Arms ’ Cam & Co to talk about the new database and what she hopes gun owners and Second Amendment activists can get out of the incredible information that ’ s now at their fingertips .
Also on today ’ s program , we have a story out of Alabama involving a 21-year old who is on the run facing attempted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behind bars , an armed homeowner in Toledo , Ohio , and a community that came together to help an Ottumwa , Iowa woman celebrate her 90th birthday .
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 .
https : //bearingarms.com/author/camedwards/

Every day on Bearing Arms’ Cam & Co, we feature an armed citizen story from somewhere around the country, and most days I have to decide which armed story I’m going to highlight, because there are several to choose from. We know that Americans are protecting themselves with firearms every day of the week, but it’s hard to get a handle on just how many defensive gun uses are covered in the media.
Well, it used to be hard, but thanks to a new database from the Heritage Foundation, it’s now quite easy to see where and when these defensive gun uses are taking place. Amy Swearer of the Heritage Foundation and the Daily Signal joins me on today’s Bearing Arms’ Cam & Co to talk about the new database and what she hopes gun owners and Second Amendment activists can get out of the incredible information that’s now at their fingertips.
Also on today’s program, we have a story out of Alabama involving a 21-year old who is on the run facing attempted murder charges when he should have been behind bars, an armed homeowner in Toledo, Ohio, and a community that came together to help an Ottumwa, Iowa woman celebrate her 90th birthday.


bearingarms--2020-04-22--No, Don Lemon, Who The Hell Do You Think YOU Are?

All around the nation , groups of people are protesting quarantine procedures .
They ’ re fed up with being locked in their homes and being unable to work .
They ’ re tired of being told they can ’ t live their life over a disease they don ’ t see as being nearly as much of a risk as some people claim .
Are they right ?
Hell , I don ’ t know .
I haven ’ t been involved in healthcare to such a degree in nearly a quarter of a century , back when I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t really stayed up to date on a lot of this stuff and it ’ s very difficult to tell what ’ s honest fact and what ’ s biased opinion .
As such , I ’ m not offering any thoughts on whether the virus is that big of a deal or not .
But what is a big deal , though , is when one of CNN ’ s talking heads begins speaking out of his fifth point of contact about people with guns .
According to Lemon , protesters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ using the coronavirus crisis as an opportunity to seize power — are “ slapping the faces ” of health care and other essential workers because they want their lives to return to normal .
“ You ’ re out there with guns , with weapons strapped to your chest , saying , oh , you want to get — you ’ re fighting against the people who are telling you to stay at home , trying to save your lives , you ’ re upset with those people ?
In the meantime , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , keeping your loved ones alive and you want to get a haircut ?
” Lemon said .
“ Who the hell do you think you are ?
” the CNN host continued .
“ What is wrong with people ?
I don ’ t understand.
” Lemon later acknowledged protest rights , but mocked those protesting with guns and suggested they are hypocrites .
“ I don ’ t want to hear from those people who are out there protesting with guns , right , and that is threatening — a threatening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protesting with guns , ” Lemon said .
“ Don ’ t — don ’ t criticize people who are taking a knee at a ball game , entertainment , saying , ‘ I don ’ t want people protesting at a ball game , ’ when people are who are peacefully protesting — don ’ t give me that when you ’ re out there protesting with guns and saying , ‘ I want to get back to work , I want my liberty.
’ Well , Don Lemon , just who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
You don ’ t get to tell people how they can protest when it has absolutely no impact on you .
At least a case can be made that those who knelt during sporting events were thrusting their protest in the viewers ’ faces .
Those who paid for tickets had a damn right to get pissed off because they paid to see a game , not a protest .
But these protestors were armed , yes , but were in a public venue and complying with state gun laws .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a damn soul .
Yet here you are , berating them , all because the sight of some guns makes you feel funny .
Where do you get off telling them they somehow don ’ t have the right to protest with a firearm , especially in a time when they ’ re concerned–legitimately or not–that elected officials are becoming downright tyrannical .
Those guns are a stark reminder that we will not stand for oppression and have the means to fight back .
Again , they were complying with local gun laws @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in places where they were illegal .
No , Don , your problem is that you just don ’ t like guns .
You don ’ t understand them and you don ’ t understand those of us who support the right to keep and bear arms .
That ’ s fine because we damn sure don ’ t understand you or how you managed to keep your job after speculating on air that a black hole swallowed a missing jetliner .
I guess that makes us even .

All around the nation, groups of people are protesting quarantine procedures. They’re fed up with being locked in their homes and being unable to work. They’re tired of being told they can’t live their life over a disease they don’t see as being nearly as much of a risk as some people claim.
Are they right? Hell, I don’t know. I haven’t been involved in healthcare to such a degree in nearly a quarter of a century, back when I was a Navy corpsman. I haven’t really stayed up to date on a lot of this stuff and it’s very difficult to tell what’s honest fact and what’s biased opinion. As such, I’m not offering any thoughts on whether the virus is that big of a deal or not.
But what is a big deal, though, is when one of CNN’s talking heads begins speaking out of his fifth point of contact about people with guns.
According to Lemon, protesters — who are concerned that officials are using the coronavirus crisis as an opportunity to seize power — are “slapping the faces” of health care and other essential workers because they want their lives to return to normal. “You’re out there with guns, with weapons strapped to your chest, saying, oh, you want to get — you’re fighting against the people who are telling you to stay at home, trying to save your lives, you’re upset with those people? In the meantime, there are people keeping your cities going, keeping your loved ones alive and you want to get a haircut?” Lemon said. “Who the hell do you think you are?” the CNN host continued. “What is wrong with people? I don’t understand.” Lemon later acknowledged protest rights, but mocked those protesting with guns and suggested they are hypocrites. “I don’t want to hear from those people who are out there protesting with guns, right, and that is threatening — a threatening look for people. You’re protesting with guns,” Lemon said. “Don’t — don’t criticize people who are taking a knee at a ball game, entertainment, saying, ‘I don’t want people protesting at a ball game,’ when people are who are peacefully protesting — don’t give me that when you’re out there protesting with guns and saying, ‘I want to get back to work, I want my liberty.’
Well, Don Lemon, just who the hell do you think you are?
You don’t get to tell people how they can protest when it has absolutely no impact on you. At least a case can be made that those who knelt during sporting events were thrusting their protest in the viewers’ faces. Those who paid for tickets had a damn right to get pissed off because they paid to see a game, not a protest.
But these protestors were armed, yes, but were in a public venue and complying with state gun laws. They weren’t forcing their protest on a damn soul.
Yet here you are, berating them, all because the sight of some guns makes you feel funny.
Where do you get off telling them they somehow don’t have the right to protest with a firearm, especially in a time when they’re concerned–legitimately or not–that elected officials are becoming downright tyrannical. Those guns are a stark reminder that we will not stand for oppression and have the means to fight back.
Again, they were complying with local gun laws. They weren’t carrying them in places where they were illegal.
No, Don, your problem is that you just don’t like guns. You don’t understand them and you don’t understand those of us who support the right to keep and bear arms. That’s fine because we damn sure don’t understand you or how you managed to keep your job after speculating on air that a black hole swallowed a missing jetliner. I guess that makes us even.


