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EU Lead Ban: Muddy Waters in Wetlands for Hunters and Shooters
By Larry Keane
Shotguns have a deeply rooted history in Europe among sportsmen, farmers, and ranchers. Historically these firearms have used traditional components in their loadings that includes lead shot. Anti-hunting groups in Europe and the U.S. have increasingly blamed traditional ammunition for all sorts of evils, with zero evidence that the use has had an impact on human health, the environment or wildlife populations.
This politically motivated activism has prompted the European Commission (EC) to request the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) to prepare a restriction of lead shot over wetlands. The resulting draft currently under consideration by the EC restricting traditional ammunition in wetlands has left many representatives of shooters, hunters, and member states baffled at the broad, irrational proposal.
No Evidence and Unenforceable.
Apart from the fact that there is no evidence supporting a ban on the use or possession of traditional ammunition in Europe, the proposal is riddled with unenforceable, sweeping rules that hold broad implications for shooters and hunters in the EU. One of the most glaring problems with the proposal is its use of Ramsar to regulate a wetland by the definition of “areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six meters.” Using Ramsar as a basis for categorization is evident of the intent on the ban, to eliminate hunting and shooting in the EU, not to protect the environment. Wetlands are diverse ecosystems with very specific conditions to remain categorized, not a political tool to impose restrictions. Expanding the definition of wetland to meet practically all conditions of the outdoors severely limits hunters. Under the definition, for example, water sitting in tire tracks after recent rainfall qualifies as a wetland.
Compounding the problem is the designated one-hundred-meter buffer zone around this poorly defined wetland. As the rule prohibits hunters from even possessing traditional ammunition in their pack or pocket when traversing through a wetland and corresponding buffer zone, compliance would be nearly impossible. If a sportsman were shooting clay pigeons and he unknowingly walked through a buffer zone with traditional ammunition in his pocket, he would be in violation of this new rule. Enforcing this new restriction would be very onerous and convoluted as it leaves so much to interpretation and offers no legal certainty.
Presumption of Guilt
The current draft presumes that hunters and shooters are non-complying and places the burden of proof on the individual. The presumption of innocence is protected for individuals under the European Convention on Human Rights. Expanding the scope outside of the individual, member states should also be troubled, as the regulation currently does not have any exemption for military and law enforcement. This ban on traditional lead shot in wetlands can spell big trouble for not only hunters but also for conservationists and law enforcement branches of member states, creating confusion for all parties involved. This issue is continuing to develop and there are many outcomes leaving those with vested interest on the edge of their seats.
Delayed for Now
While a vote was expected earlier this month, the Czech Republic has intervened and asked the EC to stop voting on the Europe-wide ban based on the definition of wetlands in the current draft. The months-long process is considered finished without result and negotiators now anticipate a new vote to take place in September.
If the EC approves the draft, it then heads to the European Parliament, where sportsmen and women face an uphill battle against this irrational and harmful proposal.
About The National Shooting Sports Foundation
NSSF is the trade association for the firearm industry. Its mission is to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. Formed in 1961, NSSF has a membership of thousands of manufacturers, distributors, firearm retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen’s organizations, and publishers nationwide. For more information, visit nssf.org
The post EU Lead Ban: Muddy Waters in Wetlands for Hunters and Shooters appeared first on AmmoLand.com.
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Building 80% Gun Silencers, The Parts, The Forms, The Warnings
Cautionary Note: All silencers require a $200 tax stamp from the BATFE in the USA. I caution U.S. readers not to produce one unless you pay the tax and acquire the proper paperwork first. Any time you are breaking new ground in the world of firearms development, especially when it involves new technologies, we caution you to get the best legal advice in navigating and lawfully complying with the multiple and confusing world of local, state, and federal gun laws. The only stated purpose of this article is to report on new developments and the adaption of new technologies for personal gunsmithing. Note to government agencies AmmoLand News follows all rules to the letter of the law. No silencers were created in the production of this article.
U.S.A. –-(AmmoLand.com)- In the first part of this series, I wrote about the history of silencer criminalization, about how a simple safety device, relatively easy to make at home, was made into contraband. Contraband where mere possession can result in some of the heaviest criminal penalties in the federal sentencing guidelines.
Silencers are easier to make today, than at any previous time in history.
The process to pay the draconian tax required to make a silencer is easier today, than at any time in our history.
The potential penalties for possession of a silencer, without the payment of the tax, are draconian. Federal guidelines call for a minimum sentence of 27 months in prison, without parole. The potential fine is $10,000. The maximum sentence, if the silencer possession coincided with possession of drugs with intent to distribute, is 30 years in prison without parole, and a $250,000 fine.
The time required to build one consists of the wait time for the Form 1 processing and a couple of days or hours to build the silencer.
The wait time to follow the bureaucratic procedures to purchase a silencer (not to build one) has been stretching out to several months.
Time to get an approval for a Form 1, over the Internet, is reported to be about 2-3 weeks. The wait time has likely increased in the last two months as the record breaking surge in firearms sales has continued.
These facts considered together, have led to a boom (or should we say a “whisper”?) in legal homemade silencers.
As of August 2020, there are almost certainly over two million legal silencers in the United States. There were over 1.75 million as of May of 2019, more than a year ago. From April 2017 to May, 2019, the number of legal silencers increased by 390,000. The increase is likely higher than 200,000 a year in 2020, as shown by the record breaking firearm sales.
As shown by BATFE records, about 10 – 20 percent of the legal silencer increase is from people making their own silencers, using an ATF Form 1 to meet the regulatory requirements.
The sequence to legally make your own silencer is this:
- Send in the completed form 1, fingerprint cards, and payment of the $200 tax to the BATFE. Pay attention to details. The link shows how to do it.
- Wait for approval of the Form 1, and the Tax Stamp form. Do NOT begin the build until the next step.
