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There is no question that last year's election represented a significant victory for supporters of the Second Amendment and a defeat for those who want to limit our constitutional freedoms. The American people maintained pro-gun majorities in both the House and the Senate, elected a new president who believes in our God-given right to bear arms, and paved the way to protecting our freedoms before the Supreme Court. We're reminded, however, that there are still some in this country who believe the Second Amendment is for sale.

Despite our victories, it is more important than ever for the gun rights community to stand together.

After spending tens of millions of dollars in the 2016 election, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg recently announced he is spending at least another $25 million in the 2018 election cycle. Bloomberg has said that this influx of cash will be spent to prop up anti-gun candidates and attack those who stand up for the Second Amendment. This liberal billionaire and his rich friends are clearly undeterred by the repudiation of their agenda by voters last year and will continue to fund the fight against our freedoms.

The good news is that Americans with concealed carry permits are among the most engaged of citizens, who put a premium on protecting themselves, their families, and their communities. This is a group of diligent citizens we as a country should be grateful for, not targeting for the erosion of their right to self-defense.

This is also demographic that has jumped through the bureaucratic hoops in order to comply with the laws of their state and obtain a permit to carry their personal firearm with them in public. Fortunately, lawmakers in Congress are moving to streamline concealed carry permit requirements at the federal level, and make national reciprocity a reality. Currently, there is a patchwork of reciprocity policies throughout the country, with some states recognizing certain out of state permits, in addition to their own, but it is inconsistent and causes unnecessary confusion for gun owners.

Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Rep. Richard Hudson, R-N.C., have introduced legislation that would allow concealed carry permits to be nationally recognized, giving gun owners the freedom to travel wherever they please without fear of being on the wrong side of the law. This legislation would allow anyone with a valid concealed carry permit to move freely from state to state without fear of being thrown into jail because their home state's permits aren't recognized elsewhere.

Yet, even though the 2018 elections are still far away Bloomberg and others who oppose the Second Amendment are determined to block these efforts and rollback our freedoms. Rights expressly written into the Constitution and granted by our Creator cannot be bought. There are approximately 14.5 million Americans who hold concealed carry permits, and they vote.

Spending $25 million to try to put anti-gun candidates into office is the same old political theater that everyday Americans are tired of watching. We have seen this show before, and voters will see this effort for what it truly is: efforts by the wealthy trying to make their personal opinion into public policy. At the U.S. Concealed Carry Association, we will continue to stand with all gun-rights supporters in opposing the efforts by Bloomberg and other anti-gun liberals and work together to protect our Constitutional freedoms.

Tim Schmidt (@TimUSCCA) is the president and founder of the U.S. Concealed Carry Association.

If you would like to write an op-ed for the Washington Examiner, please read ourguidelines on submissions here.

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The Second Amendment is not for sale, Michael Bloomberg - Washington Examiner

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The case,Thomas Pinner v. State,revolved around Pinners arrest after dropping a handgun while exiting a taxi outside a movie theater.The taxi driver claimed the sight of the gun made him fear he was going to be robbed.

The Indiana Supreme Courts (ISCs) opinion explains that Pinner is a black male who was with a black female. The opinion describes that officers Jason Palmer and George Stewart arrived at the movie theater to find Pinner sitting on a bench:

The officers approached the seated Pinner with Officer Palmer standing on one side and Officer Stewart was standing on the other side[.] Officer Palmer introduced himself and informed Pinner that they had received a call that someone of [his] description . . . has a handgun on him. Officer Palmer then asked Pinner if he possessed a weapon. Pinner paused for a few seconds during which he was kind of a little rocking back and forth [wringing] his hands. Although hesitant to answer, he denied having a weapon. Officer Palmer then instructed Pinner to stand up and keep his hands up where they could be seen; Pinner complied and Officer Palmer saw the butt of a gun in Pinners front pocket. Officer Palmer secured the weapon and detained Pinner for further investigation.

Pinner was subsequentlyarrested and charged with class A misdemeanor carrying a handgun without a license enhanced to a level 5 felony due to a prior felony conviction. During trial, he sought to suppress the discovery of the gun by contending the search and seizure were conducted in violation of both the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article 1, Section 11 of the Indiana Constitution. A trial court denied Pinners petition, and an Appeals Court handed down a divided opinion.

