bearingarms--2020-07-04--Four Forgotten Heroes Of The War of Independence

Independence Day for most of us means fireworks , family and friends gathered around the grill , and a birthday celebration for the greatest nation on earth , but I like to take a little bit of time every July 4th to think about some of the men and women who are mostly forgotten these days , but who fought , served , and sacrificed in order that our nation be free .
As you enjoy the festivities today , why not raise a glass and toast one or more of these forgotten figures of American history ?
I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I moved to central Virginia , though he was a literal and figurative giant of the Continental Army .
Born in Portugal , Peter was orphaned at an early age and found on the docks of City Point , Virginia in 1765 by a cousin of Patrick Henry ’ s named Anthony Winston , who took in the young boy .
By the time Francisco was 16 , he was already well over six feet tall and broadly muscled , and the young man joined the 10th Virginia Regiment in 1776 in fine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the war , Francisco would become a favorite of luminaries like George Washington and Layfayette , as well as the rank-and-file of the Continental Army in which he served .
Francisco ’ s exploits as the American Hercules were legendary , from the Battle of Monmouth and the taking of Stony Point in the north to the Battle of Guilford Court House in the south .
Repeatedly injured in battle , Francisco , who was known to wield a six-foot broadsword in combat , nevertheless served in one capacity or another until the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1781 .
One of his last exploits took place not far from his home in Buckingham County , Virginia , in 1781 , when he was nearly captured by British cavalry led by the notorious Banastre Tarleton .
From the American Battlefields Trust : The story goes that during the attempt by Tarleton ’ s men to capture the “ Virginia Giant ” where they had him pinned down in a tavern he claimed to have killed or mortally wounded at least three of eleven of Tarleton ’ s men .
During the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to face nine captors .
Adding insult to injury they ordered him to hand over the buckles of his shoes which were made of silver .
If they wanted them Francisco said they would have to take them themselves .
As they began to steal his buckles Francisco subdued one soldier grabbing his sword and striking him on the head .
A fierce brawl broke out .
In the fracas Francisco nearly severed off the hand of the soldier whose sword he had managed to secure .
Pistol shots were discharged at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ side .
Another Redcoat took aim at him with his musket only to have it misfire .
In that instant the Virginia Giant seized the musket from the soldier who shot at him , clutched his opponent throwing him off his horse , and made good his getaway .
After the war , Francisco ran a store in Buckingham County for many years , slowly sinking into poverty .
In the late 1820 ’ s , he was appointed Sergeant-at-Arms of the Virginia state senate , a position that he held until he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military honors .
For generations , Francisco was especially beloved by Americans of Portuguese descent , and four states declared March 15th ( the anniversary of the Battle of Guilford Court House ) as Peter Francisco Day , though it ’ s little celebrated or even acknowledged these days .
The Virginia Giant has slipped into obscurity , his exploits and heroism largely lost to the mists of time .
Not much is known about the birth and upbringing of Georgia frontierswoman Nancy Hart , but her exploits during the War of Independence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Hart was a strong woman , around six feet tall , and was said to be an excellent shot with a rifle despite being cross-eyed .
During the war , she served as a spy for the Continentals , and on occasion would enter nearby British camps disguised as a man to collect information .
As the National Women ’ s History Museum details , Hart also engaged in a one-woman fight against Tories in Georgia .
The British frequently stopped at the Hart house , keeping an eye on the patriotic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s daughter noticed a Tory spying through a hole in the wall .
Hart was making soap and threw a boiling ladle-full through the crack , scalding the spy .
She and her daughter then tied him up and turned him over to the Patriots .
Hart ’ s most famous act involved five or six British soldiers , who killed her last turkey and demanded that she cook it for them .
She devised a plan to get the soldiers drunk on her corn liquor , take their guns and hold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sukey to get some water and to use a hidden conch shell to alert neighbors of the British presence .
While the soldiers ate and drank , Hart began sneaking their guns out through a hole in the wall .
Caught holding the third gun , she drew it and threatened to shoot .
When a soldier rushed at her , she killed him and wounded another ; the rest surrendered .
After the war , Hart eventually moved to Henderson , Kentucky , where she passed away decades after the war at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are several landmarks in Georgia named after Hart , for the most part few Americans are aware of the frontierswoman who waged her own campaign of liberty and independence .
Born into slavery in Andover , Massachusetts in the 1740 ’ s , Poor purchased his freedom when he was 22-years old .
It ’ s not known if he was present during the battles of Lexington and Concord , but by May of 1775 Poor was one of thousands of citizen soldiers surrounding the British troops hunkered down inside the city of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Poor ’ s regiment was one of several ordered to defend Breed ’ s Hill just across the river from Boston in Charleston , and on June 17th Poor found himself facing fierce fire from the Redcoats at the Battle of Bunker Hill .
Poor ’ s gallantry and bravery that day was acknowledged by all who witnessed it , including Col. William Prescott , who lauded Poor afterwards in a letter to the Massachusetts General Court .
Poor was briefly discharged from the militia in 1775 when Washington ordered an end to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rejoined the Continental Army shortly after Washington rescinded his order a few months later and urged the recruitment of any American willing to fight .
Poor was at Valley Forge , as well as the Battle of Monmouth , ultimately leaving the army in 1780 and returning to civilian life before his death in 1803 .
Like many of the forgotten heroes of the War of Independence , Poor died destitute , and his grave has never been found .
While Bissell fought for freedom during the War of Independence , his greatest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in spycraft .
Bissell is the only spy of the Revolutionary War that received a personal commendation by George Washington , due to Bissell ’ s important work detailing British troop strength and movements in New York City in 1781 .
At the time , Washington was intent on striking at the British in New York , before events dictated that he move his forces south to catch Cornwallis ’ army in a pincher move on the Yorktown peninsula in Virginia .
Still , when Bissell entered New York City posing as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Loyalist regiment , he had no idea that the war would soon be heading south .
While he was under cover , he also took some extraordinary steps to keep him from fighting his fellow patriots .
From the Journal of the American Revolution : Bissell pointed out “ that he never bore arms against America , having been confined in the hospital or employed in the Quarter Master ’ s department the whole time.
” There is no evidence of the latter , but the Legion ’ s muster of November @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confined in the hospital .
The Legion was part of the expedition to Connecticut under General Arnold that led to the burning of New London and the storming of Fort Griswold on September 6 ; for Bissell not to have participated , and therefore served against his country , he must have gone into the hospital within two weeks of his enlistment or been assigned to some sort of detached duty .
He served constantly thereafter with the Legion garrisoning of posts around New York City , first at Ireland Heights , then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being ordered to Staten Island on May 27 , 1782 .
Here he served at the Flag Staff post until deserting back to the Continental Army on the night of September 26 , 1782 .
Four others , including two sergeants , deserted from the Legion at the same time .
On June 8th of 1783 , General Washington ordered that Bissell be awarded the “ badge of merit , ” becoming just the third Continental soldier to receive the honor .
Bissell once again served in the army during the Quasi-War with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ away at the age of 70 in western New York in 1824 .
There are literally thousands of stories like these to be found in our American history ; ordinary men and women who rose to the occasion and fought for liberty and independence before fading into obscurity .
As we celebrate today the words of the founding fathers who crafted the Declaration of Independence , let us also remember and honor the men and women like Peter Francisco , Nancy Hart , Salem Poor , and Daniel Bissell who helped turn words @ @ @ @ @ @ @ truly independent nation .

