Federal Judge Blocks Illinois Assault Weapons Ban

Federal Judge Blocks Illinois Assault Weapons Ban

EAST ST. LOUIS, Illinois — An Illinois District Court Judge in East St. Louis blocked the state’s new “assault weapons” ban. The decision came after Illinois successfully petitioned the court to combine four different lawsuits challenging the new law into a single case. The state claimed since the cases were all arguing against the ban, it would save the state money in litigation fees.

Many in the gun world thought the state pushed to combine the case because it would be easier to defeat a single case in front of a single judge than give the pro-gun side multiple attempts at knocking down the law. If that was the state’s strategy, it spectacularly backfired.

Protect Illinois Communities Act, or PICA, was enacted earlier this year. The constitutionally dubious law banned most semi-automatic rifles, including the AR-15, the most popular semi-automatic rifle in the country.

Current owners of AR-15s were grandfathered in but had to register their firearms with the state. The law also banned so-called “high capacity” magazines that held more than ten rounds. The sale or transfer of these magazines was banned.

Judge Stephen P. McGlynn, of the Southern District of Illinois and Trump appointee, heard the motions for a preliminary injunction. The judge ruled that the PICA was likely unconstitutional thanks to the Bruen decision and that the plaintiffs would likely succeed on the merits of the cases. The judge also stated that the Second Amendment is not for hunting but for the citizenry to defend itself against a tyrannical government.

“During the founding era, ‘[i]t was understood across the political spectrum that the right . . . might be necessary to oppose an oppressive military force if the constitutional order broke down.’ Therefore, although ‘most undoubtedly thought [the Second Amendment] even more important for self-defense and hunting’ the additional purpose of securing the ability of the citizenry to oppose an oppressive military, should the need arise, cannot be overlooked,” the judge wrote in his 29-page decision.

The judge also weighed into the controversy surrounding the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) rule on pistol stabilizing devices.

The ATF’s new rule makes most firearms equipped with pistol braces short-barreled rifles that are subject to the National Firearms Act of 1934 (NFA). Judge McGlynn claims that the Second Amendment protects pistol braces.

“PICA also interferes with the meaningful exercise of Second Amendment rights for one group of individuals — those with disabilities. To provide one example, consider arm braces for semi-automatic pistols. As noted above, PICA prohibits the use of an arm brace on any semi-automatic pistol with a detachable magazine without any caveat or exceptions. The Department of Justice has also attempted to regulate possession and registration of arm braces. As reason and the ATF final rule evidences, braces are needed by certain individuals with disabilities to operate a firearm. Thus, arm braces are an integral part of the meaningful exercise of Second Amendment rights for such individuals and can also be considered an ‘arm,'” the judge stated.

Two of the groups that brought a lawsuit were Gun Owners of America (GOA) and Gun Owners Foundation (GOF). The win came on the 40th anniversary of the founding of GOF. GOF Board member Sam Paredes celebrated the victory.

“We are excited about this ruling and thrilled to see such strong commentary from Judge McGlynn. Especially as GOF celebrates its 40th anniversary today, what a great present for us and the American people. We will continue to hammer the point home to anyone who hopes to infringe on our rights – fall in line, or we will make you.”

Illinois is expected to appeal the decision and ask for the preliminary injunction to be stayed.

---

About John Crump

John is a NRA instructor and a constitutional activist. 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 can be followed on Twitter at @crumpyss, or at www.crumpy.com.

from https://ift.tt/9yFHMfl
via IFTTT

The Truth Behind “Children Killed by Guns”, Critical Analysis of Misleading Statistics & Hidden Agendas

iStock

U.S.A. — A recent article, “When ‘Children Killed by Guns’ are Not Children at All,” by Paul Valone, President of Grass Roots North Carolina, with contributions from Jim Parker and Sean Sorrentino, is an informative and insightful look into the propaganda and deception involved in the gun control debate.

The article examines the lies perpetuated by gun control advocates, such as the idea that “gun violence is the NUMBER ONE cause of death for children and teens in our country.” This honest and factual research dig details the truth about gun-related deaths and the ages, races, and circumstances surrounding them.

When ‘Children Killed By Guns’ Are Not Children At All

The first fake news lie addressed in the article is the definition of “children.” The article points out the obvious, to everyone but gun banners, that 18- and 19-year-olds are NOT children, yet gun control advocates include them in the statistics to inflate the numbers. The research also notes that the claim of ‘gun violence’ being the number one cause of death for children is FALSE, as the real statistics show that motor vehicle deaths are more common than gun-related deaths.

Actual and Accurate Total Deaths of Children 0-17 Source CDC WISQARS

Valone’s continued research delves further into the lie that all age groups are equally afflicted. The data from the CDC’s WISQARS system shows that in the 0-15 age range, the rate of motor vehicle deaths is 41% higher than gun-related deaths. However, when looking at 16- and 17-year-olds, the data reveals that firearm deaths by all intents exceed motor vehicle deaths, with a 29% difference.

Another Big Lie Exposed

Another lie exposed in the article is the claim that all demographics are equally afflicted. The article looks at the 16-17 age range and finds that when factored by race, blacks are 425% more likely to be killed by guns than whites.

This is an alarming statistic that is completely ignored by gun control advocates who push for blanket policies that do not address the root cause of gun violence in certain communities.

Hiding Reality

A chronic problem in the Fake News reporting on guns is “combining intents,” particularly suicide. Suicide rates are often used to inflate the numbers and justify gun control policies. However, the article notes that suicide is subject to the “substitution effect,” where people denied one means of suicide tend to substitute another. Japan, for example, has a high suicide rate despite a near-total prohibition on gun ownership.

The accurate statistics highlight who the real winner or, should we say, victims are. When it comes to homicide, blacks are the clear “winner” with a rate of 800% that of whites in the 16-17 age group.

The important article by Paul Valone, Jim Parker, and Sean Sorrentino is a well-researched and eye-opening look into the lies and propaganda surrounding gun control. The authors provide a data-driven analysis of gun-related deaths and the circumstances surrounding them. They reveal the truth behind the inflated statistics often used by gun control advocates to push their agenda.

