bearingarms--2020-12-02--Is Gun Detection Tech A Privacy Concern Or Just Hype

On Friday in Sacramento , California , two people were shot and killed inside a shopping mall .
One of my biggest fears is a mass shooting on Black Friday , and it was almost realized .
The suspect gunned down two brothers , then ran .
He managed to evade police for the weekend before being arrested .
Unfortunately , this is just how things go .
California ’ s plethora of gun control laws were insufficient to stop this attack , though , which isn ’ t overly surprising .
However , a company claims their technology could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dave Fraser , CEO of Omnilert , talked with FOX40 about Gun Detect , a technology that might have warned mall security staff of a dangerous situation before any bullets were fired .
“ It ’ s the industry ’ s first visual gun-detecting system , and it works by artificial intelligence .
It takes an existing surveillance system … and it simply monitors it with artificial intelligence instead of human beings .
It ’ s capable of recognizing all sorts of different guns , ” Fraser explained .
With 3D printing technology @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but Fraser said that Gun Detect detects if an object moves as a gun as well .
This is so objects such as water hose attachments and cellphones are not mistaken for guns .
“ We go through a three-step process , ” Fraser said , explaining that the company is training the technology , so it looks for people nearby and an object that looks and moves like a gun , or a person wielding one .
The technology takes about four seconds to detect a gun and then that alert is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immediate action , ” he added .
There are questions , though .
For one , does this technology actually work ?
So far , I haven ’ t been able to find anything that doesn ’ t look like marketing hype amplified by a hoplophobic media , so who actually knows ?
It might work , it might not .
If it doesn ’ t really work , then it ’ s a waste of money that won ’ t actually accomplish much of anything .
If it does , though , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It might represent a privacy concern .
Look , I ’ m not talking about people using it in places that are off-limits for lawful firearm carry .
While I disagree with the idea , there ’ s at least an argument to be made for deploying such software as part of their security efforts in such a location .
The problem is that there ’ s no limitation on such software only being used in places like that .
As such , other places may start using this and being treating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they opted to exercise their Second Amendment rights .
If the software flags someone as carrying a gun , it can ’ t really tell you if that person has a permit or not .
That means security may start treating anyone lawfully carrying a gun as if they ’ re a threat .
Then think about what it might be like for black men and women carrying a firearm .
Studies tell us they already get more scrutiny from security than white men and women .
Couple that with lawfully carrying a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ ll be a fun experience for anyone involved .
See , the problem with this technology is that it ’ s predicated on the idea that a gun is somehow the real problem , that anyone carrying a firearm should be considered a threat .
That ’ s really not the case , but too few people seem to understand that .
So , let ’ s just hope this is all hype and that the system isn ’ t really that viable .
For all our sakes .

On Friday in Sacramento, California, two people were shot and killed inside a shopping mall. One of my biggest fears is a mass shooting on Black Friday, and it was almost realized. The suspect gunned down two brothers, then ran. He managed to evade police for the weekend before being arrested.
Unfortunately, this is just how things go. California’s plethora of gun control laws were insufficient to stop this attack, though, which isn’t overly surprising.
However, a company claims their technology could have helped potentially prevent the attack.
Dave Fraser, CEO of Omnilert, talked with FOX40 about Gun Detect, a technology that might have warned mall security staff of a dangerous situation before any bullets were fired. “It’s the industry’s first visual gun-detecting system, and it works by artificial intelligence. It takes an existing surveillance system … and it simply monitors it with artificial intelligence instead of human beings. It’s capable of recognizing all sorts of different guns,” Fraser explained. With 3D printing technology, a gun could be plastic, but Fraser said that Gun Detect detects if an object moves as a gun as well. This is so objects such as water hose attachments and cellphones are not mistaken for guns. “We go through a three-step process,” Fraser said, explaining that the company is training the technology, so it looks for people nearby and an object that looks and moves like a gun, or a person wielding one. The technology takes about four seconds to detect a gun and then that alert is sent to a safety team for “immediate action,” he added.
There are questions, though. For one, does this technology actually work?
So far, I haven’t been able to find anything that doesn’t look like marketing hype amplified by a hoplophobic media, so who actually knows? It might work, it might not.
If it doesn’t really work, then it’s a waste of money that won’t actually accomplish much of anything.
If it does, though, then it might represent something very different. It might represent a privacy concern.
Look, I’m not talking about people using it in places that are off-limits for lawful firearm carry. While I disagree with the idea, there’s at least an argument to be made for deploying such software as part of their security efforts in such a location.
The problem is that there’s no limitation on such software only being used in places like that.
As such, other places may start using this and being treating law-abiding gun owners as criminals simply because they opted to exercise their Second Amendment rights. If the software flags someone as carrying a gun, it can’t really tell you if that person has a permit or not. That means security may start treating anyone lawfully carrying a gun as if they’re a threat.
Then think about what it might be like for black men and women carrying a firearm. Studies tell us they already get more scrutiny from security than white men and women. Couple that with lawfully carrying a gun and I can’t imagine it’ll be a fun experience for anyone involved.
See, the problem with this technology is that it’s predicated on the idea that a gun is somehow the real problem, that anyone carrying a firearm should be considered a threat. That’s really not the case, but too few people seem to understand that.
So, let’s just hope this is all hype and that the system isn’t really that viable. For all our sakes.


bearingarms--2020-12-02--Texas Man Arrested After Bringing Knife To Gun Fight

A Wichita Falls , Texas man is facing charges of assault with a deadly weapon after threatening a man with a knife outside of a grocery store earlier this week .
As it turns out , the intended victim in the assault was armed with a gun , and he ended up holding the man until police could take the man in custody .
According to the Times Record News , when police arrived at the Carniceria Los Cuates on Tuesday morning , they immediately recognized the suspect as someone they ’ ve dealt with in the past , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a face that ’ s hard to forget .
According to the alleged victim , when he showed up to work at the store on Tuesday morning Sweatt was standing in an alley near the store .
The victim told Sweatt that he needed to leave , but rather than comply , Sweatt instead allegedly attacked .
Officers reviewed security footage and saw that it was consistent with the victim ’ s story , so he won ’ t be facing any charges for acting in self-defense .
According to local media , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of encounters with Wichita Falls police in the past .
He ’ s been arrested on 23 separate occasions on charges that include burglary , unlawful possession of a weapon , and injury to an elderly person .
Sweatt actually picked up a couple of other charges after he was arrested ; two counts of possessing a prohibited substance in jail .
Given Sweatt ’ s lengthy criminal history and the fact that he ’ s still out on the streets , something tells me that the criminal justice system has cut him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dozen ) in the past .
Here ’ s hoping that the 24th time will be the charm , and Sweatt faces some actual consequences for his alleged crime .
Kudos as well to the victim in this case , who drew his firearm only when he felt like his life was in danger .
Like the vast majority of defensive gun uses , the trigger was never pulled and the presence of the gun in the hand of the intended victim was enough to prevent the attack from escalating any further .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ will never make the national news and will quickly disappear from even local broadcasts , but its worth highlighting , and not just because of Sweatt ’ s nightmare-inducing mugshot .
There ’ s a bad guy behind bars and a good guy back at work , all because that good guy was armed for his own protection .
That ’ s a message that resonates with millions of Americans , but it ’ s simply not a narrative that the nation media wants to advance .

A Wichita Falls, Texas man is facing charges of assault with a deadly weapon after threatening a man with a knife outside of a grocery store earlier this week. As it turns out, the intended victim in the assault was armed with a gun, and he ended up holding the man until police could take the man in custody.
According to the Times Record News, when police arrived at the Carniceria Los Cuates on Tuesday morning, they immediately recognized the suspect as someone they’ve dealt with in the past, and to be fair, Jeffrey Sweatt has a face that’s hard to forget.
According to the alleged victim, when he showed up to work at the store on Tuesday morning Sweatt was standing in an alley near the store. The victim told Sweatt that he needed to leave, but rather than comply, Sweatt instead allegedly attacked.
The victim said Sweatt tried to punch him so he punched Sweat a couple of times in self defense. He said Sweatt pulled a knife from his pocket so he drew his gun from his holster and held Sweatt at gunpoint until police arrived.
Officers reviewed security footage and saw that it was consistent with the victim’s story, so he won’t be facing any charges for acting in self-defense.
According to local media, the 41-year old Sweatt has had plenty of encounters with Wichita Falls police in the past. He’s been arrested on 23 separate occasions on charges that include burglary, unlawful possession of a weapon, and injury to an elderly person. Sweatt actually picked up a couple of other charges after he was arrested; two counts of possessing a prohibited substance in jail.
Given Sweatt’s lengthy criminal history and the fact that he’s still out on the streets, something tells me that the criminal justice system has cut him a break or two (or two dozen) in the past. Here’s hoping that the 24th time will be the charm, and Sweatt faces some actual consequences for his alleged crime.
Kudos as well to the victim in this case, who drew his firearm only when he felt like his life was in danger. Like the vast majority of defensive gun uses, the trigger was never pulled and the presence of the gun in the hand of the intended victim was enough to prevent the attack from escalating any further.
This is one of those stories that will never make the national news and will quickly disappear from even local broadcasts, but its worth highlighting, and not just because of Sweatt’s nightmare-inducing mugshot. There’s a bad guy behind bars and a good guy back at work, all because that good guy was armed for his own protection. That’s a message that resonates with millions of Americans, but it’s simply not a narrative that the nation media wants to advance.


bearingarms--2020-12-02--Area That Can't Process Permits Can Hold Gun Buyback Event

