bearingarms--2020-09-30--Louisiana AG To Address Student Suspended Over BB Gun

If a student takes a BB gun to school , we all know what is going to happen .
The student will be suspended .
More than that , though , almost no one will get bent out of shape over it .
Sure , gun rights are gun rights , but schools have typically forbidden things like BB guns that can be used to hurt someone else from their campuses .
However , in a lot of places , students aren ’ t on campus .
They ’ re engaged in “ distance learning , ” which really just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their computers from the comfort of their own homes .
The problem is that teachers are acting like all the same rule should apply , even the ones regarding things like toy or BB guns .
Young Ka ’ Mauri Harrison was suspended for just such a situation .
Now , the Louisiana state attorney general is on the case .
In a letter to the Louisiana Department of Education and the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education , AG Landry notes that the law clearly grants parents and their child a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and to seek judicial review of a decision by the Superintendent when the child has been recommended for expulsion .
By systemically violating students ’ constitutional rights , AG Landry declares , school systems ’ eligibility for state and federal funds are jeopardized “ Legal action can often be a lengthy process , but I am committed to seeing this through no matter how long it takes , ” said AG Landry .
“ Today ’ s letter is just the next of many steps my office and I are taking to seek @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family.
” ” Ka ’ Mauri is a bright young man with a great family ; and the fact that he was recommended for expulsion , received a suspension , and not given his right to appeal is appalling , ” added AG Landry .
“ Ka ’ Mauri was not only deprived of educational instruction , he was also denied opportunity.
” This is a good development , to say the least .
Young Mr. Harrison shouldn ’ t have gone through this in the least , but to have absolutely no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I get that schools are trying to figure some of this out as they go , but you can not expect the same rules to apply .
You put children in an environment with all their favorite distractions and they ’ re going to be distracted , especially if teachers are still droning on like many of them did when I was in school .
They ’ re going to grab toys or whatnot , and for some , those are going to be toy guns or BB guns .
Sure , discipline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , you can ’ t treat it like Ka ’ Mauri took the blasted thing to school and started pointing it at people .
That ’ s beyond ridiculous .
Meanwhile , the school is probably thinking they were really lenient by not expelling the boy .
I ’ m glad the attorney general is involved and my hope is that justice actually prevails .
No one should have to go through this kind of nonsense .
Maybe this can put an end to it once and for all .

If a student takes a BB gun to school, we all know what is going to happen. The student will be suspended. More than that, though, almost no one will get bent out of shape over it. Sure, gun rights are gun rights, but schools have typically forbidden things like BB guns that can be used to hurt someone else from their campuses.
However, in a lot of places, students aren’t on campus. They’re engaged in “distance learning,” which really just means they’re watching teachers on their computers from the comfort of their own homes.
The problem is that teachers are acting like all the same rule should apply, even the ones regarding things like toy or BB guns. Young Ka’Mauri Harrison was suspended for just such a situation.
Now, the Louisiana state attorney general is on the case.
In a letter to the Louisiana Department of Education and the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, AG Landry notes that the law clearly grants parents and their child a right to appeal to the School Board and to seek judicial review of a decision by the Superintendent when the child has been recommended for expulsion. By systemically violating students’ constitutional rights, AG Landry declares, school systems’ eligibility for state and federal funds are jeopardized “Legal action can often be a lengthy process, but I am committed to seeing this through no matter how long it takes,” said AG Landry. “Today’s letter is just the next of many steps my office and I are taking to seek justice for Ka’Mauri and his family.” ”Ka’Mauri is a bright young man with a great family; and the fact that he was recommended for expulsion, received a suspension, and not given his right to appeal is appalling,” added AG Landry. “Ka’Mauri was not only deprived of educational instruction, he was also denied opportunity.”
This is a good development, to say the least.
Young Mr. Harrison shouldn’t have gone through this in the least, but to have absolutely no ability to appeal is especially troubling.
I get that schools are trying to figure some of this out as they go, but you cannot expect the same rules to apply. You put children in an environment with all their favorite distractions and they’re going to be distracted, especially if teachers are still droning on like many of them did when I was in school. They’re going to grab toys or whatnot, and for some, those are going to be toy guns or BB guns.
Sure, discipline matters. I get that. However, you can’t treat it like Ka’Mauri took the blasted thing to school and started pointing it at people. That’s beyond ridiculous.
Meanwhile, the school is probably thinking they were really lenient by not expelling the boy.
I’m glad the attorney general is involved and my hope is that justice actually prevails. No one should have to go through this kind of nonsense. Maybe this can put an end to it once and for all.


bearingarms--2020-09-30--Parkland Survivor Accuses March For Our Lives Of Racism

The gun control group March For Our Lives , originally founded by several survivors of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland , Florida in 2018 , being accused of racism by one of the former students at the school who says that her voice has been suppressed by the organization .
Aalayah Eastmond , who ’ s now 19-years old , launched a broadside against MFOL on Twitter accusing the group not only of being silent on racial issues , but advocating for gun control policies that will hurt young black men and women .
Eastmond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lives for elevating students like David Hogg , who wasn ’ t near the shooting but was on campus when it took place , over students like herself , who witnessed the shooting firsthand .
According to Eastmond , the snub was intentional and based on the racist ideals of the Parkland community .
Eastmond even accused fellow MSD survivor Ryan Deitsch of unnamed racist acts which she says led to him being removed from the organization .
Eastmond also accused March For Our Lives of cutting checks to white students to take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ promoted federal gun control legislation , while she was unpaid for her activism .
As Eastmond tweeted her frustration with March For Our Lives , other former students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas chimed in with their own critiques of the gun control group , backing up Eastmond ’ s assertion that activists like David Hogg were promoted over Eastmond .
Eastmond ’ s mother even accused March For Our Lives of trying to prevent her daughter from speaking in front of a congressional panel discussing gun control .
So far March For Our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Twitter , but they ’ ve had a few tweets in recent days where they endorse the idea of defunding police , including this brief thread following the grand jury decision in the Breonna Taylor case .
While the organization is promoting dismantling the existing criminal justice system on Twitter , the group ’ s own “ Peace Plan ” is chock full of proposed laws that would be enforced by armed agents of the State and result in prison time for offenders .
• A multi-step approval process , overseen by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ background checks , in-person interviews , personal references , rigorous gun safety training , and a waiting period of 10 days for each gun purchase .
Licenses would be renewed every year upon successful completion of annually refreshed requirements in the above areas .
In the process , a national registry of firearms sales would be created to make gun owners responsible for their weapons and hold them accountable when those weapons are used in a crime .
Our licensing system would also include the ability to disarm individuals who become a danger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ licensing fees for anyone who wants to obtain a national gun and ammunition license .
Gun violence has indirect and direct costs of hundreds of billions of dollars each year , and any responsible gun owner would pay into the national licensing system for the ability to possess and use firearms .
In addition , we would impose higher fees on the bulk purchase of firearms and ammunition , which have been predicates to the misuse of firearms .
• A higher standard for gun ownership , which would start with raising the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In addition , we would expand prohibited categories for obtaining a gun license , with a focus on those with a propensity for violence .
This would include : individuals with felony convictions , any level of domestic violence offenders ( protective orders and misdemeanors ) , individuals with a documented history of violence , individuals convicted of hate crimes , individuals convicted of stalking , and individuals that make a credible and public threat against a specific person or institutions such as schools , churches , or workplaces .
• A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
• A prohibition on any and all online firearm and ammunition sales or transfers , including gun parts .
The group ’ s “ peace plan ” also calls for a mandatory “ buy back ” of so-called assault weapons , as well as empowering local and state governments to impose additional gun control measures .
Now , if you believe that the criminal justice system is systemically racist , how do you square that with policies that would disproportionally impact minorities and lower-income Americans by giving law enforcement broad discretion in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keep and bear arms , and put people in prison for non-violent , possessory “ crimes ” created by these same gun laws ?
For months I ’ ve been saying that the Left has a problem on its hands when it comes to embracing both gun control and the defund police movement , and the cracks in the coalition are growing ever larger .
Democrats will try to ignore the problem and even paper over it at least until the elections are over , but a reckoning is coming , and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ avoided for much longer .

