bearingarms--2020-12-15--School District Faces 2nd Lawsuit Over BB Gun Suspensions

We ’ ve been talking for weeks now about the case of Ka ’ Mauri Harrison , the 4th grader in Jefferson Parish , Louisiana , who was suspended from school after he accidentally displayed a BB gun during an online class while picking it up off the floor of his bedroom and setting it aside so his younger brother wouldn ’ t trip over it .
Despite the involvement of the state legislature and Attorney General Jeff Landry ’ s office , the Jefferson Parish school board has refused to admit that it was wrong to suspend the child @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lawsuit against the local school district .
They ’ re not the only ones .
The parents of 11-year-old Tomie Brown say they ’ re also suing the district after their son was suspended for a similar incident involving online learning .
Tim Brown says a teacher never even saw a BB gun but relied solely on comments by other students to discipline his son .
Both Ka ’ Mauri Harrison and Tomie Brown were in their bedrooms attending class virtually when their BB guns were allegedly spotted .
Neither student is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a distraction during the online class .
Why then is the school district so intent on punishing these kids ?
I ’ m not sure what ’ s going on there in Jefferson Parish , but the school board members need to get over themselves and wipe these suspensions clean .
Of course , now that there ’ s ongoing litigation , that ’ s not likely to happen .
The school district has chosen to defy common sense from the day that Harrison and Brown ( and potentially other students as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ non-incidents .
This never should have become a story , but now that it is , the district is digging in its heels over its asinine policies .
A lawsuit is a good first step , but I hope that every one of these school board members who voted to keep these suspensions in place faces a challenge the next time they ’ re up for election .
It ’ s clear that some big changes are needed on the board , and the sooner , the better .

We’ve been talking for weeks now about the case of Ka’Mauri Harrison, the 4th grader in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, who was suspended from school after he accidentally displayed a BB gun during an online class while picking it up off the floor of his bedroom and setting it aside so his younger brother wouldn’t trip over it.
Despite the involvement of the state legislature and Attorney General Jeff Landry’s office, the Jefferson Parish school board has refused to admit that it was wrong to suspend the child, and the Harrison family has brought a lawsuit against the local school district.
They’re not the only ones. The parents of 11-year-old Tomie Brown say they’re also suing the district after their son was suspended for a similar incident involving online learning. Tim Brown says a teacher never even saw a BB gun but relied solely on comments by other students to discipline his son.
“After I received a phone call asking us to come to the principal’s office the next day, I went into his bedroom with him because he didn’t mention anything had happened because it was so insignificant from his in perspective anyway,” said Brown. It’s been an ongoing discussion of privacy during virtual learning under COVID-19. The school board downgraded Tomie’s recommended expulsion to a suspension with probation but kept the weapons charge on his record. “My son did nothing wrong ya know. If my son had done something wrong the school system would’ve been second in line to punish him, but he did not do anything wrong,” said Brown.
Both Ka’Mauri Harrison and Tomie Brown were in their bedrooms attending class virtually when their BB guns were allegedly spotted. Neither student is accused of threatening anyone or even being a distraction during the online class. Why then is the school district so intent on punishing these kids?
Attorney for both parties, Chelsea Cusimano says Tomie shouldn’t be punished for the nationwide attention from another student’s case, asserting privacy violations, conspiracy, emotional distress, and racial bias among several claims in the lawsuit. “I can’t, and I know Mr. Brown can’t, and I know the Harrison family can’t pinpoint a difference between these two children other than race and media retaliation… they just cannot except accountability for the bad behavior of their administration,” said Cusimano. Brown says his family never wanted to sue the school district, but says he has to protect his son. “This whole thing getting this off my sons record is the number one goal in this,” said Brown.
I’m not sure what’s going on there in Jefferson Parish, but the school board members need to get over themselves and wipe these suspensions clean. Of course, now that there’s ongoing litigation, that’s not likely to happen.
The school district has chosen to defy common sense from the day that Harrison and Brown (and potentially other students as well) were threatened with expulsion over these non-incidents. This never should have become a story, but now that it is, the district is digging in its heels over its asinine policies.
A lawsuit is a good first step, but I hope that every one of these school board members who voted to keep these suspensions in place faces a challenge the next time they’re up for election. It’s clear that some big changes are needed on the board, and the sooner, the better.


bearingarms--2020-12-15--PA Governor Grants Extension For Carry Permits

All throughout the nation , there ’ s a problem .
State and local governments in many places haven ’ t figured out how to balance concerns over COVID-19 with people ’ s need to get concealed carry permits so as to allow them to exercise their Second Amendment rights .
While many debate whether the concern over the coronavirus is warranted , the truth is that people have that concern and you ’ re not going to argue it away .
What we need to consider , though , is the cost of that concern .
Namely , people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
While Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf has made his anti-gun biases quite clear , even he recognizes that a problem exists and has made at least one step to address it .
Governor Wolf has granted a fifth extension to license to carry firearm permits .
The Pennsylvania State Police ( PSP ) announced today that Governor Tom Wolf has granted an additional extension to permits expiring on March 19 , 2020 or later .
They are now valid through March 31 , 2021 .
The previous extension was set to expire on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ probably the very best we could hope for at this time , and for those who had permits expiring during that period , it ’ s definitely good news .
I mean , they get a year ’ s extension on their permits in some cases .
Not too shabby .
The problem is that this doesn ’ t address the tens of thousands of new gun owners in Pennsylvania , people who don ’ t currently have a valid carry permit for the state and would like to get one .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because the offices that issue such permits are generally shut down .
Even before this latest round of lockdowns , massive delays were reported in some parts of the state stretching out well over a year .
I ’ m sorry , but there ’ s nothing right about that in the least .
While I applaud Wolf for making the right call here , a better call would be to also address these people who don ’ t already have a permit .
Other states are managing it somehow , so there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t .
In fact , this is a fine reason to pass constitutional carry .
After all , constitutional carry states aren ’ t having an issue with figuring out how to issue permits during a pandemic .
I mean , there are no permits to issue , so why would they , right ?
I mean , sure , many states have permits for reciprocity purposes , that only impacts a tiny number of people anyway .
It also minimizes the flow of people who even want a permit .
Pennsylvania could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for multiple extensions of the permits already in circulation while also taking care of the legions of new gun owners who would like to lawfully carry their firearm but currently can ’ t because of the state ’ s fouled up system .
Really , it would solve a lot of the state ’ s problems .
Unfortunately , Wolf is too anti-gun to do any such thing .
I suspect the only reason he ’ s granting the extension is because he ’ s trying to stave off lawsuits from gun rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ didn ’ t .

All throughout the nation, there’s a problem. State and local governments in many places haven’t figured out how to balance concerns over COVID-19 with people’s need to get concealed carry permits so as to allow them to exercise their Second Amendment rights. While many debate whether the concern over the coronavirus is warranted, the truth is that people have that concern and you’re not going to argue it away.
What we need to consider, though, is the cost of that concern. Namely, people’s need for their carry permits.
While Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf has made his anti-gun biases quite clear, even he recognizes that a problem exists and has made at least one step to address it.
Governor Wolf has granted a fifth extension to license to carry firearm permits. The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) announced today that Governor Tom Wolf has granted an additional extension to permits expiring on March 19, 2020 or later. They are now valid through March 31, 2021. The previous extension was set to expire on December 31.
Honestly, this is probably the very best we could hope for at this time, and for those who had permits expiring during that period, it’s definitely good news. I mean, they get a year’s extension on their permits in some cases. Not too shabby.
The problem is that this doesn’t address the tens of thousands of new gun owners in Pennsylvania, people who don’t currently have a valid carry permit for the state and would like to get one. They’re left out in the cold because the offices that issue such permits are generally shut down. Even before this latest round of lockdowns, massive delays were reported in some parts of the state stretching out well over a year.
I’m sorry, but there’s nothing right about that in the least.
While I applaud Wolf for making the right call here, a better call would be to also address these people who don’t already have a permit. Other states are managing it somehow, so there’s no reason Pennsylvania can’t.
In fact, this is a fine reason to pass constitutional carry. After all, constitutional carry states aren’t having an issue with figuring out how to issue permits during a pandemic. I mean, there are no permits to issue, so why would they, right? I mean, sure, many states have permits for reciprocity purposes, that only impacts a tiny number of people anyway. It also minimizes the flow of people who even want a permit.
Pennsylvania could pass constitutional carry and negate the need for multiple extensions of the permits already in circulation while also taking care of the legions of new gun owners who would like to lawfully carry their firearm but currently can’t because of the state’s fouled up system.
Really, it would solve a lot of the state’s problems.
Unfortunately, Wolf is too anti-gun to do any such thing. I suspect the only reason he’s granting the extension is because he’s trying to stave off lawsuits from gun rights groups that would spring up if he didn’t.


bearingarms--2020-12-15--"Nullify Northam": 2A Sanctuary Defies Governor's COVID Orders

