Tomorrow is Election Day! Protecting your rights has never been more important. Be sure to vote. As Abraham Lincoln said, “Elections belong to the people”. This is a very critical election with clear differences between party platforms. The results of the election will affect tax policies, immigration policies, and the role of the United States in world affairs.
In addition, there are significant party differences regarding the Second Amendment and gun rights. All voters should carefully examine how the local, state, and national candidates feel about the Second Amendment and firearm ownership.
Warning from the National Shooting Sports Foundation
The October 2024 Edition of Shooting Industry magazine (SI) has a good article explaining the importance of the upcoming election for gun owners. In that article NSSF VP/Gen. Counsel Larry Keane notes that “People need to wake up, get registered and vote”. Keane discusses the potential ramifications of a Harris-Walz administration with SI Editor Jade Moldae, who notes: “If Vice President Kamala Harris is elected president, along with a Democrat sweep of Congress, it’s not a hyperbole to say this would be worst-case scenario for the longevity of our industry.” CLICK HERE for October 2024 Shooting Industry digital edition.
Keane predicts what could happen with a Harris presidency and Democrat-controlled Congress: “If Harris is elected president, what we see from ATF now will only get worse. Zero tolerance for gun dealers will become ‘subzero’ tolerance. [Harris] will appoint anti-gun justices to the Supreme Court — opening up the opportunity to revisit Heller, Bruen, and McDonald decisions. She’ll blow up the filibuster in the Senate … Congress will pass firearm bans, magazine bans and universal background checks. It’ll be ‘Katy bar the door’ — and too late for us to do anything about it.”
Keane pointed out that even if Democrats are unsuccessful in controlling Congress, Harris could act unilaterally — as shutting down firearms imports or exports doesn’t require an act of Congress.
Though Kamala Harris has stated she is a gun owner (claiming to have a Glock pistol), she has frequently supported gun confiscation through mandatory buy-backs. And she says she would like to ban AR15s and other popular, semi-auto rifles. Accordingly, we face a very important 2024 election. Keane states: “This truly is the most important election for the Second Amendment in our lifetime. In the past, Harris called for mandatory confiscation. She now says she isn’t. So, was she lying then? Is she lying now? Or does she just lie now and then? People need to wake up, get registered and vote.”
The article stresses the importance of voting this November: “If we don’t do our part and vote we leave the future of our industry, sport and tradition — and constitutionally protected right — to chance. [T]here’s too much at stake to stand by and do nothing [so] don’t risk your rights, vote!”
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PASS or FAIL? Where does your U.S. Representative and U.S. Senator stand when it comes to supporting the Second Amendment, the firearm industry, hunting, and target shooting sports? NSSF has released its 2024 Congressional Report Card. You can view it here: CLICK HERE for Full REPORT CARD.
The Firearm Industry Trade Association (NSSF), released its 2024 Congressional Report Card, grading U.S. Representatives and U.S. Senators on key legislation relating to the firearm industry, to hunting and recreational shooting, and to the Second Amendment rights of U.S. citizens.
“This report card will be critical for voters to do their research as we head into … the November elections just six weeks from now. NSSF’s 2024 Congressional Report Card tells voters exactly where their lawmakers stand on issues including defending the firearm industry’s ability to engage in the lawful commerce of firearms and ammunition and safeguarding the Second Amendment rights of customers, as well as promoting hunting and recreational target shooting”, said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF Senior VP and General Counsel. “This nonpartisan report card reflects the level of support of each lawmaker on firearm industry priority legislation during the 118th Congress, between 2023 and 2024. These grades indicate their public voting record as well as their sponsorship and co-sponsorship of key legislation, their work on committees, letters signed to support firearm industry issues, and their overall leadership[.]”
NSSF awarded 29 U.S. Senators and 123 U.S. Representatives the rating of “A+”. Of those, 8 Senators and 24 House Members attained the new NSSF distinction of being named to the Dean’s List. To earn this special recognition, members needed to have a 100-percent voting and co-sponsorship record.
» CLICK HERE for Complete U.S. Senate and House Report Card
This nonpartisan scorecard reflects the voting record of each legislator. These grades indicate their public voting record as well as the weight and importance of these lawmakers sponsoring and co-sponsoring key legislation, their work on committees, letters signed to support issues and leadership to stand for our industry. “This scorecard is of vital importance to voters as we head into November elections. This tells voters exactly where their lawmakers stand on issues they care about like recreational shooting and hunting and the right to keep and bear arms” said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF VP and General Counsel.
