bearingarms--2020-07-22--THIS Is How You Stop Gun Thefts: 42 Year Sentence for Gun Thief

One of the biggest problems we have as law-abiding gun owners are gun thieves .
Not only do they steal guns from law-abiding citizens and our favorite gun stores , but they then sell them to criminals .
Those criminals then commit crimes which are used to justify still more gun control that has zero impact on criminals but impacts ordinary folks like you and me .
Most of the problems with firearms in this country could be solved by putting an end to gun thefts .
However , that ’ s easier said than done .
After all , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any other kind of theft in this country , really , so how can we stop gun thieves ?
Well , sentences like this are a good start .
A man who stole dozens of guns from a Cedar Springs store nearly three years ago and then threatened witnesses will spend 42 years in a federal prison .
U.S. District Court Judge Janet Neff called 40-year-old Charles Skipp a “ one-man crime spree ” as she handed down his sentence , the U.S. Attorney ’ s Office in Grand Rapids said in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who was indicted in October , pleaded guilty in February to 10 federal felonies [ . ]
The charges are linked to the break-in at the Family Farm and Home in Cedar Springs in November 2017 .
According to court documents , thieves sawed their way through a loading dock door and then into display cases , taking every gun they could get their hands on — 89 of them .
At 40-years-old , Skipp will be drawing social security before he ever breathes free air…if he serves the entire sentence , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he ’ ll be too old to steal anyone ’ s guns .
Now , to be fair , the sentence doesn ’ t seem that long if you consider that it ’ s just under half a year for each gun stolen .
Then again , sentencing doesn ’ t really work that way , where you get X amount of time for each item taken , so it ’ s a harsh sentence .
U.S. Attorney Andrew Birge said in a statement , “ The 42-year sentence sends an unmistakable message @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a way of life in which one dangerous crime begets another and so on : Your spree will end with you in prison for decades ; so don ’ t even start.
” Birge isn ’ t wrong .
It does send a message , one that ’ s unmistakable .
The problem is that we need to see a whole lot more of these kinds of sentences .
Gun thieves are a particular scourge in our country , one we should all be able to agree should be hammered with every legal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Skipp getting 42 years for his crime is a good start , though I think we all know he ’ ll get out long before finishing that sentence .
He should still be in there long enough to dissuade others .
Yet most thieves won ’ t hear about Skipp ’ s sentence .
That ’ s what we need more and more of them until the thieves recognize that it ’ s just not worth the risk .
When that happens , watch what happens to the black market for guns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of buyers , there won ’ t be nearly as many sellers , and that ’ s a win for everyone .

One of the biggest problems we have as law-abiding gun owners are gun thieves. Not only do they steal guns from law-abiding citizens and our favorite gun stores, but they then sell them to criminals. Those criminals then commit crimes which are used to justify still more gun control that has zero impact on criminals but impacts ordinary folks like you and me.
Most of the problems with firearms in this country could be solved by putting an end to gun thefts.
However, that’s easier said than done. After all, we haven’t managed to stop any other kind of theft in this country, really, so how can we stop gun thieves?
Well, sentences like this are a good start.
A man who stole dozens of guns from a Cedar Springs store nearly three years ago and then threatened witnesses will spend 42 years in a federal prison. U.S. District Court Judge Janet Neff called 40-year-old Charles Skipp a “one-man crime spree” as she handed down his sentence, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Grand Rapids said in a Tuesday release. The release said Skipp, who was indicted in October, pleaded guilty in February to 10 federal felonies[.] … The charges are linked to the break-in at the Family Farm and Home in Cedar Springs in November 2017. According to court documents, thieves sawed their way through a loading dock door and then into display cases, taking every gun they could get their hands on — 89 of them.
At 40-years-old, Skipp will be drawing social security before he ever breathes free air…if he serves the entire sentence, at least. At that point, he’ll be too old to steal anyone’s guns.
Now, to be fair, the sentence doesn’t seem that long if you consider that it’s just under half a year for each gun stolen. Then again, sentencing doesn’t really work that way, where you get X amount of time for each item taken, so it’s a harsh sentence.
U.S. Attorney Andrew Birge said in a statement, “The 42-year sentence sends an unmistakable message to anyone else who might embark on a way of life in which one dangerous crime begets another and so on: Your spree will end with you in prison for decades; so don’t even start.”
Birge isn’t wrong. It does send a message, one that’s unmistakable.
The problem is that we need to see a whole lot more of these kinds of sentences. Gun thieves are a particular scourge in our country, one we should all be able to agree should be hammered with every legal means at our nation’s disposal. Skipp getting 42 years for his crime is a good start, though I think we all know he’ll get out long before finishing that sentence. He should still be in there long enough to dissuade others.
Yet most thieves won’t hear about Skipp’s sentence. That’s what we need more and more of them until the thieves recognize that it’s just not worth the risk.
When that happens, watch what happens to the black market for guns. While there will still be plenty of buyers, there won’t be nearly as many sellers, and that’s a win for everyone.


bearingarms--2020-07-22--Virginia Senators Take Northam's Anti-Gun Agenda To Congress

Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner are big fans of Gov .
Ralph Northam ’ s gun control agenda ; so much so that the pair have introduced federal legislation that would impose the same kind of gun control laws on the whole of the United States that Northam ’ s enacted in Virginia .
The “ Virginia Plan to Reduce Gun Violence Act of 2020 ” includes a national mandate for red flag laws , universal background checks , a “ one-gun-a-month ” handgun rationing plan , and more , though interestingly enough the measure does not include the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; a sweeping gun , magazine , and suppressor ban that failed to pass out of the state Senate earlier this year .
According to the senators , the bill is nothing more than a collection of a few “ reasonable measures ” that would reduce violent crime .
“ Too many communities across the Commonwealth have been affected by gun violence .
That ’ s why earlier this month , Virginia led the charge by adopting reasonable measures to help prevent future tragedies .
Now it ’ s time for Congress to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faces a re-election battle this fall .
“ Today , we are introducing a commonsense approach to help make our communities safer by helping to keep guns out of the wrong hands while still respecting the rights of law-abiding gun owners .
We owe it to victims and their families to stop talking about the problem and start doing something to address it and this bill is an important step in that direction.
” “ We have seen the scourge of gun violence in the tragedies of Virginia Tech and Virginia Beach , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hundreds of suicides by firearm every week , and other crime in cities and towns across our country , ” Kaine said .
“ For too long , Congress has remained a bystander while states like Virginia have taken action .
While no single piece of legislation can eradicate gun violence , as elected officials we have a responsibility to act .
We must learn painful lessons from these horrific events and follow the Commonwealth ’ s example to take commonsense steps that can help save lives.
” What neither Kaine nor Warner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actually has one of the lowest violent crime rates in the country , which , according to their anti-gun ideology , should be impossible since the state didn ’ t have restrictive gun control laws until just a few weeks ago .
In 2018 though , the state had the fourth lowest violent crime rate in the country , behind only Maine , Vermont , and New Hampshire .
Note that none of those states have a lot of gun control laws on the books either .
In fact , all three of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ permit is needed to carry a firearm .
If you can legally own it , you can legally bear it .
If Congress had a “ truth in legislative labeling ” law , the Virginia Plan to Reduce Gun Violence Act of 2020 wouldn ’ t contain a single gun control provision .
It would include national right to carry reciprocity ( the state currently has universal recognition of concealed carry licenses from other states ) , the ability to open carry without a license , no bans on firearms , magazines , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ammunition , no gun licensing or registration requirements , and a strong embrace of the right to keep and bear arms .
It would also put an end to early release of violent criminals ( offenders have to serve 85 % of their sentence before they ’ re released in the state ) , target violent offenders for federal prosecution ( Project Exile began in Richmond , Virginia , and helped to lower homicide rates by 40 % in the first few years ) , and ensure that the focus of law enforcement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any given community , rather than law-abiding gun owners .
That is the Virginia plan to reduce violent crime .
What Senators Warner and Kaine are offering is simply an attack on the Second Amendment rights of all Americans .

Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner are big fans of Gov. Ralph Northam’s gun control agenda; so much so that the pair have introduced federal legislation that would impose the same kind of gun control laws on the whole of the United States that Northam’s enacted in Virginia.
The “Virginia Plan to Reduce Gun Violence Act of 2020” includes a national mandate for red flag laws, universal background checks, a “one-gun-a-month” handgun rationing plan, and more, though interestingly enough the measure does not include the centerpiece of Northam’s anti-gun agenda; a sweeping gun, magazine, and suppressor ban that failed to pass out of the state Senate earlier this year.
According to the senators, the bill is nothing more than a collection of a few “reasonable measures” that would reduce violent crime.
“Too many communities across the Commonwealth have been affected by gun violence. That’s why earlier this month, Virginia led the charge by adopting reasonable measures to help prevent future tragedies. Now it’s time for Congress to act,” said Warner, who faces a re-election battle this fall. “Today, we are introducing a commonsense approach to help make our communities safer by helping to keep guns out of the wrong hands while still respecting the rights of law-abiding gun owners. We owe it to victims and their families to stop talking about the problem and start doing something to address it and this bill is an important step in that direction.” “We have seen the scourge of gun violence in the tragedies of Virginia Tech and Virginia Beach, drive-by shootings, domestic violence, the hundreds of suicides by firearm every week, and other crime in cities and towns across our country,” Kaine said. “For too long, Congress has remained a bystander while states like Virginia have taken action. While no single piece of legislation can eradicate gun violence, as elected officials we have a responsibility to act. We must learn painful lessons from these horrific events and follow the Commonwealth’s example to take commonsense steps that can help save lives.”
What neither Kaine nor Warner are willing to acknowledge is that Virginia actually has one of the lowest violent crime rates in the country, which, according to their anti-gun ideology, should be impossible since the state didn’t have restrictive gun control laws until just a few weeks ago. In 2018 though, the state had the fourth lowest violent crime rate in the country, behind only Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire. Note that none of those states have a lot of gun control laws on the books either. In fact, all three of them are Constitutional Carry states where no permit is needed to carry a firearm. If you can legally own it, you can legally bear it.
If Congress had a “truth in legislative labeling” law, the Virginia Plan to Reduce Gun Violence Act of 2020 wouldn’t contain a single gun control provision. It would include national right to carry reciprocity (the state currently has universal recognition of concealed carry licenses from other states), the ability to open carry without a license, no bans on firearms, magazines, or suppressors, no additional taxes on ammunition, no gun licensing or registration requirements, and a strong embrace of the right to keep and bear arms.
It would also put an end to early release of violent criminals (offenders have to serve 85% of their sentence before they’re released in the state), target violent offenders for federal prosecution (Project Exile began in Richmond, Virginia, and helped to lower homicide rates by 40% in the first few years), and ensure that the focus of law enforcement is on the most violent criminals in any given community, rather than law-abiding gun owners. That is the Virginia plan to reduce violent crime. What Senators Warner and Kaine are offering is simply an attack on the Second Amendment rights of all Americans.


