bearingarms--2020-06-20--Two Charged With Brandishing Firearms At BLM Protest

Times are tense .
There have been riots and assaults and people being killed , all in response to someone else allegedly being killed , which seems kind of stupid in the grand scheme of things , especially since no one killed had anything to do with the alleged murder .
As a result , people on the flip side of the issue are feeling pretty tense themselves because , well , if people are dying , what are the odds that one of them might be next ?
However , while the concerns are understandable , the actions of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t .
Two people face charges for allegedly brandishing guns in separate incidents during “ Black Lives Matter ” demonstrations in Medford earlier this month , the Jackson County District Attorney ’ s Office said on Thursday .
51-year-old David Westmoreland was arrested on June 1 after he reportedly drew a handgun and pointed it at protesters in downtown Medford .
On Thursday , a grand jury indicted Westmoreland on two counts of Unlawful Use of a Weapon and one count of Menacing .
According to the DA ’ s office , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ separate demonstration on June 6 .
She faces one count of Unlawful Use of a Weapon and one count of Menacing following the grand jury proceedings .
Neither of these two appears to be connected except for allegedly committing the same offense .
However , neither of these two are particularly unique .
There have been others who have allegedly opted to commit similar offenses , and it ’ s got to stop , folks .
Look , I get being concerned .
Supposedly peaceful protests turned into riots often enough that I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kept our firearms handy during the height of the stupidity , so I get that .
But you don ’ t draw your gun on protestors .
Not without a clear threat to you or another or however your state words its use of force laws .
Yes , use of force laws , because pointing a gun at another person is considered a use of force .
No , having the gun visible isn ’ t , but that ’ s not what Westmoreland and Welch are accused of doing .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at someone else .
In the process , they ’ re hurting their own cause .
Seriously , how many of those protestors are going to look at these two jackwagons and think the other side is reasonable , that they ’ ll listen to reasonable discourse ?
Oh , some might , but a lot are also going to remember protesting and having a couple of white people putting a gun in their face .
Nicely done .
That should defuse the situation beautifully .
< /sarcasm > Look , I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but use common sense .
For one thing , unless you have a reason to be at such a protest , don ’ t be there .
If you ’ re worried about your place of business , that ’ s one thing , but if you ’ re just going to drive by ?
Dude , bypass that stuff .
You don ’ t need the headache anyway .
Plus , if it ’ s going to go violent , at least you ’ ll be blocks away .
If you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to .
Follow your local laws and make damn sure you can defend it in a court of law .
In the current climate , you just might have to .

Times are tense. There have been riots and assaults and people being killed, all in response to someone else allegedly being killed, which seems kind of stupid in the grand scheme of things, especially since no one killed had anything to do with the alleged murder. As a result, people on the flip side of the issue are feeling pretty tense themselves because, well, if people are dying, what are the odds that one of them might be next?
However, while the concerns are understandable, the actions of some of these folks often aren’t.
Two people face charges for allegedly brandishing guns in separate incidents during “Black Lives Matter” demonstrations in Medford earlier this month, the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office said on Thursday. … 51-year-old David Westmoreland was arrested on June 1 after he reportedly drew a handgun and pointed it at protesters in downtown Medford. On Thursday, a grand jury indicted Westmoreland on two counts of Unlawful Use of a Weapon and one count of Menacing. According to the DA’s office, the incident involving Marcella Welch happened during a separate demonstration on June 6. She faces one count of Unlawful Use of a Weapon and one count of Menacing following the grand jury proceedings.
Neither of these two appears to be connected except for allegedly committing the same offense.
However, neither of these two are particularly unique. There have been others who have allegedly opted to commit similar offenses, and it’s got to stop, folks.
Look, I get being concerned. Supposedly peaceful protests turned into riots often enough that I get being worried. Many of us kept our firearms handy during the height of the stupidity, so I get that.
But you don’t draw your gun on protestors. Not without a clear threat to you or another or however your state words its use of force laws. Yes, use of force laws, because pointing a gun at another person is considered a use of force. No, having the gun visible isn’t, but that’s not what Westmoreland and Welch are accused of doing. They’re accused of actually pointing it at someone else.
In the process, they’re hurting their own cause.
Seriously, how many of those protestors are going to look at these two jackwagons and think the other side is reasonable, that they’ll listen to reasonable discourse? Oh, some might, but a lot are also going to remember protesting and having a couple of white people putting a gun in their face.
Nicely done. That should defuse the situation beautifully.
Look, I’m not saying not to defend yourself, but use common sense. For one thing, unless you have a reason to be at such a protest, don’t be there. If you’re worried about your place of business, that’s one thing, but if you’re just going to drive by? Dude, bypass that stuff. You don’t need the headache anyway. Plus, if it’s going to go violent, at least you’ll be blocks away.
If you have to, make damn sure you have to. Follow your local laws and make damn sure you can defend it in a court of law. In the current climate, you just might have to.


bearingarms--2020-06-20--FL Dem Who Oversees Concealed Carry Licenses Purges "Inner Circle"

Nikki Fried is the only Democrat elected to statewide office in Florida , and in her role as Agriculture Commissioner , she ’ s in charge of running the state ’ s concealed carry licensing system .
Fried was sued earlier this year after she suspended online license applications during the coronavirus pandemic .
While the online system recently came back online , the lawsuit continues , though it ’ s understandable if Fried isn ’ t giving the litigation her full time and attention these days .
According to Politico , Fried ’ s currently busy purging her “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and emotional abuse on the part of her boyfriend , who was recently escorted off the property of a Florida hotel by police after an argument with Fried .
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried dismissed three top aides just before midnight Thursday , citing their complaints that her fiancé was “ abusive ” to her during a weekend argument at a Fort Lauderdale resort where police escorted him off the property .
Fried , the state ’ s top elected Democrat , told aides by text message late Wednesday that they could no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” but offered to find them “ other roles.
” She said it “ breaks my heart ” they believed her fiancé was abusive during the incident , which occurred Saturday at the Westin Beach Resort and Spa .
No one was hurt .
The Politico piece is too long to excerpt here , but be sure to read it in its entirety .
According to the site , Fried ’ s main political advisor , Eric Johnson , resigned from Fried ’ s political committee before going public with his concerns .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ what she can do , personally and as a politician , ” Johnson said in an interview .
“ I think what has happened with her in this relationship is causing her to not be able to function , and eventually it could get her very , very hurt .
On many occasions , she has described to me and other senior staff her relationship as mentally abusive , and on Saturday she called it physically abusive.
” “ I simply can ’ t stand by and watch it happen , ” Johnson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fried and her boyfriend , marijuana entrepreneur Robert “ Jake ” Bergmann , deny that any type of physical abuse took place , though Fried did acknowledge an argument between the two that she says shouldn ’ t have gotten to “ any point that Jake would be escorted off a piece of property , but it does not rise to any levels of verbal or emotional abuse.
” Besides Johnson , Politico spoke with three other people who either work for Fried or are connected to Democratic politics in Florida who also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on with the Ag Commissioner .
Oddly , they don ’ t have any quotes , whether on the record or on background , from anyone close to Fried who ’ s willing to say that the allegations of abuse are off base and out of line ( other than her boyfriend , of course ) .
I ’ m not a fan of Nikki Fried ’ s politics , and I ’ m sure if she even knew who I was she ’ d think I was a “ tool of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that , but that doesn ’ t mean I wish her any ill intent or personal harm .
Honestly , the Politico story reads more like an intervention than a piece of “ gotcha ” journalism , and it really sounds like beyond the stress of the lawsuit she ’ s facing over the suspension of concealed carry applications , she ’ s going through some serious personal stuff at the moment .
I can ’ t wish her well in her legal fight , but I ’ m one of those few @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believe that there are some things that are deeper than politics .
On a human level , I can and will say a prayer for Fried .
I have no idea which side was more honest when talking to Politico , but I do know there ’ s really no excuse for emotional or physical abuse in a relationship , no matter how much love might be mixed in with the pain .

