bearingarms--2020-04-28--NYC Gun Range Fights For Survival Amidst Coronavirus Closures

There are hundreds of thousand of small business owners who are are facing an uncertain future after being forced to close for more than month thanks to the coronavirus pandemic and stay-at-home orders in place across the country .
Darren Leung is one of them .
Leung owns Westside Range in New York City .
Unfortunately , the range has been closed since March 23rd , and won ’ t be allowed to reopen until May 15th at the earliest , according to the latest guidance from Gov .
Andrew Cuomo .
While Leung has tried to navigate the maze @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keep his four employees on the payroll , rent is coming due , and as you can imagine , it ’ s not cheap to rent the space for a 16-lane shooting range in one of the most expensive commercial real estate markets in the country .
Darren Leung joins me on today ’ s Bearing Arms ’ Cam & Co to share his story , one that ’ s shared by so many in the Second Amendment community right now .
If there is a bright spot , it ’ s that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of individuals have helped raise nearly $ 38,000 for the range in just the past couple of days through a GoFundMe set up to help with rent and other expenses while the range remains closed .
As Leung explains , the range , which has been in operation since 1964 , has a strong group of core supporters and users who regularly visit the range to shoot .
It ’ s one of just a handful of ranges in the five boroughs , and it ’ s the only range located in Manhattan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shoot there have been coming to the range for decades , and Leung says when and if the range re-opens , both he and the staff will be doing everything they can to protect the health of their older clientele .
That means that the range won ’ t be operating at full capacity for months to come , with social distancing measures limiting the number of people allowed in the range and on the firing line .
In turn , that means that the economic recovery for Westside , if there is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the right side of a steep V-shaped curve .
While revenue quickly dropped to zero after the shutdown order took effect , it won ’ t return to pre-pandemic levels nearly as fast .
Leung worries that the next generation of gun owners and Second Amendment supporters in New York City ( and yes , there actually are some Second Amendment supporters in New York City ) won ’ t have access to a range if Westside is forced to close forever .
Darren Leung says he hopes it won ’ t come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gratitude for the support given to the range in the past few days was evident as we spoke .
I hope that Westside Range is able to once again welcome gun owners on May 15th , and the next time I ’ m in the city I want to visit the range for myself .
New York gun owners need all the help they can get when it comes to exercising their Second Amendment rights , and while I ’ m sure that the disappearance of the only range in Manhattan would thrill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ politicians , it would be a huge loss to the city and its residents , whether they realize it or not .
Check out the entire conversation with Darren Leung above , and stick around for more of the days top Second Amendment stories , including the latest on the open carry ban in Jackson , Mississippi , speculation on what the Supreme Court ’ s next step might be in taking up another case dealing with the right to keep and bear arms , as well as an armed citizen story from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ February to probation for several felonies who ’ s now behind bars on murder charges in Texas , and a Good Samaritan who saved a Mississippi police officer after a fiery crash .

There are hundreds of thousand of small business owners who are are facing an uncertain future after being forced to close for more than month thanks to the coronavirus pandemic and stay-at-home orders in place across the country. Darren Leung is one of them.
Leung owns Westside Range in New York City. Unfortunately, the range has been closed since March 23rd, and won’t be allowed to reopen until May 15th at the earliest, according to the latest guidance from Gov. Andrew Cuomo. While Leung has tried to navigate the maze of bureaucracy to get PPP funds to keep his four employees on the payroll, rent is coming due, and as you can imagine, it’s not cheap to rent the space for a 16-lane shooting range in one of the most expensive commercial real estate markets in the country.
Darren Leung joins me on today’s Bearing Arms’ Cam & Co to share his story, one that’s shared by so many in the Second Amendment community right now. If there is a bright spot, it’s that the community is real, and hundreds of individuals have helped raise nearly $38,000 for the range in just the past couple of days through a GoFundMe set up to help with rent and other expenses while the range remains closed. As Leung explains, the range, which has been in operation since 1964, has a strong group of core supporters and users who regularly visit the range to shoot. It’s one of just a handful of ranges in the five boroughs, and it’s the only range located in Manhattan.
Some of the gun owners who shoot there have been coming to the range for decades, and Leung says when and if the range re-opens, both he and the staff will be doing everything they can to protect the health of their older clientele. That means that the range won’t be operating at full capacity for months to come, with social distancing measures limiting the number of people allowed in the range and on the firing line. In turn, that means that the economic recovery for Westside, if there is one, won’t look like the right side of a steep V-shaped curve. While revenue quickly dropped to zero after the shutdown order took effect, it won’t return to pre-pandemic levels nearly as fast.
Leung worries that the next generation of gun owners and Second Amendment supporters in New York City (and yes, there actually are some Second Amendment supporters in New York City) won’t have access to a range if Westside is forced to close forever. Darren Leung says he hopes it won’t come to that, and his optimism and gratitude for the support given to the range in the past few days was evident as we spoke.
I hope that Westside Range is able to once again welcome gun owners on May 15th, and the next time I’m in the city I want to visit the range for myself. New York gun owners need all the help they can get when it comes to exercising their Second Amendment rights, and while I’m sure that the disappearance of the only range in Manhattan would thrill Mayor Bill de Blasio and other anti-gun politicians, it would be a huge loss to the city and its residents, whether they realize it or not.
Check out the entire conversation with Darren Leung above, and stick around for more of the days top Second Amendment stories, including the latest on the open carry ban in Jackson, Mississippi, speculation on what the Supreme Court’s next step might be in taking up another case dealing with the right to keep and bear arms, as well as an armed citizen story from California, a 17-year old sentenced in February to probation for several felonies who’s now behind bars on murder charges in Texas, and a Good Samaritan who saved a Mississippi police officer after a fiery crash.


bearingarms--2020-04-28--Gang Violence Soaring In Some Cities Despite Stay At Home Orders

Gun control advocates have been proclaiming that with violent crime down during the coronavirus pandemic , there ’ s no reason for anyone to want to purchase a firearm for self-defense .
They ’ ve also been warning that the large number of new gun owners pose a threat to public safety .
As it turns out , some cities are now reporting a troubling increase in shootings , but new gun owners don ’ t seem to have anything to do with the numbers that are trending in the wrong direction .
In Omaha , Nebraska , police say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ almost double compared to March of 2019 , and police chief Todd Schmaderer says the rise has been driven almost entirely by a surge in gang violence .
“ Gangs feel this is an opportune time to commit acts of violence , ” Schmaderer said .
“ OPD and the community had a very good system in place , and that system is compromised right now , understandably.
” Community partners are now focusing on providing basic needs such as food .
Omaha police gang prevention specialists aren ’ t able to meet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of potential exposure to the virus .
In response to the increase in shootings and the number of shots fired , Schmaderer has assigned extra officers to the gang unit and increased patrols in the city ’ s northeast and southeast precincts .
Other measures have been taken , the chief said , but he can ’ t discuss them .
Schmaderer says that crime had been dropping in Omaha , but the coronavirus and its impact on the city have undone the efforts made in recent years .
In Santa Barbara , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s also been a rise in street crime , but she ’ s hoping to counter the gang violence with a new initiative called Youth Responders .
Participants can earn community service hours and gift card stipends by working in food packing and distribution in collaboration with the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County and grocery stores that have surplus food .
“ Adult outreach volunteers are recruiting at-risk youth to this program that brings them new skills , teaches them discipline , and gives them a sense of purpose during this difficult @ @ @ @ @ @ @ program , which launches next week .
There ’ s nothing wrong with the program , and I hope that it works , but some gang members and at-risk youth aren ’ t going to start earning merit badges and gift cards just because they can .
That outreach needs to be coupled with a crackdown on violent crime , but in California many arrestees are now being let loose , even if they ’ re caught with illegally possessed firearms .
New York City has also seen its homicide rate skyrocket since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 55 % increase in murders over the past month .
Burglaries are up by more than 25 % as well , and NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea told reporters last week that officers are making arrests , only to see suspects quickly returned to the streets .
“ It ’ s frustrating .
The cops are out there making arrests for these burglaries , ” the city ’ s top cop said .
But “ [ w ] ith the existing law , what ’ s happening is the individuals are being released immediately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the end will have to be fixed , ” Shea said , referring to bail reforms that took effect in January .
A total of 259 commercial and residential burglaries were reported citywide April 13-19 — a 36.3-percent rise from the 190 reported during that period last year , according to the latest NYPD stats .
Burglaries also rose 25 percent during the 28-day period ending April 19 compared to the same time frame last year , stats show .
Commercial burglaries skyrocketed 122 percent between March 12 and Sunday — from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , cops said .
One alleged serial thief , Billy Queen , was charged with three heists this month alone , only to be released each time when prosecutors declined to press charges due to the coronavirus outbreak .
Gun control advocates may still be claiming that the nation has become a quieter , calmer place since the national emergency was declared back in March , but there ’ s not much evidence to back them up .
Instead , it looks like emboldened criminals are committing more crimes , often with deadly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , when violent crime traditionally rises anyway , some cities could be facing a staggering increase in murders , robberies , and break-ins .
Law-abiding Americans have been purchasing firearms in record numbers for self-defense , and for good reason .

