The first step in overturning unconstitutional new anti-gun laws in New York state has been accomplished. In the case of Antonyuk et al v. Hochul, a Federal judge has enjoined the application of a draconian New York law which severely restricts the rights of gun owners to carry firearms outside their homes.
The groups leading the legal action in Antonyuk v. Hochul, Gun Owners of America (GOA) and Gun Owners Foundation (GOF), secured a temporary restraining order (TRO) in Federal court against the poorly-named New York “Concealed Carry Improvement Act”.
Provisions of this law that are blocked under this TRO include:
— Requiring businesses to openly state they ALLOW concealed carry
— Disclosing one’s social media accounts for review
— Prohibitions on carrying in most so-called “sensitive places”, including doctor’s offices, Times Square, restaurants, and places of entertainment, and on public transportation
— In-person interviews with law enforcement
The TRO will take effect next week, unless a Federal circuit court overturns this ruling before then. Erich Pratt, GOA’s Senior Vice President, issued the following statement:
“Anti-gunners like Kathy Hochul and Eric Adams lied and misrepresented the 2nd Amendment to the courts, putting New Yorkers at a great disadvantage in the midst of rising crime. We are grateful to Judge Suddaby for his quick action to restore the right of the people to keep and bear arms. Once the TRO goes into effect, GOA encourages New Yorkers to exercise their rights and to defend themselves and the ones they love.”
Sam Paredes, on behalf of the Board of Directors for the Gun Owners Foundation, added:
“New York doubled down to infringe on the Second Amendment in direct contradiction of the edicts from the U.S. Supreme Court. GOA and GOF are thankful to be vindicated by Judge Suddaby, who helped restore gun rights today. GOA and GOF will continue to fight for the rights of the people until Albany sets aside anti-gun hysteria and supports their citizens’ unalienable right to self-defense, as guaranteed by the Second Amendment.”
Do you have a concealed carry permit, or do you plan to carry a concealed handgun in the future? Then you can benefit from Beretta’s FREE 15-page e-book, Ten Essential Tips for CCW Holders. This eBook, in handy PDF format, helps gun owners select an appropriate handgun (and holster), understand legal obligations and responsibilities, and train effectively with the firearm. This short eBook offers many useful tips to consider, in particular for gun owners who are contemplating the pros and cons of everyday carry for themselves.
As the Beretta CCW booklet says, “Carrying a concealed handgun requires a certain amount of confidence. You need to be confident in your knowledge of laws and regulations. You have to have confidence in your accuracy, and you need to trust that you can carry a gun effectively, securely and comfortably. If a gun is a burden for you to carry, you probably won’t.”
Surprising Facts About Actual Defensive Handgun Use
You may be surprised to learn when and how handguns are actually used for self-defense. Most defensive uses are at very short range and the incident only lasts a matter of seconds. You need to be prepared, and train to be proficient drawing and aiming your weapon. And remember, shooting is a last resort, when a safe retreat is not available.
55% of gunfights take place in 0-5 feet.
20% of gunfights take place in 5-10 feet.
20% of gunfights take place in 10-21 feet.
95% of gunfights take place in 0-21 feet. (Source: FBI)
The average man can cover 21 feet of ground in 1.5 seconds.
The average gunfight is over in 3-5 seconds.
3 to 4 shots are usually fired.
Most gunfights take place in low-light conditions.
On average, one shot in four strikes someone.
Here are two (2) sample pages from Beretta’s CCW eBook.
Click image for lengthy podcast about NYSRPA v. Bruen U.S. Supreme Court case.
In an historic Second Amendment decision, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a New York state law requiring “proper cause” for law-abiding gun owners to obtain a carry permit. The landmark case is New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen et al. CLICK HERE to read the decision (135-page PDF).
The Court’s 6-3 decision in NYSRPA v. Bruen was written by Justice Clarence Thomas. The majority ruled: “The Court holds that New York’s proper cause requirement to obtain a concealed carry license violates the Constitution by preventing law-abiding citizens with ordinary self-defense needs from exercising their Second Amendment rights to keep and bear arms in public for self-defense”. Justices Breyer, Kagan, and Sotomayor dissented. SEE: Legal Analysis by The Federalist Society.