Residents and officials in Bedford County , Virginia sent one message to Gov .
Ralph Northam last December when they overwhelmingly approved a resolution in opposition to the governor ’ s gun ban plans and declared themselves a Second Amendment Sanctuary .
Many of those same folks sent another message to Northam on Monday evening , packing into the county supervisors meeting to express their opposition to Northam ’ s continued COVID-19 restrictions .
The Bedford County Board of Supervisors actually received a citation from the county health department after the November meeting , and they ’ ll likely be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday ’ s monthly meeting of the supervisors as well .
The push to declare Bedford County a “ First Amendment Sanctuary ” has so far not come to fruition .
Members of the board of supervisors say that they plan on sending a message to Northam by supporting a state Senate bill introduced by a local Republican that would limit the governor ’ s emergency powers to no more than 30 days .
“ The never-ending practice of governing by edict and press conference is bypassing the General Assembly and is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emergency , ” the county ’ s statement said .
“ The unlimited timeframe for the Governor to act in an emergency is minimizing the effectiveness and purpose of the duly elected Delegates and Senators to represent their districts in the policymaking and public input process.
” While the county ’ s official response to Northam ’ s overreach doesn ’ t include a resolution or ordinance directly challenging the governor ’ s COVID-19 orders , the unofficial response is clear : they ’ re going to ignore as many of his restrictions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rising in Bedford County , which reported a record-high 70 cases one day earlier this week , but hospitalizations and deaths in the county are still flat .
For now , anyway , Northam ’ s cure appears worse than the disease for many residents .
We ’ re seeing that same type of quiet disobedience all over the state of Virginia.
, by the way .
I personally know several establishments that shall remain nameless that are ignoring the governor ’ s edict on shutting off alcohol sales at 10 pm , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ late night curfew is widely disregarded , particularly outside of the state ’ s urban areas .
With Virginia holding statewide elections in 2021 , I have a feeling that Northam and Democrats in control of the legislature are actually trying to hold themselves back from imposing the type of restrictions that they really want to put in place .
Northam ’ s latest executive actions , for instance , imposed no new restrictions on restaurants or churches , and I suspect that has far more to do with political calculations than anything @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s already facing widespread acts of defiance , and every heavy-handed order is going to not only spur on more civil disobedience , but will cost Democrats votes come November .
He won ’ t let up completely , but the voices of discontent , like those heard in Bedford County on Monday , are making at least a small difference .

Residents and officials in Bedford County, Virginia sent one message to Gov. Ralph Northam last December when they overwhelmingly approved a resolution in opposition to the governor’s gun ban plans and declared themselves a Second Amendment Sanctuary.
Many of those same folks sent another message to Northam on Monday evening, packing into the county supervisors meeting to express their opposition to Northam’s continued COVID-19 restrictions.
Despite an executive order limiting gatherings to 10 people or less, that went into effect at 12 a.m. Monday, 65 people were allowed in the boardroom by county officials and administration on Monday night. The move came in spite of the county receiving a notice of violation from the Bedford County Health Department, part of the Central Virginia Health District, for similar conduct at the last Bedford County Board of Supervisors meeting on Nov. 23.
The Bedford County Board of Supervisors actually received a citation from the county health department after the November meeting, and they’ll likely be cited again after dozens showed up for Monday’s monthly meeting of the supervisors as well.
During public comment speakers urged supervisors to adopt a resolution like the one recently passed by Campbell County, which stated Campbell County officials would not enforce Gov. Northam’s executive orders and declared it a “first amendment sanctuary county.” This item was not on the meeting agenda, nor was it added. Some in the audience brandished signs reading, “Nullify Northam.” “I’d like Bedford County to be a First Amendment sanctuary county,” said Bryan Devers. “Protect our rights as citizens. We shouldn’t be forced to follow rules that have shut down businesses, have forced people into hardship, and caused undue stress.” Forest resident Caleb Mast commended supervisors on their action passing a “Second Amendment sanctuary resolution” last year, as well as a resolution recognizing Bedford County’s local militia, and pressed them to consider passing a resolution similar to Campbell County’s. “There’s room for liberty in this country,” said Carrie Gill. “There’s room for those who want to wear a mask… there’s room for those of us who don’t want to wear a mask.”
The push to declare Bedford County a “First Amendment Sanctuary” has so far not come to fruition. Members of the board of supervisors say that they plan on sending a message to Northam by supporting a state Senate bill introduced by a local Republican that would limit the governor’s emergency powers to no more than 30 days.
“The never-ending practice of governing by edict and press conference is bypassing the General Assembly and is not a narrowly tailored approach to managing an emergency,” the county’s statement said. “The unlimited timeframe for the Governor to act in an emergency is minimizing the effectiveness and purpose of the duly elected Delegates and Senators to represent their districts in the policymaking and public input process.”
While the county’s official response to Northam’s overreach doesn’t include a resolution or ordinance directly challenging the governor’s COVID-19 orders, the unofficial response is clear: they’re going to ignore as many of his restrictions as possible. COVID cases may be rising in Bedford County, which reported a record-high 70 cases one day earlier this week, but hospitalizations and deaths in the county are still flat. For now, anyway, Northam’s cure appears worse than the disease for many residents.
We’re seeing that same type of quiet disobedience all over the state of Virginia., by the way. I personally know several establishments that shall remain nameless that are ignoring the governor’s edict on shutting off alcohol sales at 10 pm, and the governor’s recently imposed late night curfew is widely disregarded, particularly outside of the state’s urban areas.
With Virginia holding statewide elections in 2021, I have a feeling that Northam and Democrats in control of the legislature are actually trying to hold themselves back from imposing the type of restrictions that they really want to put in place. Northam’s latest executive actions, for instance, imposed no new restrictions on restaurants or churches, and I suspect that has far more to do with political calculations than anything else.
Northam knows that he’s already facing widespread acts of defiance, and every heavy-handed order is going to not only spur on more civil disobedience, but will cost Democrats votes come November. He won’t let up completely, but the voices of discontent, like those heard in Bedford County on Monday, are making at least a small difference.


bearingarms--2020-12-15--Biden, Harris Use Sandy Hook Anniversary To Call For Gun Control

Many of us still remember watching the news in abject horror .
Small children gunned down by an absolute maniac , and for what ?
For fame ?
So he ’ d go down in infamy ?
None of it made any sense , none whatsoever .
It was an atrocity and not a human soul can really explain what happened .
With the anniversary of Sandy Hook , it ’ s not surprising that many are still looking for answers .
For people like President-Elect Joe Biden and Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris , it ’ s not about answers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to push for gun control .
On December 14 , 2012 , a shooter opened fire at Sandy Hook Elementary school , killing 20 first-graders and six educators in one of the deadliest mass shootings in United States history .
Virtual vigils and services were being held Monday in Newtown , Connecticut , to mark the anniversary and remember victims of other gun violence incidents .
President-elect Joe Biden released a statement marking the anniversary .
Biden , who was vice president at the time , called the event “ the saddest day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and reflected on his own conversations and relationships with the families that lost loved ones in the tragedy .
“ To the grandparents , parents , siblings , children , spouses , and fellow broken and healing hearts of Sandy Hook , I know , ” he said .
“ No matter how long it ’ s been , every time you talk about it , you relive it as though you just heard the news .
Eight years later , I know the pain never fully heals.
” Biden also called out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are lost to gun violence in the United States and praised the Sandy Hook families for speaking out in the wake of the tragedy for common sense gun reforms .
“ In this collective pain , you ’ ve helped usher in a collective and growing purpose , ” he said .
“ You ’ ve helped us forge a consensus that gun violence is a national health crisis and we need to address its total cost to fully heal families , communities , and our nation.
” Except , no matter how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national health crisis , that won ’ t change the fact that it ’ s no such thing .
It ’ s nothing more than an attempt to leverage something emotional–in this case , the Sandy Hook massacre–and trying to transfer that emotion to a pet cause .
Biden wasn ’ t alone , in this mess .
His vice presidential pick also decided to use the bodies of slain children as a soapbox to push her radical anti-gun agenda .
Vice President-elect Kamala Harris called for gun reforms to honor the victims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shooting on Monday , which marked the eighth anniversary of the tragedy that took the lives of more than two dozen people , including 20 first-graders .
Harris marked the occasion in a tweet that was accompanied by pictures of the victims .
“ Today marks 8 years since 20 first-graders and 6 educators were murdered at Sandy Hook Elementary School , ” she wrote .
“ To honor the lives lost in this terrible tragedy , it ’ s past time we implement common-sense gun safety reforms to keep our children safe.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ often cited the Dec. 14 , 2012 , shooting at the Newtown , Conn. , school and other mass shootings .
The Sandy Hook shooting left 20 first-graders and six teachers and staff dead .
Of course , these two were far from the only anti-gunners to get in on the action .
Plenty of others made similar calls .
However , what none of them have been able to do is show definitively how any gun control proposal they ’ re pushing would have had any kind of impact on Sandy Hook @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t purchase his firearm legally .
Instead , he murdered his own mother to get his hands on the weapon , thus negating all the proposals on restricting purchases in any manner .
While you could try and ban the AR-15 , the worst school shooting in modern American history was Virginia Tech , where the killer used a couple of handguns .
You ’ d be hardpressed to tell me that the killer in Sandy Hook couldn ’ t have done similarly evil things if he hadn ’ t had an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nothing being proposed by anti-gunners that would have stopped the killer .
But had some of the teachers or staff members been armed , they could have put the filth down like the rabid dog he was and saved a lot of lives .
Unfortunately , even suggesting such a thing is considered far too radical in this day and age .
As a result , there will be another school shooting in the future , and in many places , there won ’ t really be anyone to stand against the shooter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Harris aren ’ t able to get past their own hoplophobia and accept the reality that guns save lives .