Gun control advocates have been proclaiming that with violent crime down during the coronavirus pandemic, there’s no reason for anyone to want to purchase a firearm for self-defense. They’ve also been warning that the large number of new gun owners pose a threat to public safety. As it turns out, some cities are now reporting a troubling increase in shootings, but new gun owners don’t seem to have anything to do with the numbers that are trending in the wrong direction.
In Omaha, Nebraska, police say the number of shootings in March was almost double compared to March of 2019, and police chief Todd Schmaderer says the rise has been driven almost entirely by a surge in gang violence.
“Gangs feel this is an opportune time to commit acts of violence,” Schmaderer said. “OPD and the community had a very good system in place, and that system is compromised right now, understandably.” Community partners are now focusing on providing basic needs such as food. Omaha police gang prevention specialists aren’t able to meet with at-risk youths because of a threat of potential exposure to the virus. In response to the increase in shootings and the number of shots fired, Schmaderer has assigned extra officers to the gang unit and increased patrols in the city’s northeast and southeast precincts. Other measures have been taken, the chief said, but he can’t discuss them.
Schmaderer says that crime had been dropping in Omaha, but the coronavirus and its impact on the city have undone the efforts made in recent years.
In Santa Barbara, California, Mayor Cathy Murillo says there’s also been a rise in street crime, but she’s hoping to counter the gang violence with a new initiative called Youth Responders.
Participants can earn community service hours and gift card stipends by working in food packing and distribution in collaboration with the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County and grocery stores that have surplus food. “Adult outreach volunteers are recruiting at-risk youth to this program that brings them new skills, teaches them discipline, and gives them a sense of purpose during this difficult time,” Murillo said of the program, which launches next week.
There’s nothing wrong with the program, and I hope that it works, but some gang members and at-risk youth aren’t going to start earning merit badges and gift cards just because they can. That outreach needs to be coupled with a crackdown on violent crime, but in California many arrestees are now being let loose, even if they’re caught with illegally possessed firearms.
New York City has also seen its homicide rate skyrocket since stay-at-home orders were issued, with a 55% increase in murders over the past month. Burglaries are up by more than 25% as well, and NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea told reporters last week that officers are making arrests, only to see suspects quickly returned to the streets.
“It’s frustrating. The cops are out there making arrests for these burglaries,” the city’s top cop said. But “[w]ith the existing law, what’s happening is the individuals are being released immediately and that’s something that ultimately in the end will have to be fixed,” Shea said, referring to bail reforms that took effect in January. A total of 259 commercial and residential burglaries were reported citywide April 13-19 — a 36.3-percent rise from the 190 reported during that period last year, according to the latest NYPD stats. Burglaries also rose 25 percent during the 28-day period ending April 19 compared to the same time frame last year, stats show. Commercial burglaries skyrocketed 122 percent between March 12 and Sunday — from 275 in 2019 to 612 this year, cops said. One alleged serial thief, Billy Queen, was charged with three heists this month alone, only to be released each time when prosecutors declined to press charges due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Gun control advocates may still be claiming that the nation has become a quieter, calmer place since the national emergency was declared back in March, but there’s not much evidence to back them up. Instead, it looks like emboldened criminals are committing more crimes, often with deadly consequences. As we head into summer, when violent crime traditionally rises anyway, some cities could be facing a staggering increase in murders, robberies, and break-ins. Law-abiding Americans have been purchasing firearms in record numbers for self-defense, and for good reason.


bearingarms--2020-04-28--NPR Frets Over SCOTUS Decision In NYC Gun Case

Gun control activists may be cheering Monday ’ s decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to punt on a challenge to a New York City gun law , but there ’ s plenty of evidence that the Court may soon take up another case dealing with the Second Amendment , and even National Public Radio is warning the anti-gun crowd that their jubilation may be misplaced .
As NPR ’ s Nina Totenberg reports , the big question at the moment is where does Chief Justice John Roberts stand on the right to keep and bear arms .
Bottom line @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gun control , there look to be four pretty solid votes against a lot of the measures enacted in recent years after mass shootings .
Specifically , laws that bar carrying weapons in public places , and bans on assault weapons and large ammo magazines .
All these , plus so called red-flag laws and other measures could be in jeopardy .
The question is where Chief Justice Roberts will be on these and other gun-control questions .
To date , he has never been much of a supporter of gun-control laws , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outspoken opponent , either .
All we really know is that he was part of the 2008 and 2010 majority that for the first time declared that the Second Amendment is an individual right , not , as the court had previously implied , a collective right that was attached to the colonial militia .
I suspect that Roberts sided with the majority in declaring the New York City case moot , not because of any hostility towards the Second Amendment , but because he truly believed that the city had mooted the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It ’ s possible that Roberts was swayed by the fact that a ruling overturning a law that had already been changed would have led to howls of objections , not just from the gun control crowd , but from political and legal activists as well , but even if that ’ s what happened there are plenty of other Second Amendment-related cases that the Court is currently considering , and we could know as early as Monday if the justices will take up another case dealing with our right to keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t discuss any of these other cases in her report for NPR , but the National Shooting Sports Foundation ’ s Larry Keane reminded gun control activists on Twitter about the 10 other cases that the Court will consider in conference on Friday .
Given the fact that it takes four justices to agree to hear a case , and Justices Alito , Gorsuch , Thomas , and Kavanaugh all agreed on Monday that the Supreme Court needs to take a Second Amendment case soon in order to undo some of the damage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ d say the odds are good that SCOTUS will agree to hear at least one of the ten cases currently in conference .
It may not happen this week , but I believe it will happen soon .
Of course , as we just saw in NYSPRA v. NYC , hearing a case isn ’ t the same as ruling in favor of the right to keep and bear arms , but it will be much more difficult for states or localities to change some of the other laws that are being challenged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York City to change the law regarding the transportation of legally owned pistols .
New Jersey or Maryland changing their laws regarding the concealed carry of firearms would be something else entirely , and I think it ’ s highly unlikely that the Democrat-controlled legislatures in both states would be willing to adopt a “ shall issue ” standard in order to avoid a loss at the Supreme Court .

Gun control activists may be cheering Monday’s decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to punt on a challenge to a New York City gun law, but there’s plenty of evidence that the Court may soon take up another case dealing with the Second Amendment, and even National Public Radio is warning the anti-gun crowd that their jubilation may be misplaced.
As NPR’s Nina Totenberg reports, the big question at the moment is where does Chief Justice John Roberts stand on the right to keep and bear arms.
Bottom line here is that when it comes to gun control, there look to be four pretty solid votes against a lot of the measures enacted in recent years after mass shootings. Specifically, laws that bar carrying weapons in public places, and bans on assault weapons and large ammo magazines. All these, plus so called red-flag laws and other measures could be in jeopardy. The question is where Chief Justice Roberts will be on these and other gun-control questions. To date, he has never been much of a supporter of gun-control laws, but he hasn’t been an outspoken opponent, either. All we really know is that he was part of the 2008 and 2010 majority that for the first time declared that the Second Amendment is an individual right, not, as the court had previously implied, a collective right that was attached to the colonial militia.
I suspect that Roberts sided with the majority in declaring the New York City case moot, not because of any hostility towards the Second Amendment, but because he truly believed that the city had mooted the case by changing the law in question. It’s possible that Roberts was swayed by the fact that a ruling overturning a law that had already been changed would have led to howls of objections, not just from the gun control crowd, but from political and legal activists as well, but even if that’s what happened there are plenty of other Second Amendment-related cases that the Court is currently considering, and we could know as early as Monday if the justices will take up another case dealing with our right to keep and bear arms.
Totenberg didn’t discuss any of these other cases in her report for NPR, but the National Shooting Sports Foundation’s Larry Keane reminded gun control activists on Twitter about the 10 other cases that the Court will consider in conference on Friday.
Big mistake for gun control orgs to crow about SCOTUS remand in NYSRPA v NYC today. Second Amendment day of reckoning is drawing nigh. SCOTUS has scheduled conferences on several pending #2A cert petitions cases (Kavanaugh concurrence), Worman, Mance, Pena etc @NSSF — Larry Keane (@lkeane) April 27, 2020
Given the fact that it takes four justices to agree to hear a case, and Justices Alito, Gorsuch, Thomas, and Kavanaugh all agreed on Monday that the Supreme Court needs to take a Second Amendment case soon in order to undo some of the damage done by lower courts, I’d say the odds are good that SCOTUS will agree to hear at least one of the ten cases currently in conference. It may not happen this week, but I believe it will happen soon.
Of course, as we just saw in NYSPRA v. NYC, hearing a case isn’t the same as ruling in favor of the right to keep and bear arms, but it will be much more difficult for states or localities to change some of the other laws that are being challenged. It’s one thing for New York City to change the law regarding the transportation of legally owned pistols. New Jersey or Maryland changing their laws regarding the concealed carry of firearms would be something else entirely, and I think it’s highly unlikely that the Democrat-controlled legislatures in both states would be willing to adopt a “shall issue” standard in order to avoid a loss at the Supreme Court.


bearingarms--2020-04-28--Jackson, MS Mayor Facing Lawsuit Over Open Carry Ban

Hours after Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch warned the mayor of Jackson that his edict banning the open carrying of firearms violated the state ’ s constitution , the Mississippi Justice Institute decided to take the issue to court , filing a lawsuit on behalf of State Rep. Dana Criswell .
The lawsuit , filed in federal court , names Mayor Chokwe Lumumba in his official capacity , and alleges that the mayor ’ s unilateral decision to suspend open carry in the city violates the Second Amendment rights of residents .
“ A serious pandemic is not an opportunity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” said Aaron Rice , the Director of the Mississippi Justice Institute .
“ Mayor Lumumba has exploited the present public health crisis as a pretext to target law abiding people who are exercising their constitutional rights.
” “ As a citizen of the great state of Mississippi who has regular business in our capital city of Jackson , I was shocked by the recent announcement by Mayor Lumumba , ” said Criswell .
“ I take the protection of myself and my family very seriously and believe deeply in the constitutional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The mayor ’ s attempt to disarm me and deny me the ability of self-defense puts me and my family in danger anytime we are in Jackson.
” Mayor Lumumba has been called “ the most radical mayor in America ” by progressive activists , but his decision to ban open carry wasn ’ t just radical , it was clearly unconstitutional .
Not only does the mayor not have the authority to order a ban under the state ’ s emergency powers law , according to the state ’ s attorney general @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and statutes clearly allow for the open carrying of firearms , even in a state of emergency .
Lumumba sounded a note of defiance at a Monday press conference , acknowledging his office has received a number of complaints over his edict , but dismissing the criticism as coming from outside agitators .
The city recently saw the murder of a 5-year old and an 11-year old , but Lumumba ’ s ban on open carry won ’ t do anything to prevent the violence in Jackson .
Instead , if the mayor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place , he needs to deal with the individuals who are responsible for these malicious acts , not target the city ’ s law-abiding residents by restricting their right to keep and bear arms .
The mayor could get serious about tackling violent crime and targeting violent criminals , but instead he ’ s decided to engage in a political stunt that seems designed to generate headlines instead of safer streets .

