bearingarms--2020-05-15--Ninth Circuit Restores Ammo Background Checks In CA

A three-judge panel of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a ruling Thursday that California ’ s requirement for background checks on all ammunition purchases can remain in place while the law is being challenged , overturning a district judge ’ s decision to block the background checks during the litigation .
“ Second Amendment rights are not unlimited , ” said the panel , which included Judge Daniel Collins , an appointee of President Trump .
The other two judges , Jacqueline Nguyen and Barry Silverman , were appointed by Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton .
Citing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ San Francisco ’ s ban on hollow-point bullets that explode or splinter on contact , the panel said the right to purchase ammunition , like the right to buy guns , can be subject to reasonable government restrictions .
The court also said the background-check requirement had been in effect more than nine months before Benitez ruled , and during that period Californians “ could purchase ammunition lawfully and with minimal delay.
” It ’ s very disappointing to see this decision , especially with one of the judges being appointed by President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fact that the law has been on the books for nine months before Judge Robert Benitez put a halt to enforcement , the judges refused to accept Benitez ’ s rationale for waiting so long before granting an injunction : he wanted to give the law a chance to work .
After months of delays and false denials for tens of thousands of Californians , however , Benitez ruled that the law was likely not going to be upheld at trial , and the injunction should be granted .
The brief order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doesn ’ t spend much time refuting Benitez ’ s argument point by point .
Instead , the panel hearing the case seems to have rubber-stamped the state ’ s request to continue enforcement of the law at the expense of the rights of California residents .
As Benitez noted in his ruling granting an injunction against the law , there have been tens of thousands of false denials that have prevented legal gun owners from lawfully acquiring ammunition , while only a handful of prohibited persons have been blocked by the law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on maintaining the status quo in the state , no matter how flawed the law itself or the impact that it ’ s already had on legal gun owner in the state .
The plaintiffs in Rhode v. Becerra could appeal the three-judge panel ’ s decision to a larger body of judges on the Ninth Circuit in an en banc request , so there ’ s still a chance that Benitez ’ s injunction could be put back in effect in the coming months .
More importantly , the lawsuit challenging background @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a ban on California residents purchasing ammunition out-of-state or online , will continue in Judge Benitez ’ s court .
Cam Edwards has covered the 2nd Amendment for more than 15 years as a broadcast and online journalist , as well as the co-author of `` Heavy Lifting : Grow Up , Get a Job , Start a Family , and Other Manly Advice '' with Jim Geraghty .
He lives outside of Farmville , Virginia with his family .
https : //bearingarms.com/author/camedwards/

A three-judge panel of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a ruling Thursday that California’s requirement for background checks on all ammunition purchases can remain in place while the law is being challenged, overturning a district judge’s decision to block the background checks during the litigation.
“Second Amendment rights are not unlimited,” said the panel, which included Judge Daniel Collins, an appointee of President Trump. The other two judges, Jacqueline Nguyen and Barry Silverman, were appointed by Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton. Citing the court’s 2014 ruling upholding San Francisco’s ban on hollow-point bullets that explode or splinter on contact, the panel said the right to purchase ammunition, like the right to buy guns, can be subject to reasonable government restrictions. The court also said the background-check requirement had been in effect more than nine months before Benitez ruled, and during that period Californians “could purchase ammunition lawfully and with minimal delay.”
It’s very disappointing to see this decision, especially with one of the judges being appointed by President Trump. While the panel pointed to the fact that the law has been on the books for nine months before Judge Robert Benitez put a halt to enforcement, the judges refused to accept Benitez’s rationale for waiting so long before granting an injunction: he wanted to give the law a chance to work. After months of delays and false denials for tens of thousands of Californians, however, Benitez ruled that the law was likely not going to be upheld at trial, and the injunction should be granted.
The brief order issued by the Ninth Circuit on Thursday doesn’t spend much time refuting Benitez’s argument point by point. Instead, the panel hearing the case seems to have rubber-stamped the state’s request to continue enforcement of the law at the expense of the rights of California residents. As Benitez noted in his ruling granting an injunction against the law, there have been tens of thousands of false denials that have prevented legal gun owners from lawfully acquiring ammunition, while only a handful of prohibited persons have been blocked by the law. The Ninth Circuit panel seemed intent on maintaining the status quo in the state, no matter how flawed the law itself or the impact that it’s already had on legal gun owner in the state.
The plaintiffs in Rhode v. Becerra could appeal the three-judge panel’s decision to a larger body of judges on the Ninth Circuit in an en banc request, so there’s still a chance that Benitez’s injunction could be put back in effect in the coming months. More importantly, the lawsuit challenging background checks on ammunition sales, as well as a ban on California residents purchasing ammunition out-of-state or online, will continue in Judge Benitez’s court.


bearingarms--2020-05-15--Democrats Introduce "Ghost Gun" Bill Amid Pandemic

A couple of months into the pandemic and we still have an awful lot going on .
People are staring job loss in the face .
Smart people know that extra $ 600 a week in their unemployment checks isn ’ t going to last forever , even as their employment fades into the mists .
Others are oblivious to the reality picking up speed and coming down the hill right toward them like the boulder in Raiders of the Lost Ark .
Shelves in the supermarkets are still looking a little lean .
People all over the country are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to say nothing of toilet paper still being hard to come by .
Further , there ’ s little reason to see this situation doing anything but potentially getting worse in the coming weeks .
So , to address this , do you think various members of Congress are focused like a laser on this ?
Of course not .
Not when they can score political points by going after guns , especially the scary-sounding “ ghost guns.
” Senate Democrats introduced a bill banning untraceable “ ghost ” guns Thursday amid concerns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spike in demand for the weapons .
Sen. Richard Blumenthal ( D-Conn. ) led a group of 15 senators in introducing the Untraceable Firearms Act , which would cover both the ghost guns , their components like unfinished frames and receivers and gun-making kits .
The legislation would also require that online kit manufacturers and distributors have a manufacturer ’ s license , put a serial number on the kits ’ frame or receiver and conduct background checks on purchasers .
Blumenthal said in a statement the legislation was urgent in light of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which can be made using kits or by 3D printing , is rising during the coronavirus outbreak .
“ This pandemic is spurring a deeply disturbing demand in untraceable weapons , ” said Blumenthal .
“ Congress must act urgently to stop these homemade ‘ ghost guns ’ before they spur the next horrifying wave of gun violence.
” I addressed the practicality of such a demand in a post on Thursday .
The short version is that such efforts are beyond stupid .
Of course , Blumenthal knows this .
He ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he thinks this is a winning strategy .
Right now , Americans are losing their jobs and looking at food shortages , all while hordes of recently released criminals continue to plague the land , and his thought is how to infringe on people ’ s Second Amendment rights ?
Of course , Blumenthal and his fellow members of Congress are going to eat no matter what and he knows it .
What he clearly doesn ’ t seem to know , though , is that with millions of new gun owners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guns and gun control in this country have been exposed .
People know just how difficult it is to get a gun in many places .
They ’ re disillusioned about gun control .
Instead , they want guns .
Many who were handy bought kits and less than 80 percent receivers because they could at least get them and start building a gun in their workshops since they had nothing else to occupy their time .
The upside is that this is Dick Blumenthal in the United States Senate .
Even without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ today .
Captain Stolen Valor wouldn ’ t be likely to convince too many in the majority to stand with him on such an idiotic hill .
But , then again , Sen. John Cornyn is quoted as saying he may not bother to oppose this proposal .
For him , he argued that it ’ s buying an assembled gun or an unassembled one , but that ’ s not a fair standard .
A truly unassembled gun would have you buying a completed receiver .
Those still require background checks .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ metal or plastic that ’ s not a receiver and turning it into one .
As noted in Thursday ’ s post , there has to be a dividing line .
There has to be a point where that “ bit of metal ” is no longer a receiver , and that ’ s where people will start with such things if they ’ re inclined to do so .
The sooner everyone understands this , the better off we ’ ll all be .