- When you have been approved, make the silencer.
There is no time limit for completing the silencer build and you do not need to send in a diagram.
The Form 1 will require the overall length of the silencer you intend to build. It will require the caliber. That may be the hole in the end of the silencer. The hole size does not appear to be critical, according to discussions on the Internet forums. The Form 1 will require the proposed model number and serial number. It will require the name and address of the proposed manufacturer. The Form 1 does not require any photographs of a silencer, but it does require a photograph of the manufacturer (passport type photo).
There are several ways to make your own silencer.
1. Machine everything from scratch. This is not difficult if you have a lathe and experience in using it.
2. Purchase a solvent trap or military pill container or fuel filter which has a number of features in their existing, legal form which are useful in the production of a silencer. Then, complete the machining, which consists primarily of drilling holes. Assemble the components into a legal silencer.
These items, which amount to “80% silencer kits”, are available from numerous sources in and out of the United States, and can be purchased over the Internet. Some of these sell for as little as $10-$20.
3. Purchase separate components, which are mostly compatible, do little or no machining, and assemble them into a simple silencer. One of the most common methods for this is to use flashlight tubes or PVC components.
4. Use a 3D printer to print an entire silencer as one unit, with a small amount of clean-up of the finished product. This has been done at least a few times, as a proof of principle for a .22 rimfire silencer. Alternately, a 3D printer could print a few parts which could be assembled into a silencer.
The people experimenting with 3D printed silencers say they completed all the necessary paperwork. It is easy to do if you are a licensed manufacturer (not the same as a Form 1). The problems with 3D printed and PVC silencers is while they may last for a few hundred rounds, they are not as durable a metal silencer. If you are going to pay $200 to exercise your Second Amendment rights, they are a moderately expensive option.
The most popular method is what amounts to an “80% silencer kit” which uses solvent traps, fuel filters, or pill containers that already have much of the machining compatible with a silencer done, as an intrinsic part of their shape.
Advantages:
- They are easy to finish.
- They work well.
- They are durable and effective.
Disadvantages:
- The price can be high – as much as $500 for a top of the line solvent trap.
- There is no guarantee because you are the manufacturer.
Sellers of the solvent kits, fuel filters, and pill containers come and go. Those selling on Ebay often list a limited number of items, sell those, change their name, and sell more as a different seller, to limit their exposure.
Purchasing such items from overseas exposes the purchaser to potential charges of illegal importation of a silencer.
This seldom happens, but there have been a couple of cases. This one, in New Mexico, is going through the legal process as this article is written. From stripes.com:
U.S. Customs and Border Protection intercepted a package addressed to Justice at the international postal station at John F. Kennedy airport in New York City. Agents opened the package because the Chinese company that sent it was known to ship silencers into the U.S. illegally.
Agents found information that Justice had placed orders with Chinese vendors of shipping firearm-related devices like the silencer in the past.
The specific silencer agents found was sold under the name of “Inline Filter” with the intent to disguise it as an automotive part.
One problem is the definition of what is a silencer.
Some of the fuel filter kits, especially those with a monocore, might be considered a complete silencer, or a dedicated silencer part, because they have a hole through their center. Enforcement of this is very spotty.
Many of the kits are sold in the United States, through Amazon or Sears or Walmart. The suppliers come and go, so a search is necessary to determine the latest terms and deals. Kits sold in the U.S. are usually more expensive. The smaller, simpler kits are generally for .22 rimfire.
There are intermediate kits for general pistol/subsonic use.
There are more sophisticated, more expensive kits for supersonic high powered centerfire rifles.
There are hints in the advertisement for a solvent trap as to what calibers would be suitable for a suppressor made from that kit. Sometimes the solvent trap makers will be very specific. If you study finished suppressors on the market, you will quickly be able to determine what “80% suppressor kits” are appropriate for what calibers. A suppressor which is appropriate for a .22 rimfire may well be destroyed by a .223 supersonic round.
The laws of physics apply. Silencers capable of being effective with higher pressures and more power must be larger and heavier, on average, to be as effective. Kits for .22 rimfire can be the smallest and still be effective.
Filling out a Form 1 and submitting before ordering a kit helps to prevent a prosecution.
I have not heard of anyone who had a completed Form 1, who had a tax stamp, who was prosecuted. If you know of such a case, we at AmmoLand News would love to hear of it.
Currently, the BATFE has ruled that someone who makes their own silencer cannot use replacement parts to repair it. The parts used in making the silencer may be repaired, if they are damaged, as long as they are not replaced. This makes absolutely no sense, but almost all of the law about silencers makes no sense.
If you have heard of a case where someone made a silencer with a completed Form 1, legally, and was then prosecuted for repairing it with a replacement part, please send the information to AmmoLand News.
I have yet to find a case where this occurred but it is not hard to envision potential circumstances where a person could be prosecuted.
Someone could make a silencer legally.
Then, at the range, they could damage it, make a video of the damage, and publish the video on social media, such as Youtube, Facebook, or Twitter.
Then they could repair the silencer themselves, by, perhaps, replacing a baffle or end cap. Then they could show the repaired silencer on social media and brag about repairing it.
A Social Justice Warrior might bring these bits of evidence to the attention of the BATFE. It could happen. Please forward cases that are similar to this to AmmoLand News for my research.
Another potential would be for a legal maker to damage their silencer, then make/use a replacement part, then brag or talk about it on a forum on the Internet.
There are entire Internet forums dedicated to silencers and building silencers. Many answers can be found from reading the discussions on the forums at silencertalk.com.
There has been a persistent myth that if you legally purchase or build a silencer, the BATFE can then inspect/search your home at any time. If someone can find a statute which grants the BATFE such authority, please send it to AmmoLand News.
Obtaining a Form 1 and building a silencer is legal.