In the majority opinion of the Court, Justice Thomas concluded: “The constitutional right to bear arms in public for self defense is not ‘a second-class right, subject to an entirely different body of rules than the other Bill of Rights guarantees’. We know of no other constitutional right that an individual may exercise only after demonstrating to government officers some special need. That is not how the First Amendment works when it comes to unpopular speech or the free exercise of religion. It is not how the Sixth Amendment works when it comes to a defendant’s right to confront the witnesses against him. And it is not how the Second Amendment works when it comes to public carry for self-defense.
New York’s proper-cause requirement violates the Fourteenth Amendment in that it prevents law-abiding citizens with ordinary self-defense needs from exercising their right to keep and bear arms. We therefore reverse the judgment of the Court of Appeals and remand the case for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.”
NOTE: This video was recorded BEFORE the NYRPA v. Bruen decision was released.
With all the anti-gun rhetoric coming out of Washington these days, it’s great to know that some organizations are helping Americans celebrate their liberties and their Constitutional rights. U.S. LawShield is organizing a nationwide series of Summer Freedom Celebrations to be held in cities across America from early June through the end of August 2022. This weekend, Freedom Celebrations take place June 11th in three locations: Springfield, MO; Tulsa, OK; and Selma, TX. Other events are listed below.
“We are excited to connect with folks from all over the U.S. as we join in celebrating our unique heritage and honor our forefathers’ vision of freedom for future generations. Encouraging our members, their families, and friends to enjoy togetherness is especially important this summer. As the Summer Freedom Celebrations travel around our great nation, we’re proud to present education on local self-defense and gun laws in conjunction with the family-friendly festivities”, stated U.S. LawShield CEO P.J. Hermosa.
At these celebrations, U.S. LawShield Independent Program Attorneys (IPAs), officials, VIPs, and guest speakers with talk about gun laws and answer questions. Because regulations differ regionally, every Summer Freedom Celebration features local IPAs and authorities who can answer questions and educate folks about local requirements. Attendees will have the chance to get answers directly from experienced attorneys and local officials.
These Summer Freedom Celebrations feature fun attractions for people of all ages, including refreshments (food trucks and/or concessions), music/entertainment, and games with prizes. These will be family-friendly events, so parents are encouraged to bring their kids.
U.S. LawShield Summer Freedom Celebration Dates and Locations
Event activities, daily schedules, and speakers are subject to change. Visit this link to register and/or check for updates on times and venues. CLICK HERE for a full, updated schedule of events nationwide.
· June 11, Springfield, MO
· June 11, Tulsa, OK
· June 11, Selma, TX
· June 18, Springdale, AR
· June 18, Cleveland, OH
· June 18, Lubbock, TX
· June 25, Morton, IL
· June 25, Fort Wayne, IN
· June 25, Jacksonville, NC
· June 25, El Paso, TX
· June 25, Midland, TX
· June 25, Ashland, VA
· June 26, Littleton, CO
More Summer Freedom Celebration events are planned for July and August in states including: Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.
One of our Forum members asked: “Are there any good books on pistol marksmanship? I’m looking for a book that covers techniques and concepts….” Here are six recommended titles that can make you a better pistol shooter. These books run the gamut from basic handgun training to Olympic-level bullseye shooting.
Good Guidebooks for Pistol Shooters
There are actually many good books which can help both novice and experienced pistol shooters improve their skills and accuracy. For new pistol shooters, we recommend the NRA Guide to the Basics of Pistol Shooting. This full-color publication is the designated student “textbook” for the NRA Basic Pistol Shooting Course.
Serious competitive pistol shooters should definitely read Pistol Shooters Treasury a compilation of articles from World and National Champions published by Gil Hebard. You could work your way through the ranks with that book alone even though it is very small. It is an excellent resource.
If you’re interested in bullseye shooting, you should get the USAMU’s The Advanced Pistol Marksmanship Manual. This USAMU pistol marksmanship guide has been a trusted resource since the 1960s. Action Shooters should read Practical Shooting: Beyond Fundamentals by Brian Enos, and Practical Pistol by Ben Stoeger. Brian Enos is a well-known pistol competitor with many titles. Ben Stoeger is a two-time U.S. Practical Pistol shooting champion. Last but not least, Julie Golob’s popular SHOOT book covers pistol marksmanship, along with 3-Gun competition. Julie holds multiple national pistol shooting titles.
Jessie Harrison is one of the greatest female pistol shooters on the planet. In the video below, Jessie offers smart tips on purchasing a handgun, and getting started in competition. Jessie covers caliber choice, handgun fit/ergonomics, concealability, holster options, and other key factors.