Independence Day for most of us means fireworks, family and friends gathered around the grill, and a birthday celebration for the greatest nation on earth, but I like to take a little bit of time every July 4th to think about some of the men and women who are mostly forgotten these days, but who fought, served, and sacrificed in order that our nation be free. As you enjoy the festivities today, why not raise a glass and toast one or more of these forgotten figures of American history?
Peter Francisco
I’d never heard of Peter Francisco until I moved to central Virginia, though he was a literal and figurative giant of the Continental Army. Born in Portugal, Peter was orphaned at an early age and found on the docks of City Point, Virginia in 1765 by a cousin of Patrick Henry’s named Anthony Winston, who took in the young boy. By the time Francisco was 16, he was already well over six feet tall and broadly muscled, and the young man joined the 10th Virginia Regiment in 1776 in fine fighting shape. Over the course of the war, Francisco would become a favorite of luminaries like George Washington and Layfayette, as well as the rank-and-file of the Continental Army in which he served.
Francisco’s exploits as the American Hercules were legendary, from the Battle of Monmouth and the taking of Stony Point in the north to the Battle of Guilford Court House in the south. Repeatedly injured in battle, Francisco, who was known to wield a six-foot broadsword in combat, nevertheless served in one capacity or another until the surrender of General Cornwallis at Yorktown in 1781. One of his last exploits took place not far from his home in Buckingham County, Virginia, in 1781, when he was nearly captured by British cavalry led by the notorious Banastre Tarleton. From the American Battlefields Trust:
The story goes that during the attempt by Tarleton’s men to capture the “Virginia Giant” where they had him pinned down in a tavern he claimed to have killed or mortally wounded at least three of eleven of Tarleton’s men. During the standoff he came out of the tavern to face nine captors. Adding insult to injury they ordered him to hand over the buckles of his shoes which were made of silver. If they wanted them Francisco said they would have to take them themselves. As they began to steal his buckles Francisco subdued one soldier grabbing his sword and striking him on the head. A fierce brawl broke out. In the fracas Francisco nearly severed off the hand of the soldier whose sword he had managed to secure. Pistol shots were discharged at the hulking American one bullet glancing off his side. Another Redcoat took aim at him with his musket only to have it misfire. In that instant the Virginia Giant seized the musket from the soldier who shot at him, clutched his opponent throwing him off his horse, and made good his getaway.
After the war, Francisco ran a store in Buckingham County for many years, slowly sinking into poverty. In the late 1820’s, he was appointed Sergeant-at-Arms of the Virginia state senate, a position that he held until he died in 1831, buried with full military honors.
For generations, Francisco was especially beloved by Americans of Portuguese descent, and four states declared March 15th (the anniversary of the Battle of Guilford Court House) as Peter Francisco Day, though it’s little celebrated or even acknowledged these days. The Virginia Giant has slipped into obscurity, his exploits and heroism largely lost to the mists of time.
Nancy Hart
Not much is known about the birth and upbringing of Georgia frontierswoman Nancy Hart, but her exploits during the War of Independence are bit easier for historians to corroborate. Hart was a strong woman, around six feet tall, and was said to be an excellent shot with a rifle despite being cross-eyed. During the war, she served as a spy for the Continentals, and on occasion would enter nearby British camps disguised as a man to collect information. As the National Women’s History Museum details, Hart also engaged in a one-woman fight against Tories in Georgia.
The British frequently stopped at the Hart house, keeping an eye on the patriotic woman. In one instance, Hart’s daughter noticed a Tory spying through a hole in the wall. Hart was making soap and threw a boiling ladle-full through the crack, scalding the spy. She and her daughter then tied him up and turned him over to the Patriots. Hart’s most famous act involved five or six British soldiers, who killed her last turkey and demanded that she cook it for them. She devised a plan to get the soldiers drunk on her corn liquor, take their guns and hold them captive. Hart sent her daughter Sukey to get some water and to use a hidden conch shell to alert neighbors of the British presence. While the soldiers ate and drank, Hart began sneaking their guns out through a hole in the wall. Caught holding the third gun, she drew it and threatened to shoot. When a soldier rushed at her, she killed him and wounded another; the rest surrendered.
After the war, Hart eventually moved to Henderson, Kentucky, where she passed away decades after the war at the age of 93. While there are several landmarks in Georgia named after Hart, for the most part few Americans are aware of the frontierswoman who waged her own campaign of liberty and independence.
Salem Poor
Born into slavery in Andover, Massachusetts in the 1740’s, Poor purchased his freedom when he was 22-years old. It’s not known if he was present during the battles of Lexington and Concord, but by May of 1775 Poor was one of thousands of citizen soldiers surrounding the British troops hunkered down inside the city of Boston. In June of that year Poor’s regiment was one of several ordered to defend Breed’s Hill just across the river from Boston in Charleston, and on June 17th Poor found himself facing fierce fire from the Redcoats at the Battle of Bunker Hill.
Poor’s gallantry and bravery that day was acknowledged by all who witnessed it, including Col. William Prescott, who lauded Poor afterwards in a letter to the Massachusetts General Court.
To the Honorable General Court of the Massachusetts Bay: The subscribers beg leave to report to your Honorable House (which we do in justice to the character of so brave a man), that, under our own observation, we declare that a negro man, called Salem Poor, of Col. Frye’s regiment, Capt. Ames’ company, in the late battle at Charlestown, behaved like an experienced officer, as well as an excellent soldier. To set forth particulars of his conduct would be tedious. We would beg leave to say, in the person of this said negro, centers a brave and gallant soldier. The reward due to so great and distinguished a character, we submit to the Congress.”
Poor was briefly discharged from the militia in 1775 when Washington ordered an end to the recruitment of black soldiers, but rejoined the Continental Army shortly after Washington rescinded his order a few months later and urged the recruitment of any American willing to fight. Poor was at Valley Forge, as well as the Battle of Monmouth, ultimately leaving the army in 1780 and returning to civilian life before his death in 1803. Like many of the forgotten heroes of the War of Independence, Poor died destitute, and his grave has never been found.
Daniel Bissell
While Bissell fought for freedom during the War of Independence, his greatest exploits came not in battle, but in spycraft. Bissell is the only spy of the Revolutionary War that received a personal commendation by George Washington, due to Bissell’s important work detailing British troop strength and movements in New York City in 1781. At the time, Washington was intent on striking at the British in New York, before events dictated that he move his forces south to catch Cornwallis’ army in a pincher move on the Yorktown peninsula in Virginia.
Still, when Bissell entered New York City posing as a Tory and took the step of joining a Loyalist regiment, he had no idea that the war would soon be heading south. While he was under cover, he also took some extraordinary steps to keep him from fighting his fellow patriots. From the Journal of the American Revolution:
Bissell pointed out “that he never bore arms against America, having been confined in the hospital or employed in the Quarter Master’s department the whole time.” There is no evidence of the latter, but the Legion’s muster of November, 1781 does record that he was confined in the hospital. The Legion was part of the expedition to Connecticut under General Arnold that led to the burning of New London and the storming of Fort Griswold on September 6; for Bissell not to have participated, and therefore served against his country, he must have gone into the hospital within two weeks of his enlistment or been assigned to some sort of detached duty. He served constantly thereafter with the Legion garrisoning of posts around New York City, first at Ireland Heights, then Fresh Meadows, Harlem Lane and finally being ordered to Staten Island on May 27, 1782. Here he served at the Flag Staff post until deserting back to the Continental Army on the night of September 26, 1782. Four others, including two sergeants, deserted from the Legion at the same time.
On June 8th of 1783, General Washington ordered that Bissell be awarded the “badge of merit,” becoming just the third Continental soldier to receive the honor.
Bissell once again served in the army during the Quasi-War with France in 1800, and quietly passed away at the age of 70 in western New York in 1824.
There are literally thousands of stories like these to be found in our American history; ordinary men and women who rose to the occasion and fought for liberty and independence before fading into obscurity. As we celebrate today the words of the founding fathers who crafted the Declaration of Independence, let us also remember and honor the men and women like Peter Francisco, Nancy Hart, Salem Poor, and Daniel Bissell who helped turn words on a piece of paper into a truly independent nation.


bearingarms--2020-07-04--Best Guns For Alien Invasion

Best Guns For Alien Invasion

Let ’ s face it , 2020 has been rough .
If absolutely nothing else bad happened this year , it would still go down as a particularly tough year .
At this point , even alien invasions aren ’ t off the table .
That ’ s especially true since the Navy released video of an encounter between a couple of pilots and an unidentified flying object .
Couple that with some strange lights showing up a week or two back and it seemed like a hell of a time to start taking the idea seriously .
Or , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is , while we ’ re unlikely to ever be invaded by aliens , it ’ s a fun scenario to toy around with .
And , well , this is Bearing Arms .
We talk about guns and stuff .
And , this is Independence Day , which is also the name of a movie about alien invasions .
Take the two together and you get a powerful need to discuss the best guns for an alien invasion .
Now , any such list has to make a few assumptions .
For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guns would actually work against an alien aggressor .
We also have to assume they won ’ t just kill us all from orbit first .
However , we ’ ll try to cover most of the possibilities , assuming we ’ d survive the initial attack .
All of these will be weapons generally available to the public in most places , so no Class III weapons or anything , though I will mention some NFA items at one point .
Now , let ’ s assume the aliens are human-sized and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In that case , the good old “ evil black rifle ” is probably a good choice here .
You want something fairly light that will allow you to carry a good bit of ammo in case you find yourself in a protracted fight .
Sure , full-auto capable is awesome , but it ’ s not necessarily essential .
You need to put rounds on target and conserve your ammo because E.T .
isn ’ t letting the manufacturers make more of it for you .
Of course , one advantage of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the most popular rifle in the United States , which means there should be plenty of parts to be scavaged if you ’ re careful .
The same is true of magazines , since the AR-15 and the M-4 use the same mags .
It doesn ’ t matter if you get a Remington 870/Mossberg 500 pump-action or a semi-auto model , a shotgun is a good all-around tool for when aliens decide to move into the neighborhood .
While resisting our new galactic overlords , you ’ re not likely to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ store while hiding out with your insurgent buddies .
That means you ’ ll probably be on your own for food , and a shotgun is about the most versatile game-getter you ’ ll find .
Further , should your hideout be found , slugs out of a shotgun will likely be more than enough to put any little green man down for a dirt nap .
Of course , that latter only works if they ’ re human-sized or smaller and not wearing much in the way of armor .
The Ruger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lr rifle on the market and has been for a while .
That ’ s not likely to change any time soon , either .
For an alien invasion , the 10/22 has some advantages over most other firearms .
For one , with a suppressor and the right ammo , the weapon can be damn near silent .
That can be quite handy while getting game close to enemy outposts .
It can also put down sentries quietly as well .
Plus , if we are dealing with literal little green men @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than enough to fight the invaders .
Plus , well , you can care a butt-ton of ammunition , even more than the AR-15 style rifles .
The downside is that these aren ’ t quite as common as the AR-15 , so parts and magazines aren ’ t as readily available .
Honestly , any concealable semi-auto handgun will do for this , but I ’ m a fan of the Glock 19 .
It ’ s big enough that you can be comfortable shooting it all day at the range before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concealable afterward .
The truth is , a lot of fighting may well be more guerilla based , and that may require someone to get up close to take down an alien oppressor .
You ’ re not likely to do that carrying a long gun .
Further , it ’ s what you ’ re likely to be able to have on your person should the alien horde figure out you ’ re part of the resistance and come after you .
Finally , it ’ s a handy backup for when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and you run out of ammo for your long gun .
In fact , the semi-auto handgun is probably one of the most versatile fighting weapons possible .
Of course , once again , that assumes lightly armored humanoid aliens .
That ’ s not necessarily a guarantee .
We might need something a bit bigger , which brings me to… These are two different models by Barret , but both are semi-auto .50 BMG rifles , which can come in handy .
Either of these should have the punch to take out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vehicles and even more armored alien troops .
Further , this weapon is known for taking out targets at extreme range , which anyone who has been the target of sniper fire can tell you how debilitating that can be .
Plus , being semi-auto , these two have a faster rate of fire .
If we find ourselves facing armored alien fighters , we ’ ll need that .
If we ’ re dealing with Marvin the Martian sized baddies , though , the mist the Barret will turn them into might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the invasion , too .
So that ’ s our list .
What about your ’ s ?
What do you think would be the best guns for an alien invasion , assuming our guns will do anything ?