Gun buybacks are a waste of time .
They don ’ t get guns from the people who represent a real threat to the general public…except when a crook needs to dump a gun “ no questions asked.
” Concealed carry , on the other hand , empowers individuals to protect themselves .
While it ’ s not a guarantee that crime will be stopped , it does help .
The two things , however , usually don ’ t have much of anything to do with one another .
Yet sometimes , they do .
Those taking guns will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a handgun and a $ 25 one for a rifle .
Now , ordinarily , if I bothered to mention a buyback , it would be to talk about how useless they are .
However , this one in Wilkinsburg is a little different .
Why ?
Because Wilkinsburg is in Allegheny County in Pennsylvania .
Allegheny County is currently facing a lawsuit because they not issuing concealed carry permits .
So , let me get this straight .
COVID-19 is such a horrible and dangerous threat to life that you can ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which helps people exercise a constitutional right , but having a gun buyback event is perfectly fine ?
Ordinary citizens in the country are unable to get the permit they need in order to lawfully carry a firearm .
Violence is on the rise throughout the nation , so I can see why a lot of people would want to start carrying now .
Further , there are a ton of new gun owners all over the nation .
That includes Allegheny County .
They ’ re left in limbo , unsure of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawfully carry a firearm .
Meanwhile , the exact same area has no problem spending taxpayer money to take part in a gun buyback event–if the police are involved , taxpayer money is involved , regardless of who funds the gift cards themselves .
It ’ s kind of hard not to get upset at the blatant disrespect toward law-abiding citizens ’ gun rights .
Now , in fairness , the Wilkinsburg Police Department isn ’ t the Allegheny County Sheriff ’ s Office .
They ’ re two different law enforcement agencies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one wouldn ’ t have much of an impact on what another opts to do .
However , this is the same area where COVID-19 is such a horrid threat .
You ’ d think that if it were that dangerous , even the mask requirements for the buyback would be insufficient .
What it really tells you is that the Allegheny County Sheriff ’ s Office could probably continue handling permits if it wanted to , they just don ’ t want to .
Then again , this is the Pittsburg area @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city council continue to walk free after blatantly and intentionally ignoring state law .
I ’ m pretty sure there aren ’ t enough people in the area willing to call the sheriff to task over his nonsense .
Meanwhile , if you want a pathetically small sum of money on a gift card for a store you may not even shop at , Wilkinsburg has you covered .
Too bad the criminals aren ’ t going to show up to do anything but dump murder weapons .

Gun buybacks are a waste of time. They don’t get guns from the people who represent a real threat to the general public…except when a crook needs to dump a gun “no questions asked.”
Concealed carry, on the other hand, empowers individuals to protect themselves. While it’s not a guarantee that crime will be stopped, it does help.
The two things, however, usually don’t have much of anything to do with one another.
Yet sometimes, they do.
Wilkinsburg Police are trading gift cards for guns. This Saturday at a gun buyback event a the Wilkinsburg Borough Building, residents can trade in their guns for Giant Eagle gift cards and others.
Those taking guns will get a $50 gift card for a handgun and a $25 one for a rifle.
Big money.
Now, ordinarily, if I bothered to mention a buyback, it would be to talk about how useless they are. However, this one in Wilkinsburg is a little different. Why? Because Wilkinsburg is in Allegheny County in Pennsylvania.
Allegheny County is currently facing a lawsuit because they not issuing concealed carry permits.
So, let me get this straight. COVID-19 is such a horrible and dangerous threat to life that you can’t issue concealed carry permits, something which helps people exercise a constitutional right, but having a gun buyback event is perfectly fine?
Really?
Honestly, this is downright infuriating.
Ordinary citizens in the country are unable to get the permit they need in order to lawfully carry a firearm. Violence is on the rise throughout the nation, so I can see why a lot of people would want to start carrying now. Further, there are a ton of new gun owners all over the nation. That includes Allegheny County.
They’re left in limbo, unsure of when they’ll be able to lawfully carry a firearm.
Meanwhile, the exact same area has no problem spending taxpayer money to take part in a gun buyback event–if the police are involved, taxpayer money is involved, regardless of who funds the gift cards themselves. It’s kind of hard not to get upset at the blatant disrespect toward law-abiding citizens’ gun rights.
Now, in fairness, the Wilkinsburg Police Department isn’t the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office. They’re two different law enforcement agencies, so ordinarily, the actions of one wouldn’t have much of an impact on what another opts to do. However, this is the same area where COVID-19 is such a horrid threat. You’d think that if it were that dangerous, even the mask requirements for the buyback would be insufficient.
What it really tells you is that the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office could probably continue handling permits if it wanted to, they just don’t want to.
Then again, this is the Pittsburg area, where Mayor Bill Peduto and the city council continue to walk free after blatantly and intentionally ignoring state law. I’m pretty sure there aren’t enough people in the area willing to call the sheriff to task over his nonsense.
Meanwhile, if you want a pathetically small sum of money on a gift card for a store you may not even shop at, Wilkinsburg has you covered. Too bad the criminals aren’t going to show up to do anything but dump murder weapons.


bearingarms--2020-12-02--2A Sanctuary Counties Now Targeting Northam's COVID Restrictions

The Second Amendment Sanctuary movement that swept across the state of Virginia over the past twelve months has now taken a step in a slightly different direction .
New resolutions are being offered and approved in several counties that declared themselves to be safe havens for gun owners , only this time they ’ re aimed at Gov .
Ralph Northam ’ s latest COVID-19 executive order instead of anti-gun legislation proposed by the governor and his fellow Democrats in control of the state legislature .
On Tuesday evening the Campbell County board of supervisors approved a resolution declaring the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in opposition to Northam ’ s latest round of coronavirus-related restrictions .
The proposed resolution states the governor ’ s mandate is in violation of the Constitution of Virginia and seeks to oppose enforcement of the executive order .
Specifically , it states that no county funds will be used to restrict “ the First Amendment , ” and requests the sheriff ’ s office “ not assist any state law enforcement officer , state health agent or federal agent ” attempting to enforce the order .
Dozens of Campbell County residents turned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a united front in camo , blue jeans and ballcaps .
When Concord District Supervisor Matt Cline began to read the resolution , there was a flurry of movement as they took off their face masks in a show of support .
The same solidarity brought the crowd to its feet as residents praised the county for passing the resolution and , in turn , dismissed the few residents who took to the podium to speak in opposition .
Northam ’ s latest mandate restricts indoor and outdoor gatherings to no more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restaurants and bars must stop on-site alcohol sales at 10 p.m. and close by midnight .
Local restaurant owner Chris England told the Campbell County board that the new restrictions are crippling his business .
Before COVID-19 , he said , he had more than 50 employees .
Now he is down to about a dozen .
The new restrictions on alcohol sales take his best 16 hours of the week , he said .
He added that his profits have taken a deep dive , and the restrictions are taking the food @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I believe that we ought to protect the vulnerable , protect the high risk , but let everybody live their life , ” England said .
“ I ’ m asking for you , as the board , to take my sentiments as one of the few restaurants and bars in Campbell County , and push it up the food chain to Governor Northam .
Let him know how it ’ s affecting us , how it ’ s affecting our county.
” A similar resolution that would have directed the sheriff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Northam ’ s mandate was tabled in Bedford County last week after county supervisors recognized that they don ’ t actually have the power to order the sheriff to do anything .
County supervisors control the budget for the local sheriff , but they don ’ t have any authority over enforcement of the laws on the books .
When it came to Second Amendment Sanctuary resolutions , most of the counties adopted language that said no county funds should be used to enforce unconstitutional gun control laws .
That ’ s very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s new First Amendment Sanctuary resolution , but given the fact that the Virginia Department of Health , and not the Campbell County sheriff , will be the primary enforcers of any fines levied against businesses violating the governor ’ s edict , the latest resolution is fairly symbolic in nature .
Still , Campbell County ’ s resolution , and others that are likely to follow , will send a message to Northam , though I expect he ’ ll cover his ears and refuse to listen .
Like many other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has seen an increase in the number of COVID cases over the past month , but hospitalizations and deaths from the virus are almost non-existent in the county .
For many residents , the threat from Northam ’ s mandates is indeed far worse than the threat posed by COVID-19 , and if the governor and Democrats in Virginia ignore the increasing hostility towards the one-size-fits-all mandates , they do so at their own political peril .
2021 is an election year in Virginia , with every seat in the House of Delegates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Lt .
Governor , and Attorney General .
Rural Democrats in particular are already going to face a tough re-election thanks to the anti-gun agenda pushed by Northam and others , and the hostility towards Northam ’ s coronavirus restrictions could lead to a red wave in much of the state come November .