bearingarms--2020-04-22--Biden Would Have Shut Down Gun Stores, Surrogate Claims

Fred Guttenberg ’ s sorrow following the loss of his daughter in the Parkland massacre is understandable , even if it ’ s beyond anything I personally can imagine .
As such , his dislike of guns and the Second Amendment are also somewhat understandable .
I don ’ t think he ’ s evil for his position , just horribly misguided and driven by emotion rather than fact .
As such , he ’ s a horrible surrogate for a presidential candidate .
However , that ’ s who the campaign got to fill in for the former vice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hall .
And , unsurprisingly , he offered up a big old ball of stupid in that role .
Gun-control activist and Joe Biden surrogate Fred Guttenberg said the presumptive Democratic nominee would shut down gun stores in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic .
Guttenberg told the audience at a virtual town hall Monday that Trump was killing Americans by allowing gun stores to remain open , pointing to federal guidelines that labeled gun businesses “ essential.
” “ This decision by this administration is going to lead to additional people dying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Joe Biden would not have called these essential businesses in the middle of a pandemic .
It ’ s that simple .
And so shame on the politicians who allowed this to happen .
Shame on the businesses who are using this pandemic as a business sales opportunity.
” Guttenberg went on to say that gun stores are contributing to the pandemic and selling to people who are not legally allowed to buy or own firearms , though he did not offer evidence of either claim .
“ You have crowds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only spreading coronavirus , but they ’ re buying weapons , or they ’ re buying ammunition , ” he said .
“ And many of them are prohibited purchasers of weapons , or they already have the weapon , and now they ’ re running out and buying the ammunition to use it.
” Now , let ’ s address some of these claims .
First , let ’ s talk about the claim that gun stores being open is causing the spread of the disease .
What is being said here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is saying definitively that the fact these stores are open is causing the virus to spread .
That ’ s a bold claim and I ’ d like for Fred to show his work .
Show me evidence that this is actually happening .
Show me cases where this has actually happened , first of all .
Second , show me where the percentage is remotely significant .
Further , Fred suggests people are dying specifically because others can buy guns .
Of course , he ’ s equating the lawful sale of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s a stretch even at the best of times .
Now , though , it ’ s an even bigger reach .
After all , most places are reporting violent crime to actually have gone down .
That means that despite there being more guns on the street than ever before , there ’ s less violent crime .
More guns , less crime .
Shocking , I know .
Then Fred goes on to claim that many of those buying guns are prohibited people .
To be fair , that ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found that a lot of prohibited people in some areas were trying to buy guns .
They were stopped , though .
We don ’ t know that any prohibited people were successful .
In fact , by the time they learned there was a backlog with the NICS and they might get around it , the system was starting to catch up .
Yet again , Fred states it like an absolute fact , yet he fails to show his work .
And again , violent crime is actually trending down during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these armed criminals , one might expect to see the opposite trend , but we don ’ t .
And this is who the Biden campaign chose as his proxy .
Then again , considering the stuff that comes out of Biden ’ s mouth , I can see why they chose Fred .

Fred Guttenberg’s sorrow following the loss of his daughter in the Parkland massacre is understandable, even if it’s beyond anything I personally can imagine. As such, his dislike of guns and the Second Amendment are also somewhat understandable. I don’t think he’s evil for his position, just horribly misguided and driven by emotion rather than fact.
As such, he’s a horrible surrogate for a presidential candidate. However, that’s who the campaign got to fill in for the former vice president’s most recent virtual town hall.
And, unsurprisingly, he offered up a big old ball of stupid in that role.
Gun-control activist and Joe Biden surrogate Fred Guttenberg said the presumptive Democratic nominee would shut down gun stores in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. Guttenberg told the audience at a virtual town hall Monday that Trump was killing Americans by allowing gun stores to remain open, pointing to federal guidelines that labeled gun businesses “essential.” “This decision by this administration is going to lead to additional people dying in this country,” Guttenberg said. “Joe Biden would not have called these essential businesses in the middle of a pandemic. It’s that simple. And so shame on the politicians who allowed this to happen. Shame on the businesses who are using this pandemic as a business sales opportunity.” … Guttenberg went on to say that gun stores are contributing to the pandemic and selling to people who are not legally allowed to buy or own firearms, though he did not offer evidence of either claim. “You have crowds showing up around these gun stores not only spreading coronavirus, but they’re buying weapons, or they’re buying ammunition,” he said. “And many of them are prohibited purchasers of weapons, or they already have the weapon, and now they’re running out and buying the ammunition to use it.”
Now, let’s address some of these claims.
First, let’s talk about the claim that gun stores being open is causing the spread of the disease.
What is being said here isn’t a hypothetical. Fred is saying definitively that the fact these stores are open is causing the virus to spread. That’s a bold claim and I’d like for Fred to show his work. Show me evidence that this is actually happening. Show me cases where this has actually happened, first of all. Second, show me where the percentage is remotely significant.
You can’t.
Further, Fred suggests people are dying specifically because others can buy guns. Of course, he’s equating the lawful sale of firearms with violent crime. That’s a stretch even at the best of times. Now, though, it’s an even bigger reach. After all, most places are reporting violent crime to actually have gone down. That means that despite there being more guns on the street than ever before, there’s less violent crime.
More guns, less crime. Shocking, I know.
Then Fred goes on to claim that many of those buying guns are prohibited people. To be fair, that’s certainly a possibility. We’ve found that a lot of prohibited people in some areas were trying to buy guns. They were stopped, though. We don’t know that any prohibited people were successful. In fact, by the time they learned there was a backlog with the NICS and they might get around it, the system was starting to catch up.
Yet again, Fred states it like an absolute fact, yet he fails to show his work.
And again, violent crime is actually trending down during the pandemic. If we had all these armed criminals, one might expect to see the opposite trend, but we don’t.
And this is who the Biden campaign chose as his proxy.
Then again, considering the stuff that comes out of Biden’s mouth, I can see why they chose Fred.


bearingarms--2020-04-22--Aussie Gun Shops Fear For The Future After Coronavirus Closures

American gun store owners aren ’ t the only ones that are worried about their ability to continue to operate amidst the coronavirus shutdown orders that are sweeping the globe .
In Australia , many owners and employees of gun stores say they can ’ t understand why they ’ ve been forced to close , and they ’ re concerned that they may not be able to afford to re-open after the orders have been lifted .
Gun dealers say they will need to close their stores for good and some farmers are unable to perform pest control , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of farm animals being killed by foxes .
Firearms dealers are questioning why they were forced to stop trading – including a suspension of their online sales – with no advance notice , while retailers such as JB Hi-Fi remained open .
The decision to ban the sales of firearms and ammunition was announced by the Victorian government and Victoria Police on the final day of March .
Authorities cited an increase in gun sales and fears of domestic violence as justification for the measure .
So , just as in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a potential rise in crime drove up gun sales .
And just as we ’ ve seen from some anti-gun politicians in places like California and New Jersey , the simple fact that more people were buying guns was reason enough to try to shut down sales completely .
There are more parallels to what we ’ re going through in the U.S. As the Brisbane Times notes , the orders to close gun shops aren ’ t coming from the federal government , but are limited to those states where anti-gun @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state banned gun sales , raising suspicions the bans were triggered by governments with the firearms industry firmly in their targets .
“ It ’ s absolutely ridiculous that it ’ s one rule for another and one for us , ” said Belinda Mann , owner of a gun shop in the regional town of Lexton .
Ms Mann is one of many gun shop owners who said their businesses would not survive if the ban extended for a lengthy period of time .
More than 100 gun dealers in Victoria rely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to sporting shooters and hunters .
“ My family is more stressed than we ’ ve ever been … the government doesn ’ t care , it ’ s as simple as that , ” she said .
It ’ s not that the government in the state of Victoria doesn ’ t care .
It ’ s not indifference that we ’ re seeing on the part of anti-gun politicians , but hostility .
Lawmakers supportive of the measure forcing gun shops to shut down will be thrilled if people like Belinda @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , even if that means good people are forced out of business .
It ’ s not just shop owners who ’ ve been affected by the closures of gun stores in states under control of the Labor Party .
Farmers and ranchers are feeling the effects as well , with a growing number of livestock becoming food for predators instead of people .
“ We ’ ve got five or six dying every night , ” said Simmo Evans , 44 .
Mr Evans , from the town of Beaufort , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turns performing pest control on each other ’ s farms at night .
As landowners have started to run low on ammunition over the past fortnight , this practice has stopped .
“ We ’ ve got farmers screaming out for people to help but we can ’ t .
We don ’ t have ammo , ” he said .
“ Lambing season is coming up and we don ’ t know what to do .
There ’ s so many people affected.
” Those pleas from farmers are likely to fall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surely government officials know what ’ s best for their subjects , right ?
These farmers can just use air horns or didgeridoos to try to scare off foxes and other predators .
There ’ s no need to protect your property with a gun , or so these anti-gun lawmakers believe .
And unlike the United States , there is no right to own a firearm to be found in Australia ’ s constitution or laws .
The Labor governments that are implementing these shutdowns are within their power to do so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the stores end up closing forever , all the better as far as they ’ re concerned .