Many of us still remember watching the news in abject horror. Small children gunned down by an absolute maniac, and for what? For fame? So he’d go down in infamy? None of it made any sense, none whatsoever. It was an atrocity and not a human soul can really explain what happened.
With the anniversary of Sandy Hook, it’s not surprising that many are still looking for answers.
For people like President-Elect Joe Biden and Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris, it’s not about answers. It’s just an excuse to push for gun control.
On December 14, 2012, a shooter opened fire at Sandy Hook Elementary school, killing 20 first-graders and six educators in one of the deadliest mass shootings in United States history. Virtual vigils and services were being held Monday in Newtown, Connecticut, to mark the anniversary and remember victims of other gun violence incidents. … President-elect Joe Biden released a statement marking the anniversary. Biden, who was vice president at the time, called the event “the saddest day we had in the White House” and reflected on his own conversations and relationships with the families that lost loved ones in the tragedy. “To the grandparents, parents, siblings, children, spouses, and fellow broken and healing hearts of Sandy Hook, I know,” he said. “No matter how long it’s been, every time you talk about it, you relive it as though you just heard the news. Eight years later, I know the pain never fully heals.” Biden also called out the thousands of lives every year that are lost to gun violence in the United States and praised the Sandy Hook families for speaking out in the wake of the tragedy for common sense gun reforms. “In this collective pain, you’ve helped usher in a collective and growing purpose,” he said. “You’ve helped us forge a consensus that gun violence is a national health crisis and we need to address its total cost to fully heal families, communities, and our nation.”
Except, no matter how often Biden claims it’s a national health crisis, that won’t change the fact that it’s no such thing. It’s nothing more than an attempt to leverage something emotional–in this case, the Sandy Hook massacre–and trying to transfer that emotion to a pet cause.
Biden wasn’t alone, in this mess. His vice presidential pick also decided to use the bodies of slain children as a soapbox to push her radical anti-gun agenda.
Vice President-elect Kamala Harris called for gun reforms to honor the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School mass shooting on Monday, which marked the eighth anniversary of the tragedy that took the lives of more than two dozen people, including 20 first-graders. Harris marked the occasion in a tweet that was accompanied by pictures of the victims. “Today marks 8 years since 20 first-graders and 6 educators were murdered at Sandy Hook Elementary School,” she wrote. “To honor the lives lost in this terrible tragedy, it’s past time we implement common-sense gun safety reforms to keep our children safe.” Advocates for gun control measures have often cited the Dec. 14, 2012, shooting at the Newtown, Conn., school and other mass shootings. The Sandy Hook shooting left 20 first-graders and six teachers and staff dead.
Of course, these two were far from the only anti-gunners to get in on the action. Plenty of others made similar calls.
However, what none of them have been able to do is show definitively how any gun control proposal they’re pushing would have had any kind of impact on Sandy Hook.
After all, the gunman didn’t purchase his firearm legally. Instead, he murdered his own mother to get his hands on the weapon, thus negating all the proposals on restricting purchases in any manner. While you could try and ban the AR-15, the worst school shooting in modern American history was Virginia Tech, where the killer used a couple of handguns. You’d be hardpressed to tell me that the killer in Sandy Hook couldn’t have done similarly evil things if he hadn’t had an AR-15.
Honestly, there’s nothing being proposed by anti-gunners that would have stopped the killer.
But had some of the teachers or staff members been armed, they could have put the filth down like the rabid dog he was and saved a lot of lives. Unfortunately, even suggesting such a thing is considered far too radical in this day and age.
As a result, there will be another school shooting in the future, and in many places, there won’t really be anyone to stand against the shooter. All because people like Biden and Harris aren’t able to get past their own hoplophobia and accept the reality that guns save lives.


bearingarms--2020-12-16--VIP Gold Live Chat - Ed Morrissey & Cam Edwards 1:30 PM

We have a ton to talk about from a Second Amendment perspective this week ; the latest on the investigation into the shooting death of Casey Goodson , Jr. , the Supreme Court passing up a felon-in-possession case , New Jersey ’ s Attorney General launching a stealth attack on gun manufacturers , the ATF ’ s raid on Polymer80 and the crackdown on so-called ghost guns , as well as the rumors of Joe Biden ’ s short list for Attorney General to name just a few topics .
That ’ s enough for an hour all by itself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ topics in mind as well , I ’ m sure .
And of course , the great thing about the VIP Gold live chats is that it ’ s ultimately you who ’ s driving the conversation , not Ed or me .
The live chat will appear here at 1:30 p.m. , and if you can ’ t catch the chat live you can always watch it on demand afterwards ( another cool perk for our VIP Gold members ) .
If you ’ re not yet a VIP Gold member , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ link above .
**Use the promo code LOYALTY for 25 % off your VIP Gold membership** I really do appreciate the VIP Gold members and our VIP members here at Bearing Arms , and these chats are a fantastic way for us to connect , so I hope that you ’ ll be able to join us this afternoon for what promises to be a lively and fast-paced conversation .
Cam Edwards has covered the 2nd Amendment for more than 15 years as a broadcast and online journalist , as well as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Up , Get a Job , Start a Family , and Other Manly Advice '' with Jim Geraghty .
He lives outside of Farmville , Virginia with his family .

We have a ton to talk about from a Second Amendment perspective this week; the latest on the investigation into the shooting death of Casey Goodson, Jr., the Supreme Court passing up a felon-in-possession case, New Jersey’s Attorney General launching a stealth attack on gun manufacturers, the ATF’s raid on Polymer80 and the crackdown on so-called ghost guns, as well as the rumors of Joe Biden’s shortlist for Attorney General to name just a few topics.
That’s enough for an hour all by itself, but Ed will have a few topics in mind as well, I’m sure. And of course, the great thing about the VIP Gold live chats is that it’s ultimately you who’s driving the conversation, not Ed or me.
The live chat will appear here at 1:30 p.m., and if you can’t catch the chat live you can always watch it on-demand afterward (another cool perk for our VIP Gold members).
If you’re not yet a VIP Gold member, you can also sign up at the link above.
**Use the promo code LOYALTY for 25% off your VIP Gold membership**
I really do appreciate the VIP Gold members and our VIP members here at Bearing Arms, and these chats are a fantastic way for us to connect, so I hope that you’ll be able to join us this afternoon for what promises to be a lively and fast-paced conversation.


bearingarms--2020-12-16--BA Gift Guide - Laser Sights For Handguns & Rifles

If you ’ re ever forced to defend yourself or your loved ones , you ’ re not looking for a fair fight .
Instead , you want every advantage possible , and a laser sight for your handgun or rifle can help to ensure that your aim is true and every shot counts .
Thankfully , there are plenty of high-quality laser sights available that won ’ t break the bank .
Here are a few of our favorites .
Firefly V2 Flashlight Laser Sight – This laser sight also features a 220 lumen flashlight with a strobe function @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to remain on target .
The laser and flashlight use a rechargeable battery that can remain attached to your gun while charging , and fits on any rail 28 mm or wider .
Users can zero in the sight with the included elevation and windage wrenches .
The veteran-owned company offers a money back guarantee or will replace the Firefly no questions asked .
Crimson Trace CMR-206 Rail Master Universal Laser – One of the most respected names in the industry when it comes to laser sights , this offering from Crimson Trace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ laser , which is the brightest beam allowed by law .
This laser sight features ambidextrous Tap-On/Tap-Off controls for immediate laser activation .
Can be used on most pistols , rifles , and shotguns with M1913 Picatinny or similar rail , and with a battery life of two continuous hours of usage , you won ’ t have to worry about your sight failing when you need it most .
DefendTek DT-M2 Rechargeable Rail Mounted Red Laser Sight – The DT-M2 not only features a 300 lumen flashlight , but a powerful 5mW @ @ @ @ @ @ @ body of the sight is crafted from aircraft grade aluminum , ensuring its durability , while the quick release mount feature and tactical bezel ensures a good fit on most handguns and long guns .
Be advised , however that the DT-M2 isn ’ t designed to work on subcompact or compact pistols .
Feyachi RSL-18 Reflex Sight– While the sights we ’ ve covered so far are suitable for both pistols and rifles , the RSL-18 is probably a little too bulky and long to work with most handguns .
This is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ though the Class IIIa beam provides for greater accuracy and can be zeroed in using the tools that are included .
The sight also features a four-setting illuminated reticle adjustable for both wind and elevation with five separate brightness settings .
Streamlight 69414 TLR-8A Flex Low-Profile Rail-Mounted Tactical Light – Since we included a laser sight that ’ s best for rifles , it ’ s only fair that we highlight an option that ’ s really meant for handguns as well .
The TLR-8A is an absolute beast , with a 500 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ housed in an anodized machined aluminum case .
Running continuously , the light will give you 1.5 hours of coverage before the battery needs to be replaced , but the laser sight can function for up to 18 hours .
And , even though I think this sight would work best on a handgun , the TLR-8A can be used with any firearm that has a Picatinny rail .
In fact , the sight uses a rail grip clamp system that enables you to secure the sight without tools , so you can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if need be .