Let’s face it, 2020 has been rough. If absolutely nothing else bad happened this year, it would still go down as a particularly tough year. At this point, even alien invasions aren’t off the table.
That’s especially true since the Navy released video of an encounter between a couple of pilots and an unidentified flying object. Couple that with some strange lights showing up a week or two back and it seemed like a hell of a time to start taking the idea seriously.
Or, you know, not.
The truth is, while we’re unlikely to ever be invaded by aliens, it’s a fun scenario to toy around with. And, well, this is Bearing Arms. We talk about guns and stuff. And, this is Independence Day, which is also the name of a movie about alien invasions. Take the two together and you get a powerful need to discuss the best guns for an alien invasion.
Now, any such list has to make a few assumptions. For one, we have to assume that guns would actually work against an alien aggressor. We also have to assume they won’t just kill us all from orbit first.
However, we’ll try to cover most of the possibilities, assuming we’d survive the initial attack. All of these will be weapons generally available to the public in most places, so no Class III weapons or anything, though I will mention some NFA items at one point.
1. AR-15 or similar rifle
Now, let’s assume the aliens are human-sized and their ground forces are lightly armored. In that case, the good old “evil black rifle” is probably a good choice here. You want something fairly light that will allow you to carry a good bit of ammo in case you find yourself in a protracted fight. Sure, full-auto capable is awesome, but it’s not necessarily essential. You need to put rounds on target and conserve your ammo because E.T. isn’t letting the manufacturers make more of it for you.
Of course, one advantage of the AR-15 is that they’re the most popular rifle in the United States, which means there should be plenty of parts to be scavaged if you’re careful. The same is true of magazines, since the AR-15 and the M-4 use the same mags.
2. 12 Guage Repeating Shotgun
It doesn’t matter if you get a Remington 870/Mossberg 500 pump-action or a semi-auto model, a shotgun is a good all-around tool for when aliens decide to move into the neighborhood.
While resisting our new galactic overlords, you’re not likely to be able to make trips to the grocery store while hiding out with your insurgent buddies. That means you’ll probably be on your own for food, and a shotgun is about the most versatile game-getter you’ll find. Further, should your hideout be found, slugs out of a shotgun will likely be more than enough to put any little green man down for a dirt nap.
Of course, that latter only works if they’re human-sized or smaller and not wearing much in the way of armor.
3. Ruger 10/22
The Ruger 10/22 is the most popular semi-auto .22 lr rifle on the market and has been for a while. That’s not likely to change any time soon, either. For an alien invasion, the 10/22 has some advantages over most other firearms. For one, with a suppressor and the right ammo, the weapon can be damn near silent. That can be quite handy while getting game close to enemy outposts. It can also put down sentries quietly as well.
Plus, if we are dealing with literal little green men, the round may well be more than enough to fight the invaders. Plus, well, you can care a butt-ton of ammunition, even more than the AR-15 style rifles.
The downside is that these aren’t quite as common as the AR-15, so parts and magazines aren’t as readily available.
4. Glock 19
Honestly, any concealable semi-auto handgun will do for this, but I’m a fan of the Glock 19. It’s big enough that you can be comfortable shooting it all day at the range before the invasion but small enough to be concealable afterward.
The truth is, a lot of fighting may well be more guerilla based, and that may require someone to get up close to take down an alien oppressor. You’re not likely to do that carrying a long gun.
Further, it’s what you’re likely to be able to have on your person should the alien horde figure out you’re part of the resistance and come after you.
Finally, it’s a handy backup for when you’re in a straight-up firefight and you run out of ammo for your long gun.
In fact, the semi-auto handgun is probably one of the most versatile fighting weapons possible. Of course, once again, that assumes lightly armored humanoid aliens.
That’s not necessarily a guarantee. We might need something a bit bigger, which brings me to…
5. Barret Model 82A1/M107A1
These are two different models by Barret, but both are semi-auto .50 BMG rifles, which can come in handy. Either of these should have the punch to take out a variety of targets, including lightly-armored vehicles and even more armored alien troops.
Further, this weapon is known for taking out targets at extreme range, which anyone who has been the target of sniper fire can tell you how debilitating that can be.
Plus, being semi-auto, these two have a faster rate of fire. If we find ourselves facing armored alien fighters, we’ll need that.
If we’re dealing with Marvin the Martian sized baddies, though, the mist the Barret will turn them into might be a grand form of entertainment during the invasion, too.
So that’s our list. What about your’s? What do you think would be the best guns for an alien invasion, assuming our guns will do anything?


bearingarms--2020-07-05--NZ Will Take Guns From Citizens, But Not Gangs

Following the Christchurch massacre , the country of New Zealand began a jihad against the AR-15 and similar style rifles .
They wanted to purge them from the nation , tripping over themselves to disarm their populace who did nothing wrong , simply because of the actions of one deranged individual .
It ’ s a scene we ’ ve watched play out other places , but it was no less painful .
Yet , it seems that while government officials were quite ready to disarm law-abiding citizens , they ’ re more reticent about efforts to disarm gangs throughout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has refused to back law changes that would keep guns out of the hands of gangs in New Zealand , National ’ s Police spokesperson Brett Hudson says .
“ My Member ’ s Bill , Arms ( Firearms Prohibition Orders ) Amendment Bill , was set down for first reading .
Nash had come out earlier and stated that Labour would not support this bill .
“ Gang firearm related incidents have continue to increase as the number of gang members in New Zealand has increased .
In the first ten weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ firearms offences committed by gang members or associates .
“ The aim of my Member ’ s Bill is to combat issues like this and take firearms away from those who pose great danger to public safety .
Now , in fairness , this bill sounds like a New Zealand version of a red flag law , which is bad news .
I don ’ t like the idea of any law that takes guns from people who haven ’ t been convicted of a crime .
However , I find it amusing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are gang members while officials in this same government took the vehemently anti-gun position of disarming law-abiding citizens , stripping them of certain semi-automatic rifles simply because of what one person did with such a thing .
Then again , most anti-gun politicians don ’ t really care all that much about disarming criminals .
If they did , they wouldn ’ t spend so much time trying to disarm the law-abiding citizens who have done nothing wrong .
They wouldn ’ t pass laws that punish the victims of gun thefts , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t really mind armed criminals .
That may well be because armed criminals create the havoc these politicians need to sway voters to oppose the right to keep and bear arms .
“ The Second Amendment is American , though , it ’ s not applicable in New Zealand , ” some might say .
To them , I ’ ll point out that while the Second Amendment doesn ’ t apply beyond our shores , the right enshrined in it is a basic human liberty , one that should be protected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s not has zero impact on the reality of what it is .
Our Founding Fathers didn ’ t create liberties out of whole cloth .
They simply tried to protect the liberties we all have by virtue of being human .
But if we ’ re going to disarm a group of people , we should all be able to agree that it should probably be criminals .
I mean , just for the sake of argument .
However , it seems New Zealand has very different priorities .

Following the Christchurch massacre, the country of New Zealand began a jihad against the AR-15 and similar style rifles. They wanted to purge them from the nation, tripping over themselves to disarm their populace who did nothing wrong, simply because of the actions of one deranged individual. It’s a scene we’ve watched play out other places, but it was no less painful.
Yet, it seems that while government officials were quite ready to disarm law-abiding citizens, they’re more reticent about efforts to disarm gangs throughout the nation.
Police Minister Stuart Nash has refused to back law changes that would keep guns out of the hands of gangs in New Zealand, National’s Police spokesperson Brett Hudson says. “My Member’s Bill, Arms (Firearms Prohibition Orders) Amendment Bill, was set down for first reading. Nash had come out earlier and stated that Labour would not support this bill. “Gang firearm related incidents have continue to increase as the number of gang members in New Zealand has increased. In the first ten weeks of 2020 there was 156 incidents of firearms offences committed by gang members or associates. “The aim of my Member’s Bill is to combat issues like this and take firearms away from those who pose great danger to public safety.
Now, in fairness, this bill sounds like a New Zealand version of a red flag law, which is bad news. I don’t like the idea of any law that takes guns from people who haven’t been convicted of a crime.
However, I find it amusing that the specified target of this measure are gang members while officials in this same government took the vehemently anti-gun position of disarming law-abiding citizens, stripping them of certain semi-automatic rifles simply because of what one person did with such a thing.
Then again, most anti-gun politicians don’t really care all that much about disarming criminals. If they did, they wouldn’t spend so much time trying to disarm the law-abiding citizens who have done nothing wrong. They wouldn’t pass laws that punish the victims of gun thefts, either.
Oh no, they don’t really mind armed criminals. That may well be because armed criminals create the havoc these politicians need to sway voters to oppose the right to keep and bear arms.
“The Second Amendment is American, though, it’s not applicable in New Zealand,” some might say.
To them, I’ll point out that while the Second Amendment doesn’t apply beyond our shores, the right enshrined in it is a basic human liberty, one that should be protected all throughout the planet. Just because it’s not has zero impact on the reality of what it is. Our Founding Fathers didn’t create liberties out of whole cloth. They simply tried to protect the liberties we all have by virtue of being human.
But if we’re going to disarm a group of people, we should all be able to agree that it should probably be criminals. I mean, just for the sake of argument.
However, it seems New Zealand has very different priorities.


bearingarms--2020-07-06--Does Wearing A Mask Intefere With Lawfully Carrying A Gun?