Nikki Fried is the only Democrat elected to statewide office in Florida, and in her role as Agriculture Commissioner, she’s in charge of running the state’s concealed carry licensing system. Fried was sued earlier this year after she suspended online license applications during the coronavirus pandemic. While the online system recently came back online, the lawsuit continues, though it’s understandable if Fried isn’t giving the litigation her full time and attention these days.
According to Politico, Fried’s currently busy purging her “inner circle” after allegations of physical and emotional abuse on the part of her boyfriend, who was recently escorted off the property of a Florida hotel by police after an argument with Fried.
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried dismissed three top aides just before midnight Thursday, citing their complaints that her fiancé was “abusive” to her during a weekend argument at a Fort Lauderdale resort where police escorted him off the property. Fried, the state’s top elected Democrat, told aides by text message late Wednesday that they could no longer be in her “inner circle” but offered to find them “other roles.” She said it “breaks my heart” they believed her fiancé was abusive during the incident, which occurred Saturday at the Westin Beach Resort and Spa. No one was hurt.
The Politico piece is too long to excerpt here, but be sure to read it in its entirety. According to the site, Fried’s main political advisor, Eric Johnson, resigned from Fried’s political committee before going public with his concerns.
“Nikki Fried has unlimited potential for what she can do, personally and as a politician,” Johnson said in an interview. “I think what has happened with her in this relationship is causing her to not be able to function, and eventually it could get her very, very hurt. On many occasions, she has described to me and other senior staff her relationship as mentally abusive, and on Saturday she called it physically abusive.” “I simply can’t stand by and watch it happen,” Johnson said.
For their part, both Fried and her boyfriend, marijuana entrepreneur Robert “Jake” Bergmann, deny that any type of physical abuse took place, though Fried did acknowledge an argument between the two that she says shouldn’t have gotten to “any point that Jake would be escorted off a piece of property, but it does not rise to any levels of verbal or emotional abuse.”
Besides Johnson, Politico spoke with three other people who either work for Fried or are connected to Democratic politics in Florida who also expressed concern about what’s going on with the Ag Commissioner. Oddly, they don’t have any quotes, whether on the record or on background, from anyone close to Fried who’s willing to say that the allegations of abuse are off base and out of line (other than her boyfriend, of course).
I’m not a fan of Nikki Fried’s politics, and I’m sure if she even knew who I was she’d think I was a “tool of the gun lobby” or some nonsense like that, but that doesn’t mean I wish her any ill intent or personal harm. Honestly, the Politico story reads more like an intervention than a piece of “gotcha” journalism, and it really sounds like beyond the stress of the lawsuit she’s facing over the suspension of concealed carry applications, she’s going through some serious personal stuff at the moment.
I can’t wish her well in her legal fight, but I’m one of those few weirdos still left in this country who believe that there are some things that are deeper than politics. On a human level, I can and will say a prayer for Fried. I have no idea which side was more honest when talking to Politico, but I do know there’s really no excuse for emotional or physical abuse in a relationship, no matter how much love might be mixed in with the pain.


bearingarms--2020-06-21--More Than 90 People Have Been Shot In Minneapolis In The Past Month

While Minneapolis City Council members are still determined to abolish the city ’ s police force , residents may be having some second thoughts after a huge spike in the number of shootings in the city .
On Saturday evening , twelve people were shot , one fatally , in an exchange of gunfire between multiple individuals in the city ’ s Uptown neighborhood .
The violence began about 12:37 a.m. Sunday , when police responded to reports of gunfire during a large gathering of people in the 2900 block of Hennepin Avenue , according to police spokesman John Elder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ multiple victims and learned that others had left the scene in “ private vehicles.
” Several ambulances were summoned to the scene to care for the wounded .
He said that detectives had been assigned to investigate the case , but no arrests had been made as of Sunday morning .
A Facebook Live video posted by K.G .
Wilson , a longtime peace activist , showed the shooting ’ s chaotic aftermath , with bystanders tending to several victims sitting on a curb in the popular entertainment district on the city ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ awash in flashing blue and red lights .
At one point in the footage , a police officer and a bystander are seen carrying an injured person to a waiting ambulance .
According to the Star-Tribune newspaper , 19 people have been injured or killed in shootings in the city since Saturday afternoon , and more than 90 people have been shot in Minneapolis since May 26th .
Earlier this month , seven people were shot during a fight that started in a north Minneapolis bar before the crowd took to the street @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has dismissed allegations that the police force isn ’ t acting as proactively as it has in the past , telling reporters earlier this week that “ anybody would think that there is a stand-down order or some sort of work stoppage , that is patently false.
” It may be false , but isn ’ t that what the City Council is asking for ?
Politicians in the city have been proclaiming that that the cure of law enforcement is worse than the disease of violent crime , and have promised that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restored to the city ’ s streets .
Instead , what we ’ re witnessing in Minneapolis and other deep-blue Democrat-controlled cities around the country is that criminals feel emboldened now that politicians have declared police officers to be the biggest threat to law-and-order .
I ’ ve written in the past that I ’ m in favor of certain policing reforms like ending “ no-knock ” raids and requiring body-worn cameras , but there ’ s a big difference between undertaking reforms and gutting departments or “ re-imagining policing.
” As long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are seeing by politicians to be the biggest threat to public safety , expect the chaos on the streets of these cities to continue to ramp up through the long , hot summer months ahead of us .

While Minneapolis City Council members are still determined to abolish the city’s police force, residents may be having some second thoughts after a huge spike in the number of shootings in the city. On Saturday evening, twelve people were shot, one fatally, in an exchange of gunfire between multiple individuals in the city’s Uptown neighborhood.
The violence began about 12:37 a.m. Sunday, when police responded to reports of gunfire during a large gathering of people in the 2900 block of Hennepin Avenue, according to police spokesman John Elder. He said officers arrived to find multiple victims and learned that others had left the scene in “private vehicles.” Several ambulances were summoned to the scene to care for the wounded. He said that detectives had been assigned to investigate the case, but no arrests had been made as of Sunday morning. A Facebook Live video posted by K.G. Wilson, a longtime peace activist, showed the shooting’s chaotic aftermath, with bystanders tending to several victims sitting on a curb in the popular entertainment district on the city’s South Side. The scene was awash in flashing blue and red lights. At one point in the footage, a police officer and a bystander are seen carrying an injured person to a waiting ambulance.
According to the Star-Tribune newspaper, 19 people have been injured or killed in shootings in the city since Saturday afternoon, and more than 90 people have been shot in Minneapolis since May 26th. Earlier this month, seven people were shot during a fight that started in a north Minneapolis bar before the crowd took to the street outside.
Minneapolis police spokesman John Elder has dismissed allegations that the police force isn’t acting as proactively as it has in the past, telling reporters earlier this week that “anybody would think that there is a stand-down order or some sort of work stoppage, that is patently false.”
It may be false, but isn’t that what the City Council is asking for? Politicians in the city have been proclaiming that that the cure of law enforcement is worse than the disease of violent crime, and have promised that as policing disappears, peace will be restored to the city’s streets.
Instead, what we’re witnessing in Minneapolis and other deep-blue Democrat-controlled cities around the country is that criminals feel emboldened now that politicians have declared police officers to be the biggest threat to law-and-order. I’ve written in the past that I’m in favor of certain policing reforms like ending “no-knock” raids and requiring body-worn cameras, but there’s a big difference between undertaking reforms and gutting departments or “re-imagining policing.” As long as cops, not violent criminals, are seeing by politicians to be the biggest threat to public safety, expect the chaos on the streets of these cities to continue to ramp up through the long, hot summer months ahead of us.


bearingarms--2020-06-21--New York's SAFE Act Useless As Shootings Spike Across State

At least 22 people have been shot in New York City this weekend , including a man who was gunned down at point blank range as he was washing his car in Brooklyn on Saturday afternoon , and the rapid rise in violent crime isn ’ t limited only to the state ’ s biggest city .
In Syracuse , 9 people were shot on Saturday evening at what ’ s being described as a “ celebration ” in the city .
The party in a parking lot behind WCNY Studios near the intersection of Wyoming Street and Marcellus was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chief Kenton Buckner .
All nine victims were sent to the hospital with various injuries although the most seriously hurt was also the youngest : a 17-year-old male .
Syracuse Police report , when officers arrived , that people were running away and yelling .
Buckner said the incident was first called in as a stolen car complaint , and when officers arrived people said there was a person shooting .
Buckner said his officers did not hear gunfire while they were at the scene .
In the state capitol of Albany , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ held a press conference on Friday to implore the public to cooperate with law enforcement as they try to cope with a staggering increase in violent crime .
According to Hawkins , they have seen three times as many shots-fired incidents in 2020 than they did at this point in 2019 .
Hawkins said the pandemic lead to a decrease in community policing and restricted the department ’ s ability to address issues that arose .
Now with the area opening back up , Hawkins is seeking help from the community to stifle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ together in a united front to address this issue , ” Hawkins said .
“ We are arresting people , we are taking guns off the street , but yet this problem is persisting .
We need more .
We need more than just innovatice police strategies , we need more than just more cops .
We need our community to help.
” Other city leaders at the Friday press conference said the community knows who the shooters are , and pleaded with people not to wait until they are personally impacted by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York has some of the most restrictive gun laws in the country , thanks in large part to the SAFE Act signed into law by Gov .
Andrew Cuomo in 2013 .
So-called assault weapons are banned , ammunition magazines with more than seven rounds of ammunition are illegal , and possession of a firearm without a license is a felony crime .
Cuomo has claimed that the law “ stops criminals and the dangerously mentally ill from buying a gun , ” but clearly criminals are paying as much attention to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as they are the laws on the books prohibiting aggravated assault and homicide .
In New York City , officials are still doubling down on the idea that more gun control and fewer police officers on the streets will lead to less shootings .
“ We are going to put more and more resources into the Cure Violence movement and the Crisis Management System , which has proven to be extraordinarily effective in stopping gun violence before it happens and mediating conflicts , ” Mayor Bill de Blasio has said .
The mayor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 10 million for more staff and sites , especially those with high gun violence in areas including Jamaica , Canarsie , and Crown Heights .
“ During the month of May , we are seeing an increase of 25 percent in homicides in the last few days , so it is concerning – we are deploying our Cure Violence particularly in retaliation shootings , ” said Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams .
While the City Council is proposing $ 1 billion in cuts to the police department , Adams is backing that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the front end , we won ’ t be dealing with the crisis on the back end , that is how we have been policing in the city , ” he said .
According to the city ’ s website , the Cure Violence program : “ employs ‘ violence interrupters ’ and outreach workers from the community who have themselves experienced violence and also have strong relationships with young adults , community leaders , and service providers .
Violence interrupters stop conflicts before they happen , and outreach workers re-direct the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ streets .
Outreach workers implement a detailed risk reduction plan that links youth with needed services .
These connections result in the cooling of violence hot spots , in addition to positive outcomes for those who participate in the intervention.
” I don ’ t have a problem with Cure Violence ’ s strategy in theory , as long as it ’ s working .
Unfortunately , at the moment , the “ violence interruptors ” don ’ t seem to be actually interrupting the violence at all .
While anti-gun politicians like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their hands and twiddle their thumbs , New York ’ s violent criminals are having a field day , and law-abiding New Yorkers should be asking themselves this simple question : who exactly is safer thanks to the SAFE Act and the state ’ s gun control regime ?