The gun control group March For Our Lives, originally founded by several survivors of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida in 2018, being accused of racism by one of the former students at the school who says that her voice has been suppressed by the organization. Aalayah Eastmond, who’s now 19-years old, launched a broadside against MFOL on Twitter accusing the group not only of being silent on racial issues, but advocating for gun control policies that will hurt young black men and women.
The same community that had orgs deliberately suppress my voice and my story…
The same community that continues to have parents using their platform to promote gun violence prevention tactics and legislation that will HARM Black youth and communities. — Aalayah Eastmond✨🇹🇹 (@AalayahEastmond) September 25, 2020
Eastmond went on to slam March for Our Lives for elevating students like David Hogg, who wasn’t near the shooting but was on campus when it took place, over students like herself, who witnessed the shooting firsthand. According to Eastmond, the snub was intentional and based on the racist ideals of the Parkland community.
White privilege is recognizing that.. and still telling me to my face that I’m not needed, that there’s no space for me. That whatever I have to bring to the table can be said through them. As if they weren’t founded upon exclusion and racist ideals in a RACIST community. https://t.co/l6I2WBfO9P — Aalayah Eastmond✨🇹🇹 (@AalayahEastmond) September 29, 2020
Eastmond even accused fellow MSD survivor Ryan Deitsch of unnamed racist acts which she says led to him being removed from the organization.
It’s really the fact that both you and your brother were fired from an org for some sort of racism when the entire org is founded on racist ideologies. Ain’t that something? Make it make sense.. y’all literally have nothing to say? I’ve tweeted multi threads for y’all to respond https://t.co/7IW7ngXGSO — Aalayah Eastmond✨🇹🇹 (@AalayahEastmond) September 29, 2020
Eastmond also accused March For Our Lives of cutting checks to white students to take part in a nationwide tour where they promoted federal gun control legislation, while she was unpaid for her activism.
Being an ally is not tokenizing 2 Black kids to call your photo ops intersectional. Being an ally is not telling ppl in other city’s that ask about me that I’m a terrible person. Should I keep it going? Cuz like I said, I got time. Ally my ass. Who’s next? — Aalayah Eastmond✨🇹🇹 (@AalayahEastmond) September 29, 2020
As Eastmond tweeted her frustration with March For Our Lives, other former students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas chimed in with their own critiques of the gun control group, backing up Eastmond’s assertion that activists like David Hogg were promoted over Eastmond.
i already know that people are gonna claim this tweet is gatekeeping trauma, but as a student who wasn’t in the building, i can recognize that my trauma, although real, is not nearly as deep or relevant as those who were. @AMarch4OurLives give it a try sometime https://t.co/floRaeERGH — isabelle! (@isabellerobz) September 29, 2020
Eastmond’s mother even accused March For Our Lives of trying to prevent her daughter from speaking in front of a congressional panel discussing gun control.
The worse was when Congress tried reaching out to MFOL for Aalayah’s contact information, they lied and said they didn’t know, in return they were trying to sway the person to allow David to speak, but fortunately for Aalayah, they only wanted her on there platform,very deceiving — stacey 🇹🇹 (@sllewellyn1975) September 29, 2020
So far March For Our Lives has avoided responding to Eastmond directly on Twitter, but they’ve had a few tweets in recent days where they endorse the idea of defunding police, including this brief thread following the grand jury decision in the Breonna Taylor case.
Since the public safety system can’t be accountable for human life, we need to defund, dismantle, and reimagine the system in its entirety. (3/3) — March For Our Lives (@AMarch4OurLives) September 23, 2020
While the organization is promoting dismantling the existing criminal justice system on Twitter, the group’s own “Peace Plan” is chock full of proposed laws that would be enforced by armed agents of the State and result in prison time for offenders.
A multi-step approval process, overseen by a law enforcement agency, that requires background checks, in-person interviews, personal references, rigorous gun safety training, and a waiting period of 10 days for each gun purchase. Licenses would be renewed every year upon successful completion of annually refreshed requirements in the above areas. In the process, a national registry of firearms sales would be created to make gun owners responsible for their weapons and hold them accountable when those weapons are used in a crime. Our licensing system would also include the ability to disarm individuals who become a danger to themselves or others.
Licenses would be renewed every year upon successful completion of annually refreshed requirements in the above areas. In the process, a national registry of firearms sales would be created to make gun owners responsible for their weapons and hold them accountable when those weapons are used in a crime. Our licensing system would also include the ability to disarm individuals who become a danger to themselves or others. Annual licensing fees for anyone who wants to obtain a national gun and ammunition license. Gun violence has indirect and direct costs of hundreds of billions of dollars each year, and any responsible gun owner would pay into the national licensing system for the ability to possess and use firearms. In addition, we would impose higher fees on the bulk purchase of firearms and ammunition, which have been predicates to the misuse of firearms.
Gun violence has indirect and direct costs of hundreds of billions of dollars each year, and any responsible gun owner would pay into the national licensing system for the ability to possess and use firearms. In addition, we would impose higher fees on the bulk purchase of firearms and ammunition, which have been predicates to the misuse of firearms. A higher standard for gun ownership, which would start with raising the minimum age for gun possession to 21. In addition, we would expand prohibited categories for obtaining a gun license, with a focus on those with a propensity for violence. This would include: individuals with felony convictions, any level of domestic violence offenders (protective orders and misdemeanors), individuals with a documented history of violence, individuals convicted of hate crimes, individuals convicted of stalking, and individuals that make a credible and public threat against a specific person or institutions such as schools, churches, or workplaces.
In addition, we would expand prohibited categories for obtaining a gun license, with a focus on those with a propensity for violence. This would include: individuals with felony convictions, any level of domestic violence offenders (protective orders and misdemeanors), individuals with a documented history of violence, individuals convicted of hate crimes, individuals convicted of stalking, and individuals that make a credible and public threat against a specific person or institutions such as schools, churches, or workplaces. A limit of one firearm purchase per month.
A prohibition on any and all online firearm and ammunition sales or transfers, including gun parts.
The group’s “peace plan” also calls for a mandatory “buy back” of so-called assault weapons, as well as empowering local and state governments to impose additional gun control measures. Now, if you believe that the criminal justice system is systemically racist, how do you square that with policies that would disproportionally impact minorities and lower-income Americans by giving law enforcement broad discretion in determining who could exercise their right to keep and bear arms, and put people in prison for non-violent, possessory “crimes” created by these same gun laws?
For months I’ve been saying that the Left has a problem on its hands when it comes to embracing both gun control and the defund police movement, and the cracks in the coalition are growing ever larger. Democrats will try to ignore the problem and even paper over it at least until the elections are over, but a reckoning is coming, and I don’t think it can be avoided for much longer.


bearingarms--2020-09-30--California Lawsuit Seeks To Force Feds To Crack Down On "Ghost Guns"

California loves them some gun control .
It doesn ’ t actually work , of course , but they love it none the less .
Then again , this is a state where their governor has decided to ban gasoline-powered cars , despite the impact that will have on poor people in many parts of the state that lack a large public transit system .
They seem to like authoritarianism there .
And honestly , while it ’ s a topic of debate , it doesn ’ t bother me all that much .
After all , I don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t impact me .
Now , though , a new lawsuit out of the state may well impact the rest of us and our gun rights .
Fed up with the growing number of untraceable homemade firearms used in gun crimes and mass shootings , California Attorney General Xavier Becerra announced a federal lawsuit Tuesday to force the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol , Tobacco , Firearms and Explosives to crack down on so-called “ ghost guns ” that skirt laws requiring background checks and age verification .
Lacking a commercial serial number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ ghost guns ” are not considered firearms subject to ATF regulation under the Gun Control Act because a central piece remains unfinished — the receiver or frame of the weapon , which houses all of its internal components including the barrel and trigger mechanism .
Becerra disputes this interpretation .
His lawsuit notes the Gun Control Act expressly provides that a receiver or frame can be considered a firearm because such pieces are “ designed to or may readily be converted ” into functional weapons .
“ We are suing the ATF @ @ @ @ @ @ @ firearm , ” Becerra said on a call with reporters Tuesday .
“ ATF allows these guns to go unchecked despite having the authority under the Gun Control Act to regulate them.
” These are less than 80 percent complete receivers .
That last 20 percent hardly qualifies as “ readily be converted , ” as anyone who has built such a firearm knows .
However , Becerra doesn ’ t actually care about that .
He simply doesn ’ t want people to be able to build their own firearms for any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ building these weapons is actually legal in his own state , though there are regulations surrounding their manufacture .
If they ’ re legal in California , why is he trying to shut it down for the rest of the country ?
Probably because he ’ s bucking for higher office and this is how he can show he ’ s tough on guns .
Becerra isn ’ t alone on this , though .
He was joined by Bryan Muehlberger , whose daughter Gracie Anne Muehlberger was shot and killed at Saugus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , by a fellow student with a “ ghost gun ” assembled from an online kit .
“ Until that tragic day , I had never even heard of a ghost gun , ” Muehlberger said .
“ We all need to wake up and understand the danger here .
Anyone , and I mean anyone , can buy these totally unregulated kits with just an internet connection and a credit card .
And that ’ s how my daughter ’ s killer got his murder weapon .
I still struggle to understand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order a kit online that has no intended purpose other than creating a fully functioning firearm and how the ATF can allow ghost guns to be sold with no federal regulation.
” I sympathize with Muehlberger for his loss .
I honestly don ’ t know how I ’ d be able to function if anything happened to my daughter .
However , Muehlberger seems to have some unrealistic expectations anyway .
Muehlberger , who is not opposed to firearms and owns guns himself , said that only a few months ago he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his daughter ’ s name .
“ Sure enough , the company mailed out the kit with Gracie ’ s name emblazoned on the box .
Had the company done any investigation — just Googling her name — they would have learned that not only was Gracie barely 15 and no longer with us , but that she was also killed by a ghost gun , ” he said .
“ It ’ s that easy for anyone , including children , those with mental illness or past issues with violence , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own guns , including a dead girl , to circumvent our laws and get a gun.
” First , a Google search isn ’ t a background check .
While it may tell you someone with that name was murdered , it doesn ’ t mean that someone else with that name isn ’ t a lawful customer .
Names aren ’ t that unique .
In fact , if you search my name , you find me , a soccer player in the U.K. , and a customer service expert .
None @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after all .
Narrow it down with my hometown and you get me and my father .
So no , they didn ’ t Google the customer ’ s name .
Googling someone ’ s name doesn ’ t tell them jack squat , so they acted accordingly .
Muehlberger ’ s anecdote doesn ’ t actually tell us anything except that he has some rather unreasonable expectations from these companies .
Then again , so does Becerra , but that ’ s nothing new .
The truth of the matter is that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their own guns .
The ATF drew the line at 80 percent complete makes it a receiver .
A full one-fifth of the receiver must be incomplete for it not to count .
Yes , it ’ s an arbitrary number , but guess what ?
If they change it to anything else , someone will start selling incomplete receivers that match the new criteria .
Bad people will still build their own guns if they want , though those are actually pretty rare despite hysterical media reports to the contrary .
Frankly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how California believes it can dictate law to the rest of the nation .
Then again , California anti-gunners tend to believe they ’ re better than the rest of us , anyway .