While it was easy to forget for a while , COVID-19 is still a thing .
People are still being impacted by this disease , even though most of the country has opened back up .
Right now , rather than lockdowns , authorities are focusing on people wearing masks and maintaining social distancing .
However , there are some places that frown on people carrying guns and wearing masks at the same time , as a general rule .
They even have laws against it .
Yet , is it really an issue ?
I mean , with COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to land you in hot water ?
Well , a Kansas City news station opted to find out .
More local and state governments are mandating the use of masks , and while that argument continues , there is one concern that can be put to rest for gun owners .
Posts on social media are claiming that wearing a face mask may impact someone ’ s right to carry a gun or use a conceal and carry permit .
The claim is that those permits don ’ t allow a person to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from state to state , and when gun laws were written , no one was planning on a global pandemic .
However , a number of sources have pushed back against this claim .
According to the website factcheck.org , sheriffs across the country have issued statements debunking the claim .
KCTV5 News specifically checked laws in Missouri and Kansas , and neither state has requirements about concealing identity regarding conceal and carry .
The problem with fact-checking websites is that their fact checks aren ’ t always particularly factual themselves .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to take whatever they say with a grain of salt .
At least as it applies to your specific instance .
Many jurisdictions don ’ t have any rules against carrying a firearm with a valid permit while wearing a mask .
Some have rules against masks in general , rules that have been suspended due to the COVID-19 outbreak , but not about wearing one while armed .
So , what should you do ?
Just skip wearing a mask ?
Forget about taking your firearm ?
What can a law-abiding citizen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , one thing the fact-checkers are mostly right about is that many such rules have been suspended .
Officials want people wearing masks , so they ’ re doing what they can to encourage that .
Telling people they can ’ t wear a mask and a firearm at the same time won ’ t really accomplish that goal and most of them know it .
However , don ’ t take anyone ’ s word for it .
Instead , reach out to your local law enforcement and ask them .
Remember @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charge of enforcing these laws .
You can also speak with someone at the local district attorney ’ s office .
They ’ re often better versed in the law and the ramifications of that .
Hell , call all of them if you want .
If you can a consensus , you know you ’ re straight .
Look , don ’ t just decide not to wear a mask because a post on Facebook said you couldn ’ t .
Get the facts as they apply to your area first , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The truth is , you ’ re probably good to go , but it ’ s wise to make sure first .

While it was easy to forget for a while, COVID-19 is still a thing. People are still being impacted by this disease, even though most of the country has opened back up.
Right now, rather than lockdowns, authorities are focusing on people wearing masks and maintaining social distancing.
However, there are some places that frown on people carrying guns and wearing masks at the same time, as a general rule. They even have laws against it.
Yet, is it really an issue? I mean, with COVID-19 being around, is it really going to land you in hot water?
Well, a Kansas City news station opted to find out.
More local and state governments are mandating the use of masks, and while that argument continues, there is one concern that can be put to rest for gun owners. Posts on social media are claiming that wearing a face mask may impact someone’s right to carry a gun or use a conceal and carry permit. The claim is that those permits don’t allow a person to conceal their identity. Gun laws vary from state to state, and when gun laws were written, no one was planning on a global pandemic. However, a number of sources have pushed back against this claim. According to the website factcheck.org, sheriffs across the country have issued statements debunking the claim. KCTV5 News specifically checked laws in Missouri and Kansas, and neither state has requirements about concealing identity regarding conceal and carry.
The problem with fact-checking websites is that their fact checks aren’t always particularly factual themselves. As such, you’d do well to take whatever they say with a grain of salt.
At least as it applies to your specific instance.
Many jurisdictions don’t have any rules against carrying a firearm with a valid permit while wearing a mask. Some have rules against masks in general, rules that have been suspended due to the COVID-19 outbreak, but not about wearing one while armed.
So, what should you do? Just skip wearing a mask? Forget about taking your firearm? What can a law-abiding citizen concerned about the virus do?
First, one thing the fact-checkers are mostly right about is that many such rules have been suspended. Officials want people wearing masks, so they’re doing what they can to encourage that. Telling people they can’t wear a mask and a firearm at the same time won’t really accomplish that goal and most of them know it.
However, don’t take anyone’s word for it. Instead, reach out to your local law enforcement and ask them. Remember, they’re the people in charge of enforcing these laws. You can also speak with someone at the local district attorney’s office. They’re often better versed in the law and the ramifications of that. Hell, call all of them if you want. If you can a consensus, you know you’re straight.
Look, don’t just decide not to wear a mask because a post on Facebook said you couldn’t. Get the facts as they apply to your area first, then make your decision based on that. The truth is, you’re probably good to go, but it’s wise to make sure first.


bearingarms--2020-07-06--New Virginia Law Lets People Ban Themselves From Buying Guns

Will a new gun control law allowing people to voluntarily sign up to be prohibited from owning firearms actually get used by anyone ?
And why was the bill written to begin with ?
Graham Moomaw of the Virginia Mercury says the idea is for at-risk individuals to let the state know they ’ re too much of a danger to themselves or others to be allowed to purchase a gun .
While supporters say it could have a big impact on suicides in the state , in practice it looks like the law hasn ’ t done much at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s already on the books .
Republicans objected to the bill in part because of the lack of safeguards to prevent people from falsely putting someone else on the “ no-buy ” list .
While doing so is a crime , it ’ s also going to be somewhat easy to do , especially if you ’ re able to get access to someone ’ s photo ID long enough to make a copy of it .
Democrats , on the other hand , including the bill ’ s sponsor , say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ piece of mental health legislation that will save lives .
Sen. Scott Surovell , D-Fairfax , who sponsored the legislation , said he thought the idea might get bipartisan support , particularly because pro-gun Republicans often say mental health , not lax gun regulation , is the primary problem .
He was wrong .
“ Here I have a bill that takes the mental health problem head-on and is completely voluntary to the person who ’ s the subject of it .
And you can take yourself off the list whenever you want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thought it would be a no-brainer .
But I couldn ’ t get anybody else on the other side to agree.
” It is a no-brainer piece of legislation , but not in the way Surovell intended to use the word .
This is a brainlessly simplistic piece of legislation that , by the way , has barely been used in the two years that a similar law has been on the books in Washington State .
Darren Wright , a spokesman for the Washington State Patrol , said he did not know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the list without their knowledge .
The Washington program , which passed in 2018 , has not seen heavy use .
Wright said 13 people have asked to be entered into the system .
Vars called the level of participation in Washington so far “ disappointing , ” but said it ’ s important to make people aware of the program and make it easy to sign up for it .
In that regard , Virginia having a mail-in option instead of requiring a trip to the courthouse could encourage more participation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to look somebody in the eye and say ‘ I don ’ t think I ’ m safe , I ’ ve had suicidal thoughts , ’ it ’ s a barrier , ” Vars said .
“ I think the Virginia bill is better in that way.
” I doubt it , but we ’ ll see .
What I do know is that this bill , like the state ’ s new “ red flag ” law , actually does nothing to address the mental health crisis that Del .
Surovell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mental health professionals in the legislation .
Both are designed simply to remove any legally owned firearms from people , while leaving the supposedly troubled individuals to fend for themselves .
Last November , the heads of the state ’ s psychiatric hospitals said the state ’ s mental health system was in crisis , but rather than actually address the issue , Democrats in the state legislature decided to pass several gun control bills and call them mental health bills instead .
Virginia hospitals are still running out of room for in-patient @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far cheaper ( if less effective ) to simply focus on any legally owned guns those in crisis might have , rather than actually treating the illness that they ’ re suffering from .
This bill may be constitutional , but that doesn ’ t mean it ’ s going to be effective .
Virginia Democrats had a chance to treat mental health problems with mental health professionals , but with their red-flag law and their voluntary no-buy list , they ’ ve chosen instead to treat mental illness with law enforcement instead @