The article is a must-read for anyone interested in the gun control debate and values honesty and accuracy in reporting.

from https://ift.tt/DoKqzVJ
via IFTTT

Hole-in-the-Wall Burglar Shot and Killed by Prepared Store Owner

Albuquerque, New Mexico — A store owner in Albuquerque, New Mexico, shot and killed a would-be burglar who had allegedly dug a tunnel through the wall of his smoke shop over the weekend. The incident occurred in the International District, and the identity of the shop owner has not been disclosed yet.

The shop owner claimed that he was sleeping in his smoke shop when he was awoken at about 3 a.m. by a scratching sound in the wall. An hour later, the intruder burst through the wall wielding a large hammer and what looked like an ax. The shop owner claims he grabbed his gun and told the man to get out, but the intruder came towards him. The owner then opened fire and called the police. The trespasser was dead when first responders arrived, and the incident is being investigated as a justifiable homicide.

This wasn’t the first break-in attempt at the store, as the shop owners said they had seen two other attempts before. In fact, the owners had already boarded up a hole in the wall that was created by a previous attempt. However, the intruder had dug a new hole that was just big enough for a man to crawl through, and it was through this hole that he entered the smoke shop.

In the video above, you can see the shop owners invited local news network KOB 4 inside to show the bizarre way the alleged burglar broke into their store. The shop owner had started sleeping at the store after the first break-in attempt, and he says he was woken up around 3 a.m. by an odd scratching sound coming from the side wall. Little did he know, a man had been tunneling his way through the wall, and about an hour later, the man broke through.

The incident once more highlights the growing need across the USA for law-abiding business owners to defend themselves with firearms and protect their merchandise and livelihood.

The shop owner claimed that he acted in self-defense and was glad that the police classified the incident as a justifiable homicide. The owners have boarded up the second hole and will be installing more security cameras soon.

The Albuquerque Police Department is continuing to investigate the incident, and detectives are working with the District Attorney’s Office. The incident highlights the importance of taking measures to secure one’s business and protect against potential intruders, as well as the need for individuals to be prepared to defend themselves in dangerous situations with lethal force if necessary.

from https://ift.tt/68DqXyi
via IFTTT

Ousted Mayor Lightfoot’s Sudden Crime Amnesia

By Larry Keane

IMG iStock-625383406

Next month, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot will no longer have a city office. Judging by her advice to other Democratic mayors on the current crime wave afflicting America’s largest cities, she’s already living in a different galaxy far, far away.

Mayor Lightfoot’s tenure has seen among the worst criminal and gang violence in memory, including waves of illegal firearm misuse and countless shooting tragedies. During her run as the city’s top official, she cast blame on others, derided law enforcement leaders and even proposed cutting police funding by $80 million, before demanding federal law enforcement assistance. As a clear rebuke of that failed leadership, Mayor Lightfoot will no longer be mayor next month – voters overwhelmingly rejected her bid for reelection.

Her abysmal time as the city’s leader didn’t seem to preclude the mayor from joining a few colleagues in Washington, D.C., to discuss crime, a topic on which they have troublesome records.

Selective Amnesia

Mayor Lightfoot flew halfway across the country to participate in the African American Mayors Association Conference in Washington, D.C., for a “fireside chat.” Joining her on stage were Los Angeles Mayor Barbara Lee, New York City Mayor Eric Adams, and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner.

During the conversation, Mayor Lightfoot uttered something that likely caused jaws to drop 700 miles back in the Second City. “As Democrats, if we do not speak the truth about violent crime in our cities, we will be the worse for it,” Lightfoot told conference attendees.

Mayor Lightfoot, of course, has gone out of her way to speak anything but the truth when it comes to Chicago’s crime surge.

She infamously cursed at Chicago Alderman Raymond Lopez when he dared criticize her for inaction on crime. On a conference call, Alderman Lopez worried about spreading crime into his neighborhoods and demanded answers about the mayor’s crime solution. “I want answers,” he stated.

“You’re a hundred percent, I think you’re one-hundred percent full of sh*t is what I think. If you think that we’re not ready and will stand by and let the neighborhood go up…there is nothing intelligent I can say to you,” the mayor shot back.

It wasn’t just that 2020 phone call. It’s a pattern with the mayor. That same year, Chicago leadership predicted Memorial Day violence with crime and gang activity. The mayor assembled gun control groups and the Chicago Police Department to double efforts to curb gun crimes ahead of the long holiday weekend. The result? The deadliest holiday weekend in five years. Mayor Lightfoot passed the buck, dodged blame and announced, “Whatever the plan was, it didn’t work.”

The next year, Mayor Lightfoot got in a public back-and-forth with Cook County District Attorney Kim Foxx when several gang members were let off the hook and not charged for a criminal shooting in broad daylight, despite video evidence. More blame-casting and deflection of the truth, all while Chicago residents witnessed more murders in their city under Mayor Lightfoot since the 1996.

Mayor Lightfoot, having already been overwhelmingly rejected by Chicago voters because of the city’s rampant crime problem, should keep her comments to herself and go quietly.

Los Angeles Lunacy

Mayor Lightfoot wasn’t alone on stage. The other mayoral participants should have some self-awareness too when it comes to crime in their cities and speaking truth to it.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass knows about crime. Her house was burglarized, and it was revealed that two firearms were stolen from the home. A mayoral candidate at the time, Bass had said she didn’t know how they were stolen because they were “safely and securely stored” at the time. No other items were taken.

Los Angelenos have suffered through enough of the city’s crime plague but still must live with George  Soros-backed District Attorney George Gascon, who repeatedly lies about the severity of criminal threats in the city. His soft-on-crime policies repeatedly make news for putting more citizens in danger of violent criminals.

If one clear example was needed to demonstrate how “speaking the truth about violent crime” were needed, Los Angeles citizens were told by press release to “cooperate and comply” if they found themselves as the victim in a crime.

New York, New York

New York City Mayor Eric Adams was elected on a message of getting tough on criminals and even telling voters he’d forego armed security and instead carry his own firearm.

He’s failed in those regards, and New York City residents still place the fear of violent crime at the top of their concerns. Instead of getting tough on crime, Mayor Adams has instead parroted Michael Bloomberg’s gun control talking points. At a “major” press event on crime, instead of announcing more police on the streets or efforts to get tough on criminals, the mayor told residents the crime situation in the city was dire.

“We should be very afraid. I’m very concerned,” the mayor said about the prospect of law-abiding New Yorkers carrying firearms for their own protection, never mind the criminals who already break the law and do so.

