bearingarms--2020-01-21--SHOT Show 2020 Kicks Off With Big Crowds And Industry Expectations

The annual Shooting , Hunting , Outdoors Trade Show is officially underway in Las Vegas .
The trade convention attracts close to 60,000 individuals each year , and this year once again features big crowds and lots of new products on display .
SHOT Show isn ’ t open to the public .
Instead , it ’ s an industry trade show , where manufacturers of all kinds of shooting , hunting , and outdoors products get to meet and mingle with distributors , retailers , and the outdoors and gun-related media .
I ’ ve had a number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what ’ s going on in Virginia , particularly in terms of the Second Amendment activism that ’ s been taking place in response to Gov .
Ralph Northam ’ s gun control bills .
The industry itself has experience with responding to various gun bans with state-compliant models , from California to New Jersey , but we ’ re starting to see gun control advocates push bans with much broader language .
Gun control advocates are also increasingly introducing bills banning the continued possession of the most commonly owned magazines in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their way , the vast majority of the firearms and accessories on display throughout five levels of the Sands Convention Center would be banned for civilian use .
Right now , SHOT is one of the biggest conventions in Las Vegas , but anti-gun activists would love to shrink it down until you could fit it into a Smart Car .
Over the next few days , I ’ ll do my best to visit as many different booths as possible , but it ’ s ludicrous to attempt to comprehensively cover every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Instead , I plan on focusing my coverage not only on the interesting and unique items that catch my eye , but on the mindset within industry as we head into another critically important election year .
Will gun sales spike in 2020 as they did in during the last presidential election in 2016 ?
What lessons has the industry learned since then ?
Are they concerned about another so-called “ Trump slump ” in sales if the president wins re-election ?
Are they more concerned about what happens to the industry if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ running actually wins the White House ?
How involved will the industry and individual companies be in terms of trying to get their customers politically active and engaged ?
With anti-gun CEO ’ s like Dick ’ s Sporting Goods ’ Ed Stack using their companies to promote gun control , does the industry feel any pressure to respond in kind ?
Based on the few brief conversations I ’ ve had Tuesday morning , I do think that there ’ s an expectation that 2020 will be a strong year for gun @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the anti-gun rhetoric and policy plans of Democrats running for president .
I ’ ve also not met anyone who told me that they ’ re more concerned about another “ Trump slump ” in sales than they are about the prospect of Democratic control of the executive and legislative branches in Washington , D.C. As far as cool and unique products , the SMG 45 from LWRC caught my eye immediately as I walked by this morning .
David Golladay , the marketing director for LWRC , says the company currently has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even with a price point of $ 2,995 .
Golladay says gun owners have been increasingly interested in AR-pistols and pistol caliber carbines in recent years as they look for a sweet spot between longer-range AR rifles and handguns .
I ’ m sad I missed out on a chance to shoot one at SHOT Show ’ s Range Day on Monday , but honestly , I wouldn ’ t have traded my experience in Richmond at Lobby Day for the world .
Hopefully I ’ ll get some range time with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but right now I ’ m heading back out on to the convention floor to explore more of this year ’ s SHOT Show .

The annual Shooting, Hunting, Outdoors Trade Show is officially underway in Las Vegas. The trade convention attracts close to 60,000 individuals each year, and this year once again features big crowds and lots of new products on display.
SHOT Show isn’t open to the public. Instead, it’s an industry trade show, where manufacturers of all kinds of shooting, hunting, and outdoors products get to meet and mingle with distributors, retailers, and the outdoors and gun-related media.
I’ve had a number of individuals within the industry ask me about what’s going on in Virginia, particularly in terms of the Second Amendment activism that’s been taking place in response to Gov. Ralph Northam’s gun control bills. The industry itself has experience with responding to various gun bans with state-compliant models, from California to New Jersey, but we’re starting to see gun control advocates push bans with much broader language. Gun control advocates are also increasingly introducing bills banning the continued possession of the most commonly owned magazines in the nation.
If gun control advocates get their way, the vast majority of the firearms and accessories on display throughout five levels of the Sands Convention Center would be banned for civilian use. Right now, SHOT is one of the biggest conventions in Las Vegas, but anti-gun activists would love to shrink it down until you could fit it into a Smart Car.
Over the next few days, I’ll do my best to visit as many different booths as possible, but it’s ludicrous to attempt to comprehensively cover every company exhibiting their wares at SHOT. Instead, I plan on focusing my coverage not only on the interesting and unique items that catch my eye, but on the mindset within industry as we head into another critically important election year.
Will gun sales spike in 2020 as they did in during the last presidential election in 2016? What lessons has the industry learned since then? Are they concerned about another so-called “Trump slump” in sales if the president wins re-election? Are they more concerned about what happens to the industry if any of the current crop of Democrats running actually wins the White House? How involved will the industry and individual companies be in terms of trying to get their customers politically active and engaged? With anti-gun CEO’s like Dick’s Sporting Goods’ Ed Stack using their companies to promote gun control, does the industry feel any pressure to respond in kind?
Based on the few brief conversations I’ve had Tuesday morning, I do think that there’s an expectation that 2020 will be a strong year for gun sales, driven in large part by the anti-gun rhetoric and policy plans of Democrats running for president. I’ve also not met anyone who told me that they’re more concerned about another “Trump slump” in sales than they are about the prospect of Democratic control of the executive and legislative branches in Washington, D.C.
As far as cool and unique products, the SMG 45 from LWRC caught my eye immediately as I walked by this morning.
David Golladay, the marketing director for LWRC, says the company currently has a backorder of about 1,500 firearms, even with a price point of $2,995. Golladay says gun owners have been increasingly interested in AR-pistols and pistol caliber carbines in recent years as they look for a sweet spot between longer-range AR rifles and handguns. I’m sad I missed out on a chance to shoot one at SHOT Show’s Range Day on Monday, but honestly, I wouldn’t have traded my experience in Richmond at Lobby Day for the world. Hopefully I’ll get some range time with the SMG 45 in the near future, but right now I’m heading back out on to the convention floor to explore more of this year’s SHOT Show.


bearingarms--2020-01-21--YouTube Cut Live Feeds From Richmond

YouTube Cut Live Feeds From Richmond

In recent years , YouTube has made it very clear that they ’ re not fans of the Second Amendment .
They continue to restrict gun-related content to the point that some YouTubers aren ’ t even talking about guns anymore simply because their channels can ’ t survive being throttled by the social media company .
However , one would expect that news coverage of a gun-rights rally would be exempt from this throttling .
After all , it ’ s news , right ?
Well , it seems that YouTube doesn ’ t really care for news either @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flocked to the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond on Monday , YouTube livestreams of the protest started freezing or getting flat-out removed from the video platform .
“ This video has been removed for violating YouTube ’ s community guidelines , ” YouTube explained after taking down live coverage of the gun rights rally from WUSA9 , a news channel in the Washington , D.C. area .
The WUSA9 coverage repeatedly stopped and then resumed , with this message repeating every time the video stopped .
The same phenomenon seemed to happen with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a livestream may pause for any number of reasons — bad internet connection and buffering , for example — the WUSA9 video paused before YouTube took it down .
The reason for this ?
YouTube policy , apparently .
As our friends at our sister site PJ Media notes : The social media site has adopted a broad policy against firearms promotion .
“ Content intended to sell firearms , instruct viewers on how to make firearms , ammunition , and certain accessories , or instruct viewers on how to install those accessories @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the policy states .
“ YouTube also doesn ’ t allow live streams that show someone holding , handling , or transporting a firearm.
” Examples of forbidden content include “ Live streams that feature someone holding or handling a firearm , regardless of whether or not they are firing it .
Note : this does not include firearms in video games.
” In fact , YouTube has also announced it will ban “ Live streams that feature someone transporting firearms from place to place , such as by carrying them or traveling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or other vehicle .
Note : this does not include firearms in video games.
” Well , that seems a little extreme , doesn ’ t it ?
However , YouTube confirmed to PJ Media that this was precisely why they cut the livestreams .
This is a problem , though .
YouTube damn near has a monopoly on video hosting , meaning it ’ s the only way many people can share what ’ s happening on the ground .
It was news , and YouTube throttled it because someone was walking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get why YouTube has a lot of its policy on gun content .
They don ’ t want to be hammered if some maniac built a gun using a video they saw on the platform .
I get that .
I disagree , but I can see where that comes from .
But live-streaming a newsworthy event is something else entirely .
YouTube needs to take a step back and recognize that all they ’ re doing is neutering itself in the face of the revolution in news they themselves helped to create @

In recent years, YouTube has made it very clear that they’re not fans of the Second Amendment. They continue to restrict gun-related content to the point that some YouTubers aren’t even talking about guns anymore simply because their channels can’t survive being throttled by the social media company.
However, one would expect that news coverage of a gun-rights rally would be exempt from this throttling. After all, it’s news, right?
Well, it seems that YouTube doesn’t really care for news either.
As thousands of Second Amendment protesters flocked to the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond on Monday, YouTube livestreams of the protest started freezing or getting flat-out removed from the video platform. “This video has been removed for violating YouTube’s community guidelines,” YouTube explained after taking down live coverage of the gun rights rally from WUSA9, a news channel in the Washington, D.C. area. The WUSA9 coverage repeatedly stopped and then resumed, with this message repeating every time the video stopped. The same phenomenon seemed to happen with many livestreams of the event. While a livestream may pause for any number of reasons — bad internet connection and buffering, for example — the WUSA9 video paused before YouTube took it down.
The reason for this? YouTube policy, apparently.
As our friends at our sister site PJ Media notes:
The social media site has adopted a broad policy against firearms promotion. “Content intended to sell firearms, instruct viewers on how to make firearms, ammunition, and certain accessories, or instruct viewers on how to install those accessories is not allowed on YouTube,” the policy states. “YouTube also doesn’t allow live streams that show someone holding, handling, or transporting a firearm.” Examples of forbidden content include “Live streams that feature someone holding or handling a firearm, regardless of whether or not they are firing it. Note: this does not include firearms in video games.” In fact, YouTube has also announced it will ban “Live streams that feature someone transporting firearms from place to place, such as by carrying them or traveling with them by car, truck, or other vehicle. Note: this does not include firearms in video games.”
Well, that seems a little extreme, doesn’t it?
However, YouTube confirmed to PJ Media that this was precisely why they cut the livestreams.
This is a problem, though. YouTube damn near has a monopoly on video hosting, meaning it’s the only way many people can share what’s happening on the ground.
It was news, and YouTube throttled it because someone was walking with a firearm.
Look, I get why YouTube has a lot of its policy on gun content. They don’t want to be hammered if some maniac built a gun using a video they saw on the platform. I get that. I disagree, but I can see where that comes from.
But live-streaming a newsworthy event is something else entirely. YouTube needs to take a step back and recognize that all they’re doing is neutering itself in the face of the revolution in news they themselves helped to create.