California loves them some gun control. It doesn’t actually work, of course, but they love it none the less. Then again, this is a state where their governor has decided to ban gasoline-powered cars, despite the impact that will have on poor people in many parts of the state that lack a large public transit system. They seem to like authoritarianism there.
And honestly, while it’s a topic of debate, it doesn’t bother me all that much. After all, I don’t live there so their nonsense doesn’t impact me.
Now, though, a new lawsuit out of the state may well impact the rest of us and our gun rights.
Fed up with the growing number of untraceable homemade firearms used in gun crimes and mass shootings, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra announced a federal lawsuit Tuesday to force the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to crack down on so-called “ghost guns” that skirt laws requiring background checks and age verification. Lacking a commercial serial number and purchasable without a background check, “ghost guns” are not considered firearms subject to ATF regulation under the Gun Control Act because a central piece remains unfinished — the receiver or frame of the weapon, which houses all of its internal components including the barrel and trigger mechanism. Becerra disputes this interpretation. His lawsuit notes the Gun Control Act expressly provides that a receiver or frame can be considered a firearm because such pieces are “designed to or may readily be converted” into functional weapons. “We are suing the ATF over its interpretation what qualifies as a firearm,” Becerra said on a call with reporters Tuesday. “ATF allows these guns to go unchecked despite having the authority under the Gun Control Act to regulate them.”
These are less than 80 percent complete receivers. That last 20 percent hardly qualifies as “readily be converted,” as anyone who has built such a firearm knows.
However, Becerra doesn’t actually care about that. He simply doesn’t want people to be able to build their own firearms for any reason.
It should be noted that building these weapons is actually legal in his own state, though there are regulations surrounding their manufacture. If they’re legal in California, why is he trying to shut it down for the rest of the country? Probably because he’s bucking for higher office and this is how he can show he’s tough on guns.
Becerra isn’t alone on this, though.
He was joined by Bryan Muehlberger, whose daughter Gracie Anne Muehlberger was shot and killed at Saugus High school in Santa Clarita, California, by a fellow student with a “ghost gun” assembled from an online kit. “Until that tragic day, I had never even heard of a ghost gun,” Muehlberger said. “We all need to wake up and understand the danger here. Anyone, and I mean anyone, can buy these totally unregulated kits with just an internet connection and a credit card. And that’s how my daughter’s killer got his murder weapon. I still struggle to understand why it can be so easy to order a kit online that has no intended purpose other than creating a fully functioning firearm and how the ATF can allow ghost guns to be sold with no federal regulation.”
I sympathize with Muehlberger for his loss. I honestly don’t know how I’d be able to function if anything happened to my daughter.
However, Muehlberger seems to have some unrealistic expectations anyway.
Muehlberger, who is not opposed to firearms and owns guns himself, said that only a few months ago he bought a ghost gun kit online using his daughter’s name. “Sure enough, the company mailed out the kit with Gracie’s name emblazoned on the box. Had the company done any investigation — just Googling her name — they would have learned that not only was Gracie barely 15 and no longer with us, but that she was also killed by a ghost gun,” he said. “It’s that easy for anyone, including children, those with mental illness or past issues with violence, and those that are not legally allowed to own guns, including a dead girl, to circumvent our laws and get a gun.”
First, a Google search isn’t a background check. While it may tell you someone with that name was murdered, it doesn’t mean that someone else with that name isn’t a lawful customer. Names aren’t that unique. In fact, if you search my name, you find me, a soccer player in the U.K., and a customer service expert. None of us are the same people, after all.
Narrow it down with my hometown and you get me and my father.
So no, they didn’t Google the customer’s name. Googling someone’s name doesn’t tell them jack squat, so they acted accordingly.
Muehlberger’s anecdote doesn’t actually tell us anything except that he has some rather unreasonable expectations from these companies. Then again, so does Becerra, but that’s nothing new.
The truth of the matter is that you will never stop people from making their own guns. The ATF drew the line at 80 percent complete makes it a receiver. A full one-fifth of the receiver must be incomplete for it not to count. Yes, it’s an arbitrary number, but guess what? If they change it to anything else, someone will start selling incomplete receivers that match the new criteria.
Bad people will still build their own guns if they want, though those are actually pretty rare despite hysterical media reports to the contrary.
Frankly, though, the bigger problem is how California believes it can dictate law to the rest of the nation. Then again, California anti-gunners tend to believe they’re better than the rest of us, anyway.


bearingarms--2020-09-30--Gun Control Absent From Presidential Debate

With last night ’ s debate between President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden , it seemed likely that gun control would be a topic of discussion .
After all , it was a driving issue during the Democratic primary , one at least two candidates decided to make a focal point of their campaigns .
It was a recurring theme during Democratic debates as well .
However , now , things are different .
It seems that everyone is trying to pretend that gun control was never a topic to begin with , from the gun control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaigns .
Oh , guns weren ’ t absent .
It seems that gun violence was a major topic of debate .
Especially in places like Chicago .
With the surge in violence we ’ re seeing all over the nation , that ’ s hardly surprising .
It ’ s an alarming development in a year of alarming developments , to say the least .
Yet this one , at least , feels like something people can turn to politicians to solve , so they have .
But absent from any mention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This issue that seemed poised to shape at least part of the presidential election has largely fizzled out .
Oh , Biden still wants gun control and we know that if he ’ s elected , we ’ ll likely see it , but no one wants to talk about it , apparently .
Following the shooting in Marjory Stoneman-Douglas Highschool in Parkland , gun control was all anyone could seemingly talk about .
It made gun control fashionable .
What ’ s more , gun control didn ’ t fade into the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mass shooting .
The media made it a point to push people like David Hogg in our faces to keep gun control in the foreground .
It couldn ’ t die if the media kept focusing on it .
At that point , the media had more important things to talk about .
Further , millions upon millions of Americans went out and bought guns .
After all , a deadly pandemic was here .
People were going to die and it wasn ’ t out of the realm of possibility for there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supply chain .
In fact , there was , and no one had any reason to believe it couldn ’ t get worse .
What happens when people can ’ t get food ?
For times like that , you need a gun .
Millions flooded their local gun stores .
They bought everything they could get their hands on .
In the process , they had a harsh awakening .
They found out that no , you couldn ’ t buy a gun on the internet and not have to go through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hopelessness of needing a gun but being told you have to wait 7 days in some places .
They learned that so much of what the media has feed them over the years was bull .
So now , you have millions of Americans–many of them Democrats–who are now in the ranks of gun owners .
That means there ’ s reason to believe they ’ ll be gun voters .
Democrats have tried to sweep their support for gun control under the rug , hoping voters will forget about it .
Last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , seemingly did his part to help with that by not bringing the topic up .
The president accused Wallace of basically trying to help Biden , and not mentioning such a key topic is certainly evidence of that .
Not definitive evidence , to be sure , but evidence none the less .
So gun control was absent from the debate .
It ’ s suggestive that yes , in fact Democrats have figured out that gun control isn ’ t the winning issue they thought it was late last year .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ American people aren ’ t in favor of restricting their right to protect themselves .
The question is , have they figured it out to such a degree that if they gain power , they ’ ll leave those guns alone ?

