bearingarms--2020-04-20--Rolling Protests Target Massachusetts Gun Store Closures

Second Amendment activists in Massachusetts staged a rolling protest in several towns on Friday over the emergency order by Gov .
Charlie Baker that refuses to recognize gun stores as essential businesses .
The protest stopped at gun stores in Palmer , Belchertown , Holyoke , West Springfield , and Springfield as dozens of supporters sought to highlight the impact that the closures have had on the right to keep and bear arms .
“ How can you bear arms without buying [ arms ] , ” said Andrew Couture , an attorney specializing in gun rights .
“ There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that have officers that are sick at home .
People need to be able to defend themselves .
They need to be able to defend their house , their property and their families , you know by closing this down and making [ the ] operation of a gun store is illegal is in complete violation of what the Second Amendment stands for.
” He ’ s not wrong .
Baker ’ s order is not only stopping people from purchasing a firearm for the first time , but is also curtailing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ammunition .
Richard Howell , who helped organize the protest , says it ’ s unfathomable that Baker would keep gun stores closed despite guidance from the federal Department of Homeland Security declaring that gun shops are a critical part of the nation ’ s workforce .
I don ’ t think there ’ s any shadowy conspiracy taking place between Baker and Attorney General Maura Healey .
Both of them are acting in character with their anti-Second Amendment decisions .
Not only has Baker ordered gun stores shut down , but Healey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to shut down as well , and is even prohibiting firearms instructors from offering online training .
Baker on April 1 said gun shops could open as essential businesses , then reversed that decision shortly after Healey took to social media .
She tweeted , “ Guns shops and shooting ranges are NOT essential businesses during a public emergency .
We can not undermine the safety of our police officers , first responders , and domestic violence victims.
” Within hours , Baker ’ s list of essential businesses was retooled and gun @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few stayed open because of the confusion or in defiance , and they made money , Couture said .
Gun sales were on the rise as word of the pandemic spread , and , Couture said , people want to protect themselves in the current climate .
“ The virus is going on and police are highly susceptible to becoming infected , ” he said .
“ If they ’ re quarantined , they can ’ t do their job .
If they can ’ t respond … or there are delays , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homeowner ?
” Couture also notes that , while the governor and attorney general are ordering gun stores to close , the shops aren ’ t eligible for any state funds aimed at helping non-essential businesses survive the shutdown order .
It looks like the Baker and Healey are hoping that when the coronavirus crisis passes , most of the state ’ s gun stores won ’ t be in a financial position to re-open at all .
In the meantime , many Massachusetts residents are now driving across the border to New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gun , but Mike Goyette , who works at a gun shop not far from the state line , says they ’ re walking away disappointed and disillusioned .
“ I would say besides my regular customers , the new firearm purchases were 70 % of the sales , ” he said .
“ We ’ re right here on the Massachusetts border , and we had a lot of people coming up from Mass.
, with their driver ’ s licenses , thinking they could purchase firearms .
They were shocked to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Massachusetts , it could be a minimum of four , five , six months to even get just the permit to purchase .
People couldn ’ t believe it.
” Goyette said a Massachusetts selectman came to Pete ’ s to purchase a firearm and expected that he would be able to do so and walk out of the store the same day with a gun .
“ He was from a small town and he was all upset , ” Goyette said .
“ He didn ’ t have his permits .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the law in your state .
You guys are the ones that voted in these people.
’ ” Massachusetts voters did bring this mess upon themselves , but hopefully , the courts will step in to rectify the egregious abuse of the Second Amendment rights of residents , and voters can turn out anti-gun lawmakers in the state ’ s November elections .

Second Amendment activists in Massachusetts staged a rolling protest in several towns on Friday over the emergency order by Gov. Charlie Baker that refuses to recognize gun stores as essential businesses. The protest stopped at gun stores in Palmer, Belchertown, Holyoke, West Springfield, and Springfield as dozens of supporters sought to highlight the impact that the closures have had on the right to keep and bear arms.
“How can you bear arms without buying [arms],” said Andrew Couture, an attorney specializing in gun rights. “There are many police forces across the state that have officers that are sick at home. People need to be able to defend themselves. They need to be able to defend their house, their property and their families, you know by closing this down and making [the] operation of a gun store is illegal is in complete violation of what the Second Amendment stands for.”
He’s not wrong. Baker’s order is not only stopping people from purchasing a firearm for the first time, but is also curtailing the ability of existing gun owners to purchase ammunition. Richard Howell, who helped organize the protest, says it’s unfathomable that Baker would keep gun stores closed despite guidance from the federal Department of Homeland Security declaring that gun shops are a critical part of the nation’s workforce.
“Why are these gun stores closed? You know, they’ve been deemed an essential service nationwide. The governor even agreed with initially, now he doesn’t agree with it. The attorney general never agreed with it,” said Howell. “There’s something going on there.”
I don’t think there’s any shadowy conspiracy taking place between Baker and Attorney General Maura Healey. Both of them are acting in character with their anti-Second Amendment decisions. Not only has Baker ordered gun stores shut down, but Healey’s office has ordered all ranges to shut down as well, and is even prohibiting firearms instructors from offering online training.
Baker on April 1 said gun shops could open as essential businesses, then reversed that decision shortly after Healey took to social media. She tweeted, “Guns shops and shooting ranges are NOT essential businesses during a public emergency. We cannot undermine the safety of our police officers, first responders, and domestic violence victims.” Within hours, Baker’s list of essential businesses was retooled and gun shops were forced to close. A few stayed open because of the confusion or in defiance, and they made money, Couture said. Gun sales were on the rise as word of the pandemic spread, and, Couture said, people want to protect themselves in the current climate. “The virus is going on and police are highly susceptible to becoming infected,” he said. “If they’re quarantined, they can’t do their job. If they can’t respond … or there are delays, what does that mean to the average homeowner?”
Couture also notes that, while the governor and attorney general are ordering gun stores to close, the shops aren’t eligible for any state funds aimed at helping non-essential businesses survive the shutdown order. It looks like the Baker and Healey are hoping that when the coronavirus crisis passes, most of the state’s gun stores won’t be in a financial position to re-open at all.
In the meantime, many Massachusetts residents are now driving across the border to New Hampshire in the hopes of purchasing a gun, but Mike Goyette, who works at a gun shop not far from the state line, says they’re walking away disappointed and disillusioned.
“I would say besides my regular customers, the new firearm purchases were 70% of the sales,” he said. “We’re right here on the Massachusetts border, and we had a lot of people coming up from Mass., with their driver’s licenses, thinking they could purchase firearms. They were shocked to learn that depending on their town in Massachusetts, it could be a minimum of four, five, six months to even get just the permit to purchase. People couldn’t believe it.” Goyette said a Massachusetts selectman came to Pete’s to purchase a firearm and expected that he would be able to do so and walk out of the store the same day with a gun. “He was from a small town and he was all upset,” Goyette said. “He didn’t have his permits. I told him, ‘this is the law in your state. You guys are the ones that voted in these people.’”
Massachusetts voters did bring this mess upon themselves, but hopefully, the courts will step in to rectify the egregious abuse of the Second Amendment rights of residents, and voters can turn out anti-gun lawmakers in the state’s November elections.


bearingarms--2020-04-20--Why First-Time Gun Buyers Chose Now To Arm Themselves

One of the more interesting tidbits in this whole COVID-19 mess has been the massive influx of new gun owners .
It ’ s a point we at Bearing Arms have kept a very close eye on .
After all , more gun owners mean it ’ s likely to be harder to pass new gun control laws .
Especially as many of those new owners likely found out how much complete BS is spread by anti-gunners who would have you think you can get a gun on every street corner .
The thing is , we also need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the very first time .
We ’ ve heard from some , but is that universal ?
Or is it really just people who fall into the statistical noise ?
Luckily , we ’ ve got more conversations with new gun owners to look at .
Aaron Eaton learned how to shoot in the Army back in 2006 but holstered a pistol for the last time when he left in 2009 and took a job as a technician for a sewer company .
That all changed on March 26 when the father of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ store with a Beretta 92FS , the same gun he handled as a military policeman at the height of the Iraq war .
“ Simply put : I wanted peace of mind when it comes to the safety of my family , ” Eaton said .
Eaton ’ s pistol was one of 2.3 million firearms to fly off the shelves in March , the single busiest month for gun sales ever .
The Washington Free Beacon spoke to half a dozen new gun owners who purchased a total of six handguns and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gun owners provided proof of purchase , though some asked not to have their last names published because of potential career backlash .
“ To me , it ’ s all about protecting my family , and if a gun makes that easier , so be it , ” Scott , a California tech worker with a wife and daughter , said .
Many of the new gun owners cited concerns about personal protection as states began emptying jail cells and police departments announced they would no longer enforce certain laws .
Jake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lacrosse coach , purchased a Sig Sauer P226 after seeing Italy enact a nationwide lockdown on March 9 .
“ [ My fiancée and I ] came to the conclusion in early March that if a nation like Italy was going into full lockdown , we in the U.S. were likely on the same path , ” Wilhelm said .
“ Given that , and knowing that police resources would be stretched to the max , I decided to purchase a handgun.
” In other words , here are a couple more people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the middle of something like a pandemic and sought to take steps to protect their families .
Sure , we ’ re not seeing the surge in violence many of us may have feared , but we ’ re still looking at an economic crisis and possible food shortages coming down the road .
There ’ s still time for horrible things to happen .
And if not , so what ?
We can all agree that nothing happening is the best case possible .
That may well be because there are so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely would have tried to seize on the opportunities have wisely decided to not muck around with a few million new gun owners .
What ’ s interesting is how universal the reasons are .
It ’ s exactly what we thought those reasons would be , that they were concerned about violence as police resources were taxed and with an influx of criminals returned to the street .
Frankly , who can blame them ?