The building or purchasing a legal suppressor does not grant the BATFE any extra authority to inspect your residence or where you store your silencer. The BATFE requires probable cause to obtain a warrant to search for contraband, just as they do for anyone who did not legally build a silencer.
State laws about silencers vary considerably from outright prohibition (New Jersey) to no laws affecting silencers. Readers should research the law of their state of residence.
Silencer law is malum prohibitum (wrong because it is prohibited by law) instead of malum in se (naturally evil, as judged by the sense of a civilized community). It is prohibited only because progressive politicians wanted it to be prohibited, even though it makes no sense for it to be prohibited. Who cares about gun owners' hearing when they don't even want you to protect your life?
Silencers are easy to build. The bureaucratic hurdles have been reduced. There are several guides to help do this, on the Internet.
80% silencers are here for the foreseeable future. The next article will deal with the political ramifications of 80% silencers.
About Dean Weingarten:
Dean Weingarten has been a peace officer, a military officer, was on the University of Wisconsin Pistol Team for four years, and was first certified to teach firearms safety in 1973. He taught the Arizona concealed carry course for fifteen years until the goal of Constitutional Carry was attained. He has degrees in meteorology and mining engineering, and retired from the Department of Defense after a 30 year career in Army Research, Development, Testing, and Evaluation.
The post Building 80% Gun Silencers, The Parts, The Forms, The Warnings appeared first on AmmoLand.com.
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People Are Roasting Alyssa Milano for Complaining Joe Rogan's More Popular Than Her
The DNC Platform Goal is to End the Firearm Industry
By Larry Keane
U.S.A. -(AmmoLand.com)- Presumed Democratic presidential nominee, Joe Biden, called the firearm industry “the enemy” from the debate stage one year ago. Now, the rest of the party plans to follow him in that announcement with the Democratic Platform that lays out an agenda to dismantle the firearm and ammunition industry and destroy Second Amendment rights in America.
The DNC posted the party’s draft platform online, which will be formally adopted during the Milwaukee convention starting Aug. 17. Just two paragraphs of the 80-page document are dedicated to firearms, but not much space is needed when the party is in lockstep. The plan includes:
- Criminalizing private firearm transfers
- Disrupting interstate commerce by criminalizing online firearm and ammunition sales
- Instituting endless “delay” windows for background checks
- Banning the manufacture and sale of modern sporting rifles
- Banning the manufacture and sale of standard magazines
- Enacting licensing schemes to exercise Second Amendment rights
- Enacting ex parte “red flag” laws to seize guns without legal recourse
- Mandating home storage requirements under penalty of law
- Repealing the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act to subject the industry to frivolous lawsuits
In Lockstep
Former Vice President Biden already told America exactly how he feels when it comes to law-abiding citizens demanding their civil rights. Union autoworker Jerry Wayne questioned Biden on his commitment to safeguarding gun rights, only to be the target of Biden’s temper when he jabbed a finger in his face, telling Wayne, “not to be such a horse’s ass,” and telling him he’s “full of sh*t.”
Biden has called for “DNA-enabled smart guns,” despite no such technology existing and the fabled regular so-called “smart gun” was an abject failure. He told voters he would appoint former U.S. Rep. Robert Francis “Beto” O’Rourke (D-Texas) as his gun control sheriff, after O’Rourke said “Hell, yes…” to forcibly confiscating modern sporting rifles. Biden answered CNN’s Anderson Cooper when he asked if his federal buyback plan would mean the government would confiscate firearms.
“Bingo,” Biden said. “You’re right, if you have an assault weapon. The fact of the matter is they should be illegal, period.”
Beyond Biden
This isn’t just Biden pushing this radical rights-grabbing agenda. This is the party platform. These are the stated goals. This is truly an agenda. It ignores facts.
For instance, the draft DNC platform wants to close the so-called “Charleston Loophole.” They would do this by giving no timeframe by which the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System would be required to complete a check to a gun sale. Right now, 91 percent of all background checks are completed instantly. Just nine percent are “delayed.” Of those, 88 percent are finalized within three working days and a full 94 percent are completed with 10 days. Congressional gun control advocates would rather shut down background checks and deny sales outright, if they could. We know because instead of following the law, U.S. Senators tried to shut it down during the busiest firearm-buying period on record.
The party’s objective to ban the manufacture and sale of the most-popular selling centerfire rifle isn’t new, but is getting renewed emphasis. President Bill Clinton signed the 1994 Assault Weapons Ban and even the Centers for Disease Control concluded it had no meaningful impact on crime reduction. NSSF recently surveyed likely voters in 18 swing states and more than half responded they wouldn’t support a ban on modern sporting rifles and want politicians to respect individual rights and enforce laws presently on the books.
Radical Agenda
The DNC is listening to their radical base and not the rest of America. That’s why they continue to demonize the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, which denies activist politicians and lawyers from bringing frivolous lawsuits against the industry for the consequences of criminal activity by individuals. They would destroy an industry through litigation that would be akin to taking Ford to court for the crimes of drunk driving.
The platform wasn’t the product of Biden’s thinking, but those propping him up. They’re ramming through a radical agenda to disarm law-abiding Americans when they’re buying firearms in record numbers over concerns of personal safety. This is a platform that is far beyond being out of step with America. It’s tripping over itself.
About The National Shooting Sports Foundation
NSSF is the trade association for the firearm industry. Its mission is to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. Formed in 1961, NSSF has a membership of thousands of manufacturers, distributors, firearm retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen’s organizations, and publishers nationwide. For more information, visit nssf.org
The post The DNC Platform Goal is to End the Firearm Industry appeared first on AmmoLand.com.