The Second Amendment Sanctuary movement that swept across the state of Virginia over the past twelve months has now taken a step in a slightly different direction. New resolutions are being offered and approved in several counties that declared themselves to be safe havens for gun owners, only this time they’re aimed at Gov. Ralph Northam’s latest COVID-19 executive order instead of anti-gun legislation proposed by the governor and his fellow Democrats in control of the state legislature.
On Tuesday evening the Campbell County board of supervisors approved a resolution declaring the county a “First Amendment Sanctuary” in opposition to Northam’s latest round of coronavirus-related restrictions.
The proposed resolution states the governor’s mandate is in violation of the Constitution of Virginia and seeks to oppose enforcement of the executive order. Specifically, it states that no county funds will be used to restrict “the First Amendment,” and requests the sheriff’s office “not assist any state law enforcement officer, state health agent or federal agent” attempting to enforce the order. Dozens of Campbell County residents turned out to back the resolution, many a united front in camo, blue jeans and ballcaps. When Concord District Supervisor Matt Cline began to read the resolution, there was a flurry of movement as they took off their face masks in a show of support. The same solidarity brought the crowd to its feet as residents praised the county for passing the resolution and, in turn, dismissed the few residents who took to the podium to speak in opposition.
Northam’s latest mandate restricts indoor and outdoor gatherings to no more than 25 people, and also mandates that restaurants and bars must stop on-site alcohol sales at 10 p.m. and close by midnight. Local restaurant owner Chris England told the Campbell County board that the new restrictions are crippling his business.
Before COVID-19, he said, he had more than 50 employees. Now he is down to about a dozen. The new restrictions on alcohol sales take his best 16 hours of the week, he said. He added that his profits have taken a deep dive, and the restrictions are taking the food off of his employees’ tables. “I believe that we ought to protect the vulnerable, protect the high risk, but let everybody live their life,” England said. “I’m asking for you, as the board, to take my sentiments as one of the few restaurants and bars in Campbell County, and push it up the food chain to Governor Northam. Let him know how it’s affecting us, how it’s affecting our county.”
A similar resolution that would have directed the sheriff to actually arrest officials who were enforcing Northam’s mandate was tabled in Bedford County last week after county supervisors recognized that they don’t actually have the power to order the sheriff to do anything. County supervisors control the budget for the local sheriff, but they don’t have any authority over enforcement of the laws on the books.
When it came to Second Amendment Sanctuary resolutions, most of the counties adopted language that said no county funds should be used to enforce unconstitutional gun control laws. That’s very similar to the language in Campbell County’s new First Amendment Sanctuary resolution, but given the fact that the Virginia Department of Health, and not the Campbell County sheriff, will be the primary enforcers of any fines levied against businesses violating the governor’s edict, the latest resolution is fairly symbolic in nature.
Still, Campbell County’s resolution, and others that are likely to follow, will send a message to Northam, though I expect he’ll cover his ears and refuse to listen. Like many other counties across the state, Campbell County has seen an increase in the number of COVID cases over the past month, but hospitalizations and deaths from the virus are almost non-existent in the county.
For many residents, the threat from Northam’s mandates is indeed far worse than the threat posed by COVID-19, and if the governor and Democrats in Virginia ignore the increasing hostility towards the one-size-fits-all mandates, they do so at their own political peril. 2021 is an election year in Virginia, with every seat in the House of Delegates up for grabs along with the governorship, Lt. Governor, and Attorney General. Rural Democrats in particular are already going to face a tough re-election thanks to the anti-gun agenda pushed by Northam and others, and the hostility towards Northam’s coronavirus restrictions could lead to a red wave in much of the state come November.


bearingarms--2020-12-02--Ammo Background Check Bill Pre-Filed In Florida

Many states are gearing up for January ’ s legislative sessions .
That means pre-filing bills for potential consideration .
Not all of them will go anywhere , of course , but each of them represents something a lawmaker wants to see become law .
That means some of them are downright troubling .
One of these troubling examples was filed in Florida .
Rep. Dan Daley , D-Coral Springs , also refiled a 2020 bill that would require the same background checks for firearms sales to be conducted for ammunition purchases .
The proposed measure , House Bill 25 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bill , which was named Jamie ’ s Law in memory of 14-year-old Jaime Guttenberg , who was among the 17 people murdered in the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting .
Sen. Lauren Book , D-Plantation , filed a Senate companion to Daley ’ s bill in the last session .
Neither received a committee hearing .
No 2021 Senate companion bill had been filed through noon Tuesday .
“ As a graduate of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High , nothing is more important to me than preventing another tragedy like what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Daley said Monday .
“ Jaime ’ s Law is a huge step in the right direction towards ensuring that weapons and ammunition stay out of dangerous hands , ” Daley said .
“ It ’ s also common sense and does not restrict the rights of legal gun owners .
If someone walks into a bar and orders a beer , a bartender is required by law to ask for their ID .
Why isn ’ t a vendor required by law to ensure someone seeking to purchase ammunition is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bringing up Parkland is downright despicable and disgusting .
Unless Daley is a complete and utter moron–something I can ’ t dismiss out of hand–then he knows that if the Parkland shooter could pass a background check to purchase a firearm , then he ’ d pass a background check to obtain ammunition for that firearm .
Such a law would have had no impact on that shooting .
Yet here he is , bringing it up , trying his damnedest to poke at still raw emotions in an effort to shove his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That doesn ’ t touch on the fact that ammunition restrictions like he ’ s proposing have been a complete and utter cluster-flop when passed elsewhere .
Further , there ’ s been no evidence that they ’ ve reduced crime in any way , shape , or form .
In fact , we ’ ve seen violent crimes spike in states with such restrictions this year , the same as in states with no such restrictions .
Why , it ’ s almost like it doesn ’ t matter .
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s that Florida isn ’ t remotely interested in passing a bill just to appease a grandstanding lawmaker looking to pander to a base in his district that ’ s still reeling from a horrible tragedy .
Daley , however , has also shown himself to be the most disgusting type of lawmaker , one who will try and manipulate raw emotions in an effort to score a win , even if he knows the words he ’ s saying are completely untrue .
Politicians like Daley give the rest a bad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rest are , that ’ s really saying something .

Many states are gearing up for January’s legislative sessions. That means pre-filing bills for potential consideration. Not all of them will go anywhere, of course, but each of them represents something a lawmaker wants to see become law.
That means some of them are downright troubling.
One of these troubling examples was filed in Florida.
Rep. Dan Daley, D-Coral Springs, also refiled a 2020 bill that would require the same background checks for firearms sales to be conducted for ammunition purchases. The proposed measure, House Bill 25, is essentially Daley’s 2020 bill, which was named Jamie’s Law in memory of 14-year-old Jaime Guttenberg, who was among the 17 people murdered in the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting. Sen. Lauren Book, D-Plantation, filed a Senate companion to Daley’s bill in the last session. Neither received a committee hearing. No 2021 Senate companion bill had been filed through noon Tuesday. “As a graduate of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High, nothing is more important to me than preventing another tragedy like what our community experienced from ever happening again,” Daley said Monday. “Jaime’s Law is a huge step in the right direction towards ensuring that weapons and ammunition stay out of dangerous hands,” Daley said. “It’s also common sense and does not restrict the rights of legal gun owners. If someone walks into a bar and orders a beer, a bartender is required by law to ask for their ID. Why isn’t a vendor required by law to ensure someone seeking to purchase ammunition is legally allowed to do so?”
Bringing up Parkland is downright despicable and disgusting.
Unless Daley is a complete and utter moron–something I can’t dismiss out of hand–then he knows that if the Parkland shooter could pass a background check to purchase a firearm, then he’d pass a background check to obtain ammunition for that firearm. Such a law would have had no impact on that shooting.
Yet here he is, bringing it up, trying his damnedest to poke at still raw emotions in an effort to shove his legislative agenda down Florida’s throat.
That doesn’t touch on the fact that ammunition restrictions like he’s proposing have been a complete and utter cluster-flop when passed elsewhere. Further, there’s been no evidence that they’ve reduced crime in any way, shape, or form. In fact, we’ve seen violent crimes spike in states with such restrictions this year, the same as in states with no such restrictions. Why, it’s almost like it doesn’t matter.
Shocking, I know.
If there’s an upside, it’s that Florida isn’t remotely interested in passing a bill just to appease a grandstanding lawmaker looking to pander to a base in his district that’s still reeling from a horrible tragedy. Daley, however, has also shown himself to be the most disgusting type of lawmaker, one who will try and manipulate raw emotions in an effort to score a win, even if he knows the words he’s saying are completely untrue.
Politicians like Daley give the rest a bad name; and considering who some of the rest are, that’s really saying something.


bearingarms--2020-12-02--Another Record Set With Nearly 2-Million Guns Sold In November

The Great Gun Run of 2020 continued at a record-setting pace in November , according to new analysis from the National Shooting Sports Foundation .
The firearms industry trade group estimates that over the course of the past month there were 1,949,141 background checks performed on gun sales ; a whopping 45.2 % increase over November of 2019 and the most guns sales ever in the month of November .
The NSSF reports that , to date , there ’ ve been 19.1 million background checks conducted on gun sales in 2020 , shattering the previous record high of 15.7 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2016 .
The number of new gun owners also continues to increase , according to the NSSF , with an estimated 7.7-million Americans picking up a firearm for the first time so far this year .
With December typically one of the busiest months of the year for gun sales , it seems likely that by the time the new year gets here there will be close to 9-million new gun owners in the United States , and the surge in gun ownership has resulted in continued record-high demand for ammunition as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continuing to report short supply for many common calibers , and the price of ammo is increasing as well .
WINK-TV recently took a look at at the ammunition situation in the Fort Myers , Florida area and found it ’ s having an impact .
The Owner of Gulf Coast Clay ’ s Gun Club , in Collier County , Correy Rugg , lives and breathes guns .
So you can imagine how much he ’ s heard about the recent shortage of ammo .
“ It seems like anywhere you go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of ammo at all it ’ s really tough to come by , ” Rugg said .
Corey says there are two reasons for the shortage , panic-buying during the pandemic and the presidential election .
“ Coronavirus shut down a lot of the manufacturers which supplied all the ammo and now all their inventory is gone and with all the panic buying everybody ’ s just starting to try and catch back up , ” he said .
Thomas B. works at Tactical Research Weapons .
“ As far as ammunition goes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by , ” said Thomas .
Thomas B. says they ’ ve had plenty of people coming in looking for ammo .
“ Not only is it short but it ’ s also getting pretty expensive to the point where people won ’ t buy it unless they feel desperate enough to which we have had a few people do , ” he said .
Most of the industry experts that I ’ ve spoken to say they think we ’ ll be well into 2021 before the a balance between supply and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ll see slow improvement rather than a switch being flipped and store shelves returning to normal overnight .
Of course , any attempt by Joe Biden and Democrats in Congress to push their anti-gun agenda will likely lead to yet another surge in demand for both firearms and ammunition , which could delay a return to normalcy for the industry .
Frankly , what that new normal looks like with nearly 10-million new gun owners is anyone ’ s guess at the moment .
How many of them will become regular visitors to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ competitive shooters , take up hunting , or become an active part of the Second Amendment community as opposed to putting their new gun in a safe somewhere and forgetting about it ?
My guess is that a substantial number of them are going to actively embrace their Second Amendment rights , which could mean it takes a little longer for the industry to catch up to the new normal in terms of demand .
While that ’ s not great news for those of us looking for a few boxes of .223 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mortgage , our rights are going to be more secure in the long run with millions of new activists joining the cause .