bearingarms--2020-01-21--A Lobby Day Wrapup and SHOT Show Preview

I ’ m in Las Vegas for the 2020 SHOT Show , but I spend a good part of today ’ s program looking back on Monday ’ s Lobby Day at the state capitol in Richmond , Virginia .
I ’ m joined by Stephen Gutowski of the Washington Free Beacon , who was also in Richmond for Monday ’ s incredible show of support for the Second Amendment .
Stephen and I talk about what and who we saw there in Richmond , as well as where the Second Amendment Sanctuary movement goes from here .
One of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up on yesterday was the optimism of the crowd on hand .
This wasn ’ t an angry mob , despite their resolve to oppose Ralph Northam ’ s gun control agenda and the disrespect with which many Democrat lawmakers have treated them .
I believe one reason we saw such a positive atmosphere is because this was the first time many of these Virginians have had a chance to meet their fellow 2nd Amendment supporters , at least beyond their county supervisors or city council meetings .
There was and is genuine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are creating , and I think the excitement and energy is spreading to other states as well .
Also on today ’ s show you ’ ll also get Gutowski ’ s take on the Las Vegas Strip at 7 a.m. , industry expectations for 2020 , and more , so be sure to watch the entire interview .
I ’ ll be doing Bearing Arms ’ Cam & Co. from SHOT Show the rest of the week , and we ’ ll have lots of coverage here at Bearing Arms as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ subscribe to the show at Apple Podcasts , Spotify , Stitcher , and Townhall.com ’ s podcast page .
Thanks as always for watching , listening , and spreading the word !
Cam Edwards has covered the 2nd Amendment for more than 15 years as a broadcast and online journalist , as well as the co-author of `` Heavy Lifting : Grow Up , Get a Job , Start a Family , and Other Manly Advice '' with Jim Geraghty .
He lives outside of Farmville , Virginia with his family .
https @ @

I’m in Las Vegas for the 2020 SHOT Show, but I spend a good part of today’s program looking back on Monday’s Lobby Day at the state capitol in Richmond, Virginia. I’m joined by Stephen Gutowski of the Washington Free Beacon, who was also in Richmond for Monday’s incredible show of support for the Second Amendment.
Stephen and I talk about what and who we saw there in Richmond, as well as where the Second Amendment Sanctuary movement goes from here.
One of the things both Stephen and I picked up on yesterday was the optimism of the crowd on hand. This wasn’t an angry mob, despite their resolve to oppose Ralph Northam’s gun control agenda and the disrespect with which many Democrat lawmakers have treated them. I believe one reason we saw such a positive atmosphere is because this was the first time many of these Virginians have had a chance to meet their fellow 2nd Amendment supporters, at least beyond their county supervisors or city council meetings. There was and is genuine excitement surrounding the movement that these Virginians are creating, and I think the excitement and energy is spreading to other states as well.
Also on today’s show you’ll also get Gutowski’s take on the Las Vegas Strip at 7 a.m., industry expectations for 2020, and more, so be sure to watch the entire interview. I’ll be doing Bearing Arms’ Cam & Co. from SHOT Show the rest of the week, and we’ll have lots of coverage here at Bearing Arms as well.
Don’t forget you can subscribe to the show at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and Townhall.com’s podcast page. Thanks as always for watching, listening, and spreading the word!


bearingarms--2020-01-21--MI Gun Rights Protesters Stand "In Solidarity" With Virginians

In the world of guns and gun control , all eyes seemed focused on Richmond .
That ’ s understandable , of course , as gun rights advocates from across the state flooded the streets of Richmond in an effort to make their voices heard .
An estimated 20,000 or more showed up for a peaceful protest and , when it was over , went home hopeful that lawmakers heard them .
However , they weren ’ t alone .
While battle between the two sides raged on places like Twitter , a group of gun rights supporters in Michigan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gun rights supporters rallied on the steps of the state Capitol building in solidarity with Virginia , as a lineup of speakers warned the heavily-armed crowd that the gun control measures proposed in that state could happen in Michigan , too .
“ They could literally be at our doorstep tomorrow here in Michigan with those same bills , ” said DeeDee Dubose , one of the event ’ s organizers from Jackson .
“ That ’ s why we ’ re here to stand with Virginia , and our people saying , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ’ s not right.
’ ” There ’ s a strong sense in this community of activists ( both those who showed up in Lansing and those who are part of the online group that organized the event , Michigan for 2A Sanctuary Counties ) that they ’ re under siege , and that they ’ re the last line of defense for these individual freedoms .
Lawmakers , however , weren ’ t there to see the rally , because the Capitol was closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the news !
” one man shouted , when Dubose mentioned that during her speech .
Reading this story , I couldn ’ t help but wonder what would happen if every state capital got flooded with thousands upon thousands of gun rights supporters similar to Richmond .
What if we all mobilized and showed lawmakers that no , we ’ re not interested in compromising our rights any further .
Anyone else remember the Tax Day Tea Parties ?
Regardless , I applaud these gun rights supporters for doing more than I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Twitter , but these people braved the cold to make their voices heard .
Regardless of whether lawmakers were there or not , they still spoke and that was the whole point .
They called out for justice and the preservation of our rights .
In this day and age , those they wanted to hear them didn ’ t need to be physically present .
They could hear them just fine .
Of course , much like Richmond , we know they heard them , but will anyone bother to listen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but as we all know , that ’ s not a slam dunk on anything at all .
Rights are always in peril , if not at the state level then at the federal .
By speaking out , these folks made sure everyone knew where they stood .
That ’ s something we all should do .
Never let them think that taking your rights is something you ’ re not going to get worked up over .
Make sure they know quite well that you view all your rights as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there ’ s minimal direct threat to them .

In the world of guns and gun control, all eyes seemed focused on Richmond. That’s understandable, of course, as gun rights advocates from across the state flooded the streets of Richmond in an effort to make their voices heard. An estimated 20,000 or more showed up for a peaceful protest and, when it was over, went home hopeful that lawmakers heard them.
However, they weren’t alone.
While battle between the two sides raged on places like Twitter, a group of gun rights supporters in Michigan did a little more.
About 100 gun rights supporters rallied on the steps of the state Capitol building in solidarity with Virginia, as a lineup of speakers warned the heavily-armed crowd that the gun control measures proposed in that state could happen in Michigan, too. “They could literally be at our doorstep tomorrow here in Michigan with those same bills,” said DeeDee Dubose, one of the event’s organizers from Jackson. “That’s why we’re here to stand with Virginia, and our people saying, ‘No, no, no, that’s not right.’” There’s a strong sense in this community of activists (both those who showed up in Lansing and those who are part of the online group that organized the event, Michigan for 2A Sanctuary Counties) that they’re under siege, and that they’re the last line of defense for these individual freedoms. … Lawmakers, however, weren’t there to see the rally, because the Capitol was closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. “They’ll see it on the news!” one man shouted, when Dubose mentioned that during her speech.
Honestly, that was great.
Reading this story, I couldn’t help but wonder what would happen if every state capital got flooded with thousands upon thousands of gun rights supporters similar to Richmond. What if we all mobilized and showed lawmakers that no, we’re not interested in compromising our rights any further.
Anyone else remember the Tax Day Tea Parties?
Regardless, I applaud these gun rights supporters for doing more than I did. I slapped around stupid people on Twitter, but these people braved the cold to make their voices heard. Regardless of whether lawmakers were there or not, they still spoke and that was the whole point. They called out for justice and the preservation of our rights.
In this day and age, those they wanted to hear them didn’t need to be physically present. They could hear them just fine.
Of course, much like Richmond, we know they heard them, but will anyone bother to listen?
Luckily, Michigan is predominately Republican, but as we all know, that’s not a slam dunk on anything at all. Rights are always in peril, if not at the state level then at the federal. By speaking out, these folks made sure everyone knew where they stood. That’s something we all should do.
Never let them think that taking your rights is something you’re not going to get worked up over. Make sure they know quite well that you view all your rights as passionately as humanly possible.
Even if there’s minimal direct threat to them.