At least 22 people have been shot in New York City this weekend, including a man who was gunned down at point blank range as he was washing his car in Brooklyn on Saturday afternoon, and the rapid rise in violent crime isn’t limited only to the state’s biggest city. In Syracuse, 9 people were shot on Saturday evening at what’s being described as a “celebration” in the city.
The party in a parking lot behind WCNY Studios near the intersection of Wyoming Street and Marcellus was attended by hundreds according to Syracuse Police Chief Kenton Buckner. All nine victims were sent to the hospital with various injuries although the most seriously hurt was also the youngest: a 17-year-old male. Syracuse Police report, when officers arrived, that people were running away and yelling. Buckner said the incident was first called in as a stolen car complaint, and when officers arrived people said there was a person shooting. Buckner said his officers did not hear gunfire while they were at the scene.
In the state capitol of Albany, Chief Eric Hawkins and Mayor Kathy Sheehan held a press conference on Friday to implore the public to cooperate with law enforcement as they try to cope with a staggering increase in violent crime.
According to Hawkins, they have seen three times as many shots-fired incidents in 2020 than they did at this point in 2019. Hawkins said the pandemic lead to a decrease in community policing and restricted the department’s ability to address issues that arose. Now with the area opening back up, Hawkins is seeking help from the community to stifle the violence. “We are working together in a united front to address this issue,” Hawkins said. “We are arresting people, we are taking guns off the street, but yet this problem is persisting. We need more. We need more than just innovatice police strategies, we need more than just more cops. We need our community to help.” Other city leaders at the Friday press conference said the community knows who the shooters are, and pleaded with people not to wait until they are personally impacted by gun violence.
Keep in mind that New York has some of the most restrictive gun laws in the country, thanks in large part to the SAFE Act signed into law by Gov. Andrew Cuomo in 2013. So-called assault weapons are banned, ammunition magazines with more than seven rounds of ammunition are illegal, and possession of a firearm without a license is a felony crime. Cuomo has claimed that the law “stops criminals and the dangerously mentally ill from buying a gun,” but clearly criminals are paying as much attention to the state’s gun control laws as they are the laws on the books prohibiting aggravated assault and homicide.
In New York City, officials are still doubling down on the idea that more gun control and fewer police officers on the streets will lead to less shootings.
“We are going to put more and more resources into the Cure Violence movement and the Crisis Management System, which has proven to be extraordinarily effective in stopping gun violence before it happens and mediating conflicts,” Mayor Bill de Blasio has said. The mayor has increased the Cure Violence budget by $10 million for more staff and sites, especially those with high gun violence in areas including Jamaica, Canarsie, and Crown Heights. “During the month of May, we are seeing an increase of 25 percent in homicides in the last few days, so it is concerning – we are deploying our Cure Violence particularly in retaliation shootings,” said Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams. While the City Council is proposing $1 billion in cuts to the police department, Adams is backing that decision. “If we put money on the front end, we won’t be dealing with the crisis on the back end, that is how we have been policing in the city,” he said.
According to the city’s website, the Cure Violence program:
“employs ‘violence interrupters’ and outreach workers from the community who have themselves experienced violence and also have strong relationships with young adults, community leaders, and service providers. Violence interrupters stop conflicts before they happen, and outreach workers re-direct the highest-risk youth away from life on the streets. Outreach workers implement a detailed risk reduction plan that links youth with needed services. These connections result in the cooling of violence hot spots, in addition to positive outcomes for those who participate in the intervention.”
I don’t have a problem with Cure Violence’s strategy in theory, as long as it’s working. Unfortunately, at the moment, the “violence interruptors” don’t seem to be actually interrupting the violence at all.
During the month of May, overall crime decreased compared to the same period last year. But the NYPD says murders in the city increase by 79%. Shootings went up 64%, while burglaries rose 34%.
While anti-gun politicians like Bill de Blasio and Andrew Cuomo wring their hands and twiddle their thumbs, New York’s violent criminals are having a field day, and law-abiding New Yorkers should be asking themselves this simple question: who exactly is safer thanks to the SAFE Act and the state’s gun control regime?


bearingarms--2020-06-22--How Spike In Gun Sales Will Inhibit Anti-Gun Activist Investors

Over the last several months , we ’ ve run several stories about the increase in gun sales throughout the country .
Millions upon millions of Americans bought their first firearm this year .
On top of that , the regular gun buyers are still purchasing guns–assuming they can find them in stock , anyway–just like the did before .
Let ’ s be honest , it ’ s a good time to be in the gun business .
However , some investors in the gun manufacturers don ’ t actually care about arming law-abiding citizens .
They ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their status as investors to try and pressure companies into adopting gun policies .
Well , things are going to get a bit more difficult for them..
Recently , gun stocks have been increasing as the situation in the US created an unprecedented demand for guns .
The data from National Instant Criminal Background Check Systems ( NICS ) , which does background checks for gun buyers , show that in March and May this year , the background checks crossed 3 million for the first time .
As the economy went down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , many people expected that crimes would go up and bought guns for their safety .
The political unrest , the fear of racism and the possible changes in the administration hiked the demand for firearms this year .
It ’ s worth noting that firearm background checks for the first five months of 2020 totaled more than 15.2 million compared to 11.3 million during the first five months in 2019 .
Smith & Wesson reported its fourth quarter 2020 results last Thursday .
The gunmaker ’ s revenue jumped 32.9 % to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 2020 beating the market ’ s view of $ 217.6 million .
Adjusted earnings of $ 0.57 per share surpassed the analysts ’ estimates of 40 cents a share .
Firearms segment revenue soared 37 % annually due to strong orders from retailers and distributors , which was driven by sudden and heightened consumer demand for the firearms .
In the fourth quarter , e-commerce channel grew 103 % compared to the prior year and included a significant increase in direct-to-consumer sales .
Now , what happens when a company is making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tend to buy up those stocks .
Increased interest in owning the stock drives up the prices .
That ’ s how it works in any industry , really .
However , for activist investors , this is bad news .
You see , these activist investors are generally not overly wealthy people .
They ’ re activists and are making what should be business decisions based on their own politics .
The real investors , however , are looking to make money .
They outnumber the activists and tend to have collectively @ @ @ @ @ @ @ factors , they ’ re going to buy stocks in gun companies looking to make a profit .
As such , they ’ ll drive the price up so activist investors will have a much more difficult time trying to gain more of a say in how a company operates .
They simply won ’ t be able to afford as much stock .
Further , those new investors will want to continue to make money .
They ’ ll actively oppose measures that would inhibit profit at these companies , something activist-investors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They actually want the companies to fail to some degree .
They want to lose everything they have invested because they ’ re not looking to make a profit .
Morally , they figure such a profit is wrong anyway .
Yet they ’ re the minority and as increased gun sales drive more investors to look at these companies , the activists are going to have a much , much more difficult time going forward .

Over the last several months, we’ve run several stories about the increase in gun sales throughout the country. Millions upon millions of Americans bought their first firearm this year. On top of that, the regular gun buyers are still purchasing guns–assuming they can find them in stock, anyway–just like the did before.
Let’s be honest, it’s a good time to be in the gun business.
However, some investors in the gun manufacturers don’t actually care about arming law-abiding citizens. They’re anti-gun activists who are trying to use their status as investors to try and pressure companies into adopting gun policies.
Well, things are going to get a bit more difficult for them..
Recently, gun stocks have been increasing as the situation in the US created an unprecedented demand for guns. The data from National Instant Criminal Background Check Systems (NICS), which does background checks for gun buyers, show that in March and May this year, the background checks crossed 3 million for the first time. As the economy went down and the job market collapsed this year, many people expected that crimes would go up and bought guns for their safety. The political unrest, the fear of racism and the possible changes in the administration hiked the demand for firearms this year. It’s worth noting that firearm background checks for the first five months of 2020 totaled more than 15.2 million compared to 11.3 million during the first five months in 2019. … Smith & Wesson reported its fourth quarter 2020 results last Thursday. The gunmaker’s revenue jumped 32.9% to $233.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2020 beating the market’s view of $217.6 million. Adjusted earnings of $0.57 per share surpassed the analysts’ estimates of 40 cents a share. Firearms segment revenue soared 37% annually due to strong orders from retailers and distributors, which was driven by sudden and heightened consumer demand for the firearms. In the fourth quarter, e-commerce channel grew 103% compared to the prior year and included a significant increase in direct-to-consumer sales.
Now, what happens when a company is making insane profits like this is that investors tend to buy up those stocks. Increased interest in owning the stock drives up the prices. That’s how it works in any industry, really.
However, for activist investors, this is bad news.
You see, these activist investors are generally not overly wealthy people. They’re activists and are making what should be business decisions based on their own politics.
The real investors, however, are looking to make money. They outnumber the activists and tend to have collectively deeper pockets. Because of those two factors, they’re going to buy stocks in gun companies looking to make a profit.
As such, they’ll drive the price up so activist investors will have a much more difficult time trying to gain more of a say in how a company operates. They simply won’t be able to afford as much stock.
Further, those new investors will want to continue to make money. They’ll actively oppose measures that would inhibit profit at these companies, something activist-investors don’t really care about. They actually want the companies to fail to some degree. They want to lose everything they have invested because they’re not looking to make a profit. Morally, they figure such a profit is wrong anyway.
Yet they’re the minority and as increased gun sales drive more investors to look at these companies, the activists are going to have a much, much more difficult time going forward.
Thankfully.