According to the New York Post, more than 70 percent of New Yorkers voiced their fear of becoming a victim of violent crime.

The mayors on stage talking about crime in their cities need to look in the mirror and listen to their bosses – the voters of their cities. Their soft-on-crime, gun control approaches that restrict the rights of law-abiding citizens don’t make their cities safer. That’s not speaking the truth on violent crime. It’s ignoring it.

---

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 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

from https://ift.tt/jZKqf43
via IFTTT

Dems’ 2023 War On Guns Continues; Battles in Minnesota, Pennsylvania

 

The Democrats’ War on Guns is continuing, with the newest battlegrounds being Minnesota and Pennsylvania.

U.S.A. – After pushing through gun control measures in Michigan and Washington, Democrats—dropping any pretense of being anything other than the “party of gun control”—are busy in Minnesota, where, according to the Twin Cities Pioneer Press, they moved a bill on a “party line vote” to expand background checks and a red flag law.

The newspaper notes in its coverage that “Democratic backers of these changes say they will help keep guns out of the hands of criminals and dangerous people. They say the new restrictions are ‘common sense’ measures that have broad support among voters and have been implemented in both liberal and conservative states.”

Where have we heard that before, gun rights activists could easily ask. Answer: Everywhere.

The Associated Press is reporting on the situation, explaining, “The two gun measures are part of a wide-ranging public safety bill that lawmakers debated late into the night Tuesday before breaking around midnight.”

Democrat Gov. Tim Walz gets a mention for mouthing one of the gun prohibition lobby’s favorite arguments: “Every other industrialized nation in the world can find a way to keep their freedoms and not kill their children and their citizens. We can have both.”

The Pioneer Press noted how Walz joined a rally organized by the anti-gun-rights Moms Demand Action Tuesday in front of the Capitol, where he declared, “Political capital is not something you bank away. Political capital is what you burn to improve lives.”

Hiding between the lines are how Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party members plan to do this by whittling away at the rights of Minnesota gun owners.

As detailed by the Pioneer Press—which clearly identifies the proposals as “new restrictions”—the plan calls for “expanded background checks,” whatever they are. According to the newspaper, this is what DFL anti-gunners think they are: Require a permit to purchase or a concealed carry permit for a private firearms transfer.

“The bill allows firearms owners to transfer weapons to another person through a federally licensed dealer,” the story explains. “Anyone who transfers ownership of a firearm would need to keep a record of the sale and produce those records if asked by law enforcement.”

The proposed “red flag” law (aka “extreme risk protection order” or ERPO) allows family members or police to ask the court to take someone’s firearms and prohibit them from buying replacements until the court order expires, the newspaper explained. Opponents are concerned about due process.

Quoted by the Pioneer Press, state Rep. Paul Novotny of Elk River, the ranking Republican on the House Public Safety Committee said, “There are ways to keep neighborhoods safe and make sure firearms do not fall into the hands of criminals without violating civil rights. This bill dramatically misses the mark on both accounts and will make Minnesota less safe.”

Opponents have tried repeatedly to explain how criminals do not follow gun control laws, which only seem to penalize law-abiding citizens. DFL gun control proponents refuse to understand.

Meanwhile, on another battlefront—this one in Harrisburg, Pa.—the Associated Press is reporting that (once again), “Democrats advanced four gun-control bills in Pennsylvania’s state House of Representatives on Wednesday, after years of a virtual standstill on legislation amid a politically divided government.”

The report quickly adds, “The bills passed through committee on party lines.”

What are the gun control measures under consideration in the Keystone State? Lost or stolen guns must be reported to the police within three days. “Long barreled” firearms must be sold with trigger locks. Background checks would be “expanded” to include private sales of “sporting rifles and semi-automatic rifles,” and shotguns. A fourth provision is the “red flag” proposal.

The AP story quotes Democrat Rep. Tim Briggs, dredging up the familiar argument: “We have a responsibility to protect our children, our neighbors, our schools, our houses of worship, our business, people in crisis and our law enforcement communities from the dangers of gun crimes of violence.”

He was candid enough to acknowledge, “Today is a first step. I assure you it will not be the last.”

Only Republican Rep. Rob Kauffman appears to have countered Briggs’ contention: “If folks are using guns illegally, they’re doubtfully going to be going through the law-abiding process to acquire that gun… I appreciate the intent but it seems to be a lot of symbolism over actual substance.”

However, with Republicans controlling the state Senate, as noted by the Associated Press, this may amount to little more than theatrics when the dust settles.

All of this is happening against the backdrop of Washington State, where the battlefield is shifting to the federal courts, as earlier reported by AmmoLand News. The ban on so-called “assault weapons” signed into law Tuesday by Democrat Gov. Jay Inslee immediately drew two federal lawsuits, with an interesting twist.

As Inslee was in the process of signing the legislation when the Second Amendment Foundation filed its lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington in Seattle. SAF is joined by the Firearms Policy Coalition, Sporting Systems, a Hazel Dell retailer, and three private citizens, Brett Bass, Douglas Mitchell and Lawrence Hartford. They are represented by Seattle attorney Joel Ard.

About 300 miles to the east, the National Rifle Association was filing a second federal lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington, in Spokane, as first reported by Fox News. NRA is not identified as a plaintiff in this action, while the National Shooting Sports Foundation, Sharp Shooting Indoor Range & Gun Shop in Spokane, The Range LLC in Yakima, Aero Precision—a firearms manufacturer—based in Tacoma, and Amanda Banta, a private citizen and former Olympics competitor on Team USA are the plaintiffs. They are represented by attorneys Steven Fogg at Corr Cronin in Seattle, Paul Clement, Erin Murphy and Matthew Rowen, at Clement & Murphy in Alexandria, Va.

Whatever else winter and spring of 2023 has offered, it has clearly shown how the battle lines are drawn, with one party determined to advance restrictive gun control and the other party standing in resistance.

RELATED:

• Proof of Training Requirements Today’s ‘Literacy Test’
• ‘Evergone State’ – Guns Banned, Death Penalty Abolished in WA

---

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.

from https://ift.tt/idoAa54
via IFTTT

Nevada: Anti-Gun Bills Meet Legislative Deadline

IMG iStock-884215372

Tuesday was the deadline for bills to pass from their chamber of origin. Three anti-gun bills have met this deadline and will continue on. Because the Judiciary Committees of both chambers have already held a joint hearing for these bills, they will likely not receive additional policy hearings and instead are eligible for votes when scheduled for a work session.