The ISC observed:

At the time the officers approached, Pinner was seated alone on a bench with a wall behind him. Both officers were in full uniform and stood in front of himone flanked on either side. Although nervous, Pinner made no furtive or suspicious movements, nor did he reach for the weapon; and he made no attempt to flee. The officers introduced themselves, immediately stated that they were searching for a man with a handgun, and asked whether Pinner was in possession of such a weapon. When Pinner answered negatively, Officer Palmer directed him to stand up and keep his hands up high. Assuming for the sake of argument that on these facts Pinner was free to disregard the questions and walk away, the encounter quickly shifted from a supposed consensual encounter to an investigative stop. And such a stop is permissible if, based upon specific, articulable facts, the officer has reasonable suspicion that criminal activity may be afoot.

The court added, Assuming without deciding the tip from the taxicab driver was reliable, the threshold question is whether the mere allegation that Pinner possessed a handgunwithout moreis sufficient to establish that Pinner [wa]s, or [wa]s about to be, engaged in criminal activity.' The court then ruled that the mere possession of a handgun was not sufficientto establish that Pinner was engaged in criminal activity.

ISC issued a conclusion thatmakes clear that the privacy protections of the Fourth Amendment cover those exercising Second Amendment rights, too. The opinion said, We conclude the evidence [against Pinner] was obtained in violation of the Fourth Amendment and thus the trial court erred in denying the Defendants motion to suppress. We therefore reverse the judgment of the trial court and remand this cause for further proceedings.

AWR Hawkins is the Second Amendment columnist for Breitbart News and host of Bullets with AWR Hawkins, a Breitbart News podcast. He is also the political analyst for Armed American Radio. Follow him on Twitter: @AWRHawkins. Reach him directly at awrhawkins@breitbart.com.

Originally posted here:
Indiana Supreme Court: 2nd Amendment Rights Protected by 4th Amendment - Breitbart News

EAST HELENA The Republican candidate for Montanas empty U.S. House seat worked to align himself with President Donald Trump on Thursday while standing next to Trumps son, who played up protecting the Second Amendment to a crowd of about 300 during his second trip to the state in less than a month.

Greg Gianforte, a Bozeman technology entrepreneur who lost a bid for governor last fall in his first foray into Montana politics, spoke with Donald Trump Jr. at the Kleffner Ranch in East Helena, the first of four rallies statewide in Butte, Sidney and Great Falls.

Are we going to have somebody whos going to defend our way of life against federal overreach and work with President Trump, or are we going to have someone who falls in lockstep with Nancy Pelosi? Gianforte said to loud cheers. A large red barn was filled with supporters and one protester who, after interrupting Trump Jr. to ask if the president would release his tax returns, was escorted out of the event.

Gianforte is facing Democrat Rob Quist, a musician from Creston, and Libertarian Mark Wicks, an Inverness rancher, in a special election May 25. Montanas lone U.S. House seat is empty after Trump appointed Ryan Zinke to lead the Interior Department.

At the end of April, several hundred turned out for rallies with Trump Jr. in Kalispell, Hamilton, Billings and Bozeman. Vice President Mike Pence is coming to Billings on Friday for another rally. Quist's campaign has said former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, an Independent from Vermont, will visit the state on behalf of Quist, though a date has not been announced. Sanders beat Hillary Clinton in Montana's Democratic presidential primary.

Both Trump Jr. and Gianforte on Thursday encouraged people to return their ballots, which went out at the start of the month. The election, which is on the Thursday before Memorial Day weekend, could hinge on who shows up to vote. Turnout for special elections is typically low, and Republicans are concerned about Democratic momentum sparked by frustration with Trumps election last November.

In January about 10,000 participated in the Womens March in Helena, many holding signs objecting to Trump. Quists events around the state have brought in large crowds, even in more rural and Republican areas.

Youd better be voting because the other side is voting, Trump Jr. said. Theyre going crazy, theyre raising money from the coasts. Stay vigilant, stay active, vote before May 25.

Montana's Republican Attorney General Tim Fox also spoke, as did Chris Cox, executive director of the National Rifle Association.

Fox, who has been asked by the state Republican party to run against U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, a Democrat, in 2018, said his party is gathering momentum in the state, taking over all but one statewide office in last falls election. But that doesnt mean Republicans can coast, he said.

Were riding the wave, but you cant stay on top of the wave unless youre paddling hard. The work is just beginning in many ways. We've got to push through the finish line.

Quist communications director Tina Olechowski tried to play up energy behind the Democratic candidate, releasing a statement saying:

"The momentum is behind Rob Quist with Montanans across the state supporting Rob as an independent voice who will protect Montana's public lands, fight for affordable health care and support tax cuts for small businesses and working families, not millionaires."