With last night’s debate between President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden, it seemed likely that gun control would be a topic of discussion. After all, it was a driving issue during the Democratic primary, one at least two candidates decided to make a focal point of their campaigns. It was a recurring theme during Democratic debates as well.
However, now, things are different. It seems that everyone is trying to pretend that gun control was never a topic to begin with, from the gun control groups and now, even the presidential campaigns.
Oh, guns weren’t absent. It seems that gun violence was a major topic of debate. Especially in places like Chicago.
With the surge in violence we’re seeing all over the nation, that’s hardly surprising. It’s an alarming development in a year of alarming developments, to say the least. Yet this one, at least, feels like something people can turn to politicians to solve, so they have.
But absent from any mention of the debates? Gun control.
This issue that seemed poised to shape at least part of the presidential election has largely fizzled out. Oh, Biden still wants gun control and we know that if he’s elected, we’ll likely see it, but no one wants to talk about it, apparently.
Why?
Following the shooting in Marjory Stoneman-Douglas Highschool in Parkland, gun control was all anyone could seemingly talk about. It made gun control fashionable.
What’s more, gun control didn’t fade into the background like it normally does following a mass shooting. The media made it a point to push people like David Hogg in our faces to keep gun control in the foreground. It couldn’t die if the media kept focusing on it.
Then COVID-19 hit.
At that point, the media had more important things to talk about. Further, millions upon millions of Americans went out and bought guns. After all, a deadly pandemic was here. People were going to die and it wasn’t out of the realm of possibility for there to be some real problems with our supply chain. In fact, there was, and no one had any reason to believe it couldn’t get worse. What happens when people can’t get food?
For times like that, you need a gun.
Millions flooded their local gun stores. They bought everything they could get their hands on. In the process, they had a harsh awakening. They found out that no, you couldn’t buy a gun on the internet and not have to go through a background check. They learned the hopelessness of needing a gun but being told you have to wait 7 days in some places. They learned that so much of what the media has feed them over the years was bull.
So now, you have millions of Americans–many of them Democrats–who are now in the ranks of gun owners. That means there’s reason to believe they’ll be gun voters.
Democrats have tried to sweep their support for gun control under the rug, hoping voters will forget about it. Last night’s moderator, Chris Wallace, seemingly did his part to help with that by not bringing the topic up. The president accused Wallace of basically trying to help Biden, and not mentioning such a key topic is certainly evidence of that. Not definitive evidence, to be sure, but evidence none the less.
So gun control was absent from the debate. It’s suggestive that yes, in fact Democrats have figured out that gun control isn’t the winning issue they thought it was late last year. They’ve figured out that the American people aren’t in favor of restricting their right to protect themselves.
The question is, have they figured it out to such a degree that if they gain power, they’ll leave those guns alone?
Personally, I wouldn’t bet on it.


bearingarms--2020-10-01--Bill Banning Guns At Michigan State Capitol "Sent To Die"

As I wrote on Wednesday , some anti-gun officials in the Michigan Senate have decided that residents of that state shouldn ’ t be allowed to exercise their constitutionally-protected right to keep and bear arms .
They introduced a bill that would ban guns completely from the capitol building .
This , of course , came as there has been ongoing debate regarding the commission responsible for creating and enforcing gun rules at the capitol possibly banning open carry .
The bill would sidestep the commission completely .
In fact , there is a measure calling for ending the commission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news for Michigan , right ?
Well , not really .
It seems it ’ s been sent somewhere to die .
Two bills banning guns inside the state Capitol are now in a committee that a state senator says is “ where bills are sent to die.
” Senators Dayna Polehanki ( D-Livonia ) , and Senator Rosemary Bayer ( D-Beverly Hills ) introduced two bills banning guns inside the building .
The Michigan Capitol Commission took up the issue two weeks ago , but tabled it to get input from House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the bills were referred to the Committee on Government Operations which if you ’ re around Lansing a lot , that ’ s where bills are sent to die , ” said Senator Polehanki .
Senator Polehanki is again calling on the Capitol Commission to take action .
She previously introduced a resolution urging the commission to ban guns and install security checkpoints .
That resolution has not made it out of the Government Operations Committee .
Polehanki , however , is little more than an opportunistic liar .
See , as noted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claims that the openly-carried firearms were about intimidation and presented it as though that was the motive behind her bill .
After all , her bill also banned concealed carry .
No one can legitimately claim that a concealed firearm is intimidating .
After all , by definition , an concealed firearm is concealed .
It ’ s there , but practically invisible .
No one can be intimidated by something they can ’ t perceive with human senses .
If her measure was about keeping lawmakers from being intimidated , she should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would have still been a pile of male bovine excrement , but it could have at least been plausible .
Instead , Polehanki wants to lower the boom on all forms of carry , which tells you where her priority really is .
By sending the bill somewhere to die , it ’ s clear that her efforts aren ’ t appreciated by at least some of her colleagues .
The truth of the matter is that a large portion of Michigan is filled with people who hold their Second Amendment rights sacred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that , which means a significant portion of the legislature are filled with people who hold similar opinions .
Polehanki can try to force the rest of the state to comply with her whims if she wants , but it ’ s not going to work .
Polehanki , a former school teacher , seems to view the rest of the state as recalcitrant students who need to be shown their place .
Luckily , it seems at least some of her colleagues are just as recalcitrant .
Thankfully .

As I wrote on Wednesday, some anti-gun officials in the Michigan Senate have decided that residents of that state shouldn’t be allowed to exercise their constitutionally-protected right to keep and bear arms. They introduced a bill that would ban guns completely from the capitol building.
This, of course, came as there has been ongoing debate regarding the commission responsible for creating and enforcing gun rules at the capitol possibly banning open carry.
The bill would sidestep the commission completely. In fact, there is a measure calling for ending the commission itself.
So, this is bad news for Michigan, right? Well, not really. It seems it’s been sent somewhere to die.
Two bills banning guns inside the state Capitol are now in a committee that a state senator says is “where bills are sent to die.” Senators Dayna Polehanki (D-Livonia), and Senator Rosemary Bayer (D-Beverly Hills) introduced two bills banning guns inside the building. The Michigan Capitol Commission took up the issue two weeks ago, but tabled it to get input from House and Senate leaders. “Today, the bills were referred to the Committee on Government Operations which if you’re around Lansing a lot, that’s where bills are sent to die,” said Senator Polehanki. Senator Polehanki is again calling on the Capitol Commission to take action. She previously introduced a resolution urging the commission to ban guns and install security checkpoints. That resolution has not made it out of the Government Operations Committee.
Polehanki, however, is little more than an opportunistic liar.
See, as noted in Wednesday’s post, she claims that the openly-carried firearms were about intimidation and presented it as though that was the motive behind her bill.
Yet, it’s not.
After all, her bill also banned concealed carry. No one can legitimately claim that a concealed firearm is intimidating. After all, by definition, an concealed firearm is concealed. It’s there, but practically invisible. No one can be intimidated by something they can’t perceive with human senses.
If her measure was about keeping lawmakers from being intimidated, she should have stopped at open carry. It would have still been a pile of male bovine excrement, but it could have at least been plausible. Instead, Polehanki wants to lower the boom on all forms of carry, which tells you where her priority really is.
By sending the bill somewhere to die, it’s clear that her efforts aren’t appreciated by at least some of her colleagues.
The truth of the matter is that a large portion of Michigan is filled with people who hold their Second Amendment rights sacred. They vote for candidates based on that, which means a significant portion of the legislature are filled with people who hold similar opinions. Polehanki can try to force the rest of the state to comply with her whims if she wants, but it’s not going to work.
Polehanki, a former school teacher, seems to view the rest of the state as recalcitrant students who need to be shown their place.
Luckily, it seems at least some of her colleagues are just as recalcitrant. Thankfully.


bearingarms--2020-10-01--Louisiana AG Says Lawmakers Taking Interest In Ka'Mauri Harrison Case