The Great Gun Run of 2020 continued at a record-setting pace in November, according to new analysis from the National Shooting Sports Foundation. The firearms industry trade group estimates that over the course of the past month there were 1,949,141 background checks performed on gun sales; a whopping 45.2% increase over November of 2019 and the most guns sales ever in the month of November.
The NSSF reports that, to date, there’ve been 19.1 million background checks conducted on gun sales in 2020, shattering the previous record high of 15.7 million NICS checks on gun sales in 2016. The number of new gun owners also continues to increase, according to the NSSF, with an estimated 7.7-million Americans picking up a firearm for the first time so far this year.
With December typically one of the busiest months of the year for gun sales, it seems likely that by the time the new year gets here there will be close to 9-million new gun owners in the United States, and the surge in gun ownership has resulted in continued record-high demand for ammunition as well.
Gun stores across the country are continuing to report short supply for many common calibers, and the price of ammo is increasing as well. WINK-TV recently took a look at at the ammunition situation in the Fort Myers, Florida area and found it’s having an impact.
The Owner of Gulf Coast Clay’s Gun Club, in Collier County, Correy Rugg, lives and breathes guns. So you can imagine how much he’s heard about the recent shortage of ammo. “It seems like anywhere you go if you want to buy any kind of ammo at all it’s really tough to come by,” Rugg said. Corey says there are two reasons for the shortage, panic-buying during the pandemic and the presidential election. “Coronavirus shut down a lot of the manufacturers which supplied all the ammo and now all their inventory is gone and with all the panic buying everybody’s just starting to try and catch back up,” he said. Thomas B. works at Tactical Research Weapons. “As far as ammunition goes it’s extremely hard to come by,” said Thomas. Thomas B. says they’ve had plenty of people coming in looking for ammo. “Not only is it short but it’s also getting pretty expensive to the point where people won’t buy it unless they feel desperate enough to which we have had a few people do,” he said.
Most of the industry experts that I’ve spoken to say they think we’ll be well into 2021 before the a balance between supply and demand is found, and we’ll see slow improvement rather than a switch being flipped and store shelves returning to normal overnight.
Of course, any attempt by Joe Biden and Democrats in Congress to push their anti-gun agenda will likely lead to yet another surge in demand for both firearms and ammunition, which could delay a return to normalcy for the industry.
Frankly, what that new normal looks like with nearly 10-million new gun owners is anyone’s guess at the moment. How many of them will become regular visitors to their local gun range, or become competitive shooters, take up hunting, or become an active part of the Second Amendment community as opposed to putting their new gun in a safe somewhere and forgetting about it?
My guess is that a substantial number of them are going to actively embrace their Second Amendment rights, which could mean it takes a little longer for the industry to catch up to the new normal in terms of demand. While that’s not great news for those of us looking for a few boxes of .223 without having to take out a second mortgage, our rights are going to be more secure in the long run with millions of new activists joining the cause.


bearingarms--2020-12-02--Chicago Double Homicide Suspect Was Out On Bail

The idea behind jail is that it removes problem people from society for a period of time .
It makes society safer and , hopefully , creates a disincentive for people to commit crimes in the first place .
But that only follows a conviction .
Prior to trial , though , many are released out on bail .
This is part of the whole “ innocent until proven guilty ” that is such a vital part of our criminal justice system .
However , there are times when people don ’ t get out on bail .
A recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people probably shouldn ’ t get bail .
In other words , it looks like the judge lowering the bond–an act based on mounting pressure from the left–resulted in the death of these two people .
Two people who apparently did nothing wrong .
Now , don ’ t get me wrong .
People do have a right to be considered innocent until proven guilty , but that applies in court .
With a recidivist like Hebron , their past history should also factor into the bond .
Of course , the judge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It was the political pressure that views every minority as a victim that caused him to change his mind .
Now , two innocent people are dead–two actual minority victims .
Look , some people commit crimes bad enough that they probably shouldn ’ t get bond .
They should be treated in court as if they ’ re innocent and the prosecution should have to make their case , but that doesn ’ t mean everyone accused of a crime should be walking around free , particularly recidivists like this .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that there needs to be some kind of bond reform .
I ’ m pretty sure that we have very different ideas of what form that reform should take .

The idea behind jail is that it removes problem people from society for a period of time. It makes society safer and, hopefully, creates a disincentive for people to commit crimes in the first place.
But that only follows a conviction.
Prior to trial, though, many are released out on bail. This is part of the whole “innocent until proven guilty” that is such a vital part of our criminal justice system. However, there are times when people don’t get out on bail. A recent case in Chicago illustrates just why some people probably shouldn’t get bail.
Jessica Beal and her brother, Damian Beal, are the latest black victims of the jailbreak “criminal justice reform” agenda promoted by Black Lives Matter, which ensures that dangerous criminals like Clarence Hebron are not behind bars. While liberals living in suburbia enjoyed their Thanksgiving week vacation, people living in America’s major urban areas experienced more violence at the hands of undeterred repeat violent offenders. On Nov. 27, Chicago police put out an AMBER alert after 1-year-old K’marion Hebron was abducted at his house, which was the scene of a double homicide that included his mother, Jessica Beal, and her brother, Damian, as the victims. Police believe that the boy’s father, Clarence Hebron, who is Beal’s ex-husband, was responsible for the homicides and the initial abduction. The baby was later dropped off at a Riverside police station and was unharmed. Who is Clarence Hebron? CWB Chicago, which closely monitors crime in America’s murder capital, noticed the picture of Hebron released by police was identical to a mug shot of him from April 2019. After digging into his history, CWB Chicago discovered that Hebron, 32, had been in jail in 2019 for allegedly killing a woman while fleeing police and for two separate Class X felony armed habitual criminal gun crimes. So why was he out free? One of those notorious Cook County judges agreed to release him on just $15,000 bond in July! Hebron was charged on April 18, 2019, for reportedly hitting a woman with his vehicle while fleeing police and driving with a suspended license. While Hebron had been released in the prior months after two separate gun charges, the judge finally decided to keep him locked up after he was charged with reckless homicide by motor vehicle, aggravated fleeing causing bodily injury, and driving on a revoked license resulting in injury or death. However, the pressure to release criminals has been strong in recent months. Three days after Hebron’s lawyers filed a motion to have his bail reduced, Cook County Judge Dennis Porter agreed to lower the bail to just $50,000 each for the three offenses, allowing him to go free on a $15,000 cash payment (10% of the total bail). As of this writing, police are still looking for him in connection to the double homicide on Nov. 27.
In other words, it looks like the judge lowering the bond–an act based on mounting pressure from the left–resulted in the death of these two people. Two people who apparently did nothing wrong.
Now, don’t get me wrong. People do have a right to be considered innocent until proven guilty, but that applies in court. With a recidivist like Hebron, their past history should also factor into the bond.
Of course, the judge initially did just that, apparently. It was the political pressure that views every minority as a victim that caused him to change his mind. Now, two innocent people are dead–two actual minority victims.
Nice job, dipsticks.
Look, some people commit crimes bad enough that they probably shouldn’t get bond. They should be treated in court as if they’re innocent and the prosecution should have to make their case, but that doesn’t mean everyone accused of a crime should be walking around free, particularly recidivists like this.
I agree with groups like Black Lives Matter that there needs to be some kind of bond reform. I’m pretty sure that we have very different ideas of what form that reform should take.


bearingarms--2020-12-02--NRA Sues Over NJ Carry Laws, SAF & FPC Sue Over MD Gun Ban