A couple of months into the pandemic and we still have an awful lot going on. People are staring job loss in the face. Smart people know that extra $600 a week in their unemployment checks isn’t going to last forever, even as their employment fades into the mists. Others are oblivious to the reality picking up speed and coming down the hill right toward them like the boulder in Raiders of the Lost Ark.
Shelves in the supermarkets are still looking a little lean. People all over the country are reporting shortages on staples like beef, to say nothing of toilet paper still being hard to come by. Further, there’s little reason to see this situation doing anything but potentially getting worse in the coming weeks.
So, to address this, do you think various members of Congress are focused like a laser on this?
Of course not. Not when they can score political points by going after guns, especially the scary-sounding “ghost guns.”
Senate Democrats introduced a bill banning untraceable “ghost” guns Thursday amid concerns that the coronavirus pandemic is fueling a spike in demand for the weapons. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) led a group of 15 senators in introducing the Untraceable Firearms Act, which would cover both the ghost guns, their components like unfinished frames and receivers and gun-making kits. The legislation would also require that online kit manufacturers and distributors have a manufacturer’s license, put a serial number on the kits’ frame or receiver and conduct background checks on purchasers. Blumenthal said in a statement the legislation was urgent in light of reports that demand for the weapons, which can be made using kits or by 3D printing, is rising during the coronavirus outbreak. “This pandemic is spurring a deeply disturbing demand in untraceable weapons,” said Blumenthal. “Congress must act urgently to stop these homemade ‘ghost guns’ before they spur the next horrifying wave of gun violence.”
I addressed the practicality of such a demand in a post on Thursday. The short version is that such efforts are beyond stupid.
Of course, Blumenthal knows this. He’s so out of touch right now that he thinks this is a winning strategy. Right now, Americans are losing their jobs and looking at food shortages, all while hordes of recently released criminals continue to plague the land, and his thought is how to infringe on people’s Second Amendment rights?
Really?
Of course, Blumenthal and his fellow members of Congress are going to eat no matter what and he knows it. What he clearly doesn’t seem to know, though, is that with millions of new gun owners, a lot of long-held myths about guns and gun control in this country have been exposed. People know just how difficult it is to get a gun in many places. They’re disillusioned about gun control.
Instead, they want guns. Many who were handy bought kits and less than 80 percent receivers because they could at least get them and start building a gun in their workshops since they had nothing else to occupy their time.
The upside is that this is Dick Blumenthal in the United States Senate. Even without the partisanship that divides everything in Congress today. Captain Stolen Valor wouldn’t be likely to convince too many in the majority to stand with him on such an idiotic hill.
But, then again, Sen. John Cornyn is quoted as saying he may not bother to oppose this proposal. For him, he argued that it’s buying an assembled gun or an unassembled one, but that’s not a fair standard. A truly unassembled gun would have you buying a completed receiver. Those still require background checks.
This is about taking a bit of metal or plastic that’s not a receiver and turning it into one. As noted in Thursday’s post, there has to be a dividing line. There has to be a point where that “bit of metal” is no longer a receiver, and that’s where people will start with such things if they’re inclined to do so.
The sooner everyone understands this, the better off we’ll all be.


bearingarms--2020-05-16--Felon Caught With Gun, Rope, and Mask Released By Judge Over COVID-19 Concerns

A California man who could have been looking at a 10-year prison sentence was instead set free this week by a federal judge because of fears that the suspect could catch the coronavirus while in federal custody .
48-year old Damion Davis was pulled over on a traffic violation , but officers found a handgun , rope , a mask , and drugs in Davis ’ s car .
Prosecutors had cut Davis a break by only seeking a 30-month sentence , but that was far too long for Davis ’ attorneys .
Davis ’ defense attorney , though , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the bulk of a long prison sentence in Santa Rita Jail in Dublin , because the Bureau of Prisons stopped accepting new inmates , due to COVID-19 .
He said conditions at the jail are “ much worse ” than normal due to the pandemic .
“ As a middle-aged man with respiratory problems , Mr. Davis is especially at risk , ” federal public defender senior litigator Daniel Blank wrote .
He added that Davis was “ terrorized ” with “ neglect and abuse ” as a child and that he ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an underlying cause of his crime .
Amazingly , U.S. District Judge William Orrick sided with the defense team and released Davis from custody , with orders to stay home until he can enter a drug treatment program .
Davis wasn ’ t caught in the commission of a violent crime , so it makes sense for prosecutors not to seek the full decade behind bars that he could have received .
What makes no sense is for Davis to get off with probation , given his previous criminal history .
This wasn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Orrick , but a kiss on the cheek .
Orrick was appointed to the bench by Barack Obama in 2013 .
After serving in private practice in San Francisco for several decades , Orrick joined the Eric Holder ’ s Justice Department in 2009 , and was Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Office of Immigration Litigation until 2013 .
Since become a judge , Orrick has developed a bit of a reputation as an activist judge .
It was Orrick who blocked the release of undercover videos from the anti-abortion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the judge also made headlines in 2017 when he blocked an executive order from Donald Trump that withheld federal funds from sanctuary cities .
In 2019 Orrick ’ s judicial overreach was again in the news after he ordered the Trump administration to enforce Obama-era regulations dealing with methane emissions from oil and gas wells .
If Orrick thinks that justice is served by giving a free pass to a felon in possession of a firearm , I can ’ t help but wonder what he thinks the punishment should be for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shells into the state that she purchased at a gun shop in Nevada .
What about a Californian who owns a 20-round magazine , or even a legal gun owner in San Francisco who carries a firearm without having a concealed carry license ?
I ’ d like to believe that in the interests of justice , Orrick would say that none of these people deserve prison time either , but I until he ’ s assigned to preside over a challenge to one of the state ’ s myriad gun laws , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Still , I ’ d say there ’ s probable cause to suspect the Obama appointee wouldn ’ t find any issues with any of the gun control measures on the books .

A California man who could have been looking at a 10-year prison sentence was instead set free this week by a federal judge because of fears that the suspect could catch the coronavirus while in federal custody. 48-year old Damion Davis was pulled over on a traffic violation, but officers found a handgun, rope, a mask, and drugs in Davis’s car. Prosecutors had cut Davis a break by only seeking a 30-month sentence, but that was far too long for Davis’ attorneys.
Davis’ defense attorney, though, argued that Davis would end up serving the bulk of a long prison sentence in Santa Rita Jail in Dublin, because the Bureau of Prisons stopped accepting new inmates, due to COVID-19. He said conditions at the jail are “much worse” than normal due to the pandemic. “As a middle-aged man with respiratory problems, Mr. Davis is especially at risk,” federal public defender senior litigator Daniel Blank wrote. He added that Davis was “terrorized” with “neglect and abuse” as a child and that he’d become addicted methamphetamine, which was an underlying cause of his crime.
Amazingly, U.S. District Judge William Orrick sided with the defense team and released Davis from custody, with orders to stay home until he can enter a drug treatment program.
“It is particularly disturbing when the owner of these items also possesses a loaded gun, a recent conviction for violating a restraining order, and a past domestic battery conviction,” assistant U.S. Attorney Aseem Padukone wrote in a sentencing memo. “Only Mr. Davis knows what would have happened had the police not stopped his car and found his gun that night.”
Davis wasn’t caught in the commission of a violent crime, so it makes sense for prosecutors not to seek the full decade behind bars that he could have received. What makes no sense is for Davis to get off with probation, given his previous criminal history. This wasn’t a slap on the wrist by Orrick, but a kiss on the cheek.
Orrick was appointed to the bench by Barack Obama in 2013. After serving in private practice in San Francisco for several decades, Orrick joined the Eric Holder’s Justice Department in 2009, and was Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Office of Immigration Litigation until 2013.
Since become a judge, Orrick has developed a bit of a reputation as an activist judge. It was Orrick who blocked the release of undercover videos from the anti-abortion group Center for Medical Progress, and the judge also made headlines in 2017 when he blocked an executive order from Donald Trump that withheld federal funds from sanctuary cities. In 2019 Orrick’s judicial overreach was again in the news after he ordered the Trump administration to enforce Obama-era regulations dealing with methane emissions from oil and gas wells.
If Orrick thinks that justice is served by giving a free pass to a felon in possession of a firearm, I can’t help but wonder what he thinks the punishment should be for a Californian who brings a box of shotgun shells into the state that she purchased at a gun shop in Nevada. What about a Californian who owns a 20-round magazine, or even a legal gun owner in San Francisco who carries a firearm without having a concealed carry license? I’d like to believe that in the interests of justice, Orrick would say that none of these people deserve prison time either, but I until he’s assigned to preside over a challenge to one of the state’s myriad gun laws, we’ll never know for sure. Still, I’d say there’s probable cause to suspect the Obama appointee wouldn’t find any issues with any of the gun control measures on the books.


bearingarms--2020-05-16--Anti-Gunner Kelly Silent On Ties To China

Former astronaut turned gun-control activist Mark Kelly wants to become a United States senator , representing the Democratic Party .
Of course , an anti-gunner running as a Democrat is about as surprising the sun rising in the east .
However , because of that , he ’ s going to be under a bit more scrutiny than he would otherwise .
Not too much , though , because he ’ s an anti-gun Democrat and the media hates to undermine those kinds of folks .
During COVID-19 , though , Kelly has lined up as someone critical of China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That made the media interested enough to look at him in a way that they wouldn ’ t have otherwise .
Last August , in another press interview , Kelly mentioned his national security experience with some of “ the space stuff , and satellites ” as making him particularly sensitive to the threats from China , along with Iran , North Korea and Russia , with the biggest danger coming from “ stuff you can ’ t see , ” an apparent reference to cyberwarfare and less obvious malign activities .
Kelly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reticent about the investment by a Chinese company in a commercial space exploration venture he co-founded .
The company , tech giant Tencent , is one of the world ’ s largest internet enterprises and owns the Chinese social media platform WeChat .
The text platform has more than a billion users and is suspected of monitoring the activity of many of them inside and outside of China .
In the fall of 2014 , the CEO of World View Enterprises , the company Kelly co-founded , announced during a visit to Beijing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of money in the Tucson-based space travel venture .
In April 2016 , as part of a subsequent , $ 15 million investment round , World View announced that it had received more funds from Tencent , along with three other venture capital firms .
In other words , Kelly is in bed with China financially .
Now , he can talk a big game while he ’ s running for office , but what will he do if he wins ?
Can he be trusted to stand with the American people , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ key moments in an effort to appease his financial partners ?
You ’ re deluded if you don ’ t think they ’ ll try to exert some kind of influence on him , especially at the behest of the Chinese government .
So , the man who wants to disarm millions of Americans is also tied to the country that may well be our biggest enemy and one of the few nations crazy enough to risk an invasion of U.S. soil .
After all , they have the numbers for it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ particularly likely , but neither is Kelly getting his way on guns .
Still , the man has questions that need to be answered .
Can the people of Arizona trust him to look after their best interests and not those of Beijing ?
Obviously , I ’ m biased as hell when it comes to Kelly , but that doesn ’ t change the fact that China has shown itself to be untrustworthy .
“ He ’ s been critical of China , ” some supporter might try to point out .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ point out that the same people who screamed “ Russian collusion ” with regard to President Donald Trump and claimed he answered to Putin also thought Trump was going to start a war with Russia .
It ’ s not out of the realm of possibility to believe that someone might give lip service to being tough on China while knowing damn good and well that tough talk is as far as he ’ ll dare take it .