If you ’ ve been following the story of Ka ’ Mauri Harrison , the 9-year old from Harvey , Louisiana who was suspended from school after briefly and accidentally displaying a BB gun during an online class , you know that the state ’ s attorney general Jeff Landry has taken an interest in the case , calling what happened to the young man an outrage and vowing to help him and his family find some justice .
I ’ m very pleased that the Attorney General could join me on today ’ s Bearing Arms ’ Cam & @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including some important new developments .
Landry revealed during our interview that not only is his office prepared to do what it can within the legal system to help Harrison , but that several lawmakers in Baton Rouge are also interested in writing legislation that would hopefully end the possibility of school districts invading the privacy of students ’ homes during online class sessions and punishing them for protected First and Second Amendment activities .
Landry notes that legislators have just returned to the state capitol for a special session , and he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concludes the legislature will have passed a bill .
Whether or not Gov .
Jon Bel Edwards ( no relation ) would go along and sign the bill is an open question at the moment .
The governor has not weighed in on the Harrison case , though it seems like everyone else in Louisiana has offered their own opinion .
On Wednesday , the Advocate newspaper opined that Harrison deserves to be cut a break by the Jefferson Parish school district .
The school investigation and district hearing don ’ t seem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ Mauri meant no harm , the weapon was a BB gun and he was moving it because his brother tripped .
At this point , the suspension has been served and it is on his school record .
The case has gotten a lot of local , state and national attention .
CBS , CNN , The Washington Post , The New York Times , USA Today and media abroad have published stories about Ka ’ Mauri ’ s case .
Though the matter has been officially resolved , it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doing his best to be a mature , responsible student .
The suspension time can not be given back .
But Ka ’ Mauri ’ s record can be cleared by removing the suspension so it doesn ’ t become a hindrance to his academic progress at Woodmere , in the Jefferson Parish Schools district or elsewhere in years to come .
The district superintendent and school officials should show Ka ’ Mauri what responsible leadership looks like by withdrawing his suspension and wiping his school slate clean .
That would be a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ add that the school district owes Ka ’ Mauri and his family an apology as well .
The problem is that this could happen to any student in any school district , and we ’ ve already seen how the Jefferson Parish school officials have dug in their heels and are resisting any attempt to make amends for their overreaction .
I ’ m looking forward to seeing the specifics of the legislation that is in the works in Baton Rouge , and hopefully it could serve as a model for other states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kids in Louisiana aren ’ t punished for doing what any normal kid would do in the same situation .
Be sure to check out the entire conversation with Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry in the video window above , and stay tuned , because there ’ s going to be much more of this story to come in the weeks ahead .

If you’ve been following the story of Ka’Mauri Harrison, the 9-year old from Harvey, Louisiana who was suspended from school after briefly and accidentally displaying a BB gun during an online class, you know that the state’s attorney general Jeff Landry has taken an interest in the case, calling what happened to the young man an outrage and vowing to help him and his family find some justice. I’m very pleased that the Attorney General could join me on today’s Bearing Arms’ Cam & Co to talk about the case, including some important new developments.
Landry revealed during our interview that not only is his office prepared to do what it can within the legal system to help Harrison, but that several lawmakers in Baton Rouge are also interested in writing legislation that would hopefully end the possibility of school districts invading the privacy of students’ homes during online class sessions and punishing them for protected First and Second Amendment activities.
Landry notes that legislators have just returned to the state capitol for a special session, and he predicts that by the time the session concludes the legislature will have passed a bill. Whether or not Gov. Jon Bel Edwards (no relation) would go along and sign the bill is an open question at the moment. The governor has not weighed in on the Harrison case, though it seems like everyone else in Louisiana has offered their own opinion. On Wednesday, the Advocate newspaper opined that Harrison deserves to be cut a break by the Jefferson Parish school district.
The school investigation and district hearing don’t seem to have taken into account that Ka’Mauri meant no harm, the weapon was a BB gun and he was moving it because his brother tripped. At this point, the suspension has been served and it is on his school record. The case has gotten a lot of local, state and national attention. CBS, CNN, The Washington Post, The New York Times, USA Today and media abroad have published stories about Ka’Mauri’s case. Though the matter has been officially resolved, it’s clear that this was a young boy doing his best to be a mature, responsible student. The suspension time cannot be given back. But Ka’Mauri’s record can be cleared by removing the suspension so it doesn’t become a hindrance to his academic progress at Woodmere, in the Jefferson Parish Schools district or elsewhere in years to come. The district superintendent and school officials should show Ka’Mauri what responsible leadership looks like by withdrawing his suspension and wiping his school slate clean.
That would be a good start, though I’d add that the school district owes Ka’Mauri and his family an apology as well.
The problem is that this could happen to any student in any school district, and we’ve already seen how the Jefferson Parish school officials have dug in their heels and are resisting any attempt to make amends for their overreaction. I’m looking forward to seeing the specifics of the legislation that is in the works in Baton Rouge, and hopefully it could serve as a model for other states as well as helping to ensure that kids in Louisiana aren’t punished for doing what any normal kid would do in the same situation.
Be sure to check out the entire conversation with Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry in the video window above, and stay tuned, because there’s going to be much more of this story to come in the weeks ahead.


bearingarms--2020-10-01--Biden Says He's The Democratic Party, So What Does That Mean?

Former Vice President Joe Biden may not have said a whole heck of a lot during this week ’ s debate , but he did say a few things .
As noted on Wednesday , gun control wasn ’ t among the topics discussed .
However , despite that , he said a few things that we should note and yeah , they do have an impact on gun rights .
As Larry Keane wrote over at The Daily Caller : Former Vice President Joe Biden is the captain now .
“ The party is me , ” Biden said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now , I am the Democratic Party .
I am the Democratic Party right now.
” The debate didn ’ t touch on gun control .
Amidst the arguing and speaking over one another , the candidates touched on Supreme Court nominees , law enforcement , riots and looting .
The topic of gun rights or gun control wasn ’ t addressed .
The former vice president , though , told the American public exactly where he is on gun control when he uttered that phrase .
He wants more of it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Biden-Harris platform at their convention earlier this year that laid out their plans to enact unprecedented gun control .
It ’ s a ban plan , an elimination plan and watchlist plan that will strip law-abiding Americans of their God-given rights and do nothing to address crime reduction .
Keane goes into more detail , of course , but he ’ s right .
And with Biden ’ s statement , there are a few other things we can note .
For example , as the captain of the ship , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t believe that the Second Amendment is an individual right .
They don ’ t believe that you , as an law-abiding citizen , actually have a right to keep and bear arms .
No , they believe that to be a collective right .
That ’ s based on comments Biden made recently regarding his disagreement with the Heller decision .
So what does that mean ?
It means it believes it would be constitutional to take every gun out of every private citizen ’ s home so long as state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guards–are allowed to legally maintain an arsenal .
And I ’ m giving him the benefit of the doubt on state guards , to be quite honest .
And if Biden speaks for the entire Democratic Party , then we ’ ve got a big problem .
See , when it comes to gun rights , I ’ ve always said I ’ ll take my allies where I can find them , but based on Biden ’ s comments , that makes it pretty clear not to bother looking for them within @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are a couple of Democrats with a pro-gun record and I believe they ’ ll continue being pro-gun , but the up and coming Democrats ?
Not a one of them can be trusted , regardless of what they say during their campaigns .
The truth of the matter is that the 2020 elections matter .
They matter a lot .
If you don ’ t do your part , it ’ s not hyperbole to argue that a constitutionally-protected right could vanish before our very eyes .
It shouldn ’ t be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so it ’ s time for all of us to step up and do our part .

Former Vice President Joe Biden may not have said a whole heck of a lot during this week’s debate, but he did say a few things. As noted on Wednesday, gun control wasn’t among the topics discussed.
However, despite that, he said a few things that we should note and yeah, they do have an impact on gun rights.
As Larry Keane wrote over at The Daily Caller:
Former Vice President Joe Biden is the captain now. “The party is me,” Biden said during the presidential debate. “Right now, I am the Democratic Party. I am the Democratic Party right now.” The debate didn’t touch on gun control. Amidst the arguing and speaking over one another, the candidates touched on Supreme Court nominees, law enforcement, riots and looting. The topic of gun rights or gun control wasn’t addressed. The former vice president, though, told the American public exactly where he is on gun control when he uttered that phrase. He wants more of it. Lots more. The Democratic Party adopted the Biden-Harris platform at their convention earlier this year that laid out their plans to enact unprecedented gun control. It’s a ban plan, an elimination plan and watchlist plan that will strip law-abiding Americans of their God-given rights and do nothing to address crime reduction.
Keane goes into more detail, of course, but he’s right. And with Biden’s statement, there are a few other things we can note.
For example, as the captain of the ship, it also means that the Democratic Party doesn’t believe that the Second Amendment is an individual right. They don’t believe that you, as an law-abiding citizen, actually have a right to keep and bear arms. No, they believe that to be a collective right.
That’s based on comments Biden made recently regarding his disagreement with the Heller decision.
So what does that mean? It means it believes it would be constitutional to take every gun out of every private citizen’s home so long as state militias–things like state defense forces or state guards–are allowed to legally maintain an arsenal. And I’m giving him the benefit of the doubt on state guards, to be quite honest.
And if Biden speaks for the entire Democratic Party, then we’ve got a big problem.
See, when it comes to gun rights, I’ve always said I’ll take my allies where I can find them, but based on Biden’s comments, that makes it pretty clear not to bother looking for them within the Democratic ranks. Sure, there are a couple of Democrats with a pro-gun record and I believe they’ll continue being pro-gun, but the up and coming Democrats? Not a one of them can be trusted, regardless of what they say during their campaigns.
The truth of the matter is that the 2020 elections matter. They matter a lot. If you don’t do your part, it’s not hyperbole to argue that a constitutionally-protected right could vanish before our very eyes.
It shouldn’t be the case, but it is, so it’s time for all of us to step up and do our part.


bearingarms--2020-10-01--Familiar Faces And 2A Stalwarts Added To SAF, CCRKBA Leadership