If you’re ever forced to defend yourself or your loved ones, you’re not looking for a fair fight. Instead, you want every advantage possible, and a laser sight for your handgun or rifle can help to ensure that your aim is true and every shot counts.
Thankfully, there are plenty of high-quality laser sights available that won’t break the bank. Here are a few of our favorites.
Firefly V2 Flashlight Laser Sight – This laser sight also features a 220 lumen flashlight with a strobe function that can disorient intruders while allowing you to remain on target. The laser and flashlight use a rechargeable battery that can remain attached to your gun while charging, and fits on any rail 28 mm or wider. Users can zero in the sight with the included elevation and windage wrenches. The veteran-owned company offers a money back guarantee or will replace the Firefly no questions asked.
Crimson Trace CMR-206 Rail Master Universal Laser – One of the most respected names in the industry when it comes to laser sights, this offering from Crimson Trace features a 5mW Class 3R visible green laser, which is the brightest beam allowed by law. This laser sight features ambidextrous Tap-On/Tap-Off controls for immediate laser activation. Can be used on most pistols, rifles, and shotguns with M1913 Picatinny or similar rail, and with a battery life of two continuous hours of usage, you won’t have to worry about your sight failing when you need it most.
DefendTek DT-M2 Rechargeable Rail Mounted Red Laser Sight – The DT-M2 not only features a 300 lumen flashlight, but a powerful 5mW 650nm red laser as well. The body of the sight is crafted from aircraft grade aluminum, ensuring its durability, while the quick release mount feature and tactical bezel ensures a good fit on most handguns and long guns. Be advised, however that the DT-M2 isn’t designed to work on subcompact or compact pistols.
Feyachi RSL-18 Reflex Sight– While the sights we’ve covered so far are suitable for both pistols and rifles, the RSL-18 is probably a little too bulky and long to work with most handguns. This is more than just a laser sight, though the Class IIIa beam provides for greater accuracy and can be zeroed in using the tools that are included. The sight also features a four-setting illuminated reticle adjustable for both wind and elevation with five separate brightness settings.
Streamlight 69414 TLR-8A Flex Low-Profile Rail-Mounted Tactical Light – Since we included a laser sight that’s best for rifles, it’s only fair that we highlight an option that’s really meant for handguns as well. The TLR-8A is an absolute beast, with a 500 lumen light and a red laser sight housed in an anodized machined aluminum case. Running continuously, the light will give you 1.5 hours of coverage before the battery needs to be replaced, but the laser sight can function for up to 18 hours. And, even though I think this sight would work best on a handgun, the TLR-8A can be used with any firearm that has a Picatinny rail. In fact, the sight uses a rail grip clamp system that enables you to secure the sight without tools, so you can easily switch between your rifle and handgun if need be.
When you make a purchase, Townhall Media receives a revenue share from qualifying purchases as an Amazon Associate.


bearingarms--2020-12-16--Guns Sold In Alaskan Private Sales End Up In Mexican Shipment

In many states , private sales of firearms remain unregulated .
This is a good thing because it means there are no roadblocks for all kinds of other transfers as well .
After all , if I want to give my 19-year-old son a long gun , there ’ s no law forbidding me from doing so .
Private sales happen all the time .
Most of the time , everything is fine .
However , in Alaska , there seems to be a thing about how some guns sold in private sales ended up on their way to Mexico @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Alaskans were discovered in a larger shipment of firearms on its way to a Mexican drug cartel last spring , according to charges filed recently in federal court .
Smuggling charges against the now-jailed Miguel Moreno-Cortez allege he was an Alaska-based gun purchaser who was part of a larger network exporting guns from the United States to a drug-trafficking organization called Autodefensas de Michoacán Cartel in the Mexican state of Michoacán .
According to the charging document , Moreno-Cortez bought a rifle and a shotgun in separate transactions in Alaska .
Neither @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a licensed gun dealer .
The charges do not mention how Moreno-Cortez met the seller of the rifle , but they say he found the shotgun for sale on Alaska List , an online classifieds site .
Unlike licensed dealers , federal law does not require a private gun seller to conduct background checks on gun purchasers .
The implication , of course , is that if we required universal background checks , this wouldn ’ t have happened .
That ’ s not even remotely accurate and we know that .
See @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they couldn ’ t make purchases via private sales is that they ’ d use straw purchasers .
People with clean records would go in , buy the guns , then hand them over to the cartel .
The reason we know this will happen is that the cartels have already done it .
The notorious Operation Fast and Furious pushed dealers to make sales they knew were to straw buyers , all so the guns could be walked across the border .
How could anyone in their right mind think that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this tactic ?
However , let ’ s also put this incident in a little perspective .
Of the more than 731,000 people , 61.7 percent of them are gun owners .
That suggests that there are a lot of gun sales going on in the state , many of which are private .
This , however , is a news story about precisely two of them .
Meanwhile , transportation into and out of Alaska is tricky .
There are only three ways to move goods .
You either put it on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plane , or drive it through Canada .
In theory , all of these should be difficult due to security measures , yet clearly , they weren ’ t good enough apparently .
Though , in fairness , it ’ s not like this represents a real problem anyway .
Again , we ’ re talking about two firearms out of the total number in a heavily armed state .
This is the epitome of a non-issue .
But it is a good reminder of just how stupid gun control proposals actually are @

In many states, private sales of firearms remain unregulated. This is a good thing because it means there are no roadblocks for all kinds of other transfers as well. After all, if I want to give my 19-year-old son a long gun, there’s no law forbidding me from doing so.
Private sales happen all the time. Most of the time, everything is fine.
However, in Alaska, there seems to be a thing about how some guns sold in private sales ended up on their way to Mexico.
Two guns purchased in private sales from Alaskans were discovered in a larger shipment of firearms on its way to a Mexican drug cartel last spring, according to charges filed recently in federal court. Smuggling charges against the now-jailed Miguel Moreno-Cortez allege he was an Alaska-based gun purchaser who was part of a larger network exporting guns from the United States to a drug-trafficking organization called Autodefensas de Michoacán Cartel in the Mexican state of Michoacán. According to the charging document, Moreno-Cortez bought a rifle and a shotgun in separate transactions in Alaska. Neither appears to have been bought directly from a licensed gun dealer. The charges do not mention how Moreno-Cortez met the seller of the rifle, but they say he found the shotgun for sale on Alaska List, an online classifieds site. Unlike licensed dealers, federal law does not require a private gun seller to conduct background checks on gun purchasers.
The implication, of course, is that if we required universal background checks, this wouldn’t have happened. That’s not even remotely accurate and we know that. See, what the cartels would do if they couldn’t make purchases via private sales is that they’d use straw purchasers. People with clean records would go in, buy the guns, then hand them over to the cartel.
The reason we know this will happen is that the cartels have already done it. The notorious Operation Fast and Furious pushed dealers to make sales they knew were to straw buyers, all so the guns could be walked across the border. How could anyone in their right mind think that the cartels haven’t continued to use this tactic?
However, let’s also put this incident in a little perspective. Of the more than 731,000 people, 61.7 percent of them are gun owners. That suggests that there are a lot of gun sales going on in the state, many of which are private.
This, however, is a news story about precisely two of them.
Meanwhile, transportation into and out of Alaska is tricky. There are only three ways to move goods. You either put it on a boat, put it on a plane, or drive it through Canada. In theory, all of these should be difficult due to security measures, yet clearly, they weren’t good enough apparently.
Though, in fairness, it’s not like this represents a real problem anyway. Again, we’re talking about two firearms out of the total number in a heavily armed state. This is the epitome of a non-issue.
But it is a good reminder of just how stupid gun control proposals actually are.


bearingarms--2020-12-16--The Coordinated Conspiracy Against America's Gunmakers

Earlier today we reported on the new attack on U.S. gun manufacturers by New Jersey ’ s anti-gun Attorney General Gurbir Grewel , which was unveiled when gunmaker Smith & Wesson sued Grewel and the state of New Jersey over a sweeping subpoena seeking decades of internal documents relating to the company ’ s advertising and marketing .
On today ’ s Bearing Arms ’ Cam & Co.
I ’ m joined by Larry Keane , the senior vice president and general counsel for the National Shooting Sports Foundation , who says that Grewel and other anti-gun AGs like California @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the nation ’ s largest gun control groups in a “ coordinated conspiracy ” to bankrupt the firearms industry through litigation .
As Keane lays out , the coordinated efforts on the part of gun control advocates and anti-gun attorneys has been going on for several years , but their latest strategy stems from a decision by the Connecticut Supreme Court , which ruled last March that families who lost loved ones in the attack on Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012 could sue Remington over its marketing materials , which the plaintiff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and promoted the Bushmaster XM15-E2S rifle for use in assaults against human beings.
” Remington appealed that decision to SCOTUS , arguing that the 2005 law known as the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act precluded these types of suits , but last November the Court turned away the challenge , allowing the lawsuit to proceed .
Once the Connecticut plaintiffs got the green light for their litigation the coalition of gun control groups , law firms , and Attorneys General quickly realized that as long as they kept their focus on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rather than suing over the guns themselves , their lawsuits against gun manufacturers are likely to be allowed to proceed , even if they ’ re not guaranteed a victory at trial .
Of course , for the gun control activists and their allies , a court victory isn ’ t an absolute necessity .
As Keane points out on today ’ s show , a similar litigation strategy on the part of anti-gun advocates back in the 1990s had two objectives : bankrupt the firearms industry through massive financial losses via jury @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ death by a thousand cuts ” tactic of launching so many lawsuits that the industry couldn ’ t afford to defend against all of them .
Make sure you check out the entire conversation with Larry Keane to get an idea of the scope and potential consequences of the latest anti-gun crusade led by Grewel and his merry band of gun-banners .
The threat is real , and unfortunately it ’ s going to be with us until the courts smack down this latest attempt to destroy our Second Amendment rights by @ @ @ @ @ @