Assembly Bill 354 bans possessing firearms within 100 feet of polling places and redefines firearm frames and receivers. Under this legislation, a CCW holder could potentially face criminal penalties for simply traversing within an arbitrary distance of a ballot drop box.

Assembly Bill 355 discriminates against adults 18-20 years old, and further denies them their Second Amendment rights, by prohibiting them from possessing semi-automatic rifles and shotguns. In addition, it requires gun owners to lock up their semi-automatic long guns to prevent those under the age of 21 years from accessing them, or face criminal penalties. Under this legislation, both the parent and adult child could face criminal penalties while engaged in hunting or shooting sports, with no criminal intent, if using centerfire semi-automatic rifles or shotguns. These are some of the most commonly used firearms for the respective activities.

Senate Bill 171 expands Nevada’s prohibited persons categories for certain misdemeanor crimes.

Please continue to check your inbox and www.nraila.org for updates concerning your Second Amendment Rights and hunting heritage.

---

About NRA-ILA:

Established in 1975, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the “lobbying” arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals in the legislative, political, and legal arenas, to purchase, possess, and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Visit: www.nra.org

from https://ift.tt/hEqc1DM
via IFTTT

NSSF Welcomes Bipartisan U.S. House FFL Protection Act Bill

IMG iStock-919659512

WASHINGTON, D.C. — NSSF, The Firearm Industry Trade Association, welcomes the bipartisan introduction of the Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) Protection Act, H.R. 2620, introduced by U.S. Reps. John Rutherford (R-Fla.) and Henry Cuellar (D-Texas). The bipartisan bill would strengthen and enhance criminal penalties for thefts of firearms from federally licensed firearm retailers. This legislation sends a strong message to those violent criminals engaging in these illicit activities and helps provide for safer communities, assists law enforcement, and protects the livelihoods of firearm retailers.

“This bipartisan legislation is what true gun safety looks like. Congress is sending a clear message that the safety of our communities is nonnegotiable and targeting firearm retailers to steal guns in order to commit further crimes is intolerable,” said Lawrence G. Keane, Senior Vice President, and General Counsel for NSSF. “The firearm industry is grateful to Congressmen Rutherford and Cuellar for reaching across the aisle to provide those firearm retailers who follow the law the protection they deserve. This legislation assigns the responsibility for crime where it belongs – to the criminal. These are real solutions that make our communities safer.”

The Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) Protection Act builds on the efforts NSSF has taken to address robbery and burglary of firearms through the partnership with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) on Operation Secure Store, one of several Real Solutions. Safer Communities. firearm industry safety initiatives. As part of Operation Secure Store, NSSF matches ATF reward offers for information regarding these crimes that leads to the arrest and conviction of the criminals responsible and the recovery of the stolen firearms. Additionally, NSSF helps educate firearm retailers on steps they can take to reduce the chance guns will be stolen from them during a burglary or robbery, and in cooperation with ATF, conducts retailer store security seminars, assists retailers with store security audits of their premises and endorses and promotes the use of security products like smash resistant display cases.

ATF Director Dettelbach testified before Congress on the longstanding Operation Secure Store partnership with NSSF. ATF data has shown Operation Secure Store is working. Firearm retailer burglaries in 2021 were 277, compared to 577 in 2017, and 2,936 firearms were stolen in 2021 from firearm retailers, a 65 percent drop from the 7,841 firearms stolen from retailers in 2017.

---

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 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

from https://ift.tt/0XdwZ35
via IFTTT

Michigan Lawsuit to Target Firearm Retailers, Ignore Criminals

By Larry Keane

 IMG iStock-884193816

Michigan lawmakers – including Gov. Gretchen Whitmer – are toying with the idea of turning state courtrooms into political arenas for gun control instead of forcing criminals to stand before judges for their crimes.

State legislators are considering introducing a bill that would allow victim families to sue firearm manufacturers, distributors, and retailers for the heinous crimes committed by criminals. Let’s say that again so it is clear. Michigan’s legislators want to allow lawsuits against the firearm industry for crimes they didn’t commit. There’s no talk about dragging murderers, thugs, gang members, and other criminals into courts to face a judge to answer for their crimes. Instead, Gov. Whitmer and these state legislators are looking to score cheap political points to allow public nuisance lawsuits against firearm manufacturers and those mom-and-pop gun stores that are following federal and state laws.

This is a dangerous step that only seeks to eliminate the ability of law-abiding Michiganders to obtain a firearm legally. This notion doesn’t address crime. The intent is to run local gun stores out of business and out of Michigan. When those who obey the law can’t legally obtain a firearm, they’re being denied their Constitutional Second Amendment rights.

Facts First

Firearm retailers only sell firearms after a gun buyer fills out an ATF Form 4473 that attests they are the true recipient of the firearm, not a convicted felon or fugitive from justice, not have been convicted of domestic violence and aren’t subject to an arrest warrant. After that, the firearm retailer verifies with the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) that the buyer is not prohibited from possessing a firearm. If the FBI verifies, then the sale or transfer of a firearm can proceed.

This isn’t how criminals obtain firearms. The Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) studies show that 90 percent of felons convicted of committing a crime with a firearm admit to obtaining their firearm illegally – mostly through an illegal black market sale or by theft. These criminals aren’t passing background checks so they can prey upon the innocent in Michigan. They are committing crimes to do that.

Gov. Whitmer and Michigan legislators pushing for lawsuits against the firearm industry won’t bother with those facts.

Tried and Failed

This notion of public nuisance lawsuits against the firearm industry isn’t new. This was a tried-and-failed tactic of the late 1990s and early 2000s. Municipalities sued firearm businesses for the crimes committed by remote third parties– commonly referred to as criminals – and those cases were thrown out of court. They never passed a basic understanding of tort law – that those who commit the crime and inflict harm are the ones responsible for that harm.

That wasn’t the point of the lawsuits, though, just as it is not now. The true intent of the lawsuits was revealed by disgraced former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who said when he was the Housing and Urban Development Secretary in the Clinton Administration, that these lawsuits were designed to impose on the firearm industry a “death by a thousand cuts.”