Polls have shown the race is close, with aGravis Marketing poll released earlier this week showing Gianforte leading by 8 percentage points,with a margin of error of 4.6 percent.

Trump Jr. said Gianforte would help the president further his agenda in Washington. Because of Gianfortes vast personal wealth, Trump Jr. said the Republican candidate could not be bought by special interests.

Gianforte sold his company RightNow Technologies to Oracle in 2012 for $1.8 billion.

I know hes going to help my father along, because the deck is really stacked," the younger Trump said."Its stacked against us, even from people in our own party. Weve all seen that."

In Butte, Trump Jr. called this historically Democratic town a "Trump Democrat town," trying to link Butte's past as a copper mining town to the plight of the coal industry. While Trump won the presidential race in Montana by 20 percentage points last November, Democrat Hillary Clinton took Butte by 14 percentage points.

Near the end of Trump Jr.'s speech in Helena, a protester interrupted to ask about the presidents tax returns. Trump has not released his returns, something that has historically been done by presidential candidates and became an issue both during and after the election.

Mark Girdler was booed and escorted out by volunteers as Trump Jr. said returns that were released show his father paid more than Sanders and former President Barack Obama.

Mark Girdler of Helena, brown hat, is forced out of a Greg Gianforte rally after shouting about President Donald Trump's tax return, while Donald Trump Jr was speaking.

When asked why he paid the money to see candidates he disagreed with, Girdler said he feels compelled to point out its hypocritical of millionaires to say theyll take care of the little people.

This is my country. Im a patriot, he said. He (Trump) embarrasses me.

Girdler was not the only protester at the events statewide, though he appeared to be the only one to enter a rally.

Marlene Simms, a Helena resident, said she came to the East Helena rally by herself because shes concerned about Trumps administration so far, particularly excessive time spent golfing. As far as Gianforte, she said shes concerned about his position on health care. Gianforte initially declined to give his opinion on the bill to repeal the Affordable Care Act, but later said on a taped call that he was thankful a plan to repeal and replace was underway.

Marlene Simms, a Helena resident, holds a protest sign outside a Greg Gianforte campaign rally in East Helena, Mont.

Outside the rally in Butte, about 150 people gathered to protest, including a coalition of local Democrats, Butte Area Rising Coalition and individuals. In Helena, several protesters lined up on the road outside the driveway in Helena, but several dozen parked along the highway a half mile away. They held signs in support of Quist, ones questioning Gianfortes wealth and his ability to relate to Montanans, and in opposition to the GOPs health care proposal. Many of those protesters said the Trump administration prompted them to be involved beyond voting each cycle.

Republican congressional candidate Greg Gianforte meets with supporters after a campaign rally May 11, 2017 at the Kleffner Ranch in East Helena, Mont.

Diane Mercier and Tracie Olson, both of Helena, came to the event Thursday in East Helena even though theyd both already cast their ballots for Gianforte. Mercier said she voted for Gianforte because of his conservative and Christian views.

I like his family values. And also because he is a businessman and knows all about how to build a business and create jobs.

Mercier said she is a lifelong conservative, but both she and Olson said they vote more on the candidate and issues rather than along party lines.

I look at the people, at the issues, Olson said.

In his short speech, Trump Jr. took time to criticize the media, saying the press has been dishonest about his father and family.

Trump Jr. told a story in which a reporter called a college friend of his for information and then asked the friend if they could point (the reporter) in the direction of someone who could give me an alternative viewpoint.

At that point, the crowd booed. Trump Jr. continued, This was a journalist, they couldn't accept that maybe he was a decent guy, that there wasnt a story here. They couldnt just accept that. They had to actually see information, find someone who doesnt like me. Thats the media were dealing with, thats the dishonesty were dealing with.

Several at the event said they dont know where to look to find news that is accurate. Mercier said she looks to conservative news outlets and media, while Olson said she does not trust those.

When asked if Gianfortes efforts this election to align himself with Trump have swayed their opinions, the women paused.

Donald Trump as a person, hes brash. I do not like him as a person that you see on TV, Mercier said. But I really feel strongly there needs to be a shakeup in Washington, D.C., and hes trying to do what needs to be done.

She said Congress has stood in the way of what Trump is trying to do.

Marie Bomar, also of Helena, was more supportive of Trumps presidency so far.