American gun store owners aren’t the only ones that are worried about their ability to continue to operate amidst the coronavirus shutdown orders that are sweeping the globe. In Australia, many owners and employees of gun stores say they can’t understand why they’ve been forced to close, and they’re concerned that they may not be able to afford to re-open after the orders have been lifted.
From the Brisbane Times:
Gun dealers say they will need to close their stores for good and some farmers are unable to perform pest control, leading to an alarming increase in the number of farm animals being killed by foxes. Firearms dealers are questioning why they were forced to stop trading – including a suspension of their online sales – with no advance notice, while retailers such as JB Hi-Fi remained open. The decision to ban the sales of firearms and ammunition was announced by the Victorian government and Victoria Police on the final day of March. Authorities cited an increase in gun sales and fears of domestic violence as justification for the measure.
So, just as in the United States, concerns over economic uncertainty and a potential rise in crime drove up gun sales. And just as we’ve seen from some anti-gun politicians in places like California and New Jersey, the simple fact that more people were buying guns was reason enough to try to shut down sales completely.
There are more parallels to what we’re going through in the U.S. As the Brisbane Times notes, the orders to close gun shops aren’t coming from the federal government, but are limited to those states where anti-gun attitudes are most prevalent.
No Liberal-controlled state banned gun sales, raising suspicions the bans were triggered by governments with the firearms industry firmly in their targets. “It’s absolutely ridiculous that it’s one rule for another and one for us,” said Belinda Mann, owner of a gun shop in the regional town of Lexton. Ms Mann is one of many gun shop owners who said their businesses would not survive if the ban extended for a lengthy period of time. More than 100 gun dealers in Victoria rely on the trade of recreational gun products to sporting shooters and hunters. “My family is more stressed than we’ve ever been … the government doesn’t care, it’s as simple as that,” she said.
It’s not that the government in the state of Victoria doesn’t care. It’s not indifference that we’re seeing on the part of anti-gun politicians, but hostility. Lawmakers supportive of the measure forcing gun shops to shut down will be thrilled if people like Belinda Mann are put out of business permanently, even if that means good people are forced out of business.
It’s not just shop owners who’ve been affected by the closures of gun stores in states under control of the Labor Party. Farmers and ranchers are feeling the effects as well, with a growing number of livestock becoming food for predators instead of people.
“We’ve got five or six dying every night,” said Simmo Evans, 44. Mr Evans, from the town of Beaufort, said farmers in the his local area take turns performing pest control on each other’s farms at night. As landowners have started to run low on ammunition over the past fortnight, this practice has stopped. “We’ve got farmers screaming out for people to help but we can’t. We don’t have ammo,” he said. “Lambing season is coming up and we don’t know what to do. There’s so many people affected.”
Those pleas from farmers are likely to fall on deaf ears. After all, surely government officials know what’s best for their subjects, right? These farmers can just use air horns or didgeridoos to try to scare off foxes and other predators. There’s no need to protect your property with a gun, or so these anti-gun lawmakers believe. And unlike the United States, there is no right to own a firearm to be found in Australia’s constitution or laws. The Labor governments that are implementing these shutdowns are within their power to do so, and if their actions means that the stores end up closing forever, all the better as far as they’re concerned.


bearingarms--2020-04-22--13-Year Old Charged In Armed Robberies Of Akron Delivery Drivers

Akron , Ohio police have arrested a suspect in a series of armed robberies in the city in January of this year , and according to authorities , he ’ s just 13-year old .
Police said a 13-year-old male was identified as a suspect in two robberies that occurred on Jan. 27 .
In both robberies , police said delivery drivers were robbed at gunpoint after delivering to vacant homes .
Drivers told police they were called to addresses in the 1100 block of 4th Avenue in East Akron .
In each robbery , drivers told police that multiple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 13-year old and his friends were only successful in one of the two robberies back on January 27th .
According to police , the second driver that was targeted was able to defend himself with his legally carried firearm .
A Papa John ’ s worker reported that he was trying to deliver a pizza to a house around 7 p.m. Monday in the 1100 block of 4th Avenue , when he realized the house was vacant .
The 26-year-old employee said three males , who appeared to be teens , came from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reached for his waistband .
The driver then drew his weapon .
No shots were fired and the would-be thieves disappeared into the night .
In a call to 911 , the driver said , “ The moment they started to come around the house , I pulled a firearm and they ran .
I had no choice.
” While the 13-year old who was arrested this week has been charged in two robberies , Akron delivery drivers had to deal with a rash of armed robberies that began in December of last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including a span in early December when there were at least four such robberies in one week .
About 11:40 p.m. on Sunday , a 55-year-old Domino ’ s driver said he had just delivered an order on the 300 block Power Street near the University of Akron when he was approached by two men , one armed with a gun , according to a police report .
The suspects asked for change for a $ 10 bill and the victim said he didn ’ t have change and began to walk back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ One of the suspects grabbed the delivery driver from behind and demanded he empty his pockets , while the other suspect held him at gunpoint .
The robbers ran from the scene with an unknown amount of money , police said .
About an hour later , officers responded just after 12:30 a.m. Monday to another robbery involving a pizza delivery driver on the 800 block of Huber Street in East Akron , according to a police report .
The 37-year-old Domino ’ s driver said three people wearing dark clothing approached him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with an unknown amount of cash , police said .
Another incident in early December involved at least four teens who targeted a driver for Papa Johns .
The 21-year-old driver for Papa John ’ s tells police he was trying to deliver a pizza on the 400 block of Zahn Drive , just south of Sand Run Metro Park , at about 1 p.m. when he was approached by four young males .
Police say the suspects were between the ages of 10 and 15 years old and that two were armed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the driver .
When he said he had no cash , one of the youths hit the driver in the head with his weapon .
The youths then took three pizzas and some Sierra Mist soda before running north on Cromwell Drive .
There ’ s been no word from Akron police about whether the 13-year old who ’ s been arrested for the two robberies in January may be connected to any of the other robberies of delivery drivers , but clearly there are still several individuals who took part in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrested or charged yet .
While police continue their investigation , I wouldn ’ t be surprised if other drivers have armed themselves for their protection .
It ’ s easier to carry a firearm than it is to have a cop ride shotgun while you deliver pizzas , after all , and drivers in Akron are right to be concerned about their personal safety .

