bearingarms--2020-06-04--Gun Company Stocks Surge As Sales Continue Soaring

While most people aren ’ t overly interested in the stock market–that includes a lot of people who have money invested , to be fair–there is a good reason to pay attention to the stock prices of firearm companies .
For the last several months , the firearm industry has had plenty of good news .
After all , sales have skyrocketed .
Plus , since these are new gun owners , that means the customer base is growing overall .
They ’ re not just selling to the same people as they were before .
Now , investors are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The latest surge is probably driven by “ unfilled demand from Covid , recent buying due to civil unrest and continued and perhaps heightened buying due to the upcoming election and potential for increased regulation following the election , ” Lake Street analyst Mark Smith wrote in a note Tuesday .
The last two items will drive “ continued demand in June and through the fall , ” he said .
Others on Wall Street agree .
Cowen ’ s guns and ammunition analyst Cai Von Rumohr told clients that while virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for guns may “ remain strong as civil unrest increases with the George Floyd protests.
” Near-term firearms demand probably also would be “ bolstered ” if the election prospects for Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden strengthen , given the party ’ s “ more restrictive stance on gun control.
” Shares of gun makers Sturm Ruger & Co. and Smith & Wesson Brands have soared 14 % and 25 % , respectively , in the past two days .
They ’ ve also outperformed the broader market over the past 13 months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mid-March .
That correlates with meaningful year-over-year gains in adjusted background checks of 80 % in March , 69 % in April and 75 % in May .
That ’ s a significant jump from the adjusted gains of 19 % and 17 % in January and February respectively .
Now , while many people don ’ t care about the market or stock prices in and of itself , increased prices can actually be good for gun rights .
Let ’ s not forget that activist investors like to buy stocks , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ try and pressure the companies into capitulating with the gun grabbers ’ demands .
While many of those investors currently have a stake in these companies , increased prices will help shut the door on new activists as well as make it more difficult for these anti-gunners to grow their positions .
Plus , a healthy stock price suggests that the companies themselves are healthy .
That ’ s a good thing for all of us .
After all , what good is the right to keep and bear arms if there are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place ?
The firearm industry is vital toward feeding that need , and healthy companies mean they ’ ll be able to continue selling us the tools we need to maintain our freedom from tyranny .
That ’ s especially important in light of the countless people involved in lawless behavior in recent days .
After all , if the people are going to destroy people ’ s lives like they have been , threatening folks with violence in the process , then those people need the means to defend themselves .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t also make a bit of money in the process .

While most people aren’t overly interested in the stock market–that includes a lot of people who have money invested, to be fair–there is a good reason to pay attention to the stock prices of firearm companies.
For the last several months, the firearm industry has had plenty of good news. After all, sales have skyrocketed. Plus, since these are new gun owners, that means the customer base is growing overall. They’re not just selling to the same people as they were before.
That’s great news.
Now, investors are starting to see that and react accordingly.
The latest surge is probably driven by “unfilled demand from Covid, recent buying due to civil unrest and continued and perhaps heightened buying due to the upcoming election and potential for increased regulation following the election,” Lake Street analyst Mark Smith wrote in a note Tuesday. The last two items will drive “continued demand in June and through the fall,” he said. Others on Wall Street agree. Cowen’s guns and ammunition analyst Cai Von Rumohr told clients that while virus lockdowns are starting to ease, demand for guns may “remain strong as civil unrest increases with the George Floyd protests.” Near-term firearms demand probably also would be “bolstered” if the election prospects for Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden strengthen, given the party’s “more restrictive stance on gun control.” Shares of gun makers Sturm Ruger & Co. and Smith & Wesson Brands have soared 14% and 25%, respectively, in the past two days. They’ve also outperformed the broader market over the past 13 months, with a strong surge coming since mid-March. That correlates with meaningful year-over-year gains in adjusted background checks of 80% in March, 69% in April and 75% in May. That’s a significant jump from the adjusted gains of 19% and 17% in January and February respectively.
Now, while many people don’t care about the market or stock prices in and of itself, increased prices can actually be good for gun rights.
Let’s not forget that activist investors like to buy stocks, then use their positions as stockholders to try and pressure the companies into capitulating with the gun grabbers’ demands.
While many of those investors currently have a stake in these companies, increased prices will help shut the door on new activists as well as make it more difficult for these anti-gunners to grow their positions.
Plus, a healthy stock price suggests that the companies themselves are healthy. That’s a good thing for all of us. After all, what good is the right to keep and bear arms if there are no arms to acquire in the first place? The firearm industry is vital toward feeding that need, and healthy companies mean they’ll be able to continue selling us the tools we need to maintain our freedom from tyranny.
That’s especially important in light of the countless people involved in lawless behavior in recent days. After all, if the people are going to destroy people’s lives like they have been, threatening folks with violence in the process, then those people need the means to defend themselves.
There’s absolutely no reason people shouldn’t also make a bit of money in the process.


bearingarms--2020-06-04--Hearing Reveals More Disturbing Details About Ahmaud Arbery's Death

Investigators with the Georgia Bureau of Investigations on Thursday laid out more details about the moments leading up to the death of Ahmaud Arbery in Glynn County , Georgia back in February .
The new revelations came during a probable cause hearing in Brunswick , Georgia for Gregory McMichael , his son Travis , and neighbor William “ Roddie ” Bryan , who have all been charged with murder in Arbery ’ s death .
Much of the testimony came from GBI agent Richard Dial , and none of it looks good for the McMichaels , who ’ ve claimed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ self-defense when Arbery charged him after the McMichaels and Bryan had attempted to stop the 26-year old after they saw him running down the street .
The McMichaels have claimed that they wanted to question Arbery about burglarizing a home under construction in the neighborhood where Travis McMichaels lived , though nothing was taken from the construction site and the home ’ s owner has said he never asked the McMichaels to watch over his property .
Dial says after investigating , it ’ s his belief that it was Ahmaud Arbery , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in self-defense when the deadly confrontation began .
At first , the three men tried several times to “ pin ” Arbery between their trucks , Dial said , pointing to DNA evidence from Arbery found on Bryan ’ s truck and witness statements .
Each time , Arbery tried to run around the trucks , jump out of the way , or run in a different direction .
After several attempts to avoid the white pick-up truck—occupied by Gregory in the truck ’ s bed and Travis aiming his shotgun out the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and then made “ a decision to engage ” with Travis , Dial said .
Bryan ’ s now-infamous footage showed Arbery trying to evade the McMichaels ’ truck one last time before a shot was fired .
The first shot hit Arbery in the chest , contradicting Travis ’ claim that he shot Arbery ’ s hand during a struggle , Dial said .
The footage showed Travis and Arbery getting into a scuffle .
Arbery was then shot another two times by Travis , hitting his left armpit and right wrist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t run anymore .
When he felt like he could not escape , he chose to fight , ” Dial said .
Attorneys for the McMichaels questioned Dial about the possibility that Travis McMichael was acting to defend his life when he fired a shotgun blast that hit Arbery in the chest , but the investigator made it clear that the facts don ’ t fit a self-defense claim .
Travis McMichael ’ s defense attorney Jason Sheffield , cross-examined Dial , asking questions about Arbery ’ s “ mental history ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in self-defense .
Sheffield pointed out that Arbery tried to grab the driver ’ s side door of the McMichaels ’ truck at one point , and that Travis told authorities he ’ d been struck by Arbery after the first shot was fired .
However , Dial said Travis had no visible injuries and Arbery was , he believed , attempting to do anything to escape being pursued by the three men .
“ I don ’ t believe it was self defense by Mr. McMichael , ” Dial said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arbery.
” I ’ ve reserved judgement about the McMichaels character and whether or not race played a role in their pursuit of Arbery , but Dial ’ s testimony revealed more damaging information about the mindset and racial attitudes of the father and son .
Dial says eyewitnesses , including Bryan , reported that Travis McMichael called Arbery a “ f***ing n****r ” as he lay dying on the sun-dappled street after being hit with three shotgun blasts fired at a close distance by McMichael .
Dial said on Thursday that Travis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and had used the n-word many other times .
Travis once wrote on Instagram that it would have been better “ if they had blown that fucking n—ers head off.
” He also once said he loved his job because he was on a boat and there were no “ n—ers ” anywhere .
According to Dial , Gregory McMichael told investigators that he had no direct knowledge that Arbery had committed a burglary , but took off after the man because he had a “ gut feeling ” that the 25-year old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against any claim by the McMichaels that they were attempting a lawful citizens arrest , because Georgia law explicitly states that such an arrest can only take place if a crime has been committed within the individual ’ s presence or “ within his immediate knowledge.
” Gregory and Travis McMichael had no such knowledge , nor did they have “ reasonable and probable grounds of suspicion ” that Arbery had committed a felony crime that day .
Gregory McMichael himself told investigators that it was just a “ gut feeling ” that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off after Arbery in Travis McMichael ’ s truck .
During the hearing , a defense attorney argued that “ any American ” would have done the same thing as the McMichaels , which is absurd on its face .
As I ’ ve argued , the McMichaels and Bryan were acting more like killer Karens when they took off after Arbery instead of simply dialing 911 to report suspicious behavior .
We don ’ t regularly have guys chasing people they think might have committed a burglary weeks earlier in this country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actions as something that any normal , red-blooded American would-do didn ’ t convince the judge , who Thursday afternoon found probably cause to bound Gregory McMichael , Travis McMichael , and William “ Roddie ” Bryan over for trial on felony murder charges .