bearingarms--2020-07-22--PA DA Sees His First "Ghost Gun" Case

PA DA Sees His First "Ghost Gun" Case

The media , with the help of the ATF , are constantly screaming about the “ growing threat ” that so-called ghost guns represent .
I ’ ve argued the ATF is actually feeding this , probably in some attempt to exert greater control over the firearm market than they already have .
I ’ ve also argued that these firearms don ’ t represent nearly the threat that they ’ re being made out to be .
Much of the problem is a lack of hard numbers associating these claims .
When they do show up , what we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weapons turning up when you consider the probable total number of guns being seen in criminal hands .
What much of this “ growth ” actually turns out to be is that some people , such as a Pennsylvania district attorney , are seeing their first cases .
The type of firearm used in the July 10 double slaying in Snyder County is at the center of a statewide debate over the sale of untraceable , partially manufactured gun frames .
Snyder County District Attorney Michael Piecuch said he ’ s been aware @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that can be built with kits that provide about 80 percent of the parts — showing up in Philadelphia but until now they haven ’ t appeared in any criminal activity in the county .
“ This is the first case I ’ ll have with it , ” he said .
Christopher T. Fernanders , the suspect in the fatal shooting of his former wife , Heather Sue Campbell , 46 , of Trevorton , and Matthew T. Bowersox , 52 , of Mifflinburg , is accused of using a homemade P80 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a ghost gun , court records said .
Fernanders , 55 , of Paxinos , had to relinquish his weapons about a week before the murders due to a protection from abuse order taken out by Campbell who alleged in court documents that he threatened her life .
Now , this is a tragedy , to be sure .
It ’ s awful what happened .
Yet , let ’ s also remember that Fernanders likely had this firearm ( allegedly ) prior to the protection order being issued .
He failed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him to do so .
Either that , or he built the firearm at a time when it was illegal for him to do so .
I find that one doubtful because it takes time to order all the parts and have them shipped to you , then for you to build the weapon itself .
I just don ’ t think that ’ s happening in a week , though it ’ s possible these were purchased prior to the order being issued–possibly even because such an order was likely–and then it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gun at that point would still be illegal .
In other words , there ’ s no version of events that allows Fernanders to have had a firearm after the order was issued .
And yet , he still did .
That ’ s because if someone has criminal intentions , they ’ re not worried about complying with the law .
They just want to appear to comply long enough that he can get away with whatever he may have planned .
While Fernanders still has to stand trial , some will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evidence that “ ghost guns ” represent a clear problem .
However , I ’ d argue that if the D.A .
hadn ’ t seen one before know , it ’ s probably not nearly as big of a problem as many might like for you to believe .
The problem here was that someone shot and killed two innocent people in cold blood .
How they got the gun is irrelevant .

The media, with the help of the ATF, are constantly screaming about the “growing threat” that so-called ghost guns represent. I’ve argued the ATF is actually feeding this, probably in some attempt to exert greater control over the firearm market than they already have. I’ve also argued that these firearms don’t represent nearly the threat that they’re being made out to be.
Much of the problem is a lack of hard numbers associating these claims. When they do show up, what we see is a minute number of these weapons turning up when you consider the probable total number of guns being seen in criminal hands.
What much of this “growth” actually turns out to be is that some people, such as a Pennsylvania district attorney, are seeing their first cases.
The type of firearm used in the July 10 double slaying in Snyder County is at the center of a statewide debate over the sale of untraceable, partially manufactured gun frames. Snyder County District Attorney Michael Piecuch said he’s been aware of ghost guns — untraceable homemade firearms that can be built with kits that provide about 80 percent of the parts — showing up in Philadelphia but until now they haven’t appeared in any criminal activity in the county. “This is the first case I’ll have with it,” he said. Christopher T. Fernanders, the suspect in the fatal shooting of his former wife, Heather Sue Campbell, 46, of Trevorton, and Matthew T. Bowersox, 52, of Mifflinburg, is accused of using a homemade P80 polymer 9mm pistol, also known as a ghost gun, court records said. Fernanders, 55, of Paxinos, had to relinquish his weapons about a week before the murders due to a protection from abuse order taken out by Campbell who alleged in court documents that he threatened her life.
Now, this is a tragedy, to be sure. It’s awful what happened.
Yet, let’s also remember that Fernanders likely had this firearm (allegedly) prior to the protection order being issued. He failed to turn it in despite the law requiring him to do so.
Either that, or he built the firearm at a time when it was illegal for him to do so. I find that one doubtful because it takes time to order all the parts and have them shipped to you, then for you to build the weapon itself. I just don’t think that’s happening in a week, though it’s possible these were purchased prior to the order being issued–possibly even because such an order was likely–and then it be built. Regardless, building the gun at that point would still be illegal.
In other words, there’s no version of events that allows Fernanders to have had a firearm after the order was issued. And yet, he still did. That’s because if someone has criminal intentions, they’re not worried about complying with the law. They just want to appear to comply long enough that he can get away with whatever he may have planned.
While Fernanders still has to stand trial, some will point to his as some kind of evidence that “ghost guns” represent a clear problem. However, I’d argue that if the D.A. hadn’t seen one before know, it’s probably not nearly as big of a problem as many might like for you to believe.
The problem here was that someone shot and killed two innocent people in cold blood. How they got the gun is irrelevant.


bearingarms--2020-07-22--Virginia Sheriff Takes First Steps To Deputize Thousands Of Armed Citizens

Culpeper County , Virginia Sheriff Scott Jenkins has vowed to name thousands of of Virginia residents “ reserve deputies ” in order to ensure that a potential gun , magazine , and suppressor ban from Gov .
Ralph Northam won ’ t turn them into criminals for keeping their lawfully possessed arms .
Now the sheriff is taking the first steps towards implementing that plan by asking for current and retired law enforcement officers to serve as “ voluntary background investigators ” to help process what Jenkins believes will be thousands of applications from gun owners .
On today ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Sheriff Scott Jenkins sits down with me to talk about some of the details of his plan , including the fact that Culpeper County residents aren ’ t the only ones who ’ ll be eligible to become a reserve deputy .
Jenkins tells me that while residents will go to the front of the line when they apply for the position , legal gun owners from throughout the state will be able to become a reserve deputy , which presumably would place them outside of the reach of Northam ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he ’ s heard from a number of other sheriffs in Virginia and several other states who are interested in following suit .
The sheriff declared that gun control advocates from the governor on down need to realize that Second Amendment defenders will fight their anti-gun agenda with all legal means , including using the powers vested in sheriffs to both use their discretion in enforcing the law and in determining who exactly is a member of law enforcement .
With Virginia ’ s legislature scheduled to return to Richmond for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s likely that HB961 , Gov .
Northam ’ s gun , magazine , and suppressor ban will be once again brought up by lawmakers .
I ’ m also hearing that at least one of the four Democrat state senators who voted against Northam ’ s gun ban is circulating his own version of an “ assault weapons ban , ” though I haven ’ t been able to take a look at the draft legislation myself .
Still , it seems likely that Democrats are going to use the special session @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the finish line , even if in doing so they ensure that Virginia gun owners will be out in force on Election Day in November .
If that gun ban does end up passing in the General Assembly in a few weeks , it will also guarantee that Culpeper County sees a surge in the number of reserve sheriff ’ s deputies , and I expect some other sheriffs around the state would quickly follow suit , though with Democrats in the state having already proven themselves willing to target sheriffs with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gun control agenda , some sheriffs may be reluctant to take the public stand that we ’ ve seen from Sheriff Scott Jenkins .
It ’ s a great interview , so be sure to check out the entire conversation in the video window above , and stick around afterwards for even more 2A coverage from around the country .
As always , thanks for watching , listening , and spreading the word !