There ’ s been a flurry of Second Amendment-related lawsuits filed over the past 24 hours , with the National Rifle Association announcing a legal challenge to New Jersey ’ s concealed carry laws and the Second Amendment Foundation and its sister organization the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms along with the Firearms Policy Coalition suing the state of Maryland over its ban on modern sporting rifles .
Both cases are another sign that pro-Second Amendment organizations are feeling increasingly confident that the Supreme Court ’ s reluctance to hear a case dealing with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a thing of the past with Justice Amy Coney Barrett now on the bench , and the flurry of litigation could turn into a blizzard over the next few months if the Supreme Court does agree to accept one of the many 2A-related cases that are headed its way .
In Mazahreh v. Grewal , the NRA , along with the Association of New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs and the Coalition of New Jersey Gun Owners , are hoping to get rid of the state ’ s “ justifiable need ” requirement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carry license .
In the Maryland case , known as Bianchi , et al vs. Frosh , et al , SAF , the Citizens Committee ( where , full disclosure , I serve as a board member ) , and FPC argue that the state ’ s ban on so-called assault weapons violates the clear language of the Second Amendment and existing Supreme Court precedent by banning guns that are in common use for a variety of lawful purposes .
This makes the second federal challenge filed against Maryland gun laws in recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state ’ s concealed carry law that makes it nearly impossible for average citizens to exercise their right to bear arms .
At issue are Maryland ’ s laws that individually and collectively deny millions of people their fundamental right to keep and bear commonly-owned arms .
That case is Call , et.al .
v. Jones et .
al .
“ Maryland has instituted laws that ban scores of firearms simply because they look like other guns , and that can not be allowed to stand , ” said SAF founder and Executive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As we note in the lawsuit , the right to keep and bear arms includes , but is not limited to , the right of individuals to acquire , transport , possess , purchase , and receive common firearms for all lawful purposes , including self-defense .
Maryland bans such firearms and there is no basis for such a ban , so we ’ re taking the state to court.
” “ So-called ‘ assault weapons ’ are some of the most commonly owned semi-automatic firearms , all of which are excellent for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Adam Kraut .
“ Maryland ’ s ban on these firearms robs its citizens of their right to choose , forcing them to purchase and use firearms that may not be what is best for them , including defending their homes and their families .
All law-abiding adults have a constitutional right to purchase any of the semi-automatic firearms on the market today .
Maryland ’ s laws are unconstitutional and we look forward to vindicating the rights of our clients and all individuals in Maryland and across the United States in this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these particular laws challenged , which are some of the more egregious gun laws on the books .
And of course , if the Supreme Court ultimately does strike down New Jersey ’ s carry laws and Maryland ’ s gun ban , those decisions will resonate far beyond the borders of those two states .
With Barrett now on the bench , expect to see even more 2A litigation filed in the weeks to come , and a lot of nervous gun control activists in the meantime .
Cam Edwards has covered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .

There’s been a flurry of Second Amendment-related lawsuits filed over the past 24 hours, with the National Rifle Association announcing a legal challenge to New Jersey’s concealed carry laws and the Second Amendment Foundation and its sister organization the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms along with the Firearms Policy Coalition suing the state of Maryland over its ban on modern sporting rifles.
Both cases are another sign that pro-Second Amendment organizations are feeling increasingly confident that the Supreme Court’s reluctance to hear a case dealing with the right to keep and bear arms is a thing of the past with Justice Amy Coney Barrett now on the bench, and the flurry of litigation could turn into a blizzard over the next few months if the Supreme Court does agree to accept one of the many 2A-related cases that are headed its way.
In Mazahreh v. Grewal, the NRA, along with the Association of New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs and the Coalition of New Jersey Gun Owners, are hoping to get rid of the state’s “justifiable need” requirement that blocks average citizens from obtaining a carry license.
“It’s outrageous that law-abiding people are being denied their right to self-defense by arbitrary means,” NRA spokeswoman Amy Hunter said. “Statistics show that self-defense situations come up quickly and without warning. Time and time again, we hear stories about good people who have saved lives because they were carrying a firearm. The state of New Jersey has no reason to deny law-abiding citizens their constitutional rights.” A spokesman for state Attorney Gurbir Grewal, Leland Moore, declined comment on the specific lawsuit. “However, we have consistently been successful in defending New Jersey’s commonsense firearm safety laws in the past, which protect the safety of the public and of law enforcement officers, and we will continue to do so going forward,” Moore said.


bearingarms--2020-12-02--Everyone Digs In And Waits To See What Biden Does

Whether we like it or not , Joe Biden will likely be sworn in as President of the United States of America next month .
Barring a miracle , it seems more and more likely that we ’ ll have the most anti-gun administration in the history of the nation take office .
During the primaries , Biden made his feelings known on guns , though that issue dropped off the radar entirely during the general election .
We know he ’ s not our friend and there ’ s absolutely no upside to a Biden administration .
Sure , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high , but that ’ s until the bans start .
And many expect to see executive action on guns right from the get-go , though that ’ s by no means assured .
As a result , many activists on either side are digging in and waiting to see what happens .
Back in March of this year , hours before the COVID-19 pandemic changed the way political campaigns work , then-candidate Joe Biden stopped in Ohio .
First , he stopped in Columbus and met with members of two gun control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moms Demand Action , according to Rebecca Gorski a volunteer with the latter group .
Despite the new style of campaign , which for Biden meant months of videos and small group discussions instead of large political rallies , Gorski said the issue of firearms in the United States wasn ’ t forgotten .
“ I think candidates were speaking about it more than ever before , and I think that it ’ s important to voters , ” she said .
Where Gorski sees promise in the Biden-Harris agenda , [ Second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ breach of freedom .
“ When you talk to the liberal gun club , they ’ re like , ‘ Yeah , that ’ s the platform that ’ s not real.
’ Well , if it ’ s not real , why is it saying this is the direction we want to go ?
” Suffecool said .
Suffecool advocates for more education when it comes to gun ownership and usage .
That is not in the current platform .
She doesn ’ t think the platform is going in the right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is nothing new .
Many left-leaning gun owners have apparently convinced themselves that Joe Biden isn ’ t really going to come for our guns , that he just said that during the primary to get ahead of all the other candidates .
However , it ’ s also important to remember that Biden has been an anti-gun jihadist for quite some time .
Frankly , anyone claiming that Biden won ’ t come after our guns is probably deluding themselves .
That said , there ’ s always been at least some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what they actually do .
Part of that is that the legislature simply won ’ t allow them to do everything they promised on the campaign trail , so there ’ s that .
However , we won ’ t know how far Biden will try to push things until he gets into office .
So yeah , everyone needs to dig in .
It ’ s clear we ’ re going to have a legislative fight on our hand for the next two years and the only hope we really have for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two Georgia Senate races , so it ’ s time to rally behind Sens .
Doug Perdue and Kelly Loeffler .
That ’ ll put a big thorn in Biden ’ s side when it comes to guns .
Without that , what we have are hopes and wishes that Biden was just being a politician on gun control and not a true believer .

Whether we like it or not, Joe Biden will likely be sworn in as President of the United States of America next month. Barring a miracle, it seems more and more likely that we’ll have the most anti-gun administration in the history of the nation take office.
During the primaries, Biden made his feelings known on guns, though that issue dropped off the radar entirely during the general election. We know he’s not our friend and there’s absolutely no upside to a Biden administration. Sure, gun sales will likely continue to be high, but that’s until the bans start.
And many expect to see executive action on guns right from the get-go, though that’s by no means assured. As a result, many activists on either side are digging in and waiting to see what happens.
Back in March of this year, hours before the COVID-19 pandemic changed the way political campaigns work, then-candidate Joe Biden stopped in Ohio. First, he stopped in Columbus and met with members of two gun control advocacy groups, Everytown Survivor Network and Moms Demand Action, according to Rebecca Gorski a volunteer with the latter group. Despite the new style of campaign, which for Biden meant months of videos and small group discussions instead of large political rallies, Gorski said the issue of firearms in the United States wasn’t forgotten. “I think candidates were speaking about it more than ever before, and I think that it’s important to voters,” she said. … Where Gorski sees promise in the Biden-Harris agenda, [Second Amendment activist Amanda] Suffecool sees a breach of freedom. “When you talk to the liberal gun club, they’re like, ‘Yeah, that’s the platform that’s not real.’ Well, if it’s not real, why is it saying this is the direction we want to go?” Suffecool said. Suffecool advocates for more education when it comes to gun ownership and usage. That is not in the current platform. She doesn’t think the platform is going in the right direction.
Of course, this disparity is nothing new. Many left-leaning gun owners have apparently convinced themselves that Joe Biden isn’t really going to come for our guns, that he just said that during the primary to get ahead of all the other candidates. However, it’s also important to remember that Biden has been an anti-gun jihadist for quite some time.
Frankly, anyone claiming that Biden won’t come after our guns is probably deluding themselves.
That said, there’s always been at least some disconnect between what a candidate says and what they actually do. Part of that is that the legislature simply won’t allow them to do everything they promised on the campaign trail, so there’s that.
However, we won’t know how far Biden will try to push things until he gets into office.
So yeah, everyone needs to dig in. It’s clear we’re going to have a legislative fight on our hand for the next two years and the only hope we really have for keeping Biden in check lies in the two Georgia Senate races, so it’s time to rally behind Sens. Doug Perdue and Kelly Loeffler.
That’ll put a big thorn in Biden’s side when it comes to guns. Without that, what we have are hopes and wishes that Biden was just being a politician on gun control and not a true believer.


bearingarms--2020-12-03--Is The New Movie "The 2nd" Pro-2A (And Any Good)?