bearingarms--2020-01-21--VA Democrats Vow To Ignore Voices Of Richmond Ralliers

If 20,000+ people show up to tell you what they think , that ’ s usually a sign you should probably at least consider listening .
That ’ s especially true when they ’ re calling for you to respect their rights .
That ’ s about how many people showed up in Richmond , a powerful reminder that Virginians aren ’ t united behind this anti-gun nonsense .
However , despite the massive numbers that showed up , Democrats in the state have vowed to basically ignore them .
But Democratic lawmakers — including House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ AP the rally wouldn ’ t impact their plans to pass gun-control measures , including universal background checks and a one-handgun-purchase-a-month limit .
Democrats say tightening Virginia ’ s gun laws will make communities safer and help prevent mass shootings like the one last year in Virginia Beach , where a dozen people were killed in a municipal building .
“ I was prepared to see a whole lot more people show up than actually did and I think it ’ s an indication that a lot of this rhetoric is bluster , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chris Hurst , a gun-control advocate whose TV journalist girlfriend was killed in an on-air shooting in 2015 .
He expected to see more than 20,000 people ?
What these Democrats are saying is that they don ’ t actually care about your voice , about your rights .
They ’ re going to trample on them and they really don ’ t care what you have to say about it .
Luckily , the way Virginia ’ s elections laws are currently structured puts the House of Delegates up for reelection in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election as it ’ ll also be a gubernatorial election .
In other words , all it takes is holding ground for a year or two and we can then undo all of this .
However , Democrats are also trying to change a number of laws regarding elections in the state , including extending the governor ’ s term and eliminating gubernatorial term limits .
Those are likely to be hard sells , even with a complete majority by Democrats .
Changes like that aren ’ t likely to play well in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some lawmakers will likely be hesitant to go down that road .
That means in 2021 , Virginia may begin the process of returning to sanity .
If that happens , Democrats will only have themselves to blame .
Most of the counties in the state have made their intentions to ignore gun control legislation quite clear , 20,000 Virginians showed up to make their voices heard , and people are sending every signal they can to lawmakers not to infringe on their constitutionally-protected rights .
If Democrat continue pushing this , what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ For gun rights supporters , though , it means it ’ s time to dig in and get ready for 2021 .
Organize , rally , and educate .
Make sure people understand that gun rights are human rights , that gun control doesn ’ t work anyway , and it ’ s time to stop pretending that guns are the problem when the real solutions are still out there .
Do that over the next couple of years and watch the process of flipping back red begin .

If 20,000+ people show up to tell you what they think, that’s usually a sign you should probably at least consider listening. That’s especially true when they’re calling for you to respect their rights.
That’s about how many people showed up in Richmond, a powerful reminder that Virginians aren’t united behind this anti-gun nonsense.
However, despite the massive numbers that showed up, Democrats in the state have vowed to basically ignore them.
But Democratic — including House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn and Senate Majority Leader Dick Saslaw — told AP the rally wouldn’t impact their plans to , including universal background checks and a one-handgun-purchase-a-month limit. Democrats say tightening Virginia’s gun laws will make communities safer and help prevent mass shootings like the one last year in Virginia Beach, where a dozen people were killed in a municipal building. … “I was prepared to see a whole lot more people show up than actually did and I think it’s an indication that a lot of this rhetoric is bluster, quite frankly,” said Del. Chris Hurst, a gun-control advocate whose TV journalist girlfriend was killed in an on-air shooting in 2015.
He expected to see more than 20,000 people?
Oh, I doubt that.
What these Democrats are saying is that they don’t actually care about your voice, about your rights. They’re going to trample on them and they really don’t care what you have to say about it.
Luckily, the way Virginia’s elections laws are currently structured puts the House of Delegates up for reelection in 2021. That will be a critical election as it’ll also be a gubernatorial election.
In other words, all it takes is holding ground for a year or two and we can then undo all of this.
However, Democrats are also trying to change a number of laws regarding elections in the state, including extending the governor’s term and eliminating gubernatorial term limits. Those are likely to be hard sells, even with a complete majority by Democrats. Changes like that aren’t likely to play well in the immediate aftermath of a takeover and some lawmakers will likely be hesitant to go down that road.
That means in 2021, Virginia may begin the process of returning to sanity.
If that happens, Democrats will only have themselves to blame. Most of the counties in the state have made their intentions to ignore gun control legislation quite clear, 20,000 Virginians showed up to make their voices heard, and people are sending every signal they can to lawmakers not to infringe on their constitutionally-protected rights. If Democrat continue pushing this, what happens next will be on them.
For gun rights supporters, though, it means it’s time to dig in and get ready for 2021. Organize, rally, and educate. Make sure people understand that gun rights are human rights, that gun control doesn’t work anyway, and it’s time to stop pretending that guns are the problem when the real solutions are still out there.
Do that over the next couple of years and watch the process of flipping back red begin.


bearingarms--2020-01-21--Gun Control Group's New Report Undercuts Their Own Agenda

A new report out by the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence suggests that mistrust of police is a major driver of violent crime , and their conclusions don ’ t bode well for the types of gun control laws that Giffords and other groups want to impose on the American people .
In many American communities , acts of police brutality , over-enforcement targeting small infractions and high numbers of unsolved shootings and homicides have eroded trust , making residents less likely to place their trust in law enforcement and more likely to seek vigilante justice , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ missed the fact that if people can ’ t count on help from the state and its agents , they ’ re going to take care of themselves , ” says David Kennedy , the director of the National Network for Safe Communities , a violence reduction research center , whose work is referenced throughout the report .
“ Sometimes taking care of yourself looks like day-to-day gun violence.
” The claim by Giffords is nothing groundbreaking .
In fact , Jill Leovy ’ s 2015 book Ghettoside : A True Story of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of how that mistrust of police plays out in high crime neighborhoods in Los Angeles .
Ironically though , the Giffords researchers seem to have missed one obvious conclusion : over-enforcement for small infractions includes over-enforcement of their preferred gun control laws .
In New York State , for instance , the vast majority of SAFE Act prosecutions are for crimes that were previously misdemeanors , but are now felonies , like simply possessing a gun without a license .
In fact , as the Democrat & Chronicle newspaper reported back in 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SAFE Act charges were for simple possessory offenses .
Ari Freilich of Giffords says that the mistrust of police leads to a lack of cooperation among witnesses , which makes it harder to solve homicides .
“ We hear about disproportionate impact and it ’ s important to speak clearly about how that ’ s a racial injustice , ” says Ari Freilich , a lead author of the report and policy director at Giffords .
“ That number would be unheard of in every high-income country in the world.
” Most homicides @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the population , often known to law enforcement .
Street groups involved in violence constitute on average less than 0.6 % of a city ’ s population , with an even smaller percentage of that group actually perpetrating violent crimes .
And yet in communities across the country , including some of those hardest hit by gun violence , researchers documented a concerning combination of distrust in law enforcement , underreporting of crimes , declines in witness cooperation and engagement with officers , less informed policing , unsolved murders and spikes in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is that enforcement of his preferred gun control laws is helping to fuel that distrust in law enforcement .
If police are seen as putting a higher priority on arrests for things like possessing a gun without a license , violating “ high capacity ” magazine bans , and other possessory crimes instead of putting an emphasis on solving murders and focusing on the most violent offenders , it only fosters the narrative that law enforcement is simply looking to create statistics , not solve crimes .
No kidding ?
And what do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Seems to me that treat whole communities as part of the problem rather than victims , witnesses , and the solution to violence .
In fact , it ’ s a fundamental part of the gun control movement to see ALL gun owners as a problem , which is why their proposed policy solutions inevitably target legal gun owners with new restrictions .
If Giffords stands by this report , they absolutely need to re-evaluate their entire agenda , because its hurting , not helping , the cause of increasing trust and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they serve .
For some reason though , I don ’ t see that happening any time soon .

A new report out by the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence suggests that mistrust of police is a major driver of violent crime, and their conclusions don’t bode well for the types of gun control laws that Giffords and other groups want to impose on the American people.
From The Guardian:
In many American communities, acts of police brutality, over-enforcement targeting small infractions and high numbers of unsolved shootings and homicides have eroded trust, making residents less likely to place their trust in law enforcement and more likely to seek vigilante justice, the researchers note. “Everybody has largely missed the fact that if people can’t count on help from the state and its agents, they’re going to take care of themselves,” says David Kennedy, the director of the National Network for Safe Communities, a violence reduction research center, whose work is referenced throughout the report. “Sometimes taking care of yourself looks like day-to-day gun violence.”
The claim by Giffords is nothing groundbreaking. In fact, Jill Leovy’s 2015 book Ghettoside: A True Story of Murder In America is a vivid portrayal of how that mistrust of police plays out in high crime neighborhoods in Los Angeles.
Ironically though, the Giffords researchers seem to have missed one obvious conclusion: over-enforcement for small infractions includes over-enforcement of their preferred gun control laws. In New York State, for instance, the vast majority of SAFE Act prosecutions are for crimes that were previously misdemeanors, but are now felonies, like simply possessing a gun without a license. In fact, as the Democrat & Chronicle newspaper reported back in 2016, more than 80% of all SAFE Act charges were for simple possessory offenses.
Ari Freilich of Giffords says that the mistrust of police leads to a lack of cooperation among witnesses, which makes it harder to solve homicides.
“We hear about disproportionate impact and it’s important to speak clearly about how that’s a racial injustice,” says Ari Freilich, a lead author of the report and policy director at Giffords. “That number would be unheard of in every high-income country in the world.” Most homicides are perpetrated by a very small percentage of the population, often known to law enforcement. Street groups involved in violence constitute on average less than 0.6% of a city’s population, with an even smaller percentage of that group actually perpetrating violent crimes. And yet in communities across the country, including some of those hardest hit by gun violence, researchers documented a concerning combination of distrust in law enforcement, underreporting of crimes, declines in witness cooperation and engagement with officers, less informed policing, unsolved murders and spikes in violence.
What Freilich fails to acknowledge is that enforcement of his preferred gun control laws is helping to fuel that distrust in law enforcement. If police are seen as putting a higher priority on arrests for things like possessing a gun without a license, violating “high capacity” magazine bans, and other possessory crimes instead of putting an emphasis on solving murders and focusing on the most violent offenders, it only fosters the narrative that law enforcement is simply looking to create statistics, not solve crimes.
“So much of what isn’t working about traditional policing is built on myths and leads to policies that treat whole communities as part of the problem rather than victims, witnesses and the solution to violence,” says Freilich.
No kidding? And what do your gun control laws do, Ari? Seems to me that treat whole communities as part of the problem rather than victims, witnesses, and the solution to violence. In fact, it’s a fundamental part of the gun control movement to see ALL gun owners as a problem, which is why their proposed policy solutions inevitably target legal gun owners with new restrictions.
If Giffords stands by this report, they absolutely need to re-evaluate their entire agenda, because its hurting, not helping, the cause of increasing trust and working relationships between officers and the communities they serve. For some reason though, I don’t see that happening any time soon.