Hours after Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch warned the mayor of Jackson that his edict banning the open carrying of firearms violated the state’s constitution, the Mississippi Justice Institute decided to take the issue to court, filing a lawsuit on behalf of State Rep. Dana Criswell.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court, names Mayor Chokwe Lumumba in his official capacity, and alleges that the mayor’s unilateral decision to suspend open carry in the city violates the Second Amendment rights of residents.
“A serious pandemic is not an opportunity for unconstitutional virtue signaling by grandstanding politicians,” said Aaron Rice, the Director of the Mississippi Justice Institute. “Mayor Lumumba has exploited the present public health crisis as a pretext to target law abiding people who are exercising their constitutional rights.” “As a citizen of the great state of Mississippi who has regular business in our capital city of Jackson, I was shocked by the recent announcement by Mayor Lumumba,” said Criswell. “I take the protection of myself and my family very seriously and believe deeply in the constitutional right to keep and bear arms. The mayor’s attempt to disarm me and deny me the ability of self-defense puts me and my family in danger anytime we are in Jackson.”
Mayor Lumumba has been called “the most radical mayor in America” by progressive activists, but his decision to ban open carry wasn’t just radical, it was clearly unconstitutional. Not only does the mayor not have the authority to order a ban under the state’s emergency powers law, according to the state’s attorney general, but the state’s constitution and statutes clearly allow for the open carrying of firearms, even in a state of emergency.
Lumumba sounded a note of defiance at a Monday press conference, acknowledging his office has received a number of complaints over his edict, but dismissing the criticism as coming from outside agitators.
Mayor Lumumba said, “the calls that I have received have in large part been from people who neither live in Jackson nor are suffering under the consequences of their children being killed.” The mayor is taking aim at illegal guns and those who should not be allowed to have them. “I’m motivated by what I have seen recently looking at the officer cams as they arrive on scene for the babies that were killed recently,” said Mayor Lumumba.
The city recently saw the murder of a 5-year old and an 11-year old, but Lumumba’s ban on open carry won’t do anything to prevent the violence in Jackson. Instead, if the mayor is serious about making Jackson a safer place, he needs to deal with the individuals who are responsible for these malicious acts, not target the city’s law-abiding residents by restricting their right to keep and bear arms.
The mayor could get serious about tackling violent crime and targeting violent criminals, but instead he’s decided to engage in a political stunt that seems designed to generate headlines instead of safer streets.


bearingarms--2020-04-28--CA Criminals Ignoring Gun Laws With Little Consequence

California ’ s required background checks on all ammunition purchases is once again being enforced after a brief pause thanks to a federal judge , but as it turns out , violating that law and many other gun control laws on the books during the coronavirus state of emergency may come with little or no penalty whatsoever .
A Modesto man was named Jamaal Prince was arrested on Friday as part of an investigation into a shooting .
Authorities took the 21-year old into custody and charged him with possession of a loaded firearm without a serial number as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t know why Prince bothered to resist his arrest , given the fact that he was allowed to walk out of jail a short time later without having to post any bond whatsoever .
Despite using his get-out-of-jail-free card , less than 24 hours later police were once again putting the cuffs on Prince .
On Saturday , officers arrested Prince again , along with his 33-year-old brother Aaren Prince .
They were found with different types of ammunition in their vehicle , police said .
Officers spotted the suspects in a vehicle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sutter Avenue pulled them over .
Jamaal Prince received a bail enhancement of $ 100,000 because of his prior offenses , and a parole hold was issued for Aaeren Prince , the police department said .
Both were booked into jail .
Jamaal Prince was allowed to walk out jail after his first arrest because the Judicial Council of California has issued an order requiring $ 0 bail for all misdemeanor and some felony arrests during the state ’ s declared emergency in order to prevent overcrowding in jails and mitigate the spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be effective in reducing the spread of the disease behind bars , but it ’ s not doing anything for public safety on the streets when career criminals like Prince get a pass for illegally possessing a firearm .
The San Francisco Chronicle recently reported that the Judicial Council ’ s order is expected to remain in effect for three months after Gov .
Gavin Newsom declares an end to the state of emergency , and law enforcement officials are beginning to speak out against the threat posed by criminals who are quickly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Our office opposes the zero bail , and these massive releases of criminals throughout the state will have repercussions for our communities yet to be realized , ” said Sgt .
Ray Kelly , of the Alameda County Sheriff ’ s Office .
“ We can ’ t forget that behind each case is a crime victim.
” Among the 27 inmates who have already been rearrested in Alameda County is Rocky Music , who is accused of carjacking a person during his walk Sunday from the Santa Rita Jail to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had arrested him about 12 hours earlier in a stolen car .
Prosecutors filed charges Wednesday against Music , including carjacking .
Sonoma County sheriff ’ s deputies arrested 26-year-old Daniel Avati-Lemos early Monday on suspicion of drug possession .
Deputies arrested him again a little more than 24 hours later on suspicion of vehicle tampering , resisting arrest and a county parole hold .
In Contra Costa County , a man who led San Ramon police on a car chase was detained but not booked .
Brentwood police arrested a man carrying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jail and released him under the new order , said Jimmy Lee , a spokesman for the county Sheriff ’ s Office .
While law enforcement may be raising questions about the no-bail order , California lawmakers seem much more concerned about law-abiding residents exercising their Second Amendment rights than they are about career criminals getting away with their crimes .
Attorney General Xavier Becerra has gone to court to ensure that Californians can ’ t order ammunition online or drive across the border into Arizona to legally purchase ammunition , but hasn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the massive release of suspects , even if they ’ re charged with illegally possessing guns or ammo .
That ’ s not only a recipe for abusing the constitutional rights of Californians , it ’ s likely to lead to an increase in violent crime in many jurisdictions as well .

California’s required background checks on all ammunition purchases is once again being enforced after a brief pause thanks to a federal judge, but as it turns out, violating that law and many other gun control laws on the books during the coronavirus state of emergency may come with little or no penalty whatsoever.
A Modesto man was named Jamaal Prince was arrested on Friday as part of an investigation into a shooting. Authorities took the 21-year old into custody and charged him with possession of a loaded firearm without a serial number as well as resisting arrest. I don’t know why Prince bothered to resist his arrest, given the fact that he was allowed to walk out of jail a short time later without having to post any bond whatsoever.
Despite using his get-out-of-jail-free card, less than 24 hours later police were once again putting the cuffs on Prince.
On Saturday, officers arrested Prince again, along with his 33-year-old brother Aaren Prince. They were found with different types of ammunition in their vehicle, police said. Officers spotted the suspects in a vehicle with fake plates near Paradise Road and Sutter Avenue pulled them over. Jamaal Prince received a bail enhancement of $100,000 because of his prior offenses, and a parole hold was issued for Aaeren Prince, the police department said. Both were booked into jail.
Jamaal Prince was allowed to walk out jail after his first arrest because the Judicial Council of California has issued an order requiring $0 bail for all misdemeanor and some felony arrests during the state’s declared emergency in order to prevent overcrowding in jails and mitigate the spread of the coronavirus. The order may be effective in reducing the spread of the disease behind bars, but it’s not doing anything for public safety on the streets when career criminals like Prince get a pass for illegally possessing a firearm.
The San Francisco Chronicle recently reported that the Judicial Council’s order is expected to remain in effect for three months after Gov. Gavin Newsom declares an end to the state of emergency, and law enforcement officials are beginning to speak out against the threat posed by criminals who are quickly let loose after being taken into custody.
“Our office opposes the zero bail, and these massive releases of criminals throughout the state will have repercussions for our communities yet to be realized,” said Sgt. Ray Kelly, of the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office. “We can’t forget that behind each case is a crime victim.” Among the 27 inmates who have already been rearrested in Alameda County is Rocky Music, who is accused of carjacking a person during his walk Sunday from the Santa Rita Jail to the Dublin BART Station. Oakland police had arrested him about 12 hours earlier in a stolen car. Prosecutors filed charges Wednesday against Music, including carjacking. Sonoma County sheriff’s deputies arrested 26-year-old Daniel Avati-Lemos early Monday on suspicion of drug possession. Deputies arrested him again a little more than 24 hours later on suspicion of vehicle tampering, resisting arrest and a county parole hold. In Contra Costa County, a man who led San Ramon police on a car chase was detained but not booked. Brentwood police arrested a man carrying a machete, booked him into county jail and released him under the new order, said Jimmy Lee, a spokesman for the county Sheriff’s Office.
While law enforcement may be raising questions about the no-bail order, California lawmakers seem much more concerned about law-abiding residents exercising their Second Amendment rights than they are about career criminals getting away with their crimes. Attorney General Xavier Becerra has gone to court to ensure that Californians can’t order ammunition online or drive across the border into Arizona to legally purchase ammunition, but hasn’t raised a single objection about the massive release of suspects, even if they’re charged with illegally possessing guns or ammo. That’s not only a recipe for abusing the constitutional rights of Californians, it’s likely to lead to an increase in violent crime in many jurisdictions as well.