bearingarms--2020-06-22--Armed Demonstrators Leave Richmond Mayor With Tough Decision

It was only six months ago that tens of thousands of gun owners crowded into downtown Richmond , Virginia , to rally in opposition to Gov .
Ralph Northam ’ s gun control proposals , including a bill that would allow local governments to ban firearms on public property .
Few of the gun owners in attendance at the time , myself included , likely remembered that in July of 2019 , the Richmond city council approved the ban , with the provision that the ordinance not take effect until state law had changed .
At the time , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a political stunt before a special session of the legislature called by Northam after the Virginia Beach shooting .
Republicans , who were then in control of the state legislature , adjourned without approving any new gun control laws , but Democrats passed a half-dozen gun control bills , including the bill allowing localities to ban guns in public buildings and parks when they took control of the state legislature last November .
Now we ’ re just days away from the July 1st effective date of that new law , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a thorny political question : does he dare enforce the law if it disarms protesters largely on the Left ?
The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports today that an unknown number of armed citizens are “ patrolling ” the grassy circle where the city ’ s statue of Robert E. Lee has become a focal point of protests , and they say they aren ’ t going anywhere .
Now , I don ’ t have a problem with this , but I ’ m not the city ’ s anti-gun mayor or a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They clearly do have issues with citizens lawfully carrying firearms in parks and other public places , so what happens on July 1st when their gun ban takes effect ?
Will they start arresting the armed protesters at the Lee statue ?
Or will they decide that even though the law is now in effect , there ’ s no need to enforce it ?
Lee Circle isn ’ t a Richmond version of Seattle ’ s CHAZ ( or CHOP , or whatever they ’ re calling it today ) , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the protests , and if violence is going to flare anywhere in the city , that ’ s the most likely spot .
Tensions became tense on Sunday evening a short distance away as police moved in after protesters tried to tear down a statue of Confederate general J.E.B .
Stuart , and a protest scheduled for Tuesday evening to “ Take the City Back ” encouraged attendees to “ Make Noise , Wear Black , Bring Attitude.
” I ’ m sure Mayor Levar Stoney and city council members would love @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but any arrest would undoubtably cause tensions to flare even higher than they are at the moment .
If the city could remove the Lee statue on July 1st , when another new law takes effect giving localities the authority to remove Confederate monuments , it might cause the crowds to disperse , including the armed citizens , and removing the need to enforce the law .
However , there ’ s a court challenge to the removal underway , and a judge has issued a restraining order blocking the city from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That leaves Mayor Stoney in a difficult situation .
Last year when the city passed what many believed at the time to be a largely symbolic vote , the mayor proclaimed that city leaders had “ showed the spine to act.
” Now the question is whether Stoney will show his spine once again and enforce the law that he demanded , or if he ’ ll look the other way at violations for purposes of political expediency .
I suspect that Stoney will develop a sudden case of amnesia in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city council ’ s actions last year .
After all , Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan has turned a blind eye to the countless violations of Washington State gun laws at CHAZ over the past week , so Stoney wouldn ’ t be the first Democrat mayor to inadvertently give approval to the idea of Second Amendment Sanctuaries where some gun laws are just ignored by local governments .
It may be the height of hypocrisy , but I ’ d say it ’ s also the most likely outcome .

It was only six months ago that tens of thousands of gun owners crowded into downtown Richmond, Virginia, to rally in opposition to Gov. Ralph Northam’s gun control proposals, including a bill that would allow local governments to ban firearms on public property. Few of the gun owners in attendance at the time, myself included, likely remembered that in July of 2019, the Richmond city council approved the ban, with the provision that the ordinance not take effect until state law had changed. At the time, it was seen largely as a symbolic vote and a political stunt before a special session of the legislature called by Northam after the Virginia Beach shooting.
Republicans, who were then in control of the state legislature, adjourned without approving any new gun control laws, but Democrats passed a half-dozen gun control bills, including the bill allowing localities to ban guns in public buildings and parks when they took control of the state legislature last November. Now we’re just days away from the July 1st effective date of that new law, and Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney is suddenly faced with a thorny political question: does he dare enforce the law if it disarms protesters largely on the Left?
The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports today that an unknown number of armed citizens are “patrolling” the grassy circle where the city’s statue of Robert E. Lee has become a focal point of protests, and they say they aren’t going anywhere.
Now, I don’t have a problem with this, but I’m not the city’s anti-gun mayor or a member of its anti-gun city council. They clearly do have issues with citizens lawfully carrying firearms in parks and other public places, so what happens on July 1st when their gun ban takes effect? Will they start arresting the armed protesters at the Lee statue? Or will they decide that even though the law is now in effect, there’s no need to enforce it?
Lee Circle isn’t a Richmond version of Seattle’s CHAZ (or CHOP, or whatever they’re calling it today), but it has been the center of most of the protests, and if violence is going to flare anywhere in the city, that’s the most likely spot. Tensions became tense on Sunday evening a short distance away as police moved in after protesters tried to tear down a statue of Confederate general J.E.B. Stuart, and a protest scheduled for Tuesday evening to “Take the City Back” encouraged attendees to “Make Noise, Wear Black, Bring Attitude.”
I’m sure Mayor Levar Stoney and city council members would love to legally disarm the protesters carrying guns, but any arrest would undoubtably cause tensions to flare even higher than they are at the moment. If the city could remove the Lee statue on July 1st, when another new law takes effect giving localities the authority to remove Confederate monuments, it might cause the crowds to disperse, including the armed citizens, and removing the need to enforce the law. However, there’s a court challenge to the removal underway, and a judge has issued a restraining order blocking the city from removing the statue for the time being.
That leaves Mayor Stoney in a difficult situation. Last year when the city passed what many believed at the time to be a largely symbolic vote, the mayor proclaimed that city leaders had “showed the spine to act.” Now the question is whether Stoney will show his spine once again and enforce the law that he demanded, or if he’ll look the other way at violations for purposes of political expediency.
I suspect that Stoney will develop a sudden case of amnesia in the coming days and forget all about the city council’s actions last year. After all, Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan has turned a blind eye to the countless violations of Washington State gun laws at CHAZ over the past week, so Stoney wouldn’t be the first Democrat mayor to inadvertently give approval to the idea of Second Amendment Sanctuaries where some gun laws are just ignored by local governments. It may be the height of hypocrisy, but I’d say it’s also the most likely outcome.
**UPDATE**
As it turns out, the Lee statue is the one Confederate monument in the city that is under the control of the state government instead of the municipal authorities, which means that it’s not up to Mayor Stoney to enforce the city’s new ordinance against armed citizens at that particular statue. Well, on Monday evening, the state of Virginia imposed a new dusk-to-dawn prohibition on public gatherings at the Lee statue, though protesters were defying the order shortly after sundown. Other demonstrators have set up a new protest zone right across from City Hall that they’re dubbing “Reclamation Square.”
Not only is the new encampment clearly on city-owned property, it sounds like the protesters aren’t planning on going anywhere.
What happens at the Lee statue may be Ralph Northam’s problem, but what happens at “Reclamation Square” is squarely Mayor Stoney’s responsibility, and if demonstrators plan on being there for the long haul, undoubtably there’ll soon be armed citizens patrolling that area as well. In other words, Mayor Levar Stoney is still going to have a difficult decision to make in the days to come; enforce his new gun control law against demonstrators, or make a mockery of the state’s gun control movement that pushed so hard to get the law on the books in the first place.