Will a new gun control law allowing people to voluntarily sign up to be prohibited from owning firearms actually get used by anyone? And why was the bill written to begin with? Graham Moomaw of the Virginia Mercury says the idea is for at-risk individuals to let the state know they’re too much of a danger to themselves or others to be allowed to purchase a gun. While supporters say it could have a big impact on suicides in the state, in practice it looks like the law hasn’t done much at all in the one state where it’s already on the books.
Nearly two-thirds of Virginia gun deaths are suicides, according to the Virginia Department of Health data presented to policymakers last year. From 2007 to 2018, more than 56 percent of suicides involved guns. In 2018, there were 674 gun-related suicides in the state. The state data shows most firearm suicides involve handguns, and White men are more likely to be victims of gun suicide than other demographic groups. The new law will allow anyone over 18 to add themselves to the list, designed to be kept confidential, by filling out a form with a copy of their photo ID and mailing it or delivering it to the Virginia State Police. Once a person is on the list, it will be against the law for them to purchase or possess a gun and unlawful for anyone to knowingly sell or give a gun to a person on the list. If someone on the list changes their mind, they can be removed after waiting 21 days.
Republicans objected to the bill in part because of the lack of safeguards to prevent people from falsely putting someone else on the “no-buy” list. While doing so is a crime, it’s also going to be somewhat easy to do, especially if you’re able to get access to someone’s photo ID long enough to make a copy of it. Democrats, on the other hand, including the bill’s sponsor, say it’s a “no-brainer” piece of mental health legislation that will save lives.
Sen. Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax, who sponsored the legislation, said he thought the idea might get bipartisan support, particularly because pro-gun Republicans often say mental health, not lax gun regulation, is the primary problem. He was wrong. “Here I have a bill that takes the mental health problem head-on and is completely voluntary to the person who’s the subject of it. And you can take yourself off the list whenever you want,” Surovell said. “I thought it would be a no-brainer. But I couldn’t get anybody else on the other side to agree.”
It is a no-brainer piece of legislation, but not in the way Surovell intended to use the word. This is a brainlessly simplistic piece of legislation that, by the way, has barely been used in the two years that a similar law has been on the books in Washington State.
Darren Wright, a spokesman for the Washington State Patrol, said he did not know of any cases of someone being added to the list without their knowledge. The Washington program, which passed in 2018, has not seen heavy use. Wright said 13 people have asked to be entered into the system. Vars called the level of participation in Washington so far “disappointing,” but said it’s important to make people aware of the program and make it easy to sign up for it. In that regard, Virginia having a mail-in option instead of requiring a trip to the courthouse could encourage more participation. “Going down there and having to look somebody in the eye and say ‘I don’t think I’m safe, I’ve had suicidal thoughts,’ it’s a barrier,” Vars said. “I think the Virginia bill is better in that way.”
I doubt it, but we’ll see. What I do know is that this bill, like the state’s new “red flag” law, actually does nothing to address the mental health crisis that Del. Surovell referred to. Neither law actually mentions mental health professionals in the legislation. Both are designed simply to remove any legally owned firearms from people, while leaving the supposedly troubled individuals to fend for themselves.
Last November, the heads of the state’s psychiatric hospitals said the state’s mental health system was in crisis, but rather than actually address the issue, Democrats in the state legislature decided to pass several gun control bills and call them mental health bills instead. Virginia hospitals are still running out of room for in-patient psychiatric treatment, but it’s far cheaper (if less effective) to simply focus on any legally owned guns those in crisis might have, rather than actually treating the illness that they’re suffering from.
This bill may be constitutional, but that doesn’t mean it’s going to be effective. Virginia Democrats had a chance to treat mental health problems with mental health professionals, but with their red-flag law and their voluntary no-buy list, they’ve chosen instead to treat mental illness with law enforcement instead.


bearingarms--2020-07-06--Protestors Return To McCloskey Home

Protestors Return To McCloskey Home

Mark and Patricia McCloskey didn ’ t want to be the face of opposition to various protests all over the country .
They didn ’ t want to become memes , either .
However , that ’ s kind of what happened after they faced down an angry mob with their firearms .
The couple claim the first couple of protestors to approach their home issued threats and they responded accordingly .
It was something of a bad situation , to say the least .
It didn ’ t help that protestors descended on the McCloskey house for a second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ peaceful return trip to the St. Louis mansion owned by a white couple whose armed defense of their home during an earlier demonstration earned them both scorn and support .
Protesters marched Friday along the busy public boulevard called Kingshighway , which intersects with Portland Place , a private street that is the site of the Renaissance palazzo-style home of Mark McCloskey , 61 , and his 63-year-old wife , Patricia .
Chanting protesters on Friday stopped at the gate just outside the McCloskeys ’ home for about 15 minutes .
The gate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and extra metal barriers blocked the entrance to Portland Place , where the protesters had walked earlier in the week on their way to the mayor ’ s home nearby .
Inside the gate , more than a dozen men in plain clothes walked the grounds and peered out from a second-floor balcony of the couple ’ s home .
One protester briefly straddled an iron gate as if he was going to jump over , but did not .
No one threw anything and no one behind the gates showed aggression .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ clapped along with the chanting protesters .
The McCloskeys themselves didn ’ t make an appearance , which isn ’ t overly surprising .
However , even with what looks to be private security , they likely had their hands on their firearms yet again .
I sure as hell would have .
Of course , that ’ s assuming the McCloskeys were even home .
Frankly , I don ’ t get this one .
Yes , I understand people are displeased by the McCloskeys , but their private parties .
Don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t hire them for a personal injury case .
Showing up at their house , though ?
I ’ m sorry , but that ’ s harassment in my book .
At some point , I have to believe that if the mob doesn ’ t move on to someone else , they ’ ll escalate the hate toward the McCloskeys to the point where someone will get violent .
Luckily , it appears the McCloskeys recognize that , which is why there were a bunch of “ men in plain clothes ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not playing around with their personal safety .
Nor should they .
However , the irony here is that the McCloskeys appear to be supporters of a number of left-leaning movements .
These are , ultimately , allies of the mob on most issues .
If they keep this up , they ’ re going to push the McCloskeys over to the right , along with any number of their friends who don ’ t like what they ’ re seeing happen to their friends .
And that ’ s just one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that one doesn ’ t end with dead people .

Mark and Patricia McCloskey didn’t want to be the face of opposition to various protests all over the country. They didn’t want to become memes, either. However, that’s kind of what happened after they faced down an angry mob with their firearms. The couple claim the first couple of protestors to approach their home issued threats and they responded accordingly.
It was something of a bad situation, to say the least.
It didn’t help that protestors descended on the McCloskey house for a second time.
Several hundred protesters made a peaceful return trip to the St. Louis mansion owned by a white couple whose armed defense of their home during an earlier demonstration earned them both scorn and support. Protesters marched Friday along the busy public boulevard called Kingshighway, which intersects with Portland Place, a private street that is the site of the Renaissance palazzo-style home of Mark McCloskey, 61, and his 63-year-old wife, Patricia. Chanting protesters on Friday stopped at the gate just outside the McCloskeys’ home for about 15 minutes. The gate that closes the private street to non-residents and extra metal barriers blocked the entrance to Portland Place, where the protesters had walked earlier in the week on their way to the mayor’s home nearby. Inside the gate, more than a dozen men in plain clothes walked the grounds and peered out from a second-floor balcony of the couple’s home. One protester briefly straddled an iron gate as if he was going to jump over, but did not. No one threw anything and no one behind the gates showed aggression. One man on the McCloskeys’ balcony clapped along with the chanting protesters.
The McCloskeys themselves didn’t make an appearance, which isn’t overly surprising. However, even with what looks to be private security, they likely had their hands on their firearms yet again.
I sure as hell would have.
Of course, that’s assuming the McCloskeys were even home.
Frankly, I don’t get this one. Yes, I understand people are displeased by the McCloskeys, but their private parties. Don’t like them? Don’t hire them for a personal injury case. Showing up at their house, though? I’m sorry, but that’s harassment in my book.
At some point, I have to believe that if the mob doesn’t move on to someone else, they’ll escalate the hate toward the McCloskeys to the point where someone will get violent.
Luckily, it appears the McCloskeys recognize that, which is why there were a bunch of “men in plain clothes” about the grounds. They’re not playing around with their personal safety. Nor should they.
However, the irony here is that the McCloskeys appear to be supporters of a number of left-leaning movements. These are, ultimately, allies of the mob on most issues. If they keep this up, they’re going to push the McCloskeys over to the right, along with any number of their friends who don’t like what they’re seeing happen to their friends.
And that’s just one of the better case scenarios. At least that one doesn’t end with dead people.


bearingarms--2020-07-06--N.C. House Speaker Wants To Override Gov's Gun Bill Veto

A bill that would allow concealed carry holders to attend church services held on properties where a private school is located was vetoed by North Carolina Gov .
Roy Cooper last week , but the Republican Speaker of the House says there are enough votes in the legislature to override the governor ’ s objections .
House Bill 652 would allow concealed permit holders to lawfully carry during services held at private schools , as long as classes are not in session and the property owner has given approval of the practice .
Already in North Carolina concealed carry holders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ churches across the state , so this bill is really a minor fix , though it does also contain a provision that would allow non-police first responders to lawfully carry when they are working with SWAT teams and other police agencies .
Cooper didn ’ t mention that provision when he vetoed the bill , however .
Instead , he said the bill “ threatens the safety of students and teachers , ” even though the bill has nothing to do with firearms in an actual school environment with students present .
Now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wants to try to override the governor ’ s veto .
From the Charlotte Observer : In a statement , Moore referred to earlier pandemic restrictions on attendance at indoor church services in North Carolina , which a federal judge blocked in May .
“ After unconstitutionally denying churchgoers the right to worship freely until a federal judge ordered him to permit religious services , Governor Cooper now refuses those same North Carolinians their 2nd amendment rights to protect themselves by vetoing a strongly bipartisan bill , ” Moore said in the statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 77 years and 38 nays , with 12 Democrats supporting the measure along with every Republican , Moore indeed has the votes , at least on paper , to override the governor ’ s veto .
However , as the Charlotte Observer points out , since Democrats gained enough seats in 2018 to end the GOP ’ s veto-proof majority , no veto has actually been overridden , no matter how much bipartisan support the bill may have originally received .
When push comes to shove , enough Democrats have swapped their votes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gov .
Cooper ’ s been able to stymie the Republican legislature for nearly two years .
Will that hold true in this case , however ?
Many of the twelve Democrats who voted for HB 652 hail from more rural districts , and are likely home to several small churches with private schools attached that are directly impacted by Cooper ’ s veto .
With Election Day just a few months ahead , these Democrats may not be as willing to fall in line behind Gov .
Cooper and allowing his veto @ @ @ @ @ @ @ HB 652 on its calendar for Wednesday , but that doesn ’ t guarantee that an override attempt will take place then .
At the moment , North Carolina gun owners , particularly those represented by the dozen Democrats who voted in favor of the bill the first time around , need to be in contact with their lawmakers and urging them to take a common sense stand in support of the right of self-defense , private property rights , and the right to keep and bear arms .