Culpeper County, Virginia Sheriff Scott Jenkins has vowed to name thousands of of Virginia residents “reserve deputies” in order to ensure that a potential gun, magazine, and suppressor ban from Gov. Ralph Northam won’t turn them into criminals for keeping their lawfully possessed arms. Now the sheriff is taking the first steps towards implementing that plan by asking for current and retired law enforcement officers to serve as “voluntary background investigators” to help process what Jenkins believes will be thousands of applications from gun owners.
On today’s Bearing Arms’ Cam & Co, Sheriff Scott Jenkins sits down with me to talk about some of the details of his plan, including the fact that Culpeper County residents aren’t the only ones who’ll be eligible to become a reserve deputy. Jenkins tells me that while residents will go to the front of the line when they apply for the position, legal gun owners from throughout the state will be able to become a reserve deputy, which presumably would place them outside of the reach of Northam’s proposed gun ban.
Jenkins also says that he’s heard from a number of other sheriffs in Virginia and several other states who are interested in following suit. The sheriff declared that gun control advocates from the governor on down need to realize that Second Amendment defenders will fight their anti-gun agenda with all legal means, including using the powers vested in sheriffs to both use their discretion in enforcing the law and in determining who exactly is a member of law enforcement.
With Virginia’s legislature scheduled to return to Richmond for a special session next month, it’s likely that HB961, Gov. Northam’s gun, magazine, and suppressor ban will be once again brought up by lawmakers. I’m also hearing that at least one of the four Democrat state senators who voted against Northam’s gun ban is circulating his own version of an “assault weapons ban,” though I haven’t been able to take a look at the draft legislation myself. Still, it seems likely that Democrats are going to use the special session to try to get a gun ban over the finish line, even if in doing so they ensure that Virginia gun owners will be out in force on Election Day in November.
If that gun ban does end up passing in the General Assembly in a few weeks, it will also guarantee that Culpeper County sees a surge in the number of reserve sheriff’s deputies, and I expect some other sheriffs around the state would quickly follow suit, though with Democrats in the state having already proven themselves willing to target sheriffs with political retribution for any defiance regarding their gun control agenda, some sheriffs may be reluctant to take the public stand that we’ve seen from Sheriff Scott Jenkins.
It’s a great interview, so be sure to check out the entire conversation in the video window above, and stick around afterwards for even more 2A coverage from around the country. As always, thanks for watching, listening, and spreading the word!


bearingarms--2020-07-22--42 Percent Of Crimes Against Truckers Are Violent

Not that long ago , I wrote a story about how truck drivers want to be armed .
They want national reciprocity and for damn good reason .
After all , they don ’ t always know what states they ’ re going to end up going to , which means their firearms and permits may be a problem .
That ’ s something they shouldn ’ t have to deal with .
However , it turns out that the situation might be a bit more dire than many might believe .
The numbers come from a poll conducted by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ numbers are limited–447 respondents out of an estimated 3.5 million truck drivers in the U.S.–it ’ s still more respondents and a higher percentage of them than we typically get in anti-gun surveys , so we might as well use them .
And 40 percent of crimes being violent is downright terrifying .
Yet , as I ’ ve noted elsewhere before , a random number can sound scary , but we don ’ t have any basis for comparison .
Well , CDL Life has offered up the necessary context .
You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 21 percent report having been the victim of a crime .
Of those , 42 percent said the crime was violent .
That ’ s far higher than you ’ d see in the population at large .
Why is that ?
Well , for one thing , truckers are often in sparsely populated industrial areas or isolated truck stops in the middle of the night .
They ’ re often alone and carrying thousands of dollars worth of cargo .
They ’ re prime targets for any manner of evil .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ these men and women may not be able to lawfully carry a firearm in various places , meaning they keep their guns at home out of fear of prosecution .
Do you really think criminals haven ’ t figured this out by now ?
As a result , truck drivers are the victims of crimes at rates that would make most people wet themselves at the thought of stepping outside if it applied to the population at large .
Yet , they continue to do so because they have families to feed and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the goods they ’ re hauling .
All they ’ ve asked is for Congress to give them a little help and allow them to protect themselves .
They want national reciprocity .
More importantly , they downright need national reciprocity .
Their lives are at stake , as we can see from the above numbers and reports .
While everyone is still remembering truck drivers as heroes for their efforts during the COVID-19 shortages , let ’ s do them the decency of allowing them to defend themselves .

Not that long ago, I wrote a story about how truck drivers want to be armed. They want national reciprocity and for damn good reason. After all, they don’t always know what states they’re going to end up going to, which means their firearms and permits may be a problem. That’s something they shouldn’t have to deal with.
However, it turns out that the situation might be a bit more dire than many might believe.
The numbers come from a poll conducted by CDLLife.com via their app. While their numbers are limited–447 respondents out of an estimated 3.5 million truck drivers in the U.S.–it’s still more respondents and a higher percentage of them than we typically get in anti-gun surveys, so we might as well use them.
And 40 percent of crimes being violent is downright terrifying.
Yet, as I’ve noted elsewhere before, a random number can sound scary, but we don’t have any basis for comparison.
Well, CDL Life has offered up the necessary context. You see, out of all their respondents, 21 percent report having been the victim of a crime. Of those, 42 percent said the crime was violent.
That’s far higher than you’d see in the population at large. Why is that?
Well, for one thing, truckers are often in sparsely populated industrial areas or isolated truck stops in the middle of the night. They’re often alone and carrying thousands of dollars worth of cargo. They’re prime targets for any manner of evil.
Further, due to reciprocity issues, these men and women may not be able to lawfully carry a firearm in various places, meaning they keep their guns at home out of fear of prosecution. Do you really think criminals haven’t figured this out by now?
As a result, truck drivers are the victims of crimes at rates that would make most people wet themselves at the thought of stepping outside if it applied to the population at large. Yet, they continue to do so because they have families to feed and bills to pay and because we need the goods they’re hauling.
All they’ve asked is for Congress to give them a little help and allow them to protect themselves. They want national reciprocity. More importantly, they downright need national reciprocity. Their lives are at stake, as we can see from the above numbers and reports.
While everyone is still remembering truck drivers as heroes for their efforts during the COVID-19 shortages, let’s do them the decency of allowing them to defend themselves.


bearingarms--2020-07-22--Afghan Teen Kills Taliban Terrorists After They Murder Her Parents

Normally , I try to stick to armed citizen stories that happen here in the United States , but this news from Afghanistan is definitely worth covering .
A teenage girl in Afghanistan named Qamar Gul shot and killed two Taliban terrorists after they broke into her family ’ s home and murdered her parents for supporting the Afghan government .
The AFP press agency reports that the Taliban members were seeking Gul ’ s father , who was the local mayor and a vocal supporter of the government , and dragged both him and his wife outside of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ street .
In response , the teenage Gul grabbed an AK-47 and fired back , killing two of the terrorists and injuring several others .
Several other Taliban fighters later came to attack her house , but some villagers and pro-government militiamen expelled them after a gunfight .
Afghan security forces have now taken Gul and her younger brother to a safer place , said Mohamed Aref Aber , spokesman to the provincial governor .
Since the incident , social media networks have been flooded with praise for Gul ’ s “ heroic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , wearing a headscarf and holding a machine gun across her lap has gone viral in the past few days .
“ Hats off to her courage !
Well done , ” wrote Najiba Rahmi on Facebook .
“ Power of an Afghan girl , ” wrote another Facebook user Fazila Alizada .
As the news outlet notes , it ’ s not uncommon for Taliban members to target villagers that they “ suspect of being informers for the government or security forces , ” despite the fact that the terror group has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government .
Stories like this are a grim reminder that evil exists in this world , and you can ’ t combat that evil with a gun ban .
Afghanistan has incredibly restrictive gun laws that make the possession of most small arms a criminal offense .
Carrying a firearm for self-defense requires a government-issued license that is rarely granted to the average citizen .
Do members of the Taliban pay any attention to those gun laws while they ’ re waging their campaign of terror against citizens who are hoping for peace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and in the absence of a strong , effective government , particularly outside of big cities like Kabul , many Afghans choose to violate the law in order to protect themselves and their families from attacks like the one that claimed the lives of Gul ’ s mother and father .
Gul may not have had a legal right to pick up that AK-47 and fire at the terrorists who ’ d just murdered her parents , but she exercised her natural right of self-defense when she did so .
What gun control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of that rifle in Gul ’ s hands made matters worse , or that Afghanistan just needs a few more gun control laws to wipe out Taliban terror across the country ?
Of course it would be better if the Taliban wasn ’ t around .
Of course it would be better if the Taliban didn ’ t have guns .
It would also be great if I had a flying horse that could talk , but I don ’ t see that happening anytime soon either .
It ’ s a messy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the simplistic notion that we ’ ll all be safe if none of us are armed ignores the fact that it ’ s the law-abiding who inevitably are disarmed first .
Afghanistan ’ s restrictive gun control laws do nothing to stop Taliban attacks , but an AK-47 in the hands of a teenage Afghan girl at least ensured that two terrorists won ’ t be able to destroy any more families in the future .
What happened to Qamar Gul and her brother is an absolute tragedy , but it could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t able to protect herself and her sibling from the evildoers at her door .

Normally, I try to stick to armed citizen stories that happen here in the United States, but this news from Afghanistan is definitely worth covering. A teenage girl in Afghanistan named Qamar Gul shot and killed two Taliban terrorists after they broke into her family’s home and murdered her parents for supporting the Afghan government.
The AFP press agency reports that the Taliban members were seeking Gul’s father, who was the local mayor and a vocal supporter of the government, and dragged both him and his wife outside of their residents before gunning them down in the street. In response, the teenage Gul grabbed an AK-47 and fired back, killing two of the terrorists and injuring several others.
Several other Taliban fighters later came to attack her house, but some villagers and pro-government militiamen expelled them after a gunfight. Afghan security forces have now taken Gul and her younger brother to a safer place, said Mohamed Aref Aber, spokesman to the provincial governor. Since the incident, social media networks have been flooded with praise for Gul’s “heroic” act. A photograph of Gul, wearing a headscarf and holding a machine gun across her lap has gone viral in the past few days. “Hats off to her courage! Well done,” wrote Najiba Rahmi on Facebook. “Power of an Afghan girl,” wrote another Facebook user Fazila Alizada.
As the news outlet notes, it’s not uncommon for Taliban members to target villagers that they “suspect of being informers for the government or security forces,” despite the fact that the terror group has agreed to peace talks with the Afghan government.
Stories like this are a grim reminder that evil exists in this world, and you can’t combat that evil with a gun ban. Afghanistan has incredibly restrictive gun laws that make the possession of most small arms a criminal offense. Carrying a firearm for self-defense requires a government-issued license that is rarely granted to the average citizen. Do members of the Taliban pay any attention to those gun laws while they’re waging their campaign of terror against citizens who are hoping for peace and stability? Of course not, and in the absence of a strong, effective government, particularly outside of big cities like Kabul, many Afghans choose to violate the law in order to protect themselves and their families from attacks like the one that claimed the lives of Gul’s mother and father.
Gul may not have had a legal right to pick up that AK-47 and fire at the terrorists who’d just murdered her parents, but she exercised her natural right of self-defense when she did so. What gun control advocate would really argue that the presence of that rifle in Gul’s hands made matters worse, or that Afghanistan just needs a few more gun control laws to wipe out Taliban terror across the country? Of course it would be better if the Taliban wasn’t around. Of course it would be better if the Taliban didn’t have guns. It would also be great if I had a flying horse that could talk, but I don’t see that happening anytime soon either.
It’s a messy, complicated world we live in, and the simplistic notion that we’ll all be safe if none of us are armed ignores the fact that it’s the law-abiding who inevitably are disarmed first. Afghanistan’s restrictive gun control laws do nothing to stop Taliban attacks, but an AK-47 in the hands of a teenage Afghan girl at least ensured that two terrorists won’t be able to destroy any more families in the future. What happened to Qamar Gul and her brother is an absolute tragedy, but it could have been even worse if she wasn’t able to protect herself and her sibling from the evildoers at her door.