bearingarms--2020-04-29--Four Teens Arrested In GA Gun Store Robbery

The idea behind gun control , at least as it ’ s presented to the public , is that by controlling the flow of guns , you keep firearms out of the hands of criminals .
Even if criminals don ’ t buy guns lawfully–something few anti-gunners seem willing to admit–the theory is that by restricting it for law-abiding citizens , you reduce the availability for criminals .
Of course , it ’ s all a pile of male bovine excrement .
In fact , all it does is make it more difficult for the law-abiding .
After all , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go to the source .
The Thomas County Sheriff ’ s Office confirms four teenagers have been arrested in connection with a gun heist at Kevin ’ s Guns & Sporting Goods in Tallahassee last week .
LT Tim Watkins with the Thomas County Sheriff ’ s Office says they were tipped off to a teen trying to sell one of the guns on Facebook .
Watkins tells us the 17 year old was arrested Saturday and three other teens were arrested Monday .
Deputies are still looking for a fifth person .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sporting Goods in Tallahassee last Wednesday , and ATF later confirmed 46 guns had been stolen in the overnight burglary .
Captain Steve Jones with the Thomas County Sheriff ’ s Office says three of the stolen guns have been recovered , but he fears the rest are now on the streets of Thomas and surrounding counties .
Authorities are encouraging anyone who bought one of the stolen guns to turn it into police .
Frankly , that ’ s a lot of stolen firearms and remarkably few recovered .
It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the guns from someone else .
It ’ s also possible they sold all but the handful they were found with .
Regardless , whoever stole them failed to do a couple of things .
They didn ’ t fill out the Form 4473 nor undergo the federally-mandated background check .
I mean , we can ’ t have guns just stolen by anyone , right ?
If we allow that , criminals might get guns .
Sounds ridiculous , yet that ’ s exactly what anti-gunners sound like sometimes .
Gun control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that gun control only affects the law-abiding citizens .
These teens were able to get their hands on firearms , whether they stole them themselves or obtained them from another party , they got the guns .
They ’ re too young to have gotten them legally .
They didn ’ t jump through any of the hoops meant to keep guns out of their hands .
It ’ s not an isolated incident , it ’ s par for the course .
This is how criminals get guns .
We have these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ studies that show it .
We have all kinds of evidence , and yet the anti-gunners continue to push for more regulations that won ’ t do anything to criminals , only to ordinary , law-abiding folks like you and me .
The question has to be whether they ’ re pushing for this malevolently , or if they ’ re just too stupid to understand how any of this stuff works .
I know what a lot of people are going to say , but I ’ m still torn .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should never attribute to malice what can be adequately explained by stupidity .
On the other hand , how can people be this stupid and still remember to breathe without a regular reminder ?

The idea behind gun control, at least as it’s presented to the public, is that by controlling the flow of guns, you keep firearms out of the hands of criminals. Even if criminals don’t buy guns lawfully–something few anti-gunners seem willing to admit–the theory is that by restricting it for law-abiding citizens, you reduce the availability for criminals.
Of course, it’s all a pile of male bovine excrement.
In fact, all it does is make it more difficult for the law-abiding. After all, if all else fails, crooks will go to the source.
The Thomas County Sheriff’s Office confirms four teenagers have been arrested in connection with a gun heist at Kevin’s Guns & Sporting Goods in Tallahassee last week. LT Tim Watkins with the Thomas County Sheriff’s Office says they were tipped off to a teen trying to sell one of the guns on Facebook. Watkins tells us the 17 year old was arrested Saturday and three other teens were arrested Monday. Deputies are still looking for a fifth person. Tallahassee Police responded to Kevin’s Sporting Goods in Tallahassee last Wednesday, and ATF later confirmed 46 guns had been stolen in the overnight burglary. Captain Steve Jones with the Thomas County Sheriff’s Office says three of the stolen guns have been recovered, but he fears the rest are now on the streets of Thomas and surrounding counties.
Authorities are encouraging anyone who bought one of the stolen guns to turn it into police.
Frankly, that’s a lot of stolen firearms and remarkably few recovered. It’s entirely possible that the teens simply got the guns from someone else. It’s also possible they sold all but the handful they were found with.
Regardless, whoever stole them failed to do a couple of things. They didn’t fill out the Form 4473 nor undergo the federally-mandated background check. I mean, we can’t have guns just stolen by anyone, right? If we allow that, criminals might get guns.
Sounds ridiculous, yet that’s exactly what anti-gunners sound like sometimes.
Gun control measures will fail for the simple fact that gun control only affects the law-abiding citizens. These teens were able to get their hands on firearms, whether they stole them themselves or obtained them from another party, they got the guns. They’re too young to have gotten them legally. They didn’t jump through any of the hoops meant to keep guns out of their hands. It’s not an isolated incident, it’s par for the course.
This is how criminals get guns. We have these stories that show it. We have studies that show it. We have all kinds of evidence, and yet the anti-gunners continue to push for more regulations that won’t do anything to criminals, only to ordinary, law-abiding folks like you and me. The question has to be whether they’re pushing for this malevolently, or if they’re just too stupid to understand how any of this stuff works.
I know what a lot of people are going to say, but I’m still torn. On one hand, I find that you should never attribute to malice what can be adequately explained by stupidity. On the other hand, how can people be this stupid and still remember to breathe without a regular reminder?


bearingarms--2020-04-29--Northam Begins To Lift Restrictions, But Indoor Range Ban Continues

Gov .
Ralph Northam announced during his Wednesday briefing that elective medical procedures , dentist offices , and veterinarians can resume operations in Virginia on Friday , May 1st , but other businesses declared by the governor to be “ non-essential , ” including indoor gun ranges , must remain closed until at least May 8th .
One indoor range in the state isn ’ t subject to Northam ’ s order , however .
Safeside Lynchburg sued the governor over his executive order , and on Monday a circuit court judge in Lynchburg , Virginia granted a temporary injunction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Virginia state law and the state constitution in his decision .
The gun range officially re-opened on Wednesday , and the company has released guidance for customers on the procedures that will be in place for the foreseeable future , including limited hours and capacity .
Here are a few of the changes that the range is making in order to comply with CDC guidance on social distancing .
One 25yd bay will be open 12pm-8pm Mon-Sat in LYNCHBURG ONLY .
Only 1 customer per lane will be allowed , 9 max in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reservation only ( via website ) for now .
All customers and staff in the range bay will be required to wear a face covering Customers may not enter the facility if they have symptoms of , have tested positive for , are presumptive positive for , or have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for Covid-19 .
Rental eye/ear protection remains suspended .
Customers may bring or buy these items Rental guns will not be available for use at this time .
We will assess/relax this after a little while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to arrival and/or on customer personal device We will be installing plexiglass shields at the check-in desk We will not be collecting/holding drivers licenses ( scan through the plexi ) We will be using paper lane cards ( throw away after use ) Social distancing stickers and tape lines will be placed on the floor .
We reserve the right to ask you to leave if you can not abide by the required rules .
The range also laid out its cleaning procedures , noting that as each customer leaves their lane , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to sanitize the bench , shelf , and walls , ” as well as the touchscreens in each lane .
Range safety officers will be wearing gloves that they will change every hour , along with regular hand washing .
Those seem like pretty thorough rules to me , and personally , I would feel comfortable visiting the range if I didn ’ t have a spouse with a compromised immune system at home .
For low risk individuals , a trip to the range may involve some new procedures , but it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jeopardizing your health .
There ’ s no reason why other indoor ranges couldn ’ t operate under these same guidelines , except for the fact that King Ralph has decreed that the ranges are actually places of “ indoor amusement , ” instead of the training facilities that they are .
In Monday ’ s ruling , Judge F. Patrick Yeatts noted that Virginia ’ s state constitution refers to the body of the people “ trained to arms ” as being the most effective way to secure the liberty of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s proclamation infringes on that right to train with the arms Virginians are entitled to keep and bear .
So far there ’ s been no word from Northam or Attorney General Mark Herring about a possible appeal of the judge ’ s ruling .
Since the judge ’ s order applies only to SafeSide Lynchburg , the pair may decide that it ’ s better to take the loss and not risk a decision by the court of appeals or the Virginia Supreme Court that could allow every indoor range in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That would probably be the wisest move the governor could make , but I ’ m hoping he does decide to appeal .
Based on Virginia ’ s statutes , I don ’ t think his order as it applies to indoor ranges has a chance of holding up in court , and I ’ d love to see the state ’ s high court weigh in , especially since Northam repeatedly attempted to move the case from state to federal court .