A bill that would allow concealed carry holders to attend church services held on properties where a private school is located was vetoed by North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper last week, but the Republican Speaker of the House says there are enough votes in the legislature to override the governor’s objections.
House Bill 652 would allow concealed permit holders to lawfully carry during services held at private schools, as long as classes are not in session and the property owner has given approval of the practice. Already in North Carolina concealed carry holders are legally allowed to carry in freestanding churches across the state, so this bill is really a minor fix, though it does also contain a provision that would allow non-police first responders to lawfully carry when they are working with SWAT teams and other police agencies.
Cooper didn’t mention that provision when he vetoed the bill, however. Instead, he said the bill “threatens the safety of students and teachers,” even though the bill has nothing to do with firearms in an actual school environment with students present. Now it sounds like House Speaker Tim Moore wants to try to override the governor’s veto. From the Charlotte Observer:
In a statement, Moore referred to earlier pandemic restrictions on attendance at indoor church services in North Carolina, which a federal judge blocked in May. “After unconstitutionally denying churchgoers the right to worship freely until a federal judge ordered him to permit religious services, Governor Cooper now refuses those same North Carolinians their 2nd amendment rights to protect themselves by vetoing a strongly bipartisan bill,” Moore said in the statement.
Based on the House vote of 77 years and 38 nays, with 12 Democrats supporting the measure along with every Republican, Moore indeed has the votes, at least on paper, to override the governor’s veto. However, as the Charlotte Observer points out, since Democrats gained enough seats in 2018 to end the GOP’s veto-proof majority, no veto has actually been overridden, no matter how much bipartisan support the bill may have originally received.
When push comes to shove, enough Democrats have swapped their votes in the name of party unity that Gov. Cooper’s been able to stymie the Republican legislature for nearly two years. Will that hold true in this case, however? Many of the twelve Democrats who voted for HB 652 hail from more rural districts, and are likely home to several small churches with private schools attached that are directly impacted by Cooper’s veto. With Election Day just a few months ahead, these Democrats may not be as willing to fall in line behind Gov. Cooper and allowing his veto to stand.
The state House has HB 652 on its calendar for Wednesday, but that doesn’t guarantee that an override attempt will take place then. At the moment, North Carolina gun owners, particularly those represented by the dozen Democrats who voted in favor of the bill the first time around, need to be in contact with their lawmakers and urging them to take a common sense stand in support of the right of self-defense, private property rights, and the right to keep and bear arms.


bearingarms--2020-07-06--8-Year-Old Girl Killed By Atlanta Protestors, National Media Silent

How many times have we heard that term in the last few weeks ?
Sure , many people who are out protesting are peaceful .
They want to be heard and nothing else .
They would never think of using violence except in self-defense .
I may disagree with them on a lot , but they ’ re good people .
The problem is that there are a lot of people at these protests who aren ’ t peaceful .
They ’ re looking to carry out an act of violence and they see the protests as a great place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they ’ ve claimed the life of an eight-year-old girl .
I actually agree with Bottoms .
If you think you ’ re going to make change , you can ’ t allow something like this to happen .
You can ’ t shoot people , regardless of age and race , and expect people to back you .
I mean , you want to tell me black lives matter , then you shoot an eight-year-old black girl and kill her ?
What ?
Did her life not matter ?
Don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matter to you if you ’ re going to allow this kind of thing to happen .
No , the totality of the Black Lives Matter movement isn ’ t responsible for this .
Yet those people who were in the area and have failed to provide evidence to the police ?
I hold them responsible .
They deserve to rot in prison right next to the shooter .
Maybe I ’ m a little sensitive on the issue .
I ’ ve got an eight-year-old daughter , so I can ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think of Secoriea Turner .
I could easily imagine the two of them playing together at a park or being in the same class if and when school starts back up or something .
Only , that ’ s not possible now .
It ’ s not possible because some turdnugget opted to shoot up a car with a little girl inside .
Meanwhile , where is the national media ?
Why aren ’ t they reporting on this ?
It ’ s not like there ’ s not a 24-hour news network @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
No , they ’ re too busy talking about Summer Taylor , a non-binary protestor who was killed while blocking a highway when she was struck by a car driven by a black man .
Because she was advancing the correct narrative , she ’ s a martyr .
Secoriea Turner , however , doesn ’ t get mentioned because her death may call the narrative into question .
Well , to hell with the narratives .
A little girl is dead .
That ’ s probably just a tad more important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think ?

Peaceful protestors.
How many times have we heard that term in the last few weeks? Sure, many people who are out protesting are peaceful. They want to be heard and nothing else. They would never think of using violence except in self-defense. I may disagree with them on a lot, but they’re good people.
The problem is that there are a lot of people at these protests who aren’t peaceful. They’re looking to carry out an act of violence and they see the protests as a great place to do it.
Now, though, they’ve claimed the life of an eight-year-old girl.
An 8-year-old girl was shot and killed Saturday night in Atlanta near the Wendy’s where Rayshard Brooks died last month. Police identified the child Sunday as Secoriea Turner. Officers said they responded to a 911 call near University Avenue and I-75/I-85 around 9:50 p.m. The location of the shooting was in a parking lot across the street from the now burned-out Wendy’s, which has been occupied by demonstrators since Brooks’ death at the hands of an Atlanta police officer. Police said Turner was riding in a car with her mother and her mother’s friend when they exited the interstate at University Avenue. The driver tried to turn into the parking lot at 1238 Pryor Road when he was confronted by an “group of armed individuals” who had blocked the entrance. … On Sunday night, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms blasted protesters who had turned violent. “You cant blame this on a police officer. You can’t say this about criminal justice reform,” Bottoms said. “This is about some people carrying some weapons who shot up a car with an 8-year-old baby in the car for what?!? “Enough is enough,” Bottoms continued. “If you want people to take us seriously and you don’t want us to lose this movement, we can’t lose each other.”
I actually agree with Bottoms. If you think you’re going to make change, you can’t allow something like this to happen. You can’t shoot people, regardless of age and race, and expect people to back you.
I mean, you want to tell me black lives matter, then you shoot an eight-year-old black girl and kill her? What? Did her life not matter? Don’t tell me a group of lives matter to you if you’re going to allow this kind of thing to happen.
No, the totality of the Black Lives Matter movement isn’t responsible for this. Yet those people who were in the area and have failed to provide evidence to the police? I hold them responsible. They deserve to rot in prison right next to the shooter.
Maybe I’m a little sensitive on the issue. I’ve got an eight-year-old daughter, so I can’t help but think of her when I think of Secoriea Turner. I could easily imagine the two of them playing together at a park or being in the same class if and when school starts back up or something. Only, that’s not possible now.
It’s not possible because some turdnugget opted to shoot up a car with a little girl inside.
Meanwhile, where is the national media? Why aren’t they reporting on this? It’s not like there’s not a 24-hour news network headquartered in Atlanta, now is there?
No, they’re too busy talking about Summer Taylor, a non-binary protestor who was killed while blocking a highway when she was struck by a car driven by a black man. Because she was advancing the correct narrative, she’s a martyr. Secoriea Turner, however, doesn’t get mentioned because her death may call the narrative into question.
Well, to hell with the narratives. A little girl is dead. That’s probably just a tad more important right now, don’t you think?


bearingarms--2020-07-06--Man Uses Bow And Arrow In Self-Defense After Intruder Breaks In To Home

A Muskogee , Oklahoma man who broke into a home Saturday night was shot and killed by a resident armed with a bow and arrow .
According to local police , 33-year old Jarrod Godsey was already deceased when officers arrived and found him on the floor of the home .
Police were dispatched to the home on a report of a person trying to break in , and they found the back patio glass door was broken out when they arrived .
Officers had responded to the home several times over the past month due to Godsey harassing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I ’ m sure gun control advocates would love to seize on this story , but I don ’ t think they ’ re allowed to ever acknowledge a case of armed self-defense , no matter how much they might want to use it to argue , “ you don ’ t need an AR-15 when you can have a compound bow instead.
” Then again , they might see this story and decide that it ’ s time to ban “ assault bows ” along with modern sporting rifles .
According @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dispute between Godsey and the homeowner , Russell Jobe , has been ongoing for months .
“ It is definitely pretty bizarre and not something that you hear about happening very often , ” Muskogee Police Department officer Lynn Hamlin said .
“ We ’ ve had several homicides in those 15 years but none of them where a bow and arrow has been the weapon that was used.
” “ It is pretty bizarre that it ended and this way , ” Hamlin said .
“ My biggest question would be what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Godsey ) was trespassing in there , yet he was coming back.
”  Neighbors who live in the same duplex said the dispute between Godsey and Jobe had been ongoing throughout the year .
 Both victim and suspect have criminal records , though in the case of Jobe it appears his previous arrests have been for a non-violent drug offense and a DUI .
Godsey , on the other hand , has a much more extensive criminal record , with burglar , domestic assault , pointing a firearm , and violating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him in 2016 .
It ’ s unclear what the outcome of those cases were , but clearly they didn ’ t result in a long prison sentence .
Whatever the beef between the two men may have been about , when it got to the point of Godsey actually breaking into the home , Jobe had a right to defend himself .
A bow and arrow may be an unconventional choice for a self-defense tool , but it worked .
I ’ ll be sticking with a firearm for home defense , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to know that if ammunition gets even harder to find , a bow and arrow can always be used as a backup .