bearingarms--2020-01-21--What I Saw At Lobby Day In Richmond

What I Saw At Lobby Day In Richmond

The 2020 Lobby Day in Richmond , Virginia was an incredible success , with tens of thousands of gun owners showing up at the state capitol on a frigid Monday morning to voice their opposition to Governor Ralph Northam ’ s gun control agenda .
I had no idea what to expect when I woke up Monday morning to head to the capitol , but I figured if we were going to have a good crowd I ’ d better get their early .
I left my hotel in downtown Richmond around 7 a.m. and was immediately struck by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
By the time I reached the Pocahontas Building about a block from the capitol itself , there were already hundreds of individuals lined up to enter the building to lobby their lawmakers .
Hundreds more had already gathered on the closed-off street as well .
Everybody seemed to be in a good mood , despite the freezing cold temperatures .
It struck me that this was a family reunion of sorts ; many of these citizens were and are a part of the Second Amendment Sanctuary movement , and while they may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supervisors meetings , this was the first time that gun owners and 2A supporters from Virginia ’ s 91 Second Amendment Sanctuary counties had ever gathered in one place .
It felt like the culmination of something , but also the start of something else .
I think the first chapter of the Second Amendment Sanctuary movement has now been written , but the next chapter is just starting to unfold .
I saw no signs advocating white supremacy , communism , or any other ism .
There were a few Trump 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set up on the streets outside the capitol , but for the most part this was a very non-partisan event .
There was one item on the agenda for those who braved the cold ; the right to keep and bear arms .
By the time the rally started at 11 a.m. , the streets of downtown Richmond were packed for several blocks .
It was had to get a good idea of just how many people overall were downtown , but clearly it was in the tens of thousands .
Yes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they weren ’ t trying to intimidate lawmakers , though that ’ s what gun control activists are claiming .
It ’ s frankly sad to see lawmakers claim to be intimidated by people who are simply exercising their rights .
Those hearts and minds may not have been changed by the presence of so many law-abiding Virginians exercising their right to peaceably assemble and lobby their lawmakers , but I suspect that there were several state Senators who are thinking long and hard about bills like HB 961 , which would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a felon for keeping the magazines , suppressors , and firearms they currently own .
As I noted the other day , right now there are four Democrats who say they can ’ t support the bill as written , and I don ’ t think today made it any easier for them to do so .
I find it difficult to describe what it felt like to stand at the podium and address the crowd .
First of all , it was nearly impossible to see them because of the crowd of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was easy to hear the Virginians assembled on the capitol lawn and the streets below .
I wanted to spend my time at the podium thanking all of my fellow Virginians who ’ ve been a part of the Second Amendment Sanctuary movement , and to urge them to continue to stay engaged through the legislative and legal fights ahead .
I also hoped to remind gun owners that we have elections coming up in November , and to use this powerful new movement to help elect officials that understand our right to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infringed .
I *think* I remembered to do that .
Honestly , it was kind of a blur .
The peaceful , passionate , and powerful public assembly was everything I hoped it would be .
Organizers feel the same way .
I spoke to Phillip Van Cleave of the Virginia Citizens Defense League Monday afternoon , and he told me that he was “ totally pleased by the turnout and the peacefulness of the rally.
” “ So many absolutely fantastic Americans standing shoulder to shoulder to protect the rights of Virginia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Hopefully with lessons learned here , they ’ ll help protect other states as time goes on.
” The Second Amendment Sanctuary movement didn ’ t begin in Virginia , but it ’ s where the movement has really taken shape and coalesced .
I suspect that Van Cleave is right to think that many of those who came to Virginia for Lobby Day to support their fellow gun owners will be energized as they return home , and will hopefully bring that excitement to their efforts to protect and secure our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A huge thank you to everyone who came out to Lobby Day , and a special thank you to all those who stopped to say hello , shake my hand , let me know how much you enjoy Cam & Co. and pose for selfies with my beard .
It was great to meet you , and I hope it won ’ t be long before our paths cross again .

I had no idea what to expect when I woke up Monday morning to head to the capitol, but I figured if we were going to have a good crowd I’d better get their early. I left my hotel in downtown Richmond around 7 a.m. and was immediately struck by the number of people already on the streets. By the time I reached the Pocahontas Building about a block from the capitol itself, there were already hundreds of individuals lined up to enter the building to lobby their lawmakers. Hundreds more had already gathered on the closed-off street as well.
Everybody seemed to be in a good mood, despite the freezing cold temperatures. It struck me that this was a family reunion of sorts; many of these citizens were and are a part of the Second Amendment Sanctuary movement, and while they may have similar stories of attending their county supervisors meetings, this was the first time that gun owners and 2A supporters from Virginia’s 91 Second Amendment Sanctuary counties had ever gathered in one place. It felt like the culmination of something, but also the start of something else. I think the first chapter of the Second Amendment Sanctuary movement has now been written, but the next chapter is just starting to unfold.
I saw no signs advocating white supremacy, communism, or any other ism. There were a few Trump 2020 flags, and several candidates had tables set up on the streets outside the capitol, but for the most part this was a very non-partisan event. There was one item on the agenda for those who braved the cold; the right to keep and bear arms.
By the time the rally started at 11 a.m., the streets of downtown Richmond were packed for several blocks. It was had to get a good idea of just how many people overall were downtown, but clearly it was in the tens of thousands. Yes, some of them were armed. No, they weren’t trying to intimidate lawmakers, though that’s what gun control activists are claiming. It’s frankly sad to see lawmakers claim to be intimidated by people who are simply exercising their rights.
Those hearts and minds may not have been changed by the presence of so many law-abiding Virginians exercising their right to peaceably assemble and lobby their lawmakers, but I suspect that there were several state Senators who are thinking long and hard about bills like HB 961, which would turn almost every Virginia gun owner into a felon for keeping the magazines, suppressors, and firearms they currently own. As I noted the other day, right now there are four Democrats who say they can’t support the bill as written, and I don’t think today made it any easier for them to do so.
I find it difficult to describe what it felt like to stand at the podium and address the crowd. First of all, it was nearly impossible to see them because of the crowd of photographers and videographers. Thankfully, it was easy to hear the Virginians assembled on the capitol lawn and the streets below.
I wanted to spend my time at the podium thanking all of my fellow Virginians who’ve been a part of the Second Amendment Sanctuary movement, and to urge them to continue to stay engaged through the legislative and legal fights ahead. I also hoped to remind gun owners that we have elections coming up in November, and to use this powerful new movement to help elect officials that understand our right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. I *think* I remembered to do that. Honestly, it was kind of a blur.
The peaceful, passionate, and powerful public assembly was everything I hoped it would be. Organizers feel the same way. I spoke to Phillip Van Cleave of the Virginia Citizens Defense League Monday afternoon, and he told me that he was “totally pleased by the turnout and the peacefulness of the rally.”
“So many absolutely fantastic Americans standing shoulder to shoulder to protect the rights of Virginia gun owners,” he said. “Hopefully with lessons learned here, they’ll help protect other states as time goes on.”
The Second Amendment Sanctuary movement didn’t begin in Virginia, but it’s where the movement has really taken shape and coalesced. I suspect that Van Cleave is right to think that many of those who came to Virginia for Lobby Day to support their fellow gun owners will be energized as they return home, and will hopefully bring that excitement to their efforts to protect and secure our Second Amendment rights in their state.
A huge thank you to everyone who came out to Lobby Day, and a special thank you to all those who stopped to say hello, shake my hand, let me know how much you enjoy Cam & Co. and pose for selfies with my beard. It was great to meet you, and I hope it won’t be long before our paths cross again.


bearingarms--2020-01-21--Virginia Delegate Proposes Limits On Gun Control

Despite yesterday ’ s rally in Richmond going off without a hitch , things are still pretty tense in Virginia .
That ’ s going to happen when someone is trampling on your rights , after all .
While an estimated 20,000 showed up to make their voices heard , there ’ s absolutely no indication that Governor Ralph Northam bothered to listen .
However , before the protests , one Virginia delegate offered a measure that would limit any gun control push in the state .
In response to the governor ’ s declaration , [ Delegate Ronnie ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says any legislation will be considered “ an unlawful infringement on the right of the people to keep and bear arms ” if it : • “ Imposes any tax , fee , or stamp on any firearm , ammunition , or firearm component ; • Requires the registration of any firearm , ammunition , or firearm component ; • Requires any person to register as an owner of a firearm , ammunition , or firearms component ; • Prohibits any person from possessing , using , or transferring a firearm who is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or • Requires any person to surrender his firearm , ammunition , or firearms component who is not prohibited from possessing a firearm.
” Furthermore , the bill states that , “ Any person who knowingly deprives or attempts to deprive another person of such other person ’ s right to keep and bear arms by enforcing any law…shall be liable for an unlawful deprivation of a person ’ s constitutional rights and such injured person shall be entitled to damages , including punitive damages , and in the discretion of the court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the litigation and reasonable attorney fees in an amount to be fixed by the court.
” I ’ m not going to lie , this tickles me in all kinds of ways .
However , I think we all know this isn ’ t going anywhere .
I think Campbell knows it won ’ t go anywhere , either .
The House of Delegates in Virginia won ’ t even take this up , which is almost a shame .
You see , for all their talk about how they ’ re not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are not fans of limits on the gun-grabbing ways .
Yet if they passed Campbell ’ s bill , it would go a long way toward supporting their claim that they ’ re just looking for some “ common-sense solutions ” to the perceived problem of gun violence .
Oh , I won ’ t buy it and I ’ m sure you wouldn ’ t either .
We know better , especially since a law like this could be overturned just as easily as it was passed .
A lot of others @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they ’ ll make their push to inhibit the gun rights of law-abiding Virginians like they ’ re nothing .
Of course , to them , they ’ re not .
Those rights don ’ t actually count .
Campbell ’ s bill is an attempt to remind them that those rights matter .
If there ’ s a regret in this it ’ s that no one not already supportive of gun rights will take this proposal seriously enough to stop and ask just why is this such a big deal to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is , they don ’ t care .
They don ’ t understand that for many of us , this is a life or death issue because we know the police will show up just in time to draw a chalk outline around our bodies .
They won ’ t ask that question , though , because they really don ’ t care .
So let ’ s have more rallies like Richmond so they ’ ll be forced to care .