Investigators with the Georgia Bureau of Investigations on Thursday laid out more details about the moments leading up to the death of Ahmaud Arbery in Glynn County, Georgia back in February. The new revelations came during a probable cause hearing in Brunswick, Georgia for Gregory McMichael, his son Travis, and neighbor William “Roddie” Bryan, who have all been charged with murder in Arbery’s death.
Much of the testimony came from GBI agent Richard Dial, and none of it looks good for the McMichaels, who’ve claimed that Travis McMichael fired a shotgun in self-defense when Arbery charged him after the McMichaels and Bryan had attempted to stop the 26-year old after they saw him running down the street. The McMichaels have claimed that they wanted to question Arbery about burglarizing a home under construction in the neighborhood where Travis McMichaels lived, though nothing was taken from the construction site and the home’s owner has said he never asked the McMichaels to watch over his property.
Dial says after investigating, it’s his belief that it was Ahmaud Arbery, not Travis McMichaels, who was acting in self-defense when the deadly confrontation began.
At first, the three men tried several times to “pin” Arbery between their trucks, Dial said, pointing to DNA evidence from Arbery found on Bryan’s truck and witness statements. Each time, Arbery tried to run around the trucks, jump out of the way, or run in a different direction. After several attempts to avoid the white pick-up truck—occupied by Gregory in the truck’s bed and Travis aiming his shotgun out the driver’s side door—Arbery changed directions and then made “a decision to engage” with Travis, Dial said. Bryan’s now-infamous footage showed Arbery trying to evade the McMichaels’ truck one last time before a shot was fired. The first shot hit Arbery in the chest, contradicting Travis’ claim that he shot Arbery’s hand during a struggle, Dial said. The footage showed Travis and Arbery getting into a scuffle. Arbery was then shot another two times by Travis, hitting his left armpit and right wrist. “He ran until he couldn’t run anymore. When he felt like he could not escape, he chose to fight,” Dial said.
Attorneys for the McMichaels questioned Dial about the possibility that Travis McMichael was acting to defend his life when he fired a shotgun blast that hit Arbery in the chest, but the investigator made it clear that the facts don’t fit a self-defense claim.
Travis McMichael’s defense attorney Jason Sheffield, cross-examined Dial, asking questions about Arbery’s “mental history” and about indications the McMichaels were acting in self-defense. Sheffield pointed out that Arbery tried to grab the driver’s side door of the McMichaels’ truck at one point, and that Travis told authorities he’d been struck by Arbery after the first shot was fired. However, Dial said Travis had no visible injuries and Arbery was, he believed, attempting to do anything to escape being pursued by the three men. “I don’t believe it was self defense by Mr. McMichael,” Dial said. “I believe it was self-defense by Mr. Arbery.”
I’ve reserved judgement about the McMichaels character and whether or not race played a role in their pursuit of Arbery, but Dial’s testimony revealed more damaging information about the mindset and racial attitudes of the father and son. Dial says eyewitnesses, including Bryan, reported that Travis McMichael called Arbery a “f***ing n****r” as he lay dying on the sun-dappled street after being hit with three shotgun blasts fired at a close distance by McMichael.
Dial said on Thursday that Travis had a Confederate sticker on his truck and had used the n-word many other times. Travis once wrote on Instagram that it would have been better “if they had blown that fucking n—ers head off.” He also once said he loved his job because he was on a boat and there were no “n—ers” anywhere.
According to Dial, Gregory McMichael told investigators that he had no direct knowledge that Arbery had committed a burglary, but took off after the man because he had a “gut feeling” that the 25-year old was a suspect. That will cut against any claim by the McMichaels that they were attempting a lawful citizens arrest, because Georgia law explicitly states that such an arrest can only take place if a crime has been committed within the individual’s presence or “within his immediate knowledge.” Gregory and Travis McMichael had no such knowledge, nor did they have “reasonable and probable grounds of suspicion” that Arbery had committed a felony crime that day. Gregory McMichael himself told investigators that it was just a “gut feeling” that led to him and his son taking off after Arbery in Travis McMichael’s truck.
During the hearing, a defense attorney argued that “any American” would have done the same thing as the McMichaels, which is absurd on its face. As I’ve argued, the McMichaels and Bryan were acting more like killer Karens when they took off after Arbery instead of simply dialing 911 to report suspicious behavior. We don’t regularly have guys chasing people they think might have committed a burglary weeks earlier in this country, and attempting to explain away their actions as something that any normal, red-blooded American would-do didn’t convince the judge, who Thursday afternoon found probably cause to bound Gregory McMichael, Travis McMichael, and William “Roddie” Bryan over for trial on felony murder charges.


bearingarms--2020-06-04--How "Cops Are Evil" Narrative Destroys Gun Control Argument

“ You don ’ t need a gun .
Who do you think you are , the police ?
” “ Private citizens don ’ t need guns like that .
Those are for the military and police.
” You ’ ve heard those arguments before , haven ’ t you ?
You ’ ve heard them and countless others , I ’ m sure .
Anyone who follows the gun control debate has heard them all .
And yet , we ’ ve also heard many of these same people decrying the police .
They ’ ve labeled them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the eradication of black folks .
As Charles W. Cooke writes of at National Review , the two positions can not co-exist .
Cooke ’ s opinion piece is excellent and I recommend you go and read the rest for yourself .
His overall point is also excellent and one we need to see discussed more openly .
After all , if the police are such a problem–and I ’ ll agree that there are serious problems with policing in this country–then why would you entrust them with all the power that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can lawfully have a firearm ?
The two positions simply don ’ t make any sense .
Either police are lawless and can ’ t be trusted with their current level of authority or they ’ re trustworthy souls to a man and there ’ s no reason to doubt they ’ ll rush to your rescue in your hour of need .
There ’ s just no way the two can co-exist .
Even claims of nuance fall flat on their face in this case .
No , not all police are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we need to revamp or , in some cases , even abolish the police , then there ’ s simply no way we can also believe that these same police should be the only ones trusted with firearms .
Of course , it ’ s not like this narrative will die .
Consistency isn ’ t exactly a hallmark of the anti-gunners .
They ’ re quite content to vilify the police while simultaneously lionizing them as our personal champions .
The thing is , a lot of other people will see the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Not all will fall on the pro-gun side , but it should make for some interesting discussions .

“The police will protect you.”
“You don’t need a gun. Who do you think you are, the police?”
“Private citizens don’t need guns like that. Those are for the military and police.”
You’ve heard those arguments before, haven’t you? You’ve heard them and countless others, I’m sure. Anyone who follows the gun control debate has heard them all.
And yet, we’ve also heard many of these same people decrying the police. They’ve labeled them as hateful, corrupt, and dedicated to the eradication of black folks.
As Charles W. Cooke writes of at National Review, the two positions cannot co-exist.
Only the cops need guns” simply could not live forever alongside, “The cops are racist and will kill you.” And so, at long last, the two circles of the Venn Diagram have filed for an amicable divorce. In the end, the differences proved irreconcilable. At least, they proved irreconcilable without descending into farce. I have been told more times that I can count that “if you want to own an AR-15, you should join the army or the police.” Oh, really. Why? So that I can be pulled back when the rioting starts, lest I inflame those wielding bricks and Molotov cocktails? So that I can be called a fascist, acting in the service of a dictator? So that I can be part of the problem? In light of the new fashions, these old injunctions look rather silly, don’t they? “You don’t need 15 rounds; you’re not a cop! Also, the police are corrupt from top to bottom, and should probably be abolished.” Pick one, perhaps?
Cooke’s opinion piece is excellent and I recommend you go and read the rest for yourself.
His overall point is also excellent and one we need to see discussed more openly. After all, if the police are such a problem–and I’ll agree that there are serious problems with policing in this country–then why would you entrust them with all the power that comes from being the only ones who can lawfully have a firearm?
The two positions simply don’t make any sense. Either police are lawless and can’t be trusted with their current level of authority or they’re trustworthy souls to a man and there’s no reason to doubt they’ll rush to your rescue in your hour of need. There’s just no way the two can co-exist.
Even claims of nuance fall flat on their face in this case. No, not all police are bad, but if enough are that we need to revamp or, in some cases, even abolish the police, then there’s simply no way we can also believe that these same police should be the only ones trusted with firearms.
Of course, it’s not like this narrative will die. Consistency isn’t exactly a hallmark of the anti-gunners. They’re quite content to vilify the police while simultaneously lionizing them as our personal champions.
The thing is, a lot of other people will see the discrepancy and question the competing narratives. Not all will fall on the pro-gun side, but it should make for some interesting discussions.