A Muskogee, Oklahoma man who broke into a home Saturday night was shot and killed by a resident armed with a bow and arrow. According to local police, 33-year old Jarrod Godsey was already deceased when officers arrived and found him on the floor of the home.
Police were dispatched to the home on a report of a person trying to break in, and they found the back patio glass door was broken out when they arrived. Officers had responded to the home several times over the past month due to Godsey harassing the resident, according to a news release.
I’m sure gun control advocates would love to seize on this story, but I don’t think they’re allowed to ever acknowledge a case of armed self-defense, no matter how much they might want to use it to argue, “you don’t need an AR-15 when you can have a compound bow instead.” Then again, they might see this story and decide that it’s time to ban “assault bows” along with modern sporting rifles.
According to KWTV in Oklahoma City, the dispute between Godsey and the homeowner, Russell Jobe, has been ongoing for months.
“It is definitely pretty bizarre and not something that you hear about happening very often,” Muskogee Police Department officer Lynn Hamlin said. “We’ve had several homicides in those 15 years but none of them where a bow and arrow has been the weapon that was used.” “It is pretty bizarre that it ended and this way,” Hamlin said. “My biggest question would be what the dispute was over. He (Godsey) was trespassing in there, yet he was coming back.” Neighbors who live in the same duplex said the dispute between Godsey and Jobe had been ongoing throughout the year.
Both victim and suspect have criminal records, though in the case of Jobe it appears his previous arrests have been for a non-violent drug offense and a DUI. Godsey, on the other hand, has a much more extensive criminal record, with burglar, domestic assault, pointing a firearm, and violating an order of protection charges filed against him in 2016. It’s unclear what the outcome of those cases were, but clearly they didn’t result in a long prison sentence.
Whatever the beef between the two men may have been about, when it got to the point of Godsey actually breaking into the home, Jobe had a right to defend himself. A bow and arrow may be an unconventional choice for a self-defense tool, but it worked. I’ll be sticking with a firearm for home defense, but I suppose it’s good to know that if ammunition gets even harder to find, a bow and arrow can always be used as a backup.


bearingarms--2020-07-06--Shootings Double In NYC For Third Straight Week

For the “ Defund the Police ” crowd , nothing the police do is right .
They ’ re responsible for every evil you care to name .
Worse , they don ’ t do anything to keep anyone safer .
At least , that ’ s what they like to believe .
Of course , the truth is more complicated than that .
Some officers are good at their jobs , others are awful , same as any other group of people you care to name .
However , when they ’ re not sure how to do their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ City shootings over the last seven days skyrocketed by 142 percent compared with the same time period in 2019 , from just 26 last year to 63 in 2020 , according to NYPD data obtained by News 4 .
For several weeks now , gun violence has more than doubled on New York City streets with some 24-hour periods recording dozens of New Yorkers sustaining injuries from gunfire .
Take the hours following the 4th of July holiday ; the NYPD said gun violence in a nine-hour window resulted in the deaths of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people injured .
In the lead up to the holiday weekend , three people were shot in Brownsville , including one that died from a gunshot to the head .
At least seven more shootings in the city late Thursday night and into early Friday morning .
In three separate drive-by shootings before midnight , a teen in Crown Heights was shot in the buttocks ; a man in Far Rockaway was shot in the torso ; and a man was shot in the torso in Mott Haven , according to the NYPD @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those of all ages , as an 11-year-old boy was on his porch when a bullet tore through his leg in an unrelated shooting on Tuesday – becoming one of nine shot throughout the five boroughs in a 24-hour span ending Wednesday .
The week prior , June 21-27 , shootings recorded by police increased by 127 percent from 2019 to 2020 .
And the week before that , June 14-20 , there were 55 shootings in 2020 compared to just 12 the same week in 2019 , NYPD data shows ; that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A total of 74 people were wounded in the 55 shootings with at least 19 of them injured in a single day .
Gun violence has taken the lives of New Yorkers in a city already rocked by a pandemic virus and violent protests over police brutality .
Which , of course , hasn ’ t made things easier .
The NYPD would like to police and try and get a handle on this kind of thing , but right now , they ’ re simply not sure how people want to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do their jobs , but they kind of can ’ t .
However , this also isn ’ t unique to New York , either .
Chicago is also seeing a massive spike in violent crime following the unrest after the death of George Floyd during an arrest by Minneapolis police .
Of course , the mayor is blaming guns for it , as per usual , while ignoring the fact that the Chicago PD is likely feeling hamstrung as well .
Frankly , unless something gets done quickly , we ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of this kind of thing .
Police need to do their jobs , but they also need to be clear on how they ’ re supposed to do their jobs .
Without that , what can they do ?

For the “Defund the Police” crowd, nothing the police do is right. They’re responsible for every evil you care to name. Worse, they don’t do anything to keep anyone safer.
At least, that’s what they like to believe.
Of course, the truth is more complicated than that. Some officers are good at their jobs, others are awful, same as any other group of people you care to name.
However, when they’re not sure how to do their jobs, things get…interesting.
New York City shootings over the last seven days skyrocketed by 142 percent compared with the same time period in 2019, from just 26 last year to 63 in 2020, according to NYPD data obtained by News 4. For several weeks now, gun violence has more than doubled on New York City streets with some 24-hour periods recording dozens of New Yorkers sustaining injuries from gunfire. Take the hours following the 4th of July holiday; the NYPD said gun violence in a nine-hour window resulted in the deaths of three people and left nearly three dozen people injured. In the lead up to the holiday weekend, three people were shot in Brownsville, including one that died from a gunshot to the head. At least seven more shootings in the city late Thursday night and into early Friday morning. In three separate drive-by shootings before midnight, a teen in Crown Heights was shot in the buttocks; a man in Far Rockaway was shot in the torso; and a man was shot in the torso in Mott Haven, according to the NYPD. The surge in gun violence impacting those of all ages, as an 11-year-old boy was on his porch when a bullet tore through his leg in an unrelated shooting on Tuesday – becoming one of nine shot throughout the five boroughs in a 24-hour span ending Wednesday. The week prior, June 21-27, shootings recorded by police increased by 127 percent from 2019 to 2020. And the week before that, June 14-20, there were 55 shootings in 2020 compared to just 12 the same week in 2019, NYPD data shows; that’s a 358 percent increase. A total of 74 people were wounded in the 55 shootings with at least 19 of them injured in a single day. Gun violence has taken the lives of New Yorkers in a city already rocked by a pandemic virus and violent protests over police brutality.
Which, of course, hasn’t made things easier.
The NYPD would like to police and try and get a handle on this kind of thing, but right now, they’re simply not sure how people want to be policed. They’d like to do their jobs, but they kind of can’t.
That’s a big issue.
However, this also isn’t unique to New York, either. Chicago is also seeing a massive spike in violent crime following the unrest after the death of George Floyd during an arrest by Minneapolis police. Of course, the mayor is blaming guns for it, as per usual, while ignoring the fact that the Chicago PD is likely feeling hamstrung as well.
Frankly, unless something gets done quickly, we’re probably going to see a lot more of this kind of thing. Police need to do their jobs, but they also need to be clear on how they’re supposed to do their jobs. Without that, what can they do?


bearingarms--2020-07-06--Virginia Gun Sales Soared In Advance Of New Laws

Ralph Northam was hoping to ban guns in 2020 .
Instead , he ’ s helping to sell a record number of them to Virginians .
We ’ re seeing gun sales at record levels all across the country thanks to the COVID-19 shutdowns , concern over rising violent crime , and unrest in the streets , but in Virginia sales got a little extra boost in June thanks to the new gun control laws that took effect on July 1st .
Ahead of Gov .
Ralph Northam ’ s anti-gun agenda becoming law , Virginians flocked to gun stores @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Richmond Times-Dispatch , background checks in the state more than doubled when compared to June of 2019 .
I think it ’ s safe to say that we ’ re going to smash the record set back in 2016 , and Gov .
Northam can take some , but not all , of the credit .
His new laws , and concern that Democrats will push a gun and magazine ban during a special session that ’ s expected to take place later this year , have absolutely prompted some in the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very first time .
Add in the concerns over an increase in violence and calls to defund police , and you ’ ve got a recipe for record gun sales .
Now that indoor ranges across the state have reopened , it should be a little easier for the folks who are unfamiliar with their new gun to get some hands-on training , which I highly recommend .
I say a “ little ” easier , because I expect those ranges are going to be pretty crowded .
The rise in crime in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 400 % increase in shootings in June , coupled with the continued concern over economic uncertainty brought about by the coronavirus pandemic , will likely lead the surge in gun purchases and gun ownership to continue in the months ahead .
Cam Edwards has covered the 2nd Amendment for more than 15 years as a broadcast and online journalist , as well as the co-author of `` Heavy Lifting : Grow Up , Get a Job , Start a Family , and Other Manly Advice '' with Jim Geraghty .
He lives outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
https : //bearingarms.com/author/camedwards/

Ralph Northam was hoping to ban guns in 2020. Instead, he’s helping to sell a record number of them to Virginians. We’re seeing gun sales at record levels all across the country thanks to the COVID-19 shutdowns, concern over rising violent crime, and unrest in the streets, but in Virginia sales got a little extra boost in June thanks to the new gun control laws that took effect on July 1st.
Ahead of Gov. Ralph Northam’s anti-gun agenda becoming law, Virginians flocked to gun stores to stock up. According to the Richmond Times-Dispatch, background checks in the state more than doubled when compared to June of 2019.
I think it’s safe to say that we’re going to smash the record set back in 2016, and Gov. Northam can take some, but not all, of the credit. His new laws, and concern that Democrats will push a gun and magazine ban during a special session that’s expected to take place later this year, have absolutely prompted some in the state to become a gun owner for the very first time. Add in the concerns over an increase in violence and calls to defund police, and you’ve got a recipe for record gun sales.
Now that indoor ranges across the state have reopened, it should be a little easier for the folks who are unfamiliar with their new gun to get some hands-on training, which I highly recommend. I say a “little” easier, because I expect those ranges are going to be pretty crowded. The rise in crime in places like Richmond, which saw a 400% increase in shootings in June, coupled with the continued concern over economic uncertainty brought about by the coronavirus pandemic, will likely lead the surge in gun purchases and gun ownership to continue in the months ahead.