Gov. Ralph Northam announced during his Wednesday briefing that elective medical procedures, dentist offices, and veterinarians can resume operations in Virginia on Friday, May 1st, but other businesses declared by the governor to be “non-essential,” including indoor gun ranges, must remain closed until at least May 8th.
One indoor range in the state isn’t subject to Northam’s order, however. Safeside Lynchburg sued the governor over his executive order, and on Monday a circuit court judge in Lynchburg, Virginia granted a temporary injunction allowing the range to re-open, citing Virginia state law and the state constitution in his decision.
The gun range officially re-opened on Wednesday, and the company has released guidance for customers on the procedures that will be in place for the foreseeable future, including limited hours and capacity. Here are a few of the changes that the range is making in order to comply with CDC guidance on social distancing.
One 25yd bay will be open 12pm-8pm Mon-Sat in LYNCHBURG ONLY. Only 1 customer per lane will be allowed, 9 max in range All range sessions will be by reservation only (via website) for now. All customers and staff in the range bay will be required to wear a face covering Customers may not enter the facility if they have symptoms of, have tested positive for, are presumptive positive for, or have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for Covid-19. Rental eye/ear protection remains suspended. Customers may bring or buy these items Rental guns will not be available for use at this time. We will assess/relax this after a little while Waivers will need to be completed prior to arrival and/or on customer personal device We will be installing plexiglass shields at the check-in desk We will not be collecting/holding drivers licenses (scan through the plexi) We will be using paper lane cards (throw away after use) Social distancing stickers and tape lines will be placed on the floor. We reserve the right to ask you to leave if you cannot abide by the required rules.
The range also laid out its cleaning procedures, noting that as each customer leaves their lane, staff will use “hospital grade disinfectant to sanitize the bench, shelf, and walls,” as well as the touchscreens in each lane. Range safety officers will be wearing gloves that they will change every hour, along with regular hand washing.
Those seem like pretty thorough rules to me, and personally, I would feel comfortable visiting the range if I didn’t have a spouse with a compromised immune system at home. For low risk individuals, a trip to the range may involve some new procedures, but it sounds like it could be done without jeopardizing your health.
There’s no reason why other indoor ranges couldn’t operate under these same guidelines, except for the fact that King Ralph has decreed that the ranges are actually places of “indoor amusement,” instead of the training facilities that they are. In Monday’s ruling, Judge F. Patrick Yeatts noted that Virginia’s state constitution refers to the body of the people “trained to arms” as being the most effective way to secure the liberty of a state, but declared that Northam’s proclamation infringes on that right to train with the arms Virginians are entitled to keep and bear.
So far there’s been no word from Northam or Attorney General Mark Herring about a possible appeal of the judge’s ruling. Since the judge’s order applies only to SafeSide Lynchburg, the pair may decide that it’s better to take the loss and not risk a decision by the court of appeals or the Virginia Supreme Court that could allow every indoor range in the state to re-open their doors to customers.
That would probably be the wisest move the governor could make, but I’m hoping he does decide to appeal. Based on Virginia’s statutes, I don’t think his order as it applies to indoor ranges has a chance of holding up in court, and I’d love to see the state’s high court weigh in, especially since Northam repeatedly attempted to move the case from state to federal court.


bearingarms--2020-04-29--Arkansas Women Uses Gun To Defend Herself From Ex-Husband

Right now , a lot of people are buying guns .
Anti-gunners argue that with violent crime down , you don ’ t actually need a gun .
Of course , they ignore that violent crime went down after tons of new people bought gun , but what do you expect .
What they also fail to note , however , is that reduced violent crime doesn ’ t mean there ’ s no violent crime .
In Texarkana , Arkansas , a woman was able to use a firearm to defend herself and another from a violent attack the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about .
Police responded about 8:30 p.m. Monday and found Courtland Luckey , 40 , inside an apartment with multiple gunshot wounds .
Officers rendered first aid but Luckey died at the scene , according to TAPD .
The initial investigation has revealed Luckey forced his way inside the apartment and began physically assaulting his estranged wife Tynisha Luckey and another man who was inside the apartment .
Prosecutors will decide if there are grounds to file charges , but it sounds like a legitimate case of self-defense .
Tynisha Luckey was able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and shot Luckey several times , thus likely saving her life and the life of the man in her apartment .
I ’ ve said before that the way to end domestic violence is for battered partners to put a bullet in their attackers , and Ms. Luckey is a perfect illustration of just how that works .
Her ex=husband illegally entered her home with violent intent and she put him down like a rabid dog .
Good for her .
Yes , she could have called the police , but how long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in her apartment received several injuries as it is .
How many more would he have sustained ?
What about her ?
Honestly , there ’ s no guarantee police would have arrived any sooner than just in time to draw chalk outlines around the bodies .
Well , they still did .
The difference was they were doing it with a violent criminal who had already illustrated he wasn ’ t worthy of walking in civilized society .
Ms. Luckey did what was right and what was just .
Yet let ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t think she should have had a gun .
They think she should have made do with a dog or a baseball bat .
Nevermind that the late Mr. Luckey might well have ignored the dog and taken the bat away from her .
After all , you have to get close to use one of those on someone .
For the most part , the average woman is going to be physically weaker than the average man .
Sure , there are exceptions .
For example , look up Stefi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than most guys on a pound by pound basis and stronger than many when you look at raw numbers .
She ’ s not the typical woman , however .
She ’ s exceptional .
Because of this difference , though , it ’ s more important that women have the best tools to neutralize that strength advantage .
That means guns , as Ms. Luckey so ably illustrated for the whole world to see .
A reduction in violent crime doesn ’ t mean there is no violent crime .
Take the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out the hard way just how that sort of thing really works .

Right now, a lot of people are buying guns. Anti-gunners argue that with violent crime down, you don’t actually need a gun. Of course, they ignore that violent crime went down after tons of new people bought gun, but what do you expect.
What they also fail to note, however, is that reduced violent crime doesn’t mean there’s no violent crime.
In Texarkana, Arkansas, a woman was able to use a firearm to defend herself and another from a violent attack the Brady Bunch tells you not to worry about.
Police responded about 8:30 p.m. Monday and found Courtland Luckey, 40, inside an apartment with multiple gunshot wounds. Officers rendered first aid but Luckey died at the scene, according to TAPD. The initial investigation has revealed Luckey forced his way inside the apartment and began physically assaulting his estranged wife Tynisha Luckey and another man who was inside the apartment.
Prosecutors will decide if there are grounds to file charges, but it sounds like a legitimate case of self-defense.
Tynisha Luckey was able to get her hands on her firearm and shot Luckey several times, thus likely saving her life and the life of the man in her apartment.
I’ve said before that the way to end domestic violence is for battered partners to put a bullet in their attackers, and Ms. Luckey is a perfect illustration of just how that works. Her ex=husband illegally entered her home with violent intent and she put him down like a rabid dog. Good for her.
Yes, she could have called the police, but how long would that have taken? The man in her apartment received several injuries as it is. How many more would he have sustained? What about her?
Honestly, there’s no guarantee police would have arrived any sooner than just in time to draw chalk outlines around the bodies. Well, they still did. The difference was they were doing it with a violent criminal who had already illustrated he wasn’t worthy of walking in civilized society.
Ms. Luckey did what was right and what was just.
Yet let’s also remember there are those who don’t think she should have had a gun. They think she should have made do with a dog or a baseball bat. Nevermind that the late Mr. Luckey might well have ignored the dog and taken the bat away from her. After all, you have to get close to use one of those on someone.
For the most part, the average woman is going to be physically weaker than the average man. Sure, there are exceptions. For example, look up Stefi Cohen sometime. She’s stronger than most guys on a pound by pound basis and stronger than many when you look at raw numbers. She’s not the typical woman, however. She’s exceptional.
Because of this difference, though, it’s more important that women have the best tools to neutralize that strength advantage. That means guns, as Ms. Luckey so ably illustrated for the whole world to see.
A reduction in violent crime doesn’t mean there is no violent crime. Take the threats seriously before you end up finding out the hard way just how that sort of thing really works.


bearingarms--2020-04-29--MA Women Gun Owners Demand Their Right To Self-Defense

Massachusetts Gov .
Charlie Baker has extended the closure of “ non-esssential ” businesses , including gun shops and ranges , for another two weeks , telling reporters on Tuesday that while the state has flattened the curve of new cases , there is still a long way to go .
“ We ’ re incredibly eager to move on from this phase of our lives .
But if we act too soon , we could risk a spike in infections that could force our state to revert to serious restrictions again , ” Baker told reporters at a briefing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far worse for our economy , our communities and for our people.
” Second Amendment advocates say that Baker ’ s decision to keep gun stores and ranges shut down is causing harm to the rights of residents , and the head of Massachusetts Women Gun Owners has penned a letter to Lt. Gov .
Karyn Polito asking her to start speaking up in support of the rights of women across the state .
Women represent the fastest-growing segment of new firearms owners in the United States .
A significant portion of those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other increasingly – disenfranchised demographic groups of women .
The right to keep and bear arms is enshrined in the U.S. Constitution as a fundamental civil right like the Second Amendment .
The Founding Fathers specified this natural right to secure our nation and ensure citizens had the means to protect themselves and their loved ones .
Our heroic Law Enforcement Officers are a blessing in helping women being safe ; however , law enforcement rightfully recognizes that they are unable to guarantee the safety of any individual citizen .
They are there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law .
As did our Founders , our present-day law enforcement officials concede that self-defense is an individual responsibility .
This fundamental Natural Right ( i.e .
God-given ) allows us to protect ourselves and our families from domestic violence and other acts of violence to which women disproportionately fall prey .
Considering the current public health emergency and the potential threats that could result from it , this is not the time to disempower women – or any other Americans , for that matter .
Currently , the Administration is blocking many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their rights to protect their lives and the rights of those they love and care for .
I urge you to take a stance and represent the women of our Commonwealth by working to remove the discriminatory practices by the Administration against our community .
Please work with the women in our Second Amendment community to establish the following : • Issue an emergency order extending all firearm related licenses , including retailers , for 180 days past the end of the COVID-19 crisis , or until they can be processed .
• @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ essential ” entities .
These places are essential to exercising our Second Amendment rights .
The Administration initially released guidelines based on the federal guidelines and included the classification of firearms-related activities and businesses as essential only to later rescind that specification .
That resulted in confusion and further increased the disenfranchisement of women and other demographic segments of Second Amendment supporters .
• Work with retailers , clubs , etc .
to establish health-related guidelines that will allow all activities while complying with risk mitigation requirements ( social distancing , masks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mitigate risk ) • Order the State Police to reactivate firearm safety training using the protocols necessary for safety .
This is a state mandate for citizens attempting to exercise their civil rights .
Shutting down certified training is shutting down access to a protected right .
• Require local firearm licensing authorities to establish safe practices to process new applications for firearm licenses .
• In general work with our community and cease actively working against us .
On today ’ s Bearing Arms ’ Cam & Co , the author of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me to talk about why she decided to publicly push Polito to take a stand in support of the right to keep and bear arms , as well as why Robbins herself felt compelled to take a more active role in defending the Second Amendment in the state .
Make sure you check out the entire interview above , and stick around for more news , including an armed homeowner in California who protected himself against a would-be burglar , a North Carolina man who should have been behind bars but was instead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the trunk of the car he was driving , and an Iowa family who helped brighten the day for residents of a long-term care facility by hosting a goat parade .