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Newsletter: In a pandemic, letting go
Letters: Consider both economy, public health when fighting COVID
Letters to the Editor: Churchgoers are just as vulnerable to COVID-19 as protesters
The Illusion of American Exceptionalism
Thursday, July 30, 2020
Primary election August 4
Letter: 2nd Amendment Rights
Letter: Hansen is choice for Vt.'s veterans
Americans turn to 2nd Amendment for protection from radical left
Congressional Committee Opens Investigation into ASA and Trump Admin
U.S.A. -(AmmoLand.com)- On Tuesday, July 28th, Rep. Stephen Lynch, Chairman of the Subcommittee on National Security for the House Oversight and Reform Committee, launched an investigation on the Trump Administration and the American Suppressor Association (ASA) for the State Department's decision to legalize the commercial exportation of suppressors. This is nothing more than an anti-suppressor, anti-Trump partisan political witch hunt that seeks to prevent the creation of hundreds of American manufacturing jobs.
The previous prohibition, in place since 2002, unfairly limited the ability of American manufacturers to compete in global markets in allied nations where suppressors are already legal for commercial sale. The misguided prohibition was based on the common misconception that suppressors, also known as silencers, are capable of eliminating the noise of a gunshot. They are not. Even with suppressors, gunshots are very loud.
Citing national security, and ignoring the fact that dozens of foreign manufacturers already sell their products within these markets, the assertion that this pro-American manufacturing policy will put American troops at risk could not be further from the truth. Every suppressor that is exported will still require explicit approval by the State Department.
BECOME AN ASA MEMBER
The American Suppressor Association, the Trump Administration, and all parties involved followed all rules and regulations in pursuit of this pro-suppressor reform. Ultimately, the policy was changed because fact was finally able to overcome fiction.
The ability to compete in existing foreign markets will generate millions of dollars in annual revenue for small businesses across the country, increasing US exports, and creating hundreds of American jobs in the process.
Chairman Lynch and his anti-gun cohorts will stop at nothing to find ways to harass and hinder the ability of American firearm and suppressor manufacturers to conduct business. This is a glaring example of their fundamental unwillingness to set aside partisanship in pursuit of common-sense reform and the interests of our country.
We ask that you stand with the American Suppressor Association and the Trump Administration for fighting to create American jobs and protect the Second Amendment.
Contact your members of Congress and ask them to stop this anti-gun witch hunt!
About The American Suppressor Association
The American Suppressor Association (ASA) is the unified voice of the suppressor community. We exist for one reason and one reason only: to fight for pro-suppressor reform nationwide. The ability of the American Suppressor Association to fight for pro-suppressor reform is tied directly to our ability to fundraise.
Since the ASA’s formation in 2011, 3 states have legalized suppressor ownership and 18 states have legalized suppressor hunting. Much of this would not have happened without your support. For more information on how you can join us in the fight to help protect and expand your right to own and use suppressors, visit www.AmericanSuppressorAssociation.com.
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NSSF Announces #Rangechallenge Series, USCCCA to Sponsor
U.S.A. -(AmmoLand.com)- NSSF, the firearm industry trade association, is pleased to announce the launch of the all-new #RangeChallenge Series. Launched in conjunction with National Shooting Sports Month, the #RangeChallenge Series is designed to be an easy, user-friendly target-shooting activity any range can offer its customers starting in August. The first target in this new series, the #RangeChallenge Summer Shots Target, focuses on mentorship and will entertain everyone from those just getting started to seasoned target shooters.
“Experienced shooters we surveyed loved testing their skills on the games tied to the Summer Shots target, and novices working alongside mentors also had a great time with it,” said Zach Snow, NSSF Director, Retail & Range Business Development. “The #RangeChallenge Series presents our industry with a new and different target game activity with reward incentives to keep existing target shooters engaged while creating fun, welcoming experiences for people taking their First Shots or getting reintroduced.”
The United States Concealed Carry Association (USCCA) has signed on to be the official Summer Shots target sponsor of the #RangeChallengeSeries. The USCCA is a membership organization that provides comprehensive education, training, and legal protection to responsibly armed Americans across the nation.
“The USCCA advocates that regular practice is the key to good handgun skills and essential to anyone who owns or carries a firearm for self-defense,” said Snow. “They also know that having fun motivates people to practice more often. We’re grateful for their support of the #RangeChallenge Series and for providing a big dose of that motivation.”
“Our mission is to educate new gun owners, protect law-abiding USCCA Members, build safer communities and save lives,” said Tim Schmidt, USCCA President and Founder. “Now more than ever, we want everyone to know we have resources to help them protect themselves and their loved ones with confidence. We hope everyone taking on the responsibility for their personal safety is motivated by the #RangeChallenge Series to head to the range and get in some quality practice during National Shooting Sports Month.”
To support customer engagement efforts with the new challenge, NSSF will be holding weekly prize giveaways to participants posting their experiences on Instagram using the #RangeChallenge hashtag. Host ranges are encouraged to add their own incentives or prizes (free range time certificates, memberships, gift cards, training class passes, etc.) to further raise awareness and increase participation. Ranges that sign up to become hosts through the national events calendar at ShootingSportsMonth.org will receive a promotional package that includes:
- Official #RangeChallenge: Summer Shots targets
- National Shooting Sports Month and +ONE Movement hats, shirts, stickers and challenge coins for incentives and giveaways
- Promotional signage and selfie frame
Become a host range today by completing the events and promotions form on ShootingSportsMonth.org. When completing the form, select all August dates as you’ll want to offer this activity to customers any time they come out to shoot, and select #RangeChallenge Target Games as the event type.
The Summer Shots season of NSSF’s #RangeChallenge Series starts on August 1 and ends on September 22, at which time a new target theme and games will be unveiled for the fall season. To learn more about how your business can support this effort as a partner, sponsor, or host range, contact Zach Snow, NSSF Director Retail & Range Business Development, at zsnow@nssf.org or 203-426-1320 ext. 224. For questions or information about adding other August events to the National Shooting Sports Month calendar, please contact Ann Gamauf, NSSF Retail & Range Business Development Coordinator, at agamuaf@nssf.org or 203-426-1320 ext. 247.