The Second Amendment Foundation and its lobbying arm , the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms recently wrapped up the biggest and most successful Gun Rights Police Conference to date , according to SAF founder Alan Gottlieb , and the organizations are moving forward into the elections and beyond with several new additions to the groups ’ leadership .
On Wednesday , Gottlieb announced that renowned firearms instructer Massad Ayoob is the new president of the Second Amendment Foundation , succeeding the late Joseph Tartaro , who passed away in June of this year at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cancer .
“ The election to president of SAF is one of the most cherished honors of my life , ” Ayoob said .
“ I have been proud to serve for many years on SAF ’ s Board of Trustees and will do my best to continue my commitment to what I consider a civil right and indeed , a human right .
“ I am humbled at the thought of replacing my long-time friend and mentor Joe Tartaro , ” he continued , “ and frankly doubt that anyone , myself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I accepted the position only after being assured that it would be an interim appointment , and one of my primary goals is to find a dedicated 2A warrior with a longer life expectancy than my own to eventually serve in this position .
In the meantime , I will support the goals of SAF , particularly to further strengthen our ties with the law enforcement community and to enhance the organization ’ s policy of embracing diversity in the community of the ‘ gun culture.
’ ” Gottlieb says he ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to see Ayoob assume the role of president of SAF , adding , “ I ’ ve had the pleasure of working with him over the years as a SAF trustee , and look forward to working with him more closely in his new role .
Without a doubt , Mas Ayoob is true defender of the Second Amendment , and his devotion to protecting and advancing the right to keep and bear arms will be critical as we face new challenges.
” In addition to Ayoob ’ s elevation to president of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recently announced that several other individuals have been added to the board of directors of SAF and CCRKBA .
Major General Allen Youngman , who retired in 2003 after 34 years in the military and is now the senior consultant at the American Business Development Group joins Jim Irvine , president of the Buckeye Firearms Association and Ammoland.com editor-in-chief Freddy Reihl on the board of directors for the Second Amendment Foundation , while attorney Dan Zalenka , who also serves as president of the Louisiana Shooting Association has been added to the board @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Keep and Bear Arms along with yours truly .
“ With all of the challenges facing gun owners in the next few years , ” Gottlieb said , “ having Dan and Cam coming aboard with their combined years of experience in the grassroots gun rights movement is going to be critically important .
“ The Citizens Committee is assuming a greater role in the firearms community as the Second Amendment remains under constant attack , on Capitol Hill and in state legislatures .
The gun prohibition lobby is being fueled by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who have weaponized their wealth to erode the rights of honest citizens .
“ Where we lack billions of dollars , ” Gottlieb said , “ we make up for with boots on the ground .
The interests of Second Amendment activists will be well-served by leaders such as Dan Zelenka and Cam Edwards.
” I ’ m honored and humbled to join the board of the Citizens Committee , and I look forward to working with the organization in helping to secure and strengthen our Second Amendment rights at both the federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We ’ re going to face a number of challenges regardless of who wins in November , because even a Trump/Pence victory and a Supreme Court that recognizes the importance of the Second Amendment and is willing to hear challenges to gun control laws won ’ t make the anti-gun groups and their billions of dollars disappear .
They ’ ll continue to use their First Amendment rights to attack the Second Amendment , and gun owners will need to use our own freedom of speech to fight back against their unconstitutional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bear arms .

The Second Amendment Foundation and its lobbying arm, the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms recently wrapped up the biggest and most successful Gun Rights Police Conference to date, according to SAF founder Alan Gottlieb, and the organizations are moving forward into the elections and beyond with several new additions to the groups’ leadership.
On Wednesday, Gottlieb announced that renowned firearms instructer Massad Ayoob is the new president of the Second Amendment Foundation, succeeding the late Joseph Tartaro, who passed away in June of this year at the age of 89 after a fight with cancer.
“The election to president of SAF is one of the most cherished honors of my life,” Ayoob said. “I have been proud to serve for many years on SAF’s Board of Trustees and will do my best to continue my commitment to what I consider a civil right and indeed, a human right. “I am humbled at the thought of replacing my long-time friend and mentor Joe Tartaro,” he continued, “and frankly doubt that anyone, myself included, can truly fill his shoes. I accepted the position only after being assured that it would be an interim appointment, and one of my primary goals is to find a dedicated 2A warrior with a longer life expectancy than my own to eventually serve in this position. In the meantime, I will support the goals of SAF, particularly to further strengthen our ties with the law enforcement community and to enhance the organization’s policy of embracing diversity in the community of the ‘gun culture.’”
Gottlieb says he’s both “proud and delighted” to see Ayoob assume the role of president of SAF, adding, “I’ve had the pleasure of working with him over the years as a SAF trustee, and look forward to working with him more closely in his new role. Without a doubt, Mas Ayoob is true defender of the Second Amendment, and his devotion to protecting and advancing the right to keep and bear arms will be critical as we face new challenges.”
In addition to Ayoob’s elevation to president of the Second Amendment Foundation, the group recently announced that several other individuals have been added to the board of directors of SAF and CCRKBA.
Major General Allen Youngman, who retired in 2003 after 34 years in the military and is now the senior consultant at the American Business Development Group joins Jim Irvine, president of the Buckeye Firearms Association and Ammoland.com editor-in-chief Freddy Reihl on the board of directors for the Second Amendment Foundation, while attorney Dan Zalenka, who also serves as president of the Louisiana Shooting Association has been added to the board of the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms along with yours truly.
“With all of the challenges facing gun owners in the next few years,” Gottlieb said, “having Dan and Cam coming aboard with their combined years of experience in the grassroots gun rights movement is going to be critically important. “The Citizens Committee is assuming a greater role in the firearms community as the Second Amendment remains under constant attack, on Capitol Hill and in state legislatures. The gun prohibition lobby is being fueled by anti-rights billionaires such as Michael Bloomberg, who have weaponized their wealth to erode the rights of honest citizens. “Where we lack billions of dollars,” Gottlieb said, “we make up for with boots on the ground. The interests of Second Amendment activists will be well-served by leaders such as Dan Zelenka and Cam Edwards.”
I’m honored and humbled to join the board of the Citizens Committee, and I look forward to working with the organization in helping to secure and strengthen our Second Amendment rights at both the federal and state levels in the months ahead. We’re going to face a number of challenges regardless of who wins in November, because even a Trump/Pence victory and a Supreme Court that recognizes the importance of the Second Amendment and is willing to hear challenges to gun control laws won’t make the anti-gun groups and their billions of dollars disappear. They’ll continue to use their First Amendment rights to attack the Second Amendment, and gun owners will need to use our own freedom of speech to fight back against their unconstitutional infringements on our right to keep and bear arms.


bearingarms--2020-10-01--The Real, Constitutional Alternative To Red Flag Laws

Red flag laws are bogus .
The idea of taking guns away from people who haven ’ t been professionally evaluated solely on the say so of untrained and potentially biased people is an anathema to anyone who claims to value the United States Constitution .
However , they ’ ve passed in many places and the idea may well take hold at the national level .
The thing is , there ’ s an alternative that is both constitutional , effective , and viable without additional legislation .
You simply make it so people in distress , and their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got an option .
More than half of all suicide deaths in the U.S. are the result of a firearm .
More than 60 % of gun deaths are suicides .
That ’ s why public health experts and survivor advocates say easy access to guns is at the heart of the issue .
And to tackle the problem , advocates need to engage with gun owners .
Damon ’ s simple act of voluntarily giving his guns to a family member is an example of what some public health experts hope is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : partnering with gun owners themselves to remove guns in times of crisis .
Meghan Francone is one of the people working to prevent these deaths .
In her role as the executive director of a local group called Open Heart Advocates , she was one of the victim advocates who went to Damon ’ s house the night his wife died .
“ In our county , individuals are choosing to end their lives with firearm .
This is just a fact , ” Francone said , adding that her statement is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I have firearm in my home .
I conceal carry .
We ’ re members of the NRA .
I ’ m not anti-firearm , I ’ m pro gun safety.
” Like so many others in this community , Francone has a personal connection to the issue .
Her teenage brother-in-law died by suicide years ago using a gun that was not locked up .
“ If we had increased time and distance between my loved one and the most lethal means , we would probably have a loved one today , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might have saved them .
There ’ s no guarantee that it would .
That said , it ’ s up to us to do what we can to secure our firearms during times of crisis .
I ’ ve known people who were struggling , so they asked friends to take their firearms for the time being .
They voluntarily put in that space in an effort to prevent themselves from doing something during a particularly low point .
It ’ s something we , as a community , need to back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ easier for those who don ’ t have friends they feel comfortable turning their guns over to .
There are options , though .
Dr. Emmy Betz , an emergency physician at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and the researcher who created Colorado ’ s Gun Storage Map — an online tool showing law enforcement agencies and gun shops that offer storage — acknowledges this .
Still , because getting rid of all guns is not realistic , Betz strongly advocates for voluntary storage , calling it a “ critical first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of harm reduction , not unlike teen sex .
“ It would be great to totally prevent unintended pregnancies among teenagers , ” Betz said .
“ We should just make sure no one ever has sex .
But knowing that that ’ s not realistic , what are the next steps that we can take to try to educate teens that — if they are choosing to do that — how can they protect themselves from disease or unintended pregnancies ?
” Many public health experts who work on firearm suicide prevention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will work because it will become a widespread part of gun culture .
Betz hopes that eventually voluntary storage has its own catchphrase , like “ Friends Don ’ t Let Friends Drive Drunk.
” I ’ m among those who share that hope .
( For the record , this isn ’ t the first time we ’ ve discussed the Gun Storage Map . )
Look at it from the political side , if nothing else .
Somewhere around 60 percent of all firearm-related deaths are suicides .
If we reduce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gun-related deaths drops .
By doing so , we undercut the anti-gunners favorite argument , to include all gun-related fatalities as one number and present it as a clear danger that has to be addressed .
By reducing that number , we prove that gun control isn ’ t necessary .
However , plans like this only work if laws don ’ t get in the way .
After all , in states with universal background checks , doing this isn ’ t considered prudent by the state , but illegal .
You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over to friends .
That would be where something like Dr. Betz ’ s Gun Storage Map would come into play .
Still , there are options , and we need to start promoting them as the answer to people in crisis .
These are our friends and loved ones .
Let ’ s do better in trying to help them .
While removing guns from the equation is only part of the answer , it ’ s a starting point .