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NOTE: The above image (with time count-down) was captured Wednesday morning 11/2/22. But the clock is ticking. CLICK HERE for the current time remaining. Register now, and be sure to vote in this election.
Get out and vote people. It’s not too late to register to vote in many states — you can do so in person or remotely. It’s absolutely vital that all Americans who believe in the Second Amendment and personal freedom vote in this November election. The Biden administration is pushing for further restrictive gun control measures, and Blue State politicians wish to restrict CCW, limit your gun purchases, and ban many types of guns outright. For example, Ballot Measure 114 in Oregon would create a published, searchable database of gun members and require a special state permit to buy or sell a firearm.
The forces against freedom are relentless, and they will not be satisfied until gun rights are gone. Just look at what is happening in Canada. Prime Minister Trudeau recently imposed a complete ban on sale, transfer, and importation of handguns. Don’t want that to happen here in America? Then get out and VOTE.
The Gunvote.org site has helpful links that provide information on registration and voting in all 50 states. Use that site to find out WHERE and WHEN you can vote in your jurisdiction. Now more than ever it is vital for ALL American gun owners to make their voices heard.
REGISTER and VOTE People — DO IT!
The last day to vote in most states will be Tuesday, November 8, 2022.
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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.
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Under the current administration in Washington, Second Amendment rights are under attack. President Biden wants to restrict handguns and ban modern semi-automatic rifles such as the AR-15. And the ATF continues to digitize millions of sales records, effectively creating a national Firearms Registry, in direct violation of Federal law.
To help fight these trends, Brownells encourages all gun owners to take collective action to help defend the Second Amendment. For this purpose Brownells has declared the first-ever Second Amendment Day (2A Day) on February 2, 2022 — 2-22-2022.
FREE Range Sessions, FREE Ammo, and FREE Food
On 2A Day you can shoot for free — on Brownells’ nickel — at affiliated gun ranges. On 2-22-2022, Brownells has partnered with a few gun ranges to host 2nd Amendment Day range sessions. The range sessions will include free range time, limited free ammo, and free food for those who attend.
Post your Second Amendment Day Range Sessions
Brownells encourages Second Amendment supporters unable to attend a participating range to shoot at a nearby, local range and post photos of their 2A Day activities on social media with hashtag #2ADay.
Join a Second Amendment Organization
Brownells recommends that gun owners join a national and/or state-level gun rights organization. Brownells will promote the Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC), Second Amendment Foundation (SAF), and American Suppressor Association (ASA) on its website. Brownells will also feature a clickable USA map which visitors can use to find a state organization to join.
Brownells states: “The most important thing you can do is join with us to help preserve, protect and expand your 2nd Amendment rights. Join a state level organization promoting gun rights where you live. Join a national organization to help protect freedom for the whole country. In the spirit of joining, Brownells will purchase FPC memberships for its employees, and donate $22,222 each to FPC, SAF, the ASA, and the Iowa Firearms Coalition.”
Advocate for Your Rights — Contact Your Legislators
Brownells encourages all gun owners to advocate for the 2nd Amendment by contacting their state and federal lawmakers and communicating citizen support for gun rights. The National 2nd Amendment Day webpage includes tips on how to how to effectively communicate with politicians.
“The spirit of this event is to designate a day that we, as a nation, recognize, celebrate and do our part to secure one of the most important rights guaranteed by our Constitution – the right to keep and bear arms,” said Pete Brownell, Chairman of the Board. “This event, which we hope continues to grow in size, scale and scope, is aimed at bringing all freedom-loving Americans together on one day – 2/22 – this year and every year going forward to show support for our beloved 2nd Amendment.”
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.”
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In an important legal ruling, the U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals has declared that 18-to-20 year-old adult citizens have the right to own handguns under the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. A three-judge panel of the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled (2-1) that a 21-year minimum age restriction on handgun purchases is unconstitutional.