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker has extended the closure of “non-esssential” businesses, including gun shops and ranges, for another two weeks, telling reporters on Tuesday that while the state has flattened the curve of new cases, there is still a long way to go.
“We’re incredibly eager to move on from this phase of our lives. But if we act too soon, we could risk a spike in infections that could force our state to revert to serious restrictions again,” Baker told reporters at a briefing Tuesday. “This scenario would be far worse for our economy, our communities and for our people.”
Second Amendment advocates say that Baker’s decision to keep gun stores and ranges shut down is causing harm to the rights of residents, and the head of Massachusetts Women Gun Owners has penned a letter to Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito asking her to start speaking up in support of the rights of women across the state.
Women represent the fastest-growing segment of new firearms owners in the United States. A significant portion of those women are women of color or represent other increasingly – disenfranchised demographic groups of women. The right to keep and bear arms is enshrined in the U.S. Constitution as a fundamental civil right like the Second Amendment. The Founding Fathers specified this natural right to secure our nation and ensure citizens had the means to protect themselves and their loved ones. Our heroic Law Enforcement Officers are a blessing in helping women being safe; however, law enforcement rightfully recognizes that they are unable to guarantee the safety of any individual citizen. They are there to keep the peace and enforce the law. As did our Founders, our present-day law enforcement officials concede that self-defense is an individual responsibility. This fundamental Natural Right (i.e. God-given) allows us to protect ourselves and our families from domestic violence and other acts of violence to which women disproportionately fall prey. Considering the current public health emergency and the potential threats that could result from it, this is not the time to disempower women – or any other Americans, for that matter. Currently, the Administration is blocking many avenues that would allow women to exercise their rights to protect their lives and the rights of those they love and care for. I urge you to take a stance and represent the women of our Commonwealth by working to remove the discriminatory practices by the Administration against our community. Please work with the women in our Second Amendment community to establish the following: Issue an emergency order extending all firearm related licenses, including retailers, for 180 days past the end of the COVID-19 crisis, or until they can be processed.
Re-classify firearm retailers and shooting ranges as “essential” entities. These places are essential to exercising our Second Amendment rights. The Administration initially released guidelines based on the federal guidelines and included the classification of firearms-related activities and businesses as essential only to later rescind that specification. That resulted in confusion and further increased the disenfranchisement of women and other demographic segments of Second Amendment supporters.
Work with retailers, clubs, etc. to establish health-related guidelines that will allow all activities while complying with risk mitigation requirements (social distancing, masks, disinfection and other things needed to mitigate risk)
Order the State Police to reactivate firearm safety training using the protocols necessary for safety. This is a state mandate for citizens attempting to exercise their civil rights. Shutting down certified training is shutting down access to a protected right.
Require local firearm licensing authorities to establish safe practices to process new applications for firearm licenses.
In general work with our community and cease actively working against us.
On today’s Bearing Arms’ Cam & Co, the author of that letter, LaKasha Robbins, joins me to talk about why she decided to publicly push Polito to take a stand in support of the right to keep and bear arms, as well as why Robbins herself felt compelled to take a more active role in defending the Second Amendment in the state.
Make sure you check out the entire interview above, and stick around for more news, including an armed homeowner in California who protected himself against a would-be burglar, a North Carolina man who should have been behind bars but was instead caught on the streets with a body in the trunk of the car he was driving, and an Iowa family who helped brighten the day for residents of a long-term care facility by hosting a goat parade.


bearingarms--2020-04-29--Despite Fewer Passengers, TSA Reportedly Finding More Guns

Look , we all know by now that you can ’ t fly with a gun in your carry-on luggage .
In fact , for most of us , we ’ ve never been able to fly with a gun in our carry-on .
Whether we agree with it or not , those are the rules we ’ re forced to comply with .
More importantly , we all know it .
Seriously , people are more surprised to find out that you can fly with a gun in your checked luggage than they are that you can ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ despite that , it seems that even with fewer people flying right now due to COVID-19 , TSA is finding more and more guns .
With far fewer people flying because of travel restrictions during the coronavirus pandemic , airport security screeners are naturally finding fewer guns in carry-on baggage .
But the ratio of guns to passengers seeking to board airplanes has jumped sharply .
The Transportation Security Administration said Monday that it found 58 guns at checkpoints from March 22 to April 22 , compared with 346 guns over the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 95 % drop in travelers , that means TSA screeners found one gun for every 80,000 people screened — or 2.7 times the rate of a year ago , when they found one gun for every 216,200 people .
TSA declined to offer an explanation or theory about why the rate of finding guns has gone up this spring .
Jeffrey Price , who teaches aviation security at the Metropolitan State University in Denver , said he thinks there are several reasons behind the higher rate of gun discoveries : a recent spike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mindset ” that makes people feel justified carrying a gun on a plane , and shorter TSA lines .
Well , I can ’ t say for certain that Mr. Price is right , but I don ’ t know that he ’ s wrong , either .
Right now , a lot of people are scared .
Frankly , I can ’ t imagine anything more terrifying than being far away from home during an emergency like this .
I could understand someone wanting to try and take a gun onto a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ firearm with me as well .
However , while a lot of rules have changed , the TSA is still not letting people keep guns handy while you make your flight .
That doesn ’ t mean you can ’ t take a gun with you , though .
So long as it ’ s legal to have a gun at your destination , there are rules in place for transporting firearms .
Follow those and you don ’ t have an issue .
Don ’ t , and TSA gets a new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I get being worried .
Especially since we ’ re staring down the pipe of still more disasters following COVID-19 , plus we ’ re being told that it ’ s possibly coming back in the fall .
That doesn ’ t excuse the stupidity being displayed here .
Not in the least .
This undermines the “ responsible gun owner ” argument .
Sure , these don ’ t represent the majority of gun owners by any stretch of the imagination .
They ’ re a tiny minority .
I mean , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the span of a month throughout the entire nation .
It ’ s not a massive number by any stretch of the imagination .
Yet it ’ s still too many .

Look, we all know by now that you can’t fly with a gun in your carry-on luggage. In fact, for most of us, we’ve never been able to fly with a gun in our carry-on. Whether we agree with it or not, those are the rules we’re forced to comply with. More importantly, we all know it.
Seriously, people are more surprised to find out that you can fly with a gun in your checked luggage than they are that you can’t have one in your carry-on.
Yet despite that, it seems that even with fewer people flying right now due to COVID-19, TSA is finding more and more guns.
With far fewer people flying because of travel restrictions during the coronavirus pandemic, airport security screeners are naturally finding fewer guns in carry-on baggage. But the ratio of guns to passengers seeking to board airplanes has jumped sharply. The Transportation Security Administration said Monday that it found 58 guns at checkpoints from March 22 to April 22, compared with 346 guns over the same stretch last year. Adjusting for the 95% drop in travelers, that means TSA screeners found one gun for every 80,000 people screened — or 2.7 times the rate of a year ago, when they found one gun for every 216,200 people. TSA declined to offer an explanation or theory about why the rate of finding guns has gone up this spring. Jeffrey Price, who teaches aviation security at the Metropolitan State University in Denver, said he thinks there are several reasons behind the higher rate of gun discoveries: a recent spike in gun sales, an “apocalypse mindset” that makes people feel justified carrying a gun on a plane, and shorter TSA lines.
Well, I can’t say for certain that Mr. Price is right, but I don’t know that he’s wrong, either.
Right now, a lot of people are scared. Frankly, I can’t imagine anything more terrifying than being far away from home during an emergency like this. I could understand someone wanting to try and take a gun onto a plane. I’d want a firearm with me as well.
However, while a lot of rules have changed, the TSA is still not letting people keep guns handy while you make your flight.
That doesn’t mean you can’t take a gun with you, though. So long as it’s legal to have a gun at your destination, there are rules in place for transporting firearms. Follow those and you don’t have an issue. Don’t, and TSA gets a new gun for their collection.
Look, I get being worried. Especially since we’re staring down the pipe of still more disasters following COVID-19, plus we’re being told that it’s possibly coming back in the fall. That doesn’t excuse the stupidity being displayed here. Not in the least.
This undermines the “responsible gun owner” argument. Sure, these don’t represent the majority of gun owners by any stretch of the imagination. They’re a tiny minority. I mean, we’re talking about 58 guns in the span of a month throughout the entire nation. It’s not a massive number by any stretch of the imagination.
Yet it’s still too many.