Red flag laws are bogus. The idea of taking guns away from people who haven’t been professionally evaluated solely on the say so of untrained and potentially biased people is an anathema to anyone who claims to value the United States Constitution.
However, they’ve passed in many places and the idea may well take hold at the national level.
The thing is, there’s an alternative that is both constitutional, effective, and viable without additional legislation. You simply make it so people in distress, and their family members, know they’ve got an option.
More than half of all suicide deaths in the U.S. are the result of a firearm. More than 60% of gun deaths are suicides. That’s why public health experts and survivor advocates say easy access to guns is at the heart of the issue. And to tackle the problem, advocates need to engage with gun owners. Damon’s simple act of voluntarily giving his guns to a family member is an example of what some public health experts hope is a growing movement in preventing firearm suicide: partnering with gun owners themselves to remove guns in times of crisis. Meghan Francone is one of the people working to prevent these deaths. In her role as the executive director of a local group called Open Heart Advocates, she was one of the victim advocates who went to Damon’s house the night his wife died. “In our county, individuals are choosing to end their lives with firearm. This is just a fact,” Francone said, adding that her statement is not meant to be political. “I have firearm in my home. I conceal carry. We’re members of the NRA. I’m not anti-firearm, I’m pro gun safety.” Like so many others in this community, Francone has a personal connection to the issue. Her teenage brother-in-law died by suicide years ago using a gun that was not locked up. “If we had increased time and distance between my loved one and the most lethal means, we would probably have a loved one today,” she said.
Maybe. It might have saved them. There’s no guarantee that it would.
That said, it’s up to us to do what we can to secure our firearms during times of crisis. I’ve known people who were struggling, so they asked friends to take their firearms for the time being. They voluntarily put in that space in an effort to prevent themselves from doing something during a particularly low point.
It’s something we, as a community, need to back. We also need to make it easier for those who don’t have friends they feel comfortable turning their guns over to.
There are options, though.
Dr. Emmy Betz, an emergency physician at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and the researcher who created Colorado’s Gun Storage Map — an online tool showing law enforcement agencies and gun shops that offer storage — acknowledges this. Still, because getting rid of all guns is not realistic, Betz strongly advocates for voluntary storage, calling it a “critical first step.” She frames it in terms of harm reduction, not unlike teen sex. “It would be great to totally prevent unintended pregnancies among teenagers,” Betz said. “We should just make sure no one ever has sex. But knowing that that’s not realistic, what are the next steps that we can take to try to educate teens that — if they are choosing to do that — how can they protect themselves from disease or unintended pregnancies?” Many public health experts who work on firearm suicide prevention hope that over time, voluntary storage will work because it will become a widespread part of gun culture. Betz hopes that eventually voluntary storage has its own catchphrase, like “Friends Don’t Let Friends Drive Drunk.”
I’m among those who share that hope. (For the record, this isn’t the first time we’ve discussed the Gun Storage Map.)
Look at it from the political side, if nothing else. Somewhere around 60 percent of all firearm-related deaths are suicides. If we reduce that number, the total number of gun-related deaths drops. By doing so, we undercut the anti-gunners favorite argument, to include all gun-related fatalities as one number and present it as a clear danger that has to be addressed.
By reducing that number, we prove that gun control isn’t necessary.
However, plans like this only work if laws don’t get in the way. After all, in states with universal background checks, doing this isn’t considered prudent by the state, but illegal. You can’t just hand your guns over to friends.
That would be where something like Dr. Betz’s Gun Storage Map would come into play.
Still, there are options, and we need to start promoting them as the answer to people in crisis. These are our friends and loved ones. Let’s do better in trying to help them. While removing guns from the equation is only part of the answer, it’s a starting point.


bearingarms--2020-10-01--What Happens When A Prison Abolitionist Finds An Intruder In Her Bedroom?

I ’ ve been writing quite a bit recently about the ideological struggles on the Left between the push for more gun control laws while demanding the defunding of police and even abolishing prisons , because I think this is a fracture point for the Democratic coalition that is only going to grow larger in the months ahead .
If Democrats take back the White House and the Senate , they ’ ll be in a position to enact a sweeping gun control agenda , but every one of their new gun laws will create a new criminal offense that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legislation , will rely on armed police officers to enforce and prosecutors to take to court .
The end result would be more non-violent offenders being put behind bars for something that used to be protected by the Second Amendment .
How would the defund police movement react and respond to that scenario ?
Of course , since many who are calling for both more gun laws and an end to policing and the abolition of prisons aren ’ t gun owners themselves , they may not see the inherent contradiction in their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consequences of enacting their agenda into law .
However , the issues go beyond gun control , as one prison abolitionist learned when a stranger broke into her home in Berkeley , California and tried to sexually assault her in her bedroom .
In a very compelling piece at The Atlantic , activist Ayelet Waldman describes how the attack forced her to confront her own ideas about re-imagining the criminal justice system .
Dialing 911 was the first decision I had to make after I discovered the man by my bed—if you can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decision.
” The second came a day later , when a police investigator contacted me to ask whether I wanted to prosecute .
In the throes of a trauma that I was busy underestimating ( “ I ’ m fine .
I ’ m fine .
Really , I ’ m fine ” ) , I tried to balance a host of considerations .
For starters , would my children and I be willing to testify if he went to trial ?
I ’ ve seen what a competent defense attorney can do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ competent defense attorney , setting traps for people , tying them up in their own words , doing my best to trigger confusion and even fear .
Could my kids and I stand up to that ?
Would rekindling the trauma be worth it ?
Knowing that the majority of criminal cases end in a plea bargain , no court required , somewhat alleviated my anxieties , but it didn ’ t make the decision appreciably easier .
How could I consign someone to the brutalities of incarceration when I ’ ve long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I even edited a book called Inside This Place , Not of It : Narratives From Women ’ s Prisons , a collection of first-person stories designed to illuminate the countless human-rights violations that plague prisons in the United States .
Granted , my family and I would feel safer while the man was confined .
Since he stole into my bedroom , I ’ ve been startling awake multiple times a night , terrified .
Before we go to bed , I repeatedly ask my husband if he ’ s locked the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ For weeks , my son saw the man out of the corner of his eye in dark rooms , and he took to sleeping with a hammer beside his pillow .
But what about when my attacker got out—was there a chance he ’ d be less of a threat , to me or someone else ?
According to the investigating detective , his record includes at least one psychiatric hold , suggesting that his violent behavior might stem in part from some form of mental illness .
He definitely seemed unbalanced when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been invited into my house , that everything was fine .
Though a significant number of people in American prisons are mentally ill , very few receive any kind of psychological care .
The harsh conditions of confinement could just as easily make him less stable rather than more .
Some prisons have programs targeted specifically at rehabilitating sex offenders , but their effectiveness has been the subject of much debate over the years .
The entire piece is worth a read , as Waldman describes her struggles between her belief that prisons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her attacker getting off scot-free and perhaps going on to attack others .
I won ’ t spoil the ending by telling you what she ultimately decided to do , but Waldman ’ s story is worth highlighting because it ’ s a pretty good example of what happens when a high-minded philosophy runs headlong into the reality of dangerous individuals intent on inflicting harm on innocent victims .
Cases like Waldman ’ s are why I think that ultimately the defund police movement is destined to fail , at least on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reform , on the other hand , are still likely to take place in many states and even at the federal level , which means that the anti-gun activists who also believe that the criminal justice system is inherently racist will eventually have to confront the fact that means their favorite gun control laws are as well .