Earlier today we reported on the new attack on U.S. gun manufacturers by New Jersey’s anti-gun Attorney General Gurbir Grewel, which was unveiled when gunmaker Smith & Wesson sued Grewel and the state of New Jersey over a sweeping subpoena seeking decades of internal documents relating to the company’s advertising and marketing.
On today’s Bearing Arms’ Cam & Co. I’m joined by Larry Keane, the senior vice president and general counsel for the National Shooting Sports Foundation, who says that Grewel and other anti-gun AGs like California’s Xavier Becerra are partnering with the nation’s largest gun control groups in a “coordinated conspiracy” to bankrupt the firearms industry through litigation.
As Keane lays out, the coordinated efforts on the part of gun control advocates and anti-gun attorneys has been going on for several years, but their latest strategy stems from a decision by the Connecticut Supreme Court, which ruled last March that families who lost loved ones in the attack on Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012 could sue Remington over its marketing materials, which the plaintiff’s attorneys argued “knowingly marketed and promoted the Bushmaster XM15-E2S rifle for use in assaults against human beings.”
Remington appealed that decision to SCOTUS, arguing that the 2005 law known as the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act precluded these types of suits, but last November the Court turned away the challenge, allowing the lawsuit to proceed.
Once the Connecticut plaintiffs got the green light for their litigation the coalition of gun control groups, law firms, and Attorneys General quickly realized that as long as they kept their focus on the marketing and advertising for guns, rather than suing over the guns themselves, their lawsuits against gun manufacturers are likely to be allowed to proceed, even if they’re not guaranteed a victory at trial.
Of course, for the gun control activists and their allies, a court victory isn’t an absolute necessity. As Keane points out on today’s show, a similar litigation strategy on the part of anti-gun advocates back in the 1990s had two objectives: bankrupt the firearms industry through massive financial losses via jury awards or bankrupt the industry via a “death by a thousand cuts” tactic of launching so many lawsuits that the industry couldn’t afford to defend against all of them.
Make sure you check out the entire conversation with Larry Keane to get an idea of the scope and potential consequences of the latest anti-gun crusade led by Grewel and his merry band of gun-banners. The threat is real, and unfortunately it’s going to be with us until the courts smack down this latest attempt to destroy our Second Amendment rights by bankrupting America’s gunmakers.


bearingarms--2020-12-16--Rep Wants Pardon For Former FBI Agent Convicted Of Gun Charges

As it looks like President Donald Trump will soon be out of office , it seems he ’ s looking at a few parting shots .
After all , until Joe Biden is sworn in , Trump is still the president .
One of the powers of the president is to pardon people , and there ’ s been a lot of talk of Trump pardoning all kinds of folks .
So , a congressman from Georgia has a suggestion for the president .
“ I call your attention to the application of one of my constituents , Mr. John @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Office of the Pardon Attorney at the Department of Justice , ” Georgia Rep. Barry Loudermilk writes in a Dec. 1 letter to President Donald Trump .
“ After careful review of his circumstances and consultation with my former colleagues in the House of Representatives and other professionals , Mr. Shipley ’ s incarceration appears to be the result of prosecutorial retribution , judicial overreach and political targeting… ” Shipley had gotten the wrong people mad at him .
Because he came to believe a woman he had arrested was innocent , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her .
She was awarded a large settlement and wanted to show her gratitude , but he declined .
Nonetheless , he was charged with perjury and bribery , neither charge having evidence to stick .
In what appears to be a determination to get him for something , Shipley , a collector , was later charged and convicted of gun trafficking .
A firearm that he had sold to a local deputy sheriff who sold it to a gun store that “ the ATF sanctioned to sell weapons to cartels and traffickers.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
My personal tie-ins with Operation Fast and Furious “ gunwalking ” notwithstanding , this new development in Shipley ’ s story is of special interest to me because I extensively covered his story back when he was fighting for his life .
“ Is FBI agent Mexican ‘ crime gun ’ source ?
” I asked in a July 14 , 2009 , Gun Rights Examiner headline upon reading a report in The New York Times that “ An F.B.I .
agent in El Paso has been arrested and charged with dealing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being used in gunfights between the authorities and drug dealers in Mexico… ” My initial assumption , that a crooked cop got caught , was challenged within hours by a trusted source , who told me all was not as it appeared .
It soon became evident from that source that there was much more to the story than what the government was claiming and the media was reporting .
Now , I invite you to go and read the rest of the story because yeah , things look rather suspect .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ innocent because things tend to be more complicated than they seem and we ’ re only getting one side here , but I will say things don ’ t look good for the FBI .
Should Trump pardon Shipley ?
Well , if he got railroaded as alleged , a pardon would certainly be warranted .
I ’ d personally prefer to have a retrial so I could clear my name in a court of law , but I wouldn ’ t sneeze at a pardon if I were in Shipley ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether Trump will or not ?
Honestly , I wouldn ’ t be surprised if he would .
Let ’ s face it , among other things , Trump has served as Troll-in-Chief for the last four years .
He ’ s done plenty of things just to piss off his opponents .
It would be in keeping with that character for him to pardon Shipley .
After all , if the FBI railroaded him because he wouldn ’ t let them railroad someone else , then him being locked up is important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same FBI that has been seemingly working against the president for his entire tenure in office .
Pardoning Shipley would be a big middle finger in the FBI ’ s face .
For that reason alone , I can see Trump actually doing this .
I ’ m remarkably OK with that .

As it looks like President Donald Trump will soon be out of office, it seems he’s looking at a few parting shots. After all, until Joe Biden is sworn in, Trump is still the president. One of the powers of the president is to pardon people, and there’s been a lot of talk of Trump pardoning all kinds of folks.
So, a congressman from Georgia has a suggestion for the president.
“I call your attention to the application of one of my constituents, Mr. John Thomas Shipley, that is before the Office of the Pardon Attorney at the Department of Justice,” Georgia Rep. Barry Loudermilk writes in a Dec. 1 letter to President Donald Trump. “After careful review of his circumstances and consultation with my former colleagues in the House of Representatives and other professionals, Mr. Shipley’s incarceration appears to be the result of prosecutorial retribution, judicial overreach and political targeting…” Shipley had gotten the wrong people mad at him. Because he came to believe a woman he had arrested was innocent, he refused to sign an affidavit to prosecute her. She was awarded a large settlement and wanted to show her gratitude, but he declined. Nonetheless, he was charged with perjury and bribery, neither charge having evidence to stick. In what appears to be a determination to get him for something, Shipley, a collector, was later charged and convicted of gun trafficking. A firearm that he had sold to a local deputy sheriff who sold it to a gun store that “the ATF sanctioned to sell weapons to cartels and traffickers.” It was subsequently recovered in Mexico. My personal tie-ins with Operation Fast and Furious “gunwalking” notwithstanding, this new development in Shipley’s story is of special interest to me because I extensively covered his story back when he was fighting for his life. “Is FBI agent Mexican ‘crime gun’ source?” I asked in a July 14, 2009, Gun Rights Examiner headline upon reading a report in The New York Times that “An F.B.I. agent in El Paso has been arrested and charged with dealing guns, some of which ended up being used in gunfights between the authorities and drug dealers in Mexico…” My initial assumption, that a crooked cop got caught, was challenged within hours by a trusted source, who told me all was not as it appeared. It soon became evident from that source that there was much more to the story than what the government was claiming and the media was reporting.
Now, I invite you to go and read the rest of the story because yeah, things look rather suspect. It doesn’t mean Shipley really is innocent because things tend to be more complicated than they seem and we’re only getting one side here, but I will say things don’t look good for the FBI.
Should Trump pardon Shipley? Well, if he got railroaded as alleged, a pardon would certainly be warranted. I’d personally prefer to have a retrial so I could clear my name in a court of law, but I wouldn’t sneeze at a pardon if I were in Shipley’s shoes.
That leaves the question of whether Trump will or not?
Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if he would. Let’s face it, among other things, Trump has served as Troll-in-Chief for the last four years. He’s done plenty of things just to piss off his opponents. It would be in keeping with that character for him to pardon Shipley. After all, if the FBI railroaded him because he wouldn’t let them railroad someone else, then him being locked up is important to the FBI.
This is the same FBI that has been seemingly working against the president for his entire tenure in office.
Pardoning Shipley would be a big middle finger in the FBI’s face. For that reason alone, I can see Trump actually doing this.
I’m remarkably OK with that.


bearingarms--2020-12-16--House Democrats Trying To Enact Capitol Gun Ban For Lawmakers