Hes certainly shaken up the world.

Helena resident Del Lonnquist, left, said he feels like the Washington press and Washington elite Democrats are Carterizing Trump, saying at the start of former president Jimmy Carter's term in the White House the Washington press corps tried to paint him as a peanut farmer from Georgia and the same is happening now.

Helena resident Del Lonnquist said he feels like the Washington press and Washington elite Democrats are Carterizing Trump, saying at the start of former president Jimmy Carter's term in the White House the Washington press corps tried to paint him as a peanut farmer from Georgia and the same is happening now.

He couldnt tell his story, Lonnquist said. Of course he didnt have Twitter.

Originally posted here:
2nd Amendment, hunting and fishing highlight Trump Jr.'s visit to Montana - Billings Gazette

A conservative columnist who was suspended by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch after a pro-NRA piece talked to Charles Payne this morning on FBN.

Stacy Washington was suspended Friday over her column "Guns and the Media," and then she quit her position.

The paper's editor explained that, Her active promotional activities and professional association with the National Rifle Association represented an unacceptable conflict of interest in her most recent column, which resulted in our suspension of her work."

Washington's column was a response to a local op-ed in which the writer suggested the NRA is a greater threat to America than ISIS.

"The linkage is not only rife with improper context; it is false on its face," Washington wrote.

Washington said this morning she does not have a "professional affiliation" with the NRA. She said her op-ed was not a defense of the NRA, but more about a left-leaning newspaper publishing the ISIS vs. NRA comparison.

"You were fighting for the First and Second Amendments on this one," Payne noted.

Washington, a veteran, said she has always been open about her ownership of guns as an NRA member.

"Nothing in the column can be impugned by the fact that I may or not be a member of the NRA," she said.

Watch the discussion above.

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Continued here:
Pro-Second Amendment Columnist Suspended Over Piece ... - Fox News Insider

Bob Owens, a longtime Second Amendment advocate and editor of the website Bearing Arms, was found dead Monday in North Carolina. He was 46.

Leading with an item titled, We Are Diminished, Bearing Arms co-editor Jenn Jacques on Tuesday expressed deep regret and profound sorrow that Owens life came to a tragic end.

We did not make an announcement on Bearing Arms because it was more important to us to give the family a day to grieve than to break the story and get clicks, Jacques wrote, adding that Owens was a huge part of the 2A world, he was first and foremost a son, brother, husband, father, and friend.

Police in Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina which is about 30 minutes south of Raleigh found Robert Eugene Owens dead near an intersection stop sign with a gun nearby, the News & Observer reported.

TheBlaze confirmed the victim was Owens of Bearing Arms. Police are working to determine if Owens death was a suicide or the result of foul play, town spokeswoman Susan Weis told the paper.

On Sunday, Owens posted about his progress on a book he was writing: Three days left and 10,000 more words to finish The Deplorables Guide to Guns. I got this.

Owens last Facebook message was posted Monday:

Owens Bearing Arms bio reads:

A long-time shooting enthusiast, Bob began blogging as a North Carolina native in New York at the politics-focused Confederate Yankee in 2004. In 2007, he began writing about firearms, gun rights, and crime at Pajamas Media, and added gun and gear reviews for Shooting Illustrated in 2010.

Bob is a graduate of roughly 400 hours of professional firearms training classes, including square range and force-on force work with handguns and carbines. He is a past volunteer instructor with Project Appleseed. He most recently received his Vehicle Close Quarters Combat Instructor certification from Centrifuge Training.

Conservative commentator and fellow Second Amendment advocate Katie Pavlich penned a tribute to Owens in Townhall on Tuesday.

I didnt just work with Bob, Pavlich wrote. He wasnt simply a colleague who I spent time with here and there. He was my friend.

She continued, When I received the news of Bobs death Monday afternoon, I was in disbelief. Shortly after, complete sadness and grief took over. Then, devastation.

I will remember Bob for all of the smiles he put on my face and the laughter he brought to those around him. He was an incredible friend with the kindest of hearts, Pavlich said. He served as an important mentor to many and was an overwhelmingly positive influence in my life. I was blessed to know him and I will miss him dearly. Please keep his family in your prayers during this horribly difficult time.

A GoFundMe page has been set up for Owens wife and two daughters.

Heres a video interview Owens did with National Rifle Association TV on preserving the Second Amendment:

See the rest here:
Bob Owens, longtime Second Amendment advocate, dies at 46 - TheBlaze.com