Akron, Ohio police have arrested a suspect in a series of armed robberies in the city in January of this year, and according to authorities, he’s just 13-year old.
Police said a 13-year-old male was identified as a suspect in two robberies that occurred on Jan. 27. In both robberies, police said delivery drivers were robbed at gunpoint after delivering to vacant homes. Drivers told police they were called to addresses in the 1100 block of 4th Avenue in East Akron. In each robbery, drivers told police that multiple males attempted to rob them.
The 13-year old and his friends were only successful in one of the two robberies back on January 27th. According to police, the second driver that was targeted was able to defend himself with his legally carried firearm.
A Papa John’s worker reported that he was trying to deliver a pizza to a house around 7 p.m. Monday in the 1100 block of 4th Avenue, when he realized the house was vacant. The 26-year-old employee said three males, who appeared to be teens, came from behind the house and one of them reached for his waistband. The driver then drew his weapon. No shots were fired and the would-be thieves disappeared into the night. In a call to 911, the driver said, “The moment they started to come around the house, I pulled a firearm and they ran. I had no choice.”
While the 13-year old who was arrested this week has been charged in two robberies, Akron delivery drivers had to deal with a rash of armed robberies that began in December of last year and continued through late January, including a span in early December when there were at least four such robberies in one week.
About 11:40 p.m. on Sunday, a 55-year-old Domino’s driver said he had just delivered an order on the 300 block Power Street near the University of Akron when he was approached by two men, one armed with a gun, according to a police report. The suspects asked for change for a $10 bill and the victim said he didn’t have change and began to walk back to his vehicle, police said. One of the suspects grabbed the delivery driver from behind and demanded he empty his pockets, while the other suspect held him at gunpoint. The robbers ran from the scene with an unknown amount of money, police said. About an hour later, officers responded just after 12:30 a.m. Monday to another robbery involving a pizza delivery driver on the 800 block of Huber Street in East Akron, according to a police report. The 37-year-old Domino’s driver said three people wearing dark clothing approached him and robbed him at gunpoint, escaping with an unknown amount of cash, police said.
Another incident in early December involved at least four teens who targeted a driver for Papa Johns.
The 21-year-old driver for Papa John’s tells police he was trying to deliver a pizza on the 400 block of Zahn Drive, just south of Sand Run Metro Park, at about 1 p.m. when he was approached by four young males. Police say the suspects were between the ages of 10 and 15 years old and that two were armed with firearms. The suspects demanded money from the driver. When he said he had no cash, one of the youths hit the driver in the head with his weapon. The youths then took three pizzas and some Sierra Mist soda before running north on Cromwell Drive.
There’s been no word from Akron police about whether the 13-year old who’s been arrested for the two robberies in January may be connected to any of the other robberies of delivery drivers, but clearly there are still several individuals who took part in the holdups who haven’t been arrested or charged yet. While police continue their investigation, I wouldn’t be surprised if other drivers have armed themselves for their protection. It’s easier to carry a firearm than it is to have a cop ride shotgun while you deliver pizzas, after all, and drivers in Akron are right to be concerned about their personal safety.


bearingarms--2020-04-22--CA AG Unilaterally Extends Ex Parte Red Flag Order Duration

One of the biggest problems with red flag laws is that they allow the government to take guns from people who have not been convicted of doing anything , not even making threatening noises .
Such an order should make people very nervous .
If they can infringe on the Second Amendment rights of an individual on such minimal evidence , particularly with the individual in question not even present to defend themselves , what other rights can they trample on ?
To try and mitigate those concerns , lawmakers often put a limit on how long someone ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their day in court .
In California , it ’ s 21 days .
Three weeks of being treated like a criminal based despite no due process of law .
Well , it just got worse .
A state with one of the worst “ Red Flag ” gun confiscation laws on the books just got worse .
On April 13 , California Attorney General Xavier Becerra issued a guidance document on the procedures concerning certain types of restraining orders .
Citing the ongoing COVID-19 panic , Becerra noted that all ex parte @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are to be extended 90 days past the statutory expiration date .
Under state law , such orders expire after 21 days – meaning that an ex parte GVRO may now last up to 110 days .
California ’ s latest attack on gun rights and due process should serve as a warning to gun owners across the country about the dangers inherent to “ Red Flag ” gun confiscation laws .
However , Becerra has adopted an interpretation of state law that requires a full GVRO hearing to take place before an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during a judicial emergency .
In his guidance , Becerra ’ s office noted “ [ d ] uring the COVID-19 statewide emergency , all gun violence orders issued or set to expire will be extended up to 90 days to allow the matter to be heard by the court. ” Cal.Gov.Code §68115 provides that during “ judicial emergencies ” the courts may “ [ e ] xtend the duration of any temporary restraining order that would otherwise expire because an emergency condition , as described in this section , prevented the court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ permanent order should be entered.The extension shall be for the fewest days necessary under the circumstances of the emergency , as determined by the Chairperson of the Judicial Council. ” So Becerra has taken an already unconstitutional law and unilaterally extended it so that people are deprived of their Second Amendment rights for nearly three months instead of the three weeks mandated by law .
Further , technology has given the government tools to keep judicial matters moving during this interesting time .
Hearings can be held remotely , thus allowing them to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that reading , I ’ m not sure Becerra has the authority to make that determination .
The quoted bit of law notes that the duration of the extension should be determined by the “ Hariperson of the Judicial Council.
” At the moment , that ’ s not Xavier Becerra but California State Supreme Court Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye .
It should like it should be Cantil-Sakauye ’ s call as to whether ex parte red flag orders should be extended .
Not that I see the chief justice being any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mind you , but still… Regardless , this is proof that not even COVID-19 will stop the state of California from trampling on people ’ s gun rights even more than they usually do .

One of the biggest problems with red flag laws is that they allow the government to take guns from people who have not been convicted of doing anything, not even making threatening noises. Such an order should make people very nervous. If they can infringe on the Second Amendment rights of an individual on such minimal evidence, particularly with the individual in question not even present to defend themselves, what other rights can they trample on?
To try and mitigate those concerns, lawmakers often put a limit on how long someone’s guns can be held before they get their day in court. In California, it’s 21 days. Three weeks of being treated like a criminal based despite no due process of law.
Pretty bad, right?
Well, it just got worse.
A state with one of the worst “Red Flag” gun confiscation laws on the books just got worse. On April 13, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra issued a guidance document on the procedures concerning certain types of restraining orders. Citing the ongoing COVID-19 panic, Becerra noted that all ex parte Gun Violence Restraining Orders (EGVROs) are to be extended 90 days past the statutory expiration date. Under state law, such orders expire after 21 days – meaning that an ex parte GVRO may now last up to 110 days. California’s latest attack on gun rights and due process should serve as a warning to gun owners across the country about the dangers inherent to “Red Flag” gun confiscation laws. … However, Becerra has adopted an interpretation of state law that requires a full GVRO hearing to take place before an ex parte or temporary emergency GVRO expires during a judicial emergency. In his guidance, Becerra’s office noted “[d]uring the COVID-19 statewide emergency, all gun violence orders issued or set to expire will be extended up to 90 days to allow the matter to be heard by the court.” Cal.Gov.Code §68115 provides that during “judicial emergencies” the courts may “[e]xtend the duration of any temporary restraining order that would otherwise expire because an emergency condition, as described in this section, prevented the court from conducting proceedings to determine whether a permanent order should be entered.The extension shall be for the fewest days necessary under the circumstances of the emergency, as determined by the Chairperson of the Judicial Council.”
So Becerra has taken an already unconstitutional law and unilaterally extended it so that people are deprived of their Second Amendment rights for nearly three months instead of the three weeks mandated by law.
Further, technology has given the government tools to keep judicial matters moving during this interesting time. Hearings can be held remotely, thus allowing them to continue forward.
Plus, based on that reading, I’m not sure Becerra has the authority to make that determination. The quoted bit of law notes that the duration of the extension should be determined by the “Hariperson of the Judicial Council.” At the moment, that’s not Xavier Becerra but California State Supreme Court Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye. It should like it should be Cantil-Sakauye’s call as to whether ex parte red flag orders should be extended.
Not that I see the chief justice being any better about the topic than Becerra, mind you, but still…
Regardless, this is proof that not even COVID-19 will stop the state of California from trampling on people’s gun rights even more than they usually do.