bearingarms--2020-07-22--Don Lemon: "Availability Of Guns" Behind Chicago Violence

Ever since McDonald vs. Chicago , the Windy City hasn ’ t really had their own gun control schemes in place .
That ’ s generally been OK , though , because the city has such an impact on Illinois politics that they can push whatever they want through at the state level .
As a result , Illinois is one of the most gun-controlled states in the country .
Yet , despite ( or because ) of all that gun control , Chicago is one of many cities seeing a massive spike in violent crime in the wake of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CNN ’ s Don Lemon , though , there ’ s really only one reason for Chicago to be having this problem .
During the nightly handoff with “ Cuomo Prime Time ” anchor Chris Cuomo , Lemon expressed gratitude that crime in Chicago is being discussed but warned that political motivations could be behind it .
“ I ’ m glad that people are starting to pay attention to crime , especially in cities like Chicago .
But it is sad that they ’ re doing it in a year where they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to hurt someone and try to help someone else , ” Lemon said .
“ Listen , there ’ s spikes in crime and there ’ s real work that needs to be done , right ?
Needs to be fixed .
I lived in Chicago for a while .
Every night when I lived in Chicago , there was a crime story , a shooting story .
I ’ ve been doing stories about crime at this network for so long .
I ’ m glad people are paying attention to it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a long time .
And do you know one of the biggest issues is ?
The availability of guns .
And you won ’ t hear that from some people.
” Probably because there ’ s tons of gun control in place in Chicago and none of it is doing a damn bit of good .
While officials in the city love to blame nearby Indiana for their woes , the truth is that Indiana doesn ’ t have that kind of violent crime despite the availability of guns actually being higher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the same Don Lemon who mocked the idea of violent crime increases not too long ago .
It wasn ’ t an issue then , but it is now that it ’ s convenient .
Regardless , the problems in Chicago have little to do with any availability of guns , even on the black market .
There ’ s been no appreciable increase in firearm availability in recent weeks , yet there ’ s been a massive surge in violence all over the country in cities of various sizes .
All @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the vast majority of these locales .
Yet people like Lemon don ’ t like guns , so they grab hold of the most simplistic explanation they can find , one that feeds their innate desire to disarm the American people , then push it over any other potential cause .
The truth is , violence is far more complex than many people want to hear .
There are no simple solutions because the problem isn ’ t simple .
Not that I expect a CNN host to grok that .
So far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they ’ re capable of understanding that simple concept , but especially not Don Lemon .

Ever since McDonald vs. Chicago, the Windy City hasn’t really had their own gun control schemes in place. That’s generally been OK, though, because the city has such an impact on Illinois politics that they can push whatever they want through at the state level. As a result, Illinois is one of the most gun-controlled states in the country.
Yet, despite (or because) of all that gun control, Chicago is one of many cities seeing a massive spike in violent crime in the wake of weeks of civil unrest.
According to CNN’s Don Lemon, though, there’s really only one reason for Chicago to be having this problem.
During the nightly handoff with “Cuomo Prime Time” anchor Chris Cuomo, Lemon expressed gratitude that crime in Chicago is being discussed but warned that political motivations could be behind it. “I’m glad that people are starting to pay attention to crime, especially in cities like Chicago. But it is sad that they’re doing it in a year where they can use it as a political cudgel to hurt someone and try to help someone else,” Lemon said. “Listen, there’s spikes in crime and there’s real work that needs to be done, right? Needs to be fixed. I lived in Chicago for a while. Every night when I lived in Chicago, there was a crime story, a shooting story. I’ve been doing stories about crime at this network for so long. I’m glad people are paying attention to it but it’s been an issue for a long time. And do you know one of the biggest issues is? The availability of guns. And you won’t hear that from some people.”
Probably because there’s tons of gun control in place in Chicago and none of it is doing a damn bit of good.
While officials in the city love to blame nearby Indiana for their woes, the truth is that Indiana doesn’t have that kind of violent crime despite the availability of guns actually being higher than Chicago.
Of course, this is the same Don Lemon who mocked the idea of violent crime increases not too long ago. It wasn’t an issue then, but it is now that it’s convenient.
Regardless, the problems in Chicago have little to do with any availability of guns, even on the black market. There’s been no appreciable increase in firearm availability in recent weeks, yet there’s been a massive surge in violence all over the country in cities of various sizes. All without any liberalization of gun laws in the vast majority of these locales.
Yet people like Lemon don’t like guns, so they grab hold of the most simplistic explanation they can find, one that feeds their innate desire to disarm the American people, then push it over any other potential cause. The truth is, violence is far more complex than many people want to hear. There are no simple solutions because the problem isn’t simple.
Not that I expect a CNN host to grok that. So far, none of them have shown me they’re capable of understanding that simple concept, but especially not Don Lemon.


bearingarms--2020-07-22--A Second Wave 2A Sanctuary Movement Is Hitting Virginia

In the span of just a few months in late 2019 and early 2020 , more than 100 counties , cities , and towns across the state of Virginia passed Second Amendment Sanctuary resolutions or ordinances in opposition to the planned assault on the right to keep and bear arms by Democrats who took complete control of state government in the November elections .
Those notes of defiance didn ’ t stop anti-gun lawmakers from approving a half-dozen gun control bills in the regular session , and expectations are high that a special session scheduled for August 18th will see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sweeping gun and magazine ban on gun owners .
Now , some of those same Second Amendment sanctuaries are taking another stand and vowing not to impose any local gun control laws on residents , given that one of those new gun control laws empowers cities to ban firearms from government buildings , parks , and festivals .
While cities like Alexandria and Richmond have already approved local restrictions , supervisors in Appomattox County this week unanimously approved a resolution that declares the county will not exercise that newfound power to restrict the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ & Advance : Philip Van Cleave , president of the Virginia Citizens Defense League , is disseminating the resolutions to localities and said he expects a surge similar to the initial “ Second Amendment Sanctuary ” resolution — with shows of support rippling across the state .
Falling River District Supervisor John Hinkle requested the resolution be discussed by the Appomattox board and said it was crucial to let the community know the county will not “ put any additional burdens ” on residents .
“ It ’ s a second wave , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ It ’ s at the heart of all of central Virginia and rural Virginia , and what the cities want to apply to them , restricts us.
” “ What other of our civil rights do we have that localities can carve up ?
” Van Cleave said .
“ We don ’ t let these localities take our basic civil rights and do with them what they please .
It ’ s only the second amendment .
When it comes to guns , that ’ s when the rules go out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to let them get away with it.
” While county supervisors consider resolutions like the one passed in Appomattox County this week , one Virginia sheriff is also taking steps to push back against a possible gun ban .
Culpeper County Sheriff Scott Jenkins is now taking applications for “ volunteer background investigators ” who could vet citizens applying to become reserve deputies .
Jenkins has vowed to deputize citizens if need be in order for them not to run afoul of any gun , magazine , or suppressor ban .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ today on Bearing Arms ’ Cam & Co. to discuss his plan to swear in citizens as reserve deputies if need be , and I ’ m looking forward to talking more about the second wave of the Second Amendment Sanctuary movement with him this afternoon .
One thing is certain : gun owners in Virginia are not going to simply roll over and give up their rights without a fight .
Cam Edwards has covered the 2nd Amendment for more than 15 years as a broadcast and online journalist , as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Grow Up , Get a Job , Start a Family , and Other Manly Advice '' with Jim Geraghty .
He lives outside of Farmville , Virginia with his family .
https : //bearingarms.com/author/camedwards/