One of the more interesting tidbits in this whole COVID-19 mess has been the massive influx of new gun owners. It’s a point we at Bearing Arms have kept a very close eye on. After all, more gun owners mean it’s likely to be harder to pass new gun control laws. Especially as many of those new owners likely found out how much complete BS is spread by anti-gunners who would have you think you can get a gun on every street corner.
The thing is, we also need to understand why those people bought guns for the very first time.
We’ve heard from some, but is that universal? Or is it really just people who fall into the statistical noise?
Luckily, we’ve got more conversations with new gun owners to look at.
Aaron Eaton learned how to shoot in the Army back in 2006 but holstered a pistol for the last time when he left in 2009 and took a job as a technician for a sewer company. That all changed on March 26 when the father of four walked out of an Alabama gun store with a Beretta 92FS, the same gun he handled as a military policeman at the height of the Iraq war. “Simply put: I wanted peace of mind when it comes to the safety of my family,” Eaton said. Eaton’s pistol was one of 2.3 million firearms to fly off the shelves in March, the single busiest month for gun sales ever. The Washington Free Beacon spoke to half a dozen new gun owners who purchased a total of six handguns and two shotguns. All of the new gun owners provided proof of purchase, though some asked not to have their last names published because of potential career backlash. “To me, it’s all about protecting my family, and if a gun makes that easier, so be it,” Scott, a California tech worker with a wife and daughter, said. Many of the new gun owners cited concerns about personal protection as states began emptying jail cells and police departments announced they would no longer enforce certain laws. Jake Wilhelm, a Virginia-based environmental consultant and lacrosse coach, purchased a Sig Sauer P226 after seeing Italy enact a nationwide lockdown on March 9. “[My fiancée and I] came to the conclusion in early March that if a nation like Italy was going into full lockdown, we in the U.S. were likely on the same path,” Wilhelm said. “Given that, and knowing that police resources would be stretched to the max, I decided to purchase a handgun.”
In other words, here are a couple more people who recognized the potential for violence in the middle of something like a pandemic and sought to take steps to protect their families.
Sure, we’re not seeing the surge in violence many of us may have feared, but we’re still looking at an economic crisis and possible food shortages coming down the road. There’s still time for horrible things to happen.
And if not, so what? We can all agree that nothing happening is the best case possible. That may well be because there are so many new gun owners. Criminals who likely would have tried to seize on the opportunities have wisely decided to not muck around with a few million new gun owners.
What’s interesting is how universal the reasons are. It’s exactly what we thought those reasons would be, that they were concerned about violence as police resources were taxed and with an influx of criminals returned to the street.
Frankly, who can blame them?


bearingarms--2020-04-20--NM Gun Shop Receives Cease & Desist Order After Re-Opening

The owner of the Calibers gun stores in Albuquerque , New Mexico were hit with a cease-and-desist order from the New Mexico State Police , just a few days after the store announced it was re-opening in defiance of Gov .
Michelle Lujan Grisham ’ s emergency order that declared gun stores “ non-essential ” businesses that must close .
Louie Sanchez says it ’ s unfair for the governor to shut down businesses like his , especially at a time when more Americans than ever are choosing to purchase a firearm for the first time .
“ We don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the governor is literally picking winners and losers for who will stay in business , ” Sanchez said .
Sanchez said moving forward , he hopes the governor ’ s officer will consider pleas from businesses like Calibers .
“ Nobody is asking to open completely up , ” he said .
“ If she let us open 20 percent of our businesses , at least we can keep our employees and start paying our bills.
” Based on the governor ’ s comments to New Mexico television station KOB , it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the relief he ’ s asking for .
“ Non-compliant businesses have been given numerous opportunities by the state to adjust and come into compliance with the public health order , which is unambiguous about the need to reduce and minimize person-to-person contact amid this pandemic .
This is an example of a business that chose not to comply and thus was served with a cease-and-desist.
” If Grisham won ’ t willingly allow gun shops to re-open , a lawsuit brought by a coalition of Second Amendment organizations could still force her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal court , argues that while New Mexico ’ s Hazard Emergency Management Act grants the governor broad powers to act in the name of public health , it doesn ’ t say anything about shutting off access to the acquisition of firearms .
Quite the opposite , in fact .
New Mexico ’ s Public Health Emergency Response Act states that one of the purposes of the act is “ “ provid [ ing ] the state of New Mexico with the ability to manage public health emergencies in a manner that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ individual person.
” The civil rights of New Mexico residents aren ’ t being protected by the governor when she orders gun stores to close .
Thanks to the universal background check law that Grisham signed in 2018 , there ’ s virtually no way for most residents to purchase a firearm legally unless it goes through a background check , and those checks are only conducted at gun stores .
With every gun shop in the state ordered to close , Grisham isn ’ t just regulating the right to keep and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it for all those who want to become a gun owner during the state of emergency .
As Sanchez noted , he and other stores aren ’ t asking to return to business as usual .
When Calibers re-opened , it did so with limited hours and by appointment , reducing the number of customers inside the shop to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus .
Guidance by the ATF allowing gun stores to conduct their business outside will also help mitigate the danger of exposure for customers and staff alike , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matter to Grisham , whose myopic focus on keeping gun stores closed is placing a constitutional right behind lock and key .

The owner of the Calibers gun stores in Albuquerque, New Mexico were hit with a cease-and-desist order from the New Mexico State Police, just a few days after the store announced it was re-opening in defiance of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s emergency order that declared gun stores “non-essential” businesses that must close.
Louie Sanchez says it’s unfair for the governor to shut down businesses like his, especially at a time when more Americans than ever are choosing to purchase a firearm for the first time.
“We don’t think this is fair, the governor is literally picking winners and losers for who will stay in business,” Sanchez said. Sanchez said moving forward, he hopes the governor’s officer will consider pleas from businesses like Calibers. “Nobody is asking to open completely up,” he said. “If she let us open 20 percent of our businesses, at least we can keep our employees and start paying our bills.”
Based on the governor’s comments to New Mexico television station KOB, it’s highly unlikely that Sanchez will get the relief he’s asking for.
“Non-compliant businesses have been given numerous opportunities by the state to adjust and come into compliance with the public health order, which is unambiguous about the need to reduce and minimize person-to-person contact amid this pandemic. This is an example of a business that chose not to comply and thus was served with a cease-and-desist.”
If Grisham won’t willingly allow gun shops to re-open, a lawsuit brought by a coalition of Second Amendment organizations could still force her hand. The suit, filed in federal court, argues that while New Mexico’s Hazard Emergency Management Act grants the governor broad powers to act in the name of public health, it doesn’t say anything about shutting off access to the acquisition of firearms. Quite the opposite, in fact. New Mexico’s Public Health Emergency Response Act states that one of the purposes of the act is ““provid[ing] the state of New Mexico with the ability to manage public health emergencies in a manner that protects civil rights and the liberties of individual person.”
The civil rights of New Mexico residents aren’t being protected by the governor when she orders gun stores to close. Thanks to the universal background check law that Grisham signed in 2018, there’s virtually no way for most residents to purchase a firearm legally unless it goes through a background check, and those checks are only conducted at gun stores. With every gun shop in the state ordered to close, Grisham isn’t just regulating the right to keep and bear arms, she’s negating it for all those who want to become a gun owner during the state of emergency.
As Sanchez noted, he and other stores aren’t asking to return to business as usual. When Calibers re-opened, it did so with limited hours and by appointment, reducing the number of customers inside the shop to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Guidance by the ATF allowing gun stores to conduct their business outside will also help mitigate the danger of exposure for customers and staff alike, but that doesn’t seem to matter to Grisham, whose myopic focus on keeping gun stores closed is placing a constitutional right behind lock and key.


bearingarms--2020-04-20--Northam Defends Gun Control Laws After Trump Criticism

Virginia Gov .
Ralph Northam spent the weekend defending his newly signed gun control laws and attacking President Donald Trump for not doing enough about providing tests for the coronavirus after the president ripped into Northam ’ s anti-gun efforts in tweets and press briefings on Friday .
Northam told CNN ’ s Jake Tapper that “ now is not a time for divisiveness , ” but the truth is that Virginia certainly hasn ’ t joined together in support of Northam ’ s new gun control laws .
As a matter of fact , the governor and Virginia Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legislative session , ramming through seven gun control measures with their new legislative majority over the objections of the vast majority of the state ’ s 95 counties as well as dozens of cities and towns throughout the Commonwealth .
Now , though , Northam says he wants to talk about a lack of coronavirus tests , not his lack of support for the right to keep and bear arms .
“ Our President obviously has been unable to deliver on tests .
Now he has chosen to focus on protests .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , this is not the time for divisiveness , ” Northam said .
“ This is time for leadership , that we ’ ll stand up and provide empathy .
That we ’ ll understand what ’ s going on in this country of ours with this pandemic .
It ’ s the time for truth and it ’ s the time to bring people together.
” Northam ’ s faced a great deal of criticism in Virginia for the length of his stay-at-home order , which right now isn ’ t scheduled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s also facing lawsuits over his closure of indoor gun ranges in the state , which are considered “ indoor amusements ” in his emergency order .
The Virginia Citizens Defense League and a Roanoke-based range are suing the governor , arguing that Northam doesn ’ t have the authority to close ranges completely and that the courts should allow ranges to re-open under the same social distancing measures for other essential businesses .
I ’ m sure that Northam would love to dictate what people talk about , just as he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exercise their Second Amendment rights , but that ’ s not how things work in this country , even in a state of emergency .
Northam was happy to blast out press releases when he signed five gun control bills into law earlier this month , but apparently he ’ s only interested in hearing praise for his actions , not criticism .
If Ralph Northam wants to come together , perhaps he shouldn ’ t have spent months helping to demonize gun owners in the state over their well-founded objections to his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t be surprised that his divisive actions are continuing to breed controversy and conflict .
His deflection may work on CNN , but it won ’ t work with the hundreds of thousands of Virginians who ’ ve spoken out against gun control laws and pushed their own counties and cities to declare themselves Second Amendment Sanctuaries ready to oppose Northam ’ s new gun laws in court and on the ground .