Despite yesterday’s rally in Richmond going off without a hitch, things are still pretty tense in Virginia. That’s going to happen when someone is trampling on your rights, after all. While an estimated 20,000 showed up to make their voices heard, there’s absolutely no indication that Governor Ralph Northam bothered to listen.
However, before the protests, one Virginia delegate offered a measure that would limit any gun control push in the state.
In response to the governor’s declaration, [Delegate Ronnie] Campbell introduced House Bill 1689, which says any legislation will be considered “an unlawful infringement on the right of the people to keep and bear arms” if it: “Imposes any tax, fee, or stamp on any firearm, ammunition, or firearm component;
Requires the registration of any firearm, ammunition, or firearm component;
Requires any person to register as an owner of a firearm, ammunition, or firearms component;
Prohibits any person from possessing, using, or transferring a firearm who is not prohibited from possessing a firearm; or
Requires any person to surrender his firearm, ammunition, or firearms component who is not prohibited from possessing a firearm.” Furthermore, the bill states that, “Any person who knowingly deprives or attempts to deprive another person of such other person’s right to keep and bear arms by enforcing any law…shall be liable for an unlawful deprivation of a person’s constitutional rights and such injured person shall be entitled to damages, including punitive damages, and in the discretion of the court to an award of the cost of the litigation and reasonable attorney fees in an amount to be fixed by the court.”
I’m not going to lie, this tickles me in all kinds of ways.
However, I think we all know this isn’t going anywhere. I think Campbell knows it won’t go anywhere, either. The House of Delegates in Virginia won’t even take this up, which is almost a shame.
You see, for all their talk about how they’re not trying to take our guns, anti-gunners are not fans of limits on the gun-grabbing ways. Yet if they passed Campbell’s bill, it would go a long way toward supporting their claim that they’re just looking for some “common-sense solutions” to the perceived problem of gun violence.
Oh, I won’t buy it and I’m sure you wouldn’t either. We know better, especially since a law like this could be overturned just as easily as it was passed.
A lot of others, though, might.
Instead, they’ll make their push to inhibit the gun rights of law-abiding Virginians like they’re nothing. Of course, to them, they’re not. Those rights don’t actually count.
Campbell’s bill is an attempt to remind them that those rights matter.
If there’s a regret in this it’s that no one not already supportive of gun rights will take this proposal seriously enough to stop and ask just why is this such a big deal to so many of us. The truth is, they don’t care. They don’t understand that for many of us, this is a life or death issue because we know the police will show up just in time to draw a chalk outline around our bodies.
They won’t ask that question, though, because they really don’t care.
So let’s have more rallies like Richmond so they’ll be forced to care.


bearingarms--2020-01-22--Critical Votes On Tap Wednesday For Several Virginia Gun Bills

Virginia ’ s Senate Judiciary Committee , which has already approved four gun control measures this legislative session , is set to hear several more on Wednesday , including a measure that would ban ranges within 500 yards of any area zoned for residential uses and a bill that would permanently ban firearms from Capitol Square , where Gov .
Ralph Northam temporarily banned firearms earlier this week during Lobby Day .
One bill to keep an eye on is SB 18 by Sen. Dick Saslaw , a northern Virginia Democrat who was also the author of a bill that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any gun deemed by the government to be an “ assault firearm.
” That bill was ultimately pulled by Saslaw after it helped instigate the Second Amendment Sanctuary movement .
SB 18 would raise the age to purchase a long gun in the state from 18 to 21 , but would also require that every transfer of a firearm go through a background check to ensure compliance .
The state Senate has already passed a heavily modified “ universal background check ” bill that was amended to only apply to sales , not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if passed , would moot the version that passed the Senate and has moved over to the House .
Democrat Chap Petersen was the legislator who amended the background check bill when it came up in the Judiciary Committee , so we ’ ll see if he ’ ll demand any changes to Saslaw ’ s bill .
Another issue with Saslaw ’ s bill is that it makes it a crime for a parent to allow a child under the age of 18 to have unsupervised access to a firearm .
While @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would have the effect of criminalizing parents who allow their 17-year old daughter to hunt on the family farm , or to make sure she has access to a firearm if need be while she ’ s home alone .
Sen. Saslaw represents the northern Virginia suburbs of Washington , D.C. , so maybe he doesn ’ t care about what this would mean in most of the state , but I hope that this portion of the bill gets a lot of pushback from rural senators on the committee .
One more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s hearing is SB 64 .
When this bill was first introduced , there was a lot of confusion on the part of gun owners about what this bill would actually do .
Some claimed it would ban self-defense classes or firearm instructions in the state , but that ’ s not the case .
What it would do is change the law so that “ that a person is guilty of unlawful paramilitary activity if such person assembles with another person with the intent of intimidating any person or group of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ marching with any firearm , any explosive or incendiary device , or any components or combination thereof.
” We ’ ve already seen Democrats and gun control supporters claim that the thousands of armed citizens lobbying lawmakers from the streets of Richmond on Monday was meant to “ intimidate ” lawmakers .
If a prosecutor or police chief agreed , then under this proposal those armed citizens would be facing felony charges .
I don ’ t happen to think that those citizens were armed to intimidate anyone .
I think they were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their First Amendment rights , and Virginia Democrats have already shown us this law could be too easily abused to justify its passage .
If you ’ re a Virginia gun owner , make sure you ’ ve contacted your state senator by phone or email to urge them to oppose these unconstitutional gun control measures .
We made our voices heard on Lobby Day , but we need to continue to stay engaged .

Virginia’s Senate Judiciary Committee, which has already approved four gun control measures this legislative session, is set to hear several more on Wednesday, including a measure that would ban ranges within 500 yards of any area zoned for residential uses and a bill that would permanently ban firearms from Capitol Square, where Gov. Ralph Northam temporarily banned firearms earlier this week during Lobby Day.
One bill to keep an eye on is SB 18 by Sen. Dick Saslaw, a northern Virginia Democrat who was also the author of a bill that would have banned the continued possession of any gun deemed by the government to be an “assault firearm.” That bill was ultimately pulled by Saslaw after it helped instigate the Second Amendment Sanctuary movement.
SB 18 would raise the age to purchase a long gun in the state from 18 to 21, but would also require that every transfer of a firearm go through a background check to ensure compliance.
The state Senate has already passed a heavily modified “universal background check” bill that was amended to only apply to sales, not transfers. Saslaw’s bill, if passed, would moot the version that passed the Senate and has moved over to the House. Democrat Chap Petersen was the legislator who amended the background check bill when it came up in the Judiciary Committee, so we’ll see if he’ll demand any changes to Saslaw’s bill.
Another issue with Saslaw’s bill is that it makes it a crime for a parent to allow a child under the age of 18 to have unsupervised access to a firearm. While the bill may sound well-intended, it would have the effect of criminalizing parents who allow their 17-year old daughter to hunt on the family farm, or to make sure she has access to a firearm if need be while she’s home alone. Sen. Saslaw represents the northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C., so maybe he doesn’t care about what this would mean in most of the state, but I hope that this portion of the bill gets a lot of pushback from rural senators on the committee.
One more bill to pay attention to during today’s hearing is SB 64. When this bill was first introduced, there was a lot of confusion on the part of gun owners about what this bill would actually do. Some claimed it would ban self-defense classes or firearm instructions in the state, but that’s not the case. What it would do is change the law so that “that a person is guilty of unlawful paramilitary activity if such person assembles with another person with the intent of intimidating any person or group of persons by drilling, parading, or marching with any firearm, any explosive or incendiary device, or any components or combination thereof.”
We’ve already seen Democrats and gun control supporters claim that the thousands of armed citizens lobbying lawmakers from the streets of Richmond on Monday was meant to “intimidate” lawmakers. If a prosecutor or police chief agreed, then under this proposal those armed citizens would be facing felony charges. I don’t happen to think that those citizens were armed to intimidate anyone. I think they were simply exercising their Second Amendment rights alongside their First Amendment rights, and Virginia Democrats have already shown us this law could be too easily abused to justify its passage.
If you’re a Virginia gun owner, make sure you’ve contacted your state senator by phone or email to urge them to oppose these unconstitutional gun control measures. We made our voices heard on Lobby Day, but we need to continue to stay engaged.