In the span of just a few months in late 2019 and early 2020, more than 100 counties, cities, and towns across the state of Virginia passed Second Amendment Sanctuary resolutions or ordinances in opposition to the planned assault on the right to keep and bear arms by Democrats who took complete control of state government in the November elections. Those notes of defiance didn’t stop anti-gun lawmakers from approving a half-dozen gun control bills in the regular session, and expectations are high that a special session scheduled for August 18th will see Democrats once again try to impose a sweeping gun and magazine ban on gun owners.
Now, some of those same Second Amendment sanctuaries are taking another stand and vowing not to impose any local gun control laws on residents, given that one of those new gun control laws empowers cities to ban firearms from government buildings, parks, and festivals. While cities like Alexandria and Richmond have already approved local restrictions, supervisors in Appomattox County this week unanimously approved a resolution that declares the county will not exercise that newfound power to restrict the rights of residents. From the News & Advance:
Patrick County passed a similar resolution last week, making Appomattox County the second Virginia locality to adopt the “No Local Gun-Control” resolution. Several other localities across the state plan to consider the topic in coming weeks, including Amherst County which is slated to discuss the issue Tuesday night.
Philip Van Cleave, president of the Virginia Citizens Defense League, is disseminating the resolutions to localities and said he expects a surge similar to the initial “Second Amendment Sanctuary” resolution — with shows of support rippling across the state. Falling River District Supervisor John Hinkle requested the resolution be discussed by the Appomattox board and said it was crucial to let the community know the county will not “put any additional burdens” on residents. “It’s a second wave,” Hinkle said of the resolution. “It’s at the heart of all of central Virginia and rural Virginia, and what the cities want to apply to them, restricts us.” “What other of our civil rights do we have that localities can carve up?” Van Cleave said. “We don’t let these localities take our basic civil rights and do with them what they please. It’s only the second amendment. When it comes to guns, that’s when the rules go out the window … we’re not going to let them get away with it.”
While county supervisors consider resolutions like the one passed in Appomattox County this week, one Virginia sheriff is also taking steps to push back against a possible gun ban. Culpeper County Sheriff Scott Jenkins is now taking applications for “volunteer background investigators” who could vet citizens applying to become reserve deputies. Jenkins has vowed to deputize citizens if need be in order for them not to run afoul of any gun, magazine, or suppressor ban.
The sheriff last year called gun ownership “a God-given right” and said if the state legislature restricts certain weapons and ammunition he would “swear in thousands of auxiliary deputies in Culpeper.”
The sheriff is scheduled to join me later today on Bearing Arms’ Cam & Co. to discuss his plan to swear in citizens as reserve deputies if need be, and I’m looking forward to talking more about the second wave of the Second Amendment Sanctuary movement with him this afternoon. One thing is certain: gun owners in Virginia are not going to simply roll over and give up their rights without a fight.


bearingarms--2020-07-22--No, Gun Owners Aren't Coming To Save You

As of right now , I ’ m seeing a whole lot of people on the left outraged over what is happening in our cities .
Not the rioting , the looking , the arson , or other forms vandalism .
Oh no , they ’ re upset that federal officers are rolling up and arresting people off the streets rather than trusting corrupt , incompetent , and/or dispirited local police departments to take care of it .
It ’ s bad enough that Democrat mayors of a handful of large cities seeing massive civil unrest are calling on President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , some of the reports are troubling , to be sure .
Officers arresting people without identifying themselves as federal officers isn ’ t something we should be cool with in this country .
I suspect that ’ s not the case since I see tapes on officers ’ uniforms identifying their agencies , but the reports themselves are concerning .
The pics aren ’ t all the arrests , after all .
However , many on the left are now asking where the gun owners are .
After all , they argue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guns to combat oppression , so where are we ?
Well , we ’ re not coming to save you .
You see , while I may take issue with the details of how the Trump administration is dealing with these criminals , these are criminals .
They ’ re not political dissidents who merely angered the Commander-in-Chief .
No , they ’ re people who took part in criminal acts against federal buildings and they ’ re being arrested over it .
There ’ s absolutely nothing about that which is oppressive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we probably still wouldn ’ t swoop in to save you .
I can ’ t speak for everyone , but when someone calls me racist , misogynist , bigoted , worthless , or any of the thousands of other insults I ’ ve gotten personally , I don ’ t feel obliged to risk my life to protect them from a government that was goaded into acting by your own lawless behavior .
I ’ m sorry , but while I ’ ll defend people I disagree with , I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my family over your own poor decisions .
What happened to George Floyd was awful .
It sparked a conversation we needed to have in this country .
We need to talk about police reform , at least in Minneapolis , but probably elsewhere .
Unfortunately , the petulant children of this great land decided that the officers responsible being fired and prosecuted wasn ’ t enough “ justice ” for them , so they went on a multi-city rampage .
They burned small businesses , many of which were minority-owned .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ screaming about justice for the poor .
Then , the very crowd who did this–the very crowd that has derided gun owners for years now–is getting rolled up by federal law enforcement and they ’ re screaming for us to swoop in and save the day .
No , you don ’ t get to vilify millions of Americans , insulting everything from their intelligence to genital size , and then expect us to save you from the aftermath of your own decisions .
That ’ s not how it works .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sand .
Sure , some will take issue with what the feds are doing .
Others will applaud it .
Many others will be somewhere in between .
None of that matters , because none of them are going to lift a finger to grab their guns and put their lives at risk over your own stupidity .

As of right now, I’m seeing a whole lot of people on the left outraged over what is happening in our cities. Not the rioting, the looting, the arson, or other forms vandalism. Oh no, they’re upset that federal officers are rolling up and arresting people off the streets rather than trusting corrupt, incompetent, and/or dispirited local police departments to take care of it.
It’s bad enough that Democrat mayors of a handful of large cities seeing massive civil unrest are calling on President Trump to withdraw federal officers.
Now, some of the reports are troubling, to be sure. Officers arresting people without identifying themselves as federal officers isn’t something we should be cool with in this country. I suspect that’s not the case since I see tapes on officers’ uniforms identifying their agencies, but the reports themselves are concerning. The pics aren’t all the arrests, after all.
However, many on the left are now asking where the gun owners are. After all, they argue, we’ve said we want guns to combat oppression, so where are we?
Well, we’re not coming to save you.
You see, while I may take issue with the details of how the Trump administration is dealing with these criminals, these are criminals. They’re not political dissidents who merely angered the Commander-in-Chief. No, they’re people who took part in criminal acts against federal buildings and they’re being arrested over it.
There’s absolutely nothing about that which is oppressive.
Yet even if we thought otherwise, we probably still wouldn’t swoop in to save you.
I can’t speak for everyone, but when someone calls me racist, misogynist, bigoted, worthless, or any of the thousands of other insults I’ve gotten personally, I don’t feel obliged to risk my life to protect them from a government that was goaded into acting by your own lawless behavior. I’m sorry, but while I’ll defend people I disagree with, I’m not going to risk me or my family over your own poor decisions.
What happened to George Floyd was awful. It sparked a conversation we needed to have in this country. We need to talk about police reform, at least in Minneapolis, but probably elsewhere.
Unfortunately, the petulant children of this great land decided that the officers responsible being fired and prosecuted wasn’t enough “justice” for them, so they went on a multi-city rampage. They burned small businesses, many of which were minority-owned. They destroyed an affordable housing project all while screaming about justice for the poor.
Then, the very crowd who did this–the very crowd that has derided gun owners for years now–is getting rolled up by federal law enforcement and they’re screaming for us to swoop in and save the day.
No.
No, you don’t get to vilify millions of Americans, insulting everything from their intelligence to genital size, and then expect us to save you from the aftermath of your own decisions. That’s not how it works. That’s not our line in the sand.
Sure, some will take issue with what the feds are doing. Others will applaud it. Many others will be somewhere in between. None of that matters, because none of them are going to lift a finger to grab their guns and put their lives at risk over your own stupidity.


bearingarms--2020-07-22--14 Shot At Chicago Funeral Home As Mayor Rejects "Trump's Troops"

At least 23 people were shot in Chicago on Tuesday , with 15 of the victims coming under fire at a funeral in the city ’ s Auburn Gresham neighborhood .
According to CBS 2 , several of the attendees of the funeral service shot back at their attackers , with police counting at least 60 shell casings on the ground outside of the funeral home as the conducted their investigation .
According to CPD First Deputy Supt .
Eric Carter , the first shots were fired by individuals in a black car as it passed by the Rhodes Funeral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the funeral began firing back at the vehicle , which turned north on Carpenter Street and kept firing at people from the funeral before crashing into a parked car midway down the block .
The occupants got out and fled in multiple directions , Carter said .
One person of interest was being interviewed Tuesday night… The Fire Department said at least nine people were transported by ambulances from the scene .
The Fire Department said Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn and the University of Chicago Medical Center received most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taken , or found their way to , St. Bernard Hospital , OSF Little Company of Mary Medical Center in Evergreen Park , and Stroger Hospital of Cook County .
The Fire Department said two additional victims were found near 63rd street and were in the process of self-transporting , for a total of 11 transports by their ambulances .
One woman was shot multiple times , and the patients they transported ranged from serious to critical condition at the time they were taken to the hospital , the Fire Department said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ took place , Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot took to Twitter to condemn not the shooters who targeted a funeral , but the president for suggesting that he might send federal law enforcement to Chicago to help deal with the surge in violence .
Unfortunately for Mayor Lightweight , it ’ s not “ Donald Trump ’ s troops ” who are terrorizing Chicago residents .
It ’ s Chicago residents themselves , or at least a small fraction of them , who are terrorizing the city ’ s most violent neighborhoods , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that inconvenient truth .
As news spread about the shooting at the funeral , the mayor hopped back on social media to repeat the same tired talking points that we ’ ve heard from her before .
I ’ ve got news for the mayor : the city doesn ’ t suffer when someone “ picks up a gun.
” There are more than 20,000 concealed carry holders in Chicago , for example , and the city ’ s not suffering because they ’ re legally carrying to protect their life .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of them well known to law enforcement and the residents of the neighborhoods they ’ re terrorizing , commit brazen acts of murder and mayhem because they believe they can get away with their crimes .
Less than half of all Chicago homicides end up with an arrest .
For shootings , the percentage is even worse .
The Chicago Tribune reported in 2018 that just 1 in 20 shootings are ever solved by police .
The reason why shootings are increasing in the city is simple : there are rarely any consequences @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Lightfoot and the city of Chicago need all the help they can get , and the mayor knows it .
In fact , even as she was bloviating about “ Donald Trump ’ s troops terrorizing ” the city , Lightfoot told reporters that federal officers from the FBI , ATF , and DEA are coming to the city to help address the surging violence .
That ’ s good , because at the moment it appears Lightfoot is in way over her head .
Chicago ’ s mayor has been engaged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump over Chicago ’ s violence , but she needs to focus on the relatively small number of individuals in the city who are responsible , rather than trying to score political points while distracting from her own incompetence .
I honestly don ’ t know if she ’ s capable of that , but after her tone-deaf tweets Tuesday evening , I ’ m not holding out a lot of hope .