Former astronaut turned gun-control activist Mark Kelly wants to become a United States senator, representing the Democratic Party. Of course, an anti-gunner running as a Democrat is about as surprising the sun rising in the east.
However, because of that, he’s going to be under a bit more scrutiny than he would otherwise. Not too much, though, because he’s an anti-gun Democrat and the media hates to undermine those kinds of folks.
During COVID-19, though, Kelly has lined up as someone critical of China’s handling of the virus.
That made the media interested enough to look at him in a way that they wouldn’t have otherwise.
Last August, in another press interview, Kelly mentioned his national security experience with some of “the space stuff, and satellites” as making him particularly sensitive to the threats from China, along with Iran, North Korea and Russia, with the biggest danger coming from “stuff you can’t see,” an apparent reference to cyberwarfare and less obvious malign activities. Kelly, however, has been far more reticent about the investment by a Chinese company in a commercial space exploration venture he co-founded. The company, tech giant Tencent, is one of the world’s largest internet enterprises and owns the Chinese social media platform WeChat. The text platform has more than a billion users and is suspected of monitoring the activity of many of them inside and outside of China. In the fall of 2014, the CEO of World View Enterprises, the company Kelly co-founded, announced during a visit to Beijing that Tencent had invested an undisclosed sum of money in the Tucson-based space travel venture. In April 2016, as part of a subsequent, $15 million investment round, World View announced that it had received more funds from Tencent, along with three other venture capital firms.
In other words, Kelly is in bed with China financially.
Now, he can talk a big game while he’s running for office, but what will he do if he wins? Can he be trusted to stand with the American people, or will he turn his back at key moments in an effort to appease his financial partners? You’re deluded if you don’t think they’ll try to exert some kind of influence on him, especially at the behest of the Chinese government.
So, the man who wants to disarm millions of Americans is also tied to the country that may well be our biggest enemy and one of the few nations crazy enough to risk an invasion of U.S. soil. After all, they have the numbers for it.
Of course, that’s not particularly likely, but neither is Kelly getting his way on guns.
Still, the man has questions that need to be answered. Can the people of Arizona trust him to look after their best interests and not those of Beijing? Obviously, I’m biased as hell when it comes to Kelly, but that doesn’t change the fact that China has shown itself to be untrustworthy.
“He’s been critical of China,” some supporter might try to point out.
To that, I only need to point out that the same people who screamed “Russian collusion” with regard to President Donald Trump and claimed he answered to Putin also thought Trump was going to start a war with Russia.
It’s not out of the realm of possibility to believe that someone might give lip service to being tough on China while knowing damn good and well that tough talk is as far as he’ll dare take it.


bearingarms--2020-05-16--Some CA Gun Stores Reopening As Lockdown Eases In Parts Of State

For the first time since March , gun stores in Ventura County , California and several other jurisdictions across the state were allowed to open for business on Friday , as California moved into “ phase two ” of Gov .
Gavin Newsom ’ s phased reopening of the economy and easing of social distancing measures .
In Ventura County , local officials declared an end to the whole idea of “ essential ” vs. “ nonessential ” businesses , and wrote in a court filing that the move allows gun stores to reopen along with every other business in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the social distancing guidelines .
That ’ s good news for Ventura County gun stores , or at least the ones that can comply with the social distancing mandates still in place .
Gov .
Newsom hasn ’ t declared gun stores essential or non-essential businesses , and instead is leaving up to localities to decide if they want to order gun stores closed .
That ’ s led to multiple lawsuits filed in federal court in both the southern and northern federal districts , and those legal fights will still be litigated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reopening stands .
While the court fight continues , however , retail sales can begin again , at least in theory , for many gun store owners .
However , the firearms retailers are still going to be operating under state and local guidelines , which means things aren ’ t going back to normal yet .
In fact , under Newsom ’ s current guidelines , “ non-essential ” retailers can only offer curbside services .
That may be difficult for some guns stores that haven ’ t been deemed essential , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to federal firearms licensees that they can now conduct business outside , as long as they remain on their property while they do so .
At the moment , there are two sets of rules for gun stores in the state .
Those in counties that have deemed them essential are open for business at a time when gun sales are soaring , and those located in places Santa Clara County or the city of San Jose have been told they must remain closed , or can only operate curbside services .
Those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stopping many people from buying guns , apparently , because the data shows that gun sales are soaring in those counties where stores are open .
The people most affected by these gun store closures are the gun store owners and employees , many of whom are in real danger of going out of business entirely .
That would suit the local politicians just fine , frankly .
Many of the same counties refusing to let gun stores open are the same ones that repeatedly attempt to push the envelope with local gun @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In fact , there ’ s a case out of San Jose that the Supreme Court could take as early as Monday that challenges the city ’ s seizure of a woman ’ s firearms after a mental health hold on her husband .
Go read the petition to the Court by attorneys for Lori Rodriguez , but be prepared for your blood pressure to skyrocket as you ingest the details of her case .
So no , I don ’ t think the mayor of San Jose would shed a tear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his city were forced out of business , and that goes for officials in dozens of towns and cities throughout the state .
As California eases slowly into its reopening , gun owners and gun store owners need to be on the lookout for any mandates that may be impossible or unreasonable for gun stores to meet .
I wouldn ’ t put it past some of these anti-gun officials to try to pass of a gun store ban as a thinly disguised public health order .

For the first time since March, gun stores in Ventura County, California and several other jurisdictions across the state were allowed to open for business on Friday, as California moved into “phase two” of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s phased reopening of the economy and easing of social distancing measures.
In Ventura County, local officials declared an end to the whole idea of “essential” vs. “nonessential” businesses, and wrote in a court filing that the move allows gun stores to reopen along with every other business in the city, provided they can meet the social distancing guidelines.
Because neither the State Order nor the May 7 Order expressly mentions gun stores, defendants County of Ventura, Sheriff William Ayub and Robert Levin, the Ventura County Health Officer, have provided the following specific guidance: “With the elimination of the essential business model in the local health order, and reliance on the State health order model for critical infrastructure, the Sheriff and local health officer have determined that the gun stores may fully open to the public provided they implement and register site-specific prevention plans as described
That’s good news for Ventura County gun stores, or at least the ones that can comply with the social distancing mandates still in place. Gov. Newsom hasn’t declared gun stores essential or non-essential businesses, and instead is leaving up to localities to decide if they want to order gun stores closed. That’s led to multiple lawsuits filed in federal court in both the southern and northern federal districts, and those legal fights will still be litigated regardless of where the state’s reopening stands. While the court fight continues, however, retail sales can begin again, at least in theory, for many gun store owners.
However, the firearms retailers are still going to be operating under state and local guidelines, which means things aren’t going back to normal yet. In fact, under Newsom’s current guidelines, “non-essential” retailers can only offer curbside services. That may be difficult for some guns stores that haven’t been deemed essential , though the ATF has issued a rule to federal firearms licensees that they can now conduct business outside, as long as they remain on their property while they do so.
At the moment, there are two sets of rules for gun stores in the state. Those in counties that have deemed them essential are open for business at a time when gun sales are soaring, and those located in places Santa Clara County or the city of San Jose have been told they must remain closed, or can only operate curbside services. Those local gun store closures aren’t stopping many people from buying guns, apparently, because the data shows that gun sales are soaring in those counties where stores are open.
The people most affected by these gun store closures are the gun store owners and employees, many of whom are in real danger of going out of business entirely. That would suit the local politicians just fine, frankly. Many of the same counties refusing to let gun stores open are the same ones that repeatedly attempt to push the envelope with local gun control ordinances that are challenged in court. In fact, there’s a case out of San Jose that the Supreme Court could take as early as Monday that challenges the city’s seizure of a woman’s firearms after a mental health hold on her husband. Go read the petition to the Court by attorneys for Lori Rodriguez, but be prepared for your blood pressure to skyrocket as you ingest the details of her case.
So no, I don’t think the mayor of San Jose would shed a tear if all of the gun stores in his city were forced out of business, and that goes for officials in dozens of towns and cities throughout the state. As California eases slowly into its reopening, gun owners and gun store owners need to be on the lookout for any mandates that may be impossible or unreasonable for gun stores to meet. I wouldn’t put it past some of these anti-gun officials to try to pass of a gun store ban as a thinly disguised public health order.