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam spent the weekend defending his newly signed gun control laws and attacking President Donald Trump for not doing enough about providing tests for the coronavirus after the president ripped into Northam’s anti-gun efforts in tweets and press briefings on Friday.
Northam told CNN’s Jake Tapper that “now is not a time for divisiveness,” but the truth is that Virginia certainly hasn’t joined together in support of Northam’s new gun control laws. As a matter of fact, the governor and Virginia Democrats were quite happy being divisive during the legislative session, ramming through seven gun control measures with their new legislative majority over the objections of the vast majority of the state’s 95 counties as well as dozens of cities and towns throughout the Commonwealth.
Now, though, Northam says he wants to talk about a lack of coronavirus tests, not his lack of support for the right to keep and bear arms.
“Our President obviously has been unable to deliver on tests. Now he has chosen to focus on protests. And this is not the time for protests, this is not the time for divisiveness,” Northam said. “This is time for leadership, that we’ll stand up and provide empathy. That we’ll understand what’s going on in this country of ours with this pandemic. It’s the time for truth and it’s the time to bring people together.”
Northam’s faced a great deal of criticism in Virginia for the length of his stay-at-home order, which right now isn’t scheduled to end until June 10th. He’s also facing lawsuits over his closure of indoor gun ranges in the state, which are considered “indoor amusements” in his emergency order. The Virginia Citizens Defense League and a Roanoke-based range are suing the governor, arguing that Northam doesn’t have the authority to close ranges completely and that the courts should allow ranges to re-open under the same social distancing measures for other essential businesses.
I’m sure that Northam would love to dictate what people talk about, just as he’s trying to dictate how Virginians exercise their Second Amendment rights, but that’s not how things work in this country, even in a state of emergency. Northam was happy to blast out press releases when he signed five gun control bills into law earlier this month, but apparently he’s only interested in hearing praise for his actions, not criticism.
If Ralph Northam wants to come together, perhaps he shouldn’t have spent months helping to demonize gun owners in the state over their well-founded objections to his gun control agenda. He shouldn’t be surprised that his divisive actions are continuing to breed controversy and conflict. His deflection may work on CNN, but it won’t work with the hundreds of thousands of Virginians who’ve spoken out against gun control laws and pushed their own counties and cities to declare themselves Second Amendment Sanctuaries ready to oppose Northam’s new gun laws in court and on the ground.


bearingarms--2020-04-20--Suspect Killed After Canadian Mass Shooting

Mass shootings only happen in the United States , or so we ’ ve been told over and over again .
Of course , that ’ s a load of crap .
They happen in plenty of other places , they ’ re just not the focus of the American media .
Each shooting is tragic , of course , because they all represent innocent people being killed over absolutely nothing .
But if there ’ s been an upside to the COVID-19 thing , it ’ s that we haven ’ t really had any mass shootings to speak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t have any for a time before the lockdown , either .
Still , anti-gun activists are convinced that we ’ re on the brink of more mass shootings the moment quarantine restrictions are lifted .
A gunman disguised as a police officer shot dead 16 people in Canada Sunday after going on a 12 hour rampage , shooting his victims in their homes and setting fires .
It was the deadliest such attack in the country ’ s history .
Officials said the suspected shooter , [ name redacted ] , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told CTV News that the gunman was killed by police .
Several bodies were found inside and outside one home in the small , rural town of Portapique , about 60 miles north of Halifax — what police called the first scene .
A police officer was among those killed .
Bodies were also found at other locations .
Authorities believe the shooter may have targeted his first victims but then began attacking randomly .
Among the dead is Royal Canadian Mounted Police member Const .
Heidi Stevenson , a 23-year member of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to three others were injured and are being treated at a local hospital , including another Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer .
The killer also appears to have worn a police uniform and may have been driving a police car for part of his deadly rampage .
Good thing this only happens in the United States .
Of course , as noted before , this isn ’ t isolated to the U.S. or even just western nations .
They happen all over the world to varying degrees , even in places without our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ movies and video games .
That suggests the problem is somewhat more complex than just needing gun control .
Police haven ’ t released a motive for the attack , though it ’ s unlikely we ’ ll find one except for possibly the first attack , which authorities believe might have been targeted .
As per usual after something like this , there are countless questions and few answers .
That will continue on for quite some time , and won ’ t be relegated to just how the shooter got his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ car that looked like a police vehicle .
There will likely be still more questions about how he got the gun he used and all that .
However , it should be noted that Canada has much more strict gun control than we do here in the United States .
Mass shootings are relatively rare in Canada .
The country overhauled its gun-control laws after gunman Marc Lepine killed 14 women and himself at Montreal ’ s Ecole Polytechnique college in 1989 .
Before this weekend ’ s rampage , that had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is now illegal to possess an unregistered handgun or any kind of rapid-fire weapon in Canada .
The country also requires training , a personal risk assessment , two references , spousal notification and criminal record checks to purchase a weapon .
Well…that worked out well , now didn ’ t it ?
All the gun control that American gun control activists want and then some , and it did nothing to stop this attack .
That ’ s probably because the problem is far too complicated for simplistic solutions .
Canada tried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that do for them ?
Jack squat , apparently .
Now , 16 people are dead and an entire nation is trying to figure out what happened .

Mass shootings only happen in the United States, or so we’ve been told over and over again. Of course, that’s a load of crap. They happen in plenty of other places, they’re just not the focus of the American media.
Each shooting is tragic, of course, because they all represent innocent people being killed over absolutely nothing.
But if there’s been an upside to the COVID-19 thing, it’s that we haven’t really had any mass shootings to speak of. Then again, we didn’t have any for a time before the lockdown, either. Still, anti-gun activists are convinced that we’re on the brink of more mass shootings the moment quarantine restrictions are lifted.
Apparently, Canada didn’t want to wait.
A gunman disguised as a police officer shot dead 16 people in Canada Sunday after going on a 12 hour rampage, shooting his victims in their homes and setting fires. It was the deadliest such attack in the country’s history. Officials said the suspected shooter, [name redacted], 51, is also dead. Sources told CTV News that the gunman was killed by police. Several bodies were found inside and outside one home in the small, rural town of Portapique, about 60 miles north of Halifax — what police called the first scene. A police officer was among those killed. Bodies were also found at other locations. Authorities believe the shooter may have targeted his first victims but then began attacking randomly. Among the dead is Royal Canadian Mounted Police member Const. Heidi Stevenson, a 23-year member of the force and a mother-of-two. Two to three others were injured and are being treated at a local hospital, including another Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer.
The killer also appears to have worn a police uniform and may have been driving a police car for part of his deadly rampage.
Good thing this only happens in the United States.
Of course, as noted before, this isn’t isolated to the U.S. or even just western nations. They happen all over the world to varying degrees, even in places without our access to various mass media such as movies and video games. That suggests the problem is somewhat more complex than just needing gun control.
Police haven’t released a motive for the attack, though it’s unlikely we’ll find one except for possibly the first attack, which authorities believe might have been targeted.
As per usual after something like this, there are countless questions and few answers. That will continue on for quite some time, and won’t be relegated to just how the shooter got his hands on a police uniform or a car that looked like a police vehicle. There will likely be still more questions about how he got the gun he used and all that.
However, it should be noted that Canada has much more strict gun control than we do here in the United States.
Mass shootings are relatively rare in Canada. The country overhauled its gun-control laws after gunman Marc Lepine killed 14 women and himself at Montreal’s Ecole Polytechnique college in 1989. Before this weekend’s rampage, that had been the country’s worst. It is now illegal to possess an unregistered handgun or any kind of rapid-fire weapon in Canada. The country also requires training, a personal risk assessment, two references, spousal notification and criminal record checks to purchase a weapon.
Well…that worked out well, now didn’t it?
All the gun control that American gun control activists want and then some, and it did nothing to stop this attack. That’s probably because the problem is far too complicated for simplistic solutions.
Canada tried to get simplistic and what good did that do for them? Jack squat, apparently.
Now, 16 people are dead and an entire nation is trying to figure out what happened.


bearingarms--2020-04-21--Man Who Sneaked Into England Unaffected By Gun Control Laws