bearingarms--2020-01-21--Virginia Senate Moves Forward On Red Flag Law

A day after tens of thousands of Virginia gun owners and Second Amendment supporters thronged the state capitol in Richmond to oppose Gov .
Ralph Northam ’ s anti-gun agenda , the state Senate moved a “ red flag ” proposal on to third reading , but not before the bill was once again amended substantially .
SB 240 was already gutted and replaced with new language in the Senate Public Safety committee , but once it got to the floor of the state Senate it was passed by for a vote on multiple days last week .
State Senator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opposed to the lack of due process protections within the bill , but during today ’ s session , he pronounced himself satisfied with the changes that were offered .
While the bill was made better , it still lacks fundamental due process protections by allowing ex parte hearings where the subject of an Extreme Risk Protection Order isn ’ t present , or indeed aware of the hearing to determine whether they will temporarily lose their Second Amendment rights .
Morrissey says that temporary detention orders in Virginia already allow for ex @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t tread any new ground .
Not so , says Dennis Petrocelli , a clinical and forensic psychiatrist and Second Amendment advocate in Virginia .
The bill was also amended to require two law enforcement agents to request an ERPO , as well as sign off by the local commonwealth ’ s attorney .
Frankly , this almost guarantees that any red flag law signed by Governor Ralph Northam will be ignored and unused in the vast majority of Second Amendment Sanctuary counties across the state , since it will be up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for an order to be issued .
Beyond the due process problems , the bill still has no mental health component attached , which means individuals who are determined to be a danger to themselves or others will remain without any mental health evaluation or treatment .
They just can ’ t own a gun .
Matches , knives , car keys , and gasoline are all okay though .
This bill makes absolutely no sense , and it won ’ t accomplish anything other than to erode the right of the people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it looks likely to pass at this point , though not perhaps without the House making even more changes .
Meanwhile , the Senate Judiciary Committee meets again on Wednesday , and there are a number of bad bills that will be up for a vote .
Every Virginian who attended Lobby Day on Monday needs to call or email their lawmakers and lobby them once more to reject the gun control bills that will be taken up by committee members .

A day after tens of thousands of Virginia gun owners and Second Amendment supporters thronged the state capitol in Richmond to oppose Gov. Ralph Northam’s anti-gun agenda, the state Senate moved a “red flag” proposal on to third reading, but not before the bill was once again amended substantially.
SB 240 was already gutted and replaced with new language in the Senate Public Safety committee, but once it got to the floor of the state Senate it was passed by for a vote on multiple days last week. State Senator Joe Morrissey, a Democrat, was opposed to the lack of due process protections within the bill, but during today’s session, he pronounced himself satisfied with the changes that were offered. While the bill was made better, it still lacks fundamental due process protections by allowing ex parte hearings where the subject of an Extreme Risk Protection Order isn’t present, or indeed aware of the hearing to determine whether they will temporarily lose their Second Amendment rights.
Morrissey says that temporary detention orders in Virginia already allow for ex parte hearings, so the bill doesn’t tread any new ground. Not so, says Dennis Petrocelli, a clinical and forensic psychiatrist and Second Amendment advocate in Virginia.
TDO issued after a personal interactive evaluation. No such provision with red flag laws. https://t.co/WFNKgymWfm — Dennis Petrocelli, MD (@2ashrink) January 21, 2020
The bill was also amended to require two law enforcement agents to request an ERPO, as well as sign off by the local commonwealth’s attorney. Frankly, this almost guarantees that any red flag law signed by Governor Ralph Northam will be ignored and unused in the vast majority of Second Amendment Sanctuary counties across the state, since it will be up to local law enforcement to actually petition for an order to be issued.
Beyond the due process problems, the bill still has no mental health component attached, which means individuals who are determined to be a danger to themselves or others will remain without any mental health evaluation or treatment. They just can’t own a gun. Matches, knives, car keys, and gasoline are all okay though. This bill makes absolutely no sense, and it won’t accomplish anything other than to erode the right of the people to keep and bear arms, but it looks likely to pass at this point, though not perhaps without the House making even more changes.
Meanwhile, the Senate Judiciary Committee meets again on Wednesday, and there are a number of bad bills that will be up for a vote. Every Virginian who attended Lobby Day on Monday needs to call or email their lawmakers and lobby them once more to reject the gun control bills that will be taken up by committee members.


bearingarms--2020-01-21--VA Democrats Vow To Ignore Voices Of Richmond Rally Goers


bearingarms--2020-01-23--NYTimes Columnist Gets Lobby Day All Wrong

The New York Times ’ Jamelle Bouie is out with his take on this week ’ s massive show of support for the Second Amendment at Lobby Day in Richmond , Virginia , and like much of the media coverage , he ’ s more interested in creating a false narrative about who showed up and why than in actually listening to the voices of those in attendance .
First off , there weren ’ t 22,000 white nationalists in Richmond , so Bouie ’ s comparison to 22,000 black nationalists is way off base .
In fact , so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ socialists .
In truth , there were left-wing gun owners in attendance .
There were black gun owners there as well , along with Asian gun owners , Hispanic gun owners , and mixed-race gun owners .
Yep , a lot of them were rural white guys , but not all of them were .
Despite the many differences of opinion that the crowd in Richmond have with one another , when it comes to the Second Amendment , they ’ re all of the same mind ; it ’ s our right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on it .
Bouie does at least note the black tradition of arms and the entwining of the Second Amendment in the civil rights movement in this country , but in his conclusion once again ignores the fact that the crowd was not a monolithic sea of white faces in order to judge the crowd by the predominant color of its collective skin , rather than the content of its character ; average , ordinary Virginians turning out in record numbers to engage in an act of citizen engagement .
Why shouldn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government if they are ( rightfully ) afraid of losing one of their constitutionally protected rights ?
Why shouldn ’ t Virginians advocate for lawmakers to turn away from their disastrous decision to criminalize the exercise of a right , while turning a blind eye to more effective and constitutionally sound measures that can transform high crime neighborhoods without mass incarceration or the destruction of individual liberties ?
I was in Richmond too , and I wasn ’ t just fighting for my right to keep and bear arms .
I was there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bear arms .
Where Bouie finds irony in the tens of thousands of Virginians who turned out on Monday , I find hope .
I see the beginning of a new people-powered movement in the state and across the nation in defense of individual liberties and our shared civil rights .
Bouie does a grave disservice to every one of those attendees , but perhaps most of all to the men and women of color who were in Richmond when he barely acknowledges their presence and completely ignores their reasons for attending .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Second Amendment supporters can recognize that in the past , the right to bear arms was most easily exercised and in some cases reserved for white dudes .
We also know , however , that in 2020 , “ the People ” include all Americans , and we ’ re working to ensure that the right of the People shall not be infringed , instead of a country in which no one gets to exercise their right to keep and bear arms , which is where gun control advocates want to take us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may still be largely conservative and pretty pale , but it certainly isn ’ t predicated on staying that way .
The Second Amendment community is much more diverse that it was even fifteen years ago , and many of our most outspoken defenders of our right to keep and bear arms don ’ t fit the stereotype that Bouie attempts to perpetuate .
I see that growing diversity as a good thing , but apparently Jamelle Bouie can ’ t see it at all .
He , like so many other members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ missed the story completely .

The New York Times’ Jamelle Bouie is out with his take on this week’s massive show of support for the Second Amendment at Lobby Day in Richmond, Virginia, and like much of the media coverage, he’s more interested in creating a false narrative about who showed up and why than in actually listening to the voices of those in attendance.
As I watched the rally, it was impossible not to think through counterfactuals. What if these were left-wing protesters instead? Twenty-two thousand members of the Democratic Socialists of America, armed and threatening insurrection if the Commonwealth of Virginia didn’t establish a system for single-payer health care. How would the state authorities react? Would they give them a wide berth or would they assume hostile intent? What if this were 22,000 black nationalists, similarly armed, similarly enraged at the prospect of gun control? Would the police have had the same light touch, watching and listening but allowing events to unfold? Or would they have gone into overdrive with riot gear and armored vehicles, aggressive tactics and a presumption of criminality?
First off, there weren’t 22,000 white nationalists in Richmond, so Bouie’s comparison to 22,000 black nationalists is way off base. In fact, so is his comparison to a march of socialists. In truth, there were left-wing gun owners in attendance. There were black gun owners there as well, along with Asian gun owners, Hispanic gun owners, and mixed-race gun owners. Yep, a lot of them were rural white guys, but not all of them were. Despite the many differences of opinion that the crowd in Richmond have with one another, when it comes to the Second Amendment, they’re all of the same mind; it’s our right, and the state shall not infringe on it.
Bouie does at least note the black tradition of arms and the entwining of the Second Amendment in the civil rights movement in this country, but in his conclusion once again ignores the fact that the crowd was not a monolithic sea of white faces in order to judge the crowd by the predominant color of its collective skin, rather than the content of its character; average, ordinary Virginians turning out in record numbers to engage in an act of citizen engagement.
Read in light of this history, the demonstrations in Richmond were a touch ironic. Twenty-two thousand people — most of them armed, most of them white, most of them men, some threatening insurrection — afraid of losing an expansive right to own and possess guns, seemingly unaware of how they’re the only ones who could protest in this manner.
Why shouldn’t Americans show up to lobby their government if they are (rightfully) afraid of losing one of their constitutionally protected rights? Why shouldn’t Virginians advocate for lawmakers to turn away from their disastrous decision to criminalize the exercise of a right, while turning a blind eye to more effective and constitutionally sound measures that can transform high crime neighborhoods without mass incarceration or the destruction of individual liberties?
I was in Richmond too, and I wasn’t just fighting for my right to keep and bear arms. I was there to defend the right to keep and bear arms. Where Bouie finds irony in the tens of thousands of Virginians who turned out on Monday, I find hope. I see the beginning of a new people-powered movement in the state and across the nation in defense of individual liberties and our shared civil rights. Bouie does a grave disservice to every one of those attendees, but perhaps most of all to the men and women of color who were in Richmond when he barely acknowledges their presence and completely ignores their reasons for attending.
The truth is that today’s Second Amendment supporters can recognize that in the past, the right to bear arms was most easily exercised and in some cases reserved for white dudes. We also know, however, that in 2020, “the People” include all Americans, and we’re working to ensure that the right of the People shall not be infringed, instead of a country in which no one gets to exercise their right to keep and bear arms, which is where gun control advocates want to take us. Today’s Second Amendment movement may still be largely conservative and pretty pale, but it certainly isn’t predicated on staying that way. The Second Amendment community is much more diverse that it was even fifteen years ago, and many of our most outspoken defenders of our right to keep and bear arms don’t fit the stereotype that Bouie attempts to perpetuate. I see that growing diversity as a good thing, but apparently Jamelle Bouie can’t see it at all. He, like so many other members of media in attendance on Monday, missed the story completely.