bearingarms--2020-04-23--Florida Man Accidentally Kills Brother With Illegally Possessed Gun

A Florida man with an extensive criminal history is back behind bars after allegedly shooting and killing his half-brother with a gun he apparently believed was unloaded .
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd says the shooting was a “ terrible tragedy ” , and he ’ s right , but it ’ s one that could easily have been avoided if 19-year old Tyler Nichols hadn ’ t made a series of bad decisions .
According to officials , Nichols and his brother were horse-playing after eating dinner and were preparing to go to the store together to purchase blunt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ smoke marijuana .
“ Nichols jokingly picked up a handgun , which he believed was unloaded , pointed it at his brother , and pulled the trigger , ” deputies said .
Where should we start ?
How about these simple rules : you don ’ t point your gun at anything you ’ re not willing to kill , you never assume that a gun is unloaded , and you don ’ t handle firearms when you ’ re under the influence , whether it ’ s alcohol , pot , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when these rules aren ’ t followed , and Nichols is going to have to live with the consequences of his decisions .
According to Sheriff Judd , even though Nichols is only 19 , he ’ s well known to local law enforcement .
The teenager was on pre-trial release for a case from 2019 where he was charged with shooting into a home .
That order prohibited Nichols from possessing any firearms , but it sounds like he might have lost his Second Amendment rights even before he was arrested for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s only 19-years old ?
Clearly Nichols wasn ’ t a poster child for responsible gun ownership even before he pointed a gun at his brother and pulled the trigger .
In fact , I ’ m wondering why he was allowed to be released from custody before his trial , given his lengthy criminal history and the fact that he was facing such serious charges .
Now Nichols can add manslaughter to the list of charges he ’ s facing , and something tells me that it won ’ t be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ released from custody before his next trial ( or more likely , plea bargain ) .
It ’ s tragic that Nichols ’ brother lost his life in such a stupid and reckless manner , and it will be a travesty of justice if Nichols doesn ’ t face real consequences for his actions .

A Florida man with an extensive criminal history is back behind bars after allegedly shooting and killing his half-brother with a gun he apparently believed was unloaded.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd says the shooting was a “terrible tragedy”, and he’s right, but it’s one that could easily have been avoided if 19-year old Tyler Nichols hadn’t made a series of bad decisions.
According to officials, Nichols and his brother were horse-playing after eating dinner and were preparing to go to the store together to purchase blunt cigar wrappers that they could use to smoke marijuana. “Nichols jokingly picked up a handgun, which he believed was unloaded, pointed it at his brother, and pulled the trigger,” deputies said.
Where should we start? How about these simple rules: you don’t point your gun at anything you’re not willing to kill, you never assume that a gun is unloaded, and you don’t handle firearms when you’re under the influence, whether it’s alcohol, pot, or any other intoxicant. Bad things happen when these rules aren’t followed, and Nichols is going to have to live with the consequences of his decisions.
According to Sheriff Judd, even though Nichols is only 19, he’s well known to local law enforcement. The teenager was on pre-trial release for a case from 2019 where he was charged with shooting into a home. That order prohibited Nichols from possessing any firearms, but it sounds like he might have lost his Second Amendment rights even before he was arrested for that shooting.
“Tyler Nichols’ prior criminal history consists of seven felonies and six misdemeanors, including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, shooting into a building, discharging a firearm from a vehicle, burglary, grand theft, tampering with evidence, battery and criminal mischief,” officials said.
Seven felonies and he’s only 19-years old? Clearly Nichols wasn’t a poster child for responsible gun ownership even before he pointed a gun at his brother and pulled the trigger. In fact, I’m wondering why he was allowed to be released from custody before his trial, given his lengthy criminal history and the fact that he was facing such serious charges.
Now Nichols can add manslaughter to the list of charges he’s facing, and something tells me that it won’t be quite as easy for him to get released from custody before his next trial (or more likely, plea bargain). It’s tragic that Nichols’ brother lost his life in such a stupid and reckless manner, and it will be a travesty of justice if Nichols doesn’t face real consequences for his actions.


bearingarms--2020-04-23--VT Gun Grabber Goes After Pro-Gun Incumbent's Seat

A few months ago , there were a lot of places that were trending more and more as anti-gun .
That includes Vermont , of course .
Much of the Northeast has been embracing gun control for decades , but efforts to curtail citizens ’ gun rights have stepped up since the Parkland shooting .
Yet COVID-19 hasn ’ t been considered by many .
After all , you now have millions of new gun owners throughout the nation .
That includes many in states like Vermont .
Those new gun owners may have been anti-gun control before , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the first sign of trouble .
Are they still that anti-gun after that ?
Well , at least one anti-gun candidate seems to think so .
She ’ s going after a pro-gun incumbent ’ s seat .
Alyssa Black , who riveted the Statehouse last year with her deeply personal testimony in favor of waiting periods for gun purchases , wants to return to the Golden Dome — this time , as a lawmaker .
The Essex Town resident has launched her candidacy in the Chittenden 8-3 District ’ s Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ general election race with incumbent Rep. Bob Bancroft , R-Westford , one of the House ’ s most vociferous gun-rights supporters .
( Bancroft has yet to announce whether he will seek another term ; he could not immediately be reached for comment . )
Black became an advocate following the 2018 suicide of her son Andrew .
He had purchased a gun only hours before turning it on himself , and Black firmly believes that a waiting period would have saved Andrew ’ s life .
Black claims that the primary motivating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ though , but abortion .
That ’ s likely because while the calculus may have changed in the state regarding guns–no one really knows right now one way or the other–it likely hasn ’ t changed much on abortion .
The state is notoriously pro-abortion so she ’ s trying to hedge her bets .
Yet Bancroft is an incumbent and has held the seat since 2014 .
No one bothered to even oppose him in 2018 .
That suggests that while the seat had been Democrat before that , most of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office .
This won ’ t be a slam dunk for Black despite the state ’ s further embrace of gun control .
And make no mistake , Black can claim that gun control isn ’ t a motivating factor for her , but it likely will become a major point in any campaign moving forward and if Bancroft ’ s constituents are also pro-gun , she ’ s going to have a tough row to hoe , especially since she ’ s on record as wanting to restrict the rights of others @ @ @ @ @ @ @ son , someone who probably would have committed suicide regardless of whether he got a gun or not .
Of course , Bancroft isn ’ t likely to phrase it that way , but that ’ s something I suspect many of his supporters will likely bring up in discussions about Black and her proposed policies .
While Vermont isn ’ t the kind of place most of us spend a lot of time paying attention to , this campaign might be a good one to watch .