bearingarms--2020-04-29--NC 2A Group Pushing For Repeal Of Pistol Permit Law

North Carolina is one of a handful of states that requires a permit to purchase a pistol , and the North Carolina Rifle & Pistol Association says it ’ s time for the law to be repealed .
The Second Amendment organization says it ’ s hired a law firm to work with their lobbyist to help push repeal in the next legislative session , and also wants to work to educate the public on the “ antiquated and unsafe law.
” Fred Edgecomb , president of the NCRPA , believes that the “ Jim Crow Era-like gun law ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arms into a privilege , and argues that the current coronavirus state of emergency has revealed just how easy it is for the law to be used to deprive people of their ability to legally acquire a firearm .
Last month the NCRPA issued a press release opposing a local official ’ s exploitation of the COVID-19 pandemic stating that , “ During a crisis there should be no doubt about our ability to protect and defend ourselves and loved ones , yet Wake County Sheriff Gerald Baker has taken action that could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced that it will not issue new Pistol Purchase Permits until at least April 30th.
” While Concealed Handgun Permit holders and those with an approved Pistol Purchase Permit could still obtain handguns , that left new prospective gun owners especially vulnerable .
“ This is another example of why the pistol purchase requirement is antiquated and unwarranted , especially during a time of upheaval .
Law abiding prospective gun owners need not be prevented from exercising their Second Amendment rights , ” says Edgecomb .
The Second Amendment Foundation and Grassroots NC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sheriff , and while ultimately Baker backed down and agreed to resume accepting pistol permit applications , it still took the threat of litigation for the sheriff to reverse course .
Edgecomb is right to note that the state ’ s pistol purchase permit law hearkens back to the bad old days of Jim Crow , and discretionary laws like this allowed local sheriffs to deprive individuals of the right to own a handgun for self-defense for any reason or no reason whatsoever .
In his book Negroes and the Gun : The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fordham University law professor Nicholas Johnson lays out in great detail how laws like these stopped civil rights activists in North Carolina from owning firearms for self-defense , and how the abuse of these laws led to self-defense organizations like the Deacons of Defense .
In North Carolina , Robert Williams managed to turn the Monroe chapter of the NAACP into an organization promoting armed self-defense , obtaining a charter from the NRA and training members on how to protect themselves from attacks by the KKK .
While we may not be fighting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were waging in the 1950s and 60s , North Carolina ’ s pistol purchase permit is a remnant of the days of separate but equal that should be stripped from the books .
The vast majority of states do not require a permission slip from the sheriff to acquire a handgun , and the rights of North Carolinians would be far more secure if this statute is repealed .

North Carolina is one of a handful of states that requires a permit to purchase a pistol, and the North Carolina Rifle & Pistol Association says it’s time for the law to be repealed. The Second Amendment organization says it’s hired a law firm to work with their lobbyist to help push repeal in the next legislative session, and also wants to work to educate the public on the “antiquated and unsafe law.”
Fred Edgecomb, president of the NCRPA, believes that the “Jim Crow Era-like gun law” turns the right to keep and bear arms into a privilege, and argues that the current coronavirus state of emergency has revealed just how easy it is for the law to be used to deprive people of their ability to legally acquire a firearm.
Last month the NCRPA issued a press release opposing a local official’s exploitation of the COVID-19 pandemic stating that, “During a crisis there should be no doubt about our ability to protect and defend ourselves and loved ones, yet Wake County Sheriff Gerald Baker has taken action that could leave law-abiding citizens defenseless. His office announced that it will not issue new Pistol Purchase Permits until at least April 30th.” While Concealed Handgun Permit holders and those with an approved Pistol Purchase Permit could still obtain handguns, that left new prospective gun owners especially vulnerable. “This is another example of why the pistol purchase requirement is antiquated and unwarranted, especially during a time of upheaval. Law abiding prospective gun owners need not be prevented from exercising their Second Amendment rights,” says Edgecomb.
The Second Amendment Foundation and Grassroots NC filed a lawsuit against the Wake County Sheriff, and while ultimately Baker backed down and agreed to resume accepting pistol permit applications, it still took the threat of litigation for the sheriff to reverse course.
Edgecomb is right to note that the state’s pistol purchase permit law hearkens back to the bad old days of Jim Crow, and discretionary laws like this allowed local sheriffs to deprive individuals of the right to own a handgun for self-defense for any reason or no reason whatsoever. In his book Negroes and the Gun: The Black Tradition of Arms in America, Fordham University law professor Nicholas Johnson lays out in great detail how laws like these stopped civil rights activists in North Carolina from owning firearms for self-defense, and how the abuse of these laws led to self-defense organizations like the Deacons of Defense. In North Carolina, Robert Williams managed to turn the Monroe chapter of the NAACP into an organization promoting armed self-defense, obtaining a charter from the NRA and training members on how to protect themselves from attacks by the KKK.
While we may not be fighting the same battles that civil rights activists were waging in the 1950s and 60s, North Carolina’s pistol purchase permit is a remnant of the days of separate but equal that should be stripped from the books. The vast majority of states do not require a permission slip from the sheriff to acquire a handgun, and the rights of North Carolinians would be far more secure if this statute is repealed.


bearingarms--2020-04-29--Bust In Queens Finds 25 Firearms Despite NYC Gun Laws

Time and time again , gun control advocates claim that gun control really works .
They can even show “ evidence ” for it working , though their evidence is typically flimsy at best .
They ’ ll preach to anyone who will listen about how gun control is the only answer to the gun violence dilemma .
However , time and time again , we can show how they ’ re wrong .
Areas with significant gun control can be more violent than areas without it , for example .
Plus , we have instances where actual arsenals are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ verboten .
A man was arrested in Ozone Park over the weekend after a search of his home uncovered a stockpile of illegal guns and ammo .
According to police , at 4:56 p.m. on April 25 , officers responded to a 911 call regarding an assault at the home of 66-year-old Anthony Santamauro , located on 101st Street near Woodhaven Boulevard in Ozone Park .
Upon their arrival , officers were informed by a 63-year-old man that Santamauro had allegedly struck him over the head with an object .
While conducting their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saw firearms in plain sight .
At 11:19 p.m. that same day , officers from the 102nd Precinct executed a search warrant and uncovered 25 guns and thousands of rounds of ammunition .
And it wasn ’ t just a few antiques , either , though most of them aren ’ t guns we would normally associate with crime .
A number of those look like collector ’ s pieces , to be fair , but a few aren ’ t .
Of course , a couple of pellet guns and a whole @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remotely what you think of as the arsenal of a criminal .
However , this is still in Queens , New York .
It ’ s part of New York City and bound by their draconian gun control laws .
Just how did someone get an AR-15 in that environment ?
Why , it ’ s almost likely gun control doesn ’ t really stop much of anyone from getting guns , now isn ’ t it ?
I don ’ t know anything about Santamauro , but I don ’ t really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , however , is point out how someone amassed a collection of 25 firearms in one of the most gun controlled cities in the world despite all those laws .
Oh , it ’ s possible that Santamauro did nothing wrong while building his collection , that he ’ s complied with every law while purchasing guns .
It doesn ’ t sound like it , but who knows how much of that is media ignorance or police puffery ?
Frankly , it ’ s irrelevant .
What is relevant is that gun @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of guns anywhere .
At best , it slows down the flow while restricting law-abiding citizens .
Time and time again , it ’ s the same old song .
Yet anti-gunners will applaud this bust and talk about how great it is that those guns are off the street without recognizing that these don ’ t represent even a fraction of a single percent of illegal guns on the streets of the Big Apple .
Almost all of those guns are in the hands of hardened criminals , though .
Meanwhile , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York–don ’ t laugh , they exist–are left defenseless in the face of violent thugs .

Time and time again, gun control advocates claim that gun control really works. They can even show “evidence” for it working, though their evidence is typically flimsy at best. They’ll preach to anyone who will listen about how gun control is the only answer to the gun violence dilemma.
However, time and time again, we can show how they’re wrong. Areas with significant gun control can be more violent than areas without it, for example.
Plus, we have instances where actual arsenals are found in places where guns are practically verboten.
A man was arrested in Ozone Park over the weekend after a search of his home uncovered a stockpile of illegal guns and ammo. According to police, at 4:56 p.m. on April 25, officers responded to a 911 call regarding an assault at the home of 66-year-old Anthony Santamauro, located on 101st Street near Woodhaven Boulevard in Ozone Park. Upon their arrival, officers were informed by a 63-year-old man that Santamauro had allegedly struck him over the head with an object. … While conducting their investigation, police say that the officers saw firearms in plain sight. At 11:19 p.m. that same day, officers from the 102nd Precinct executed a search warrant and uncovered 25 guns and thousands of rounds of ammunition.
And it wasn’t just a few antiques, either, though most of them aren’t guns we would normally associate with crime.
This weekend, while responding to an assault in progress, vigilant @NYPD102Pct cops observed a firearm in the house & began to investigate. Today, there are 25 illegal guns & thousands of rounds of ammunition off our city streets thanks to their hard work. As always—great job. pic.twitter.com/DMASQ0alwx — Commissioner Shea (@NYPDShea) April 27, 2020
A number of those look like collector’s pieces, to be fair, but a few aren’t. Of course, a couple of pellet guns and a whole slew of bolt actions aren’t remotely what you think of as the arsenal of a criminal.
However, this is still in Queens, New York. It’s part of New York City and bound by their draconian gun control laws. Just how did someone get an AR-15 in that environment?
Why, it’s almost likely gun control doesn’t really stop much of anyone from getting guns, now isn’t it?
I don’t know anything about Santamauro, but I don’t really need to. What I can do, however, is point out how someone amassed a collection of 25 firearms in one of the most gun controlled cities in the world despite all those laws.
Oh, it’s possible that Santamauro did nothing wrong while building his collection, that he’s complied with every law while purchasing guns. It doesn’t sound like it, but who knows how much of that is media ignorance or police puffery? Frankly, it’s irrelevant.
What is relevant is that gun control laws do not stop the flow of guns anywhere. At best, it slows down the flow while restricting law-abiding citizens.
Time and time again, it’s the same old song. Yet anti-gunners will applaud this bust and talk about how great it is that those guns are off the street without recognizing that these don’t represent even a fraction of a single percent of illegal guns on the streets of the Big Apple. Almost all of those guns are in the hands of hardened criminals, though.
Meanwhile, the good, decent people of New York–don’t laugh, they exist–are left defenseless in the face of violent thugs.


bearingarms--2020-04-29--Vermont Woman Accused Of Flashing Gun Over Social Distancing Rules