bearingarms--2020-05-18--School District's Fight For Armed Teachers Heads To OH Supreme Court

Officials in an Ohio school district are appealing a decision that struck down its policy of arming volunteer , trained teachers to carry firearms in the classroom , and the decision by the Ohio Supreme Court will have an impact on dozens of districts across the state .
The Madison School District in Butler County , Ohio first adopted a policy allowing for teachers to volunteer for training that would allow them to carry on school grounds as a first line of defense against an active shooter , but shortly thereafter , several parents filed suit with the help of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Everytown Law .
A district judge upheld the policy , but earlier this year the 12th Appellate Court in Ohio ruled that armed teachers must have the same training as police officers before they can carry .
Now the school district is appealing the decision to the state Supreme Court , and the case could upend existing policy in districts across the state if the Supreme Court upholds the appellate court ’ s decision .
The district filed the appeal to the high court Thursday and several other school districts and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ filed briefs in support .
They said “ it would be difficult to argue that this case does not present issues of public or great general interest.
” “ This is more than a picayune squabble about how much training should be required when a school district exercises its right under the authorizing statute , ” attorneys for the district wrote .
“ As a practical matter , this decision eliminates the ability of a local board of education to decide that the best way to protect students and staff from a hostile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carry concealed weapons on school grounds.
” The brief by attorneys for Madison Schools argues that the 12th Appellate Court panel erroneously read Ohio law as requiring armed staff to undergo law enforcement training , and Sean Maloney , an Ohio attorney who ’ s part of the FASTER Ohio organization that has trained thousands of educators in the state , told Bearing Arms back in April that the state legislature has actually approved funding in recent years for the FASTER program .
If lawmakers are approving money to provide training for armed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that these school districts have the ability to set their own training requirements .
The state ’ s Attorney General agrees , and says if teachers are required to undergo hundreds of hours of law enforcement training , it will simply result in a ban on armed school staff .
In addition to arguing Gabbard ’ s attorneys and the 12th District Court misinterpreted laws governing armed staff , Attorney General Dave Yost ’ s staff said there are practical reasons the decision must be overturned .
He said it would cost the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through peace officer training at Butler Tech .
Plus the program is eight hours a day , five days a week , it would take a little over eighteen weeks to complete .
“ The reality is that few if any teachers or school administrators can train to become police officers while maintaining their day jobs , ” the brief reads .
“ Thus , as a practical matter , the Twelfth District ’ s erroneous decision strips schools of an effective means they have to defend schoolchildren from a school shooting.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have their rear ends handed to them by the Ohio Supreme Court on this issue , but if for some reason the state ’ s highest court upholds the lower court ’ s decision , expect a quick response from the legislature in the form of a bill making it crystal clear that school districts have the right and power to establish policies and procedures for armed school staff .

Officials in an Ohio school district are appealing a decision that struck down its policy of arming volunteer, trained teachers to carry firearms in the classroom, and the decision by the Ohio Supreme Court will have an impact on dozens of districts across the state.
The Madison School District in Butler County, Ohio first adopted a policy allowing for teachers to volunteer for training that would allow them to carry on school grounds as a first line of defense against an active shooter, but shortly thereafter, several parents filed suit with the help of Michael Bloomberg’s anti-gun legal firm, Everytown Law. A district judge upheld the policy, but earlier this year the 12th Appellate Court in Ohio ruled that armed teachers must have the same training as police officers before they can carry. Now the school district is appealing the decision to the state Supreme Court, and the case could upend existing policy in districts across the state if the Supreme Court upholds the appellate court’s decision.
The district filed the appeal to the high court Thursday and several other school districts and the Ohio Attorney General’s Office have filed briefs in support. They said “it would be difficult to argue that this case does not present issues of public or great general interest.” “This is more than a picayune squabble about how much training should be required when a school district exercises its right under the authorizing statute,” attorneys for the district wrote. “As a practical matter, this decision eliminates the ability of a local board of education to decide that the best way to protect students and staff from a hostile actor is by allowing some staff to carry concealed weapons on school grounds.”
The brief by attorneys for Madison Schools argues that the 12th Appellate Court panel erroneously read Ohio law as requiring armed staff to undergo law enforcement training, and Sean Maloney, an Ohio attorney who’s part of the FASTER Ohio organization that has trained thousands of educators in the state, told Bearing Arms back in April that the state legislature has actually approved funding in recent years for the FASTER program. If lawmakers are approving money to provide training for armed teachers, clearly the legislature must believe that these school districts have the ability to set their own training requirements.
The state’s Attorney General agrees, and says if teachers are required to undergo hundreds of hours of law enforcement training, it will simply result in a ban on armed school staff.
In addition to arguing Gabbard’s attorneys and the 12th District Court misinterpreted laws governing armed staff, Attorney General Dave Yost’s staff said there are practical reasons the decision must be overturned. He said it would cost the district $7,265 to send a staffer through peace officer training at Butler Tech. Plus the program is eight hours a day, five days a week, it would take a little over eighteen weeks to complete. “The reality is that few if any teachers or school administrators can train to become police officers while maintaining their day jobs,” the brief reads. “Thus, as a practical matter, the Twelfth District’s erroneous decision strips schools of an effective means they have to defend schoolchildren from a school shooting.”
I suspect that Everytown Law is going to have their rear ends handed to them by the Ohio Supreme Court on this issue, but if for some reason the state’s highest court upholds the lower court’s decision, expect a quick response from the legislature in the form of a bill making it crystal clear that school districts have the right and power to establish policies and procedures for armed school staff.


bearingarms--2020-05-18--Canadian MPs Angry Over Unilateral Gun Ban

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been viciously anti-gun ever since a controversial picture of him in “ brownface ” surfaced .
What he did was something generally described as being blatantly racist , yet he got away with it because he launched immediately into an effort to ban assault weapons in Canada .
With that , his allies in the media were appeased , and all could progress like it always had .
Yet , despite that , he didn ’ t make much ground .
He talked a big game , but he didn ’ t do anything @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trudeau unilaterally banned a large number of firearms , none of which were legally obtained by the killer .
Now , some members of Parliament are taking issue with Trudeau ’ s move .
The gun ban has been met with criticism by gun owners and Conservative leaders because they say it targets legal gun owners .
“ Taking firearms away from law-abiding citizens does nothing to stop dangerous criminals who obtain their guns illegally , ” said Conservative Party Leader Andrew Scheer .
“ The reality is , the vast majority of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ firearms.
” Ontario Premier Doug Ford said Ottawa should be focussed on the smuggling of illegal weapons at the border and work on strengthening jail sentences for gun crimes .
Local members of parliament ( MP ) say their constituents are not happy with the gun ban Trudeau introduced and have been hearing about the negative impact this issue will have on their areas .
Yorkton−Melville MP Cathay Wagantall says her constituents are upset with the ban .
“ On an emotional level they ’ re very upset , ” said Wagantall .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of calls and emails already in regard to this .
They ’ re very frustrated as the majority of them would be gun owners on some level and they just see this again as another infringement on their rights and freedoms to have their firearms.
” “ I was just listening to an interview on the radio and there ’ s a lot of misinterpretations by people who don ’ t use firearms or understand the dynamics around the whole issue .
Education is a big thing , ” said Wagantall .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ these terrible things take place and I totally resonate with how people feel about these crimes that do take place and how desperately you want something to take place that can stop it .
Unfortunately this action on the part of the Liberal government will not do that.
” You see , only one of the four weapons used by the killer was obtained in Canada .
That weapon was taken from the body of a slain member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police .
By definition , even that weapon was illegally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into Canada from the United States , another illegal act .
What kind of gun ban would stop someone from breaking the law by smuggling guns in the first place ?
Does anyone think the smugglers look at these laws and think , “ Well , damn .
I was going to smuggle in some AR-15s , but I guess I ’ ll have to just smuggle in some bolt-action rifles or something.
” Are these people really that dense ?
I shouldn ’ t keep asking how stupid some people can be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a challenge , but still .
It ’ s good to see members of the legislature push back against Trudeau .
Now , maybe , they can see about undoing this brand of stupidity so the law-abiding Canadians can stop being treated like criminals for a change .