bearingarms--2020-06-22--How Riots Made One Man Buy His First Firearm

When it became clear that COVID-19 was not only on American shores but also not likely to be contained , a lot of people bought guns .
Many because , as Asian-Americans , they feared being blamed for the virus .
Many others because they feared a lack of police response to 9-1-1 calls due to the coronavirus .
However , many other people didn ’ t .
They didn ’ t see the virus as having nearly as bad of an impact as some did .
They weren ’ t concerned about the following economic issues potentially leading to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they didn ’ t think it was necessary .
Then George Floyd died .
At that moment , the nation ’ s simmering tensions exploded and cities burned .
Cities .
Plural .
That prompted more to buy guns .
Over at The Federalist , one of those describes his thinking .
I bought a gun last weekend .
It ’ s not a purchase I wanted to make , and I pray I never have to use it , but with mayhem recently engulfing cities across the United States , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and purchasing firearms .
Mine is a Springfield 9mm — something small enough to fit in my nightstand or under my driver ’ s seat should I have to visit one of America ’ s many war-torn cities .
But it ’ s powerful enough to do the job .
I ’ ve pondered the purchase for years but always found a reason to put it off .
The carnage that has rocked the country over the last couple of weeks , however , sealed the deal .
After all , I have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ best I can , and when the government ’ s protections begin to break down , a firearm becomes my only option .
Writer Greg Jones notes that he ’ s not anti-gun or anything .
He just didn ’ t figure it was something he needed .
For the average Bearing Arms reader , that probably doesn ’ t make a lot of sense , but we ’ re gun people .
We tend to focus on this a bit more and we ’ re more likely to actually have guns just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Jones isn ’ t–or , at least , wasn ’ t–like that .
Despite being a conservative and having written pieces for The Federalist as far back as 2015 , he just isn ’ t that into guns .
There ’ s nothing wrong with that .
What matters , though , is that Jones clearly understands the realities we often espouse .
I seriously doubt I will get the same trigger rush as my gun-loving friends , but I ’ m not in this for the thrills .
Knowing that if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a fighting chance of defending my home is well worth an arduous hour or so at the range .
In fact , I have come to view it as my civic responsibility as I witness , in real time , the unraveling of the societal structures that are supposed to ensure our safety .
With weak mayors and powerless police , we have little choice but to take our safety into our own hands .
A applaud Jones for coming to this conclusion .
I also urge him to train with his weapon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Training isn ’ t about the thrill–though having that thrill helps .
It ’ s about making sure you ’ re competent with the weapon should the time come you need to trust your life to it .
That ’ s a day that none of us want to see , of course , but if it does come , we all want to be ready .
The thing to remember here is that Jones isn ’ t alone .
While many anti-gun activists are busy patting themselves on the back for their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of people who are now gun owners who weren ’ t on January 1st .
Most of them probably weren ’ t planning on buying a gun this year , either , yet here they are .
That could make things interesting come November for a party that has decided to push a gun control narrative as a key issue in 2020 .

When it became clear that COVID-19 was not only on American shores but also not likely to be contained, a lot of people bought guns. Many because, as Asian-Americans, they feared being blamed for the virus. Many others because they feared a lack of police response to 9-1-1 calls due to the coronavirus.
However, many other people didn’t. They didn’t see the virus as having nearly as bad of an impact as some did. They weren’t concerned about the following economic issues potentially leading to crime, either.
All in all, they didn’t think it was necessary.
Then George Floyd died. At that moment, the nation’s simmering tensions exploded and cities burned. Cities. Plural.
That prompted more to buy guns. Over at The Federalist, one of those describes his thinking.
I bought a gun last weekend. It’s not a purchase I wanted to make, and I pray I never have to use it, but with mayhem recently engulfing cities across the United States, I and many others are biting the bullet and purchasing firearms. Mine is a Springfield 9mm — something small enough to fit in my nightstand or under my driver’s seat should I have to visit one of America’s many war-torn cities. But it’s powerful enough to do the job. I’ve pondered the purchase for years but always found a reason to put it off. The carnage that has rocked the country over the last couple of weeks, however, sealed the deal. After all, I have a duty to protect my family as best I can, and when the government’s protections begin to break down, a firearm becomes my only option.
Writer Greg Jones notes that he’s not anti-gun or anything. He just didn’t figure it was something he needed.
For the average Bearing Arms reader, that probably doesn’t make a lot of sense, but we’re gun people. We tend to focus on this a bit more and we’re more likely to actually have guns just because they’re awesome.
However, Jones isn’t–or, at least, wasn’t–like that. Despite being a conservative and having written pieces for The Federalist as far back as 2015, he just isn’t that into guns. There’s nothing wrong with that. What matters, though, is that Jones clearly understands the realities we often espouse.
I seriously doubt I will get the same trigger rush as my gun-loving friends, but I’m not in this for the thrills. Knowing that if someone kicks in my door I have a fighting chance of defending my home is well worth an arduous hour or so at the range. In fact, I have come to view it as my civic responsibility as I witness, in real time, the unraveling of the societal structures that are supposed to ensure our safety. … With weak mayors and powerless police, we have little choice but to take our safety into our own hands.
A applaud Jones for coming to this conclusion. I also urge him to train with his weapon as regularly as his gun-loving friends. Training isn’t about the thrill–though having that thrill helps. It’s about making sure you’re competent with the weapon should the time come you need to trust your life to it. That’s a day that none of us want to see, of course, but if it does come, we all want to be ready.
The thing to remember here is that Jones isn’t alone.
While many anti-gun activists are busy patting themselves on the back for their past victories, there are a lot of people who are now gun owners who weren’t on January 1st. Most of them probably weren’t planning on buying a gun this year, either, yet here they are.
That could make things interesting come November for a party that has decided to push a gun control narrative as a key issue in 2020.


bearingarms--2020-06-22--Meet The Police Chief Forced To Step Down After Expressing Support For The 2A

Former police chief Steven Bukula spent nearly 25 years on the police force in Lowell , Michigan , but says he was forced to resign by the city manager after a post on the department ’ s Facebook page stirred up critics who accused the chief of racism , homophobia , and encouraging vigilantism .
What on earth could Bukula have said that sparked such an outcry ?
“ The Lowell Police Department supports the Second Amendment and the armed citizen.
” That ’ s it .
Nothing more .
Bukula joins me on today ’ s Bearing Arms ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attorney Katherine Henry , to discuss the Facebook post , his forced resignation , and the outpouring of support for the chief from Lowell residents in the wake of his dismissal .
The situation began a couple of weeks ago , when four armed citizens took to the streets of Lowell intent on protecting local businesses from the riots and looting that had recently taken place in nearby Grand Rapids .
The Facebook post by Bukula showed the four men , informed the public that the department was aware of what was going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being broken .
Bukula then added that last line , but when some of the comments on the post began criticizing Bukula and the department , the city manager allegedly told Bukula to make a choice : resign by 5:00 p.m. or be fired at 5:01 .
Bukula , who ’ d been with the department since 1995 and was named chief in 2013 , told me he reluctantly tendered his resignation under duress , in part because he was afraid that if he was fired he wouldn ’ t be able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that was underway .
As word of the resignation spread throughout the small town , support for Bukula began appearing online , and he says he ’ s been overwhelmed by the staggering number of residents who ’ ve spoken up in his defense .
Supporters have rallied around Bukala .
A GoFundMe page set up for him raised nearly $ 8,000 in its first two days .
A demonstration denouncing the chief ’ s ouster was held in Lowell over the weekend .
“ I ’ ll be honest with you .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a loss for words , ” Bukala said .
But he also said some of that support has turned vile .
Bukala said Lowell ’ s city manager has received threats , something Bukala denounced as wrong and inappropriate .
Katherine Henry , Bukala ’ s attorney , said she and the former chief are considering legal options .
They plan to address the Lowell City Council at the board ’ s next scheduled meeting Monday at City Hall .
Henry said they plan to make requests of city leaders but asking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t part of the plan .
Bukala said some city council members have been at odds with him and he doesn ’ t want to return to work under those condition .
I can ’ t say I blame him .
Ultimately , the reason why Bukula was told to step down or be fired is because he took the completely uncontroversial position of respecting the Second Amendment .
As he told me on today ’ s program , every city council member and elected official in Lowell has taken an oath @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Do these council members not support the Second Amendment ?
Do they not support the concept of the armed citizen ?
If that ’ s the case , they ’ re the ones that need to step down , and if they do support the right of the people to keep and bear arms , then they should stand by their oath and defend the Second Amendment and their local chief when the department takes a pro-Constitution stand as well .
Be sure to check out the entire interview with Bukula and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ above , and stick around afterwards for even more news , including an arrest for a murder at a protest in Davenport , Iowa where the suspect had repeated run-ins with the law but failed to ever receive any time behind bars for his violent crimes ; an armed citizen in Shreveport , Louisiana who defended her brother from a pair of armed robbers ; and an off-duty police officer in Houston , Texas in the right place at the right time to save the life of a woman severely injured in an @ @ @