bearingarms--2020-06-04--Long Lines and High Demand For Concealed Carry Licenses

With more than two-million Americans becoming first time gun owners since the start of the new year , according to the National Shooting Sports Foundation , it ’ s to be expected that at least some of those folks are going to take the next step and get their concealed carry license .
What we ’ re seeing goes far beyond just a simple spike in concealed carry applications , however .
In fact , one Alabama sheriff says he ’ s never seen anything like this before .
“ People are scared , ” said Cullman County Sheriff Matt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ m getting a couple hundred phone calls .
People don ’ t know what to expect , so they ’ re coming out to protect themselves .
Cullman County saw record demand for the permits on Tuesday when 250 applications were processed , which Gentry said easily topped the old record of 115 in a day .
There are about 80,000 residents in Cullman County , and you have to think that a good portion of them already had their concealed carry license .
Now folks are literally lining up to join their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He said he doesn ’ t see any letup in the near future .
“ We had seven to 10 people lined up ready to go this morning , ” Gentry said Wednesday .
The demand is so great that the sheriff set up a tent outside the office and dedicated more staff in order to process permits faster .
Both the Shelby County and Morgan County Sheriff ’ s Offices reported a similar increase in demand for the concealed carry permits .
Gentry said the reason for the increase demand is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to protect their families .
“ I think there ’ s a fear now of criminals , people that are not peaceful protesters , people that want to do bad things and coming and trying to hurt our community , ” he said .
On today ’ s Bearing Arms ’ Cam & Co , we take a closer look at the record-setting rise in concealed carry applications , as well as delving into a couple of stories involving those who are carrying firearms for self-defense at protests , or as protection against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police are facing questions after arresting and citing a concealed carry holder for disorderly conduct .
Omar Buchanan was charged after officers say his “ actions were not consistent with someone either utilizing open carry or their CCW.
” Buchanan ’ s friend Brandon Love says the concealed carry holder did nothing wrong .
“ As he ran , somehow it fell , his holster fell .
He picked it up , put it back , ” Love said , to which WISN 12 News asked , “ It was still in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he never took it out.
” Love said despite having a legal right to carry the gun , police did not return it to Buchanan .
He said Buchanan spent $ 500 to get out of jail and received a citation for disorderly conduct .
“ In compliance with my CCW license my weapon was concealed , ” Buchanan wrote in a Facebook post .
“ This is why we are marching and fighting .
Thanks MPD for the disorderly conduct ticket even though I did not commit a crime.
” I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ camera footage that the Milwaukee Police Department might have .
Given the relatively low-level charge , it doesn ’ t seem that Buchanan is suspected of any actual crime of violence .
So far Chief Alfonso Morales hasn ’ t commented on Buchanan ’ s arrest , but I ’ d really like to hear what he has to say , because at the moment , it appears as if Buchanan ’ s arrest was unwarranted .
In Worchester , Massachusetts , Tuan Huynh and Tram Huynh say they ’ ll now be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was scheduled to open for business on June 8th .
Looters smashed several of the restaurant ’ s windows during a street violence on Monday evening , and the Huynh ’ s say police did nothing to stop it from happening .
“ They can ’ t even protect my business and kick [ ed ] me out of my business , which is wrong , ” said Tuan the morning after the damage was done .
Worcester police did not respond to a request to comment on the situation .
Tuan says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s going to protect his business .
“ Everybody is trying to make a living here , ” said Tram Huynh .
“ We don ’ t have time for them going around damaging other people ’ s property , it ’ s just not right … I actually support what they have to do for the human rights .
One hundred percent support for what they ’ ve done , but it comes to this point where it gets too personal and I ’ m not going to let that happen to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and looting continues , the louder voices like Huynh ’ s will become .
Protest peacefully , even boisterously , but do not destroy the livelihoods of business owners and their employees .
I think both the surge in gun sales and concealed carry license applications will continue for some time , and while I love to see more Americans embracing their Second Amendment rights , I truly wish it wasn ’ t because of the violence and looting in our streets .

With more than two-million Americans becoming first time gun owners since the start of the new year, according to the National Shooting Sports Foundation, it’s to be expected that at least some of those folks are going to take the next step and get their concealed carry license. What we’re seeing goes far beyond just a simple spike in concealed carry applications, however. In fact, one Alabama sheriff says he’s never seen anything like this before.
“People are scared,” said Cullman County Sheriff Matt Gentry. “Everyday, I’m getting a couple hundred phone calls. People don’t know what to expect, so they’re coming out to protect themselves. Cullman County saw record demand for the permits on Tuesday when 250 applications were processed, which Gentry said easily topped the old record of 115 in a day.
There are about 80,000 residents in Cullman County, and you have to think that a good portion of them already had their concealed carry license. Now folks are literally lining up to join their neighbors in exercising their right to carry.
He said he doesn’t see any letup in the near future. “We had seven to 10 people lined up ready to go this morning,” Gentry said Wednesday. The demand is so great that the sheriff set up a tent outside the office and dedicated more staff in order to process permits faster. Both the Shelby County and Morgan County Sheriff’s Offices reported a similar increase in demand for the concealed carry permits. Gentry said the reason for the increase demand is simple, people want to be able to protect their families. “I think there’s a fear now of criminals, people that are not peaceful protesters, people that want to do bad things and coming and trying to hurt our community,” he said.
On today’s Bearing Arms’ Cam & Co, we take a closer look at the record-setting rise in concealed carry applications, as well as delving into a couple of stories involving those who are carrying firearms for self-defense at protests, or as protection against looters.
In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, police are facing questions after arresting and citing a concealed carry holder for disorderly conduct. Omar Buchanan was charged after officers say his “actions were not consistent with someone either utilizing open carry or their CCW.” Buchanan’s friend Brandon Love says the concealed carry holder did nothing wrong.
“As he ran, somehow it fell, his holster fell. He picked it up, put it back,” Love said, to which WISN 12 News asked, “It was still in the holster?” “In the holster, he never took it out.” Love said despite having a legal right to carry the gun, police did not return it to Buchanan. He said Buchanan spent $500 to get out of jail and received a citation for disorderly conduct. “In compliance with my CCW license my weapon was concealed,” Buchanan wrote in a Facebook post. “This is why we are marching and fighting. Thanks MPD for the disorderly conduct ticket even though I did not commit a crime.”
I’d love to see any body camera footage that the Milwaukee Police Department might have. Given the relatively low-level charge, it doesn’t seem that Buchanan is suspected of any actual crime of violence. So far Chief Alfonso Morales hasn’t commented on Buchanan’s arrest, but I’d really like to hear what he has to say, because at the moment, it appears as if Buchanan’s arrest was unwarranted.
In Worchester, Massachusetts, Tuan Huynh and Tram Huynh say they’ll now be armed to protect their restaurant, which was scheduled to open for business on June 8th. Looters smashed several of the restaurant’s windows during a street violence on Monday evening, and the Huynh’s say police did nothing to stop it from happening.
“They can’t even protect my business and kick[ed] me out of my business, which is wrong,” said Tuan the morning after the damage was done. Worcester police did not respond to a request to comment on the situation. Tuan says he’s mad and he’s going to protect his business. “Everybody is trying to make a living here,” said Tram Huynh. “We don’t have time for them going around damaging other people’s property, it’s just not right … I actually support what they have to do for the human rights. One hundred percent support for what they’ve done, but it comes to this point where it gets too personal and I’m not going to let that happen to my business.”
The longer the riots and looting continues, the louder voices like Huynh’s will become. Protest peacefully, even boisterously, but do not destroy the livelihoods of business owners and their employees. I think both the surge in gun sales and concealed carry license applications will continue for some time, and while I love to see more Americans embracing their Second Amendment rights, I truly wish it wasn’t because of the violence and looting in our streets.


bearingarms--2020-06-04--Eight-Time Felon Busted For Looting Now Facing Federal Gun Charges

A Chicago , Illinois man who ’ s no stranger to the criminal justice system is now back behind bars and facing federal charges after cops caught him coming out of a looted store early Monday morning .
When he returned later to retrieve the car , Walton told officers there was a gun inside the vehicle .
“ I know I shouldn ’ t have a gun , ” Walton allegedly told police .
“ I ’ m on parole for a gun.
” Walton tried to get into a Honda in the parking lot but ran when he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ six-page complaint .
According to a criminal complaint filed Wednesday , Chicago police officers were in the area of 117th Street and South Marshfield Avenue shortly after midnight Monday when they saw Walton coming out of a store that had been broken into .
Inside the center console of the Honda police discovered a Walter P22 pistol with a defaced serial number , which is only going to compound Walton ’ s legal troubles .
Under federal law , possession of a firearm by a convicted felon is punishable by up to ten @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a defaced firearm could add another ten years to Walton ’ s potential sentence .
Walton ’ s criminal history dates back to 1997 , but according to the Chicago Tribune his most recent conviction came in 2016 , when he was busted for being a felon in possession of a firearm .
That case was handled by Cook County , Illinois prosecutors , and while there ’ s no word on how much time behind bars he received , it was obviously far less than the ten year sentence he could have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal court .
Unfortunately , Walton isn ’ t the only felon who ’ s been busted with firearms while protesting or looting over the past few days .
In Louisville , Kentucky , police say a convicted felon named Tevin Patton was seen pulling out a gun during a protest on Monday night .
He too is now facing federal charges .
Patton ran to his car , however was stopped by police shortly after .
Police found a partially loaded .45 caliber pistol in his vehicle .
The Memphis native had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2013 , as well as aggravated assault in 2016 .
He has also previously been charged with domestic violence and fleeing police .
“ We cherish First Amendment-protected speech in Kentucky but will not tolerate outsiders traveling to Louisville to do harm to our city and its people , ” said U.S. Attorney Russell Coleman .
“ This type criminal conduct puts both protesters and police at risk.
” In Greensboro , North Carolina , 24-year old Dashawn McKinnon is facing state charges for being a felon in possession of a firearm after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after bringing weapons to a protest , and we reported yesterday on a felon in Utah who was busted with several firearms on the way to a protest in Salt Lake City after his criminal companion made online threats to kill police officers .