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been viciously anti-gun ever since a controversial picture of him in “brownface” surfaced. What he did was something generally described as being blatantly racist, yet he got away with it because he launched immediately into an effort to ban assault weapons in Canada.
With that, his allies in the media were appeased, and all could progress like it always had.
Yet, despite that, he didn’t make much ground. He talked a big game, but he didn’t do anything. Then Nova Scotia happened, and Trudeau unilaterally banned a large number of firearms, none of which were legally obtained by the killer.
Now, some members of Parliament are taking issue with Trudeau’s move.
The gun ban has been met with criticism by gun owners and Conservative leaders because they say it targets legal gun owners. “Taking firearms away from law-abiding citizens does nothing to stop dangerous criminals who obtain their guns illegally,” said Conservative Party Leader Andrew Scheer. “The reality is, the vast majority of gun crimes are committed with illegally obtained firearms.” Ontario Premier Doug Ford said Ottawa should be focussed on the smuggling of illegal weapons at the border and work on strengthening jail sentences for gun crimes. Local members of parliament (MP) say their constituents are not happy with the gun ban Trudeau introduced and have been hearing about the negative impact this issue will have on their areas. Yorkton−Melville MP Cathay Wagantall says her constituents are upset with the ban. “On an emotional level they’re very upset,” said Wagantall. “I’ve fielded a great number of calls and emails already in regard to this. They’re very frustrated as the majority of them would be gun owners on some level and they just see this again as another infringement on their rights and freedoms to have their firearms.” “I was just listening to an interview on the radio and there’s a lot of misinterpretations by people who don’t use firearms or understand the dynamics around the whole issue. Education is a big thing,” said Wagantall. “The heart hurts when we see these terrible things take place and I totally resonate with how people feel about these crimes that do take place and how desperately you want something to take place that can stop it. Unfortunately this action on the part of the Liberal government will not do that.”
No, it won’t.
You see, only one of the four weapons used by the killer was obtained in Canada. That weapon was taken from the body of a slain member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. By definition, even that weapon was illegally obtained.
The other three were smuggled into Canada from the United States, another illegal act.
What kind of gun ban would stop someone from breaking the law by smuggling guns in the first place? Does anyone think the smugglers look at these laws and think, “Well, damn. I was going to smuggle in some AR-15s, but I guess I’ll have to just smuggle in some bolt-action rifles or something.” Are these people really that dense?
I shouldn’t keep asking how stupid some people can be because too many are taking it as a challenge, but still.
It’s good to see members of the legislature push back against Trudeau. Now, maybe, they can see about undoing this brand of stupidity so the law-abiding Canadians can stop being treated like criminals for a change.


bearingarms--2020-05-18--48 States To Open Up To Some Degree In Next Two Days

The lockdown has affected a lot of people in a lot of ways .
For most of us , it ’ s been an annoyance .
However , for millions of Americans , it ’ s been an outright trial .
Jobs are gone , wealth destroyed , lives lost , all because of a pandemic .
Among the industries impacted has been the firearm industry .
While gun sales have been brisk , that ’ s only in places where gun stores have been open .
That ’ s not everywhere , unfortunately .
Also , many gun ranges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if people buy a gun , they can ’ t necessarily learn how to use it properly .
However , it seems those days are starting to come to an end .
From the spinning of the slot machines in casinos to the straightening of clothing racks in stores to the crashing of the waves on the shore , there are so many sounds starting to return to the rhythm of our daily lives .
As the phased re-opening continues from business to business , casinos from Mississippi to Las Vegas are taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will help keep people safe .
“ A customer can ’ t even stand here and play this game because the game is not even active , ” Tony Rodio , CEO of Caesars Entertainment , told CNN , previewing how slot machine-social distancing will work .
In upstate New York , construction jobs put on pause are slowly coming back as well .
“ I think the most i ’ m going to have on the job is four , ” said Joseph Dundon , the owner of Dundon Construction in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lot different than we used to have , seven or eight .
Things might take a little longer but at least we ’ re going to be safe moving forward.
” In the next 48 hours , 48 states have plans to re-open in some capacity .
Most are making progress battling the spread of COVID-19.but numbers in some states , moving in the wrong direction , with new coronavirus cases on the rise in places like Texas , Alabama and Arkansas .
While not specifically mentioned , it should be noted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be reopening to some degree will be places dealing with the outdoor industry .
That may mean gun stores , but also fishing tackle shops , hunting apparel companies , and other places .
It also suggests that many parks where people like to engage in hunting or fishing will also be open to the public .
In other words , with the lockdown ending , it ’ s going to be even more possible to engage in some of your favorite outdoor and firearm-related pastimes .
It also means that you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new training to better handle your personal firearm .
You can take a friend to the range and show them how to operate their brand new firearms safely .
Perhaps more importantly , people can get out of the house .
That ’ s arguably more important because it may well save lives .
It ’ s been noted before that the quarantine has led to an increase in people considering suicide .
While some are looking to blame increased gun sales for this , it ’ s bull .
The fact is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being cooped up by yourself for weeks on end isn ’ t good for anyone .
Further , domestic violence rates have gone up as well .
That ’ s not good for anyone , but particularly for the abused partners .
Being able to get out and get away from their abusers may allow these victims to muster up the courage to seek help in getting away permanently .
That may well help save even more lives .
While the virus was nasty enough , it ’ s time to start looking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these states opening to some degree , it ’ s a good time to do just that .

The lockdown has affected a lot of people in a lot of ways. For most of us, it’s been an annoyance. However, for millions of Americans, it’s been an outright trial. Jobs are gone, wealth destroyed, lives lost, all because of a pandemic.
Among the industries impacted has been the firearm industry. While gun sales have been brisk, that’s only in places where gun stores have been open. That’s not everywhere, unfortunately.
Also, many gun ranges are still closed, thus meaning even if people buy a gun, they can’t necessarily learn how to use it properly.
However, it seems those days are starting to come to an end.
From the spinning of the slot machines in casinos to the straightening of clothing racks in stores to the crashing of the waves on the shore, there are so many sounds starting to return to the rhythm of our daily lives. As the phased re-opening continues from business to business, casinos from Mississippi to Las Vegas are taking a gamble with new social distancing measures will help keep people safe. “A customer can’t even stand here and play this game because the game is not even active,” Tony Rodio, CEO of Caesars Entertainment, told CNN, previewing how slot machine-social distancing will work. In upstate New York, construction jobs put on pause are slowly coming back as well. “I think the most i’m going to have on the job is four,” said Joseph Dundon, the owner of Dundon Construction in a recent interview. “That’s a lot different than we used to have, seven or eight. Things might take a little longer but at least we’re going to be safe moving forward.” In the next 48 hours, 48 states have plans to re-open in some capacity. battling the spread of COVID-19.but numbers in some states, moving in the wrong direction, with new coronavirus cases on the rise in places like Texas, Alabama and Arkansas.
While not specifically mentioned, it should be noted that a lot of the places that will be reopening to some degree will be places dealing with the outdoor industry. That may mean gun stores, but also fishing tackle shops, hunting apparel companies, and other places. It also suggests that many parks where people like to engage in hunting or fishing will also be open to the public.
In other words, with the lockdown ending, it’s going to be even more possible to engage in some of your favorite outdoor and firearm-related pastimes. It also means that you’ll be able to engage in new training to better handle your personal firearm. You can take a friend to the range and show them how to operate their brand new firearms safely.
Perhaps more importantly, people can get out of the house.
That’s arguably more important because it may well save lives. It’s been noted before that the quarantine has led to an increase in people considering suicide. While some are looking to blame increased gun sales for this, it’s bull. The fact is that humans are social animals, and being cooped up by yourself for weeks on end isn’t good for anyone.
Further, domestic violence rates have gone up as well. That’s not good for anyone, but particularly for the abused partners. Being able to get out and get away from their abusers may allow these victims to muster up the courage to seek help in getting away permanently. That may well help save even more lives.
While the virus was nasty enough, it’s time to start looking at the big picture. With all these states opening to some degree, it’s a good time to do just that.


bearingarms--2020-05-18--Heavy-handed Shutdown Orders Met With Civil Disobedience, Officer Discretion