In the majority option, Appellate Judge Julius Richardson wrote: “Looking through the historical lens to the text and structure of the Constitution reveals that 18-to-20 year-olds have Second Amendment rights. Virtually every other Constitutional right applies whatever the age, and the Second Amendment is no different. The militia laws in force at the time of ratification uniformly required those 18 and older to join the militia and bring their own arms. While some historical restrictions existed, none supported finding that 18-year-olds lack rights under the Second Amendment.”
The case, Hirschfeld and Marshall v. BATFE et al, was brought by Tanner Hirschfeld and Natalia Marshall, young adults who sought to purchase handguns in Virginia but were blocked due to age limits. The Second Amendment Foundation said this week’s ruling by the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals declaring the ban on handgun sales to young adults in the 18-20-year age group to be unconstitutional is a “monumental victory for Second Amendment rights”.
“Judge Richardson, in my estimation, has authored one of the best-written opinions in any gun rights case I’ve ever read,” said SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb. “He has detailed the issue, provided the history and offered a perspective that doesn’t bow to political correctness. We have similar cases pending in Illinois, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Washington, California, Minnesota and other states that this Fourth Circuit ruling could directly impact.”
“The irony does not escape us”, Judge Richardson wrote, “that, under the government’s reasoning, the same 18-to-20 year-old men and women we depend on to protect us in the armed forces and who have since our Founding been trusted with the most sophisticated weaponry should nonetheless be prevented from purchasing a handgun from a federally licensed dealer for their own protection at home.”
“I’ve said the same thing repeatedly”, Gottlieb noted, “We send young men and women into harm’s way [in the military] to defend our national interests, yet our laws arbitrarily say they shouldn’t be trusted enough to buy a handgun here at home. That defies logic and common sense[.]”
Judge Richardson recognized the “weighty interest in reducing crime and violence” but determined that the court will not “relegate either the Second Amendment or 18-to-20-year-olds to a second-class status.”
There was a dissent by Judge James Wynn Jr., an Obama appointee. Judge Wynn believed that the majority opinion went too far, declaring that: “the majority’s decision to grant the gun lobby a victory in a fight it lost on Capitol Hill more than 50 years ago is not compelled by law.” Legal experts believe it is likely that the U.S. Dept. of Justice, at the behest of the Biden administration, will appeal this 4th Circuit decision.
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With the aggressive anti-gun stance of the Biden administration, and the President’s demonstrated willingness to rule via authoritarian Executive Orders, bypassing the legislative process, all gun owners should be concerned about serious attacks on their Second Amendment rights.
The latest gun control actions from the White House and the Democratic-party controlled Congress are the key focal points of Tom Gresham’s Gun Talk® Radio show this Sunday, April 11, 2021. In its 26th year of national syndication, Tom Gresham’s Gun Talk show airs live on Sundays from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM Eastern, and runs on more than 270 stations every week. Listen on a radio station near you or via live streaming on your computer or mobile device.
Authoritarianism:The principle of blind submission to authority, as opposed to individual freedom of thought and action. In government, authoritarianism denotes any political system that concentrates power in the hands of a leader or a small elite that is not constitutionally responsible to the body of the people. Authoritarian leaders often exercise power arbitrarily and without regard to existing bodies of law[.]
— Definition from Encyclopedia Brittanica
Gun Control and 2d Amendment Sanctuaries To Be Discussed
This week, Tom talks with BearingArms.com editor Cam Edwards about recent gun control actions at both the state and federal levels, including President Biden’s recently announced gun control executive orders. Plus, Noah Davis has put together an extensive list of counties and cities that are enacting laws to protect gun rights in 2nd Amendment Sanctuaries. And Brownell’s Roy Hill joins Tom to discuss building and upgrading firearms (particularly ARs) with products showcased in the new Brownells Armory.
Tom Gresham’s Gun Talk Radio show airs live on Sundays from 2PM-5PM Eastern. Listen on a radio station near you or via LIVE Streaming. All Gun Talk shows can also be downloaded as podcasts through the GunTalk Podcast Center or Apple iTunes. Gun Talk is also available on YouTube and GunTalk.com. As always, call 866-TALK-GUN with your comments, questions, and range reports.
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The Czech Republic could add the right to armed self-defense to its document of fundamental rights. (Photo: Self-defense class in Czech Republic, Wikimedia commons)
The U.S. Constitution’s guarantee of the right to keep and bear arms is unique on the world stage. And while courts and legislators routinely ignore or warp the words of the Second Amendment, it has stood as a bulwark against the worst kinds of anti-gun policies in places like Canada, Australia, and Europe.