A Chicago, Illinois man who’s no stranger to the criminal justice system is now back behind bars and facing federal charges after cops caught him coming out of a looted store early Monday morning.
When he returned later to retrieve the car, Walton told officers there was a gun inside the vehicle. “I know I shouldn’t have a gun,” Walton allegedly told police. “I’m on parole for a gun.”
Walton tried to get into a Honda in the parking lot but ran when he saw the officers, according to the six-page complaint.
According to a criminal complaint filed Wednesday, Chicago police officers were in the area of 117th Street and South Marshfield Avenue shortly after midnight Monday when they saw Walton coming out of a store that had been broken into.
Inside the center console of the Honda police discovered a Walter P22 pistol with a defaced serial number, which is only going to compound Walton’s legal troubles. Under federal law, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon is punishable by up to ten years behind bars, and possession of a defaced firearm could add another ten years to Walton’s potential sentence.
Walton’s criminal history dates back to 1997, but according to the Chicago Tribune his most recent conviction came in 2016, when he was busted for being a felon in possession of a firearm. That case was handled by Cook County, Illinois prosecutors, and while there’s no word on how much time behind bars he received, it was obviously far less than the ten year sentence he could have served had that case ended up in federal court.
Unfortunately, Walton isn’t the only felon who’s been busted with firearms while protesting or looting over the past few days. In Louisville, Kentucky, police say a convicted felon named Tevin Patton was seen pulling out a gun during a protest on Monday night. He too is now facing federal charges.
Patton ran to his car, however was stopped by police shortly after. Police found a partially loaded .45 caliber pistol in his vehicle. The Memphis native had previously pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary in 2013, as well as aggravated assault in 2016. He has also previously been charged with domestic violence and fleeing police. “We cherish First Amendment-protected speech in Kentucky but will not tolerate outsiders traveling to Louisville to do harm to our city and its people,” said U.S. Attorney Russell Coleman. “This type criminal conduct puts both protesters and police at risk.”
In Greensboro, North Carolina, 24-year old Dashawn McKinnon is facing state charges for being a felon in possession of a firearm after he was one of several individuals arrested after bringing weapons to a protest, and we reported yesterday on a felon in Utah who was busted with several firearms on the way to a protest in Salt Lake City after his criminal companion made online threats to kill police officers.


bearingarms--2020-06-04--Those Telling Police To Stand Down? They Also Want Your Guns

For a week , police departments all over the country were under siege as rioters took over their communities .
In some places , the police did their best to control the situation .
In some places , they also made it worse , but in others , they tried to protect life and property .
Yet in others , they were told to stand down by local officials .
Those officials wanted the “ protests ” to continue without police involvement , a decision that likely led to millions of dollars in damage and an untold number of livelihoods @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s something everyone should remember about those who advocated for the police standing down .
Minneapolis and other major cities have finally re-opened , at least to looters and arsonists .
For three days , police in Minneapolis and St. Paul were ordered to stand down as rioters destroyed their cities .
In New York City and Washington , D.C. , on Monday night , police stood by as looters destroyed parts of those cities .
The same politicians who ordered police to stand down and released prison inmates are the same people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ politicians prevent citizens from protecting themselves , at a time when police protection can not be depended on .
For three days , police in Minneapolis and St. Paul were ordered to stand down as rioters destroyed their cities .
Sadly , so many of the victims of this violence have been blacks .
Black store owners have lost their businesses .
In these heavily black areas , blacks will lose their jobs .
Black shoppers worry they “ have nowhere to go now.
” Across the country , police have had orders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I watched Seattle burn .
Seattle is dying , by fire , looting , weakness of the political leadership , ” wrote Seattle KVI radio talk-show host Kirby Wilbur .
“ We watched on TV as our law enforcement stood by while vandalism , looting , assaults , pure chaos reigned in the streets of our downtown business district.
” Neither of these cities are conservative , pro-gun strongholds , now are they ?
Minneapolis hasn ’ t had a Republican as mayor since 1973 , and even then , that Republican only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , finishing the term of his predecessor who was already on his way out .
Before then , you have to go back to 1957 to find one .
Seattle is a bit trickier to determine only because their elections are non-partisan .
However , the current mayor , Jenny Durkan , was nominated by Barack Obama to become U.S Attorney for the Western District of Washington which tells us plenty about her politics .
These aren ’ t pro-gun people , yet they told the police to stand down .
The very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same people the cite as being the reason you don ’ t need a gun , are the very people they told not to interfere with lawlessness in their cities .
It ’ s proof that they don ’ t believe the anti-gun stuff that comes out of their head .
They don ’ t support you defending yourself , but they ’ ll hamstring the people they say will protect you .
Whenever someone tells you that you don ’ t need a gun , that the police will protect you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were told to stand down when thousands of Americans needed them the most .
Remind them and see if they have a response .

For a week, police departments all over the country were under siege as rioters took over their communities. In some places, the police did their best to control the situation. In some places, they also made it worse, but in others, they tried to protect life and property.
Yet in others, they were told to stand down by local officials. Those officials wanted the “protests” to continue without police involvement, a decision that likely led to millions of dollars in damage and an untold number of livelihoods destroyed as well
However, there’s something everyone should remember about those who advocated for the police standing down.
Minneapolis and other major cities have finally re-opened, at least to looters and arsonists. For three days, police in Minneapolis and St. Paul were ordered to stand down as rioters destroyed their cities. In New York City and Washington, D.C., on Monday night, police stood by as looters destroyed parts of those cities. The same politicians who ordered police to stand down and released prison inmates are the same people who want to ban guns. These politicians prevent citizens from protecting themselves, at a time when police protection cannot be depended on. For three days, police in Minneapolis and St. Paul were ordered to stand down as rioters destroyed their cities. Sadly, so many of the victims of this violence have been blacks. Black store owners have lost their businesses. In these heavily black areas, blacks will lose their jobs. Black shoppers worry they “have nowhere to go now.” … Across the country, police have had orders to stand down. “Tonight, I watched Seattle burn. Seattle is dying, by fire, looting, weakness of the political leadership,” wrote Seattle KVI radio talk-show host Kirby Wilbur. “We watched on TV as our law enforcement stood by while vandalism, looting, assaults, pure chaos reigned in the streets of our downtown business district.”
Neither of these cities are conservative, pro-gun strongholds, now are they?
Minneapolis hasn’t had a Republican as mayor since 1973, and even then, that Republican only served a single day in the office, finishing the term of his predecessor who was already on his way out. Before then, you have to go back to 1957 to find one.
Seattle is a bit trickier to determine only because their elections are non-partisan. However, the current mayor, Jenny Durkan, was nominated by Barack Obama to become U.S Attorney for the Western District of Washington which tells us plenty about her politics.
These aren’t pro-gun people, yet they told the police to stand down. The very people they say will protect you, the same people the cite as being the reason you don’t need a gun, are the very people they told not to interfere with lawlessness in their cities.
It’s proof that they don’t believe the anti-gun stuff that comes out of their head. They don’t support you defending yourself, but they’ll hamstring the people they say will protect you.
Whenever someone tells you that you don’t need a gun, that the police will protect you, remind them of how the police were told to stand down when thousands of Americans needed them the most. Remind them and see if they have a response.
Just don’t hold your breath.


bearingarms--2020-06-04--Seattle's Ammo Tax A Fundraising Failure

When Seattle pushed its ammunition tax , there was a lot of talk about just how much money would be raised .
That ’ s the topic that comes up with virtually every tax every conceived , after all .
I mean , isn ’ t the purpose of a tax to raise money ?
Well , it is except when it isn ’ t .
Many taxes are about discouraging certain behaviors–of course , how people can support that and not see the irony in there being an income tax is beyond me–which is also a thing .
Seattle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ something of both .
However , it seems that as fundraising goes , it ’ s a spectacular failure .
Seattle ’ s so-called “ gun violence tax ” continues to fall far short of the promised returns .
Recent figures show that while there was a slight bump in taxes collected , the only thing the tax succeeded in doing was driving constitutionally-protected gun businesses from the city limits .
The tax is in its fourth year and has yet to live up to expectations .
In 2015 , Seattle ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on every gun and 5 cents on each round of ammunition sold .
The architects of the plan promised it would bring in $ 500,000 annually that would be used toward gun violence research at the city ’ s Harborview Medical Center .
It ’ s yet to even come close to that goal .
Last year , the city collected $ 85,352 , which is only $ 7,800 more than the $ 77,518 collected in 2018 , according to a report from the Second Amendment Foundation .
The first that year tax @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saw just $ 103,766 collected .
The next year , figures fell to $ 93,220 and 2018 saw them at just $ 77,518 .
This year ’ s collections report of $ 85,352 is a slight rise , but if the back-of-the-napkin math is correct , it is still short by $ 414,648 of what Seattle city council gun control politicians promised .
So , how did they shortfall happen ?
Well , because as noted in the first paragraph of the quoted section , it pushed law-abiding gun businesses from the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ limits where people could still reach it and spend money , but not have to pay an idiotic tax that would do nothing except be misused to push an anti-gun agenda .
What the city failed to account for is that people , particularly gun owners , aren ’ t known for just rolling over and playing dead .
We ’ re kind of notorious for stepping up and stepping around burdensome regulations like that , especially when we can do it and still be law-abiding .
That ’ s precisely what happened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they could be left alone .
And , as a result , the city is losing out on other tax money that no one had an issue paying in the first place .
After all , those stores that aren ’ t in the city aren ’ t paying business licenses or business taxes .
They aren ’ t charging any sales taxes the city wants to collect .
They ’ re now not paying anything into the city ’ s coffers .
Instead , the outlying areas who didn ’ t get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the stupidity is mindboggling here .
Then again , what do you expect from an anti-gun city that hasn ’ t bothered to understand gun owners in the least ?