At least 23 people were shot in Chicago on Tuesday, with 15 of the victims coming under fire at a funeral in the city’s Auburn Gresham neighborhood. According to CBS 2, several of the attendees of the funeral service shot back at their attackers, with police counting at least 60 shell casings on the ground outside of the funeral home as the conducted their investigation.
Multiple people shot at 79th/Carpenter Spoke with people here who said they were inside a funeral home when the shots started. Spoke to a woman who had blood on her jeans. She didnt know whose blood it was. I’m told The funeral was for a shooting victim. @cbschicago pic.twitter.com/Aun75y7VZk — Charlie De Mar (@CharlieDeMar) July 22, 2020
According to CPD First Deputy Supt. Eric Carter, the first shots were fired by individuals in a black car as it passed by the Rhodes Funeral Home around 6:30 p.m.
The attendees of the funeral began firing back at the vehicle, which turned north on Carpenter Street and kept firing at people from the funeral before crashing into a parked car midway down the block. The occupants got out and fled in multiple directions, Carter said. One person of interest was being interviewed Tuesday night… The Fire Department said at least nine people were transported by ambulances from the scene. The Fire Department said Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn and the University of Chicago Medical Center received most of the victims. Victims were also taken, or found their way to, St. Bernard Hospital, OSF Little Company of Mary Medical Center in Evergreen Park, and Stroger Hospital of Cook County. The Fire Department said two additional victims were found near 63rd street and were in the process of self-transporting, for a total of 11 transports by their ambulances. One woman was shot multiple times, and the patients they transported ranged from serious to critical condition at the time they were taken to the hospital, the Fire Department said.
About a half hour after the shooting took place, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot took to Twitter to condemn not the shooters who targeted a funeral, but the president for suggesting that he might send federal law enforcement to Chicago to help deal with the surge in violence.
Under no circumstances will I allow Donald Trump’s troops to come to Chicago and terrorize our residents. — Mayor Lori Lightfoot (@chicagosmayor) July 21, 2020
Unfortunately for Mayor Lightweight, it’s not “Donald Trump’s troops” who are terrorizing Chicago residents. It’s Chicago residents themselves, or at least a small fraction of them, who are terrorizing the city’s most violent neighborhoods, and she seems utterly incapable of dealing with that inconvenient truth. As news spread about the shooting at the funeral, the mayor hopped back on social media to repeat the same tired talking points that we’ve heard from her before.
Far too many have suffered. Far too many have attended funerals and tried to start the process of healing entire communities following another senseless tragedy. When a person picks up a gun, we suffer as a city. This cannot be who we are. — Mayor Lori Lightfoot (@chicagosmayor) July 22, 2020
I’ve got news for the mayor: the city doesn’t suffer when someone “picks up a gun.” There are more than 20,000 concealed carry holders in Chicago, for example, and the city’s not suffering because they’re legally carrying to protect their life. The city suffers when violent criminals, many of them well known to law enforcement and the residents of the neighborhoods they’re terrorizing, commit brazen acts of murder and mayhem because they believe they can get away with their crimes. Less than half of all Chicago homicides end up with an arrest. For shootings, the percentage is even worse. The Chicago Tribune reported in 2018 that just 1 in 20 shootings are ever solved by police.
The reason why shootings are increasing in the city is simple: there are rarely any consequences when a gang member pulls the trigger. Lightfoot and the city of Chicago need all the help they can get, and the mayor knows it. In fact, even as she was bloviating about “Donald Trump’s troops terrorizing” the city, Lightfoot told reporters that federal officers from the FBI, ATF, and DEA are coming to the city to help address the surging violence. That’s good, because at the moment it appears Lightfoot is in way over her head.
Chicago’s mayor has been engaged in a war of words with President Trump over Chicago’s violence, but she needs to focus on the relatively small number of individuals in the city who are responsible, rather than trying to score political points while distracting from her own incompetence. I honestly don’t know if she’s capable of that, but after her tone-deaf tweets Tuesday evening, I’m not holding out a lot of hope.


bearingarms--2020-07-22--Survey Suggests Gun Control Not A Winner For Dems

When the campaign season kicked off , Democrats figured that gun control would be a good issue to run on .
Unlike in past years , there definitely seemed to be a public opinion shift on guns and they figured it was a good time to exploit it .
After all , in the post-Parkland world , gun control helped several politicians win office .
It only stood to reason that Democrats would try to take advantage .
However , that was before COVID-19 and riots ravaging our cities ’ streets for weeks on end .
Since then , there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have changed .
After all , we now have millions of new gun owners and still more looking to buy as tensions continue to simmer .
Yet , despite that , we didn ’ t really have evidence of that .
Well , we do now .
A new survey among likely voters in 18 key battleground states found the number one reason for firearm ownership is for protection and that most are opposed to arbitrary gun bans .
The survey results , released by the National Shooting Sports Foundation on Monday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the primary motivation for firearm ownership .
Moreover , almost 60 percent said that a ban on semi-automatic rifles would have little effect on crime , with 51 percent opposing a ban on such firearms .
Just under half said a restriction on magazine capacity would have no effect on crime .
“ The results tell us Americans want their right to purchase the firearm of their choice , especially when it comes to their personal safety , ” said Lawrence G. Keane , NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ enforcing existing laws is a better use of public resources than efforts to restrict the rights of law-abiding citizens .
Those likely voters are telling us they want to be able to purchase what they believe will meet their needs without onerous government interference.
” So , there went that plan for the Dems , now didn ’ t it ?
And let ’ s understand , these are 18 battleground states .
This isn ’ t in states that the GOP has a firm hold on .
These are states that are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I didn ’ t think there were that many battleground states in the first place .
Those are the states needed to win the election .
This doesn ’ t mean the election is a slam dunk for President Trump , it does mean that anti-gun pushes in these states aren ’ t likely to yield any support and may well lose it .
That is going to play a factor in the elections , to be sure .
Especially since there ’ s absolutely no way for Biden to backtrack on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ question is whether it will play a large enough factor .
However , I suspect that it might .
After all , we ’ ve watched weeks upon weeks of riots and other civil unrest throughout the nation .
We ’ ve watched in horror as people have been beaten half to death and others outright murdered on American streets simply because the mob wanted to hurt them .
People have seen this and they ’ re not happy about it .
More importantly , though , they don ’ t want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t want their homes burned to the ground .
That means guns , and if you ’ re talking about a mob , a handgun or a double-barreled shotgun ain ’ t gon na cut it .
They want the AR-15 or a similar rifle , something they can use to defend themselves from a rampaging horde bent on destruction .
The very gun Joe Biden wants to ban .
As I said , it doesn ’ t make it an automatic win for Trump , but gun control isn ’ t going @ @ @ @

When the campaign season kicked off, Democrats figured that gun control would be a good issue to run on. Unlike in past years, there definitely seemed to be a public opinion shift on guns and they figured it was a good time to exploit it. After all, in the post-Parkland world, gun control helped several politicians win office. It only stood to reason that Democrats would try to take advantage.
However, that was before COVID-19 and riots ravaging our cities’ streets for weeks on end.
Since then, there’s been a feeling that things have changed. After all, we now have millions of new gun owners and still more looking to buy as tensions continue to simmer. Yet, despite that, we didn’t really have evidence of that.
Well, we do now.
A new survey among likely voters in 18 key battleground states found the number one reason for firearm ownership is for protection and that most are opposed to arbitrary gun bans. The survey results, released by the National Shooting Sports Foundation on Monday, found that more than half believe self-defense is the primary motivation for firearm ownership. Moreover, almost 60 percent said that a ban on semi-automatic rifles would have little effect on crime, with 51 percent opposing a ban on such firearms. Just under half said a restriction on magazine capacity would have no effect on crime. … “The results tell us Americans want their right to purchase the firearm of their choice, especially when it comes to their personal safety,” said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel. “These results also tell us that enforcing existing laws is a better use of public resources than efforts to restrict the rights of law-abiding citizens. Those likely voters are telling us they want to be able to purchase what they believe will meet their needs without onerous government interference.”
So, there went that plan for the Dems, now didn’t it?
And let’s understand, these are 18 battleground states. This isn’t in states that the GOP has a firm hold on. These are states that are up for grabs come November. Honestly, I didn’t think there were that many battleground states in the first place. Those are the states needed to win the election.
This doesn’t mean the election is a slam dunk for President Trump, it does mean that anti-gun pushes in these states aren’t likely to yield any support and may well lose it.
That is going to play a factor in the elections, to be sure. Especially since there’s absolutely no way for Biden to backtrack on guns at this point. The only question is whether it will play a large enough factor.
However, I suspect that it might.
After all, we’ve watched weeks upon weeks of riots and other civil unrest throughout the nation. We’ve watched in horror as people have been beaten half to death and others outright murdered on American streets simply because the mob wanted to hurt them. People have seen this and they’re not happy about it.
More importantly, though, they don’t want to be victims themselves. They don’t want their homes burned to the ground. That means guns, and if you’re talking about a mob, a handgun or a double-barreled shotgun ain’t gonna cut it. They want the AR-15 or a similar rifle, something they can use to defend themselves from a rampaging horde bent on destruction.
The very gun Joe Biden wants to ban.
As I said, it doesn’t make it an automatic win for Trump, but gun control isn’t going to help Biden.


bearingarms--2020-07-23--Louisville Preps For Three Percenters, NFAC Marches On Saturday