This year, one of those European counties may be taking a step towards what Americans have enjoyed since 1789 [When the Bill of Rights was created].
For several years, conservatives in the Czech Republic’s parliament have been pushing to add the right to armed self-defense as one of the “fundamental human rights and freedoms”, according to David Harsanyi writing in National Review.
The proposed Amendment reads: “The right to defend one’s own life or the life of another person with a weapon is guaranteed under the conditions laid down by law.”
Conservatives passed the amendment through the lower house of parliament, but it failed in the upper house. But now they’ve earned a majority in the senate, and the Czech government unexpectedly announced it would endorse the plan to add the language.
The Czech Republic was the only European country to challenge the draconian European Firearms Directive passed by the European Union in the wake of the Charlie Hebdo terror attack in 2015. As GunsAmerica reported at the time, the Directive banned most types of semi-automatic firearms even in countries with high rates of firearm ownership and low rates of crime.
The Czech Republic lost its challenge to the directive in the European Court of Justice, but the Czech Senate first proposed a right to firearms several years ago after it had received a petition with more than 100,000 signatures. It’s unclear whether the pro-gun amendment will pass or if it will be able to override the EU’s Firearm Directive if it does. The amendment requires a 60% majority of both chambers of Parliament to join the country’s Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms, but the center-right Civic Democratic Party may not be able to reach that threshold.
Czech Republic Firearms History
The Czech Republic ranks in the middle of the pack on the rankings of firearm ownership among European countries, but the country has a long history of firearm use and manufacturing. Rates of ownership have been increasing, and of course, the Czech Republic is also the home of the legendary firearms maker CZ.
The Czech Republic remains one of the safest countries in Europe and Prague remains one of the safest cities in the world. No doubt it would become even safer if every law-abiding citizen had protected right to keep and bear arms for self-defense.
Walmart is yielding to anti-gun forces one step at a time. First the national retail chain stopped selling handguns in 1993. Next in 2015, Walmart stopped selling “black rifles” — AR-15 platform firearms. Then in 2018 Walmart raised the age for gun purchases from 18 to 21. And the latest restrictions involve ammunition. Walmart announced it would not longer sell ANY pistol ammunition. And Walmart now won’t sell .223 Rem (5.56×45) ammunition commonly used in ARs and “modern sporting rifles”. What comes next? If a criminal uses a shotgun in a multiple-death incident, will Walmart stop selling shotguns?
1993 — Walmart halts sales of all handguns.
2015 — Walmart halts sales of AR-15 type rifles.
2018 — Walmart raises minimum age for firearm purchase from 18 to 21 years.
2019 — Walmart halts sales of all pistol ammunition.
2019 — Walmart halts sales of all .223 Rem (5.56×45) ammunition.
Walmart has been steadily rolling back its support of the Second Amendment since 1993 when it stopped the sale of all handguns in every state except Alaska. Then, in 2015 it ended the sale of AR-15 style MSR rifles, and any toy or airgun resembling any “military-style rifle used in mass shootings”. Last year, Walmart raised the minimum age for gun purchases from 18 to 21, two weeks after the Parkland, Florida school shooting. And Walmart rolled out another set of restrictions after the recent shooting at a Walmart Super Center in El Paso, Texas.
“Walmart may not sell the ammo you need, and more companies beholden to the pressure of the vocal minority may follow suit. Effectively, Walmart has been bullied into kowtowing to the social justice warriors, and woke-ninjas in the vocal minority.” — Midsouth Blog
In a memo to employees, Walmart CEO, Doug McMillon, stated: “After selling through our current inventory commitments, we will discontinue sales of short-barrel rifle ammunition such as the .223 caliber and 5.56 caliber that, while commonly used in some hunting rifles, can also be used in large capacity clips on military-style weapons.”
Walmart has also stated that it will no longer sell handgun ammo. McMillon previously said Walmart was responsible for 2% of firearm sales in the U.S. and 20% of ammunition sales. Walmart expects its share of ammunition sales to drop to between 6% and 9% as a result of the newly-announced changes. The company will continue to sell shotguns and rifles [But for how long? — Editor].