bearingarms--2020-01-23--CT Set To Challenge Change On 3D Printer Gun Files

The ability to make a firearm at home is nothing new .
P.A .
Luty ’ s submachine gun plans were created so that anyone could build a firearm in their garage with some fairly basic tools , after all .
Luty created his plans with the intention of making it clear that gun control was never going to work , that someone was going to find a way around those laws .
However , let ’ s be honest , Luty ’ s design isn ’ t something everyone is going to be able to make work .
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a bit of welding involved and that ’ s something far too few know how to do .
Enter 3D printing .
That ’ s a gamechanger since it eliminates the need for welding and , instead , it ’ s more like a model kit that you just assemble .
It should effectively end any belief that gun control can actually work .
But that won ’ t stop a state like Connecticut from trying it anyway .
Connecticut is mounting a legal challenge to new federal plans that would allow the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The so-called “ ghost guns ” are created using a 3D printer , are virtually untraceable and considered to be disruptive technology .
“ This would be a national priority , especially when it comes to the internet which knows no border , but in their default , we ’ re standing up , ” said Gov .
Ned Lamont .
Lamont and Attorney General William Tong noted that Connecticut would be among 20 states seeking to undermine the Trump administration ’ s efforts to permit the plans from being shared .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ship has long set sail .
Defense Distributed had their files up on the internet for some time and a whole lot of people downloaded them .
Then they went up on a mirror site and still more downloaded it .
Today , they ’ re flying back and forth on the internet and are in the hands of just about anyone who wanted them .
While keeping them off the internet might make it a slight bit more difficult for people who want these files , it ’ s not impossible .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ share them .
Honestly , gun control is dead .
The sooner anti-gunners like Lamont recognize this , the sooner they can refocus their efforts on addressing the real problems .
There are potential solutions to violent crime that have nothing to do with gun control , solutions that have been shown to work .
It ’ s well past time that these governors and attorneys general stopped trying to inhibit the rights of law-abiding citizens and start trying to address the problems at the roots .
No , violence will never go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us ever since Caine slew Able in a fit of jealousy and it ’ s not likely to stop anytime soon .
Yet gun control isn ’ t an answer .
It never worked the way it was intended and only hurt the law-abiding citizens .
It ’ s time to accept that and look at alternatives to curb violence .
Focus there and not on our God-given right to keep and bear arms and you ’ ll likely see a far better return on your investment .

The ability to make a firearm at home is nothing new. P.A. Luty’s submachine gun plans were created so that anyone could build a firearm in their garage with some fairly basic tools, after all. Luty created his plans with the intention of making it clear that gun control was never going to work, that someone was going to find a way around those laws.
However, let’s be honest, Luty’s design isn’t something everyone is going to be able to make work. If I remember correctly, there’s a bit of welding involved and that’s something far too few know how to do.
Enter 3D printing. That’s a gamechanger since it eliminates the need for welding and, instead, it’s more like a model kit that you just assemble. It should effectively end any belief that gun control can actually work.
But that won’t stop a state like Connecticut from trying it anyway.
Connecticut is mounting a legal challenge to new federal plans that would allow the release of 3D printed gun blueprints online. The so-called “ghost guns” are created using a 3D printer, are virtually untraceable and considered to be disruptive technology. “This would be a national priority, especially when it comes to the internet which knows no border, but in their default, we’re standing up,” said Gov. Ned Lamont.
Lamont and Attorney General William Tong noted that Connecticut would be among 20 states seeking to undermine the Trump administration’s efforts to permit the plans from being shared.
Unfortunately for all 20 states, that ship has long set sail.
Defense Distributed had their files up on the internet for some time and a whole lot of people downloaded them. Then they went up on a mirror site and still more downloaded it. Today, they’re flying back and forth on the internet and are in the hands of just about anyone who wanted them. While keeping them off the internet might make it a slight bit more difficult for people who want these files, it’s not impossible. Someone has them and is willing to share them.
Honestly, gun control is dead. The sooner anti-gunners like Lamont recognize this, the sooner they can refocus their efforts on addressing the real problems. There are potential solutions to violent crime that have nothing to do with gun control, solutions that have been shown to work. It’s well past time that these governors and attorneys general stopped trying to inhibit the rights of law-abiding citizens and start trying to address the problems at the roots.
No, violence will never go away. It’s been with us ever since Caine slew Able in a fit of jealousy and it’s not likely to stop anytime soon. Yet gun control isn’t an answer. It never worked the way it was intended and only hurt the law-abiding citizens.
It’s time to accept that and look at alternatives to curb violence. Focus there and not on our God-given right to keep and bear arms and you’ll likely see a far better return on your investment.


bearingarms--2020-01-23--VA Senate Passes Red Flag Law, Ignores Mental Health Crisis

The state Senate in Virginia gave final approval to a “ red flag ” firearms seizure bill Wednesday in a party line 21-19 vote , and over the objections of Republicans who argued that the bill still has due process issues and lacks any sort of mental health component .
Senate Democrats , meanwhile , claim that the bill is a “ step forward , ” and that it was the best bill that they could come up with .
Of course , that ’ s not an argument to pass the bill , but it is clear that Virginia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ralph Northam ’ s gun control agenda as possible , even if the measures are modified or watered-down in the process .
While SB 240 remains unsupportable as far as I ’ m concerned ( and for reasons I ’ ll get into momentarily ) , the good news is that the bill has undergone major revisions that I believe will make it far less likely that they will be used in most Second Amendment Sanctuary counties and communities across Virginia .
The bill as passed by the Senate , for instance , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sign off on the application , as well as approval by the commonwealth ’ s attorney ( Virginia ’ s version of a prosecutor ) .
I suspect that many county sheriffs will choose to use the state ’ s existing civil commitment laws instead of pursuing red flag orders .
A reporter for the Roanoke Times wondered on Twitter if that will actually be the case , however .
Here ’ s the ugly truth about why politicians like “ red flag ” laws .
They poll well , and they don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they don ’ t do much either , but they do allow a politician to say they ’ ve done “ something , ” and sadly , that ’ s enough for many elected officials .
Actually addressing the mental health crisis in Virginia and adequately funding mental health services would cost a lot of money , and it ’ s not something that ’ s a hot button issue for most voters .
Ralph Northam would rather call for free community college than free mental health screenings and increasing the number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need of mental health services .
Unfortunately , while I think most sheriffs and commonwealth ’ s attorneys won ’ t use this “ tool , ” some might .
If they do , it will likely be as a last resort because of a lack of space in the state ’ s mental hospitals for individuals that sheriffs believe need help .
This is a huge issue in Virginia , as the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported in July of 2019 , when the state actually ran out of beds for those in crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time , the lack of beds isn ’ t just an issue for those who in crisis , it impacts law enforcement as well .
“ What are we supposed to do ?
” [ Ashland Police Chief Doug ] Goodman asked .
“ As law enforcement , we are now caught between a rock and a hard place .
And , more importantly , the person in crisis is caught between a rock and a hard place.
” Full state mental hospitals put severe pressure on law enforcement agencies , which must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will and often transporting them across the state for treatment .
“ This issue is imploding , ” said Dana Schrad , executive director of the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police .
“ Law enforcement can not hold these folks if there isn ’ t a mental health bed available .
Hopefully , they won ’ t end up in jails.
” State hospitals have come under increasing pressure since passage of the “ bed of last resort ” law in 2014 to end the process of “ streeting , ” in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leave without treatment because no psychiatric facility beds were available within the time allowed by state law for holding people involuntarily in emergency custody .
Lawmakers don ’ t want to deal with this crisis , so instead they ’ re offering up the “ red flag ” law as a cheap way of doing a little bit of something instead of fixing the actual problem .
State Senator Joe Morrissey even inadvertently recognized this when he called SB 240 a “ TDO-light ” .
We don ’ t need a weak version @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strips people of their right to own a gun .
We need these lawmakers to fix the actual problem with our mental health system in the state .
Voters in Virginia should be insulted that instead of doing their actual jobs , they ’ re patting themselves on the back for failing to deal with a very real and systemic crisis by focusing on stripping individuals of their constitutional rights with little due process and an incredibly low evidentiary standard .
The next stop for SB 240 is the state House , where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” legislation has already been filed .
We ’ ll have to see how the House manages to reconcile the Senate bill with their version .
There ’ s a chance that the two houses won ’ t be able to find any common ground , but it ’ s a slim chance .
As I said earlier , it ’ s clear that Democrats want to be able to deliver Northam ’ s gun control agenda to his desk in some form or fashion .
In the meantime , in addition to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these bills , gun owners should take every opportunity they can to remind the public that the red flag legislation is being pushed to allow lawmakers to avoid addressing the very real problem in our state ’ s mental health system .
We know that even in states where red flag laws have been on the books for years , suicides are increasing , though gun-related suicides have seen some decline .
We shouldn ’ t be trying to get people to kill themselves in another way , which seems to be the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the books .
We should be trying to get them the help they need so they aren ’ t a danger to themselves any longer .
That ’ s the “ something ” that Virginia Democrats should be working on instead of this unconstitutional and ineffective “ tool .
”