When someone is deported by a nation , it means they ’ re not welcome there anymore .
It usually takes something egregious to warrant deportation , though .
Most nations don ’ t deport people because they ’ re eyes are blue or because they support gun control , though we should rethink that last one .
No , they usually do it because they believe the person tends to represent a threat to their nation in some way .
That doesn ’ t mean the deported individual stays deported , though .
More importantly , when that individual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be surprised if they come back with illegal firearms .
A Palmers Green man who managed to sneak back into the UK after being deported to Albania five years ago has been caught with two loaded guns and £70,000 worth of cannabis .
Mauricio Myftaraj , 28 , has been jailed for 15 years for firearm and drug offences on Friday ( April 17 ) .
He was found guilty at the end of a trial at Wood Green Crown Court of possessing Class B drugs with the intent to supply , two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ firearm with intent to endanger life , possessing prohibited ammunition and possessing criminal property .
Myftaraj , an Albanian national who had been living in Myrtle Road , in the area of Enfield , was caught when detectives from the Metropolitan Police Service ’ s Specialist Gang Crime Command , Operation Trident , executed a search warrant at his home on July 24 , 2019 .
Officers found a loaded revolver , a self-loading pistol with laser-site and 40 rounds of ammunition along with gunpowder , ball-bearings , homemade projectiles and empty casings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like someone who would sneak into a nation illegally might also engage in some other illicit activities .
It ’ s important to remember that the United Kingdom is , for the most part , an island .
England shares it with Scotland and Wales , all of which have strict gun control policies .
That means guns need to flow in from elsewhere .
Since it ’ s an island , it should be far easier to protect its borders than it would be for , say , the United States to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ porous border .
Yet it seems they can ’ t keep out folks who have been deported , much less people who would bring in firearms from other countries .
I mean , it ’ s almost like criminals will do whatever they have to in order to get firearms , regardless of what the laws actually are .
Which , of course , is precisely what happened .
Myftaraj–I ’ m not sure if that ’ s his actual name or some letters found on an eye chart–is apparently a career criminal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ laws in England .
He wants to do what he wants to do and no law is going to stop him .
The best they can do is punish him after the fact .
Meanwhile , we ’ ll still get lectured from British folks who are deluded enough to believe that violent crime has been solved in their country simply because they waved away all the guns .
I hate to break it to them , there are still a surprising number of guns in the UK , as this clearly suggests @

When someone is deported by a nation, it means they’re not welcome there anymore. It usually takes something egregious to warrant deportation, though. Most nations don’t deport people because they’re eyes are blue or because they support gun control, though we should rethink that last one. No, they usually do it because they believe the person tends to represent a threat to their nation in some way.
That doesn’t mean the deported individual stays deported, though.
More importantly, when that individual is a criminal, don’t be surprised if they come back with illegal firearms.
A Palmers Green man who managed to sneak back into the UK after being deported to Albania five years ago has been caught with two loaded guns and £70,000 worth of cannabis. Mauricio Myftaraj, 28, has been jailed for 15 years for firearm and drug offences on Friday (April 17). He was found guilty at the end of a trial at Wood Green Crown Court of possessing Class B drugs with the intent to supply, two counts of being in possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, possessing prohibited ammunition and possessing criminal property. Myftaraj, an Albanian national who had been living in Myrtle Road, in the area of Enfield, was caught when detectives from the Metropolitan Police Service’s Specialist Gang Crime Command, Operation Trident, executed a search warrant at his home on July 24, 2019. Officers found a loaded revolver, a self-loading pistol with laser-site and 40 rounds of ammunition along with gunpowder, ball-bearings, homemade projectiles and empty casings.
Wow. It’s almost like someone who would sneak into a nation illegally might also engage in some other illicit activities.
It’s important to remember that the United Kingdom is, for the most part, an island. England shares it with Scotland and Wales, all of which have strict gun control policies. That means guns need to flow in from elsewhere.
Since it’s an island, it should be far easier to protect its borders than it would be for, say, the United States to stem the flow of guns across our porous border. Yet it seems they can’t keep out folks who have been deported, much less people who would bring in firearms from other countries.
I mean, it’s almost like criminals will do whatever they have to in order to get firearms, regardless of what the laws actually are.
Which, of course, is precisely what happened. Myftaraj–I’m not sure if that’s his actual name or some letters found on an eye chart–is apparently a career criminal who doesn’t care about the laws in England. He wants to do what he wants to do and no law is going to stop him. The best they can do is punish him after the fact.
Meanwhile, we’ll still get lectured from British folks who are deluded enough to believe that violent crime has been solved in their country simply because they waved away all the guns. I hate to break it to them, there are still a surprising number of guns in the UK, as this clearly suggests.


bearingarms--2020-04-21--MD County Ask State To Review Gun Sale Precautions

Right now , COVID-19 has changed the way a lot of things get done .
It ’ s also created an insane patchwork of measures that some folks may be having a hard time dealing with right now .
After all , there are so many guidelines that it ’ s difficult for anyone to keep up with everything .
As a result , at least one county in Maryland is asking the state for some clarification .
Montgomery County Council wrote to the state last week asking it to make sure gun shops are following social distancing orders and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ completed in a timely basis .
Council Vice President Tom Hucker explained the impetus for the letter , which was sent to Gov .
Larry Hogan , arose after he saw a photo circulating on social media of “ long lines out the door and around the block ” at Atlantic Guns on Bonifant Street in Silver Spring soon after restrictions about social distancing were put in place .
Gun sales are up in Maryland , according to the FBI ’ s National Institute Criminal Background Check System ( NICS ) .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conducted in March of this year .
During the same month in 2019 , there were 4,123 .
All nine councilmembers , as well as the leaders of several non-profit pro-gun control organizations , signed the letter , which noted that they were concerned about long lines in and outside crowded stores and “ about customers touching inventory items and inadvertently spreading disease.
” Other concerns expressed in the letter dealt with security and background checks .
“ Lack of accountability with our gun policies in a time of upheaval can have deadly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk during times of serious social isolation , particularly those expressing domestic violence and/ or mental health crises and who might not access support systems that would be available during normal circumstances , ” it said in the letter .
Another concern expressed in the letter was whether the seven-day wait for a background check was being met in light of the increase in requests .
“ Additionally we are concerned about the rapid increase in background check requests and the state ’ s ability to accommodate this surge , ” the council @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the nation are reporting a meteoric rise in the number of new gun buyers , which is taxing an already taxed system to an insane degree .
Concerns about whether the system can handle it are likely to be quite valid .
However , let ’ s not pretend that this sudden influx of gun sales is likely to have any real impact on domestic violence .
While those numbers do appear to be climbing , that likely has more to do with people being forced to not just be at home but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There ’ s no real escape for victims .
In fact , one of the few things they can do is buy a gun to defend themselves with during these troubled times .
Assuming , of course , they can get one with the current demand and the draconian regulations in place in states like Maryland .

Right now, COVID-19 has changed the way a lot of things get done. It’s also created an insane patchwork of measures that some folks may be having a hard time dealing with right now. After all, there are so many guidelines that it’s difficult for anyone to keep up with everything.
As a result, at least one county in Maryland is asking the state for some clarification.
Montgomery County Council wrote to the state last week asking it to make sure gun shops are following social distancing orders and that background checks for gun purchases are completed in a timely basis. Council Vice President Tom Hucker explained the impetus for the letter, which was sent to Gov. Larry Hogan, arose after he saw a photo circulating on social media of “long lines out the door and around the block” at Atlantic Guns on Bonifant Street in Silver Spring soon after restrictions about social distancing were put in place. Gun sales are up in Maryland, according to the FBI’s National Institute Criminal Background Check System (NICS). There were 5,810 background checks for gun permits conducted in March of this year. During the same month in 2019, there were 4,123. Gun shops are considered essential businesses in Maryland. All nine councilmembers, as well as the leaders of several non-profit pro-gun control organizations, signed the letter, which noted that they were concerned about long lines in and outside crowded stores and “about customers touching inventory items and inadvertently spreading disease.” Other concerns expressed in the letter dealt with security and background checks. … “Lack of accountability with our gun policies in a time of upheaval can have deadly consequences for individuals who are at higher risk during times of serious social isolation, particularly those expressing domestic violence and/ or mental health crises and who might not access support systems that would be available during normal circumstances,” it said in the letter. Another concern expressed in the letter was whether the seven-day wait for a background check was being met in light of the increase in requests. “Additionally we are concerned about the rapid increase in background check requests and the state’s ability to accommodate this surge,” the council members wrote.
Gun stores all over the nation are reporting a meteoric rise in the number of new gun buyers, which is taxing an already taxed system to an insane degree. Concerns about whether the system can handle it are likely to be quite valid.
However, let’s not pretend that this sudden influx of gun sales is likely to have any real impact on domestic violence. While those numbers do appear to be climbing, that likely has more to do with people being forced to not just be at home but to remain there no matter what. There’s no real escape for victims.
In fact, one of the few things they can do is buy a gun to defend themselves with during these troubled times. Assuming, of course, they can get one with the current demand and the draconian regulations in place in states like Maryland.