Jessie Harrison — one of the greatest female pistol shooters on the planet. In the video below, Jessie offers good tips on safe handgun mag changes.
In this Pro Tip Video, Jessie Harrison talks about Dry-Fire Pistol Training:
One of our Forum members asked: “Are there any good books on pistol marksmanship? I’m looking for a book that covers techniques and concepts….” Here are eight recommended titles that can make you a better pistol shooter. These books run the gamut from basic handgun training to CCW to Olympic-level bullseye shooting.
Good Guidebooks for Pistol Shooters
There are actually many good books which can help both novice and experienced pistol shooters improve their skills and accuracy. For new pistol shooters, we recommend the NRA Guide to the Basics of Pistol Shooting. This full-color publication is the designated student “textbook” for the NRA Basic Pistol Shooting Course.
If you’re interested in bullseye shooting, you should get the USAMU’s The Advanced Pistol Marksmanship Manual. This USAMU pistol marksmanship guide has been a trusted resource since the 1960s. Action Shooters should read Practical Shooting: Beyond Fundamentals by Brian Enos, and Practical Pistol by Ben Stoeger. Brian Enos is a well-known pistol competitor with many titles. Ben Stoeger is a two-time U.S. Practical Pistol shooting champion. Julie Golob’s popular SHOOT book covers pistol marksmanship, along with 3-Gun competition. Julie holds multiple national pistol shooting titles.
AccurateShooter.com may earn a small Affiliate commission on books sold through Amazon.
Over the past 12 months, 2 MILLION Americans obtained concealed carry permits. That’s a 10% rise since 2020 and a 48% rise since 2016. The number of Americans obtaining CCW permits set an all-time record according to the Crime Prevention Research Center (CRPC) The previous high number was 1.8 million permits in 2017. The 2 million permits this year represents the greatest one-year increase ever recorded. The CRPC reports that the number of CCW permits has increased “exponentially” over the last year.
Guns America Digest reports: “A record number of Americans purchased firearms since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the CPRC’s new data suggests that those same individuals also sought concealed carry permits. The surge is even more remarkable considering the number of states that now allow permit-less, or ‘constitutional’ carry. As of last year, 21 states have waived the requirement to obtain a permit before carrying a concealed firearm.”
We may see further significant permit expansion based on forthcoming legal decisions. The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear the N.Y. State Rifle & Pistol Association V. Corlett case, which challenges NY state laws which restrict the right to carry. Guns America states that “a favorable ruling for the pro-2A side could force ‘may issue’ states to issue permits to all qualified applicants.”
Why the Big Increase in Concealed Carry Permits
There are multiple reasons why record numbers of CCW permits are being issued now in 2021. Crime is up dramatically, the economy is uncertain, and border security has collapsed, with an estimated 2 million illegal aliens entering the country in 2021 (full year number). In addition, the permit agencies are catching up on CCW license applications from the peak of the Pandemic.
Part of the increase in CCW permits is a matter of timing. Because of the COVID Pandemic, many states and cities slowed down or even stopped the issuance of CCW permits. Now those same permitting agencies are processing a heavy backlog of permit applications. Guns America reports: “The CRPC describes a ‘surge’ in states that only recently began re-opening their permit offices.”
In major cities across the country, particularly in Democrat Party-run “Blue States”, there have been significant increases in serious crime. Looking at homicide rates for the whole nation, the FBI reported a 29% rise in homicides last year. That represented the largest single-year increase ever recorded. Guns America notes that rising crime “combined with unrest due to COVID-19, race riots, and economic turbulence, convinced two million Americans to take the concealed carry plunge.”
The U.S. Concealed Carry Association (USCCA) has now surpassed 600,000 total members. That’s a 20% increase since the fall of 2020 when the USCCA hit 500,000 members. The USCCA’s membership growth has paralleled the huge increase in gun sales during 2020 and 2021. Last year the FBI ran 39.7 million firearm background checks — a new one-year record. And the FBI has processed 22.2 million firearm-related background checks so far in 2021.
With this remarkable rise in membership numbers, the USCCA is now the fastest-growing association dedicated to gun owners who carry firearms. Milestones achieved by the USCCA in 2020 include:
Trained an estimated 100,000 firearms owners
Certified 2,000+ new instructors and partners
Grew Ranks of instructors to over 5,000
Provided over 8,500 training books
“We are committed to the training of all firearms owners, from those who have had the value of self-defense passed down for generations, to those who recently purchased their first firearm,” said said Tim Schmidt, president and founder of the USCCA.