We ’ ve got two great interviews on today ’ s Bearing Arms ’ Cam & Co , and both of them deal with draconian shutdown orders from governors and how folks are responding to them .
First up , firearms instructor Rob Pincus joins the show to talk about an act of civil disobedience in New York over the weekend .
Pincus held an actual training course at a range in Mount Vernon , New York , despite the fact that Gov .
Andrew Cuomo has declared ranges to be non-essential businesses that must remain closed at the moment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff at Pioneer Shooting Center weren ’ t out to grandstand , but simply hoped to show a way forward for indoor ranges to begin operating again .
For this past weekend ’ s event , that meant a class size about 50-percent smaller than usual , masks for all participants , gloves for the training staff , and plenty of hand sanitizer for class attendees .
The duration of the class was also shorter than usual , and attendees took a break in the middle to head outside and get fresh air @ @ @ @ @ @ @ normal classroom portion of the training class was actually conducted on the range because the ventilation systems used in indoor ranges are designed to recycle and filter the air far more effectively than a standard HVAC system .
Pincus adds that one New York-area doctor who ’ s been caring for COVID-19 patients offered advice on best practices to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus , and believes that the training session can serve as an example for other ranges and instructors moving forward .
Culpeper County , Virginia Sheriff Scott Jenkins also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to discuss the current executive order from Gov .
Ralph Northam , and why the sheriff says he won ’ t be aiding the local health department in enforcing Northam ’ s social distancing rules .
As the sheriff explains , from a constitutional perspective he has concerns over some of the rules , like those limiting public and private gatherings to no more than ten people .
Jenkins also has concerns from a purely pragmatic standpoint and believes that using the heavy hand of law enforcement to arrest residents who might be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cause more problems than it would solve .
Jenkins communicated his stance late Tuesday on the Facebook page of the Sheriff ’ s Office , in response to an inquiry by the Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District , an arm of the Virginia Department of Health which is charged with enforcing Northam ’ s order .
“ My response to that request is that we will not trample the constitutional freedoms of our citizens to enforce an edict of the Governor , ” Jenkins wrote .
“ I do not speak for any of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jenkins was responding to Health District Director Wade Kartchner ’ s request to the five-county district ’ s law-enforcement agencies for assistance in enforcing Northam ’ s Executive Order 61 .
“ As you know , the Governor ’ s order # 61 was announced on Friday and we are looking to partner with the various law enforcement agencies in our health district to manage compliance with the order , ” Dr. Kartchner wrote the agencies .
“ VDH is tasked as the enforcement arm of the order , but we can not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ ve discussed this briefly with Sheriff [ … X … ] and the initial idea is to have his staff handle calls and do the initial physical investigations if needed , bringing our environmental health staff in if a summons is to be filed with the court .
If this works elsewhere , that would be great from a uniformity perspective , ” he added .
“ If not , we would welcome your input as to how you would like to handle this aspect of reopening.
” Kartchner said Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or receive a reply to his note .
“ We have been given the unenviable task of enforcing the order , ” he said via email .
“ I sent the email out to find some common ground with other agencies that will be fielding complaints as well … in order to be better prepared.
” The health district , which has a small staff , normally enforces regulations governing restaurants , wells and septic systems .
“ Barbers , shooting ranges , personal grooming , brick-and-mortar retail , and farmers markets are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Both Rob Pincus and Sheriff Scott Jenkins understand that the threat posed by the COVID-19 virus is real , but they also understand that the virus itself isn ’ t the only issue at the moment and that our rights don ’ t simply disappear when a state of emergency is declared .
Opening and operating businesses safely and responsibly are key , but both believe that in many cases , social distancing is best addressed as a matter of personal responsibility , not authoritarian or unconstitutional orders handed down by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both interviews above , and stick around for more stories , including a San Antonio homeowner who held a burglar at gunpoint for local police , and a good Samaritan who rescued several neighbors when their Pennsylvania home caught fire .

We’ve got two great interviews on today’s Bearing Arms’ Cam & Co, and both of them deal with draconian shutdown orders from governors and how folks are responding to them. First up, firearms instructor Rob Pincus joins the show to talk about an act of civil disobedience in New York over the weekend. Pincus held an actual training course at a range in Mount Vernon, New York, despite the fact that Gov. Andrew Cuomo has declared ranges to be non-essential businesses that must remain closed at the moment.
Pincus says that he and the staff at Pioneer Shooting Center weren’t out to grandstand, but simply hoped to show a way forward for indoor ranges to begin operating again. For this past weekend’s event, that meant a class size about 50-percent smaller than usual, masks for all participants, gloves for the training staff, and plenty of hand sanitizer for class attendees. The duration of the class was also shorter than usual, and attendees took a break in the middle to head outside and get fresh air, though Pincus also stated that the normal classroom portion of the training class was actually conducted on the range because the ventilation systems used in indoor ranges are designed to recycle and filter the air far more effectively than a standard HVAC system.
Pincus adds that one New York-area doctor who’s been caring for COVID-19 patients offered advice on best practices to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus, and believes that the training session can serve as an example for other ranges and instructors moving forward.
Culpeper County, Virginia Sheriff Scott Jenkins also joined me on today’s show to discuss the current executive order from Gov. Ralph Northam, and why the sheriff says he won’t be aiding the local health department in enforcing Northam’s social distancing rules. As the sheriff explains, from a constitutional perspective he has concerns over some of the rules, like those limiting public and private gatherings to no more than ten people. Jenkins also has concerns from a purely pragmatic standpoint and believes that using the heavy hand of law enforcement to arrest residents who might be violating the governor’s orders would cause more problems than it would solve.
Jenkins communicated his stance late Tuesday on the Facebook page of the Sheriff’s Office, in response to an inquiry by the Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District, an arm of the Virginia Department of Health which is charged with enforcing Northam’s order. “My response to that request is that we will not trample the constitutional freedoms of our citizens to enforce an edict of the Governor,” Jenkins wrote. “I do not speak for any of the other jurisdictions in the health district.” Jenkins was responding to Health District Director Wade Kartchner’s request to the five-county district’s law-enforcement agencies for assistance in enforcing Northam’s Executive Order 61. “As you know, the Governor’s order #61 was announced on Friday and we are looking to partner with the various law enforcement agencies in our health district to manage compliance with the order,” Dr. Kartchner wrote the agencies. “VDH is tasked as the enforcement arm of the order, but we cannot do this without your assistance.” “I’ve discussed this briefly with Sheriff [… X …] and the initial idea is to have his staff handle calls and do the initial physical investigations if needed, bringing our environmental health staff in if a summons is to be filed with the court. If this works elsewhere, that would be great from a uniformity perspective,” he added. “If not, we would welcome your input as to how you would like to handle this aspect of reopening.” Kartchner said Thursday that he did not speak with Jenkins or receive a reply to his note. “We have been given the unenviable task of enforcing the order,” he said via email. “I sent the email out to find some common ground with other agencies that will be fielding complaints as well … in order to be better prepared.” The health district, which has a small staff, normally enforces regulations governing restaurants, wells and septic systems. “Barbers, shooting ranges, personal grooming, brick-and-mortar retail, and farmers markets are typically outside our purview,” Kartchner said.
Both Rob Pincus and Sheriff Scott Jenkins understand that the threat posed by the COVID-19 virus is real, but they also understand that the virus itself isn’t the only issue at the moment and that our rights don’t simply disappear when a state of emergency is declared. Opening and operating businesses safely and responsibly are key, but both believe that in many cases, social distancing is best addressed as a matter of personal responsibility, not authoritarian or unconstitutional orders handed down by governors.
Be sure to check out both interviews above, and stick around for more stories, including a San Antonio homeowner who held a burglar at gunpoint for local police, and a good Samaritan who rescued several neighbors when their Pennsylvania home caught fire.


bearingarms--2020-05-18--Louisiana Church Carry Bill Labeled 'Extreme' and 'Unneeded'

If we learned anything after the attempted shooting in White Settlement , Texas , it ’ s that armed citizens can and do stop potential mass murderers .
Hero Jack Wilson put down the would-be killer as quickly as possible , thus eliminating the threat and saving an untold number of lives .
It became clear at that moment that guns in churches save lives .
I suspect that played in at least some Louisiana lawmakers ’ minds as they pondered a bill that would allow people to carry in churches without having to beg for permission first .
After @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no , thus relegating their congregations to a pool of potential victims rather than just worshippers .
The bill , however , is getting opposition from anti-gun media in the state .
In the name of gun rights , a ridiculous measure was launched in the Legislature , overriding the pastor and congregation of any church and forcing it to allow firearms in places of worship .
Another bill would , without regard to local views or conditions , overrule decisions by cities or parishes on sensible gun control regulations .
Yet another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ firearms during a state of emergency .
Extremism is on the march , in a Legislature that has vastly more important things to do .
What are these bills doing even being heard in committee in a session during which the state is struggling with a pandemic of a deadly disease ?
Great question .
I don ’ t know , but I do wonder if you ’ re asking Sen. Richard Blumenthal the same question .
However , to call such a measure “ extremism ” is beyond uncalled for .
Look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should remain focused on COVID-19 , that ’ s fair .
I don ’ t know that I necessarily agree–I mean , there ’ s only so much they can do at a state level–but I can at least get the argument there .
Yet calling it extreme to push for a law that argues gun owners shouldn ’ t have to grovel before a pastor before carrying a firearm is hardly extremism .
The fact that it ’ s being argued as such is telling .
You see , it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s pro-gun .
If the law sought to require pastors to conduct gay weddings , for example , it would be stunning and brave .
Yet , in that case , it would not only try to dictate what happens inside the church but go against what many faiths believe regarding same-sex marriages .
The editorial board would likely have no issue with that , and we all know it .
They ’ d be just fine with that , arguing that not requiring them to do such infringes on people ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Amendment rights are still rights , which means those would need to be respected as well .
Editorial boards consider measures like this “ extremist ” because they remove a layer of control over who can carry guns and where .
It should be noted , however , that the bill doesn ’ t seem to impact criminal trespass laws .
That ’ s important because it means a church can still ask someone to leave if they find out he or she is carrying a firearm .
That option still remains .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ someone is , and there ’ s the rub .
The opposition over this mild expansion of gun rights–people can already carry if they do get their pastor ’ s permission–makes it clear that it ’ s about control rather than safety .