Two different militia groups are making plans for public marches and rallies in Louisville , Kentucky this weekend , but city officials say both groups say they ’ re coming to the city for peaceful purposes .
The Not F***ing Around Coalition announced its intent to bring thousands of black gun owners to the downtown area on Saturday with the intent of raising awareness and demanding accountability in the death of Breonna Taylor , who was shot and killed by police earlier this year as they served a search warrant on her apartment .
Taylor ’ s boyfriend Kenneth Walker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and he believed that the apartment was being broken into when he fired one shot as the door was broken down .
Police responded with fire of their own , killing Taylor .
Walker was originally charged in her death , but those charges were dropped several weeks ago , and both the FBI and the state of Kentucky are now investigating the case .
The NFAC won ’ t be the only armed group in town .
Several Three Percenter groups have also made plans on social media to show up in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maj. Aubrey Gregory told reporters Thursday that the groups are expected to be armed , but everyone police have spoken with has expressed the desire for peaceful protests .
“ We have been in contact with both groups coming to Louisville , and we expect nothing but a peaceful protest this weekend , ” he said .
To help ensure that , police will limit vehicle access around the park , including prohibiting parking on the streets surrounding Jefferson Square Park .
And police will use bike rack barriers to create a buffer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said police will create a “ no-go zone ” on Fifth street “ to try and keep those people with “ alternative viewpoints ” separated .
The department will try not to intervene as long as protesters do not break the law , police have said .
I expect things will be peaceful as well , and honestly , I ’ m pretty sure the two groups could find some common ground if they do end up in a space where conversation , not confrontation , can take place .
We saw something @ @ @ @ @ @ @ couple of weeks ago , when Black Lives Matters protesters invited armed counter-protesters to speak with them instead of the two groups shouting at each other from across a downtown street .
In Springfield , Oregon on Wednesday night , a Black Lives Matter protest ended up with both sides talking for hours instead of fighting it out in the streets .
For over two hours , 300 people listened to different viewpoints on systemic racism and defunding the police .
A Springfield resident who goes by Rob and is a counter-protester said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out .
“ Black Unity said a lot of great stuff and our spokesman Marcus said a lot of great stuff , ” Rob said .
“ This was a peaceful protest , it didn ’ t end up with looting or rioting .
No one got hurt.
” In the end , both sides agreed that the system is broken and something has to be done to fix it .
But to fix it , [ Black Unity Outreach Coordinator Tyshawn ] Ford said there needs to be more open forums with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get to see more of the same on Saturday in Louisville .
The NFAC and the Three Percenters are both opposed to government tyranny and support the right to keep and bear arms , which is at least a starting point for discourse instead of discord .
I ’ m absolutely certain that the two groups won ’ t agree on 100 % of the issues , but they might surprise even themselves with what they have in common .
It ’ s worth a try , because if we don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to one another , things are going to get much uglier than what we ’ ve seen so far .
Check out this tweet from an NBC reporter who was covering the protests in Portland on Wednesday night .
We are not in a civil war at the moment .
If we were , that guy wouldn ’ t be chanting and the cops wouldn ’ t simply be using tear gas .
He may want a civil war , ( he might even get one ) , but if his Portland neighborhood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ zone where he had to avoid sniper fire and drone strikes just so he could get his Voodoo Donuts fix , he might change his tune .
Thankfully we ’ re not there yet , and I still hold out hope , no matter how unrealistic , that the Che Guevara wannabes who believe that a violent overthrow of capitalism and our system of government is necessary to achieve peace , justice , and equality for all will read a history book or two ( here is a good place to start ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tries to create heaven on earth , it ends up instead a living hell .
America isn ’ t a perfect place , and never will be , but as the Three Percenters and the NAFC Coalition gather in Louisville , I hope they both remember that the United States is literally the only country on earth where they can assemble by the hundreds or thousands to exercise their right of free speech , their right to peaceably assemble , and their right to keep and bear arms in defense of themselves and @ @ @ @ @

Two different militia groups are making plans for public marches and rallies in Louisville, Kentucky this weekend, but city officials say both groups say they’re coming to the city for peaceful purposes. The Not F***ing Around Coalition announced its intent to bring thousands of black gun owners to the downtown area on Saturday with the intent of raising awareness and demanding accountability in the death of Breonna Taylor, who was shot and killed by police earlier this year as they served a search warrant on her apartment. Taylor’s boyfriend Kenneth Walker says that police never announced themselves, and he believed that the apartment was being broken into when he fired one shot as the door was broken down. Police responded with fire of their own, killing Taylor. Walker was originally charged in her death, but those charges were dropped several weeks ago, and both the FBI and the state of Kentucky are now investigating the case.
The NFAC won’t be the only armed group in town. Several Three Percenter groups have also made plans on social media to show up in the city to provide “security.”
Maj. Aubrey Gregory told reporters Thursday that the groups are expected to be armed, but everyone police have spoken with has expressed the desire for peaceful protests. “We have been in contact with both groups coming to Louisville, and we expect nothing but a peaceful protest this weekend,” he said. To help ensure that, police will limit vehicle access around the park, including prohibiting parking on the streets surrounding Jefferson Square Park. And police will use bike rack barriers to create a buffer zone and separate the protesters. Gregory said police will create a “no-go zone” on Fifth street “to try and keep those people with “alternative viewpoints” separated. The department will try not to intervene as long as protesters do not break the law, police have said.
I expect things will be peaceful as well, and honestly, I’m pretty sure the two groups could find some common ground if they do end up in a space where conversation, not confrontation, can take place. We saw something similar happen in Provo, Utah a couple of weeks ago, when Black Lives Matters protesters invited armed counter-protesters to speak with them instead of the two groups shouting at each other from across a downtown street. In Springfield, Oregon on Wednesday night, a Black Lives Matter protest ended up with both sides talking for hours instead of fighting it out in the streets.
For over two hours, 300 people listened to different viewpoints on systemic racism and defunding the police. A Springfield resident who goes by Rob and is a counter-protester said he is happy how the forum turned out. “Black Unity said a lot of great stuff and our spokesman Marcus said a lot of great stuff,” Rob said. “This was a peaceful protest, it didn’t end up with looting or rioting. No one got hurt.” In the end, both sides agreed that the system is broken and something has to be done to fix it. But to fix it, [Black Unity Outreach Coordinator Tyshawn] Ford said there needs to be more open forums with constructive dialogue.
Maybe we’ll get to see more of the same on Saturday in Louisville. The NFAC and the Three Percenters are both opposed to government tyranny and support the right to keep and bear arms, which is at least a starting point for discourse instead of discord. I’m absolutely certain that the two groups won’t agree on 100% of the issues, but they might surprise even themselves with what they have in common. It’s worth a try, because if we don’t figure out a way to actually talk to one another, things are going to get much uglier than what we’ve seen so far. Check out this tweet from an NBC reporter who was covering the protests in Portland on Wednesday night.
“This is no a longer protest. We are in the middle of a Civil War.” – a protester here in #Portland leading “Black Lives Matter” & “F*** Feds” chants — Maura Barrett (@MauraBarrettNBC) July 23, 2020
We are not in a civil war at the moment. If we were, that guy wouldn’t be chanting and the cops wouldn’t simply be using tear gas. He may want a civil war, (he might even get one), but if his Portland neighborhood ended up looking like a Syrian war zone where he had to avoid sniper fire and drone strikes just so he could get his Voodoo Donuts fix, he might change his tune. Thankfully we’re not there yet, and I still hold out hope, no matter how unrealistic, that the Che Guevara wannabes who believe that a violent overthrow of capitalism and our system of government is necessary to achieve peace, justice, and equality for all will read a history book or two (here is a good place to start) and realize that every time some group tries to create heaven on earth, it ends up instead a living hell.
America isn’t a perfect place, and never will be, but as the Three Percenters and the NAFC Coalition gather in Louisville, I hope they both remember that the United States is literally the only country on earth where they can assemble by the hundreds or thousands to exercise their right of free speech, their right to peaceably assemble, and their right to keep and bear arms in defense of themselves and of a free state.


bearingarms--2020-07-23--SC UPS Drivers Reportedly Stole Guns From Packages

Guns have to be shipped all over the country .
You either buy them from somewhere else and ship them to your FFL or your gun store buys them and has them shipped to their store .
Either way , they have to go on a truck .
For many guns , that means using a commercial carrier like UPS or FedEx .
Unfortunately , it seems that such a method isn ’ t the most secure .
The Lexington County Sheriff ’ s Department has arrested five UPS employees , alleging they stole guns from packages at the company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Burke , 19 , Jalen Green , 19 , Dishon Kinney , 18 , Kenyon Peters , 18 , and Tre ’ von Williams , 19 , have all been charged with breach of trust , with the value of the allegedly stolen weapons valued at more than $ 2,000 and less than $ 10,000 .
Kinney and Peters also have been charged with criminal conspiracy , according to the sheriff ’ s department .
Now , I ’ m not going to dog on UPS .
They ’ re not responsible for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there ’ s no reason to believe there was anything in those employees ’ backgrounds to suggest they shouldn ’ t have been hired .
Unfortunately , any guns stolen in this manner simply end up in the black market .
Yet , I ’ ll also point out that this is going to happen when guns can ’ t be shipped to individual people ’ s homes .
You see , when people buy guns from out of state , they have to go to an FFL holder .
That usually means @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the return address might be a gun store or firearm manufacturer and the recipient is a gun store , the bad guys have a pretty good idea of what ’ s in the box .
They know it ’ s probably a firearm , especially if it ’ s over a certain weight .
But if those guns were shipped to someone ’ s home , that wouldn ’ t be the case .
Then there ’ s an element of doubt in the bad guys ’ minds .
It might stop some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gets creative with their name somehow .
Until we can have guns shipped directly to our house , though , we ’ re likely to see plenty more of these kinds of things .
Luckily , they ’ re still fairly rare , but only because most people who are inclined to steal like this get caught stealing long before they can get in a position to pull this kind of crap .
They ’ ll fail the background check and not get the job .
Yet some make it through , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guns end up on the black market .
Plus , they deprive law-abiding gun owners of the firearms they purchased by have never even gotten the chance to shoot .
That makes it just that much worse , in my opinion .
Luckily , we have an idea how to curb this .
Sure , background checks by companies like UPS help , but maybe some tougher sentencing will do the trick .
I mean , this guy got 42 years for his gun thefts .
Lower the boom like that a few @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see this kind of thing come to an abrupt halt .