What the USCCA Provides to Members
The USCCA helps gun owners prepare for what happens before, during and after an act of lawful self-defense. In addition to offering education and training, the USCCA provides self-defense liability insurance.
Insurance has been purchased by the USCCA and is one of the benefits of membership in the USCCA. USCCA members are “additional insureds” under a policy issued to the USCCA by Universal Fire and Casualty Insurance Company.
The USCCA vs. Other Gun Organizations Offering Insurance
The USCCA is not the only organization offering liability insurance for gun owners and, in particular, CCW permit holders. This video analyzes the pros and cons of different insurance programs offered by three groups: USCCA, U.S. LawShield, and CCW Safe. If you are contemplating getting a CCW permit, you should watch this video.
More Information for Gun Owners with Carry Permits
Jessie Harrison — one of the greatest female pistol shooters on the planet. In the video below, Jessie offers good tips on safe handgun mag changes.
In this Pro Tip Video, Jessie Harrison talks about Dry-Fire Pistol Training:
One of our Forum members asked: “Are there any good books on pistol marksmanship? I’m looking for a book that covers techniques and concepts….” Here are eight recommended titles that can make you a better pistol shooter. These books run the gamut from basic handgun training to CCW to Olympic-level bullseye shooting.
Good Guidebooks for Pistol Shooters
There are actually many good books which can help both novice and experienced pistol shooters improve their skills and accuracy. For new pistol shooters, we recommend the NRA Guide to the Basics of Pistol Shooting. This full-color publication is the designated student “textbook” for the NRA Basic Pistol Shooting Course.
If you’re interested in bullseye shooting, you should get the USAMU’s The Advanced Pistol Marksmanship Manual. This USAMU pistol marksmanship guide has been a trusted resource since the 1960s. Action Shooters should read Practical Shooting: Beyond Fundamentals by Brian Enos, and Practical Pistol by Ben Stoeger. Brian Enos is a well-known pistol competitor with many titles. Ben Stoeger is a two-time U.S. Practical Pistol shooting champion. Julie Golob’s popular SHOOT book covers pistol marksmanship, along with 3-Gun competition. Julie holds multiple national pistol shooting titles.
With the civil unrest happening around the country in Democrat-run cities, more citizens are getting CCW permits and carrying self-defense pistols. With the right to carry come responsibilities of course. You should train with your pistol, and always practice gun safety. In this article, S&W pro shooter Julie Golob offers advice for concealed pistol carry.
Our friend Julie hosts a series of handgun instructional videos for Shooting USA. While Julie uses pistols mostly for competition, this U.S. Army veteran also values handguns for self-defense. In this video series, Julie first talks about important gun safety rules, then she offers training advice for persons who carry concealed handguns. The third video covers options for carry a weapon “off-body”, i.e. not in a normal holster on concealment rig on one’s person.
1. GUN SAFETY — Whether you own 1 gun or 100, gun safety must always be your main priority. Here Smith & Wesson Team Captain Julie Golob covers the basics of gun safety.
2. PRACTICE for CONCEALED CARRY — Engaging a threat from concealment could be the most important skill of your life and it takes practice to be proficient. In this video, S&W’s Julie Golob demonstrates some practice drills for concealed carry.
3. OFF-BODY CONCEALED CARRY OPTIONS — There are instances where carrying a concealed weapon on your body in a holster (or deep cover pouch) is not always practical. Here Julie explains various techniques to carrying a concealed handgun “Off Body”.
Julie — pistol champion, Army veteran, wife and mother, is also an accomplished author, who has written about the shooting sports in many shooting publications, newswires, and internet blogs. Her book, Shoot: Your Guide to Shooting and Competition, serves as both an introduction to firearms for novices and a primer to help experienced shooters improve their skills.
At these celebrations, U.S. LawShield Independent Program Attorneys (IPAs), officials, VIPs, and guest speakers with talk about gun laws and answer questions. Because regulations differ regionally, every Summer Freedom Celebration features local IPAs and authorities who can answer questions and educate folks about local requirements. Attendees will have the chance to get answers directly from experienced attorneys and local officials.
Good Guidebooks for Pistol Shooters