If we learned anything after the attempted shooting in White Settlement, Texas, it’s that armed citizens can and do stop potential mass murderers. Hero Jack Wilson put down the would-be killer as quickly as possible, thus eliminating the threat and saving an untold number of lives.
It became clear at that moment that guns in churches save lives.
I suspect that played in at least some Louisiana lawmakers’ minds as they pondered a bill that would allow people to carry in churches without having to beg for permission first. After all, narrow-minded clergy may well say no, thus relegating their congregations to a pool of potential victims rather than just worshippers.
The bill, however, is getting opposition from anti-gun media in the state.
In the name of gun rights, a ridiculous measure was launched in the Legislature, overriding the pastor and congregation of any church and forcing it to allow firearms in places of worship. Another bill would, without regard to local views or conditions, overrule decisions by cities or parishes on sensible gun control regulations. Yet another bill would not allow authorities to regulate firearms during a state of emergency. Extremism is on the march, in a Legislature that has vastly more important things to do. What are these bills doing even being heard in committee in a session during which the state is struggling with a pandemic of a deadly disease? Great question.
I don’t know, but I do wonder if you’re asking Sen. Richard Blumenthal the same question.
However, to call such a measure “extremism” is beyond uncalled for.
Look, if you think the Louisiana legislature should remain focused on COVID-19, that’s fair. I don’t know that I necessarily agree–I mean, there’s only so much they can do at a state level–but I can at least get the argument there.
Yet calling it extreme to push for a law that argues gun owners shouldn’t have to grovel before a pastor before carrying a firearm is hardly extremism. The fact that it’s being argued as such is telling.
You see, it’s only “extremism” because it’s pro-gun. If the law sought to require pastors to conduct gay weddings, for example, it would be stunning and brave. Yet, in that case, it would not only try to dictate what happens inside the church but go against what many faiths believe regarding same-sex marriages.
The editorial board would likely have no issue with that, and we all know it. They’d be just fine with that, arguing that not requiring them to do such infringes on people’s rights. Yet people’s Second Amendment rights are still rights, which means those would need to be respected as well.
Editorial boards consider measures like this “extremist” because they remove a layer of control over who can carry guns and where.
It should be noted, however, that the bill doesn’t seem to impact criminal trespass laws. That’s important because it means a church can still ask someone to leave if they find out he or she is carrying a firearm. That option still remains.
The church would just have to know someone is, and there’s the rub. The opposition over this mild expansion of gun rights–people can already carry if they do get their pastor’s permission–makes it clear that it’s about control rather than safety.


bearingarms--2020-05-18--WI Campground Hosts Concealed Carry Course, Warns Against Masks

After the Wisconsin Supreme Court threw out Gov .
Tony Evers ’ stay-at-home order , the governor warned that it would be “ the Wild West ” in the state .
Not so at Annie ’ s Campground near Gresham , Wisconsin .
Over the weekend , the family-owned campground hosted a concealed carry class , which was pretty hard to find in the Wild West .
They also banned masks , which were quite commonplace back in the days of Wyatt Earp and Billy the Kid .
To be fair , owner Ann Retzlaff told Newsweek that if people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that would be allowed .
Other than that circumstance , however , Retzlaff informed visitors that those wearing masks would be considered robbers .
“ I added no masks when entering my main building because this is the perfect time for the bad guys to take advantage of any small business and rob them because it is now ‘ normal ’ to wear a mask .
A couple days ago , several small businesses in Shawano were robbed , or the attempt was made to rob them , ” Retzlaff stated in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do understand that there are people who wear a mask because of their delicate health situation , like cancer or a recent surgery .
I know these people and their stature is much different that a 6 ’ 2″ male entering an establishment aggressively with intent to do harm , ” Retzlaff stated .
“ This is a very critical time for all citizens to wake up and understand the threats out there and take measures to protect and defend .
It is as simple as that .
All of my customers here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I posted that information , ” she added .
The local media hasn ’ t reported on any attempted robberies of businesses in Shawano , but there have been stories around the country of criminals wearing masks to disguise themselves during holdups , and I suppose I don ’ t blame Retzlaff for being concerned .
I also suspect that anyone who ’ s at a higher risk for serious illness or death from the coronavirus is staying away from a crowded campground at the moment .
Still , I was glad to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ post on Facebook that attracted so much attention .
I think the media jumped on Retzlaff ’ s post on Facebook to try to use it as an example of the reopen movement objecting to the use of face masks to help mitigate the spread of the coronavirus , but based on her explanation , it doesn ’ t sound like that was the case .
After all , the media barely mentioned the fact that Retzlaff hosted a concealed carry class at her campground this past weekend , and ordinarily , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heading for their fainting couches .
Instead , media outlets like Newsweek elevated a small Wisconsin business to the status of a national news story , all because of an offhand remark made on the business ’ s Facebook page .
Frankly , I would have liked to have heard more about the concealed carry course offered by Starla Batzko , a local firearms instructor and huntress who also has her own line of wild game seasonings .
Starla Batzko has been presenting her seminar , Cooking Gone Wild with Starla , at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more years than she can remember .
As a hunter who serves the game she bags to her family ( she has a husband , two grown children and a grandchild ) , she knows how important it is to cook game properly and then season it properly .
The seasoning also comes naturally to her since she owns her own business , Starla ’ s Seasonings , Dips and Mixes , where she sells spice mixes .
At the show , she focuses on making the recipes she demonstrates and the tips @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , both in taste and in the cooking method .
“ I find people are more likely to make a warm , cheesy , pheasant dip than some weird , strange thing with pheasant , ” Batzko said , laughing .
Sounds like taking a concealed carry course from Batzko would be fun .
Personally , I ’ d love to know more about the campers at Annie ’ s this weekend , including those who took Starla ’ s concealed carry course , and less about Anne Retzlaff ’ s posts on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to focus their efforts on turning molehills into mountains .

After the Wisconsin Supreme Court threw out Gov. Tony Evers’ stay-at-home order, the governor warned that it would be “the Wild West” in the state. Not so at Annie’s Campground near Gresham, Wisconsin. Over the weekend, the family-owned campground hosted a concealed carry class, which was pretty hard to find in the Wild West. They also banned masks, which were quite commonplace back in the days of Wyatt Earp and Billy the Kid.
To be fair, owner Ann Retzlaff told Newsweek that if people needed to wear masks for health reasons, that would be allowed. Other than that circumstance, however, Retzlaff informed visitors that those wearing masks would be considered robbers.
“I added no masks when entering my main building because this is the perfect time for the bad guys to take advantage of any small business and rob them because it is now ‘normal’ to wear a mask. A couple days ago, several small businesses in Shawano were robbed, or the attempt was made to rob them,” Retzlaff stated in an email. “Now, I do understand that there are people who wear a mask because of their delicate health situation, like cancer or a recent surgery. I know these people and their stature is much different that a 6’2″ male entering an establishment aggressively with intent to do harm,” Retzlaff stated. “This is a very critical time for all citizens to wake up and understand the threats out there and take measures to protect and defend. It is as simple as that. All of my customers here understood exactly what I meant and why I posted that information,” she added.
The local media hasn’t reported on any attempted robberies of businesses in Shawano, but there have been stories around the country of criminals wearing masks to disguise themselves during holdups, and I suppose I don’t blame Retzlaff for being concerned. I also suspect that anyone who’s at a higher risk for serious illness or death from the coronavirus is staying away from a crowded campground at the moment. Still, I was glad to hear Retzlaff’s explanation of the post on Facebook that attracted so much attention.
I think the media jumped on Retzlaff’s post on Facebook to try to use it as an example of the reopen movement objecting to the use of face masks to help mitigate the spread of the coronavirus, but based on her explanation, it doesn’t sound like that was the case. After all, the media barely mentioned the fact that Retzlaff hosted a concealed carry class at her campground this past weekend, and ordinarily, that would have reporters clutching their pearls and heading for their fainting couches.
Instead, media outlets like Newsweek elevated a small Wisconsin business to the status of a national news story, all because of an offhand remark made on the business’s Facebook page. Frankly, I would have liked to have heard more about the concealed carry course offered by Starla Batzko, a local firearms instructor and huntress who also has her own line of wild game seasonings.
Starla Batzko has been presenting her seminar, Cooking Gone Wild with Starla, at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Sports Show for more years than she can remember. As a hunter who serves the game she bags to her family (she has a husband, two grown children and a grandchild), she knows how important it is to cook game properly and then season it properly. The seasoning also comes naturally to her since she owns her own business, Starla’s Seasonings, Dips and Mixes, where she sells spice mixes. At the show, she focuses on making the recipes she demonstrates and the tips she shares accessible to the average person, both in taste and in the cooking method. “I find people are more likely to make a warm, cheesy, pheasant dip than some weird, strange thing with pheasant,” Batzko said, laughing.
Sounds like taking a concealed carry course from Batzko would be fun. Personally, I’d love to know more about the campers at Annie’s this weekend, including those who took Starla’s concealed carry course, and less about Anne Retzlaff’s posts on Facebook. Too bad the media decided to focus their efforts on turning molehills into mountains.