“In a complex situation lacking a simple solution, we are trying to take constructive steps to reduce the risk that events like these will happen again,” McMillon said in a memo. “The status quo is unacceptable.” In this 2015 video, McMillon explained the decision to stop selling AR-platform rifles.
Changes to Walmart Gun Carry Policies
Another rider on the new Walmart policy affects customers who open-carry in their stores. If shoppers openly carry guns into Walmart stores going forward, store managers may ask the shopper to leave and safely secure their gun in their vehicle before returning to the store. “The policies will vary by location, however, and shoppers who are openly carrying guns may not always be asked to leave the store,” a Walmart spokesman said.
“As long as a Hornady is at Hornady, we will never sell direct to Walmart. They are no friend of the industry.” — Jason Hornady, 2007
Walmart CEO Calls for More Gun Control
“We encourage our nation’s leaders to move forward and strengthen background checks and to remove weapons from those who have been determined to pose an imminent danger,” McMillon said. “We do not sell military-style rifles, and we believe the re-authorization of the Assault Weapons Ban should be debated to determine its effectiveness.”
Commentary from Midsouth Shooters
Walmart may not sell the ammo you need, and more companies beholden to the pressure of the vocal minority may follow suit. Midsouth will continue to sell the ammunition and reloading supplies you need, regardless. Our Second Amendment right is a sacred right, and for you to protect your family with the tools available, you need access to fairly priced ammunition and firearms.
Midsouth Shooters was founded on the tenants of honesty, family, and fairness, rooted in American and God. For a company, or organization, to be swayed by knee-jerk reactions sets a precedent of allowing the mob to dictate overreaching policies which put many in harms way. Effectively, Walmart has been bullied into kowtowing to the social justice warriors, and woke-ninjas in the vocal minority.”
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Here’s an interesting statistic — according to an NSSF survey, the percentage of gun owners who are female has increased dramatically since 2005. Seven years ago (in 2005), just 13% of U.S. gun owners were women. By 2012 that number had risen to 23% — a huge increase in less than a decade.
The vast majority of first-time female gun buyers acquire a handgun for defensive purposes. However, the statistics also show that many new female gun owners are also getting involved in sport shooting and/or competitive shooting. That’s a good thing.
In the video below, NRA News host Cam Edwards interviews Celia Bigelow, who has written about the rise of gun ownership among ladies on the Townhall.com website. Celia explains why American women are arming themselves, and why the Second Amendment safeguards a key fundamental right.
Celia writes: “As the number of proposed gun-control measures increase rapidly across the country, the amount of women purchasing guns is increasing even faster. While folks in the media are blaming the spike on the guns-and-glam advertising, women — including myself — have a different reason. It’s self-defense, stupid. [T]he logic is simple: Women want to protect themselves and their family, and guns are the great equalizer between sexes[.]”
Celia notes that liberals propose that women defend themselves using “call boxes, ball-point pens, whistles, buddy systems … as long as it isn’t very sharp and doesn’t have a trigger.” Celia is not convinced: “As a young, 22-year-old, 140-lb woman, I know that call boxes, pens, and whistles won’t do much good if [I am] ever faced with a crazed man twice my size. What frustrates these male elitists the most is that women are arming themselves, and it’s working.”
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In this essay from The Shooting Wire, Tom Gresham states that the anti-gun left seeks nothing less than the eventual confiscation and destruction of all privately-held firearms. The anti-gunners have revealed their goals, says Gresham, through radical legislation recently introduced in Congress, and suggestions that an Executive Order by a future by a Democratic Party President could halt ALL gun sales. Gresham says gun owners must wake up, and take action NOW. Otherwise our rights will be lost. We think every gun owner should read this.
Sometimes understanding what’s going on requires us to connect the dots on things that don’t immediately appear to be connected. Looking at recent events, it’s now possible to see the plans of the gun banners.
It’s much worse than almost anyone imagined.
First, what happened?
H.R. 8, a bill in the House, would end the private sales of guns, would end being able to give a gun to someone, and would criminalize even loaning a gun to someone — unless you got the permission of the FBI each time you want to buy, sell, loan, or borrow a gun. In other words, there could be no legal transfer of a gun in the U.S. unless the government approves each transaction.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi threatened that a Democrat President could declare a national emergency on gun violence.