About The National Shooting Sports Foundation
NSSF is the trade association for the firearm industry. Its mission is to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. Formed in 1961, NSSF has a membership of thousands of manufacturers, distributors, firearm retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen’s organizations, and publishers nationwide. For more information, visit nssf.org
The post NSSF Announces #Rangechallenge Series, USCCCA to Sponsor appeared first on AmmoLand.com.
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Money For ‘Bolstering’ NICS Background Checks Included In New GOP COVID/Stimulus Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. –-(Ammoland.com)- A new stimulus bill is making its way through the halls of Congress, and with a $1200 check, gun owners are getting another unwelcome surprise.
The Republican-led Senate HEALS act contains two particular spending section that is concerning to gun rights activists.
The text of the bill reads:
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – $1.963 billion. The bill provides $1.963 billion to the FBI, for personal protective equipment, cleaning supplies, testing capacity, the Criminal Justice
Information Services (CJIS), and construction. Funds are also provided to bolster the capacity of
CJIS’ National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) – $36.4 million. The bill
provides $36.4 million to ATF, for personal protective equipment, cleaning supplies, testing
capacity, and remote workforce infrastructure. Funds are also provided to support ATF’s
responsibilities with respect to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS)
and the transfer of firearms.
Hidden in the language in the bill is the ability to use government COVID-19 funding to bolster the capacity of the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).
Licensed firearms dealers must perform background checks on all customers they are transferring a gun to during a sale. The bill allocates $1.963 billion for the FBI to use for personal protective equipment and cleaning supplies in addition to bolstering NICS capabilities. The bill is vague as to how much of the money the FBI can use for NICS.
The bill also doesn’t make it clear what it means by bolstering the capacity of NICS. Gun rights activists are concerned about what the FBI will do to NICS with the increased COVID-19 funding. The best-case scenario would be that the FBI fixes their system to make it truly instants for all gun buyers and to prevent outages like the NICS breakdown from last week. The worst-case scenario is more evasive background checks and more false positives in NICS.
The HEALS Act also allocates $36.4 million to the ATF for much of the same things with the addition of remote work infrastructure. It also gives the ATF money to spend on NICS. This allocation is confusing to firearms activists because NICS is not a function of the ATF. The FBI and not the ATF run NICS. It doesn’t make sense for Congress to give the ATF money for the background check system.
The bill also lets the ATF use the money for the investigation of the transfer of firearms. Gun rights activists could see the ATF abusing the money to further infringe on the rights of gun owners. There is a history of mistrust between gun owners and the ATF because of the agency changing of interpretation of statues to fit their pre-determined result.
It isn’t clear why so-called “pro-gun” Republicans would include increased funding for gun control measures that the government has in place. Some theorize that Republicans added bolstering NICS to the bill to appease Democrats. Others believe that the Republicans in power think that the two law enforcement agencies will not abuse these funds. Whatever the reason, it looks like there is a good chance of Congress, including these provisions in the final bill that will pass.
About John Crump
John is a NRA instructor and a constitutional activist. He is the former CEO of Veritas Firearms, LLC, and is the co-host of The Patriot News Podcast, which can be found at www.blogtalkradio.com/patriotnews. John has written extensively on the patriot movement, including 3%'ers, Oath Keepers, and Militias. In addition to the Patriot movement, John has written about firearms, interviewed people of all walks of life, and on the Constitution. John lives in Northern Virginia with his wife and sons and is currently working on a book on leftist deplatforming methods and can be followed on Twitter at @crumpyss, on Facebook at realjohncrump, or at www.crumpy.com.
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Misleading Study on Gun Ownership Chases Its Own Tail
By Elizabeth McGuigan
U.S.A. -(AmmoLand.com)- A new study seeks to connect gun ownership levels and concealed carry laws with mass shootings and other firearm homicides. The author, Emma E. Fridel of Florida State University, attempts to compare the impact of gun ownership and concealed carry legislation on the incidence rate of mass shootings and firearm homicide in the U.S. from 1991-2016. How does the author do this? By using questionable data to argue for predetermined conclusions. This is agenda-driven “research” at its worst.
An Exercise in Cognitive Dissonance
The study is a wonderful case study of the kind of doublethink required to connect non-existent dots in gun control literature. For example, right off the bat, the author asserts that “Mass shootings represent the epitome of the firearms violence epidemic.” She then goes onto say that these tragedies “account for less than 1% of all homicides in the United States.”
Let’s put aside for a moment the bias inherent in calling crimes an epidemic. We know that homicides represent only one-third of firearm fatalities in a given year (the overwhelming majority being suicides, which are not addressed in this study despite the growing trend and large numbers). Yet, the author is claiming that mass shootings are the “epitome” of the problem?
Author’s Anti-gun Bias is Clear
Throughout her study, the author makes it clear that she is operating under the assumption that lower levels of gun ownership is better for society. For example, she states that, “Although household gun ownership has been declining since the early 1990s … gun purchases and permit applications spike dramatically in the wake of infamous mass shootings …” We know that this reported decline is questionable at best, but it is concerning that she frames the problem here as purchases increasing following mass shooting incidents.
In fact, the author notes that “Nearly 80% of American adults experience stress related to mass shootings…” and also that “56% of Americans believe that increased gun-carrying in public makes the nation safer…” So, if Americans are stressed about the fortunately rare incidents of mass shootings, perhaps increasing the number of states allowing the legal carrying of firearms would help alleviate this stress and serve as a stress-reducing factor for society.
Literature Review Finds Zero Backing for Study Assumptions
The author’s literature review is similarly muddied. While noting studies that show a wide variety of conclusions, the author cites a handful of studies, including those from the 1960s and 1970s, to support her claim that “prior research has consistently shown that gun ownership rates are positively associated with the firearms homicide rate.” This is false. Throughout recent years, homicide rates are generally declining as gun ownership rates are rising.