Former police chief Steven Bukula spent nearly 25 years on the police force in Lowell, Michigan, but says he was forced to resign by the city manager after a post on the department’s Facebook page stirred up critics who accused the chief of racism, homophobia, and encouraging vigilantism. What on earth could Bukula have said that sparked such an outcry?
“The Lowell Police Department supports the Second Amendment and the armed citizen.”
That’s it. Nothing more.
Bukula joins me on today’s Bearing Arms’ Cam & Co, along with his attorney Katherine Henry, to discuss the Facebook post, his forced resignation, and the outpouring of support for the chief from Lowell residents in the wake of his dismissal.
The situation began a couple of weeks ago, when four armed citizens took to the streets of Lowell intent on protecting local businesses from the riots and looting that had recently taken place in nearby Grand Rapids. The Facebook post by Bukula showed the four men, informed the public that the department was aware of what was going on, but that no laws were being broken. Bukula then added that last line, but when some of the comments on the post began criticizing Bukula and the department, the city manager allegedly told Bukula to make a choice: resign by 5:00 p.m. or be fired at 5:01.
Bukula, who’d been with the department since 1995 and was named chief in 2013, told me he reluctantly tendered his resignation under duress, in part because he was afraid that if he was fired he wouldn’t be able to complete a refinancing of his home mortgage that was underway.
As word of the resignation spread throughout the small town, support for Bukula began appearing online, and he says he’s been overwhelmed by the staggering number of residents who’ve spoken up in his defense.
Supporters have rallied around Bukala. A GoFundMe page set up for him raised nearly $8,000 in its first two days. A demonstration denouncing the chief’s ouster was held in Lowell over the weekend. “I’ll be honest with you. I was choked up and I was at a loss for words,” Bukala said. But he also said some of that support has turned vile. Bukala said Lowell’s city manager has received threats, something Bukala denounced as wrong and inappropriate. Katherine Henry, Bukala’s attorney, said she and the former chief are considering legal options. They plan to address the Lowell City Council at the board’s next scheduled meeting Monday at City Hall. Henry said they plan to make requests of city leaders but asking for Bukala’s job back isn’t part of the plan. Bukala said some city council members have been at odds with him and he doesn’t want to return to work under those condition.
I can’t say I blame him. Ultimately, the reason why Bukula was told to step down or be fired is because he took the completely uncontroversial position of respecting the Second Amendment. As he told me on today’s program, every city council member and elected official in Lowell has taken an oath to the same Constitution that Bukula did. Do these council members not support the Second Amendment? Do they not support the concept of the armed citizen? If that’s the case, they’re the ones that need to step down, and if they do support the right of the people to keep and bear arms, then they should stand by their oath and defend the Second Amendment and their local chief when the department takes a pro-Constitution stand as well.
Be sure to check out the entire interview with Bukula and attorney Katherine Henry in the video window above, and stick around afterwards for even more news, including an arrest for a murder at a protest in Davenport, Iowa where the suspect had repeated run-ins with the law but failed to ever receive any time behind bars for his violent crimes; an armed citizen in Shreveport, Louisiana who defended her brother from a pair of armed robbers; and an off-duty police officer in Houston, Texas in the right place at the right time to save the life of a woman severely injured in an auto accident.


bearingarms--2020-06-22--Anti-Cop Protestors Crash Gun Rights Rally In MI

All over the nation , there are a lot of people who don ’ t like the police .
They ’ re blaming their local departments over the actions of officers in completely different states , but they ’ re blaming them none the less .
Over recent weeks , we ’ ve seen these protests turn violent more times than we care to count .
So much so that armed citizens started turning out at these protests to , hopefully , discourage such things .
If not , then to be able to protect businesses .
However , many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way .
They saw gun people trying to muscle in on their protests .
In Lansing , Michigan , it seems that some of the anti-police protestors figured turnabout was fair play .
A political rally supporting gun rights was interrupted Thursday evening by counter protesters speaking out against police brutality and racism .
A few tense , confrontational moments at the state Capitol building ended peacefully , but without any resolution of the differences in opinion between the two groups .
Jason Howland , one of the organizers of the “ American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s not a member of any group calling itself a militia , but that the rally was meant to urge people to learn more about militias across Michigan .
“ What we want is for people… .
to understand ( militias ) aren ’ t wrong .
It ’ s not evil or violent .
It ’ s here to create peace , ” Howland said .
“ We started originally when the government said we couldn ’ t gather and couldn ’ t go to church .
We were upset about that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Midway through the rally , a group of counter protesters silently walked into the crowd in front of the Capitol steps with their arms up .
Then the diverse group of 20-30 mostly younger people laid down on the cement with their hands behind their backs – an homage to victims of police brutality .
Unsurprisingly , many in the crowd offered insults to the intruders because , well , they were being jackwagons .
Probably , in their mind , what they were doing was warranted because gun people have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an effort to protect landmarks or businesses .
It ’ s a thing that ’ s not going to stop .
However , one of the pro-gun folks stepped up .
Mt .
Pleasant resident Taylor Stalter , a member of a group called the “ Michigan Militia of Love , ” defended Birdsong ’ s group of protesters .
He yelled at members of the crowd that the protesters too were simply there exercising their rights .
With an AR-15 style pistol slung across his chest , Stalter tried to convince @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of militia groups and their protest weren ’ t in conflict .
Stalter said he ’ s been traveling to Detroit to support protesters against racism and police brutality in that city .
I suspect Stalter and I disagree on a fair bit , but I actually agree that the goals of the two groups aren ’ t in conflict .
After all , it ’ s not the gun rights crowd that wants to make it so only the police have guns .
Quite the contrary .
If police brutality is that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you want them to be even more powerful by taking away people ’ s means to defend themselves ?
However , this may well represent a potential problem going forward .
You see , if every rally that can be equated with the right starts getting crashed by leftists–even when their goals aren ’ t actually in opposition to one another–you ’ re likely to start seeing conflicts erupt .
After all , in some of their minds , we ’ re crashing their things .
They believe that we ’ re trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s nothing of the sort taking place .
It ’ s entirely possible that we ’ ll start seeing these things escalate and get ugly .
So , if you ’ re at a rally , please be wary and prepared .
Sooner or later , someone ’ s going to try and test someone else and it could get ugly , so be cautious .
Then again , none of that may happen .
People might just settle down and recognize that people are being stupid these days and everyone just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just know which way I ’ m leaning these days .

All over the nation, there are a lot of people who don’t like the police. They’re blaming their local departments over the actions of officers in completely different states, but they’re blaming them none the less.
Over recent weeks, we’ve seen these protests turn violent more times than we care to count. So much so that armed citizens started turning out at these protests to, hopefully, discourage such things. If not, then to be able to protect businesses.
However, many didn’t likely see it that way. They saw gun people trying to muscle in on their protests.
In Lansing, Michigan, it seems that some of the anti-police protestors figured turnabout was fair play.
A political rally supporting gun rights was interrupted Thursday evening by counter protesters speaking out against police brutality and racism. A few tense, confrontational moments at the state Capitol building ended peacefully, but without any resolution of the differences in opinion between the two groups. Jason Howland, one of the organizers of the “American Patriot Rally,” says he’s not a member of any group calling itself a militia, but that the rally was meant to urge people to learn more about militias across Michigan. “What we want is for people…. to understand (militias) aren’t wrong. It’s not evil or violent. It’s here to create peace,” Howland said. “We started originally when the government said we couldn’t gather and couldn’t go to church. We were upset about that so we came together,” Howland said. … Midway through the rally, a group of counter protesters silently walked into the crowd in front of the Capitol steps with their arms up. Then the diverse group of 20-30 mostly younger people laid down on the cement with their hands behind their backs – an homage to victims of police brutality.
Unsurprisingly, many in the crowd offered insults to the intruders because, well, they were being jackwagons.
Probably, in their mind, what they were doing was warranted because gun people have taken to showing up at leftist rallies in an effort to protect landmarks or businesses. It’s a thing that’s not going to stop.
However, one of the pro-gun folks stepped up.
Mt. Pleasant resident Taylor Stalter, a member of a group called the “Michigan Militia of Love,” defended Birdsong’s group of protesters. He yelled at members of the crowd that the protesters too were simply there exercising their rights. With an AR-15 style pistol slung across his chest, Stalter tried to convince Birdsong’s group that the goals of militia groups and their protest weren’t in conflict. Stalter said he’s been traveling to Detroit to support protesters against racism and police brutality in that city.
I suspect Stalter and I disagree on a fair bit, but I actually agree that the goals of the two groups aren’t in conflict.
After all, it’s not the gun rights crowd that wants to make it so only the police have guns. Quite the contrary. If police brutality is that pressing of an issue, why would you want them to be even more powerful by taking away people’s means to defend themselves?
However, this may well represent a potential problem going forward.
You see, if every rally that can be equated with the right starts getting crashed by leftists–even when their goals aren’t actually in opposition to one another–you’re likely to start seeing conflicts erupt. After all, in some of their minds, we’re crashing their things. They believe that we’re trying to intimidate them into silence when there’s nothing of the sort taking place.
It’s entirely possible that we’ll start seeing these things escalate and get ugly.
So, if you’re at a rally, please be wary and prepared. Sooner or later, someone’s going to try and test someone else and it could get ugly, so be cautious.
Then again, none of that may happen. People might just settle down and recognize that people are being stupid these days and everyone just agree to let it end.
I just know which way I’m leaning these days.