No matter how dumb or nonsensical you might think the current social distancing measures in place might be , if you whip out a gun because you ’ re mad about them , you ’ re going to get arrested .
That ’ s what happened to one woman in Vermont , who ’ s now accused of reckless endangerment after allegedly pulling a gun on a clerk at a country store in the small town of Walden .
To open up shop during the coronavirus , Butch ’ s Harvest ’ ore in Walden made a large sign to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coming in for an ice cream cone to stay safe .
“ It ’ s been working very well , ” store owner Hazel Greaves said .
Until this past Sunday when , according to a police affidavit , customer Carie Legus , 58 , of Walden , started complaining about the sign and tried to knock it down .
“ The lady walked up and was pulling at the sign and shaking at the sign , ” Greaves said .
Greaves was not there when it happened but she said her employee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
What Legus allegedly did next shocked Greaves and her employee .
“ So then she pulled out her gun and pointed it at her , ” Greaves said .
Legus then left the scene and was later taken into custody by police .
Legus , who ’ s an attorney , denied that she pulled a gun on store employees while in court representing herself during a hearing regarding a mental health evaluation .
If there ’ s no surveillance video and no other eyewitnesses , prosecutors may have a hard time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charge , but for now the accusation by the store employee still stands .
There ’ s a simple solution when you run across a policy in a business that you disagree with ; leave the store and walk away .
If you ’ re still mad about what you perceive as an injustice after you ’ ve given yourself time to calm down , you always have the option of hopping on social media and writing a snarky post about the policy .
What you shouldn ’ t do is freak out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life over a policy meant to protect them from customers with the coronavirus is absolutely insane ( which may be why authorities wanted Legus to undergo a mental health evaluation ) .
According to a recent survey , about half of all Americans say their mental health has taken a hit during the coronavirus shutdowns , and I wouldn ’ t be surprised if the number is higher .
That ’ s understandable , given the economic damage and the loss of life that have rocked the United States over the past eight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us haven ’ t been accused of pulling a gun on a store clerk over social distancing policies , so clearly some of us are dealing with the stress better than others .
I hope that Carie Legus gets any help she might need for her mental health , and I hope that incidents like this aren ’ t repeated elsewhere .
No matter how dumb a store ’ s social distancing policies might be , drawing your gun because of them is even dumber .

No matter how dumb or nonsensical you might think the current social distancing measures in place might be, if you whip out a gun because you’re mad about them, you’re going to get arrested.
That’s what happened to one woman in Vermont, who’s now accused of reckless endangerment after allegedly pulling a gun on a clerk at a country store in the small town of Walden.
To open up shop during the coronavirus, Butch’s Harvest’ore in Walden made a large sign to promote social distancing. It urges customers coming in for an ice cream cone to stay safe. “It’s been working very well,” store owner Hazel Greaves said. Until this past Sunday when, according to a police affidavit, customer Carie Legus, 58, of Walden, started complaining about the sign and tried to knock it down. “The lady walked up and was pulling at the sign and shaking at the sign,” Greaves said. Greaves was not there when it happened but she said her employee was alone and asked Legus to stop. What Legus allegedly did next shocked Greaves and her employee. “So then she pulled out her gun and pointed it at her,” Greaves said. Legus then left the scene and was later taken into custody by police.
Legus, who’s an attorney, denied that she pulled a gun on store employees while in court representing herself during a hearing regarding a mental health evaluation. If there’s no surveillance video and no other eyewitnesses, prosecutors may have a hard time obtaining a conviction on the reckless endangerment charge, but for now the accusation by the store employee still stands.
There’s a simple solution when you run across a policy in a business that you disagree with; leave the store and walk away. If you’re still mad about what you perceive as an injustice after you’ve given yourself time to calm down, you always have the option of hopping on social media and writing a snarky post about the policy.
What you shouldn’t do is freak out on store employees, and threatening their life over a policy meant to protect them from customers with the coronavirus is absolutely insane (which may be why authorities wanted Legus to undergo a mental health evaluation).
According to a recent survey, about half of all Americans say their mental health has taken a hit during the coronavirus shutdowns, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the number is higher. That’s understandable, given the economic damage and the loss of life that have rocked the United States over the past eight weeks. Even so, half of us haven’t been accused of pulling a gun on a store clerk over social distancing policies, so clearly some of us are dealing with the stress better than others.
I hope that Carie Legus gets any help she might need for her mental health, and I hope that incidents like this aren’t repeated elsewhere. No matter how dumb a store’s social distancing policies might be, drawing your gun because of them is even dumber.


bearingarms--2020-04-29--MS Mayor Finds Himself With Few Allies In Fight Over Open Carry Ban

Jackson , Mississippi Mayor Chokwe Lumumba ’ s unilateral decision to suspend open carry in the city during his declared state of emergency isn ’ t winning him many friends .
The state ’ s attorney general has warned the mayor that his actions are illegal , a federal lawsuit has been filed , and even Lumumba ’ s colleagues on the Jackson City Council want nothing to do with the ban .
The mayor addressed council members on Tuesday , hoping to see them get behind his ban .
Instead , the council voted 6-0 to support a resolution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ban , warning that Lumumba ’ s edict will lead to expensive litigation and was done without consulting any council members .
Ward 4 Councilman De ’ Keither Stamps , and other council members at the meeting , said they shared the mayor ’ s concern over gun violence in the city , but feared an expensive , possibly insurmountable legal battle ahead .
“ We share the pain .
We ’ re all deeply hurt by these folks that have been killed .
But we got ta separate that from the legal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if we follow through on this , ” Stamps said .
“ I ’ m in favor of anything we need to do to lower crime in Jackson , but this is a legal issue for the city , ” said Ward 6 Councilman Aaron Banks .
“ All of us have been touched by this scourge of violence , but we ’ ve got to work as one body and under the requirements of the U.S. and Mississippi state constitution and Mississippi state law , ” said Ward 2 Councilman Melvin Priester @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believed the mayor should have consulted the council first with such a broad order .
“ A decision of this magnitude should be considered by the council , ” Stamps said .
“ There was no input from the council , ” echoed Priester .
Lumumba personally appealed to the council during the meeting , describing the recent murder of 5-year old Queenyanna Davis in the city and telling members that he ’ d “ rather be wrong for the right reasons than right for the wrong reasons.
” Here ’ s an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the right reasons ?
Nobody wants to see gang violence , but flagrantly flouting the state ’ s constitution and imposing an illegal ban on open carrying won ’ t do anything to stop it .
Instead , Lumumba needs to be focused on the small number of Jackson residents who are responsible for driving the gang violence in his city .
A good and legal way to do this would be to implement a Project Ceasefire-style program in the city to identify Jackson ’ s most likely offenders , offer them a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to take it , and deliver swift and sure justice if they refuse to stop shooting .
Instead , Lumumba is doubling down on his stunt , which is garnering plenty of headlines but won ’ t save any lives .
I reached out to the mayor ’ s office on Tuesday afternoon inviting him to join me on Bearing Arms ’ Cam & Co to discuss his open carry ban , and hopefully Lumumba will accept .
If he ’ s serious about making Jackson a safer place , I know how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trying to impose a single new gun control law or violating people ’ s constitutional rights .

Jackson, Mississippi Mayor Chokwe Lumumba’s unilateral decision to suspend open carry in the city during his declared state of emergency isn’t winning him many friends. The state’s attorney general has warned the mayor that his actions are illegal, a federal lawsuit has been filed, and even Lumumba’s colleagues on the Jackson City Council want nothing to do with the ban.
The mayor addressed council members on Tuesday, hoping to see them get behind his ban. Instead, the council voted 6-0 to support a resolution opposing the mayor’s open carry ban, warning that Lumumba’s edict will lead to expensive litigation and was done without consulting any council members.
Ward 4 Councilman De’Keither Stamps, and other council members at the meeting, said they shared the mayor’s concern over gun violence in the city, but feared an expensive, possibly insurmountable legal battle ahead. “We share the pain. We’re all deeply hurt by these folks that have been killed. But we gotta separate that from the legal pain we’re going to feel if we follow through on this,” Stamps said. “I’m in favor of anything we need to do to lower crime in Jackson, but this is a legal issue for the city,” said Ward 6 Councilman Aaron Banks. “All of us have been touched by this scourge of violence, but we’ve got to work as one body and under the requirements of the U.S. and Mississippi state constitution and Mississippi state law,” said Ward 2 Councilman Melvin Priester. Stamps and Priester also said they believed the mayor should have consulted the council first with such a broad order. “A decision of this magnitude should be considered by the council,” Stamps said. “There was no input from the council,” echoed Priester.
Lumumba personally appealed to the council during the meeting, describing the recent murder of 5-year old Queenyanna Davis in the city and telling members that he’d “rather be wrong for the right reasons than right for the wrong reasons.”
Here’s an option: what about being right for the right reasons? Nobody wants to see gang violence, but flagrantly flouting the state’s constitution and imposing an illegal ban on open carrying won’t do anything to stop it. Instead, Lumumba needs to be focused on the small number of Jackson residents who are responsible for driving the gang violence in his city. A good and legal way to do this would be to implement a Project Ceasefire-style program in the city to identify Jackson’s most likely offenders, offer them a way out if they’re willing to take it, and deliver swift and sure justice if they refuse to stop shooting.
Instead, Lumumba is doubling down on his stunt, which is garnering plenty of headlines but won’t save any lives. I reached out to the mayor’s office on Tuesday afternoon inviting him to join me on Bearing Arms’ Cam & Co to discuss his open carry ban, and hopefully Lumumba will accept. If he’s serious about making Jackson a safer place, I know how the city can make it happen without trying to impose a single new gun control law or violating people’s constitutional rights.