The author acknowledges there is not a demonstrated causal relationship later in the study when she notes that, “In most studies, it remains unclear if there are more homicides in areas with more guns, or people obtain guns for self-protection because they live in dangerous areas.” She then goes on to point out the research that shows there is no relationship between gun ownership and mass shooting rates. It’s not clear why the study does not conclude here, as the mass shootings are the “epitome” of gun violence, particularly as she goes on to note that the research on the impact of concealed carry legislation is “even murkier” and “decidedly mixed.” This is also misleading, as valid research has shown that concealed carry laws decrease violent crime rates.
Database or Creative Art Project?
Getting into the data sources, the author uses a creative mix of media sources, gun control groups, and others to cobble together what she argues is a valid dataset. Seeing as these data are not made public, we will remain skeptical that this is in any way an accurate count of crimes.
When considering the control variables to examine, the author neglects to include some of those widely-accepted to have a causal relationship with crime rates including population density and degree of urbanization, cultural, education, and recreational factors, the effective strength of law enforcement agencies, criminal prosecution rates, and other factors. Instead, she includes factors such as alcohol consumption and hunting licenses.
Even more concerning is the author’s coding of concealed carry legislation as a binary measure, while she notes earlier that there are three types of concealed carry laws in the U.S. and that even within these three categories, the laws vary dramatically from state to state. Lumping together disparate policies is an oversimplification with very real limitations.
Conclusion: More Uncertainty
Despite the methodological bias and flawed data, the author determined that gun ownership was not a predictor of firearm homicide and concealed carry laws are not associated with mass shooting incidents.
She did attempt to draw a connection between concealed carry laws and homicide rates; however, her analysis is subject to the same limitations that led her to note earlier that it is just as likely that people in areas with high crime rates purchase firearms for protection. It is stunning, then, that the author is willing to make the unsupported claim that, “permissive concealed carry legislation is a significant contributor to the gun violence epidemic in the United States.”
This is the perfect, albeit unfounded, ending to a study rife with conflicting assertions, questionable data sources, and overt bias.
About The National Shooting Sports Foundation
NSSF is the trade association for the firearm industry. Its mission is to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. Formed in 1961, NSSF has a membership of thousands of manufacturers, distributors, firearm retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen’s organizations, and publishers nationwide. For more information, visit nssf.org
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A Visit From The Ghost of Elections Yet To be
GOA Praises NH Governor's Veto of Elder Care Gun Confiscation Bill
Oregon Firearms Federation: “Democrats Keep Oregon Safe For Rioters”
U.S.A. -(AmmoLand.com)- While cities across America are burning, Portland continues to make national news as the site of some of the worst violence. Almost all major media outlets regularly downplay the level of chaos by continuing to perpetuate the myth that most of the rioters are “peaceful protesters” and showing only selective video of the carnage on the streets of the city.
The truth is harder to find.
We have received very reliable reports that persons associated with the “protests” are buying quantities of body armor and distributing them to participants. No word on who is providing the funds for these items. Gas masks are also being snatched up by people who have made no secret that they plan to use them while participating in the riots.
Meanwhile, as you may have already noticed, ammunition prices are rising, and supplies are shrinking.
While attempts at firearms sales are way up, we are still hearing, virtually every day, from people who are experiencing lengthy delays in approvals for purchases. In many cases, these delays are before the checks are actually started. Meaning some are waiting just to have the process begin, and then facing delays after the State Police initiate the checks.
While both state and federal law allow a buyer to take possession of a firearm from a dealer without state approval while being “delayed,” (if 3 or more business days have “transpired,”) that only applies once the background check process has actually begun. So if you are waiting days or weeks just to have the process started, you have no such protection.
Keep in mind, although the law allows such transfers, it does not mandate them and very few firearms dealers are willing to risk the wrath and retribution of the ATF by actually transferring a firearm without state “permission.” Furthermore, the background check system is erratic with some getting approvals instantly and others waiting for weeks or more.
Supplies of firearms themselves are down and in some places, your chances of finding what you want are iffy at best.
Meanwhile, Oregon’s Democrat majority is responding to the violence with more proposed legislation.
“Legislative Concept 743” implements new rules for police uniforms. Among them:
Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, at all times that a peace officer is performing official duties other than participating in an undercover law enforcement operation, the peace officer shall wear a uniform consisting of a light blue or white shirt and navy blue pants. The uniform may include a navy blue jacket.
(2) A peace officer may not wear a uniform consisting of all black or dark blue clothing unless the peace officer is participating in a special weapons and tactics (SWAT) team or correctional emergency response team (CERT).
(3) A peace officer may not wear a visible tactical vest unless the peace officer is participating in a special weapons and tactics (SWAT) team or correctional emergency response team (CERT).
Section 2 of the bill says:
SECTION 2. (1)(a) A peace officer performing official duties in uniform shall prominently display, in lettering legible to a person with average vision in all weather and light conditions from a distance of at least 25 feet, the peace officer’s first and last name, badge number or other identifying number and information sufficient to identify the peace officer’s employer.
(b) A peace officer who is performing official crowd control duties shall prominently display on both the front and back of the peace officer’s uniform, in lettering legible to a person with average vision in all weather and light conditions from a distance of at least 25 feet,the peace officer’s last name, badge number or other identifying number and either the word “police” or the words “lawenforcement.”
(c) A peace officer performing official duties other than participation in an undercover law enforcement operation shall, upon request, provide a member of the public with the peace officer’s name and badge number.
Of course, the bill has an “emergency clause.”