The average citizen ’ s been barred from carrying a firearm in the U.S. Capitol since the 1960 ’ s , but when the House , Senate , and then-president Lyndon B. Johnson passed their gun control law , they carved out an exemption for members of Congress .
Now , more than 50 years later , a group of Democratic House members is trying to stop the practice by imposing a new carry ban that would apply to lawmakers as well as staff and visitors .
In a letter sent Tuesday to Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-Calif. ) and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , the liberals argued that gun-toting lawmakers , rather than boosting security around Capitol Hill , actually compromise the safety of everyone there , particularly because the Capitol Police are in the dark about who is armed and who is not .
Behind Rep. Jared Huffman ( D-Calif. ) , the Democrats are urging party leaders to adopt a rules change in the next Congress banning firearms for lawmakers and the public alike .
“ Ultimately , the current regulations create needless risk for Members of Congress , their staff , members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Capitol grounds , ” the lawmakers wrote to Pelosi and McCarthy .
The letter was endorsed by other leading congressional gun reformers , including Reps. Mike Quigley ( D-Ill. ) and Robin Kelly ( D-Ill. ) , who represent Chicago , where gun violence has spiked in recent years , and Rep. Jackie Speier ( D-Calif. ) , who was shot and wounded as a staff member during the 1978 congressional trip to the Jonestown cult settlement in Guyana .
Former Rep. Leo Ryan ( D-Calif. ) and four others were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s unknown how many current members of Congress currently carry inside the Capitol , but representatives-elect Lauren Boebert of Colorado and Georgia ’ s Andrew Clyde have both publicly indicated that they plan to do so when they ’ re sworn in to office in just a few weeks .
Just 21 Democrats have signed on to Huffman ’ s letter , but with Pelosi ’ s alleged approval don ’ t be surprised if the House gun ban is included in the chamber ’ s list of proposed rules when Congress reconvenes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Why the push now , given that lawmakers have been carrying in the U.S. Capitol for decades without issue ?
I suspect that for anti-gun Democrats like Huffman the news that Boebert , Clyde , and potentially several other freshman members would be armed for their own protection is just a bridge too far .
It might be one thing if congresscritters are quietly carrying without drawing attention to themselves , but now that it ’ s becoming a public issue the Democrats want to crack down .
We ’ ll be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plans on tomorrow ’ s Bearing Arms ’ Cam & Co with Colorado congresswoman-elect Lauren Boebert , and it promises to be a lively conversation for sure .
Just remember ; if these Democrats aren ’ t okay with their colleagues carrying in the Capitol , there ’ s no way they truly accept that you and I and the American people have the right to bear our own arms for self-defense .
This particular attack may be targeting a congressional rule , but the larger fight is over the Second Amendment itself @

The average citizen’s been barred from carrying a firearm in the U.S. Capitol since the 1960’s, but when the House, Senate, and then-president Lyndon B. Johnson passed their gun control law, they carved out an exemption for members of Congress.
Now, more than 50 years later, a group of Democratic House members is trying to stop the practice by imposing a new carry ban that would apply to lawmakers as well as staff and visitors.
In a letter sent Tuesday to Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), the liberals argued that gun-toting lawmakers, rather than boosting security around Capitol Hill, actually compromise the safety of everyone there, particularly because the Capitol Police are in the dark about who is armed and who is not. Behind Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), the Democrats are urging party leaders to adopt a rules change in the next Congress banning firearms for lawmakers and the public alike. “Ultimately, the current regulations create needless risk for Members of Congress, their staff, members of the Capitol Police, and visitors to the Capitol grounds,” the lawmakers wrote to Pelosi and McCarthy. The letter was endorsed by other leading congressional gun reformers, including Reps. Mike Quigley (D-Ill.) and Robin Kelly (D-Ill.), who represent Chicago, where gun violence has spiked in recent years, and Rep. Jackie Speier (D-Calif.), who was shot and wounded as a staff member during the 1978 congressional trip to the Jonestown cult settlement in Guyana. Former Rep. Leo Ryan (D-Calif.) and four others were killed in that shooting.
It’s unknown how many current members of Congress currently carry inside the Capitol, but representatives-elect Lauren Boebert of Colorado and Georgia’s Andrew Clyde have both publicly indicated that they plan to do so when they’re sworn in to office in just a few weeks.
Just 21 Democrats have signed on to Huffman’s letter, but with Pelosi’s alleged approval don’t be surprised if the House gun ban is included in the chamber’s list of proposed rules when Congress reconvenes for its next session in early January.
Why the push now, given that lawmakers have been carrying in the U.S. Capitol for decades without issue? I suspect that for anti-gun Democrats like Huffman the news that Boebert, Clyde, and potentially several other freshman members would be armed for their own protection is just a bridge too far. It might be one thing if congresscritters are quietly carrying without drawing attention to themselves, but now that it’s becoming a public issue the Democrats want to crack down.
We’ll be talking more about the Democrats’ gun-ban plans on tomorrow’s Bearing Arms’ Cam & Co with Colorado congresswoman-elect Lauren Boebert, and it promises to be a lively conversation for sure.
Just remember; if these Democrats aren’t okay with their colleagues carrying in the Capitol, there’s no way they truly accept that you and I and the American people have the right to bear our own arms for self-defense. This particular attack may be targeting a congressional rule, but the larger fight is over the Second Amendment itself.


bearingarms--2020-12-16--Ohio Committee To Vote On Stand Your Ground Bill

While they ’ re controversial , Stand Your Ground laws really shouldn ’ t be .
Contrary to the criticism leveled by some , such laws aren ’ t legalized murder .
Instead , they simply remove something from the decisionmaking process should you be faced with an attack .
They simply say you don ’ t have to try and escape in the first place , something that may not seem possible at the time but could open you up to criminal charges because some prosecutor thinks you could totally have shimmied up a drainpipe with your broken foot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Your Ground laws do is make it so that stupidity never happens .
They should be on the books in all 50 states as well as all the American territories .
In Ohio , though , lawmakers are taking the next step in addressing that oversight .
Of course , this was published on Tuesday , so it may be over by the time you read this .
Sorry , I can only write about what I know about and all that .
Still , though , this is an important step .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ right way and the bill will move on to the next step in the process .
The people of Ohio deserve not to have to worry about being prosecuted for defending themselves .
However , Whaley fails to consider how the current law might have come into play during the mass shooting in her city not all that long ago .
In that instance , a maniac with a gun decided to shoot up an outdoor bar .
While he was slaughtering innocent people , anyone with a gun would have been forced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very clear threat before them .
I ’ d like to think that if they ignored the law and had put the gunman down like a rabid dog , no prosecutor would have taken up the case , but reality suggests otherwise .
So , the single greatest mass murder in Dayton history might have been avoided had been able to meet the threat .
Now , we don ’ t know that if the law were different that the outcome would have been as well .
We don ’ t know that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ area at the time of the shooting , after all .
What we do know , though , is that with the law as it is , anyone who had been would have been facing prosecution for saving lives .
Stand Your Ground doesn ’ t justify murder just because you ’ re afraid .
It simply makes it so you ’ re not required to run away when people ’ s lives are on the line .
Why is that so controversial ?

While they’re controversial, Stand Your Ground laws really shouldn’t be. Contrary to the criticism leveled by some, such laws aren’t legalized murder. Instead, they simply remove something from the decisionmaking process should you be faced with an attack. They simply say you don’t have to try and escape in the first place, something that may not seem possible at the time but could open you up to criminal charges because some prosecutor thinks you could totally have shimmied up a drainpipe with your broken foot and evaded the attacker.
What Stand Your Ground laws do is make it so that stupidity never happens. They should be on the books in all 50 states as well as all the American territories.
Unfortunately, they’re not.
In Ohio, though, lawmakers are taking the next step in addressing that oversight.
Tomorrow, the House Civil Justice Committee will likely vote on House Bill 796, a companion bill to Senate Bill 383. Once it has passed out of committee, the measure can be voted on the House floor at any time. It is very important that you please contact your State Senator and Representative and ask that they SUPPORT Senate Bill 383 /House Bill 796.
Of course, this was published on Tuesday, so it may be over by the time you read this. Sorry, I can only write about what I know about and all that.
Still, though, this is an important step. Hopefully, the committee will vote the right way and the bill will move on to the next step in the process. The people of Ohio deserve not to have to worry about being prosecuted for defending themselves.
Unfortunately, some disagree.
As the Ohio Senate is expected to vote on Ohio Senate Bill 383 this week, Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley hosted a press conference urging lawmakers to vote against it. … Whaley believes the “stand your ground” laws are too broad and that lawmakers are missing the mandate they should be focused on when it comes to gun debates. “We need the Ohio legislature to pay attention to what the vast majority of Ohioans say, that we want common sense gun legislation,” said Whaley. “Not extreme laws, not stand your ground.”
However, Whaley fails to consider how the current law might have come into play during the mass shooting in her city not all that long ago.
In that instance, a maniac with a gun decided to shoot up an outdoor bar. While he was slaughtering innocent people, anyone with a gun would have been forced to run away rather than engaging the very clear threat before them. I’d like to think that if they ignored the law and had put the gunman down like a rabid dog, no prosecutor would have taken up the case, but reality suggests otherwise.
So, the single greatest mass murder in Dayton history might have been avoided had been able to meet the threat.
Now, we don’t know that if the law were different that the outcome would have been as well. We don’t know that there were any concealed carriers in the area at the time of the shooting, after all. What we do know, though, is that with the law as it is, anyone who had been would have been facing prosecution for saving lives.
Stand Your Ground doesn’t justify murder just because you’re afraid. It simply makes it so you’re not required to run away when people’s lives are on the line.
Why is that so controversial?