A few months ago, there were a lot of places that were trending more and more as anti-gun. That includes Vermont, of course. Much of the Northeast has been embracing gun control for decades, but efforts to curtail citizens’ gun rights have stepped up since the Parkland shooting.
Yet COVID-19 hasn’t been considered by many.
After all, you now have millions of new gun owners throughout the nation. That includes many in states like Vermont. Those new gun owners may have been anti-gun control before, but they went out and got a gun at the first sign of trouble. Are they still that anti-gun after that?
Well, at least one anti-gun candidate seems to think so. She’s going after a pro-gun incumbent’s seat.
Alyssa Black, who riveted the Statehouse last year with her deeply personal testimony in favor of waiting periods for gun purchases, wants to return to the Golden Dome — this time, as a lawmaker. The Essex Town resident has launched her candidacy in the Chittenden 8-3 District’s Democratic primary, setting up a potentially dramatic general election race with incumbent Rep. Bob Bancroft, R-Westford, one of the House’s most vociferous gun-rights supporters. (Bancroft has yet to announce whether he will seek another term; he could not immediately be reached for comment.) Black became an advocate following the 2018 suicide of her son Andrew. He had purchased a gun only hours before turning it on himself, and Black firmly believes that a waiting period would have saved Andrew’s life.
Black claims that the primary motivating factor isn’t actually guns, though, but abortion. That’s likely because while the calculus may have changed in the state regarding guns–no one really knows right now one way or the other–it likely hasn’t changed much on abortion. The state is notoriously pro-abortion so she’s trying to hedge her bets.
Yet Bancroft is an incumbent and has held the seat since 2014. No one bothered to even oppose him in 2018. That suggests that while the seat had been Democrat before that, most of his constituents are happy enough with him in office.
This won’t be a slam dunk for Black despite the state’s further embrace of gun control.
And make no mistake, Black can claim that gun control isn’t a motivating factor for her, but it likely will become a major point in any campaign moving forward and if Bancroft’s constituents are also pro-gun, she’s going to have a tough row to hoe, especially since she’s on record as wanting to restrict the rights of others because of the actions of her own son, someone who probably would have committed suicide regardless of whether he got a gun or not.
Of course, Bancroft isn’t likely to phrase it that way, but that’s something I suspect many of his supporters will likely bring up in discussions about Black and her proposed policies.
While Vermont isn’t the kind of place most of us spend a lot of time paying attention to, this campaign might be a good one to watch.


bearingarms--2020-04-23--WA Sheriff Says No To Enforcing Stay-At-Home Order

On today ’ s Bearing Arms ’ Cam & Co we ’ re highlighting a couple of stories about the growing discontent with stay-at-home orders and how they ’ re impacting the Second Amendment rights of Americans .
We begin with a West Coast story , where Snohomish County Sheriff Adam Fortney says he has no plans to enforce the state ’ s stay-at-home order against county residents , arguing that the order by Washington governor Jay Inslee is violating the constitutional rights of Washingtonians .
In a lengthy post on Facebook on Wednesday , Fortney acknowledged the severity of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people in his county .
Still , the sheriff said that residents “ have already shown and continue to show they understand the severity of the situation and are doing all they can already to keep themselves , their families and neighbors safe and healthy.
” Fortney wondered why landscapers are still working outside the Snohomish County Courthouse , while home builders have been ordered to stay at home instead of remaining on the job , and why gun stores were ordered closed when marijuana outlets have been declared “ essential businesses.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have not carried out any enforcement for the current a stay-at-home order .
As this order has continued on for well over a month now and a majority of our residents can not return to work to provide for their families , I have received a lot of outreach from concerned members of our community asking if Governor Inslee ’ s order is a violation of our constitutional rights .
As your Snohomish County Sheriff , yes I believe that preventing business owners to operate their businesses and provide for their families intrudes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the pursuit of happiness .
I am greatly concerned for our small business owners and single-income families who have lost their primary source of income needed for survival .
As your elected Sheriff I will always put your constitutional rights above politics or popular opinion .
We have the right to peaceably assemble .
We have the right to keep and bear arms .
We have the right to attend church service of any denomination .
The impacts of COVID 19 no longer warrant the suspension of our constitutional rights .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ John Costa is defying a cease-and-desist order from his local government declaring that he must shut down his shop .
Despite Gov .
Charlie Baker ’ s order that declares gun stores to be non-essential businesses and warnings from Attorney General Maura Healey promising sanctions against those shops that don ’ t follow the governor ’ s order , Costa ’ s Gunnrunner store in Middleborough remains open .
The order has already drawn legal challenges from a group of marijuana businesses and consumers , unsuccessfully challenging the decision to close recreational marijuana @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gun shops , advocacy groups , and would-be gun owners who sued in federal court in a bid to allow shuttered firearm dealers to open .
But that attempt to keep sales flowing for some has also become an ideological fight elsewhere , with The Gunrunner serving as a local symbol of conservatives ’ protest of the restrictions .
On Tuesday , it drew Dianna Ploss , a Republican activist and talk radio host , to Costa ’ s store for the makeshift rally , where Costa , Ploss , and others gathered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them wearing masks while they sometimes draped their arms over each other .
“ We ’ re not social-distanced .
Are you worried ?
” Ploss asked Costa at one point .
“ I ’ m not worried at all , ” he said .
It ’ s Costa ’ s right not to be worried , but if I were a prospective customer , I ’ d feel better knowing that the store ’ s owner and employees were taking both my rights and my health seriously .
Also on today ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Bronx teen arrested for the brutal assault of a 52-year old man at a McDonalds who was just released from jail over coronavirus concerns , the Chicago woman who defended herself against a home invader , and a good Samaritan able to lend a helping hand to police officers and take a wanted man into custody .

On today’s Bearing Arms’ Cam & Co we’re highlighting a couple of stories about the growing discontent with stay-at-home orders and how they’re impacting the Second Amendment rights of Americans. We begin with a West Coast story, where Snohomish County Sheriff Adam Fortney says he has no plans to enforce the state’s stay-at-home order against county residents, arguing that the order by Washington governor Jay Inslee is violating the constitutional rights of Washingtonians.
In a lengthy post on Facebook on Wednesday, Fortney acknowledged the severity of the coronavirus, which has killed 97 people in his county. Still, the sheriff said that residents “have already shown and continue to show they understand the severity of the situation and are doing all they can already to keep themselves, their families and neighbors safe and healthy.”
Fortney wondered why landscapers are still working outside the Snohomish County Courthouse, while home builders have been ordered to stay at home instead of remaining on the job, and why gun stores were ordered closed when marijuana outlets have been declared “essential businesses.”
As I have previously stated, I have not carried out any enforcement for the current a stay-at-home order. As this order has continued on for well over a month now and a majority of our residents cannot return to work to provide for their families, I have received a lot of outreach from concerned members of our community asking if Governor Inslee’s order is a violation of our constitutional rights. As your Snohomish County Sheriff, yes I believe that preventing business owners to operate their businesses and provide for their families intrudes on our right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. I am greatly concerned for our small business owners and single-income families who have lost their primary source of income needed for survival. As your elected Sheriff I will always put your constitutional rights above politics or popular opinion. We have the right to peaceably assemble. We have the right to keep and bear arms. We have the right to attend church service of any denomination. The impacts of COVID 19 no longer warrant the suspension of our constitutional rights.
In Massachusetts, meanwhile, gun store owner John Costa is defying a cease-and-desist order from his local government declaring that he must shut down his shop. Despite Gov. Charlie Baker’s order that declares gun stores to be non-essential businesses and warnings from Attorney General Maura Healey promising sanctions against those shops that don’t follow the governor’s order, Costa’s Gunnrunner store in Middleborough remains open.
The order has already drawn legal challenges from a group of marijuana businesses and consumers, unsuccessfully challenging the decision to close recreational marijuana shops, and from a coalition of gun shops, advocacy groups, and would-be gun owners who sued in federal court in a bid to allow shuttered firearm dealers to open. But that attempt to keep sales flowing for some has also become an ideological fight elsewhere, with The Gunrunner serving as a local symbol of conservatives’ protest of the restrictions. On Tuesday, it drew Dianna Ploss, a Republican activist and talk radio host, to Costa’s store for the makeshift rally, where Costa, Ploss, and others gathered in a small group, none of them wearing masks while they sometimes draped their arms over each other. “We’re not social-distanced. Are you worried?” Ploss asked Costa at one point. “I’m not worried at all,” he said.
It’s Costa’s right not to be worried, but if I were a prospective customer, I’d feel better knowing that the store’s owner and employees were taking both my rights and my health seriously.
Also on today’s show we have the stories of a Bronx teen arrested for the brutal assault of a 52-year old man at a McDonalds who was just released from jail over coronavirus concerns, the Chicago woman who defended herself against a home invader, and a good Samaritan able to lend a helping hand to police officers and take a wanted man into custody.