“Legislative Concept 742” severely restricts the use of pepper spray, tear gas, and “less than lethal” devices and requires that police give advance notice to rioters of their use. Less than lethal projectiles may only target certain parts of the body. If a police officer hits any non approved body part his department may be sued for two years. Police may not use these devices against people who are “houseless.” No word on how “houseless” people are to be identified among rioters. When police are allowed to use these devices, they have to “accommodate disabilities.”
Legislative Concept 745 forbids police and corrections officers from using “physical force that impedes the normal breathing or circulation of the blood of another person by applying pressure on the throat or neck of the other person” under any circumstances.
The Joint Committee On Transparent Policing and Use of Force Reform, which is the committee holding hearings on the police bills, has blatantly stacked the deck with witnesses who openly favor the rioters and shuts down input and questions from Republican members. Committee Chair Janelle Bynum actually shut down the committee proceedings when State Senator Dallas Heard asked who was responsible for the rioting downtown. Bynum said it would “put people in danger” if they were revealed.
The ruling party is making no secret of its efforts to protect the people who are destroying Oregon’s cities while doing all they can to hamstring and neuter the police.
Meanwhile, Governor Brown continues to enact new restrictions on gatherings of the law-abiding while encouraging massive crowds of violent anarchists. Apparently rioting keeps you safe from viruses that attack churchgoers and wedding guests.
There does not seem to be any end in sight for the chaos and we cannot predict how the coming elections will go. Once again, we strongly urge you to take whatever steps you still can to keep yourself and your family safe.
About Oregon Firearms Federation:
The Oregon Firearms Federation has proven itself to be Oregon's only no-compromise lobbying group, OFF takes the same tough stands and serves as a vehicle for educating gun owners, promoting their rights and when necessary, fighting the freedom haters in court. Visit: www.oregonfirearms.org
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GOA Praises NH Governor’s Veto of Elder Care Gun Confiscation Bill
U.S.A. -(AmmoLand.com)- Gun Owners of America (GOA) and its New Hampshire members are thanking Gov. Chris Sununu for his veto of House Bill 1660, a bill that targeted senior citizens’ Second Amendment-protected rights.
Gov. Sununu cited constitutional infringements and grassroots involvement as reasons for vetoing the bill, stating, “[T]he legislation would permit a court to enter a temporary order with or without actual notice to the person against whom the order is being sought. This and other provisions could lead to violations of an individual's rights under the 2nd, 4th, 5th, and 14th Amendments to the United States Constitution, as well as similar provisions within the New Hampshire Constitution. These concerns were raised repeatedly in the work my office engaged in with legislators and advocates.”
Alan Rice, New Hampshire Director of Gun Owners of America, stated, “I thank all of GOA’s members and supporters who took action to help prompt the Governor’s veto. By vetoing HB 1660, Governor Sununu kept his perfect Second Amendment record intact. To be sure, he has vetoed every single word of gun control that the radical left legislature has sent him. Then, when COVID-19 hit, he designated the firearms industry as ‘essential.’ He has been a solid friend of the Second Amendment.”
Gun Owners of America spokespeople are available for interviews. Gun Owners of America is a nonprofit lobbying organization dedicated to protecting the right to keep and bear arms without compromise. GOA represents over two million members and activists. For more information, visit GOA's Press Center.
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NH Primary Source: Republican NH02 candidates announce dozens of new supporters
Drain the Minnesota Swamp, starting in 16B
Wednesday, July 29, 2020
GOP hopefuls for Dist. 2 Congressional seat share their priorities
Gun Control Group Sides with ‘Rioters, Looters, Urban Terrorists,’ Says CCRKBA
USA – -(AmmoLand.com)- One of the nation’s leading grassroots gun rights organization has accused a Seattle-based gun prohibition lobbying group of “siding with rioters, looters and urban terrorists in Portland, Oregon in an attempt to smear law-abiding gun owners,” after the anti-gun group sent an email blast that declared, “as federal agents descend on our communities, squash our right to peaceful assembly, and even injure us, the gun lobby is silent.”
“Peaceful assembly” in Seattle over the weekend was declared a riot by Seattle Police Saturday as 59 officers were reportedly injured. Rioters threw fireworks, rocks, and bottles at police, a construction site was set on fire and there was an attempted arson of a Starbucks coffee shop. Windows were smashed and buildings were vandalized.
In Portland Sunday night, the Portland Oregonian reported on the 60th consecutive night of protests noting, “What started as a relatively calm night devolved as some in the crowd launched fireworks toward the Mark O. Hatfield Federal Courthouse. Federal officers responded with gas and crowd-control munitions.”
The Sunday night outbreak was also declared a riot by Portland authorities. Further tarnishing claims that the assembly was “peaceful,” Fox News reported that authorities found a bag of loaded rifle magazines and Molotov cocktails in a park area near the disturbance.
“We’ve seen some outrageous claims by the gun control crowd over the years,” said CCRKBA Chairman Alan Gottlieb, “but Friday’s fundraising appeal that tried to blame federal agents dispatched to Portland to protect federal property for continued riots is simply unconscionable.”
The Alliance’s pre-weekend email blast alleged, “The reports out of Portland are deeply disturbing. At the direction of the Trump Administration, federal agents have descended on the city turning the largely peaceful protests against racism and police brutality into violent clashes.”
Reacting to this narrative, Gottlieb quickly returned fire: “Like their usual anti-gun rhetoric, the false image of Portland’s protests the Alliance is trying to create is a myth and they know it. Street thugs, using legitimate demonstrations as cover, have rampaged in downtown Portland for about two months before the Trump administration sent federal agents to protect Government property.”
Two hundred miles to the north, in Seattle, federal agents reportedly sent to that city to protect federal property were not deployed during the Saturday riot.
A federal judge had issued an order Friday allowing Seattle police to use non-lethal crowd control devices blocking a city ordinance that prohibited their use. This brought a sour-grapes reaction from Socialist City Councilwoman Kshama Sawant, who complained, “Now a federal judge has shamefully ruled that these weapons can continue to be used by Seattle police. While the judge says this is temporary, our movement understands this is a serious threat. It is particularly chilling that this comes in tandem with Trump’s decision to send border patrol agents like an occupying army into Seattle.”