Professor Victor Schwartz, a former law professor and law school dean and the current co-chairman of the Public Policy Group of the law firm Shook, Hardy & Bacon, wrote in The Washington Examiner, “Former Clinton administration Labor Secretary Robert Reich aptly labeled this strategy ‘regulation through litigation.’ He recognized that it amounts to ‘faux legislation, which sacrifices democracy’ by using the judiciary to implement policy preferences in place of the representative branches of government. Under such a litigation strategy, any lawful yet ‘unpopular’ industry may be targeted and sued out of existence based on the conduct of criminals or other third parties who misuse products.”

Before Gov. Cuomo was forced to resign from office in disgrace, he signed a similar law for New York. New Jersey’s Gov. Phil Murphy also signed a similar law. NSSF is challenging both laws because they don’t stand up to the federal law that prohibits these frivolous lawsuits – the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA). That’s the law that was passed with a wide bipartisan majority in both the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate and signed into law by President George W. Bush in 2005. That law has been repeatedly upheld as Constitutional by Courts of Appeal and even defended by President Joe Biden’s Attorney General Merrick Garland and the DOJ.

What’s At Stake

The claim that gun businesses are immune is a lie. That’s been fact-checked time and again. PLCAA prevents frivolous lawsuits against firearm businesses over criminal actions committed by remote third parties. Firearm businesses can still be held accountable if they commit a crime, there is negligent entrustment or product design flaws. PLCAA simply means those businesses that lawfully-made and lawfully-sold a firearm cannot be held responsible for the crimes committed by others. It would be the same as if someone attempted to sue Ford and Anheuser Busch for the harm caused by drunk driving.

The reason PLCAA was signed into law was because Congress knew antigun politicians were using the courts as an end-round to circumvent the lawmaking process. The irony was elected officials then – and now – oppose PLCAA because it blocked their “attempt to circumvent the Legislative branch of government” and “would expand civil liability in a manner never contemplated by the framers of the Constitution.” Those are actual words within the law.

Gov. Whitmer and antigun politicians in Michigan would rather use the courts to push their radical gun control agenda instead of using them to lock up criminals. They’re carrying the water for special interest groups, including trial lawyers that see this opportunity as a cash cow. That’s not justice for anyone. That’s an abuse of the courts and a denigration of Second Amendment rights.

---

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 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

from https://ift.tt/PQEA15m
via IFTTT

NSSF Condemns Washington State Gun Ban

IMG Jim Grant

WASHINGTON, D.C. — NSSF, The Firearm Industry Trade Association, condemns Washington Gov. Jay Inslee’s signature of HB 1240, the law that bans the sale and transfer of Modern Sporting Rifles (MSRs) and many other firearms. The law is clearly unconstitutional under the U.S. Supreme Court’s holdings in both the Heller and Bruen decisions. NSSF will file a legal challenge to this law with Clement & Murphy, PLLC.

“There is no doubt that this law signed by Gov. Jay Inslee unconstitutionally denies Second Amendment rights to law-abiding citizens in Washington state,” said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF Senior Vice President & General Counsel. “NSSF worked in good faith with state legislators to warn them that this legislation runs afoul of Constitutionally-guaranteed Second Amendment rights to possess commonly owned firearms. Governor Inslee and Washington’s Attorney General Bob Ferguson put politics ahead of their duty to defend the Constitution and protect the rights of their citizens. NSSF will immediately sue Attorney General Ferguson to have this law declared unconstitutional.”

The 15-page law signed by Gov. Inslee outlaws the sale, transfer and import of at least 60 named firearms in Washington and includes the “AK-47 in all forms,” and “AR15, M16, or M4 in all forms.” There are more than 24.4 million MSRs in circulation today.

Washington’s gun ban law also labels nearly every semiautomatic rifle, pistol or shotgun as an “assault weapon” if those firearms include cosmetic features that have no bearing on the function of commonly owned semiautomatic MSRs. In fact, many of these banned features increase safety and precision, reducing the possibility of errant shots.

---

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 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

from https://ift.tt/oMWmzB2
via IFTTT

Missouri to Hear Important Anti-Gun Laws TODAY!

IMG iStock-884171048

The committee hearing for House Bill 282 is set for later today in the Senate Transportation, Infrastructure, and Public Safety Committee. This bill repeals arbitrary “gun-free zones” that only hinder law-abiding citizens, while leaving them defenseless. It removes the prohibition on carrying firearms for self-defense on public transit property and in vehicles, ensuring that citizens of all economic means can exercise their Second Amendment rights.

Furthermore, HB 282 repeals the prohibition on carrying firearms for self-defense in places of worship, giving private property owners the freedom to make their own security decisions. It is important that we take action and contact the committee members to show our support for this bill. Let them know that we stand for our rights and demand the ability to protect ourselves and our loved ones. Please use the link provided to contact the committee members and urge them to SUPPORT HB 282.

CLICK HERE TAKE ACTION!

---

About NRA-ILA:

Established in 1975, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the “lobbying” arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals in the legislative, political, and legal arenas, to purchase, possess, and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Visit: www.nra.org

 

from https://ift.tt/N2YPpO3
via IFTTT

Proof of Training Requirements Today’s ‘Literacy Test’

Washington will now require proof of firearms training to buy a gun. Is this the same as a “literacy test” requirement to vote? Gun Counter Sale Store Shop shutterstock_Nomad_Soul 1686855574.jpg

Washington State Gov. Jay Inslee on Tuesday signed House Bill 1143 which, among other things, mandates proof of firearms safety training within the past five years to purchase any gun, an expansion of the requirement included in Initiative 1639 back in 2018 that required proof of training before one could purchase a so-called “semi-automatic assault rifle.”

---

BULLETIN: Gov. Inslee on Tuesday signed not only HB 1143 but also HB 1240, prompting a federal lawsuit by the Second Amendment Foundation and Firearms Policy Coalition. The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court.

---

Last year, Oregon voters, by a narrow margin, passed Measure 114 with a similar requirement, but that initiative is now tied up in the courts and has yet to be enacted. In reaction, Beaver State Democrats are now pushing legislation—Engrossed Senate Bill 348—which will require a permit-to-purchase and proof of training in order to buy a firearm.

Translation: Gun purchasers must first offer proof they have taken a safety course before they can buy a gun.