bearingarms--2020-07-06--Emotional Blackmail Behind Gun Control

Emotional Blackmail Behind Gun Control

Every time there ’ s a mass shooting at a school , some nimrod is going to go on about how people who oppose gun control just don ’ t care about murdered children .
They say the same thing when it ’ s some kid caught in the crossfire between two warring gangs in inner-city Chicago or Baltimore .
The fact that we won ’ t roll over for their solution means we don ’ t want any solutions .
Of course , it ’ s not just when there ’ s a shooting that this will pop up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a so-called “ think piece ” about just when patriotism became about selfishness .
It ’ s unsurprising that a member of the media would think patriotism automatically means adhering to left-leaning ideology .
However , I wasn ’ t really worried about the stupidity until I got to this little tidbit : At this point , the writer has given up any pretense of intellectual honesty .
After all , this comment supposes that the only possible solution to mass shootings–and the only way there are “ near-daily mass shootings ” is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the average person doesn ’ t consider the same thing–is to enact gun control .
Nevermind that most mass shootings are carried out with handguns , not so-called assault rifles , and thus won ’ t actually be curtailed by that particular bit of gun control .
Nevermind that most mass shooters haven ’ t been convicted of anything that would prohibit them from buying a gun .
Let ’ s also ignore those like the Sandy Hook shooter who murdered his own mother to get a gun he could use for his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ answer in the writer ’ s mind is gun control .
Worse , though , is that if you don ’ t bend over to support her position on the matter , you don ’ t actually care about the lives of children .
What I ’ d like to say to the author of this fertilizer pile masquerading as an opinion piece isn ’ t fit for publication on a site read by people of all ages .
However , as someone who has actually lost someone he cared about in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the implication .
I ’ ve taken offense at it ever time it comes up .
The author acts as if those who oppose gun control just don ’ t care , but ignores the fact that many of us simply don ’ t think it will work .
Instead , we advocate for things we believe will actually make a real impact using the existing laws that are already on the books .
For example , the Parkland shooter should never have been able to buy an AR-15 , but not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he shouldn ’ t have because of his long history of domestic abuse toward his mother , abuse the Broward County Sheriff ’ s Department knew about yet failed to act on .
After all , there ’ s evidence to suggest that most mass shooters have also committed domestic violence at some point in the past .
Stepping up enforcement of those laws might well lay the groundwork for preventing many mass shooters from buying their firearms in the first place .
Of course , that won ’ t stop mass shootings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” that are actually gang warfare carried out with stolen guns .
But no , some people would much rather pretend that we just don ’ t give a damn and I ’ m sick of it .

Every time there’s a mass shooting at a school, some nimrod is going to go on about how people who oppose gun control just don’t care about murdered children. They say the same thing when it’s some kid caught in the crossfire between two warring gangs in inner-city Chicago or Baltimore. The fact that we won’t roll over for their solution means we don’t want any solutions.
Of course, it’s not just when there’s a shooting that this will pop up.
On July 4th, NBC ran a so-called “think piece” about just when patriotism became about selfishness. It’s unsurprising that a member of the media would think patriotism automatically means adhering to left-leaning ideology. However, I wasn’t really worried about the stupidity until I got to this little tidbit:
But I guess a country that values access to guns over children’s lives so often that the response to what was, pre-pandemic, near-daily mass shootings is “thoughts and prayers” instead of gun control doesn’t really have any pride left in itself.
At this point, the writer has given up any pretense of intellectual honesty.
After all, this comment supposes that the only possible solution to mass shootings–and the only way there are “near-daily mass shootings” is if you count gang shootings, which the average person doesn’t consider the same thing–is to enact gun control. Nevermind that most mass shootings are carried out with handguns, not so-called assault rifles, and thus won’t actually be curtailed by that particular bit of gun control. Nevermind that most mass shooters haven’t been convicted of anything that would prohibit them from buying a gun. Let’s also ignore those like the Sandy Hook shooter who murdered his own mother to get a gun he could use for his atrocities.
No, the only possible answer in the writer’s mind is gun control.
Worse, though, is that if you don’t bend over to support her position on the matter, you don’t actually care about the lives of children.
What I’d like to say to the author of this fertilizer pile masquerading as an opinion piece isn’t fit for publication on a site read by people of all ages. However, as someone who has actually lost someone he cared about in a mass shooting, I take personal offense at the implication. I’ve taken offense at it ever time it comes up.
The author acts as if those who oppose gun control just don’t care, but ignores the fact that many of us simply don’t think it will work.
Instead, we advocate for things we believe will actually make a real impact using the existing laws that are already on the books. For example, the Parkland shooter should never have been able to buy an AR-15, but not because of the weapon. Instead, he shouldn’t have because of his long history of domestic abuse toward his mother, abuse the Broward County Sheriff’s Department knew about yet failed to act on.
Let’s plug that loophole somehow.
After all, there’s evidence to suggest that most mass shooters have also committed domestic violence at some point in the past. Stepping up enforcement of those laws might well lay the groundwork for preventing many mass shooters from buying their firearms in the first place. Of course, that won’t stop mass shootings, especially the “near-daily mass shootings” that are actually gang warfare carried out with stolen guns.
But no, some people would much rather pretend that we just don’t give a damn and I’m sick of it.


bearingarms--2020-07-06--Chicago Mayor Blames Guns As Shootings Spike Over July 4th Weekend

With 79 people shot over the July 4th weekend , fifteen of them fatally , the city of Chicago is nearing a grim milestone .
As of Monday morning , the city has seen 344 homicides this year , and is on pace to exceed the 490 homicides reported by the Chicago Police Department in 2019 .
Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot had big plans for this weekend ; police were going to sweep up drug dealers and street corner criminals before the holiday , keeping them in jail and away from the public in an attempt to stop the increasing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the low-level gang members would be safer behind bars , and are being exploited by older , more senior gang members , though not everyone was on board with the idea , as the Chicago Sun-Times pointed out last week .
“ Those gangs — they ’ re not out on the street .
They ’ re reaping the bounty , but they ’ re putting these kids out on the street to do their dirty work .
Kids who have a future .
Kids who have a life , ” the mayor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to stop that from happening .
And that means going up the food chain and getting the adults responsible for these heinous crimes and putting them behind bars .
That ’ s what the superintendent was talking about.
” Karen Sheley , director of the police practices project at the ACLU of Illinois , condemned the plans for preemptive sweeps as “ more of the same ” from a Chicago Police Department that missed 70 percent of the deadlines to comply with mandates in the consent decree triggered by the police shooting of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sweep up Black and Brown young men in their neighborhoods across the City could have been uttered by a number of his predecessors in leadership of the CPD .
We have heard this all before — paternalistic claims that young men should be in jail for their own safety , ” Sheley was quoted as saying in a statement .
The strategy doesn ’ t seem to have been too effective .
with dozens of shootings reported across the city and several children killed in the crossfire of gang violence .
Now the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s horrible homicide rate on guns , not the gang members illegally using them .
Over the weekend , Lightfoot said that there are simply too many guns on the streets , when the real issue seems to be that Chicago ’ s criminals believe that they can engage in gunfights , carjackings , and other violent crimes without any consequences .
As long as Mayor Lightfoot is content to blame the city ’ s spike in shootings on inanimate objects instead of the flesh-and-blood human beings pulling the triggers , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get a handle on the violence .
Lightfoot was closer to the target last week when she had tough words for gang leaders , but words are all she ’ s offering at a moment when the city needs to actually crack down on violent offenders instead of demanding yet another gun control law in Illinois .

With 79 people shot over the July 4th weekend, fifteen of them fatally, the city of Chicago is nearing a grim milestone. As of Monday morning, the city has seen 344 homicides this year, and is on pace to exceed the 490 homicides reported by the Chicago Police Department in 2019.
Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot had big plans for this weekend; police were going to sweep up drug dealers and street corner criminals before the holiday, keeping them in jail and away from the public in an attempt to stop the increasing violence. Lightfoot declared that many of the low-level gang members would be safer behind bars, and are being exploited by older, more senior gang members, though not everyone was on board with the idea, as the Chicago Sun-Times pointed out last week.
“Those gangs — they’re not out on the street. They’re reaping the bounty, but they’re putting these kids out on the street to do their dirty work. Kids who have a future. Kids who have a life,” the mayor said. “We’ve got to stop that from happening. And that means going up the food chain and getting the adults responsible for these heinous crimes and putting them behind bars. That’s what the superintendent was talking about.” Karen Sheley, director of the police practices project at the ACLU of Illinois, condemned the plans for preemptive sweeps as “more of the same” from a Chicago Police Department that missed 70 percent of the deadlines to comply with mandates in the consent decree triggered by the police shooting of Laquan McDonald. “The plan to sweep up Black and Brown young men in their neighborhoods across the City could have been uttered by a number of his predecessors in leadership of the CPD. We have heard this all before — paternalistic claims that young men should be in jail for their own safety,” Sheley was quoted as saying in a statement.
The strategy doesn’t seem to have been too effective. with dozens of shootings reported across the city and several children killed in the crossfire of gang violence. Now the mayor is once again blaming the city’s horrible homicide rate on guns, not the gang members illegally using them. Over the weekend, Lightfoot said that there are simply too many guns on the streets, when the real issue seems to be that Chicago’s criminals believe that they can engage in gunfights, carjackings, and other violent crimes without any consequences.
As long as Mayor Lightfoot is content to blame the city’s spike in shootings on inanimate objects instead of the flesh-and-blood human beings pulling the triggers, the city is going to continue to struggle to get a handle on the violence. Lightfoot was closer to the target last week when she had tough words for gang leaders, but words are all she’s offering at a moment when the city needs to actually crack down on violent offenders instead of demanding yet another gun control law in Illinois.