Rather than ensure that peaceful protestors are kept safe from federal agents, this court ruling reveals the brutality of American capitalism readying its full arsenal of weapons to attempt to violently suppress demonstrations.https://t.co/w6AOPGlTBe
— Kshama Sawant (@cmkshama) July 26, 2020
That Sawant would take some ownership of the demonstrations may have been a political misstep on her part. That remains to be seen.
But hers was not the only gaffe in the midst of continued urban violence. In its email blast, the anti-gun rights Alliance angrily announced, “Now, Trump has pledged to use these same authoritarian tactics in Chicago and Albuquerque, using gun violence as an excuse to deploy more federal troops.” But no “troops” were involved, only federal civilian law enforcement agents.
AmmoLand looked at the carnage in Chicago a few days ago. CCRKBA’s Gottlieb observed, “Would they rather allow the Windy City bloodshed to continue? Are they hoping for a higher body count, just so they can exploit the violence to push a gun control agenda that has been a complete failure?”
“It’s bad enough these wealthy elitists want to disarm law-abiding citizens,” he added, alluding to the fact that the Alliance is supported by Seattle-area billionaires. “Now they’re openly supporting urban terrorists who’ve been costing taxpayers and private businesses tens of millions of dollars. No wonder so many more Americans are buying guns for personal protection.”
Perhaps nothing more underscored that phenomenon than a letter sent by Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best to Seattle business owners and residents that was quoted by Westside Seattle.com. The letter was sent prior to the federal judge’s order, and it said, in part, “Please also know that the City Council Ordinance 119805 Crowd Control Tool goes into effect this weekend on Sunday, July 26, 2020. This ordinance bans Seattle Police officers the use of less-lethal tools, including pepper spray that is commonly used to disperse crowds that have turned violent. Simply put, the legislation gives officers NO ability to safely intercede to preserve property in the midst of a large, violent crowd.”
The Seattle police chief is sending out letters telling residents: "We cannot enforce the law. You are on your own." pic.twitter.com/89jyezSBMS
— Christopher F. Rufo (@realchrisrufo) July 25, 2020
Translation: “You may be on your own to prevent damage to your property.”
While it’s been peaceful during the daylight hours in Portland and Seattle, the situation has changed repeatedly after the sun goes down. The gun control crowd’s effort to associate gun organizations with law enforcement’s handling of the violent protests may only exacerbate the situation.
Gottlieb accused the gun control group of reaching “as low as they must in order to achieve their anti-gun rights goals.”
About Dave Workman
Dave Workman is a senior editor at TheGunMag.com and Liberty Park Press, author of multiple books on the Right to Keep & Bear Arms and formerly an NRA-certified firearms instructor.
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Knife Rights’ Freedom’s Steel – Liberty’s Edge Automatic Knife Supporting NRA-ILA
U.S.A. –-(Ammoland.com)- With the generous support of our collaborators, Knife Rights has donated Freedom's Steel IX – Liberty's Edge Double Action Automatic Knife, a one-of-a-kind custom-crafted knife by Texas knifemaker, Johnny Stout, with Julie Warenski-Erikson engraving and a feather Damascus blade by Master Bladesmith Véronique Laurent, to the National Rifle Association’s Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA) to support NRA-ILA's defense of the Second Amendment in this critical election year. Knife Rights is the Second Front in Defense of the Second Amendment.
This extraordinary collaboration was scheduled to be a featured auction item at the NRA-ILA Dinner and Auction, to be held during the NRA Annual Meeting in Nashville, Tennessee. With the cancellation due to the COVID-19 pandemic of the NRA Annual Meeting & Exhibits, Rock Island Auction Company has generously offered to feature this extraordinary knife in their flagship Premier Auction to be held September 11-13.
ALL proceeds, including the buyer's premium, of this knife, will be given to NRA-ILA.
Freedom's Steel IX – Liberty's Edge Automatic Knife will be auctioned on September 12th, 2020. You can bid either through a sealed bid or by phone during the actual auction. FULL Details, more photos, and link to make your bid at: www.KnifeRights.org/FreedomsSteel
Knife Rights' Chairman Doug Ritter said, “Freedom’s Steel
IX – Liberty's Edge Double-Action Automatic Knife celebrates the liberties that Knife Rights fights to protect. For the past six decades and change switchblade (automatic) knives have been demonized by those opposed to freedom and liberty. At one time they were banned or highly restricted in nearly half the states! Today, thanks to Knife Rights' efforts, they are legal to own, to one degree or another, in 44 states and legal to carry in 33.”
Knife Rights sincerely appreciates the generous contributions by the collaborators that allow us to make this donation. Texas knifemaker Johnny Stout has crafted a very special version of his renowned “Vaquero” Double Action Automatic Knife for Knife Rights' ninth Freedom's Steel. It features elegant engraving and 24K gold inlay by Julie Warenski-Erikson. The dramatic 3.75-inch trailing point blade was ground from exquisite feather pattern Damascus steel, forged by Master Bladesmith Véronique Laurent.
Exhibition-grade, museum fit mammoth ivory grip scales, donated by Fine Turnage Productions, finish off the 4.875-inch long handle, for an overall length when open of 8.562 inches. The titanium liners have been jeweled and hand-file worked, then anodized. All the fasteners are 24K gold plated. Photography by Dirk Loots.
About Knife Rights
Knife Rights (www.KnifeRights.org) is America's grassroots knife owners' advocacy organization; Rewriting Knife Law in America and forging a Sharper Future for all Americans. Knife Rights efforts have resulted in 32 bills enacted repealing knife bans in 22 states and over one hundred cities and towns since 2010.
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