bearingarms--2020-12-16--Senator-Elect Nails It On Biden Gun Tax

Senator-Elect Nails It On Biden Gun Tax

With President-Elect Joe Biden , we know what we ’ re going to get .
He ’ s been a rabid anti-gunner for decades and he ’ s not about to change any time soon .
He ran in the primary on gun control and while not much was said about guns in the general election thanks to a compliant media , he also didn ’ t exactly hide his anti-gun beliefs .
I mean , they were right there on his website for all the world to see .
One of Biden ’ s proposals is to tax the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s proposed a $ 200 tax on every so-called assault weapon and on every magazine capable of holding more than 10 rounds .
Considering what many of us have , that ’ s thousands of dollars in taxes just to keep something we lawfully purchased .
Now , a senator-elect campaigning in Georgia has hit the nail on the head as to what this is really about .
FORSYTH , Georgia — Sen.-elect Cynthia Lummis ( R-WY ) campaigned Monday afternoon as part of a tour to promote voting for Republicans in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Breitbart News about how she sees Democrats threatening fundamental rights like the Second Amendment .
Lummis , after appearing at Meadows Gun Club alongside Rep. Jim Banks ( R-IN ) , Rep.-elect Madison Cawthorn ( R-NC ) , and other Republican leaders as part of Club for Growth Action ’ s statewide “ Save America ” bus tour , spoke with Breitbart News about Democrat plans to tax guns as a means of penalizing those who own them .
“ They will tax guns , ” Lummis said .
“ They will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can every year as a way to punish those of us who are gun owners.
” Lummis described incumbent Sens .
Kelly Loeffler ( R-GA ) and David Perdue ( R-GA ) as the country ’ s “ last line of defense ” because Republicans retaining the Senate majority hinges on at least one of them winning their runoff race on January 5 .
For people like Biden , those of us who oppose gun control deserve whatever comes .
They want to punish us because we own weapons they personally find “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve vilified over and over again but have yet to provide any conclusive proof that they benefit criminals as much or more than ordinary , law-abiding citizens .
See , those who own these weapons and magazines are the problem .
We refuse to bow down and take what our “ betters ” care to dish out .
We ’ re not supposed to be citizens , we ’ re supposed to be subjects .
In their minds , at least .
Yes , Biden wants to punish gun owners .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right kind of gun owners .
Well , that ’ s what he ’ ll settle for .
He wants to make gun owners an endangered species .
What he really wants is to basically wipe us out .
What he and the people who do his thinking for him know is that they can ’ t .
They can ’ t just wipe away guns without one hell of a fight , so instead , they want to hamstring us in every way they can manage .
Lummis is right .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Not really .
It ’ s about trying to teach us a lesson .
The problem is that if Biden pushes this , he might just be the one learning a thing or two .

With President-Elect Joe Biden, we know what we’re going to get. He’s been a rabid anti-gunner for decades and he’s not about to change any time soon. He ran in the primary on gun control and while not much was said about guns in the general election thanks to a compliant media, he also didn’t exactly hide his anti-gun beliefs. I mean, they were right there on his website for all the world to see.
One of Biden’s proposals is to tax the ever-loving crap out of us. He’s proposed a $200 tax on every so-called assault weapon and on every magazine capable of holding more than 10 rounds.
Considering what many of us have, that’s thousands of dollars in taxes just to keep something we lawfully purchased.
Now, a senator-elect campaigning in Georgia has hit the nail on the head as to what this is really about.
FORSYTH, Georgia — Sen.-elect Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) campaigned Monday afternoon as part of a tour to promote voting for Republicans in the Georgia Senate runoff election and talked with Breitbart News about how she sees Democrats threatening fundamental rights like the Second Amendment. Lummis, after appearing at Meadows Gun Club alongside Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN), Rep.-elect Madison Cawthorn (R-NC), and other Republican leaders as part of Club for Growth Action’s statewide “Save America” bus tour, spoke with Breitbart News about Democrat plans to tax guns as a means of penalizing those who own them. “They will tax guns,” Lummis said. “They will tax every weapon as high as they can every year as a way to punish those of us who are gun owners.” Lummis described incumbent Sens. Kelly Loeffler (R-GA) and David Perdue (R-GA) as the country’s “last line of defense” because Republicans retaining the Senate majority hinges on at least one of them winning their runoff race on January 5.
Folks, she ain’t wrong.
For people like Biden, those of us who oppose gun control deserve whatever comes. They want to punish us because we own weapons they personally find “icky.” That includes the magazine they’ve vilified over and over again but have yet to provide any conclusive proof that they benefit criminals as much or more than ordinary, law-abiding citizens.
See, those who own these weapons and magazines are the problem. We refuse to bow down and take what our “betters” care to dish out. We’re not supposed to be citizens, we’re supposed to be subjects.
In their minds, at least.
Yes, Biden wants to punish gun owners. He wants to push people to be the right kind of gun owners. Well, that’s what he’ll settle for. He wants to make gun owners an endangered species. What he really wants is to basically wipe us out.
What he and the people who do his thinking for him know is that they can’t. They can’t just wipe away guns without one hell of a fight, so instead, they want to hamstring us in every way they can manage.
Lummis is right. This isn’t about public safety. Not really. It’s about trying to teach us a lesson.
The problem is that if Biden pushes this, he might just be the one learning a thing or two.


bearingarms--2020-12-16--Former Cop Pulls Gun On Innocent Man In Search For Fake Ballots

A retired Houston police captain could be facing decades behind bars after being accused of pulling a gun on an HVAC repairman that the former cop believed was part of a massive campaign to steal the presidential election for Joe Biden .
63-year old Mark Anthony Aguirre faces charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in the incident , which took place back in October of this year , just weeks before the election .
According to Aguirre , he ’ d been conducting surveillance on a man for four days , believing that the individual was part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cop told police that the man had a truck packed full of 750,000 ballots and was using “ Hispanic children to sign the ballots because the children ’ s fingerprints would not appear in any database.
” On the morning of October 19th , Aguirre tailed the man as he left his home , but wasn ’ t content to just hang back .
Eventually , Aguirre ran his SUV into the back of the truck , and when the driver got out to check on the damage , Aguirre allegedly pulled a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ground .
Moments later a police officer driving by saw Aguirre with gun in hand and pulled over to investigate .
After Aguirre was questioned by police , he led them to the mobile home park where the delivery driver lives and pointed out where he ’ d hid and watched the man over the past four days .
The former cop claimed that the driver was using his home and a shed behind the house to store the fraudulent ballots , but after the driver gave police permission to search the property @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a ballot harvesting operation or voter fraud of any kind .
According to court records , Aguirre was paid more than $ 250,000 by the Texas-based Liberty Center for God and Country to conduct his voter fraud investigation , including a payment of more than $ 200,000 the day after the incident took place .
The Liberty Center , whose CEO is conservative activist Steven Holtze , confirmed its business relationship with Aguirre on Tuesday .
Jared Woodfill , a spokesperson and attorney for Hotze , confirmed that the Liberty Center hired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voter fraud ahead of the 2020 election .
The company contracted approximately 20 private investigators to work on claims of fraudulent ballots in Harris County and other places in Texas .
Woodfill said he was aware of Aguirre ’ s arrest but had not yet heard Aguirre ’ s side of the story .
“ [ Hotze ] did not direct or lead any of the investigations , ” Woodfill said , noting that Hotze instead sent tips and information to the team of investigators to decide how to follow up .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigation team that looked into the allegations.
” It ’ s probably too late for the Liberty Center to get its money back , especially since Aguirre will likely need all the cash he can get to pay for a criminal defense team if he plans on fighting the charges .
A self-defense claim appears to be out of the question , since even Aguirre doesn ’ t claim that the air conditioning repairman ever threatened him .
Instead it appears Aguirre was trying to effect a citizen ’ s arrest on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wasn ’ t taking the supposed threat seriously .
It should be noted , by the way , that Aguirre had no cause to try to make a citizen ’ s arrest , since he hadn ’ t actually witnessed a felony offense or breach of the peace .
He had his suspicions and his theories , but no actual evidence that a crime had been committed .
Police and prosecutors , on the other hand , have plenty of evidence in their case against Aguirre , who was apparently willing to ignore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ truth .
I applaud those who want to ensure that our votes are secure and not subject to fraud , but there ’ s a right way to go about it and Aguirre ’ s course of action ain ’ t it .
The only person likely to end up facing charges as a result of Aguirre ’ s investigation into voter fraud is Aguirre himself , and while the maximum sentence of 20 years may be unlikely , the prospect of at least some prison time for the former police officer is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ convicted .