Somehow I missed the Second Amendment-themed action flick “ The 2nd ” when it was released on demand back in September , but it ’ s become a surprisingly big hit on Netflix after being added to the streaming service last week .
When I sat down with the lovely Miss E to watch the flick on Wednesday evening , it was ( appropriately enough ) the second-most popular offering on Netflix at that time , and as of this writing it ’ s the most popular movie on the platform .
Is it worth an hour and a half @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a pro-2A message or is it another Hollywood offering that treats the right to keep and bear arms as a fatal flaw in the Constitution ?
Well , if you like cheesy action movies inspired by Die Hard and Taken , I think you ’ ll enjoy it .
Just don ’ t expect a deep dive into the right to keep and bear arms at any point in the film .
It ’ s a fun and largely mindless shoot- ’ em ( and stab ’ em , and punch ’ em @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flick , but the Second Amendment has surprisingly little to do with the movie itself .
The right to keep and bear arms serves mostly as a plot device , as the film revolves around a Supreme Court justice who ’ s struggling to decide how he ’ ll cast his deciding vote in a case that will determine whether Americans have the right to own a gun at all .
There ’ s no mention of the Heller case in the movie , so it ’ s unclear whether this takes place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wasn ’ t addressed by the Supreme Court in 2008 , or if this some new legal challenge .
In fact , we never learn any details about the case at all , only that the opinion has yet to be written , but is due to be released imminently .
Without getting too deep into spoiler territory , bad guys ( led by Casper Van Dien , who was the primary reason my wife agreed to watch The 2nd with me ) decide that they ’ re going to nudge the judge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kidnapping his daughter , and it ’ s up to former Delta Force member and current Secret Service agent Vic Davis ( played by Ryan Phillippe ) and his college-aged son Sam to take on the bad guys after they ’ re inadvertently thrust into the middle of the kidnapping at a California college that ’ s closing for the Christmas holidays .
The 2nd is mostly apolitical on the Second Amendment itself , but when screenwriters Eric Bromberg and Paul Taegel do broach the issue , they do so with a decidedly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again , keeping it vague and spoiler-free ) , a gun control advocate who desperately wants the Supreme Court to decide there is no right to keep and bear arms wistfully speaks about the heaven on earth that is to come once guns are banned , even unironically proclaiming that the country will be a gun-free “ utopia.
” It ’ s clear that the monologue isn ’ t meant to be inspirational .
Instead , it ’ s a moment of hypocrisy on the part of the character , who , like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , have no trouble with their people being armed .
It ’ s we the People having the right to keep and bear arms that ’ s the problem in their view .
The screenwriters also use the right to keep and bear arms to help develop the characters of Vic and Sam Davis .
Vic ’ s an unabashedly pro-gun veteran and Secret Service agent , and he ’ s taught his son how to hunt , fish , and shoot , even if Sam ’ s more interested in being a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the course of the movie Sam gets to put both his acting chops and his gun handling prowess to use , and even finds a newfound appreciation for dad along the way .
It ’ s not all menfolk doing the fighting , however .
Erin Watson , the daughter of the Supreme Court justice and the target of the baddies , ( played by Lexi Simonson ) , knows her way around a blade and she gets the chance to show off her swordsmanship in a climactic scene in the film , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ villains who are part of the assembled team of kidnappers .
Now , I want to be sure to set some realistic expectations here .
This is not the next Die Hard , no matter how much it might want to be included in the pantheon of Christmas-y action movies .
It ’ s a B-movie , and it shows .
No official budget figures have been released , but The 2nd was part of a 17-picture deal where the combined budgets of all 17 movies was going to be around $ 75- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ budget for The 2nd between $ 4.4- $ 5.2-million , which looks about right .
There are also some pretty big plot holes in The 2nd , and the Hollywood rules of gunfighting definitely apply .
My wife counted 34 shots from a pistol with a standard capacity magazine at one point , and I ’ m pretty sure that there were a dozen or more rounds fired from a revolver as well , but if inaccuracies like that don ’ t bother you too much , The 2nd is a fun popcorn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of your time .
It also leaves itself wide open for a sequel , so maybe we ’ ll get to learn a little more about that Second Amendment case in the next installment .
Will they go with The Second 2nd , The 2nd Squared , or The 2nd Part II , I wonder ?

Somehow I missed the Second Amendment-themed action flick “The 2nd” when it was released on demand back in September, but it’s become a surprisingly big hit on Netflix after being added to the streaming service last week. When I sat down with the lovely Miss E to watch the flick on Wednesday evening, it was (appropriately enough) the second-most popular offering on Netflix at that time, and as of this writing it’s the most popular movie on the platform.
Is it worth an hour and a half of your life? Does it deliver a pro-2A message or is it another Hollywood offering that treats the right to keep and bear arms as a fatal flaw in the Constitution? Well, if you like cheesy action movies inspired by Die Hard and Taken, I think you’ll enjoy it. Just don’t expect a deep dive into the right to keep and bear arms at any point in the film. It’s a fun and largely mindless shoot-’em (and stab ’em, and punch ’em, and explode ’em) up flick, but the Second Amendment has surprisingly little to do with the movie itself.
The right to keep and bear arms serves mostly as a plot device, as the film revolves around a Supreme Court justice who’s struggling to decide how he’ll cast his deciding vote in a case that will determine whether Americans have the right to own a gun at all. There’s no mention of the Heller case in the movie, so it’s unclear whether this takes place in some alternate universe where that question wasn’t addressed by the Supreme Court in 2008, or if this some new legal challenge. In fact, we never learn any details about the case at all, only that the opinion has yet to be written, but is due to be released imminently.
Without getting too deep into spoiler territory, bad guys (led by Casper Van Dien, who was the primary reason my wife agreed to watch The 2nd with me) decide that they’re going to nudge the judge into the “correct” decision by kidnapping his daughter, and it’s up to former Delta Force member and current Secret Service agent Vic Davis (played by Ryan Phillippe) and his college-aged son Sam to take on the bad guys after they’re inadvertently thrust into the middle of the kidnapping at a California college that’s closing for the Christmas holidays.
The 2nd is mostly apolitical on the Second Amendment itself, but when screenwriters Eric Bromberg and Paul Taegel do broach the issue, they do so with a decidedly pro-2A slant. At one point (again, keeping it vague and spoiler-free), a gun control advocate who desperately wants the Supreme Court to decide there is no right to keep and bear arms wistfully speaks about the heaven on earth that is to come once guns are banned, even unironically proclaiming that the country will be a gun-free “utopia.”
It’s clear that the monologue isn’t meant to be inspirational. Instead, it’s a moment of hypocrisy on the part of the character, who, like real life anti-gun activists like Michael Bloomberg, have no trouble with their people being armed. It’s we the People having the right to keep and bear arms that’s the problem in their view.
The screenwriters also use the right to keep and bear arms to help develop the characters of Vic and Sam Davis. Vic’s an unabashedly pro-gun veteran and Secret Service agent, and he’s taught his son how to hunt, fish, and shoot, even if Sam’s more interested in being a theater major than an outdoorsman. Over the course of the movie Sam gets to put both his acting chops and his gun handling prowess to use, and even finds a newfound appreciation for dad along the way.
It’s not all menfolk doing the fighting, however. Erin Watson, the daughter of the Supreme Court justice and the target of the baddies, (played by Lexi Simonson), knows her way around a blade and she gets the chance to show off her swordsmanship in a climactic scene in the film, as she battles one of several female villains who are part of the assembled team of kidnappers.
Now, I want to be sure to set some realistic expectations here. This is not the next Die Hard, no matter how much it might want to be included in the pantheon of Christmas-y action movies. It’s a B-movie, and it shows. No official budget figures have been released, but The 2nd was part of a 17-picture deal where the combined budgets of all 17 movies was going to be around $75-$90-million. That would put the budget for The 2nd between $4.4-$5.2-million, which looks about right.
There are also some pretty big plot holes in The 2nd, and the Hollywood rules of gunfighting definitely apply. My wife counted 34 shots from a pistol with a standard capacity magazine at one point, and I’m pretty sure that there were a dozen or more rounds fired from a revolver as well, but if inaccuracies like that don’t bother you too much, The 2nd is a fun popcorn flick that’s worth 90 minutes of your time. It also leaves itself wide open for a sequel, so maybe we’ll get to learn a little more about that Second Amendment case in the next installment. Will they go with The Second 2nd, The 2nd Squared, or The 2nd Part II, I wonder?


bearingarms--2020-12-03--Leftist Terrorists Attempt To Sabatoge Trains In WA

While the media has spent a lot of time screaming about right-leaning people with guns , there ’ s a whole wide world of evil out there .
The right has its share of nutjobs , to be sure , but they don ’ t hold a candle to the violence we ’ ve seen from the left .
Of course , riots get called “ mostly peaceful ” protests while a few guys standing around with guns are an existential threat to the republic .
The inept plot to kidnap a governor got wall-to-wall media coverage for similar reasons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were arrested on terrorism charges and we don ’ t even hear a peep .
Two people arrested on the BNSF Railway tracks near Bellingham , Whatcom County , were charged with terrorist attack and other violence against a railroad carrier , and appeared in federal court today , announced U.S. Attorney Brian T. Moran .
Samantha Brooks , 27 , and Ellen Reiche , 23 , both of Bellingham , Washington , were arrested Saturday night in Bellingham as they allegedly placed a ‘ shunt ’ on the tracks .
A shunt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the tracks and can disable various safety features .
“ Since January there have been 41 incidents of shunts placed on the BNSF tracks in Whatcom and Skagit counties—causing crossing guards to malfunction , interfering with automatic breaking systems , and , in one case , causing the near-derailment of tanks of hazardous chemicals , ” said U.S. Attorney Moran .
“ These crimes endanger our community .
I commend the agents from Customs and Border Protection , FBI , BNSF Police , and state and local partners who prioritized stopping this criminal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the FBI ’ s Joint Terrorism Task Force has been investigating the placement of shunts on the BNSF tracks since January 19 , 2020 .
The shunt is comprised of wire and magnets that are stretched between the tracks , disrupting the systems that indicate a train is on the tracks .
On ten occasions , shunts were placed in areas that disrupt the crossing guards where the tracks cross streets , so vehicles could have tried to cross the tracks unaware of the oncoming train .
On the night of October @ @ @ @ @ @ @ placed in three different locations in Whatcom and Skagit Counties .
The shunts triggered an automatic breaking system on a train that was transporting hazardous and combustible material .
The emergency breaking then caused a portion of the train to decouple from the engine .
Decoupling has the potential to cause a derailment—in this case—of tanker cars of flammable gas in a residential area .
Following the first such shunts being discovered in January , an anarchist website claimed responsibility .
There ’ s been silence from the mainstream media .
Granted , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been any injuries resulting from these acts , but I find it hilarious that these two were allegedly risking innocent lives to make a political point , but the media ignores it , while a few armed citizens standing around with weapons is some horrible threat .
If you don ’ t believe media bias is real , then please explain why two people arrested on terrorism charges don ’ t warrant a national news story , but people exercising their Second Amendment rights is sufficient grounds for countless op-eds , blog posts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ d absolutely love to hear that reasoning .