A separate bill — H.R. 1112 — would (according to the NRA-ILA) “…eliminate the 3-day safety-valve provision under the federal firearms background check system that prevents the government from enacting an indefinite delay of firearm purchases for law-abiding Americans.”
Currently, if a firearms retailer submits the background check to the FBI, and it is delayed, after three days the dealer is free to legally transfer the firearm. This provision in the current law is the safety valve. It guards against the government shutting down background checks (through incompetence, technical snafu, or even political activism) and stopping gun sales from dealers. (Private sales currently would be untouched.)
Pelosi’s threat didn’t just pop into her head. This idea has been in the works.
Consider those three actions.
The expanded background check provision requires that all gun sales, and gifts, and loans — any transfers — must go through the FBI NICS system.
H.R. 1112 would kill the protection of allowing retailers to sell guns when they don’t get a “denial” from the FBI in three days.
If those two provisions were in place I fully expect a Democrat president to act after a highly-publicized shooting to declare a national emergency and shut down the NICS checks for 90 to 120 days. Maybe even a year.
That would be so that we could have a “national conversation” about gun violence. America’s gun owners would suffer a “mere inconvenience” the banners will say. Except that most privately-owned gun stores could not survive three or four months with no gun sales.
This is not happenstance.
It’s not an accident.
It’s not coincidence.
The gun ban lobby is not dumb.
This has been the plan all along.
1. Kill off all private sales, forcing all legal gun sales to go though dealers.
2. Kill the provision in current law which protect gun owners from a government shutdown of the background check system.
3. Declare a National Emergency and close background checks, which stops all legal gun sales.
Make no mistake. This is part of the larger plan to confiscate (“mandatory buy-back”) your guns.
Naturally, there would be legal challenges. The current makeup of the Supreme Court favors — ever so slightly — the hope that the high court would stop such a thing. If it took months to work its way through the courts, however, massive damage would be done. Thousands of businesses would close and tens or hundreds of thousands of people would be thrown out of work.
Naturally, to the “if it saves one life” crowd, that’s a price they are willing to pay. Well, they wouldn’t pay it. We will. And that doesn’t even touch on the subject that no one wants to talk about … [resistance].
How do we stop this?
We stop it the old fashioned way. We beat it at the polls. We beat it by speaking up in our churches. We beat it with peaceful activism in the streets. We join every single gun rights group — even those which less “pure” by whatever standard is in vogue on any given day.
We spend money. A lot of money. We stop complaining about requests for donations. We donate annually an amount equal to the price of a new gun. How about a dollar a day? We actually do call the offices of our Congressional representatives monthly and talk politely with the staff there about our concerns on Second Amendment matters. We volunteer on campaigns. We go to school board, city council, and state legislature meetings and hearings. We show up.
Two things must happen.
First, you have to look in the mirror and admit you haven’t done enough/much/anything. No one else can do this. Each of us must have the conversation with ourselves and take an honest look at what we have and have not done. And what we can do.
This is a total lifestyle change. It’s a change in where you spend your money and your time.
Second, each of us has to bring along a friend into this activism. I’m not talking about taking someone to the range, though that’s always worthwhile. I’m talking about convincing or more friends that each of you really must donate a buck a day. A lot of dough? Less than many of us spend on coffee. Times a million gun owners.
We win or we lose right here. Right now.
The solution is as close as your mirror.
— Tom Gresham
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Though Kamala Harris has stated she is a gun owner (claiming to have a Glock pistol), she has frequently supported gun confiscation through mandatory buy-backs. And she says she would like to ban AR15s and other popular, semi-auto rifles. Accordingly, we face a very important 2024 election. Keane states: “This truly is the most important election for the Second Amendment in our lifetime. In the past, Harris called for mandatory confiscation. She now says she isn’t. So, was she lying then? Is she lying now? Or does she just lie now and then? People need to wake up, get registered and vote.”
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.
Celia writes: “As the number of proposed gun-control measures increase rapidly across the country, the amount of women purchasing guns is increasing even faster. While folks in the media are blaming the spike on the guns-and-glam advertising, women — including myself — have a different reason. It’s self-defense, stupid. [T]he logic is simple: Women want to protect themselves and their family, and guns are the great equalizer between sexes[.]”
First, what happened?