bearingarms--2020-04-23--Florida Officials Spar Over Carry Permits

With so much shut down due to COVID-19 , there are issues regarding carry permits in many states .
In Georgia , you pretty much can ’ t get one right now , though if you have one expiring , that ’ s covered .
If you don ’ t have a valid one , tough luck , but there are workarounds in place for that as well .
Other states have other challenges .
Down in Florida , though , there ’ s a bit of a fight brewing over the matter .
Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried returned fire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moody that the Commissioner reopen online concealed carry permit applications .
The Attorney General fears Florida residents may sue the state over the delay during the COVID-19 pandemic .
But Fried puts it plainly in a letter being delivered to Moody later Thursday morning : “ I regret to inform you that your understanding regarding the processing of concealed weapons license applications is incorrect.
” After Gov .
Ron DeSantis recommended state offices limit their operations and close doors to the public , the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Division of Licensing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On March 23 , the division made that move to suspend online applications to save applicants the headache of the division not being able to issue a refund when applications would be inevitably denied .
Fried says the department will still accept new applications with fingerprints from a law enforcement agency or tax collectors ’ office , the two other approved sites to get fingerprinted .
The problem , of course , is that pretty much every other office that can do fingerprinting is also closed due to COVDI-19 concerns .
Still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resides on Fried or not .
Of course , part of the problem is that Fried is an avowed anti-gunner who is now in charge of issuing gun permits .
This doesn ’ t sit well with a lot of folks for obvious reasons .
The fact that she ’ s also refusing to have her office do any fingerprinting is obviously not going to play well , especially since you kind of have to believe her anti-gun bias is likely playing something of a factor .
On the other hand , though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office isn ’ t the only place one can get fingerprinted for the purposes of a carry permit .
It ’ s not her fault that they ’ re all closed as well and she shouldn ’ t be held accountable for things that are beyond her control .
Then again , no one is holding her responsible for what other agencies are doing .
They ’ re holding her responsible for her decision and how that impacts people getting their permits .
She might not be responsible for the process being completely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a unique position to fix it if she so desired .
It ’ s just too bad that we all know damn good and well that Fried has absolutely zero interest in doing any such thing .
It ’ s just part of her job and all that , but it involves guns which Fried clearly isn ’ t a fan of .
Her personal feelings , however , are irrelevant .
This is about her doing her job .
The question is , will she step up and do what ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hold your breath .

With so much shut down due to COVID-19, there are issues regarding carry permits in many states. In Georgia, you pretty much can’t get one right now, though if you have one expiring, that’s covered. If you don’t have a valid one, tough luck, but there are workarounds in place for that as well. Other states have other challenges.
Down in Florida, though, there’s a bit of a fight brewing over the matter.
Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried returned fire on a demand by Attorney General Ashley Moody that the Commissioner reopen online concealed carry permit applications. The Attorney General fears Florida residents may sue the state over the delay during the COVID-19 pandemic. But Fried puts it plainly in a letter being delivered to Moody later Thursday morning: “I regret to inform you that your understanding regarding the processing of concealed weapons license applications is incorrect.” After Gov. Ron DeSantis recommended state offices limit their operations and close doors to the public, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Division of Licensing stopped taking fingerprints necessary for a permit. On March 23, the division made that move to suspend online applications to save applicants the headache of the division not being able to issue a refund when applications would be inevitably denied. Fried says the department will still accept new applications with fingerprints from a law enforcement agency or tax collectors’ office, the two other approved sites to get fingerprinted.
The problem, of course, is that pretty much every other office that can do fingerprinting is also closed due to COVDI-19 concerns.
Still, the question is whether this all resides on Fried or not.
Of course, part of the problem is that Fried is an avowed anti-gunner who is now in charge of issuing gun permits. This doesn’t sit well with a lot of folks for obvious reasons. The fact that she’s also refusing to have her office do any fingerprinting is obviously not going to play well, especially since you kind of have to believe her anti-gun bias is likely playing something of a factor.
On the other hand, though, she’s right. Her office isn’t the only place one can get fingerprinted for the purposes of a carry permit. It’s not her fault that they’re all closed as well and she shouldn’t be held accountable for things that are beyond her control.
Then again, no one is holding her responsible for what other agencies are doing. They’re holding her responsible for her decision and how that impacts people getting their permits. She might not be responsible for the process being completely shut down, but she’s in a unique position to fix it if she so desired.
It’s just too bad that we all know damn good and well that Fried has absolutely zero interest in doing any such thing. It’s just part of her job and all that, but it involves guns which Fried clearly isn’t a fan of.
Her personal feelings, however, are irrelevant. This is about her doing her job. The question is, will she step up and do what’s right? I wouldn’t hold your breath.


bearingarms--2020-04-23--Bloomberg's Anti-Gun News Outlet Ignores Gun Industry's Work To Fix NICS