One could argue the safety training requirement is the way Northwest Democrats are attempting to discourage citizens from buying guns, same as the Southern Democrats of the late 1800s and early 1900s tried to discourage minorities from voting.

What’s the difference between such a requirement before exercising your Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms, and passing a “literacy test” before being allowed to vote?

AmmoLand News posed that question to a veteran civil rights attorney. His one-word response: “Nothing.”

Along with other gun control proposals, including a 72-hour waiting period for gun buyers, the legislation “would impact tens of thousands of Oregon gun purchasers, and hundreds of Oregonians have submitted testimony,” according to the Oregon Capital Chronicle.

Late last year, Democrat Inslee told a press conference about his desire to require training in order to get a permit to purchase a firearm.

“You need to get a license to drive a car in the state of Washington,” he stated. “You need to get a license to go fishing. It’s time that you get a license to make sure that you have safety training to purchase a gun in the state of Washington, and it’s high time that we pass a bill to make sure you get a permit before you purchase a firearm.”

According to the new law, “The training must be sponsored by a federal, state, county, or municipal law enforcement agency, a college or university, a nationally recognized organization that customarily offers firearms training, or a firearms training school with instructors certified by a nationally recognized organization that customarily offers firearms training. The proof of training shall be in the form of a certification that states under the penalty of perjury that the training included the minimum requirements.

“The training may include stories provided by individuals with lived experience in the topics listed in subsection (1)(a) through (g) of this section or an understanding of the legal and social impacts of discharging a firearm.”

Driving is a privilege, and so is recreational fishing, but owning a firearm is a right protected by both the state and federal constitutions. It is a difference that Inslee, who was an attorney prior to becoming a career politician, should recognize even with closed eyes.

In Washington state, the right to bear arms is protected by Article I, Section 24 of the state constitution. The pertinent language says this: “The right of the individual citizen to bear arms in defense of himself, or the state, shall not be impaired.”

Alan Gottlieb, chairman of the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, matter-of-factly observed that the state requirement for training “seems like an impairment.” Under the U.S. Constitution, it might also be considered an “infringement,” which is prohibited under the Second Amendment. Is it grounds for a federal civil rights lawsuit?

The strategy in Washington is to bypass the state courts because the state Supreme Court does not appear to have a single moderate or conservative on the bench. However, this is the same court that upheld last year the state’s long-standing firearms preemption law when the Second Amendment Foundation and National Rifle Association sued the City of Edmonds for trying to enforce a so-called “safe storage” ordinance. The case was known as Bass v. City of Edmonds. It was a smackdown that also effectively nullified a similar ordinance adopted by the City of Seattle about the same time Edmonds passed its requirement, and explains why anti-gun Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell desperately wants the preemption law repealed. Earlier this year, the Democrat-controlled Legislature let that proposal die for the umpteenth time.

“Proof of training” does appear to be the kind of thing that begs court challenge. After all, as Gottlieb said, “This isn’t about guns, it’s about rights.”

---

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.

from https://ift.tt/H529Kyl
via IFTTT

Head of ATF Can’t Tell You What an ‘Assault Weapons’ is!? ~ VIDEO

The Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Steve Dettelbach, could not define the term “assault weapon” during a budget request hearing before a House Appropriations subcommittee on Tuesday of last week.

When asked to define the term by Republican Texas Rep. Jake Ellzey, Dettelbach replied that he could do so in less than 15 seconds because he can not define what an ‘assault weapon’ is and that it would be up to Congress to define the term. He added that the ATF could provide technical assistance and that the agency had experts who could talk about the velocity of firearms and the damage they cause.

Dettelbach had expressed support for an assault weapons ban in Ohio during his unsuccessful 2018 campaign to become the state’s attorney general and noted that the Biden administration endorses instituting “an assault weapons ban.”

The confirmation of Dettelbach to lead the ATF was a controversial decision, with 15 state attorneys general opposing his appointment and arguing that he would “merely rubber stamp” Biden’s “partisan anti-gun platform.” The inability of Dettelbach to define the term “assault weapon” has further fueled criticisms of the Biden administration’s efforts to outlaw this vague class of weapons.

I am Not An Expert on Guns…

Dettelbach’s lack of expertise in firearms was called into question by Ellzey, who stated that he had extensive expertise in weaponry and self-defense weapons, citing his status as a military veteran and 20-year gun owner. ATF director Dettelbach acknowledged that he is not as well versed in firearms as the Congressman.

Critics of the ATF chief’s lack of expertise on guns argue that it indicates a broader problem of government employees being assigned roles that they are not qualified for.

They say this leads to ineffective policies and poor decision-making and ultimately undermines the functioning of government agencies.

The controversy around Dettelbach’s inability to define the term “assault weapon” comes amid renewed efforts by the Biden administration to ban such weapons. However, opponents of the gun ban argue that it would be ineffective in reducing crime and mental health violence and that it would infringe upon the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens.

Dettelbach’s admittance that he lacks expertise in the primary item his agency is tasked with regulating underscores the need for government employees to possess the necessary expertise to perform their roles effectively. It also highlights the ongoing debate around the efficacy and constitutionality of a potential ‘assault weapons’ ban. Lastly, it shines a burning light on the hypocrisy of using emotionally loaded words with only one purpose: to promote a political agenda.

Read Related: So-Called ‘Assault Weapons’ ~ When Words Are Used Instead of Guns To Disarm Us

from https://ift.tt/pukCPf7
via IFTTT

Women Defending Her Home Shoots & Kills Invader, No Charges Filed

Austin, Texas – A man was shot and killed after attempting to break into a home in northeast Austin, Texas, on April 18th, 2023. According to reports, a female resident called 911 at around 5:30 a.m. to report that a man was trying to break into the home. While still on the phone with dispatchers, the caller reported that the man had entered the home.

While on the phone, the residents of the home stated that they were holding back the door as the man tried to break it down. A few moments later, police said the man switched to breaking into the home through a window.

The caller promptly told dispatchers that the man had entered the home and they were shooting at him.

Police arrived on the scene at 5:37 a.m., and the home invader was pronounced dead about 10 minutes later. It is unclear how many people were in the home; authorities have not said who shot the man. But, investigators have determined that the man was shot by one of the residents in self-defense, and no charges have been filed.