When Seattle pushed its ammunition tax, there was a lot of talk about just how much money would be raised. That’s the topic that comes up with virtually every tax every conceived, after all. I mean, isn’t the purpose of a tax to raise money?
Well, it is except when it isn’t.
Many taxes are about discouraging certain behaviors–of course, how people can support that and not see the irony in there being an income tax is beyond me–which is also a thing.
Seattle’s ammo tax was billed a something of both. However, it seems that as fundraising goes, it’s a spectacular failure.
Seattle’s so-called “gun violence tax” continues to fall far short of the promised returns. Recent figures show that while there was a slight bump in taxes collected, the only thing the tax succeeded in doing was driving constitutionally-protected gun businesses from the city limits. The tax is in its fourth year and has yet to live up to expectations. In 2015, Seattle’s city council approved a $25 tax on every gun and 5 cents on each round of ammunition sold. The architects of the plan promised it would bring in $500,000 annually that would be used toward gun violence research at the city’s Harborview Medical Center. Numbers Don’t Lie It’s yet to even come close to that goal. Last year, the city collected $85,352, which is only $7,800 more than the $77,518 collected in 2018, according to a report from the Second Amendment Foundation. … The first that year tax figures were available was 2016, which saw just $103,766 collected. The next year, figures fell to $93,220 and 2018 saw them at just $77,518. This year’s collections report of $85,352 is a slight rise, but if the back-of-the-napkin math is correct, it is still short by $414,648 of what Seattle city council gun control politicians promised.
So, how did they shortfall happen?
Well, because as noted in the first paragraph of the quoted section, it pushed law-abiding gun businesses from the city itself. They moved outside the city limits where people could still reach it and spend money, but not have to pay an idiotic tax that would do nothing except be misused to push an anti-gun agenda.
What the city failed to account for is that people, particularly gun owners, aren’t known for just rolling over and playing dead. We’re kind of notorious for stepping up and stepping around burdensome regulations like that, especially when we can do it and still be law-abiding. That’s precisely what happened here. Folks just moved to where they could be left alone.
And, as a result, the city is losing out on other tax money that no one had an issue paying in the first place.
After all, those stores that aren’t in the city aren’t paying business licenses or business taxes. They aren’t charging any sales taxes the city wants to collect. They’re now not paying anything into the city’s coffers. Instead, the outlying areas who didn’t get stupid are reaping the benefits.
Honestly, the stupidity is mindboggling here.
Then again, what do you expect from an anti-gun city that hasn’t bothered to understand gun owners in the least?


bearingarms--2020-06-04--Across The Country, Armed Citizens Are Standing Guard

According to 9News , the vandals decided to briefly protest outside of the jewelry store , but didn ’ t cause any damage and quickly moved on .
In Kennewick , Washington , armed citizens were also standing guard outside of local businesses to protect them from looters .
Lt. Aaron Clem said there was a rumor that people were going to gather at a shopping center off Canal Drive and “ burn things down ” at Best Buy , so extra police patrols and a number of members of the Facebook group “ Defend The Tri ” went to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There were no reports of rioting or vandalism associated with protests in Kennewick Monday night .
Police put out a statement Tuesday saying armed citizens outside local businesses have “ caused some concerns among other community members.
” “ While we did not invite [ armed citizens ] to the locations , understand that we need to balance everyone ’ s rights , whether it is the 1st amendment right to assemble and protest or the 2nd amendment right to bear arms , as long as both are exercised within the confines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their rights they have a responsibility to do so within the law and to understand there are consequences for not , ” police wrote .
Police said they are in contact with Defend The Tri as well as protest groups in the Tri-Cities .
They said they ’ ve been communicating legal limitations and expectations of each group .
In Coos County , Oregon , rumors of an Antifa invasion prompted hundreds of local gun owners to assemble in front of the county courthouse to quell the riot if one broke out .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ full of Antifa-types never showed .
And while exercising their Second Amendment rights , at least one of the folks who showed up to defend the town ended up infringing on the First Amendment rights of a Black Lives Matter supporter .
If you ’ re going to stand up in support of our Constitutional rights , you need to stand for all of them , and not just when people you agree with are exercising their right of free speech .
Armed Americans protecting their businesses and communities from looting ?
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans stopping cars and taking signs from people you disagree with ?
That ’ s bad .
Wearing an American flag as a cape while doing so ?
That ’ s just ridiculous .

According to 9News, the vandals decided to briefly protest outside of the jewelry store, but didn’t cause any damage and quickly moved on.
In Kennewick, Washington, armed citizens were also standing guard outside of local businesses to protect them from looters.
Lt. Aaron Clem said there was a rumor that people were going to gather at a shopping center off Canal Drive and “burn things down” at Best Buy, so extra police patrols and a number of members of the Facebook group “Defend The Tri” went to multiple business to fend off criminal activity. There were no reports of rioting or vandalism associated with protests in Kennewick Monday night. Police put out a statement Tuesday saying armed citizens outside local businesses have “caused some concerns among other community members.” “While we did not invite [armed citizens] to the locations, understand that we need to balance everyone’s rights, whether it is the 1st amendment right to assemble and protest or the 2nd amendment right to bear arms, as long as both are exercised within the confines of the law. When people exercise their rights they have a responsibility to do so within the law and to understand there are consequences for not,” police wrote. Police said they are in contact with Defend The Tri as well as protest groups in the Tri-Cities. They said they’ve been communicating legal limitations and expectations of each group.
In Coos County, Oregon, rumors of an Antifa invasion prompted hundreds of local gun owners to assemble in front of the county courthouse to quell the riot if one broke out.
As it turns out, the buses full of Antifa-types never showed. And while exercising their Second Amendment rights, at least one of the folks who showed up to defend the town ended up infringing on the First Amendment rights of a Black Lives Matter supporter.
If you’re going to stand up in support of our Constitutional rights, you need to stand for all of them, and not just when people you agree with are exercising their right of free speech. Armed Americans protecting their businesses and communities from looting? That’s a good thing. Armed Americans stopping cars and taking signs from people you disagree with? That’s bad. Wearing an American flag as a cape while doing so? That’s just ridiculous.


bearingarms--2020-06-04--NC Brewery Pulls "Boogaloo" Beer After Uproar

Franklin , North Carolina-based Currahee Brewing Co. is apologizing for their latest creation ; an Imperial Stout branded “ The Boogaloo ” that has some critics up in arms ( figuratively speaking ) .
Images of the beer can went viral over the weekend after the vice president of the Jackson County NAACP attended an outdoor concert at the brewery on Saturday night and saw the beer for sale .
He originally posted the image with a caption saying that Currahee owners “ needed a throat punch.
” He says he doesn ’ t believe in violence and apologizes for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ night with comments flying between locals and Currahee .
Co-owner of Currahee , Brandon Hintz says he wasn ’ t aware of the racial connotations of the word until Saturday night .
He says the planning for the beer started back in January when legislation restricting gun purchasing was moving through the Virginia legislature : “ So we were kind of playing with that , due to the fact that , you know , I ’ m a fairly avid sportsman .
and we ’ re also very , you know , constitutionally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday , the beer company , which also has a taproom in Alpharetta , Georgia , had posted a lengthy statement and explanation about why they went with the Boogaloo label in the first place , and why they decided to pull the beer from rotation .
“ Various news outlets are now reporting that the term is being used by a white nationalist hate group to represent themselves .
This racist hate group is reportedly causing destruction and possible violence in the otherwise peaceful protests around the country .
Once we were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all beer and any branding associated with the beer and will be disassociating ourselves with the term “ Boogaloo ” immediately .
“ We find any and all forms of racism or any form of hate , morally reprehensible .
We believe everyone should be treated as equals , no matter their race , religion or political view .
And with the civil unrest happening around the country right now , the last thing we want to see is more violence , property destruction , or worse , death .
We do though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to peaceful protest .
Our hearts break for friends and families of George Floyd , Ahmaud Arbery , Breonna Taylor and all others that have been affected by these travesties .
We too , are extremely saddened and frankly enraged by these racially motivated and clearly unlawful events that seem to continuously and unjustly occur in our communities , particularly to those African-American communities , around the country .
For Currahee to have any association to a word that is now used by a racist group , we deeply apologize as it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ known to us when we named the beer and designed the logo back in January , then released it back in March , that there was any form of racism associated to the term or else we would have never thought of naming the beer that or insinuating any sort of association with it.
” The owners of Currahee say the name of the beer came about as a response to the push for gun control in Virginia , as well as the Second Amendment Sanctuary movement that swept across the state as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their local governments to take a stand in opposition to Gov .
Ralph Northam ’ s gun control agenda .
“ Back in January , there was legislation being proposed in the state of Virginia that would have stripped law-abiding citizens of their Second Amendment rights .
Like others who express their opinions peacefully , it was something we disagreed with given the circumstances of that proposed amendment .
While , I , myself didn ’ t serve in the Armed Forces , we have countless family members and friends who did , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Constitution rights .
Rights that we hold dear .
From the first – 27th , not just the more controversial second .
When Virginia proposed the new laws that would have all but done away with one of our country ’ s foundational amendments , tens of thousands of people gathered to peacefully protest the laws .
As a result of those peaceful protests , that particular legislation was not passed in Virginia .
As a representation of that simple , peaceful protest resulting in the upholding of the Second Amendment in Virginia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recently brewed Imperial Stout , depicting George Washington in modern attire , with a Gadsden Flag on it as the focal point .
While thinking about a name , we found some information and memes depicting the term “ boogaloo.
” After seeing some more items on boogaloo , we understood that it was a saying , more or less , objecting to the oppression and potential over-reach of a government , whether that ’ s the state or federal government , which is why we went with it .
We even thought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world now , it was still somewhat fitting .
After learning of what we know now , specifically given our involuntary association with said hate groups , we were obviously mistaken .
It was clearly never our intention to side with any hate groups , but simply to express our opinion , like many of our fellow citizens do , that we oppose any government oppression and seek the same liberties and freedoms for all people of our nation.
” If “ Boogaloo ” is being used by a white nationalist hate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ phrase , but they certainly didn ’ t come up with it themselves .
“ Boogaloo ” started out as simple Internet shorthand for a civil war , and a nod to the campy cult classic from the 1980s “ Breakin 2 : Electric Boogaloo.
” As NPR noted just a few days ago : Note that the general connotation for using the phrase is when you ’ re referring to an unnecessary sequel .
While I ’ m sure there are many Boogaloo Boys who may be eager for another civil war @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Boogaloo ” used as shorthand for an armed response against government tyranny , not as a call to start a race war .
Regardless of the original intent of the phrase , Currahee Brewing Company says it “ never intended to be associated with any sort of hate group or racist agenda , ” and now plans on donating any proceeds from sales of the beer to “ ” civil rights organizations and to help families affected by the unjust killings , destruction , and riots around the country .
”