A new story published by Michael Bloomberg ’ s anti-gun news outlet The Trace is taking a look at how Louisiana is helping to improve the nation ’ s instant background check system by submitting more records to NICS , but the story completely leaves out the work done by a firearms industry trade group that was instrumental in the improvements to the system .
The piece , published in conjunction with the website The Bitter Southerner , profiles the work of a bureaucrat named Norm Gobert , who started working for the Louisiana State Supreme Court back in 2009 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parish clerks to submit more records to the state police and the FBI , and the story portrays Gobert as a one-man wrecking crew that obliterated opposition and forced clerks to improve their record keeping through his sunny disposition and gifts of king cake .
Norm remembers more than one clerk asking him to show them “ where it says I have to do what you are asking.
” He was forced to share the sad truth : He had no power to make them do what he asked .
Louisiana , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , don ’ t have unified court systems .
That means that state officials can ask local court clerks to report their data , but without passing legislation , they can ’ t make them comply .
When a clerk ’ s office was missing a piece of information that the State Police and FBI needed — an arrest date or a state ID number , for example — things could get even more complicated .
Norm remembers how , in some parishes , police and prosecutors were entering the state identification numbers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were not showing up on the printed rap sheets that they sent to the clerks .
So Norm had to convince yet another group of overworked government employees to reconfigure their computer systems to fix a problem they didn ’ t immediately understand .
Gradually , the unflappable bureaucrat with the easy belly laugh began to develop a few tricks .
On the way to one of Louisiana ’ s more far-flung parishes , he might make a pit stop at a different clerk ’ s office .
He ’ d pop in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Overflowing with friendliness and warmth , he ’ d shake some hands and leave donuts or Louisiana king cakes on the counter .
“ I ’ d tell them , ‘ I can ’ t stay long today , but I ’ ll be back.
’ ” Gobert started his efforts in 2009 , and even reporter Ann Givens acknowledges it was slow going for several years .
Initially , new records came in slowly , while Norm helped the clerks work through snags in the system .
In the first five years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the NICS index .
But then , the clerks started getting comfortable with the electronic systems , and the database started filling rapidly .
By 2015 , there were more than 350,000 records , most of which were criminal convictions , in the system ; by 2018 , there were more than 600,000 .
Today , only five states in the country have more records in the NICS database — and they are states with a different posture toward gun regulation , like California , Connecticut , and New York .
What Givens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Louisiana legislators passed a bill , signed into law by then-Gov .
Bobby Jindal that required clerks to submit these records to NICS .
The National Shooting Sports Foundation , which is the trade group for the firearms industry , not only supported the measure , but actively pushed to bring the bill to the governor ’ s desk .
In fact , NSSF praised Jindal ’ s signing of the bill at the time .
The NSSF national FixNICS initiative is gaining traction .
South Carolina has enacted legislation improving state participation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
FixNICS recognizes that a federal background check is only as good as the records in the database .
That is why the firearms industry supports improving the current NICS system by increasing the number of prohibiting records states submit to the FBI databases , helping to prevent illegal transfers of firearms to those who are prohibited from owning firearms under current law .
Including these missing records will help ensure more accurate and complete background checks .
States must improve the NICS database by submitting any and all records establishing an individual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mental health records showing someone is an “ adjudicated mental defective ” or involuntarily committed to a mental institute , as well as records showing someone is the subject of a domestic violence protective order , a drug addict or subject to another prohibited category .
The way writer Ann Givens tells it , however , the firearms industry had nothing to do with the measure .
At the same time Norm was delivering king cakes and sleeping in roadside motels , activists like Kim Sport , and lawmakers like Rep. Helena Moreno @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Orleans City Councilwoman , were pushing for laws to keep guns out of the hands of people with criminal backgrounds .
In 2013 , state legislators passed a law requiring clerks to do what Norm had been pleading with them to do for five years : send in their conviction records .
No mention of the NSSF , or the FixNICS initiative .
According to Givens , it was just good ol ’ Norm and a few committed activists and lawmakers who were behind the legislation .
This is a gross rewriting of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was behind the story , one can ’ t help but assume that the reason the NSSF ’ s efforts weren ’ t mentioned is because Bloomberg ’ s anti-gun news outlet didn ’ t want to give the organization any positive press or acknowledge the work that it has done on the issue .
My criticism here isn ’ t directed at Norm Gobert , who sounds like he ’ s a pretty good guy , but at Givens , The Trace , and The Bitter Southerner .
Praise Gobert all you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not willing to offer up the same praise for the firearms industry for its efforts , you ’ re only telling half of the story about how Louisiana came to be a leader in submitting records to the NICS system .

A new story published by Michael Bloomberg’s anti-gun news outlet The Trace is taking a look at how Louisiana is helping to improve the nation’s instant background check system by submitting more records to NICS, but the story completely leaves out the work done by a firearms industry trade group that was instrumental in the improvements to the system.
The piece, published in conjunction with the website The Bitter Southerner, profiles the work of a bureaucrat named Norm Gobert, who started working for the Louisiana State Supreme Court back in 2009. Part of his job entailed convincing parish clerks to submit more records to the state police and the FBI, and the story portrays Gobert as a one-man wrecking crew that obliterated opposition and forced clerks to improve their record keeping through his sunny disposition and gifts of king cake.
Norm remembers more than one clerk asking him to show them “where it says I have to do what you are asking.” He was forced to share the sad truth: He had no power to make them do what he asked. Louisiana, and about half the states in the nation, don’t have unified court systems. That means that state officials can ask local court clerks to report their data, but without passing legislation, they can’t make them comply. When a clerk’s office was missing a piece of information that the State Police and FBI needed — an arrest date or a state ID number, for example — things could get even more complicated. Norm remembers how, in some parishes, police and prosecutors were entering the state identification numbers into their computers, but those numbers were not showing up on the printed rap sheets that they sent to the clerks. So Norm had to convince yet another group of overworked government employees to reconfigure their computer systems to fix a problem they didn’t immediately understand. Gradually, the unflappable bureaucrat with the easy belly laugh began to develop a few tricks. On the way to one of Louisiana’s more far-flung parishes, he might make a pit stop at a different clerk’s office. He’d pop in to say hello and introduce himself. Overflowing with friendliness and warmth, he’d shake some hands and leave donuts or Louisiana king cakes on the counter. “I’d tell them, ‘I can’t stay long today, but I’ll be back.’”
Gobert started his efforts in 2009, and even reporter Ann Givens acknowledges it was slow going for several years.
Initially, new records came in slowly, while Norm helped the clerks work through snags in the system. In the first five years about 36,000 conviction records were added to the NICS index. But then, the clerks started getting comfortable with the electronic systems, and the database started filling rapidly. By 2015, there were more than 350,000 records, most of which were criminal convictions, in the system; by 2018, there were more than 600,000. Today, only five states in the country have more records in the NICS database — and they are states with a different posture toward gun regulation, like California, Connecticut, and New York.
What Givens barely acknowledges is that in 2013, Louisiana legislators passed a bill, signed into law by then-Gov. Bobby Jindal that required clerks to submit these records to NICS. The National Shooting Sports Foundation, which is the trade group for the firearms industry, not only supported the measure, but actively pushed to bring the bill to the governor’s desk. In fact, NSSF praised Jindal’s signing of the bill at the time.
The NSSF national FixNICS initiative is gaining traction. South Carolina has enacted legislation improving state participation, while action is pending New Jersey. FixNICS recognizes that a federal background check is only as good as the records in the database. That is why the firearms industry supports improving the current NICS system by increasing the number of prohibiting records states submit to the FBI databases, helping to prevent illegal transfers of firearms to those who are prohibited from owning firearms under current law. Including these missing records will help ensure more accurate and complete background checks. States must improve the NICS database by submitting any and all records establishing an individual is a prohibited person, such as mental health records showing someone is an “adjudicated mental defective” or involuntarily committed to a mental institute, as well as records showing someone is the subject of a domestic violence protective order, a drug addict or subject to another prohibited category.
The way writer Ann Givens tells it, however, the firearms industry had nothing to do with the measure.
At the same time Norm was delivering king cakes and sleeping in roadside motels, activists like Kim Sport, and lawmakers like Rep. Helena Moreno, who has since become a New Orleans City Councilwoman, were pushing for laws to keep guns out of the hands of people with criminal backgrounds. In 2013, state legislators passed a law requiring clerks to do what Norm had been pleading with them to do for five years: send in their conviction records.
No mention of the NSSF, or the FixNICS initiative. According to Givens, it was just good ol’ Norm and a few committed activists and lawmakers who were behind the legislation. This is a gross rewriting of history, and given that The Trace was behind the story, one can’t help but assume that the reason the NSSF’s efforts weren’t mentioned is because Bloomberg’s anti-gun news outlet didn’t want to give the organization any positive press or acknowledge the work that it has done on the issue.
My criticism here isn’t directed at Norm Gobert, who sounds like he’s a pretty good guy, but at Givens, The Trace, and The Bitter Southerner. Praise Gobert all you want, but if you’re not willing to offer up the same praise for the firearms industry for its efforts, you’re only telling half of the story about how Louisiana came to be a leader in submitting records to the NICS system.