Austin-based defense attorney Sam Bassett stated that this shooting was justified under Texas law based on the facts released at this point.

“The person would have a reasonable fear that they could be seriously harmed or even killed by somebody who was acting so aggressively and so violently in entering the home,” said Bassett.

This incident marks the city’s 23rd homicide of 2023. The growing need for law-abiding Americans to have increased ways to defend themselves and protect loved ones is becoming more apparent. As demonstrated in this case, having a firearm in the home can be the difference between life and death. It is essential for individuals to understand their rights and the laws regarding self-defense in their state.

---

---

In Texas, the state’s “castle doctrine” law allows individuals to use deadly force to protect themselves, their families, or their property against intruders without fear of prosecution. The law assumes that if an intruder unlawfully enters a home, they intend to commit a violent act, and the homeowner can use deadly force to protect themselves.

The positive outcome for these homeowners highlights the importance of being prepared to defend oneself and loved ones with deadly force in potentially life-threatening situations. Understanding the laws and having the proper training and equipment can make all the difference. While no one wants to take a life, having the ability to protect oneself and loved ones can provide peace of mind and ensure their safety in dangerous situations.

from https://ift.tt/OhojpZy
via IFTTT

Auto Key-Card Case Ruling is a Travesty of Justice

Opinion

Google Lightning Link Plans Image Search Return Results 4-25-2023

Tombstone, Arizona – On Friday, April 21, 2023, Kristopher “Justin” Ervin and Mathew Hoover were found guilty on charges related to the selling of illegal machineguns, based on Ervin’s sales of credit card-sized pieces of 18 gauge stainless steel sheet with etchings of “Lightning Link” parts laser engraved on the front. Hoover advertised the cards on his YouTube channel called “CRS Firearms.”

A Lightning Link is a two-piece device that is supposed to adapt a semi-auto AR-15 style firearm to fire full-auto. They are a finicky, fidgety, extremely unreliable method of perhaps achieving the goal of rapid ammunition depletion, but let’s be very clear, what Justin Ervin was selling, and Matt Hoover was advertising was not Lightning Links. They were selling drawings of a Lightning Link-type designs on a thin piece of sheet metal – about 50% thinner than what’s called for on most internet Lightning Link build instructions.

That’s right, detailed drawings of Lightning Links, with dimensions, along with illustrated instructions on how to make and install them, have been available on the internet for years, and are still available. These instructions include precise measurements, material requirements, and instructions on forming and fitting the devices. And like any other information out there, from instructions on how to manufacture bombs or poisons, to gun designs, to guides on how to “pick up chicks in bars,” these instructions are protected by the guarantees of the First Amendment to the US Constitution. Knowledge, and the sharing of that knowledge, may not be regulated by the government. It all falls under the umbrella of free speech.

At best the Auto Key Card was a niche novelty, and at worst it was a bit of a scam taking advantage of some gullible consumers. If I tell you that the “X-Ray Glasses” I sell are just a novelty and if you buy them, you probably won’t really be able to see through clothing. Still, you buy them because you’re convinced they’ll let you see through the clothing. Am I guilty of selling invasive surveillance gear, or just clever marketing?

That criminal charges were brought against Ervin in the first place is a travesty. The fact that he has been held in custody without bail for two years is an absolute outrage.

Hoover’s subsequent arrest for advertising the products is unconscionable. But for them to be prosecuted and convicted…??? This is nothing less than criminal abuse of the “justice” system. But it gets worse.

Several purchasers of the cards testified that, though they had not attempted to cut them out, they admitted that they believed they could use the cards to make functional Lightning Links. One admitted to trying it, but when he couldn’t get the device to work, he gave up and threw it away. All of these witnesses were testifying under threat of prosecution or had been granted immunity in exchange for their testimony. I want to meet these fellows and introduce them to my amazing “X-Ray Glasses.”

The really astounding testimony came from a BATFE expert, though.

He initially claimed that he was able to cut functional Lightning Links from the cards and had a video to prove it. But on cross-examination by Hoover’s attorney Matt Larosiere, the “expert” admitted that when he followed the lines on the cards, he couldn’t make the resulting parts fit into any of the AR’s he had for testing – and you can be sure the BATFE has a variety of AR’s available. He admitted that he modified the design, ignoring the lines and cutting the parts to different dimensions to get them to fit into a gun, then admitted that he was still unable to get the Lightning Link to actually function – ever – at all. What the BATFE claimed was a “success” included “40 minutes of work with a Dremel tool,” This was not a functional Lightning Link at all, but rather a couple of pieces of metal ground on and fiddled with for an indeterminate amount of time, and finally crammed into the trigger mechanism of a rifle causing it to malfunction.

The BATFE “expert” went on to admit that the hammer-follow malfunction induced by the failed Lightning Link installation was the exact same malfunction that would result if you simply removed the disconnector or ground off its hook – either of which is much easier than fabricating a Lightning Link. He then admitted that he tried several different brands of ammunition before finding one with sensitive enough primers to achieve hammer-follow, full-auto fire for a total of 5 consecutive shots. Upon further questioning, he also admitted that he was only able to achieve this result while using an M16-style bolt carrier. That style BCG is not the same as the civilian, Colt SP1 bolt carrier that Lightning Links were originally designed to work with. And don’t have the modifications that were built into the SP1 carrier specifically to protect against hammer-follow discharges. He also admitted that this type of hammer-follow malfunction is dangerous and could theoretically result in a catastrophic, premature detonation which could destroy the gun and injure the shooter.

So, the BATFE and prosecutors claimed that these cards with pictures of something similar to Lightning Links lightly etched on them, and sold as novelties, which Ervin and Hoover never marketed as gun parts, were actually designed and intended solely for the purpose of converting a semi-auto firearm into a full-auto firearm? Yet their own experts were unable to create working parts from the Auto Key Card templates. They admitted that they basically ignored the lines etched on the cards and cut out parts of their own design just to get them to fit into a gun. Even then they were unable to make a functional machinegun conversion device from the metal of the card…

Yet the jury still came back with a Guilty verdict for both men on charges of making and selling illegal machineguns.

How is that possible?

It boggles the mind to think that even the BATFE could seek prosecution in this case.

It’s further unbelievable that the Federal prosecutor, Laura Cofer Taylor, would pursue these charges, and absolutely beyond comprehension that a jury could listen to that evidence and conclude that both of these men were guilty of any crime.