Guns have to be shipped all over the country. You either buy them from somewhere else and ship them to your FFL or your gun store buys them and has them shipped to their store. Either way, they have to go on a truck.
For many guns, that means using a commercial carrier like UPS or FedEx.
Unfortunately, it seems that such a method isn’t the most secure.
The Lexington County Sheriff’s Department has arrested five UPS employees, alleging they stole guns from packages at the company’s West Columbia hub. Byron Burke, 19, Jalen Green, 19, Dishon Kinney, 18, Kenyon Peters, 18, and Tre’von Williams, 19, have all been charged with breach of trust, with the value of the allegedly stolen weapons valued at more than $2,000 and less than $10,000. Kinney and Peters also have been charged with criminal conspiracy, according to the sheriff’s department.
Now, I’m not going to dog on UPS. They’re not responsible for the illegal acts of their employees and there’s no reason to believe there was anything in those employees’ backgrounds to suggest they shouldn’t have been hired.
It’s a case of “stuff happens.”
Unfortunately, any guns stolen in this manner simply end up in the black market.
Yet, I’ll also point out that this is going to happen when guns can’t be shipped to individual people’s homes.
You see, when people buy guns from out of state, they have to go to an FFL holder. That usually means a gun store. So, when the return address might be a gun store or firearm manufacturer and the recipient is a gun store, the bad guys have a pretty good idea of what’s in the box. They know it’s probably a firearm, especially if it’s over a certain weight.
But if those guns were shipped to someone’s home, that wouldn’t be the case. Then there’s an element of doubt in the bad guys’ minds. It might stop some of this, especially if the shipper gets creative with their name somehow.
Until we can have guns shipped directly to our house, though, we’re likely to see plenty more of these kinds of things. Luckily, they’re still fairly rare, but only because most people who are inclined to steal like this get caught stealing long before they can get in a position to pull this kind of crap. They’ll fail the background check and not get the job.
Yet some make it through, and that’s yet another way these guns end up on the black market. Plus, they deprive law-abiding gun owners of the firearms they purchased by have never even gotten the chance to shoot. That makes it just that much worse, in my opinion.
Luckily, we have an idea how to curb this. Sure, background checks by companies like UPS help, but maybe some tougher sentencing will do the trick. I mean, this guy got 42 years for his gun thefts. Lower the boom like that a few thousand more times and you’ll see this kind of thing come to an abrupt halt.


bearingarms--2020-07-23--Austin Tong's Fight For His First And Second Amendment Freedoms

The other day I wrote about Austin Tong , the Fordham University student who ’ s been accused of a hate crime by his college for a pair of Instagram posts ; one a picture of retired St. Louis police detective David Dorn , who was murdered during the looting and rioting in St. Louis , with the caption “ Y ’ all a bunch of hypocrites and a second picture of Tong himself posted on the anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre showing off his new AR-15 with the hashtag # DontTreadOnMe and # 198964 , the date the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that second photo , Tong was attacked online by classmates , and within hours several members of the school ’ s security team had paid a visit to Tong ’ s home .
As Tong explains on today ’ s Bearing Arms ’ Cam & Co , that was just the beginning of his troubles .
Fordham University quickly declared that Tong ’ s social media posts violated university regulations on bias and/or hate crimes , as well as threatening or intimidating behavior , and told him that he couldn ’ t resume @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attended “ implicit bias training.
” Tong followed up his photo with the AR-15 with a comment in which he explained that the post : “ is my appreciation toward the United States and the privilege in this country to have the right to bear arms , to have a populace that can defend itself from tyranny .
Tiananmen Incident is a huge deal in my motherland and to my ethnicity , and so is civil rights in America , but this post is solely my belief that freedom comes from a strong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ citizen should not be tolerated , and the Second Amendment protects us from that .
Despite that explanation , administration officials declared Tong guilt without even a trial or a chance to defend himself .
Tong also says he was attacked by his fellow students , some of whom he ’ d considered friends , even after he offered up his reasoning behind the photo .
The irony isn ’ t lost on Tong that his family , who came to the United States in large part to escape Communist authoritarianism , now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of totalitarianism from the administration and student body of the Catholic university .
Thankfully , Austin Tong isn ’ t rolling over or bending the knee .
He tells Bearing Arms that he ’ s found a legal team to purse a lawsuit against the university , and he plans on filing suit shortly to clear his name .
It ’ s a sign of the malignant narcissism on display on the Left these days that a student who ’ s actually lived under Communism can be subjected to disciplinary measures for expressing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beyond the outright attacks on Tong , the comment sections of both Instagram posts are full of Fordham students gleefully scolding Tong for his point of view .
That was one of the comments under the photo of David Dorn , which Tong says he posted after the retired police officer ’ s death when he realized that the murder simply wasn ’ t being discussed by many Black Lives Matter activists .
He ’ s right , as the reply to his post shows .
No mention of Dorn himself , just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ focusing on “ the issues at hand.
” To see the university take the side of the Red Guards on campus isn ’ t necessarily surprising , but it ’ s still absolutely shameful .
Universities are supposed to be places where students can be exposed to all kinds of ideas that they may disagree with , but Fordham seems to value rigid conformity over freedom of speech and expression .
I wish Austin Tong the best in his legal fight , which may face steep odds given the fact that Fordham is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fight must be made , and Fordham University has found itself on the wrong side of the First Amendment as recently as last year , when the New York Supreme Court ruled that the school had violated the rights of several students who wanted to organize a pro-Palestinian club on campus .
If those students have a right to form a club , then surely Austin Tong has the right to post a non-threatening photo on his private Instagram account showing him exercising his constitutionally protected right to bear arms .
Be sure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including Austin ’ s advice for others who may find themselves in similar situations , as well as his reaction to the outpouring of support that he ’ s received since his story first garnered national attention .

The other day I wrote about Austin Tong, the Fordham University student who’s been accused of a hate crime by his college for a pair of Instagram posts; one a picture of retired St. Louis police detective David Dorn, who was murdered during the looting and rioting in St. Louis, with the caption “Y’all a bunch of hypocrites and a second picture of Tong himself posted on the anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre showing off his new AR-15 with the hashtag #DontTreadOnMe and #198964, the date the massacre took place. Soon after posting that second photo, Tong was attacked online by classmates, and within hours several members of the school’s security team had paid a visit to Tong’s home.
As Tong explains on today’s Bearing Arms’ Cam & Co, that was just the beginning of his troubles. Fordham University quickly declared that Tong’s social media posts violated university regulations on bias and/or hate crimes, as well as threatening or intimidating behavior, and told him that he couldn’t resume classes, even online, until he attended “implicit bias training.”
Tong followed up his photo with the AR-15 with a comment in which he explained that the post:
“is my appreciation toward the United States and the privilege in this country to have the right to bear arms, to have a populace that can defend itself from tyranny. Tiananmen Incident is a huge deal in my motherland and to my ethnicity, and so is civil rights in America, but this post is solely my belief that freedom comes from a strong and armed populace. Violence against any citizen should not be tolerated, and the Second Amendment protects us from that.
Despite that explanation, administration officials declared Tong guilt without even a trial or a chance to defend himself. Tong also says he was attacked by his fellow students, some of whom he’d considered friends, even after he offered up his reasoning behind the photo.
The irony isn’t lost on Tong that his family, who came to the United States in large part to escape Communist authoritarianism, now finds himself subjected to that same type of totalitarianism from the administration and student body of the Catholic university. Thankfully, Austin Tong isn’t rolling over or bending the knee. He tells Bearing Arms that he’s found a legal team to purse a lawsuit against the university, and he plans on filing suit shortly to clear his name.
It’s a sign of the malignant narcissism on display on the Left these days that a student who’s actually lived under Communism can be subjected to disciplinary measures for expressing the “wrong” opinion. Even beyond the outright attacks on Tong, the comment sections of both Instagram posts are full of Fordham students gleefully scolding Tong for his point of view.
“Austin, I am extremely disappointed that you are actively utilizing your platform to invalidate the BLM movement rather than using your time to facilitate conversations about the issues at hand/trying to raise awareness”
That was one of the comments under the photo of David Dorn, which Tong says he posted after the retired police officer’s death when he realized that the murder simply wasn’t being discussed by many Black Lives Matter activists. He’s right, as the reply to his post shows. No mention of Dorn himself, just an attempt to shame Tong for not focusing on “the issues at hand.” To see the university take the side of the Red Guards on campus isn’t necessarily surprising, but it’s still absolutely shameful. Universities are supposed to be places where students can be exposed to all kinds of ideas that they may disagree with, but Fordham seems to value rigid conformity over freedom of speech and expression.
I wish Austin Tong the best in his legal fight, which may face steep odds given the fact that Fordham is a private university. Still, the fight must be made, and Fordham University has found itself on the wrong side of the First Amendment as recently as last year, when the New York Supreme Court ruled that the school had violated the rights of several students who wanted to organize a pro-Palestinian club on campus. If those students have a right to form a club, then surely Austin Tong has the right to post a non-threatening photo on his private Instagram account showing him exercising his constitutionally protected right to bear arms.
Be sure to check out the entire interview above, including Austin’s advice for others who may find themselves in similar situations, as well as his reaction to the outpouring of support that he’s received since his story first garnered national attention.