Franklin, North Carolina-based Currahee Brewing Co. is apologizing for their latest creation; an Imperial Stout branded “The Boogaloo” that has some critics up in arms (figuratively speaking). Images of the beer can went viral over the weekend after the vice president of the Jackson County NAACP attended an outdoor concert at the brewery on Saturday night and saw the beer for sale.
He originally posted the image with a caption saying that Currahee owners “needed a throat punch.” He says he doesn’t believe in violence and apologizes for this language. It went viral that night with comments flying between locals and Currahee. Co-owner of Currahee, Brandon Hintz says he wasn’t aware of the racial connotations of the word until Saturday night. He says the planning for the beer started back in January when legislation restricting gun purchasing was moving through the Virginia legislature: “So we were kind of playing with that,due to the fact that, you know, I’m a fairly avid sportsman. and we’re also very, you know, constitutionally oriented,” says Hintz.
By Sunday, the beer company, which also has a taproom in Alpharetta, Georgia, had posted a lengthy statement and explanation about why they went with the Boogaloo label in the first place, and why they decided to pull the beer from rotation.
“Various news outlets are now reporting that the term is being used by a white nationalist hate group to represent themselves. This racist hate group is reportedly causing destruction and possible violence in the otherwise peaceful protests around the country. Once we were made aware of this, we pulled all beer and any branding associated with the beer and will be disassociating ourselves with the term “Boogaloo” immediately. “We find any and all forms of racism or any form of hate, morally reprehensible. We believe everyone should be treated as equals, no matter their race, religion or political view. And with the civil unrest happening around the country right now, the last thing we want to see is more violence, property destruction, or worse, death. We do though believe in every person’s right to peaceful protest. Our hearts break for friends and families of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and all others that have been affected by these travesties. We too, are extremely saddened and frankly enraged by these racially motivated and clearly unlawful events that seem to continuously and unjustly occur in our communities, particularly to those African-American communities, around the country. For Currahee to have any association to a word that is now used by a racist group, we deeply apologize as it was severely unintentional. Unfortunately it was not known to us when we named the beer and designed the logo back in January, then released it back in March, that there was any form of racism associated to the term or else we would have never thought of naming the beer that or insinuating any sort of association with it.”
The owners of Currahee say the name of the beer came about as a response to the push for gun control in Virginia, as well as the Second Amendment Sanctuary movement that swept across the state as tens of thousands of gun owners lobbied their local governments to take a stand in opposition to Gov. Ralph Northam’s gun control agenda.
“Back in January, there was legislation being proposed in the state of Virginia that would have stripped law-abiding citizens of their Second Amendment rights. Like others who express their opinions peacefully, it was something we disagreed with given the circumstances of that proposed amendment. While, I, myself didn’t serve in the Armed Forces, we have countless family members and friends who did, who took an oath to uphold our Constitution rights. Rights that we hold dear. From the first – 27th, not just the more controversial second. When Virginia proposed the new laws that would have all but done away with one of our country’s foundational amendments, tens of thousands of people gathered to peacefully protest the laws. As a result of those peaceful protests, that particular legislation was not passed in Virginia. As a representation of that simple, peaceful protest resulting in the upholding of the Second Amendment in Virginia, we made a label for our recently brewed Imperial Stout, depicting George Washington in modern attire, with a Gadsden Flag on it as the focal point. While thinking about a name, we found some information and memes depicting the term “boogaloo.” After seeing some more items on boogaloo, we understood that it was a saying, more or less, objecting to the oppression and potential over-reach of a government, whether that’s the state or federal government, which is why we went with it. We even thought that with what’s happening in the world now, it was still somewhat fitting. After learning of what we know now, specifically given our involuntary association with said hate groups, we were obviously mistaken. It was clearly never our intention to side with any hate groups, but simply to express our opinion, like many of our fellow citizens do, that we oppose any government oppression and seek the same liberties and freedoms for all people of our nation.”
If “Boogaloo” is being used by a white nationalist hate group, they may have appropriated the phrase, but they certainly didn’t come up with it themselves. “Boogaloo” started out as simple Internet shorthand for a civil war, and a nod to the campy cult classic from the 1980s “Breakin 2: Electric Boogaloo.” As NPR noted just a few days ago:
While the film is now remembered fondly, the phrase “Electric Boogaloo” has been used for over a decade as shorthand for an unnecessary sequel. “You see this all the way back to the second Bush reelection, [for example], George Bush 2: Electric Boogaloo,” says James Stone Lunde, a graduate researcher at UC Berkeley’s history department who is preparing a paper on right wing internet culture.
Note that the general connotation for using the phrase is when you’re referring to an unnecessary sequel. While I’m sure there are many Boogaloo Boys who may be eager for another civil war, I’ve always heard “the Boogaloo” used as shorthand for an armed response against government tyranny, not as a call to start a race war.
Regardless of the original intent of the phrase, Currahee Brewing Company says it “never intended to be associated with any sort of hate group or racist agenda,” and now plans on donating any proceeds from sales of the beer to “”civil rights organizations and to help families affected by the unjust killings, destruction, and riots around the country.”


bearingarms--2020-06-04--2 NYPD Officers Shot, 1 Stabbed In Attack Following Days Of Riots

As the dust seems to settle on our major cities , it would be easy to believe the simmering resentments and racial fires that stoked the riots had burned itself out .
Unfortunately , that ’ s not likely to happen .
While the looting and burning may be over , at least for now , the underlying hatreds are still as fresh as ever .
Because of that , it ’ s hard not to see the probability that three police officers may have been attacked due to that same resentment .
A New York City police officer was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ late Wednesday while patrolling in Brooklyn , which resulted in a struggle that caused two additional officers to suffer gunshot wounds .
Police said at an early news conference Thursday that a preliminary investigation indicated a male suspect walked up to the officers casually and whipped out the knife .
They said the officers involved had been assigned to an anti-looting post to prevent people from breaking into stores .
“ That officer was stabbed in the left side of his neck , thank God , missing an artery , ” New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He called it a “ completely cowardly , despicable , unprovoked attack on a defenseless police officer.
” Now , I ’ m not sure you can call an armed police officer “ defenseless , ” but the overall point is what matters here , and Shea is absolutely right .
This attack was all of those things .
However , that officer wasn ’ t the only one injured .
Two additional officers were struck in the hand by gunfire during the incident , police said .
They were rushed to Kings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Nearby officers later heard the gunshots and responded to find the suspect brandishing a gun , which police said was likely taken from an officer .
The suspect was shot multiple times at the scene later described by Shea as “ chaotic.
” He added that 22 shell casings were recovered following the incident .
Reading that , I was couldn ’ t help but recall the assassination of two NYPD officers in 2014 .
That attack also came after a high-profile killing of a black man at the hands of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson , MO .
That one also came after days of rioting over the perceived injustice for the situation .
While there are profound differences between Michael Brown ’ s death and the George Floyd ’ s–for example , Brown was attacking the officer while Floyd was already cuffed–the real similarities are in how people feel about the situations .
Several days ago , I wrote that I was concerned that innocent police officers would be targeted .
While it ’ s certainly possible this was just some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some completely unrelated reason , the smart money is on this being about George Floyd and Breonna Taylor .
Unfortunately , that ’ s a damn shame , too .
This isn ’ t the way to advance any kind of reasonable dialog .
Terrorism–and if this was , indeed , politically motivated like that , it ’ s terrorism–is downright ineffective at swaying people ’ s opinions .
Bear in mind that this wasn ’ t even a “ heat of the moment ” kind of thing .
This wasn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protest .
No , that would have been bad enough , but people get carried away .
This was a targeted attack on NYPD officers , cops who had nothing to do with either George Floyd and Breonna Taylor .
The question now is whether this will be the end of it , or whether there will be more .