bearingarms--2020-06-22--FL Mass Shooting Averted Thanks To One Man's Bravery

If someone shows up to a random location where people congregate–a mall , a restaurant or bar , school , etc.–with something like an AK-47 and opens fire , we all have a pretty good idea of what he ’ s trying to accomplish .
This isn ’ t generally how someone settles a disagreement with an individual on a one-on-one basis , by and large .
Especially when you open fire while still outside the establishment in question .
Yet that ’ s precisely what William Carrodus did .
Now , we don ’ t normally name mass shooters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ encourage this sort of thing .
However , Carrodus isn ’ t a mass shooter .
He failed to reach that threshold , all because of the actions of the one man he did kill .
A delivery driver opened fire with an assault rifle at a pizzeria killing a 34-year-old who police said tried to get fellow employees and customers out of the busy restaurant just before noon Friday .
Police said the gunman , William Carrodus , 56 , who fired “ over a dozen ” rounds at Giuseppe ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killed Frank Strahorn , of Sebastian , who was also an employee at the restaurant .
Officials said Strahorn was pronounced dead at Sebastian River Medical Center .
Wood said Carrodus , of Sebastian , began firing outside the restaurant , striking parked cars and even a nearby home before he entered the restaurant through its main entrance where he reportedly continued firing .
“ There were more people inside the restaurant , ” Wood said .
“ The restaurant was fully open … it was right before lunch .
Wood said witnesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Carrodus began shooting .
“ The victim was doing a good job as far as getting people out of there to the best of his ability , ” Wood said .
“ He was yelling at them to get out of the restaurant.
” Altogether “ more than a dozen ” rounds were fired damaging the restaurant as well as nearby vehicles and a home .
When he was done , Carrodus sat the weapon down and waited for the police .
Strahorn ’ s bravery likely saved a lot of lives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about this on the national news .
This wasn ’ t trending on Twitter or anywhere else .
The only reason I knew of it was because of Strahorn ’ s history .
You see , Strahorn , the pizzeria hero , was apparently a Marine veteran .
He served in combat with a good friend of mine , which is how I learned of what transpired .
It also explains where he learned to keep a cool enough head to get people out and to safety , putting their lives ahead of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weird time .
On top of the civil unrest , we have people like Carrodus who think that every dispute needs to be handled with lethal violence .
They ’ re ready to slaughter dozens of innocent people over a disagreement .
That means we also need heroes like Strahorn .
We need people who will put their lives on hold , who are willing to make other people their priority and get them to safety .
When our mutual friend told me what happened , I said I would write this story @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what Frank Strahorn did .
His is a name we need to remember .
His is the name we need to remember , not the name of the jackwagons that slaughter so indiscriminately .
My friend , Jonathan LaForce , who served with Strahorn in the Marines , said , “ Tell the word we loved him .
Tell them he represented the very best of us .
And that as much as it hurts that we should lose so good a man , he was exactly the man every single person in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a hero and needs to be remembered as such .
Keep his family in your prayers and remember his valor .
Tell your children about it with the awe and reverence his sacrifice deserves .
We talk a lot about having a gun for a moment like this , but if that ’ s not possible , we at least need people like Strahorn .
May we have legions more among us .

If someone shows up to a random location where people congregate–a mall, a restaurant or bar, school, etc.–with something like an AK-47 and opens fire, we all have a pretty good idea of what he’s trying to accomplish. This isn’t generally how someone settles a disagreement with an individual on a one-on-one basis, by and large.
Especially when you open fire while still outside the establishment in question.
Yet that’s precisely what William Carrodus did.
Now, we don’t normally name mass shooters because we don’t want to encourage this sort of thing. However, Carrodus isn’t a mass shooter. He failed to reach that threshold, all because of the actions of the one man he did kill.
A delivery driver opened fire with an assault rifle at a pizzeria killing a 34-year-old who police said tried to get fellow employees and customers out of the busy restaurant just before noon Friday. Police said the gunman, William Carrodus, 56, who fired “over a dozen” rounds at Giuseppe’s Pizzeria & Italian Cuisine, shot and killed Frank Strahorn, of Sebastian, who was also an employee at the restaurant. Officials said Strahorn was pronounced dead at Sebastian River Medical Center. … Wood said Carrodus, of Sebastian, began firing outside the restaurant, striking parked cars and even a nearby home before he entered the restaurant through its main entrance where he reportedly continued firing. “There were more people inside the restaurant,” Wood said. “The restaurant was fully open … it was right before lunch. … Wood said witnesses told police about Strahorn’s actions as Carrodus began shooting. “The victim was doing a good job as far as getting people out of there to the best of his ability,” Wood said. “He was yelling at them to get out of the restaurant.” Altogether “more than a dozen” rounds were fired damaging the restaurant as well as nearby vehicles and a home.
When he was done, Carrodus sat the weapon down and waited for the police.
Strahorn’s bravery likely saved a lot of lives, yet you didn’t hear about this on the national news. This wasn’t trending on Twitter or anywhere else. The only reason I knew of it was because of Strahorn’s history.
You see, Strahorn, the pizzeria hero, was apparently a Marine veteran. He served in combat with a good friend of mine, which is how I learned of what transpired. It also explains where he learned to keep a cool enough head to get people out and to safety, putting their lives ahead of his own.
We live in a weird time. On top of the civil unrest, we have people like Carrodus who think that every dispute needs to be handled with lethal violence. They’re ready to slaughter dozens of innocent people over a disagreement.
That means we also need heroes like Strahorn. We need people who will put their lives on hold, who are willing to make other people their priority and get them to safety.
When our mutual friend told me what happened, I said I would write this story. I want the world to know what Frank Strahorn did. His is a name we need to remember. His is the name we need to remember, not the name of the jackwagons that slaughter so indiscriminately.
My friend, Jonathan LaForce, who served with Strahorn in the Marines, said, “Tell the word we loved him. Tell them he represented the very best of us. And that as much as it hurts that we should lose so good a man, he was exactly the man every single person in that pizzeria needed.”
LaForce said it perfectly.
Frank Strahorn is a hero and needs to be remembered as such. Keep his family in your prayers and remember his valor. Tell your children about it with the awe and reverence his sacrifice deserves.
We talk a lot about having a gun for a moment like this, but if that’s not possible, we at least need people like Strahorn. May we have legions more among us.


bearingarms--2020-06-22--KY Dem Senate Candidates Claim To Support 2A Rights, But Offer Only Gun Control

On Tuesday , voters in Kentucky will head to the polls to cast their votes in the state ’ s primary elections , and one of the most closely watched races is the Democrat primary for U.S. Senate .
The winner of the primary gets to take on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell in November , and until very recently , retired Lt. Col. Amy McGrath was considered a shoo-in .
Over the past several weeks , however , State Representative Charles Booker has seen a surge in support , and could pull off an upset this week .
While @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Amendment , neither one seems actually interested in doing anything to protect it .
In fact , both McGrath and Booker are eager to talk about what new gun laws they ’ d like to put in place while paying lip service to our right to keep and bear arms .
Here ’ s how McGrath is spinning her position on the Second Amendment .
“ I am a gun owner , I ’ m somebody who has been a United States Marine for 20 years , I ’ ve shot just about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least once , ” McGrath said when asked about guns .
She continued , ” I ’ m a gun owner , I don ’ t want yours I ’ ve got my own.
” She said she supports the second amendment and the right to own guns .
“ I ’ m for better background checks…we want to make sure bad people don ’ t get their hands on these weapons , ” she stated , “ the rest of us who are good , we don ’ t want our right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that she ’ s not in favor of a ban on so-called assault weapons , which is good .
Unfortunately , she ’ s also received backing from gun control groups that are pushing for a ban , and when she does talk about the Second Amendment , she sounds like she has far more in common with Michael Bloomberg than the average Kentucky gun owner .
How exactly are universal background checks “ meaningful ” ?
I doubt McGrath could even explain how requiring background checks on private gun transfers would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much less why she believes that criminals would pay any attention to the law .
Booker , meanwhile , is a little more upfront about his support for gun control laws , though he ’ s still careful to couch it in terms of backing the Second Amendment as well .
Booker says he respects that firearms are “ sacred ” for many Kentuckians .
“ I know for a fact the majority of Kentuckians are not looking at their firearm as a way to hurt anybody , ” he said .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our families safe are not contrary to one another .
“ Being able to stand up for common sense gun safety is our way of saying we respect the second amendment , we respect Kentuckians rights by making sure they ’ re not being taken advantage of for political expedience , ” Booker stated , adding he ’ s sided with law enforcement on gun legislation such as permitless concealed carry .
Having lost five family members to gun violence , Booker supports universal background checks and would support funding the CDC to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 45 in the Kentucky legislature this year , which , among other things , would have required the licensing and registration of all handguns and firearms defined as “ assault weapons , ” as well as mandating the “ the logging of firearms and ammunition sales.
” The bill also defined a “ large capacity magazine ” as one that can accept more than seven rounds of ammunition , which would have been a more draconian definition than what ’ s on the books in places like California or New Jersey .
For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Second Amendment , Booker sure does seem interested in criminalizing commonly owned arms and accessories , which in turn would lead to a lot of people ( many of them young black men ) facing felony charges for simply continuing to possess their legally-owned firearms without registering them with the State .
In other words , while both McGrath and Booker say they support the Second Amendment , they ’ ve only spoken up in support of restrictions on the right to keep and bear arms .
It would have been nice if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ simple question of both candidates when they started posturing on the issue : If you support the Second Amendment , can you give me an example of a current gun control law that you believe infringes on the right to keep and bear arms ?
I suspect the answer would involve a lot of “ umms ” and “ uhhs ” before finishing with a “ let me get back to you on that.
” Both McGrath and Booker know that Kentuckians support the Second Amendment , so they don ’ t want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same time , they can ’ t do more than offer lip service to the idea that they ’ ll protect the right to keep and bear arms .
And of course , if either of them were to actually replace Mitch McConnell in the U.S. Senate , they ’ d quickly fall in line and march to the beat of party leaders intent on passing sweeping gun control legislation as soon as they have the power to do so .