While the media has spent a lot of time screaming about right-leaning people with guns, there’s a whole wide world of evil out there. The right has its share of nutjobs, to be sure, but they don’t hold a candle to the violence we’ve seen from the left.
Of course, riots get called “mostly peaceful” protests while a few guys standing around with guns are an existential threat to the republic.
The inept plot to kidnap a governor got wall-to-wall media coverage for similar reasons. Meanwhile, a couple of leftist-anarchists were arrested on terrorism charges and we don’t even hear a peep.
Two people arrested on the BNSF Railway tracks near Bellingham, Whatcom County, were charged with terrorist attack and other violence against a railroad carrier, and appeared in federal court today, announced U.S. Attorney Brian T. Moran. Samantha Brooks, 27, and Ellen Reiche, 23, both of Bellingham, Washington, were arrested Saturday night in Bellingham as they allegedly placed a ‘shunt’ on the tracks. A shunt disrupts the low level electrical current on the tracks and can disable various safety features. “Since January there have been 41 incidents of shunts placed on the BNSF tracks in Whatcom and Skagit counties—causing crossing guards to malfunction, interfering with automatic breaking systems, and, in one case, causing the near-derailment of tanks of hazardous chemicals,” said U.S. Attorney Moran. “These crimes endanger our community. I commend the agents from Customs and Border Protection, FBI, BNSF Police, and state and local partners who prioritized stopping this criminal conduct.” According to the criminal complaint, the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force has been investigating the placement of shunts on the BNSF tracks since January 19, 2020. The shunt is comprised of wire and magnets that are stretched between the tracks, disrupting the systems that indicate a train is on the tracks. On ten occasions, shunts were placed in areas that disrupt the crossing guards where the tracks cross streets, so vehicles could have tried to cross the tracks unaware of the oncoming train. On the night of October 11, 2020, multiple shunts were placed in three different locations in Whatcom and Skagit Counties. The shunts triggered an automatic breaking system on a train that was transporting hazardous and combustible material. The emergency breaking then caused a portion of the train to decouple from the engine. Decoupling has the potential to cause a derailment—in this case—of tanker cars of flammable gas in a residential area.
Following the first such shunts being discovered in January, an anarchist website claimed responsibility.
There’s been silence from the mainstream media.
Granted, there doesn’t appear to have been any injuries resulting from these acts, but I find it hilarious that these two were allegedly risking innocent lives to make a political point, but the media ignores it, while a few armed citizens standing around with weapons is some horrible threat.
If you don’t believe media bias is real, then please explain why two people arrested on terrorism charges don’t warrant a national news story, but people exercising their Second Amendment rights is sufficient grounds for countless op-eds, blog posts, and editorials decrying their actions. I’d absolutely love to hear that reasoning.


bearingarms--2020-12-03--Third Time The Charm For Florida Campus Carry Bill?

As my colleague Tom Knighton reported here earlier in the week , a bill to legalize campus carry has been introduced in the Florida legislature for the third year in a row .
Rep. Anthony Sabatini ’ s bill didn ’ t even get a legislative hearing last session , but the higher ed lobby in the state is already beginning to speak out about this year ’ s bill .
On today ’ s Bearing Arms ’ Cam & Co we take a closer look at the fight for the right to carry on campus in Florida , starting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Florida State University during his “ state of the university ” address .
John Thrasher ’ s not only one of the most powerful figures in public education in Florida , he ’ s a former lawmaker who ’ s pledging to stand firm in opposition to expanding the right to carry onto college campuses .
Thrasher ’ s likely referring to a shooting on campus back in 2014 , when a former student entered the Strozier Library on campus and opened fire , wounding three students before he was killed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that attack completely ignored the fact that Florida State is a “ gun-free campus , ” which isn ’ t surprising given the fact that he was intent on targeting human lives .
Once someone ’ s decided to break the law against committing murder , violating a gun-free zone isn ’ t likely to weigh heavily on the mind .
Florida is home to more than 2-million concealed carry holders , and the state ’ s violent crime and homicide rate has plummeted by more than 50 % since the state ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the late 1980s .
Concealed carry holders aren ’ t causing problems off campus , so why would Thrasher and other opponents of campus carry presume that these otherwise lawful gun owners are going to turn into outlaws and monsters if they ’ re allowed to step on to campus with their legally concealed firearm ?
For Thrasher , the answer may be more personal than political .
Back in 2011 , when Thrasher was serving as the chair of the state Senate ’ s rule committee , he ended up killing a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supported just one year earlier .
The reason ?
The daughter of Thrasher ’ s dentist had been accidentally shot and killed by her boyfriend during a late-night party at an off-campus fraternity .
The boyfriend , who at 18 did not possess a concealed-carry license , told police he did not know his rifle was loaded .
He also admitted to drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana .
Thrasher told one newspaper that the decision to kill the 2011 bill was “ beyond personal.
” That incredibly tragic and reckless event had nothing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clearly the facts of the shooting mattered less to Thrasher than the idea of having “ more guns on campus , ” and he ’ s been opposed to the idea ever since .
As I detail in today ’ s program , I support campus carry because of another story involving a different woman on a college campus thousands of miles away from Florida State .
Amanda Collins was a student at the University of Nevada-Reno when she was brutally raped in a campus parking garage within sight of the UNR campus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ holder , Collins would have been armed on campus but for the rules that barred her and others from lawfully carrying .
I was the first reporter to speak to Collins about the sexual assault and the aftermath , including the fact that university president told her after she had been raped that he would allow her to carry her gun from then on , as long as she didn ’ t tell any other student because they might want to do the same .
Hearing her story brought the issue home to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never considered before , and I ’ ve been a vocal supporter of campus carry ever since .
There ’ s simply no logical reason why someone who can legally carry in restaurants , grocery stores , shopping malls , movie theaters , and churches should be barred from exercising that same right on a college campus , and though the Florida legislation undoubtably faces an uphill climb in the 2021 legislative session , I ’ m hoping that the third time is indeed the charm for this live-saving measure .

As my colleague Tom Knighton reported here earlier in the week, a bill to legalize campus carry has been introduced in the Florida legislature for the third year in a row. Rep. Anthony Sabatini’s bill didn’t even get a legislative hearing last session, but the higher ed lobby in the state is already beginning to speak out about this year’s bill.
On today’s Bearing Arms’ Cam & Co we take a closer look at the fight for the right to carry on campus in Florida, starting with recent comments made by the president of Florida State University during his “state of the university” address. John Thrasher’s not only one of the most powerful figures in public education in Florida, he’s a former lawmaker who’s pledging to stand firm in opposition to expanding the right to carry onto college campuses.
“I don’t want this to be the top of the story by the way, but I want to make the pledge to you one more time that I’ve made every year, that I will continue to fight any kind of campus carry legislation.” said Thrasher, a former Republican Florida House Speaker and State Senator. “We’ve all experienced enough heartache to know that more guns on campus do not make us safer.”
Thrasher’s likely referring to a shooting on campus back in 2014, when a former student entered the Strozier Library on campus and opened fire, wounding three students before he was killed by police. Of course the gunman in that attack completely ignored the fact that Florida State is a “gun-free campus,” which isn’t surprising given the fact that he was intent on targeting human lives. Once someone’s decided to break the law against committing murder, violating a gun-free zone isn’t likely to weigh heavily on the mind.
Florida is home to more than 2-million concealed carry holders, and the state’s violent crime and homicide rate has plummeted by more than 50% since the state’s carry law went into effect in the late 1980s. Concealed carry holders aren’t causing problems off campus, so why would Thrasher and other opponents of campus carry presume that these otherwise lawful gun owners are going to turn into outlaws and monsters if they’re allowed to step on to campus with their legally concealed firearm?
For Thrasher, the answer may be more personal than political. Back in 2011, when Thrasher was serving as the chair of the state Senate’s rule committee, he ended up killing a campus carry bill that he’d supported just one year earlier.
The reason? The daughter of Thrasher’s dentist had been accidentally shot and killed by her boyfriend during a late-night party at an off-campus fraternity. The boyfriend, who at 18 did not possess a concealed-carry license, told police he did not know his rifle was loaded. He also admitted to drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana. Thrasher told one newspaper that the decision to kill the 2011 bill was “beyond personal.”
That incredibly tragic and reckless event had nothing to do with campus carry, but clearly the facts of the shooting mattered less to Thrasher than the idea of having “more guns on campus,” and he’s been opposed to the idea ever since.
As I detail in today’s program, I support campus carry because of another story involving a different woman on a college campus thousands of miles away from Florida State. Amanda Collins was a student at the University of Nevada-Reno when she was brutally raped in a campus parking garage within sight of the UNR campus police station. As a concealed carry holder, Collins would have been armed on campus but for the rules that barred her and others from lawfully carrying.
I was the first reporter to speak to Collins about the sexual assault and the aftermath, including the fact that university president told her after she had been raped that he would allow her to carry her gun from then on, as long as she didn’t tell any other student because they might want to do the same. Hearing her story brought the issue home to me in a way I’d never considered before, and I’ve been a vocal supporter of campus carry ever since.
There’s simply no logical reason why someone who can legally carry in restaurants, grocery stores, shopping malls, movie theaters, and churches should be barred from exercising that same right on a college campus, and though the Florida legislation undoubtably faces an uphill climb in the 2021 legislative session, I’m hoping that the third time is indeed the charm for this live-saving measure.