As the dust seems to settle on our major cities, it would be easy to believe the simmering resentments and racial fires that stoked the riots had burned itself out. Unfortunately, that’s not likely to happen. While the looting and burning may be over, at least for now, the underlying hatreds are still as fresh as ever.
Because of that, it’s hard not to see the probability that three police officers may have been attacked due to that same resentment.
A New York City police officer was randomly attacked and stabbed in the neck late Wednesday while patrolling in Brooklyn, which resulted in a struggle that caused two additional officers to suffer gunshot wounds. Police said at an early news conference Thursday that a preliminary investigation indicated a male suspect walked up to the officers casually and whipped out the knife. They said the officers involved had been assigned to an anti-looting post to prevent people from breaking into stores. “That officer was stabbed in the left side of his neck, thank God, missing an artery,” New York City Police Commissioner Dermot Shea said. He called it a “completely cowardly, despicable, unprovoked attack on a defenseless police officer.”
Now, I’m not sure you can call an armed police officer “defenseless,” but the overall point is what matters here, and Shea is absolutely right. This attack was all of those things.
However, that officer wasn’t the only one injured.
Two additional officers were struck in the hand by gunfire during the incident, police said. They were rushed to Kings County Hospital and are expected to survive. Nearby officers later heard the gunshots and responded to find the suspect brandishing a gun, which police said was likely taken from an officer. The suspect was shot multiple times at the scene later described by Shea as “chaotic.” He added that 22 shell casings were recovered following the incident.
Reading that, I was couldn’t help but recall the assassination of two NYPD officers in 2014.
That attack also came after a high-profile killing of a black man at the hands of a white officer, in particular, the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, MO. That one also came after days of rioting over the perceived injustice for the situation.
While there are profound differences between Michael Brown’s death and the George Floyd’s–for example, Brown was attacking the officer while Floyd was already cuffed–the real similarities are in how people feel about the situations.
Several days ago, I wrote that I was concerned that innocent police officers would be targeted. While it’s certainly possible this was just some unhinged individual looking to attack police for some completely unrelated reason, the smart money is on this being about George Floyd and Breonna Taylor.
Unfortunately, that’s a damn shame, too. This isn’t the way to advance any kind of reasonable dialog. Terrorism–and if this was, indeed, politically motivated like that, it’s terrorism–is downright ineffective at swaying people’s opinions.
Bear in mind that this wasn’t even a “heat of the moment” kind of thing. This wasn’t someone who got carried away at a protest.
No, that would have been bad enough, but people get carried away. This was a targeted attack on NYPD officers, cops who had nothing to do with either George Floyd and Breonna Taylor.
The question now is whether this will be the end of it, or whether there will be more.


bearingarms--2020-06-05--Police Chief Forced Out After Offering Support For Armed Citizens

It ’ s hard to believe that we ’ re now at the point where expressing support for a constitutional right can cause a public official to lose their job , but that Orwellian nightmare ’ s come true in Lowell , Michigan , where police chief Steven Bukala was forced to resign just days after expressing his support for armed citizens who decided to patrol the downtown area while legally carrying firearms in an attempt to thwart any looting in the area .
The small town of about 4,000 people is located just a few miles from Grand Rapids @ @ @ @ @ @ @ burned out buildings , looted storefronts , and the arrests of at least eight individuals on charges related to rioting or looting .
Shortly after the riots took place , the Lowell police department posted on Facebook about several individuals who were lawfully carrying in the small downtown area in an effort to prevent looting or rioting .
“ We at the Lowell Police Department support the legally armed citizen and the Second Amendment , ” the chief wrote on the department ’ s Facebook page .
That led to a flurry of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defending the right to open carry .
It also led City Manager Michael Burns to order the chief to remove that sentence in support of the four men .
Several days later , Bukala took to his personal Facebook page and once again spoke about the armed citizens .
According to WOOD-TV , City Manager Michael Burns then ordered Bukula to resign by 5:00 p.m. Thurday or be terminated at 5:01 p.m .
The chief tendered his resignation via email , and the Lowell Police Department ’ s Facebook page then issued an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their right to carry .
And the city manager ’ s actions have now created an unnecessary negative portrayal of the city in some citizens ’ views .
Based on his own standards , why shouldn ’ t City Manager Michael Burns be the next to resign ?
There was nothing controversial about the posting by the Lowell Police Department .
It simply noted that the four individuals had a right to open carry , and supported their Second Amendment right to do so .
Expressing support for the Second Amendment isn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into a departmental notice.
” Expressing opposition to the exercise of a constitutionally protected right would run afoul of conduct unbecoming of a police officer , in my opinion , but this is the first time I ’ ve ever heard of support for the Second Amendment being a firing offense for a public official .
The Lowell Police Department announced Bukula ’ s departure in another Facebook post on Friday afternoon , and already residents are reacting , with some calling the decision to force the chief out “ shameful ” and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leadership that allowed the city manager to send the chief packing .
Far from quelling any controversy , Burns ’ decision seems to have only fanned the flames , with some residents talking about holding an open carry rally outside of City Hall in order to support the dismissed chief and the Second Amendment .
It might not be a bad idea for some of the attendees to drop off a copy of the U.S. Constitution with the First Amendment highlighted for the city manager to read as well .
If Burns was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an inclusive space , he ’ s failed miserably .
Instead , he ’ s managed to convey the impression that the small town is run by folks who can ’ t or won ’ t support the rights of residents to exercise their freedom of speech or their right to carry .
A few days ago , Lowell seemed like a typical American small town .
Now it seems like the kind of place that might try to ban mom , baseball , and apple pie if it was the politically correct @ @ @ @

It’s hard to believe that we’re now at the point where expressing support for a constitutional right can cause a public official to lose their job, but that Orwellian nightmare’s come true in Lowell, Michigan, where police chief Steven Bukala was forced to resign just days after expressing his support for armed citizens who decided to patrol the downtown area while legally carrying firearms in an attempt to thwart any looting in the area.
The small town of about 4,000 people is located just a few miles from Grand Rapids, Michigan, where riots resulted in burned out buildings, looted storefronts, and the arrests of at least eight individuals on charges related to rioting or looting. Shortly after the riots took place, the Lowell police department posted on Facebook about several individuals who were lawfully carrying in the small downtown area in an effort to prevent looting or rioting.
“We at the Lowell Police Department support the legally armed citizen and the Second Amendment,” the chief wrote on the department’s Facebook page. That led to a flurry of comments between residents, with the chief defending the right to open carry. It also led City Manager Michael Burns to order the chief to remove that sentence in support of the four men.
Several days later, Bukala took to his personal Facebook page and once again spoke about the armed citizens.
“So these fine young men called me today. They wanted to exercise their Second Amendment rights and walk down Main Street. They saw what happened in Grand Rapids. They said it’s not going to happen here. We have your backs. I thanked them for letting me know they were in town and to call if they see something,” wrote Bukala on Facebook.
According to WOOD-TV, City Manager Michael Burns then ordered Bukula to resign by 5:00 p.m. Thurday or be terminated at 5:01 p.m. The chief tendered his resignation via email, and the Lowell Police Department’s Facebook page then issued an apology for defending the armed citizens and their right to carry.
According to WOOD-TV:
The city manager cited Bukala for violating city policy, including “conduct unbecoming of a police officer,” and “Personnel shall not allow personal feelings to influence their professional conduct.” The post “inserted political and debatable issues into a departmental notice which causes unneeded concern by some city residents,” the city manager wrote. “Your actions created an unnecessary negative portrayal of the city in some citizens’ view.”
And the city manager’s actions have now created an unnecessary negative portrayal of the city in some citizens’ views. Based on his own standards, why shouldn’t City Manager Michael Burns be the next to resign?
There was nothing controversial about the posting by the Lowell Police Department. It simply noted that the four individuals had a right to open carry, and supported their Second Amendment right to do so. Expressing support for the Second Amendment isn’t inserting “political and debatable issues into a departmental notice.” Expressing opposition to the exercise of a constitutionally protected right would run afoul of conduct unbecoming of a police officer, in my opinion, but this is the first time I’ve ever heard of support for the Second Amendment being a firing offense for a public official.
The Lowell Police Department announced Bukula’s departure in another Facebook post on Friday afternoon, and already residents are reacting, with some calling the decision to force the chief out “shameful” and encouraging residents to vote out the city leadership that allowed the city manager to send the chief packing.
Far from quelling any controversy, Burns’ decision seems to have only fanned the flames, with some residents talking about holding an open carry rally outside of City Hall in order to support the dismissed chief and the Second Amendment. It might not be a bad idea for some of the attendees to drop off a copy of the U.S. Constitution with the First Amendment highlighted for the city manager to read as well. If Burns was hoping to showcase Lowell, Michigan as an inclusive space, he’s failed miserably. Instead, he’s managed to convey the impression that the small town is run by folks who can’t or won’t support the rights of residents to exercise their freedom of speech or their right to carry. A few days ago, Lowell seemed like a typical American small town. Now it seems like the kind of place that might try to ban mom, baseball, and apple pie if it was the politically correct thing to do.


bearingarms--2020-06-05--What This FL Supreme Court Decision Means For The Gun Control Debate