On Tuesday, voters in Kentucky will head to the polls to cast their votes in the state’s primary elections, and one of the most closely watched races is the Democrat primary for U.S. Senate. The winner of the primary gets to take on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell in November, and until very recently, retired Lt. Col. Amy McGrath was considered a shoo-in. Over the past several weeks, however, State Representative Charles Booker has seen a surge in support, and could pull off an upset this week.
While both candidates claim to support the Second Amendment, neither one seems actually interested in doing anything to protect it. In fact, both McGrath and Booker are eager to talk about what new gun laws they’d like to put in place while paying lip service to our right to keep and bear arms.
Here’s how McGrath is spinning her position on the Second Amendment.
“I am a gun owner, I’m somebody who has been a United States Marine for 20 years, I’ve shot just about every weapon you can think of at least once,” McGrath said when asked about guns. She continued,” I’m a gun owner, I don’t want yours I’ve got my own.” She said she supports the second amendment and the right to own guns. “I’m for better background checks…we want to make sure bad people don’t get their hands on these weapons,” she stated, “the rest of us who are good, we don’t want our right getting infringed.”
Last year, McGrath said that she’s not in favor of a ban on so-called assault weapons, which is good. Unfortunately, she’s also received backing from gun control groups that are pushing for a ban, and when she does talk about the Second Amendment, she sounds like she has far more in common with Michael Bloomberg than the average Kentucky gun owner.
This epidemic of gun violence is only going to be addressed by fundamentally changing our government—electing people who can’t be bought off by the gun lobby. Mitch McConnell will never meaningfully address this crisis, even though there are measures many gun owners support. — Amy McGrath (@AmyMcGrathKY) August 4, 2019
How exactly are universal background checks “meaningful”? I doubt McGrath could even explain how requiring background checks on private gun transfers would be enforced by the federal government, much less why she believes that criminals would pay any attention to the law.
Booker, meanwhile, is a little more upfront about his support for gun control laws, though he’s still careful to couch it in terms of backing the Second Amendment as well.
Booker says he respects that firearms are “sacred” for many Kentuckians. “I know for a fact the majority of Kentuckians are not looking at their firearm as a way to hurt anybody,” he said. He added that protecting our rights and keeping our families safe are not contrary to one another. “Being able to stand up for common sense gun safety is our way of saying we respect the second amendment, we respect Kentuckians rights by making sure they’re not being taken advantage of for political expedience,” Booker stated, adding he’s sided with law enforcement on gun legislation such as permitless concealed carry. Having lost five family members to gun violence, Booker supports universal background checks and would support funding the CDC to research gun violence.
Booker sponsored HB 45 in the Kentucky legislature this year, which, among other things, would have required the licensing and registration of all handguns and firearms defined as “assault weapons,” as well as mandating the “the logging of firearms and ammunition sales.” The bill also defined a “large capacity magazine” as one that can accept more than seven rounds of ammunition, which would have been a more draconian definition than what’s on the books in places like California or New Jersey. For someone who says that he respects the Second Amendment, Booker sure does seem interested in criminalizing commonly owned arms and accessories, which in turn would lead to a lot of people (many of them young black men) facing felony charges for simply continuing to possess their legally-owned firearms without registering them with the State.
In other words, while both McGrath and Booker say they support the Second Amendment, they’ve only spoken up in support of restrictions on the right to keep and bear arms. It would have been nice if one reporter in Kentucky had asked a simple question of both candidates when they started posturing on the issue: If you support the Second Amendment, can you give me an example of a current gun control law that you believe infringes on the right to keep and bear arms?
I suspect the answer would involve a lot of “umms” and “uhhs” before finishing with a “let me get back to you on that.” Both McGrath and Booker know that Kentuckians support the Second Amendment, so they don’t want to antagonize the gun vote. At the same time, they can’t do more than offer lip service to the idea that they’ll protect the right to keep and bear arms. And of course, if either of them were to actually replace Mitch McConnell in the U.S. Senate, they’d quickly fall in line and march to the beat of party leaders intent on passing sweeping gun control legislation as soon as they have the power to do so.


bearingarms--2020-06-22--Louisiana Laws About To Overturn Baton Rouge Gun Ordinances

I ’ m not a fan of local gun control .
When communities enact their own restrictions on firearms , it creates an unnavigable labyrinth of regulations throughout a given state , one that ’ s impossible for the average person to keep up with .
Something that ’ s perfectly legal in one place may be illegal just five feet away inside the city limits .
As such , I ’ m a strong supporter of preemption .
Unfortunately , many states have no such laws on the books , which creates problems .
In Louisiana , though , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
New state laws will soon overturn Baton Rouge ordinances that ban guns in public recreational facilities , prohibit guns in places that sell alcohol , and give city leaders authority to stop gun sales during civil emergencies .
And they will stop city leaders from passing new restrictions on guns in the future .
Some area leaders , like East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome , have criticized those changes , saying it tramples local control of governments and makes it harder for the city to reduce gun violence .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , arguing the city shouldn ’ t be restricting residents ’ Second Amendment rights more than the state does .
The laws , which Gov .
John Bel Edwards signed last week , will go into effect Aug. 1 .
One of the most obvious impacts is on rules banning concealed firearms in BREC parks , playgrounds and other facilities .
BREC Superintendent Corey Wilson said the parks system has no immediate plans to take down signage prohibiting firearms or changing its policies yet , even though the rules may not be legally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a park or playground is no place for guns , ” Wilson said .
“ We ’ re in full support of the Second Amendment , but the standard across the industry is to prohibit them in parks and recreation centers.
” Unfortunately , not everyone does agree .
Criminals often use parks and playgrounds for whatever purpose .
Plenty of innocent people have been shot at parks throughout the nation over the years .
Yes , even in Baton Rouge .
Clearly , those laws aren ’ t stopping criminals from carrying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they do stop law-abiding citizens from carrying firearms they could use to defend themselves .
It ’ s easy for Wilson to argue that his parks are no place for guns , but we on the right side of the law don ’ t get to make the rules .
The criminals do that .
We carry firearms to meet the threats that present themselves , no matter where that might happen .
That includes parks in Baton Rouge .
Now , though , people can carry firearms lawfully in such places , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place .
However , Wilson needs to understand something .
When you bow to “ industry standards ” instead of the rights of law-abiding citizens , you ’ re not in “ full support ” of anything except those industry standards .
Now , if that ’ s how someone wants to roll , that ’ s on them .
They ’ re welcome to do so .
If the people in Baton Rouge don ’ t like it , they can take it up with Wilson ’ s superiors , but he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even if they ’ re wrong .
The problem is that he wants to make his opinions the rule that may lead to innocent lives being lost because they couldn ’ t defend themselves , and that , I have a huge problem with .
Luckily , he doesn ’ t get to make that call .
The state has and Wilson has to deal with it going forward .

I’m not a fan of local gun control. When communities enact their own restrictions on firearms, it creates an unnavigable labyrinth of regulations throughout a given state, one that’s impossible for the average person to keep up with. Something that’s perfectly legal in one place may be illegal just five feet away inside the city limits.
As such, I’m a strong supporter of preemption.
Unfortunately, many states have no such laws on the books, which creates problems.
In Louisiana, though, those problems are coming to an end.
New state laws will soon overturn Baton Rouge ordinances that ban guns in public recreational facilities, prohibit guns in places that sell alcohol, and give city leaders authority to stop gun sales during civil emergencies. And they will stop city leaders from passing new restrictions on guns in the future. Some area leaders, like East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome, have criticized those changes, saying it tramples local control of governments and makes it harder for the city to reduce gun violence. But others agree with the new law, arguing the city shouldn’t be restricting residents’ Second Amendment rights more than the state does. The laws, which Gov. John Bel Edwards signed last week, will go into effect Aug. 1. One of the most obvious impacts is on rules banning concealed firearms in BREC parks, playgrounds and other facilities. BREC Superintendent Corey Wilson said the parks system has no immediate plans to take down signage prohibiting firearms or changing its policies yet, even though the rules may not be legally enforceable. “Hopefully everyone agrees that a park or playground is no place for guns,” Wilson said. “We’re in full support of the Second Amendment, but the standard across the industry is to prohibit them in parks and recreation centers.”
Unfortunately, not everyone does agree.
Criminals often use parks and playgrounds for whatever purpose. Plenty of innocent people have been shot at parks throughout the nation over the years. Yes, even in Baton Rouge. Clearly, those laws aren’t stopping criminals from carrying guns in the first place.
But they do stop law-abiding citizens from carrying firearms they could use to defend themselves.
It’s easy for Wilson to argue that his parks are no place for guns, but we on the right side of the law don’t get to make the rules. The criminals do that. We carry firearms to meet the threats that present themselves, no matter where that might happen. That includes parks in Baton Rouge.
Now, though, people can carry firearms lawfully in such places, even with the unlawful signs still in place.
However, Wilson needs to understand something. When you bow to “industry standards” instead of the rights of law-abiding citizens, you’re not in “full support” of anything except those industry standards. Now, if that’s how someone wants to roll, that’s on them. They’re welcome to do so. If the people in Baton Rouge don’t like it, they can take it up with Wilson’s superiors, but he’s welcome to his opinions, even if they’re wrong.
The problem is that he wants to make his opinions the rule that may lead to innocent lives being lost because they couldn’t defend themselves, and that, I have a huge problem with.
Luckily, he doesn’t get to make that call. The state has and Wilson has to deal with it going forward.