But they did, and now Matt Hoover’s wife and child are left alone with no means of support while they wait to find out what’s going to happen next. The potential sentence for Hoover is 45 years in prison, while Ervin is facing 110 years, though it would be very unlikely that the court would give the maximum to either. Still, after the absolute clown show of this trial, nothing is beyond possibility. What is very likely is that, even if this conviction is reversed and Mat Hoover is completely exonerated, the next time his FFL comes up for renewal, the BATFE will find some pretext to deny it and make the denial a permanent ban, keeping him from being able to return to his business ever again. Sentencing isn’t scheduled until the end of July, and both men are to be held in custody at least until then.

My fellow AmmoLand News contributor John Crump has been following this case from the beginning, and he’s created a GiveSendGo account to benefit Hoover and his family at: www.givesendgo.com/freecrs. All funds contributed go directly to Matt Hoover’s wife, Erica, and any contributions to help keep them afloat during this lunacy would be greatly appreciated. Prayers and encouragement are also welcome.

What’s not welcome are any sort of rants, threats, or calls for violence toward any witness, juror, or anyone else involved in the case. Prosecutors have already used such comments on Matt’s YouTube channel “CRS Firearms,” to claim that Ervin and Hoover are too dangerous to be on the streets. So yell at your keyboard if you must, but keep your incendiary comments – on this article and elsewhere – to yourself. These guys don’t need the additional burden of being responsible for your anti-BATFE rants. Big Brother is watching.

Meanwhile, lawyers for Hoover and Ervin are working on post-judgment motions for acquittal and planning potential appeals. Let’s hope they prevail soon.

---

About Jeff Knox:

Jeff Knox is a second-generation political activist and director of The Firearms Coalition. His father Neal Knox led many of the early gun rights battles for your right to keep and bear arms. Read Neal Knox – The Gun Rights War.

The Firearms Coalition is a loose-knit coalition of individual Second Amendment activists, clubs and civil rights organizations. Founded by Neal Knox in 1984, the organization provides support to grassroots activists in the form of education, analysis of current issues, and with a historical perspective of the gun rights movement. The Firearms Coalition has offices in Buckeye, Arizona, and Manassas, VA. Visit: www.FirearmsCoalition.org.

from https://ift.tt/i4opAj2
via IFTTT

Rhode Island Senate to Hear Gun Control Bills Today

IMG iStock-884218344

Last Monday, your NRA testified against over a dozen dangerous gun control bills at a lengthy House Judiciary Committee hearing that stretched well into the evening.  The Senate Judiciary Committee hearing was scheduled to take place last Tuesday, however, due to the passing of a state Senator and a resolution being heard to honor her, that hearing was rescheduled for this Tuesday, April 25, at 4:00 p.m.  Please contact members of the Senate Judiciary Committee and respectfully ask that they oppose any and all new gun control legislation.

CLICK HERE TAKE ACTION!

The Senate Judiciary Committee will hear more than a dozen gun bills. While there are a handful of pro-gun bills, none of that legislation is expected to move.  This dangerous list of gun control bills includes a semi-auto ban, one-gun-a-month, mandatory storage, and an effort to put gun shops in Rhode Island out of business. 

You can view the agenda for Tuesday’s lengthy hearing here. In their minds, there is always another gun bill to pass, until they have completely banned firearms.  This hasn’t been about public policy for a long time.  They just passed a magazine ban last summer and cannot be bothered to wait around to see if it will work like they say it will.  That is because we all know what the results will be: more infringements for law-abiding citizens, and the beat goes on for criminals. And yet, they are back to do more of the same.

Rhode Island already has some of the harshest gun control laws in the country.  We certainly do not need any more.  Please contact the committee members NOW and respectively request that they oppose any gun control legislation!

---

About NRA-ILA:

Established in 1975, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the “lobbying” arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals in the legislative, political, and legal arenas, to purchase, possess, and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Visit: www.nra.org

from https://ift.tt/iqkUMbH
via IFTTT

Home Invasion Leaves Multiple Robbers Shot, One 7-times, & In the Hospital

80-Year-Old Chicago Man Shoots Violent Attackers, iStock-1354938183

Four men were charged with robbery and home invasion in Bethlehem Township, Northampton County after they entered a home on the 2000 block of Willow Park Road around 4 a.m. on Thursday. The men were identified as Millito Delgado, 45; Michael Matas, 29; Francis Ferrando, 23; and Anthony Santiago, 29. Three people were in the house at the time.

According to the Northampton County District Attorney’s Office, during the home invasion, one of the occupants shot at least two of the home invaders.

The good-guy with a gun fired at the intruders, hitting Matas and Ferrando. Matas was hit seven times and is in critical but stable condition, but he is expected to survive. Ferrando was hit in the leg. They, along with Delgado, were taken into custody while Santiago remained at large. All four men have been charged.

The four intruders now face criminal charges, including three counts of robbery with attempted serious bodily injury, two counts of possessing an instrument of crime, burglary, simple assault, and related charges. Delgado, Matas, and Ferrando were in custody while Santiago remained at large, although police said there was no danger to the public.

Officials said that the affidavit spelling out the circumstances of the case would remain sealed to protect the ongoing investigation. The Northampton County District Attorney’s Office is investigating how both wounded suspects made it to hospitals.

At this time, no charges have been filed against the occupant, who appears to have been legally armed, for repeatedly shooting the two robbers.

The incident has once more highlighted the growing trend of law-abiding Americans defending themselves and their loved ones with legally owned guns.

While gun banners continue to deny the effective use of weapons for self-defense, gun rights advocates argue that the right to bear arms is enshrined in the Second Amendment of the US Constitution and that law-abiding citizens should be able to use firearms to defend themselves and their property.

Opponents continue to spin the lie, that U.S. gun ownership and responsible access to firearms leads to more gun violence, accidents, and deaths. They also claim that gun owners lack the necessary training to use firearms safely and responsibly, despite what we just reported.

The debate around gun control in the US remains highly polarized, with both sides firmly entrenched in their positions. However, incidents like the one in Bethlehem Township continue to fuel the ongoing discussion about how best to balance individual rights with public safety, with armed and deadly self-defense.

from https://ift.tt/Qj6dDms
via IFTTT