bearingarms--2020-04-21--SCOTUS Signals Interest In CA Gun Seizure Case

The Supreme Court is giving the city of San Jose , California a month to respond to a request by the Second Amendment Foundation to hear a case dealing with the seizure of a resident ’ s legally-owned firearms by police officers in the city .
The case , known as Rodriguez vs. San Jose , stretches back to 2013 , when Lori Rodriguez had her firearms confiscated without a warrant and without any criminal charges or mental health holds levied against her .
Seven years on , Rodriguez still doesn ’ t have her firearms , though courts have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ replacements .
The case began when Rodriguez ’ s husband Edward was taken into custody on a mental health hold .
A San Jose police officer named Steven Valentine showed up at the home and confiscated twelve firearms , telling Rodriguez that the seizure was mandated under a California law that requires all firearms owned by someone placed into a mental health facility for evaluation to have their guns removed from the home .
Eleven of the firearms in the home belong to Edward Rodriguez , but authorities also seized a handgun that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vehement objections .
One month later , the city of San Jose filed a request to keep the guns , arguing that Edward Rodriguez and others would be endangered if his firearms were returned to him .
While Edward Rodriguez didn ’ t contest the forfeiture , Lori Rodriguez did , arguing that : the court had no power to interfere with her Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms because , even if Edward was prohibited from possessing and owning guns , she was not prohibited .
In support , she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of eligibility to own and possess guns from the California DOJ Bureau of Firearms .
Lori further represented to the court that , if returned , the guns would be secured in her gun safe and that she had changed the combination code so that Edward would not have access to them .
The return of the guns , she contended , therefore would not present a danger to Edward or others .
A superior court judge disagreed , stating that it was “ not appropriate ” to return any firearms to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ point out that Lori Rodriguez was free to purchase firearms to replace the ones confiscated by police .
Rodriguez ended up registering all twelve of the firearms in her name and attempt to get the guns returned once more , only to be denied by the city of San Jose again .
That ’ s when she filed her federal lawsuit .
The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld the lower court ’ s decision that Rodriguez is not entitled to get her guns back , ruling that the federal lawsuit Rodriguez @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was filed ( and lost ) in state court and stating that the federal circuits are precluded from considering the Second Amendment issues raised by Rodriguez because they ’ ve already been adjudicated in state court .
Rodriguez also claimed in her federal lawsuit that her Fourth Amendment rights were being violated , which was a claim she did not raise in her original litigation in state court , but the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the warrantless seizure of the firearms didn ’ t violate her due process rights .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a serious private interest in personal property kept in the home .
On the other hand , the public interest at stake here was also very significant .
San Jose police officers had previously been to the home on prior occasions because Edward was acting erratically , and on the day in question , Edward was ranting about the CIA , the army , and other people watching him .
He also mentioned “ [ s ] hooting up schools , ” specifically referencing the guns in the safe .
Edward ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the threats made in Mora , but a reasonable officer would have been deeply concerned by the prospect that Edward might have had access to a firearm in the near future .
Consequently , there was a substantial public safety interest in ensuring that the guns would not be available to Edward should he return from the hospital .
With significant private and public interests present on both sides , the urgency of the public safety interest is the key consideration in deciding whether the seizure here was reasonable .
We believe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ urgency of the situation justified the seizure of the firearms .
In their appeal to the Supreme Court , Rodriguez ’ s attorneys raised three questions for the high court to consider : 1 .
Whether the Fourth Amendment allows an exception to its warrant requirement for so-called “ community caretaking ” where the alleged danger to the community has been resolved and the premises to be searched and items then seized do not contain or pose an immediate threat making it impossible to obtain a timely warrant ?
2 .
Whether issue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a constitutional right where the prior decision discussing the constitutional issue did not depend on resolving the merits of that issue , found state-law procedures remained that could moot the claimed infringement , and thus could not have been further reviewed in this Court given that the constitutional claim would be seen as unripe and potentially avoided by adequate and independent state grounds ?
3 .
Whether this Court should exercise its supervisory powers to review the improper circumvention of Second Amendment protections in the Ninth Circuit or , at a minimum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 18-280 , New York State Rifle & Pistol Association , Inc. v. City of New York ?
Now the Supreme Court is asking the city of San Jose to weigh in with its answers , which will undoubtably parrot the arguments made by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in denying Lori Rodriguez relief .
The substance of the city ’ s response is less important than the fact that the Supreme Court is asking for it , which indicates that there is at least some interest on the Court to hear the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agree to hear a case before it can be put on the Court ’ s calendar , and at the moment , there are no Second Amendment-related cases scheduled to be heard .
There is , however , a growing number of cases dealing with the right to keep and bear arms that the Court is actively considering in conference , including challenges to carry laws in Maryland and New Jersey , magazine bans in California , and more .
The conventional wisdom is that SCOTUS is keeping these cases on hold until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ & Pistol Association vs. New York City , because the opinion may have an impact on pending Second Amendment challenges .
There ’ s no guarantee the court will agree to take the Rodriguez case , but the fact that they ’ re giving it a closer look along with the growing number of Second Amendment cases in conference is a good sign that the Court may finally be ready to take up cases dealing with our right to keep and bear arms on a more frequent basis .

The Supreme Court is giving the city of San Jose, California a month to respond to a request by the Second Amendment Foundation to hear a case dealing with the seizure of a resident’s legally-owned firearms by police officers in the city. The case, known as Rodriguez vs. San Jose, stretches back to 2013, when Lori Rodriguez had her firearms confiscated without a warrant and without any criminal charges or mental health holds levied against her. Seven years on, Rodriguez still doesn’t have her firearms, though courts have said she’s free to buy replacements.
The case began when Rodriguez’s husband Edward was taken into custody on a mental health hold. A San Jose police officer named Steven Valentine showed up at the home and confiscated twelve firearms, telling Rodriguez that the seizure was mandated under a California law that requires all firearms owned by someone placed into a mental health facility for evaluation to have their guns removed from the home. Eleven of the firearms in the home belong to Edward Rodriguez, but authorities also seized a handgun that was registered to Lori, over her vehement objections.
One month later, the city of San Jose filed a request to keep the guns, arguing that Edward Rodriguez and others would be endangered if his firearms were returned to him. While Edward Rodriguez didn’t contest the forfeiture, Lori Rodriguez did, arguing that:
the court had no power to interfere with her Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms because, even if Edward was prohibited from possessing and owning guns, she was not prohibited. In support, she emphasized that she had obtained a notice of eligibility to own and possess guns from the California DOJ Bureau of Firearms. Lori further represented to the court that, if returned, the guns would be secured in her gun safe and that she had changed the combination code so that Edward would not have access to them. The return of the guns, she contended, therefore would not present a danger to Edward or others.
A superior court judge disagreed, stating that it was “not appropriate” to return any firearms to the Rodriguez residence, though the judge did point out that Lori Rodriguez was free to purchase firearms to replace the ones confiscated by police. Rodriguez ended up registering all twelve of the firearms in her name and attempt to get the guns returned once more, only to be denied by the city of San Jose again. That’s when she filed her federal lawsuit.
The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld the lower court’s decision that Rodriguez is not entitled to get her guns back, ruling that the federal lawsuit Rodriguez filed is essentially the same suit that was filed (and lost) in state court and stating that the federal circuits are precluded from considering the Second Amendment issues raised by Rodriguez because they’ve already been adjudicated in state court. Rodriguez also claimed in her federal lawsuit that her Fourth Amendment rights were being violated, which was a claim she did not raise in her original litigation in state court, but the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the warrantless seizure of the firearms didn’t violate her due process rights.
The seizure of the firearms did affect a serious private interest in personal property kept in the home. On the other hand, the public interest at stake here was also very significant. San Jose police officers had previously been to the home on prior occasions because Edward was acting erratically, and on the day in question, Edward was ranting about the CIA, the army, and other people watching him. He also mentioned “[s]hooting up schools,” specifically referencing the guns in the safe. Edward’s threats may not have been as explicit as the threats made in Mora, but a reasonable officer would have been deeply concerned by the prospect that Edward might have had access to a firearm in the near future. Consequently, there was a substantial public safety interest in ensuring that the guns would not be available to Edward should he return from the hospital. With significant private and public interests present on both sides, the urgency of the public safety interest is the key consideration in deciding whether the seizure here was reasonable. We believe that, on this record, the urgency of the situation justified the seizure of the firearms.
In their appeal to the Supreme Court, Rodriguez’s attorneys raised three questions for the high court to consider:
1. Whether the Fourth Amendment allows an exception to its warrant requirement for so-called “community caretaking” where the alleged danger to the community has been resolved and the premises to be searched and items then seized do not contain or pose an immediate threat making it impossible to obtain a timely warrant? 2. Whether issue preclusion can bar a claim for deprivation of a constitutional right where the prior decision discussing the constitutional issue did not depend on resolving the merits of that issue, found state-law procedures remained that could moot the claimed infringement, and thus could not have been further reviewed in this Court given that the constitutional claim would be seen as unripe and potentially avoided by adequate and independent state grounds? 3. Whether this Court should exercise its supervisory powers to review the improper circumvention of Second Amendment protections in the Ninth Circuit or, at a minimum, hold this case for No. 18-280, New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. City of New York?
Now the Supreme Court is asking the city of San Jose to weigh in with its answers, which will undoubtably parrot the arguments made by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in denying Lori Rodriguez relief. The substance of the city’s response is less important than the fact that the Supreme Court is asking for it, which indicates that there is at least some interest on the Court to hear the case.
It takes four justices to agree to hear a case before it can be put on the Court’s calendar, and at the moment, there are no Second Amendment-related cases scheduled to be heard. There is, however, a growing number of cases dealing with the right to keep and bear arms that the Court is actively considering in conference, including challenges to carry laws in Maryland and New Jersey, magazine bans in California, and more. The conventional wisdom is that SCOTUS is keeping these cases on hold until it rules on New York State Rifle & Pistol Association vs. New York City, because the opinion may have an impact on pending Second Amendment challenges. There’s no guarantee the court will agree to take the Rodriguez case, but the fact that they’re giving it a closer look along with the growing number of Second Amendment cases in conference is a good sign that the Court may finally be ready to take up cases dealing with our right to keep and bear arms on a more frequent basis.


bearingarms--2020-04-21--Could The Supreme Court Provide Relief To Shuttered Gun Shops?