A retired Houston police captain could be facing decades behind bars after being accused of pulling a gun on an HVAC repairman that the former cop believed was part of a massive campaign to steal the presidential election for Joe Biden.
63-year old Mark Anthony Aguirre faces charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in the incident, which took place back in October of this year, just weeks before the election.
According to Aguirre, he’d been conducting surveillance on a man for four days, believing that the individual was part of a ballot harvesting conspiracy. The former cop told police that the man had a truck packed full of 750,000 ballots and was using “Hispanic children to sign the ballots because the children’s fingerprints would not appear in any database.”
On the morning of October 19th, Aguirre tailed the man as he left his home, but wasn’t content to just hang back. Eventually, Aguirre ran his SUV into the back of the truck, and when the driver got out to check on the damage, Aguirre allegedly pulled a gun and ordered the driver to the ground. Moments later a police officer driving by saw Aguirre with gun in hand and pulled over to investigate.
Aguirre allegedly directed police to a parking lot nearby where another suspect, who has not been identified, took the truck. According to court documents, there were no ballots in the truck. The truck was filled with air conditioning parts and tools.
After Aguirre was questioned by police, he led them to the mobile home park where the delivery driver lives and pointed out where he’d hid and watched the man over the past four days. The former cop claimed that the driver was using his home and a shed behind the house to store the fraudulent ballots, but after the driver gave police permission to search the property, they found nothing that would point to a ballot harvesting operation or voter fraud of any kind.
According to court records, Aguirre was paid more than $250,000 by the Texas-based Liberty Center for God and Country to conduct his voter fraud investigation, including a payment of more than $200,000 the day after the incident took place. The Liberty Center, whose CEO is conservative activist Steven Holtze, confirmed its business relationship with Aguirre on Tuesday.
Jared Woodfill, a spokesperson and attorney for Hotze, confirmed that the Liberty Center hired a company led by Aguirre to investigate voter fraud ahead of the 2020 election. The company contracted approximately 20 private investigators to work on claims of fraudulent ballots in Harris County and other places in Texas. Woodfill said he was aware of Aguirre’s arrest but had not yet heard Aguirre’s side of the story. “[Hotze] did not direct or lead any of the investigations,” Woodfill said, noting that Hotze instead sent tips and information to the team of investigators to decide how to follow up. “The [Liberty Center] employed the investigation team that looked into the allegations.”
It’s probably too late for the Liberty Center to get its money back, especially since Aguirre will likely need all the cash he can get to pay for a criminal defense team if he plans on fighting the charges. A self-defense claim appears to be out of the question, since even Aguirre doesn’t claim that the air conditioning repairman ever threatened him. Instead it appears Aguirre was trying to effect a citizen’s arrest on the man after becoming frustrated that law enforcement wasn’t taking the supposed threat seriously.
A few days before Aguirre allegedly assaulted the man, he called Lt. Wayne Rubio with the Texas attorney general’s office, requesting help with the investigation. Rubio declined and reported the call. Days later, he got another call from Aguirre,who was upset that police would not intervene based on his uncorroborated accusations, according to the affidavit, which referred to a phone call and email from Rubio reporting the call to authorities. Aguirre allegedly told Rubio he had been in a car wreck with “a voter fraud suspect.”
It should be noted, by the way, that Aguirre had no cause to try to make a citizen’s arrest, since he hadn’t actually witnessed a felony offense or breach of the peace. He had his suspicions and his theories, but no actual evidence that a crime had been committed.
Police and prosecutors, on the other hand, have plenty of evidence in their case against Aguirre, who was apparently willing to ignore the law in pursuit of a greater truth.
I applaud those who want to ensure that our votes are secure and not subject to fraud, but there’s a right way to go about it and Aguirre’s course of action ain’t it. The only person likely to end up facing charges as a result of Aguirre’s investigation into voter fraud is Aguirre himself, and while the maximum sentence of 20 years may be unlikely, the prospect of at least some prison time for the former police officer is a near certainty if he’s convicted.


bearingarms--2020-12-16--New Info Available On Polymer80 Raid

New Info Available On Polymer80 Raid

Last week , ATF agents raided Polymer80 , a company that makes incomplete pistol receivers for people to finish at home .
Now , we all know that this practice is legal .
Polymer80 has been around for a little while and they ’ ve never had a problem .
After all , the ATF signed off on the incomplete receiver , right ?
Well , they did .
However , over at The Firearms Blog , they got their hands on some of the paperwork surrounding the raid .
Now , we know more about what the agents were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for customers .
According to documents sent to TFB from an anonymous source , the ATF investigation into the Polymer80 and the Buy Build Shoot kits appears to focus on three main elements .
First , the ATF states that the Buy Build Shoot kits are firearms , not just parts .
Second , because these kits are considered firearms , Polymer80 did not follow the regulations guiding the transfer of handguns from an FFL to individuals .
And third , a number of the Polymer80 Buy Build Shoot kits were shipped from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in support of the Polymer80 warrant application to search for and seize evidence related to the investigation is detailed , in part , below .
The affidavit is over 50 pages long and details a year-long investigation into Polymer80 and the sale of the Buy Build Shoot kits to individuals in the United States .
In the affidavit , the ATF states that while Polymer80 submitted a “ receiver blank ” for determination , the company did not provide a full Buy Build Shoot kit for analysis .
It is unclear why a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be determined as a firearm or just a kit when the receiver or receiver blank could be the only regulated part .
Using information from Polymer80 ’ s FFL inspections , items received for ATF determination and the ability of both ATF agents as well as confidential informants to “ readily assemble ” a firearm , the ATF determined that Polymer80 knew the Buy Build Shoot kits meet the federal definition of a firearm .
With this determination by the ATF , they then maintain that the Polymer80 Buy Build Shoot kits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Firearms Licensed ( FFL ) manufacturers and dealers when transferring handguns to non-licensees .
It seems that since the Buy Build Shoot kits contained not just the incomplete receiver , but also the other parts necessary to complete the firearm , it somehow ran afoul of the ATF ’ s imaginary guidelines .
The problem is , the ATF has long maintained that the receiver is the part of the gun that makes it a gun .
None of the other parts do , so why would their presence somehow turn a block @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is–into a firearm ?
I honestly don ’ t really see the logic , such as it is , on this one .
Now , what does this mean ?
Well , since they got customer lists , it seems they may potentially go after buyers of these kits .
After all , these folks are alleged to have purchased guns by mail , basically , without them going through an FFL holder .
The Firearms Policy Coalition is already digging in for a fight on their behalf .
Now , one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sent a Buy Build Shoot kit to a prohibited person .
Federal law already forbids people who are prohibited from building a firearm , but it doesn ’ t punish those who aren ’ t selling completed firearms for selling non-firearms to people who might be prohibited .
It sounds to me like they had to justify the kits being actual guns just so they could hit Polymer80 with selling to the wrong person .
Maybe I ’ m wrong , but I don ’ t think so .
It looks like this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drawn-out process that will bear careful attention .

Last week, ATF agents raided Polymer80, a company that makes incomplete pistol receivers for people to finish at home. Now, we all know that this practice is legal. Polymer80 has been around for a little while and they’ve never had a problem. After all, the ATF signed off on the incomplete receiver, right?
Well, they did. However, over at The Firearms Blog, they got their hands on some of the paperwork surrounding the raid. Now, we know more about what the agents were looking for and what that may mean for customers.
According to documents sent to TFB from an anonymous source, the ATF investigation into the Polymer80 and the Buy Build Shoot kits appears to focus on three main elements. First, the ATF states that the Buy Build Shoot kits are firearms, not just parts. Second, because these kits are considered firearms, Polymer80 did not follow the regulations guiding the transfer of handguns from an FFL to individuals. And third, a number of the Polymer80 Buy Build Shoot kits were shipped from Polymer80 to prohibited persons. The affidavit in support of the Polymer80 warrant application to search for and seize evidence related to the investigation is detailed, in part, below. Polymer80 Warrant – Handguns, Customer Records, Prohibited Persons The affidavit is over 50 pages long and details a year-long investigation into Polymer80 and the sale of the Buy Build Shoot kits to individuals in the United States. In the affidavit, the ATF states that while Polymer80 submitted a “receiver blank” for determination, the company did not provide a full Buy Build Shoot kit for analysis. It is unclear why a full kit of unregulated parts is required to be determined as a firearm or just a kit when the receiver or receiver blank could be the only regulated part. Using information from Polymer80’s FFL inspections, items received for ATF determination and the ability of both ATF agents as well as confidential informants to “readily assemble” a firearm, the ATF determined that Polymer80 knew the Buy Build Shoot kits meet the federal definition of a firearm. With this determination by the ATF, they then maintain that the Polymer80 Buy Build Shoot kits needed to follow the regulations for Federal Firearms Licensed (FFL) manufacturers and dealers when transferring handguns to non-licensees.
It seems that since the Buy Build Shoot kits contained not just the incomplete receiver, but also the other parts necessary to complete the firearm, it somehow ran afoul of the ATF’s imaginary guidelines.
The problem is, the ATF has long maintained that the receiver is the part of the gun that makes it a gun. None of the other parts do, so why would their presence somehow turn a block of plastic–which is all a Polymer80 receiver is–into a firearm? I honestly don’t really see the logic, such as it is, on this one.
Now, what does this mean?
Well, since they got customer lists, it seems they may potentially go after buyers of these kits. After all, these folks are alleged to have purchased guns by mail, basically, without them going through an FFL holder.
The Firearms Policy Coalition is already digging in for a fight on their behalf.
**FPC LAW NEEDS YOUR HELP** If you own a Polymer80 “Buy Build Shoot” kit or similar PLEASE let our attorneys know ASAP ➡ [email protected] ⬅ if you would be willing to help us litigate this issue! **Especially seeking potential plaintiffs in AL, GA, FL, MI, OH, MS, LA, TX, ND** — Firearms Policy Coalition (@gunpolicy) December 13, 2020
Now, one of the allegations against Polymer80 is that they sent a Buy Build Shoot kit to a prohibited person. Federal law already forbids people who are prohibited from building a firearm, but it doesn’t punish those who aren’t selling completed firearms for selling non-firearms to people who might be prohibited.
It sounds to me like they had to justify the kits being actual guns just so they could hit Polymer80 with selling to the wrong person. Maybe I’m wrong, but I don’t think so.
It looks like this is going to be a long, drawn-out process that will bear careful attention.