I’ve been writing quite a bit recently about the ideological struggles on the Left between the push for more gun control laws while demanding the defunding of police and even abolishing prisons, because I think this is a fracture point for the Democratic coalition that is only going to grow larger in the months ahead. If Democrats take back the White House and the Senate, they’ll be in a position to enact a sweeping gun control agenda, but every one of their new gun laws will create a new criminal offense that, by the terms of their own legislation, will rely on armed police officers to enforce and prosecutors to take to court. The end result would be more non-violent offenders being put behind bars for something that used to be protected by the Second Amendment. How would the defund police movement react and respond to that scenario?
Of course, since many who are calling for both more gun laws and an end to policing and the abolition of prisons aren’t gun owners themselves, they may not see the inherent contradiction in their ideology or be too troubled by the consequences of enacting their agenda into law. However, the issues go beyond gun control, as one prison abolitionist learned when a stranger broke into her home in Berkeley, California and tried to sexually assault her in her bedroom. In a very compelling piece at The Atlantic, activist Ayelet Waldman describes how the attack forced her to confront her own ideas about re-imagining the criminal justice system.
Dialing 911 was the first decision I had to make after I discovered the man by my bed—if you can describe my frantic call as a “decision.” The second came a day later, when a police investigator contacted me to ask whether I wanted to prosecute. In the throes of a trauma that I was busy underestimating (“I’m fine. I’m fine. Really, I’m fine”), I tried to balance a host of considerations. For starters, would my children and I be willing to testify if he went to trial? I’ve seen what a competent defense attorney can do to a witness. I was a competent defense attorney, setting traps for people, tying them up in their own words, doing my best to trigger confusion and even fear. Could my kids and I stand up to that? Would rekindling the trauma be worth it? Knowing that the majority of criminal cases end in a plea bargain, no court required, somewhat alleviated my anxieties, but it didn’t make the decision appreciably easier. How could I consign someone to the brutalities of incarceration when I’ve long advocated for the abolition of prisons? I even edited a book called Inside This Place, Not of It: Narratives From Women’s Prisons , a collection of first-person stories designed to illuminate the countless human-rights violations that plague prisons in the United States. Granted, my family and I would feel safer while the man was confined. Since he stole into my bedroom, I’ve been startling awake multiple times a night, terrified. Before we go to bed, I repeatedly ask my husband if he’s locked the doors and turned on the alarm. For weeks, my son saw the man out of the corner of his eye in dark rooms, and he took to sleeping with a hammer beside his pillow. But what about when my attacker got out—was there a chance he’d be less of a threat, to me or someone else? According to the investigating detective, his record includes at least one psychiatric hold, suggesting that his violent behavior might stem in part from some form of mental illness. He definitely seemed unbalanced when he leeringly insisted that he’d been invited into my house, that everything was fine. Though a significant number of people in American prisons are mentally ill, very few receive any kind of psychological care. The harsh conditions of confinement could just as easily make him less stable rather than more. Some prisons have programs targeted specifically at rehabilitating sex offenders, but their effectiveness has been the subject of much debate over the years.
The entire piece is worth a read, as Waldman describes her struggles between her belief that prisons should be abolished and the thought of her attacker getting off scot-free and perhaps going on to attack others. I won’t spoil the ending by telling you what she ultimately decided to do, but Waldman’s story is worth highlighting because it’s a pretty good example of what happens when a high-minded philosophy runs headlong into the reality of dangerous individuals intent on inflicting harm on innocent victims.
Cases like Waldman’s are why I think that ultimately the defund police movement is destined to fail, at least on a national level. Policing and criminal justice reform, on the other hand, are still likely to take place in many states and even at the federal level, which means that the anti-gun activists who also believe that the criminal justice system is inherently racist will eventually have to confront the fact that means their favorite gun control laws are as well.


bearingarms--2020-10-01--NRA Calls On Voters To Defend Gun Rights

As we roll into October , there ’ s just one more month of political campaigning to deal with , for the most part .
Sure , there might be a couple of runoff elections to follow , but the lion ’ s share will be over and done with after the first part of November .
At least in theory .
In the meantime , we ’ re in a vitally important fight for our Second Amendment rights .
While there ’ s ample reason to believe that the left understands that gun control isn ’ t the winning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ January , that doesn ’ t mean they ’ ve changed their opinions on the topic .
Anti-gun elected officials are notorious for believing the only people who should be able to own guns are themselves , after all .
With that in mind , the National Rifle Association has issued a call for gun rights supporters to step up .
The National Rifle Association on Wednesday put out a statement calling on supporters to vote to protect gun ownership rights following the first presidential debate between the two candidates , in which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vote like your gun and your life depend on it , ” the NRA tweeted on Wednesday .
“ Because THEY DO !
” The organization also tweeted a list of President Donald Trump ’ s pro-gun record , including “ deemed gun stores essential ” during the coronavirus pandemic , “ opposed gun/ammo bans , ” and “ abolished a gun ban on 12m acres of federal land , ” among others .
They also added that a vote for Biden is a vote to empower Michael Bloomberg to run roughshod over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reminded folks of just who Biden said he ’ d bring in to spearhead his gun control efforts .
That ’ s Beto “ Hell yeah we ’ re coming for your AR-15s and AK-47s ” O ’ Rourke .
Maybe it ’ s just me , but that ’ s pretty damn distasteful .
I get that a lot of people are down on the NRA right now .
Some of the reasons make sense while others don ’ t .
It doesn ’ t matter at this moment , though .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to circle the wagons and deal with the threat in front of us , and that ’ s Biden and his running mate , Kamala Harris .
Both have said over and again how they would essentially gut the Second Amendment .
They ’ re the enemy in this fight , not one another .
The NRA ’ s call is timely because we need to remember what ’ s at stake right now .
Biden has said he doesn ’ t believe the Second Amendment is an individual right .
He ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He ’ ll push for legislation based on that interpretation .
He ’ ll trample on the very spirit of the right to keep and bear arms enshrined in the Constitution as he works to enact his anti-gun agenda .
We all need to step up and put our personal animosities aside .
If we don ’ t , we may well find ourselves looking at a Democrat-controlled White House and Congress .
We all know how that particular dance ends , too .
At that point , the only way to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defend what this nation stands for , and that will make this summer ’ s “ mostly peaceful protests ” look like a day at the beach .
Rally together and let ’ s make damn sure it doesn ’ t come to that .

As we roll into October, there’s just one more month of political campaigning to deal with, for the most part. Sure, there might be a couple of runoff elections to follow, but the lion’s share will be over and done with after the first part of November.
At least in theory.
In the meantime, we’re in a vitally important fight for our Second Amendment rights. While there’s ample reason to believe that the left understands that gun control isn’t the winning issue they thought it was back in January, that doesn’t mean they’ve changed their opinions on the topic. Anti-gun elected officials are notorious for believing the only people who should be able to own guns are themselves, after all.
With that in mind, the National Rifle Association has issued a call for gun rights supporters to step up.
The National Rifle Association on Wednesday put out a statement calling on supporters to vote to protect gun ownership rights following the first presidential debate between the two candidates, in which gun control was never mentioned. “Vote like your gun and your life depend on it,” the NRA tweeted on Wednesday. “Because THEY DO!” The organization also tweeted a list of President Donald Trump’s pro-gun record, including “deemed gun stores essential” during the coronavirus pandemic, “opposed gun/ammo bans,” and “abolished a gun ban on 12m acres of federal land,” among others.
They also added that a vote for Biden is a vote to empower Michael Bloomberg to run roughshod over the Second Amendment. Further, they reminded folks of just who Biden said he’d bring in to spearhead his gun control efforts. That’s Beto “Hell yeah we’re coming for your AR-15s and AK-47s” O’Rourke.
Maybe it’s just me, but that’s pretty damn distasteful.
I get that a lot of people are down on the NRA right now. Some of the reasons make sense while others don’t. It doesn’t matter at this moment, though. Right now, it’s time to circle the wagons and deal with the threat in front of us, and that’s Biden and his running mate, Kamala Harris. Both have said over and again how they would essentially gut the Second Amendment. They’re the enemy in this fight, not one another.
The NRA’s call is timely because we need to remember what’s at stake right now.
Biden has said he doesn’t believe the Second Amendment is an individual right. He’ll appoint judges who share that interpretation. He’ll push for legislation based on that interpretation. He’ll trample on the very spirit of the right to keep and bear arms enshrined in the Constitution as he works to enact his anti-gun agenda.
We all need to step up and put our personal animosities aside.
If we don’t, we may well find ourselves looking at a Democrat-controlled White House and Congress. We all know how that particular dance ends, too. At that point, the only way to defend our Second Amendment rights is to defend what this nation stands for, and that will make this summer’s “mostly peaceful protests” look like a day at the beach.
Rally together and let’s make damn sure it doesn’t come to that.