There ’ ve been nearly a dozen lawsuits filed by 2A organizations , gun stores , and individuals that are challenging shut down orders in states like California , New Mexico , and Massachusetts , but even in a best case scenario , it could take months for the Supreme Court to get the chance to hear one of these cases , and even longer for the justices to issue a ruling .
In the meantime , we may get lucky enough to find judges that will grant injunctions against the emergency orders , but so far , that hasn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve seen several judges in California uphold decisions by local authorities to declare the shops “ non-essential businesses ” that must close their doors for the foreseeable future .
However , the Supreme Court is currently looking at a case having to do with a New York City gun law restricting the transportation of firearms .
Could the Supreme Court ’ s decision in that case , which is expected in June , if not earlier , provide a vehicle for the justices to offer some relief to gun store owners and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the shutdown ?
I ’ m very pleased to welcome Dave Kopel , research director at the Independence Institute , back to today ’ s Bearing Arms ’ Cam & Co to answer that question and more .
Not only do we discuss the potential ramifications of the upcoming Supreme Court decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association vs. New York City , but we also get into the growing protests and demonstrations around the country pushing for a re-opening of the economy , as well as the caselaw ( or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ courts and our constitutional rights during a state of emergency .
Check out the entire interview above , and stick around for a story about California suspects accused of violent crimes being set free without having to post a dime for bond , the Sacramento County burglar who eluded police but ended up shot by an armed citizen , and a pizza delivery driver in Frankfort , Kentucky who was in the right place at the right time to help out a stranger in need during a violent spring storm .
Thanks as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spreading the word , and tune in tomorrow when Amy Swearer of the Heritage Foundation joins me to talk about a new project to track self-defense stories throughout the country .

There’ve been nearly a dozen lawsuits filed by 2A organizations, gun stores, and individuals that are challenging shut down orders in states like California, New Mexico, and Massachusetts, but even in a best case scenario, it could take months for the Supreme Court to get the chance to hear one of these cases, and even longer for the justices to issue a ruling. In the meantime, we may get lucky enough to find judges that will grant injunctions against the emergency orders, but so far, that hasn’t happened. Instead, we’ve seen several judges in California uphold decisions by local authorities to declare the shops “non-essential businesses” that must close their doors for the foreseeable future.
However, the Supreme Court is currently looking at a case having to do with a New York City gun law restricting the transportation of firearms. Could the Supreme Court’s decision in that case, which is expected in June, if not earlier, provide a vehicle for the justices to offer some relief to gun store owners and Americans unable to legally acquire arms during the shutdown?
I’m very pleased to welcome Dave Kopel, research director at the Independence Institute, back to today’s Bearing Arms’ Cam & Co to answer that question and more. Not only do we discuss the potential ramifications of the upcoming Supreme Court decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association vs. New York City, but we also get into the growing protests and demonstrations around the country pushing for a re-opening of the economy, as well as the caselaw (or lack thereof) when it comes to courts and our constitutional rights during a state of emergency.
Check out the entire interview above, and stick around for a story about California suspects accused of violent crimes being set free without having to post a dime for bond, the Sacramento County burglar who eluded police but ended up shot by an armed citizen, and a pizza delivery driver in Frankfort, Kentucky who was in the right place at the right time to help out a stranger in need during a violent spring storm.
Thanks as always for watching, listening, and spreading the word, and tune in tomorrow when Amy Swearer of the Heritage Foundation joins me to talk about a new project to track self-defense stories throughout the country.


bearingarms--2020-04-21--VIP Gold Live Chat- Cam Edwards & Ed Morrissey 4/22 1:30 PM EST

I ’ ve really enjoyed the VIP Gold chats that I ’ ve been a part of over the last couple of weeks , and it ’ s been really fun to get a chance to talk to readers and fans of Bearing Arms ’ Cam & Co in real time .
Coming up Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. Eastern , we ’ re going to do it again , but this time I ’ m excited that Hot Air ’ s Ed Morrissey and I will be teaming up for a chat about , well , anything you want , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regular guest on a previous incarnation of Cam & Co , and it ’ s always a good time when the two of us get the chance to hang out together , even virtually .
If you ’ re a VIP Gold member of Townhall Media , you won ’ t want to miss this live chat , and if you ’ re not a member yet , now ’ s your chance !
You can use the code WUHAN to get 25 % off your VIP Gold membership , and not only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the chat with Ed and I , but you ’ ll get exclusive analysis , commentary , and other chats with folks like Katie Pavlich , Kurt Schlichter , VodkaPundit , and more .
The live chat will be hosted here , and the video stream will be added right before the event .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Jim Geraghty .
He lives outside of Farmville , Virginia with his family .
https : //bearingarms.com/author/camedwards/

*Replay available below* I’ve really enjoyed the VIP Gold chats that I’ve been a part of over the last couple of weeks, and it’s been really fun to get a chance to talk to readers and fans of Bearing Arms’ Cam & Co in real time. Coming up Today 4/22 at 1:30 p.m. Eastern, we’re going to do it again, but this time I’m excited that HotAir’s Ed Morrissey and I will be teaming up for a chat about, well, anything you want, to be honest.
Ed was a regular guest on a previous incarnation of Cam & Co, and it’s always a good time when the two of us get the chance to hang out together, even virtually. If you’re a VIP Gold member of Townhall Media, you won’t want to miss this live chat, and if you’re not a member yet, now’s your chance!
You can use the code WUHAN to get 25% off your VIP Gold membership, and not only will you be able to take part in the chat with Ed and I, but you’ll get exclusive analysis, commentary, and other chats with folks like Katie Pavlich, Kurt Schlichter, VodkaPundit, and more.
The live chat will be hosted here, and the video stream will be added right before the event.


bearingarms--2020-04-21--The New Republic Plays "What If" With Your Gun Rights

Once upon a time , you could buy a machinegun through the mail and have it delivered straight to your home .
While the weapons were used in crime from time to time , particularly in large cities like Chicago ( why does that sound familiar ? )
, plenty more were just kept at home for recreational purposes .
Now , the only way some of us will ever get to shoot full-auto is at a rental range .
Yet an op-ed at The New Republic wants to suggest a “ what if ” where that ’ s the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an SKS .
Could shooting ranges be the future of Bushmasters , of SKS rifles and AR-15s and AR-10s ?
It seems the thought experiment we need in Second Amendment debates , where pro-gun advocates warn that federal ownership registries and licensing are the sine qua non of government tyranny .
Yet the United States has successfully depleted the supply of machine guns , as well as the ease and attractiveness of their use by criminals , with exactly these measures : a gun database and a thoroughgoing application process .
( That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wary as libertarians—perhaps more so these days—of the potential risks that gun registries run as a tool of discrimination and harassment ; one need not sympathize , as some on the gun right do , with David Koresh and the Branch Davidians to acknowledge that the ATF has abused its oversight powers before . )
But compared to regulating the types of semiauto rifles that have grown popular in mass shootings , the machine-gun regulatory blueprint also seems quaint today .
As gun proponents never tire of pointing out , it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ machine guns ” than it is to define “ assault weapons.
” One formidable argument for the ineffectiveness of the Clinton era ’ s ban on assault weapons was that it defined those guns largely by cosmetic modifications or accessorizing—pistol grips , folding stocks , bayonet lugs—so that near-identical guns , with identical ammunition and mechanical capabilities , were exempt from the ban .
Even “ machine guns ” get redefined as arms technology and tastes evolve .
The bumpfire episode shows that before the Las Vegas shooting and the eventual ban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issuing insurance letters to bumpstock-makers that guaranteed their products were legal “ firearm parts ” and didn ’ t qualify as NFA weapons .
A more significant challenge to restricting semiautomatic weapons is that there are simply too many AR- and AK-style firearms in the United States , with ever more being brought to market—far more such weapons than there ever were machine guns in the country .
When machine guns were banned , revulsion against them and the violence they wrought was already a consensus social norm .
Because of their cost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were seen almost exclusively as the province of armies and gangsters .
They never became , as the AR-15 has become , an instrument of sport or a revered totem of freedom and self-reliance .
In any case , the thought experiment may actually need to run in reverse : We may need to consider what America would look like if machine guns weremorereadily available .
The explosion in popularity—and the cultural significance—of AR-15s as a civic talisman is also a symptom of a more malignant pro-gun segment of the conservative movement .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ fueled appetites for anti-government conspiracy theories , this new breed of gun fundamentalist has eagerly embraced a belief in “ constitutional carry , ” an innovative dogma that insists citizens have a Second Amendment right to carry any weaponry anywhere , without training or licensing .
Unsurprisingly , in this atmosphere , machine guns—preferred by gangsters , effectively banned by a stroke of Ronald Reagan ’ s pen , and consistently considered taboo by most Americans—now have more advocates than ever .
In other words , while the author ’ s sympathies for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he holds up the lack of machineguns used in crime as somehow proof that gun control can actually work–even he is forced to acknowledge the troubles of trying to pass such a law for so-called “ assault weapons.
” Nevermind that such a ban would likely never hold up to the Heller Test in the first place .
The most popular firearms in America are so-called assault weapons .
That makes them anything but unusual , thus making them protected by that particular test .
Not that anti-gunners will ever acknowledge that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made a mistake in trying to play their little “ what if ” game .
They failed to acknowledge that any attempt to relegate semi-automatic rifles to specially-licensed ranges would also trigger the old Boogaloo .
We on this side of the debate don ’ t like to play the whole “ if you can touch a gun , they ’ re not really banned ” game .
Try it and there will be blood .
Think about that when you conduct your little thought experiments .