bearingarms--2020-12-03--Car Jackings In Minneapolis Up 537 Percent

That ’ s what they said and the city of Minneapolis apparently decided to listen .
The city council voted to do just that , but don ’ t worry , they said .
No bad would come from defunding police , apparently .
Unfortunately , we live in the real world , and as Ed Morrissey writes over at our sister site , Hot Air , reality is a mother .
Ho hum , just another couple of months in the reduced-policing utopia known as Minneapolis .
With fewer police on the street , that must mean that residents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the police ” official policy must be enjoying a more peaceful and free life , right ?
Well , some are — and the rest are paying for it : Over the past two months , Minneapolis police have logged more than 125 carjackings in the city , a troubling surge that authorities had largely linked to small groups of marauding teens .
But an increasing number of adults have been arrested in recent weeks for the same crime .
Within a one-hour period Saturday morning , police reported three separate carjackings in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elderly woman was struck on the head .
Such attacks are up 537 % this month when compared with last November .
“ The numbers are staggering , ” said police spokesman John Elder .
“ It defies all civility and any shred of common human decency.
” Five hundred and thirty seven percent in a year .
Let that statistic roll around in your noggin for a few moments .
What could possibly have happened over the past year to allow that sort of explosion in armed robberies , which is exactly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city council ’ s push to get rid of the police , and the exodus of law-enforcement officers that resulted from it ?
Oh , let ’ s not always see the same hands .
Honestly , who with a functional brain didn ’ t see this coming ?
As I ’ ve noted before , even if you take every dime you remove from the police budget and put it toward crime prevention measures , it ’ ll take years before any of them show any potential results .
Defunding law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we can quantify just how idiotic .
I mean , a 537 percent increase ?
That ’ s insane , but also think about how few carjackings there were during the lockdown .
For months , few people went anywhere , which meant fewer opportunities to jack someone ’ s car .
It was also more difficult to mill about on foot while waiting for a potential target .
That means it ’ s very likely these numbers have skyrocketed in just the last half of the year , making it even more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the whole “ defund the police ” thing has turned into the trainwreck we all expected it to become .
Don ’ t get me wrong , the Minneapolis PD has issues that need to be addressed , but they ’ re damn sure not going to be able to reduce crime with smaller budgets and less manpower .
Plus , it seems the bad guys are starting to move into wealthier parts of the city , so that means it ’ s even more difficult to avoid it .
If you ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your firearms close and ready no matter what part of town you find yourself in .
After all , it ’ s not like there are enough police to save the day .

“Defund the police.”
That’s what they said and the city of Minneapolis apparently decided to listen. The city council voted to do just that, but don’t worry, they said. No bad would come from defunding police, apparently.
Unfortunately, we live in the real world, and as Ed Morrissey writes over at our sister site, Hot Air, reality is a mother.
Ho hum, just another couple of months in the reduced-policing utopia known as Minneapolis. With fewer police on the street, that must mean that residents in the city that made “abolish the police” official policy must be enjoying a more peaceful and free life, right? Well, some are — and the rest are paying for it: Over the past two months, Minneapolis police have logged more than 125 carjackings in the city, a troubling surge that authorities had largely linked to small groups of marauding teens. But an increasing number of adults have been arrested in recent weeks for the same crime. Within a one-hour period Saturday morning, police reported three separate carjackings in southeast Minneapolis, including one where an elderly woman was struck on the head. Such attacks are up 537% this month when compared with last November. “The numbers are staggering,” said police spokesman John Elder. “It defies all civility and any shred of common human decency.” Five hundred and thirty seven percent in a year. Let that statistic roll around in your noggin for a few moments. What could possibly have happened over the past year to allow that sort of explosion in armed robberies, which is exactly what carjackings are? Could it be the city council’s push to get rid of the police, and the exodus of law-enforcement officers that resulted from it? Oh, let’s not always see the same hands.
Honestly, who with a functional brain didn’t see this coming?
As I’ve noted before, even if you take every dime you remove from the police budget and put it toward crime prevention measures, it’ll take years before any of them show any potential results.
Defunding law enforcement now is idiotic, and now we can quantify just how idiotic.
I mean, a 537 percent increase? That’s insane, but also think about how few carjackings there were during the lockdown. For months, few people went anywhere, which meant fewer opportunities to jack someone’s car. It was also more difficult to mill about on foot while waiting for a potential target.
That means it’s very likely these numbers have skyrocketed in just the last half of the year, making it even more insane.
It looks from here like the whole “defund the police” thing has turned into the trainwreck we all expected it to become. Don’t get me wrong, the Minneapolis PD has issues that need to be addressed, but they’re damn sure not going to be able to reduce crime with smaller budgets and less manpower.
Plus, it seems the bad guys are starting to move into wealthier parts of the city, so that means it’s even more difficult to avoid it.
If you’re in the Minneapolis area, keep your firearms close and ready no matter what part of town you find yourself in. After all, it’s not like there are enough police to save the day.


bearingarms--2020-12-03--Detroit Intruders Stopped In Two Separate Armed Citizen Actions

Detroit could very well end up as the most violent city in the United States this year , a dubious title that the city also claimed in 2019 .
Criminals in the Motor City may be getting away with a lot of crimes , but two armed citizens in Detroit have done their part to protect themselves and their communities in recent days by taking on home invaders and intruders in two separate incidents .
The first incident took place on Monday evening , when police report that a 22-year old armed with a rifle entered a home in northwest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but based on the initial reporting this appears to be a clear case of self-defense .
That ’ s also the case in the second incident involving an armed citizen , which took place about 24 hours after that Detroit homeowner shot and killed the 22-year old suspect who ’ d entered his home .
On Tuesday afternoon , a woman who owns a home on the city ’ s east side spotted a man on her surveillance video entering her home , but a quick search of the premises turned up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the woman heard sounds coming from her attic , and she grabbed her gun before checking out the noise .
Police say she entered the attic and warned whoever was there to show themselves .
When he did not , and she saw movement , she fired and struck the man .
When officers arrived , they applied a tourniquet and then medics transported him to a hospital .
He is listed in stable condition and is in police custody .
When medically able , police will transport him to Detroit Detention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 19-year old man , is expected to recover from his injuries , while the homeowner isn ’ t expected to face any charges for defending herself .
It ’ s kind of surprising to me that these stories aren ’ t getting more attention from the local press .
Beyond brief write-ups in a couple of local papers , the actions of these armed citizens have gone largely unreported and unacknowledged by the press , even though they highlight the fact that Detroit residents don ’ t have to be defenseless victims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Perhaps it ’ s media bias at work , or maybe Detroit ’ s reporters have become so numb to the continued reports of violent crime that they can ’ t recognize a compelling story when they see one .
Regardless of the lack of media attention , I ’ m glad that these residents were able to protect themselves when strangers entered their homes with ill intent , and I hope more Detroiters learn from their example .

Detroit could very well end up as the most violent city in the United States this year, a dubious title that the city also claimed in 2019. Criminals in the Motor City may be getting away with a lot of crimes, but two armed citizens in Detroit have done their part to protect themselves and their communities in recent days by taking on home invaders and intruders in two separate incidents.
The first incident took place on Monday evening, when police report that a 22-year old armed with a rifle entered a home in northwest Detroit without permission.
Once inside, he confronted an occupant of the home at gunpoint. At some point during the incident, the resident, who is a CPL holder, produced his handgun and fired multiple shots at the 22-year-old male suspect, striking and fatally wounding him.
The investigation continues, but based on the initial reporting this appears to be a clear case of self-defense. That’s also the case in the second incident involving an armed citizen, which took place about 24 hours after that Detroit homeowner shot and killed the 22-year old suspect who’d entered his home.
On Tuesday afternoon, a woman who owns a home on the city’s east side spotted a man on her surveillance video entering her home, but a quick search of the premises turned up nothing. Later that evening, however, the woman heard sounds coming from her attic, and she grabbed her gun before checking out the noise.
Police say she entered the attic and warned whoever was there to show themselves. When he did not, and she saw movement, she fired and struck the man. When officers arrived, they applied a tourniquet and then medics transported him to a hospital. He is listed in stable condition and is in police custody. When medically able, police will transport him to Detroit Detention Center.
The suspect, identified as a 19-year old man, is expected to recover from his injuries, while the homeowner isn’t expected to face any charges for defending herself.
It’s kind of surprising to me that these stories aren’t getting more attention from the local press. Beyond brief write-ups in a couple of local papers, the actions of these armed citizens have gone largely unreported and unacknowledged by the press, even though they highlight the fact that Detroit residents don’t have to be defenseless victims of crimes in their own homes.
Perhaps it’s media bias at work, or maybe Detroit’s reporters have become so numb to the continued reports of violent crime that they can’t recognize a compelling story when they see one. Regardless of the lack of media attention, I’m glad that these residents were able to protect themselves when strangers entered their homes with ill intent, and I hope more Detroiters learn from their example.