The state Senate in Virginia gave final approval to a “red flag” firearms seizure bill Wednesday in a party line 21-19 vote, and over the objections of Republicans who argued that the bill still has due process issues and lacks any sort of mental health component.
Senate Democrats, meanwhile, claim that the bill is a “step forward,” and that it was the best bill that they could come up with. Of course, that’s not an argument to pass the bill, but it is clear that Virginia Democrats plan on approving as much of Ralph Northam’s gun control agenda as possible, even if the measures are modified or watered-down in the process.
While SB 240 remains unsupportable as far as I’m concerned (and for reasons I’ll get into momentarily), the good news is that the bill has undergone major revisions that I believe will make it far less likely that they will be used in most Second Amendment Sanctuary counties and communities across Virginia.
The bill as passed by the Senate, for instance, now requires two law enforcement officers to sign off on the application, as well as approval by the commonwealth’s attorney (Virginia’s version of a prosecutor). I suspect that many county sheriffs will choose to use the state’s existing civil commitment laws instead of pursuing red flag orders. A reporter for the Roanoke Times wondered on Twitter if that will actually be the case, however.
How many — when a mother, father, grandmother wants an emergency substantial order taken out — Virginia sheriffs will enforce a “red flag” law if it passes? https://t.co/D8NFejEwOU https://t.co/QFkz36jK35 — Amy Friedenberger (@AJFriedenberger) January 22, 2020
Here’s the ugly truth about why politicians like “red flag” laws. They poll well, and they don’t cost much. Of course, they don’t do much either, but they do allow a politician to say they’ve done “something,” and sadly, that’s enough for many elected officials. Actually addressing the mental health crisis in Virginia and adequately funding mental health services would cost a lot of money, and it’s not something that’s a hot button issue for most voters. Ralph Northam would rather call for free community college than free mental health screenings and increasing the number of beds available for those in acute need of mental health services.
Unfortunately, while I think most sheriffs and commonwealth’s attorneys won’t use this “tool,” some might. If they do, it will likely be as a last resort because of a lack of space in the state’s mental hospitals for individuals that sheriffs believe need help. This is a huge issue in Virginia, as the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported in July of 2019, when the state actually ran out of beds for those in crisis. As the paper noted at the time, the lack of beds isn’t just an issue for those who in crisis, it impacts law enforcement as well.
“What are we supposed to do?” [Ashland Police Chief Doug] Goodman asked. “As law enforcement, we are now caught between a rock and a hard place. And, more importantly, the person in crisis is caught between a rock and a hard place.” Full state mental hospitals put severe pressure on law enforcement agencies, which must commit officers to holding people against their will and often transporting them across the state for treatment. “This issue is imploding,” said Dana Schrad, executive director of the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police. “Law enforcement cannot hold these folks if there isn’t a mental health bed available. Hopefully, they won’t end up in jails.” State hospitals have come under increasing pressure since passage of the “bed of last resort” law in 2014 to end the process of “streeting,” in which people in crisis were allowed to leave without treatment because no psychiatric facility beds were available within the time allowed by state law for holding people involuntarily in emergency custody.
Lawmakers don’t want to deal with this crisis, so instead they’re offering up the “red flag” law as a cheap way of doing a little bit of something instead of fixing the actual problem. State Senator Joe Morrissey even inadvertently recognized this when he called SB 240 a “TDO-light”. We don’t need a weak version of a temporary detention order that only strips people of their right to own a gun. We need these lawmakers to fix the actual problem with our mental health system in the state. Voters in Virginia should be insulted that instead of doing their actual jobs, they’re patting themselves on the back for failing to deal with a very real and systemic crisis by focusing on stripping individuals of their constitutional rights with little due process and an incredibly low evidentiary standard.
The next stop for SB 240 is the state House, where a different version of “red flag” legislation has already been filed. We’ll have to see how the House manages to reconcile the Senate bill with their version. There’s a chance that the two houses won’t be able to find any common ground, but it’s a slim chance. As I said earlier, it’s clear that Democrats want to be able to deliver Northam’s gun control agenda to his desk in some form or fashion.
In the meantime, in addition to pointing out all of the flaws with these bills, gun owners should take every opportunity they can to remind the public that the red flag legislation is being pushed to allow lawmakers to avoid addressing the very real problem in our state’s mental health system. We know that even in states where red flag laws have been on the books for years, suicides are increasing, though gun-related suicides have seen some decline.
We shouldn’t be trying to get people to kill themselves in another way, which seems to be the outcome when red flag laws are put on the books. We should be trying to get them the help they need so they aren’t a danger to themselves any longer. That’s the “something” that Virginia Democrats should be working on instead of this unconstitutional and ineffective “tool.”


bearingarms--2020-01-22--Two Arrested, Two Guns Recovered In Gun Controlled NJ

The state of New Jersey has a lot of gun control .
In fact , it ’ s one of the most gun controlled states in the country .
Like California and Illinois , it often seems like the state has never heard a gun control proposal it didn ’ t like .
Yet despite all that gun control , New Jersey has a problem with so-called gun violence .
Recently a couple of people were arrested and a couple of guns recovered in the gun control state .
Jersey City police responding the Booker T. Washington housing complex at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dealing approached a 17-year-old boy who then fled , Jersey City spokeswoman Kimberly Wallace-Scalcione said .
Police quickly apprehended the teen , who was charged with possession of a firearm by a minor , possession of prohibited weapon , unlawful possession of a handgun , possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and resisting arrest .
At 11:40 p.m. , police arrested 19-year-old Darby Shirden in the area of Fulton and Rose avenues after he fled from police , said Wallace-Scalcione , who noted that the handgun Shirden discarded during the chase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people , both too young to purchase a handgun , in possession of handguns in one of the most gun controlled states in the nation .
I mean , it ’ s almost like gun control doesn ’ t work or something .
New Jersey gun control voices would likely chime out about how this is all the fault of other states that don ’ t have tight gun control laws .
Governor Phil Murphy threatened to shame those states in an effort to push them to do what he wanted them to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t have purchased their guns anywhere legally .
They ’ re both under the age of 21 .
That ’ s the federally mandated age limit for purchasing a firearm .
That means these guns were likely black market guns .
I hate to break it to you , but black market guns are usually stolen guns , meaning no amount of gun control is going to stop the flow of guns there .
Yet will anyone look at this and recognize that maybe , just maybe , there are bigger problems at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since these people–one not even old enough to vote–are walking around with guns while the state heavily restricts everyone else from lawfully doing so ?
The criminals aren ’ t obeying those laws , so tell me again how shall issue laws are enabling criminals ?
Tell me again how constitutional carry doesn ’ t help the law-abiding citizens ?
I don ’ t care how many times I say it ; some simply won ’ t get it .
The criminals will not obey the gun laws laid down at any level @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only the law-abiding citizens who may have been threatened by these two would be disarmed .
They were set to be oppressed by the tyranny of the thug , a real problem in so many of our American cities governed by gun control enthusiasts ; people who often have private security for themselves and their families .
New Jersey ’ s gun control laws failed , just as all gun control laws fail .
It ’ s too bad they ’ ll never acknowledge that .

The state of New Jersey has a lot of gun control. In fact, it’s one of the most gun controlled states in the country. Like California and Illinois, it often seems like the state has never heard a gun control proposal it didn’t like.
Yet despite all that gun control, New Jersey has a problem with so-called gun violence.
Recently a couple of people were arrested and a couple of guns recovered in the gun control state.
Jersey City police responding the Booker T. Washington housing complex at 6:20 p.m. on a complaint of drug dealing approached a 17-year-old boy who then fled, Jersey City spokeswoman Kimberly Wallace-Scalcione said. Police quickly apprehended the teen, who was charged with possession of a firearm by a minor, possession of prohibited weapon, unlawful possession of a handgun, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and resisting arrest. At 11:40 p.m., police arrested 19-year-old Darby Shirden in the area of Fulton and Rose avenues after he fled from police, said Wallace-Scalcione, who noted that the handgun Shirden discarded during the chase was recovered.
So we have two people, both too young to purchase a handgun, in possession of handguns in one of the most gun controlled states in the nation.
I mean, it’s almost like gun control doesn’t work or something.
New Jersey gun control voices would likely chime out about how this is all the fault of other states that don’t have tight gun control laws. Governor Phil Murphy threatened to shame those states in an effort to push them to do what he wanted them to.
Obviously, I don’t buy that.
First, these two couldn’t have purchased their guns anywhere legally. They’re both under the age of 21. That’s the federally mandated age limit for purchasing a firearm. That means these guns were likely black market guns. I hate to break it to you, but black market guns are usually stolen guns, meaning no amount of gun control is going to stop the flow of guns there.
Yet will anyone look at this and recognize that maybe, just maybe, there are bigger problems at play than access to guns, especially since these people–one not even old enough to vote–are walking around with guns while the state heavily restricts everyone else from lawfully doing so?
The criminals aren’t obeying those laws, so tell me again how shall issue laws are enabling criminals? Tell me again how constitutional carry doesn’t help the law-abiding citizens?
I don’t care how many times I say it; some simply won’t get it. The criminals will not obey the gun laws laid down at any level of government. As a result, only the law-abiding citizens who may have been threatened by these two would be disarmed. They were set to be oppressed by the tyranny of the thug, a real problem in so many of our American cities governed by gun control enthusiasts; people who often have private security for themselves and their families.
New Jersey’s gun control laws failed, just as all gun control laws fail. It’s too bad they’ll never acknowledge that.