Once upon a time, you could buy a machinegun through the mail and have it delivered straight to your home. While the weapons were used in crime from time to time, particularly in large cities like Chicago (why does that sound familiar?), plenty more were just kept at home for recreational purposes.
Now, the only way some of us will ever get to shoot full-auto is at a rental range.
Yet an op-ed at The New Republic wants to suggest a “what if” where that’s the future of everything from an AR-15 to an SKS.
Could shooting ranges be the future of Bushmasters, of SKS rifles and AR-15s and AR-10s? It seems the thought experiment we need in Second Amendment debates, where pro-gun advocates warn that federal ownership registries and licensing are the sine qua non of government tyranny. Yet the United States has successfully depleted the supply of machine guns, as well as the ease and attractiveness of their use by criminals, with exactly these measures: a gun database and a thoroughgoing application process. (That said, the left should be as wary as libertarians—perhaps more so these days—of the potential risks that gun registries run as a tool of discrimination and harassment; one need not sympathize, as some on the gun right do, with David Koresh and the Branch Davidians to acknowledge that the ATF has abused its oversight powers before.) But compared to regulating the types of semiauto rifles that have grown popular in mass shootings, the machine-gun regulatory blueprint also seems quaint today. As gun proponents never tire of pointing out, it’s much easier to define a class of “machine guns” than it is to define “assault weapons.” One formidable argument for the ineffectiveness of the Clinton era’s ban on assault weapons was that it defined those guns largely by cosmetic modifications or accessorizing—pistol grips, folding stocks, bayonet lugs—so that near-identical guns, with identical ammunition and mechanical capabilities, were exempt from the ban. Even “machine guns” get redefined as arms technology and tastes evolve. The bumpfire episode shows that before the Las Vegas shooting and the eventual ban of these accessories, the ATF was issuing insurance letters to bumpstock-makers that guaranteed their products were legal “firearm parts” and didn’t qualify as NFA weapons. A more significant challenge to restricting semiautomatic weapons is that there are simply too many AR- and AK-style firearms in the United States, with ever more being brought to market—far more such weapons than there ever were machine guns in the country. When machine guns were banned, revulsion against them and the violence they wrought was already a consensus social norm. Because of their cost and the carnage they sowed, they were seen almost exclusively as the province of armies and gangsters. They never became, as the AR-15 has become, an instrument of sport or a revered totem of freedom and self-reliance. In any case, the thought experiment may actually need to run in reverse: We may need to consider what America would look like if machine guns weremorereadily available. The explosion in popularity—and the cultural significance—of AR-15s as a civic talisman is also a symptom of a more malignant pro-gun segment of the conservative movement. Ever since the election of Barack Obama fueled appetites for anti-government conspiracy theories, this new breed of gun fundamentalist has eagerly embraced a belief in “constitutional carry,” an innovative dogma that insists citizens have a Second Amendment right to carry any weaponry anywhere, without training or licensing. Unsurprisingly, in this atmosphere, machine guns—preferred by gangsters, effectively banned by a stroke of Ronald Reagan’s pen, and consistently considered taboo by most Americans—now have more advocates than ever.
In other words, while the author’s sympathies for gun control seem obvious–earlier in the piece, he holds up the lack of machineguns used in crime as somehow proof that gun control can actually work–even he is forced to acknowledge the troubles of trying to pass such a law for so-called “assault weapons.”
Nevermind that such a ban would likely never hold up to the Heller Test in the first place. The most popular firearms in America are so-called assault weapons. That makes them anything but unusual, thus making them protected by that particular test.
Not that anti-gunners will ever acknowledge that.
The New Republic, however, made a mistake in trying to play their little “what if” game. They failed to acknowledge that any attempt to relegate semi-automatic rifles to specially-licensed ranges would also trigger the old Boogaloo. We on this side of the debate don’t like to play the whole “if you can touch a gun, they’re not really banned” game. Try it and there will be blood.
Think about that when you conduct your little thought experiments.


bearingarms--2020-04-21--Meghan McCain Put "The View" Anti-Gunners In Their Places

The television program “ The View ” isn ’ t what anyone should call good television , much less balanced journalism .
After all , when you drop three liberals and a conservative on a TV show , you ’ re not trying to be balanced .
You ’ re trying to create a mob where the liberals outnumber the conservative on a regular basis , making it seem like the conservative argument is outside of the mainstream .
But the conservatives that have been on the show have gotten in some good points .
Yet when Meghan McCain was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The View , some conservatives rolled their eyes .
They didn ’ t think she was really conservative enough for such a role .
And yet , she managed to fire off this one to her liberal colleagues as they freaked out about guns at right-wing demonstrators taking issue with the quarantine .
“ The View ” co-host Meghan McCain defended the “ perfectly normal ” spectacle of right-wing demonstrators carrying guns to protest coronavirus lockdowns .
Other panelists were alarmed by the armed protesters , but McCain suggested coastal elites simply didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so symbolically important to conservatives .
“ I continue to be split on it because I see those kind of protesters with guns and I understand that for a lot of people watching this show , that may seem very foreign , and it may seem violent , but it ’ s perfectly normal to me and it ’ s perfectly legal in the states that they did it in , ” McCain said .
“ It ’ s a culture symbol .
Anybody bringing a gun to a rally is showing which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re on , which , you know , is an argument that ’ s being brought up in these type of protests.
” McCain said rural conservatives resent outsiders telling them what to do .
Which , of course , is correct .
The problem many of us have with the so-called coastal elites or urban elites is that they see the problems in the cities and figure the fixes they come up with need to be applied universally .
She brought up the example of telling coal miners that they needed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to change careers and , essentially , their way of life because Los Angeles has an issue with smog .
When it comes to guns , we see this play out a thousand different ways .
For example , Chicago or Baltimore has an issue with violence , so the state passes gun control that impacts everyone .
They simply don ’ t care about the rural parts of the state and the role a firearm might play in those areas .
Over the last few days , I ’ ve been binge-watching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ For those unfamiliar with the show , a family of experienced homesteaders visit people ’ s failing homesteads and helps them fix the problems .
One thing we see on the show pretty regularly is the role firearms play on a homestead , particularly in getting game and protecting the property from predators .
Yet the ladies on The View never see that .
They don ’ t get it because that ’ s not their life .
They don ’ t understand it .
Meghan McCain , however , apparently does .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that stand for our Second Amendment rights when her colleagues clearly didn ’ t get it .

The television program “The View” isn’t what anyone should call good television, much less balanced journalism. After all, when you drop three liberals and a conservative on a TV show, you’re not trying to be balanced. You’re trying to create a mob where the liberals outnumber the conservative on a regular basis, making it seem like the conservative argument is outside of the mainstream.
But the conservatives that have been on the show have gotten in some good points.
Yet when Meghan McCain was named as the new conservative host of The View, some conservatives rolled their eyes. They didn’t think she was really conservative enough for such a role.
And yet, she managed to fire off this one to her liberal colleagues as they freaked out about guns at right-wing demonstrators taking issue with the quarantine.
“The View” co-host Meghan McCain defended the “perfectly normal” spectacle of right-wing demonstrators carrying guns to protest coronavirus lockdowns. Other panelists were alarmed by the armed protesters, but McCain suggested coastal elites simply didn’t understand why military-style weapons were so symbolically important to conservatives. “I continue to be split on it because I see those kind of protesters with guns and I understand that for a lot of people watching this show, that may seem very foreign, and it may seem violent, but it’s perfectly normal to me and it’s perfectly legal in the states that they did it in,” McCain said. “It’s a culture symbol. Anybody bringing a gun to a rally is showing which side of the gun argument they’re on, which, you know, is an argument that’s being brought up in these type of protests.” McCain said rural conservatives resent outsiders telling them what to do.
Which, of course, is correct.
The problem many of us have with the so-called coastal elites or urban elites is that they see the problems in the cities and figure the fixes they come up with need to be applied universally. She brought up the example of telling coal miners that they needed to learn to code, that they needed to change careers and, essentially, their way of life because Los Angeles has an issue with smog.
When it comes to guns, we see this play out a thousand different ways.
For example, Chicago or Baltimore has an issue with violence, so the state passes gun control that impacts everyone. They simply don’t care about the rural parts of the state and the role a firearm might play in those areas.
Over the last few days, I’ve been binge-watching Homestead Rescue on the Discovery Channel. For those unfamiliar with the show, a family of experienced homesteaders visit people’s failing homesteads and helps them fix the problems. One thing we see on the show pretty regularly is the role firearms play on a homestead, particularly in getting game and protecting the property from predators.
Yet the ladies on The View never see that. They don’t get it because that’s not their life. They don’t understand it.
Meghan McCain, however, apparently does. Personally, I applaud her for making that stand for our Second Amendment rights when her colleagues clearly didn’t get it.


bearingarms--2020-04-21--California Burglar Eludes Police, Stopped By Armed Citizen

A burglary suspect led police on a high speed chase in Sacramento County on Monday night , but was eventually taken into custody thanks to an armed citizen .
The California Highway Patrol says the suspect tried to make a run for it by driving the wrong way down I-80 , which caused officers to break off their pursuit to “ avoid endangering people ’ s lives ” CHP eventually caught up with the suspect right before he lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a “ brush type area along I-80 , ” Sacramento County Sheriff ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after the crash , officials say the man got out of his vehicle and ran to a nearby housing development , where he was ultimately shot by a homeowner in the area .
“ The homeowner felt his life was endangered and fired at least one round at the suspect , ” Deterding said .
Police say the suspect was taken to a local hospital , while a female passenger in his car was detained .
Authorities say the homeowner is cooperating with police , and while the investigation continues I ’ d @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any charges .
Sacramento County is not one of the jurisdictions in the state that have used Gov .
Gavin Newsom ’ s stay-at-home order to close down gun shops , and I wouldn ’ t be surprised if this story prompts other nearby residents to visit a gun store in the next few days to begin the lengthy process of acquiring a firearm for self-defense .
Meanwhile , a federal judge has ruled that the state does not have to release thousands of inmates currently held in California prisons .
In an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ District Judge Jon S. Tigar said the state already has a plan to deal with the spread of coronavirus behind bars .
“ The COVID-19 pandemic is unprecedented and no one questions that it poses a substantial risk of serious harm to plaintiffs , ” Tigar wrote in his ruling .
“ But given the numerous and significant measures the State of California has taken and continues to take in response to COVID-19 , the court can not conclude that state officials have been deliberately indifferent.
” “ The state responds that it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that includes the release of thousands of inmates to reduce the prison population , the cessation of visitation and the intake of new prisoners , sharp reductions in inmate transfers to avoid the spread of the contagion , detailed protocol to manage symptomatic inmates and staff , increased disinfectant effort and adjustment to housing and physical activities to increase physical distancing.
” California officials say they do plan to release about 3,500 inmates early , and will not accept 3,000 more inmates currently incarcerated in county jails , but attorneys with the Prison @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back onto the streets , claiming that more than 40,000 individuals held behind bars have an increased risk of serious complications from COVID-19 .
There ’ s no word on what will happen to the burglary suspect taken into custody on Monday night , but more than 400 inmates have already been released from the Sacramento County jail in recent weeks , so there is a distinct possibility that his stay behind bars will be short-lived .
Hopefully if and when he ’ s sprung from the county lockup he ’ ll have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s property , as well as the understanding that even in California he could run into another armed citizen ready and willing to protect himself and his property from an intruder .