bearingarms--2020-05-18--Cornyn Clears The Record On Ghost Guns

Cornyn Clears The Record On Ghost Guns

Last week , we reported on the “ ghost gun ” legislation being pushed anti-gun senators in Congress .
The measure is insane and , really , completely unworkable .
That ’ s kind of what we expect out of people like Sen. Dick Blumenthal , though .
However , in the story , there was a bit that bothered me .
You see , Politico quoted Texas Sen. John Cornyn in such a way that it sounded like he supported the measure .
Now , Cornyn has been quite the champion for gun rights in the Senate , so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ betrayal to those principles .
Luckily , that might not be completely accurate .
Politico quoted Sen. Cornyn in a way that gave readers the impression that he also supported the advocacy .
They reported that Cornyn “ might be open to background checks for gun-kit purchases ” based on Cornyn saying , “ I guess you can look at it that you ’ re buying an assembled gun or an unassembled gun .
To me , the same standard makes sense.
” Breitbart News contacted Sen. Cornyn ’ s office to ask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made clear that Cornyn opposes Democrats ’ pressure for more gun control .
He supports the laws as they are , differentiating between kits with 100 percent complete parts–included receivers–and kits containing parts that are only 80 percent complete .
In other words , the “ same standard ” means the status quo on this .
That ’ s good to know because the Politico piece had me concerned .
As noted before , Cornyn has been a champion for gun rights in Congress and the idea of that slipping is troubling .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ say that , so my mistake .
It seems he and I are kind of on the same page on this issue , which is quite the relief .
Unfortunately , the question remains just how many others do agree with Blumenthal and company ?
Just how many people are going to side with Captain Stolen Valor to infringe on our basic civil liberties ?
It ’ s probably safe to say that every Democrat in the Senate will .
It ’ s almost like Blumenthal is doing his level best to rally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they turn out in November to make sure not a single Democrat holds power when it ’ s all said and done .
If there ’ s a red wave as some people expect , I think Blumenthal may well deserve at least some of the credit .
The truth is that we now have millions more gun owners today than we did just a few months ago .
Legions have swarmed gun stores in an effort to buy guns , guns they can ’ t get because of a combination of high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ laws they were told were so loose anyone could get a gun over the internet .
Now , a lot of people are starting to question whether or not anything else they were told about gun control laws is accurate .
I suspect we ’ ll see the impact of this come November as Democrats continue pushing gun control like we ’ re still in the immediate aftermath of Parkland .
They ’ re going to be sorely disappointed in that regard .
Also disappointed will be Captain Stolen Valor and his “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ m just glad to see Cornyn is opposing this like I figured he would have .

Last week, we reported on the “ghost gun” legislation being pushed anti-gun senators in Congress. The measure is insane and, really, completely unworkable. That’s kind of what we expect out of people like Sen. Dick Blumenthal, though.
However, in the story, there was a bit that bothered me.
You see, Politico quoted Texas Sen. John Cornyn in such a way that it sounded like he supported the measure. Now, Cornyn has been quite the champion for gun rights in the Senate, so this came across as something of a betrayal to those principles.
Luckily, that might not be completely accurate.
Politico quoted Sen. Cornyn in a way that gave readers the impression that he also supported the advocacy. They reported that Cornyn “might be open to background checks for gun-kit purchases” based on Cornyn saying, “I guess you can look at it that you’re buying an assembled gun or an unassembled gun. To me, the same standard makes sense.” Breitbart News contacted Sen. Cornyn’s office to ask about the statement, and his office made clear that Cornyn opposes Democrats’ pressure for more gun control. He supports the laws as they are, differentiating between kits with 100 percent complete parts–included receivers–and kits containing parts that are only 80 percent complete.
In other words, the “same standard” means the status quo on this.
That’s good to know because the Politico piece had me concerned. As noted before, Cornyn has been a champion for gun rights in Congress and the idea of that slipping is troubling.
As I wrote last week:
But, then again, Sen. John Cornyn is quoted as saying he may not bother to oppose this proposal. For him, he argued that it’s buying an assembled gun or an unassembled one, but that’s not a fair standard. A truly unassembled gun would have you buying a completed receiver. Those still require background checks.
Well, he didn’t actually say that, so my mistake. It seems he and I are kind of on the same page on this issue, which is quite the relief.
Unfortunately, the question remains just how many others do agree with Blumenthal and company? Just how many people are going to side with Captain Stolen Valor to infringe on our basic civil liberties? It’s probably safe to say that every Democrat in the Senate will.
It’s almost like Blumenthal is doing his level best to rally the gun rights activists to make sure they turn out in November to make sure not a single Democrat holds power when it’s all said and done. If there’s a red wave as some people expect, I think Blumenthal may well deserve at least some of the credit.
The truth is that we now have millions more gun owners today than we did just a few months ago. Legions have swarmed gun stores in an effort to buy guns, guns they can’t get because of a combination of high demand and current gun control laws; laws they were told were so loose anyone could get a gun over the internet.
Now, a lot of people are starting to question whether or not anything else they were told about gun control laws is accurate. I suspect we’ll see the impact of this come November as Democrats continue pushing gun control like we’re still in the immediate aftermath of Parkland. They’re going to be sorely disappointed in that regard.
Also disappointed will be Captain Stolen Valor and his “ghost gun” ban. I’m just glad to see Cornyn is opposing this like I figured he would have.


bearingarms--2020-05-18--SCOTUS Still In A 2A Holding Pattern, No New Cases Accepted

The Supreme Court announced its orders from Friday ’ s conference on Monday morning , and once again the Court has taken a pass on the ten Second Amendment-related cases that its currently considering .
None of the ten cases were denied by the Court , which means they ’ ll all be back in conference for justices to consider again .
Over at SCOTUSblog , reporter Amy Howe says she thinks it ’ s likely that the justices are debating which of the ten cases to accept , and doesn ’ t see the delay as a sign that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the challenges its considering .
The last case the Court accepted that dealt with a challenge to a gun control law was New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. New York City , which the Court declared moot back in April after the city changed the law in question in an attempt to avoid defending it at the Supreme Court .
Justice Samuel Alito was joined by Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch in a dissenting opinion that argued the New York City case still had live issues that needed to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brett Kavanaugh weighed in separately , agreeing with the majority that the case was moot , but urging his fellow justices to accept another Second Amendment case as quickly as possible .
Here ’ s a look at the ten cases that are currently being considered by the Supreme Court .
Mance v. Barr is a case challenging the ban on interstate sales of handguns .
Pena v. Horan is a challenge to California ’ s microstamping law , which took effect in 2012 and has curtailed not only the availability of new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ existing models of handguns to be barred from being sold in the state .
Rogers v. Grewal , Cheeseman v. Polillo , and Ciolek v. New Jersey all deal with challenges to New Jersey ’ s carry laws and “ justifiable need ” requirement for a carry permit , while Malpasso v. Pallozzi takes on similar requirements in the state of Maryland .
Culp v. Raoul challenges an Illinois law barring residents from 45 other states from applying for a non-resident concealed carry license , while Wilson v. Cook County takes on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sporting rifles .
There are also two cases out of Massachusetts being considered by the Court ; a challenge to Massachusetts ’ carry laws called Gould v. Lipson , and Worman v. Healey , a challenge to the state ’ s ban on so-called assault weapons .
Finally , there ’ s Beers v. Barr , a case dealing with the lifelong prohibition on firearms for those who ’ ve been involuntarily committed to a mental institution .
The Supreme Court will meet again in conference this Thursday , but because of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see orders released until later next week .
As much as I would have loved to have seen the Court announce that it is taking one or more of these cases today , I still think the odds are good that we ’ ll see cert granted in at least one case before long .

The Supreme Court announced its orders from Friday’s conference on Monday morning, and once again the Court has taken a pass on the ten Second Amendment-related cases that its currently considering. None of the ten cases were denied by the Court, which means they’ll all be back in conference for justices to consider again.
Over at SCOTUSblog, reporter Amy Howe says she thinks it’s likely that the justices are debating which of the ten cases to accept, and doesn’t see the delay as a sign that the Court will ultimately reject all ten of the challenges its considering.
The last case the Court accepted that dealt with a challenge to a gun control law was New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. New York City, which the Court declared moot back in April after the city changed the law in question in an attempt to avoid defending it at the Supreme Court. Justice Samuel Alito was joined by Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch in a dissenting opinion that argued the New York City case still had live issues that needed to be addressed by the Court, and Justice Brett Kavanaugh weighed in separately, agreeing with the majority that the case was moot, but urging his fellow justices to accept another Second Amendment case as quickly as possible.
Here’s a look at the ten cases that are currently being considered by the Supreme Court.
Mance v. Barr is a case challenging the ban on interstate sales of handguns.
Pena v. Horan is a challenge to California’s microstamping law, which took effect in 2012 and has curtailed not only the availability of new models of handguns, but has caused existing models of handguns to be barred from being sold in the state.
Rogers v. Grewal, Cheeseman v. Polillo, and Ciolek v. New Jersey all deal with challenges to New Jersey’s carry laws and “justifiable need” requirement for a carry permit, while Malpasso v. Pallozzi takes on similar requirements in the state of Maryland.
Culp v. Raoul challenges an Illinois law barring residents from 45 other states from applying for a non-resident concealed carry license, while Wilson v. Cook County takes on the Illinois county’s ban on modern sporting rifles.
There are also two cases out of Massachusetts being considered by the Court; a challenge to Massachusetts’ carry laws called Gould v. Lipson, and Worman v. Healey, a challenge to the state’s ban on so-called assault weapons.
Finally, there’s Beers v. Barr, a case dealing with the lifelong prohibition on firearms for those who’ve been involuntarily committed to a mental institution.
The Supreme Court will meet again in conference this Thursday, but because of the Memorial Day holiday we won’t see orders released until later next week. As much as I would have loved to have seen the Court announce that it is taking one or more of these cases today, I still think the odds are good that we’ll see cert granted in at least one case before long.