With the Florida Supreme Court delivering a judicial smackdown to gun control advocates on Thursday , the Bloomberg-backed push to ban so-called assault weapons in the Sunshine State has taken a major step backwards , and on today ’ s Bearing Arms ’ Cam & Co. two great guests and I take a closer look at the decision and where the debate over public safety may turn next .
First up , Larry Keane of the National Shooting Sports Foundation joins me to discuss some of the specifics of the ruling itself .
In a 4-1 decision , justices on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ control advocates were misleading voters with their description of a proposed ballot initiative to ban semi-automatic rifles and shotguns .
Keane says that the ballot initiative language not only failed to accurately inform voters about what would happen to any firearms that were registered with the state , but that the ban itself was far broader than how gun control activists described it .
Virtually all semi-automatic rifles and shotguns would have been covered by the ballot proposal , not just the AR-15 and other commonly sold modern sporting rifles .
Under the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , existing owners of said firearms could register them with the state and keep them , but they wouldn ’ t be allowed to transfer the firearms , nor pass them on to family members in a will .
The language used by gun control activists gave the impression that once the firearm was registered , it would be legal to transfer , and that ’ s one reason why the state ’ s highest court told activists to scrap their proposal and try again .
Also joining me on today ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Alaina Petty , who was murdered in the shootings at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland , Florida in 2018 .
Petty says he ’ s ecstatic about the decision by the Florida justices , and hopes that the decision means that the focus in the state can now return to practical and effective policies to reduce violent crime , instead of simply trying to ban our way to safety .
Petty has been heavily involved in work to put those effective policies in place since shortly after the shootings in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the things that he ’ d like to see around the country is a greater role for school resource officers .
We spoke about the decisions by officials in Portland , Oregon and Minneapolis , Minnesota to remove police officers from schools , and Petty was emphatic that if he lived in either city , he ’ d be pulling his kids out of school right now .
Petty is well aware of the fact that a school resource officer ’ s presence doesn ’ t automatically prevent active assailant attacks on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as in Parkland , a school resource officer may choose to cower outside the school rather than rush inside to take on the attacker .
Still , he says that having a school resource officer on campus isn ’ t only a valuable resource in case of someone trying to kill students , but that SROs are instrumental in working with school districts to identify threats to students and staff before an attack takes place .
I encourage you to check out both interviews in the video window above , and my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Petty for joining me on the show today .

With the Florida Supreme Court delivering a judicial smackdown to gun control advocates on Thursday, the Bloomberg-backed push to ban so-called assault weapons in the Sunshine State has taken a major step backwards, and on today’s Bearing Arms’ Cam & Co. two great guests and I take a closer look at the decision and where the debate over public safety may turn next.
First up, Larry Keane of the National Shooting Sports Foundation joins me to discuss some of the specifics of the ruling itself. In a 4-1 decision, justices on the state supreme court ruled that gun control advocates were misleading voters with their description of a proposed ballot initiative to ban semi-automatic rifles and shotguns. Keane says that the ballot initiative language not only failed to accurately inform voters about what would happen to any firearms that were registered with the state, but that the ban itself was far broader than how gun control activists described it.
Virtually all semi-automatic rifles and shotguns would have been covered by the ballot proposal, not just the AR-15 and other commonly sold modern sporting rifles. Under the proposal rejected by the Florida Supreme Court, existing owners of said firearms could register them with the state and keep them, but they wouldn’t be allowed to transfer the firearms, nor pass them on to family members in a will. The language used by gun control activists gave the impression that once the firearm was registered, it would be legal to transfer, and that’s one reason why the state’s highest court told activists to scrap their proposal and try again.
Also joining me on today’s program is Ryan Petty, the father of Alaina Petty, who was murdered in the shootings at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida in 2018. Petty says he’s ecstatic about the decision by the Florida justices, and hopes that the decision means that the focus in the state can now return to practical and effective policies to reduce violent crime, instead of simply trying to ban our way to safety.
Petty has been heavily involved in work to put those effective policies in place since shortly after the shootings in Parkland two years ago, and one of the things that he’d like to see around the country is a greater role for school resource officers. We spoke about the decisions by officials in Portland, Oregon and Minneapolis, Minnesota to remove police officers from schools, and Petty was emphatic that if he lived in either city, he’d be pulling his kids out of school right now.
Petty is well aware of the fact that a school resource officer’s presence doesn’t automatically prevent active assailant attacks on school grounds, and he knows that, as in Parkland, a school resource officer may choose to cower outside the school rather than rush inside to take on the attacker. Still, he says that having a school resource officer on campus isn’t only a valuable resource in case of someone trying to kill students, but that SROs are instrumental in working with school districts to identify threats to students and staff before an attack takes place.
I encourage you to check out both interviews in the video window above, and my thanks to both Larry Keane and Ryan Petty for joining me on the show today.


bearingarms--2020-06-05--High Profile YouTuber Charged After AZ Looting

Many people are still shocked to learn that you can make a fortune as a YouTuber .
After all , some of us remember when there was no monetization on the platform and while a viral video might make you famous , it was the fleeting 15-minute variety .
Those days are over , with some YouTubers massing millions in wealth .
Jake Paul is one of those , with an estimated net worth of around $ 19 million .
With money like that , though , theft is something you ’ d think he wouldn ’ t bother with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much to lose .
And yet , it didn ’ t stop him from heading to Scottsdale , AZ , and allegedly take part in the looting there .
Now , the social media personality has found himself charged for his behavior .
Social media influencer and YouTuber Jake Paul has been charged by police in Scottsdale after allegedly participating in weekend looting and riots .
Police said Thursday that 23-year-old Jake Joseph Paul was identified as being present among hundreds of tips and videos sent to officials .
He reportedly unlawfully entered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when it was closed .
Officials say Paul , who has a large following on YouTube , “ was present after the protest was declared an unlawful assembly and the rioters were ordered to leave the area by police.
” Paul has been charged with criminal trespassing and unlawful assembly , both misdemeanor charges .
Police say he was issued a summons to appear in court in a month , but was not arrested .
Paul has denied he played any role in looting , though video of the incident suggest that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a bottle of vodka–looted from a restaurant in the mall .
The YouTuber has claimed he was there as a documentarian and that he ’ ll continue to document things he feels are important .
Of course , since much of the content on his channel seems more to be focused on things like vlogs and “ day in the life ” kind of content , I ’ m more than a little skeptical of his claims .
After all , has seen now controversy can raise the profile of a YouTuber .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ massive outrage following his uploading of a video recorded in Japan ’ s Aokigahara , often known in the West as the suicide forest , where he finds someone who had hung themselves .
The video was soon taken down by YouTube after the outrage went viral , yet Paul has maintained his career despite the anger .
In fact , his popularity continues to grow as he ’ s amassed over 21 million subscribers on the platform despite the incident .
Paul ’ s taking part in the activities in Scottdale may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raise his profile , particularly by involving himself in an effort being celebrated by the media .
Even being charged is unlikely to have a negative affect him in the long run , but may actually help boost his profile .
So yeah , I ’ m skeptical .
Especially since Paul ’ s older brother also seems to be playing up support for Black Lives Matter , potentially as a way to garner some goodwill with a media that ’ s likely to lap this kind of thing up .

Many people are still shocked to learn that you can make a fortune as a YouTuber. After all, some of us remember when there was no monetization on the platform and while a viral video might make you famous, it was the fleeting 15-minute variety.
Those days are over, with some YouTubers massing millions in wealth.
Jake Paul is one of those, with an estimated net worth of around $19 million.
With money like that, though, theft is something you’d think he wouldn’t bother with. After all, he has so much to lose. And yet, it didn’t stop him from heading to Scottsdale, AZ, and allegedly take part in the looting there.
Now, the social media personality has found himself charged for his behavior.
Social media influencer and YouTuber Jake Paul has been charged by police in Scottsdale after allegedly participating in weekend looting and riots. Police said Thursday that 23-year-old Jake Joseph Paul was identified as being present among hundreds of tips and videos sent to officials. He reportedly unlawfully entered and remained inside Scottsdale Fashion Square mall when it was closed. Officials say Paul, who has a large following on YouTube, “was present after the protest was declared an unlawful assembly and the rioters were ordered to leave the area by police.” Paul has been charged with criminal trespassing and unlawful assembly, both misdemeanor charges. Police say he was issued a summons to appear in court in a month, but was not arrested.
Paul has denied he played any role in looting, though video of the incident suggest that he may have obtained goods–in this case, a bottle of vodka–looted from a restaurant in the mall.
The YouTuber has claimed he was there as a documentarian and that he’ll continue to document things he feels are important. Of course, since much of the content on his channel seems more to be focused on things like vlogs and “day in the life” kind of content, I’m more than a little skeptical of his claims.
After all, has seen now controversy can raise the profile of a YouTuber.
His brother, Logan Paul, caused massive outrage following his uploading of a video recorded in Japan’s Aokigahara, often known in the West as the suicide forest, where he finds someone who had hung themselves. The video was soon taken down by YouTube after the outrage went viral, yet Paul has maintained his career despite the anger.
In fact, his popularity continues to grow as he’s amassed over 21 million subscribers on the platform despite the incident.
Paul’s taking part in the activities in Scottdale may well be part of an effort to raise his profile, particularly by involving himself in an effort being celebrated by the media. Even being charged is unlikely to have a negative affect him in the long run, but may actually help boost his profile.
So yeah, I’m skeptical. Especially since Paul’s older brother also seems to be playing up support for Black Lives Matter, potentially as a way to garner some goodwill with a media that’s likely to lap this kind of thing up.