A burglary suspect led police on a high speed chase in Sacramento County on Monday night, but was eventually taken into custody thanks to an armed citizen.
The California Highway Patrol says the suspect tried to make a run for it by driving the wrong way down I-80, which caused officers to break off their pursuit to “avoid endangering people’s lives”
CHP eventually caught up with the suspect right before he lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a “brush type area along I-80,” Sacramento County Sheriff’s Sgt. Tess Deterding said. Right after the crash, officials say the man got out of his vehicle and ran to a nearby housing development, where he was ultimately shot by a homeowner in the area. “The homeowner felt his life was endangered and fired at least one round at the suspect,” Deterding said.
Police say the suspect was taken to a local hospital, while a female passenger in his car was detained. Authorities say the homeowner is cooperating with police, and while the investigation continues I’d be shocked if they end up facing any charges.
Sacramento County is not one of the jurisdictions in the state that have used Gov. Gavin Newsom’s stay-at-home order to close down gun shops, and I wouldn’t be surprised if this story prompts other nearby residents to visit a gun store in the next few days to begin the lengthy process of acquiring a firearm for self-defense.
Meanwhile, a federal judge has ruled that the state does not have to release thousands of inmates currently held in California prisons. In an opinion handed down on Friday, U.S. District Judge Jon S. Tigar said the state already has a plan to deal with the spread of coronavirus behind bars.
“The COVID-19 pandemic is unprecedented and no one questions that it poses a substantial risk of serious harm to plaintiffs,” Tigar wrote in his ruling. “But given the numerous and significant measures the State of California has taken and continues to take in response to COVID-19, the court cannot conclude that state officials have been deliberately indifferent.” “The state responds that it already has such a plan — one that includes the release of thousands of inmates to reduce the prison population, the cessation of visitation and the intake of new prisoners, sharp reductions in inmate transfers to avoid the spread of the contagion, detailed protocol to manage symptomatic inmates and staff, increased disinfectant effort and adjustment to housing and physical activities to increase physical distancing.”
California officials say they do plan to release about 3,500 inmates early, and will not accept 3,000 more inmates currently incarcerated in county jails, but attorneys with the Prison Law Office wanted thousands more inmates put back onto the streets, claiming that more than 40,000 individuals held behind bars have an increased risk of serious complications from COVID-19.
There’s no word on what will happen to the burglary suspect taken into custody on Monday night, but more than 400 inmates have already been released from the Sacramento County jail in recent weeks, so there is a distinct possibility that his stay behind bars will be short-lived. Hopefully if and when he’s sprung from the county lockup he’ll have a new respect for other people’s property, as well as the understanding that even in California he could run into another armed citizen ready and willing to protect himself and his property from an intruder.


bearingarms--2020-04-21--Coronavirus Shutdowns Spur Local Officials To Protect 2A Rights

The continued shutdowns over coronavirus concerns are prompting some communities to take a stand in support of the right to keep and bear arms .
In Washington , Cowlitz County officials are set to approve a resolution Tuesday calling on Gov .
Jay Inslee to put an end to several of the restrictions in place thanks to his stay-at-home order .
According to the language of the proposed resolution , the commissioners want residents to be able to hunt and fish , exercise their right to assemble and to take part in religious events , and buy and sell firearms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
[ Sheriff Brad ] Thurman said he requested the commissioners adopt a resolution Tuesday requesting that Inslee rescind some of the proclamations mainly as a statement to citizens of where officials stand .
“ If the orders are in place or not , its incumbent on people to understand the risk and behave appropriately , ” he said .
“ It comes down to responsibility to protect themselves and others.
” According to Thurman , county commissioners have already sent letters to Inslee outlining their concerns with the current stay-at-home order , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ follow up to their requests .
Last year , county commissioners approved a resolution opposing new gun control laws approved via a statewide referendum , but officials rejected the idea of declaring Cowlitz County a Second Amendment Sanctuary .
In Pennsylvania , meanwhile , the Montgomery Borough council decided to take that step at its last meeting , unanimously approving a resolution declaring the town to be a Second Amendment Sanctuary .
Jonathan DeWald , borough solicitor , said that the organization Gun Owners of America has been bringing the Second Amendment Sanctuary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including Montgomery Borough .
He added that this template essentially said that it would provide monetary fines and possible imprisonment for going against the sanctuary ordinance .
He said that the borough decided to adopt a resolution just to show support toward the Constitution and that the borough will not “ expend funds for enforcement of laws deemed and determined to be illegal.
” “ They elected not to do an ordinance , but a resolution to show support , ” he said .
“ It ’ s a middle ground .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you to do anything further than that.
” The language approved by the council is watered-down compared to some of the resolutions and ordinances we ’ ve seen approved in hundreds of counties , cities , and towns across the country over the past two years , but it ’ s a good first step .
Horry County , South Carolina officials are also set to approve a Second Amendment Sanctuary ordinance at its meeting on Tuesday evening , and according to local news reports , it seems to have more teeth to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pennsylvania borough .
The ordinance states council is “ concerned about the passage of any bill containing language which could be interpreted as infringing on the rights of citizens of Horry County to bear arms.
” The ordinance goes on to say council would protect the right to bear arms by way of “ legal action , the power to appropriate public funds , the right to petition for redress of grievances , and the power to direct the law enforcement and employees of Horry County to not enforce any unconstitutional law.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place , and the more jurisdictions try to use those orders to force the closure of gun shops , the greater the odds that these types of resolutions will be approved by local governments .
The coronavirus pandemic is a serious concern for these officials , but so too is the erosion of our constitutional rights .

The continued shutdowns over coronavirus concerns are prompting some communities to take a stand in support of the right to keep and bear arms. In Washington, Cowlitz County officials are set to approve a resolution Tuesday calling on Gov. Jay Inslee to put an end to several of the restrictions in place thanks to his stay-at-home order. According to the language of the proposed resolution, the commissioners want residents to be able to hunt and fish, exercise their right to assemble and to take part in religious events, and buy and sell firearms and ammunition without fear of government sanction.
[Sheriff Brad] Thurman said he requested the commissioners adopt a resolution Tuesday requesting that Inslee rescind some of the proclamations mainly as a statement to citizens of where officials stand. “If the orders are in place or not, its incumbent on people to understand the risk and behave appropriately,” he said. “It comes down to responsibility to protect themselves and others.”
According to Thurman, county commissioners have already sent letters to Inslee outlining their concerns with the current stay-at-home order, and the resolution would be a formal follow up to their requests. Last year, county commissioners approved a resolution opposing new gun control laws approved via a statewide referendum, but officials rejected the idea of declaring Cowlitz County a Second Amendment Sanctuary.
In Pennsylvania, meanwhile, the Montgomery Borough council decided to take that step at its last meeting, unanimously approving a resolution declaring the town to be a Second Amendment Sanctuary.
Jonathan DeWald, borough solicitor, said that the organization Gun Owners of America has been bringing the Second Amendment Sanctuary Ordinance template around to different municipalities, including Montgomery Borough. He added that this template essentially said that it would provide monetary fines and possible imprisonment for going against the sanctuary ordinance. He said that the borough decided to adopt a resolution just to show support toward the Constitution and that the borough will not “expend funds for enforcement of laws deemed and determined to be illegal.” “They elected not to do an ordinance, but a resolution to show support,” he said. “It’s a middle ground. It shows support but doesn’t obligate you to do anything further than that.”
The language approved by the council is watered-down compared to some of the resolutions and ordinances we’ve seen approved in hundreds of counties, cities, and towns across the country over the past two years, but it’s a good first step.
Horry County, South Carolina officials are also set to approve a Second Amendment Sanctuary ordinance at its meeting on Tuesday evening, and according to local news reports, it seems to have more teeth to it than the resolution approved by the Pennsylvania borough.
The ordinance states council is “concerned about the passage of any bill containing language which could be interpreted as infringing on the rights of citizens of Horry County to bear arms.” The ordinance goes on to say council would protect the right to bear arms by way of “legal action, the power to appropriate public funds, the right to petition for redress of grievances, and the power to direct the law enforcement and employees of Horry County to not enforce any unconstitutional law.”
The longer these stay-at-home orders remain in place, and the more jurisdictions try to use those orders to force the closure of gun shops, the greater the odds that these types of resolutions will be approved by local governments. The coronavirus pandemic is a serious concern for these officials, but so too is the erosion of our constitutional rights.