Archive for the ‘Second Amendment’ Category

ATF Partners with Anti-gun Researchers to Expand Agency’s Power – NRA ILA

On May 17, the Department of Justice announced the release of a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives publication titled the National Firearms in Commerce and Trafficking Assessment (NFCTA). The report is the result of the Biden-Harris Administrations April 2021 Initial Actions to Address the Gun Violence, which called for the creation of an annual report on firearms trafficking. The May 17 release is the first volume in a planned four-volume series.

Despite the presidential mandate, the first volume of the NFCTA is long on commerce and short on trafficking. Most of the document is a collection and presentation of firearm industry data that is available elsewhere. To the extent that the document is a convenient compilation of firearm industry data, it is useful. Gun rights supporters inclined to delve into the 308-page document will find much of interest.

Those who appreciate Second Amendment rights will be less enthused by portions of the document devoted to touting ATFs recent controversial regulatory moves and the frequent editorializing.

The document spends significant space defending ATF Final Rule 2021R-05F concerning the Definition of Frame or Receiver and Identification of Firearms, which seeks to make it more difficult for Americans to exercise their longstanding right to make their own firearms for personal use. NRA-ILA filed extensive comments opposing ATFs perversion of federal law, which readers can examine here.

Likewise, the NFCTA attempts to justify ATF Proposed Rule 2021R-08 Factoring Criteria for Firearms with Attached Stabilizing Braces. That rule seeks to re-classify millions of commonly-owned pistols as short-barreled rifles, items that are required to be registered under the National Firearms Act, based on the pistols being equipped with a stabilizing brace that allows for more accurate one-handed shooting. NRA-ILA also filed comments on this rule, which can be read here.

Some of ATFs editorializing makes it into what should otherwise be a straightforward presentation of facts. Consider the following passage on Constitutional Carry:

Permit-less Concealed Firearm Carry

Following the issuance of the Heller decision, several states enacted statutes allowing the concealed carrying of firearms without a permit, often referred to as "constitutional carry" states. These permit-less concealed firearm carry laws allow any person lawfully allowed to possess a firearm to also carry that firearm in a concealed manner. In 2008, Vermont became the first state to enact one of these statutes, and as of the writing of this report an additional 23 states have enacted similar statutes. These changes in state laws continue the expansion of concealed firearm carry abilities first from "may issue" to "shall issue" and then to an automatic right to carry a concealed firearm for non-prohibited persons.

Vermont did not enact Constitutional Carry in 2008. Rather, the state never prohibited the practice of carrying a concealed firearm. Vermonters Right-to-Carry without first obtaining government permission was affirmed in the 1903 case of State v. Rosenthal, where a plaintiff challenged a local ordinance that prohibited the carrying of pistols, among other items, within the city without the express approval of the mayor or chief of police. The Vermont Supreme Court determined that the ordinance was so far as it relates to the carrying of a pistol inconsistent with and repugnant to the Constitution and the laws of the state and therefore void. Moreover, Alaska recognized the Right-to-Carry without a permit in 2003.

An innocent mistake by those who purport to be the nations foremost experts in firearms law? Maybe. Or maybe those seeking to restrict gun rights are determined to undermine the historical legitimacy of permitless carry and are reluctant to acknowledge that the vast majority of Vermonts conspicuously peaceful existence coincided with the state having almost no gun control.

Where the NFCTA verges directly into gun control advocacy is in its recommendations section.

As to be expected with any bureaucracy, the several recommendations are aimed at increasing the agencys budget, power, and regulatory footprint. While some of the recommendations are rather benign, others could have a severe impact on gun owners.

For instance, ATF recommends a change to the criteria governing curio or relic firearms, and therefore the types of firearms collectors would be able to obtain using a Type 03 FFL. At present, 27 CFR 478.11 defines C&R firearms to include Firearms which were manufactured at least 50 years prior to the current date, but not including replicas thereof.

Seeking to further regulate the transfer of firearms that fall into that category, ATF stated, DOJ should review the C&R criteria in 27 C.F.R. 478 to determine if the more than 50 years old factor is still valid in determining that a firearm is truly a curio or relic. ATF goes on to whine about the types of firearms that have more recently become C&Rs. Tellingly, ATF doesnt allege that the current C&R scheme has had a detrimental effect on public safety.

Another ATF recommendation is for increased hiring of Industry Operations Investigators. IOIs are tasked with performing compliance inspections on Federal Firearms Licensees (gun dealers). ATF is seeking to more than double the number of field IOIs from 655 to 1,509.

This demand for more IOIs must be viewed in the context of the ongoing war on FFLs.

On June 23, 2021, the Biden-Harris Administration announced a new policy of zero tolerance for rogue gun dealers that willfully violate the law. The policy further specified that [a]bsent extraordinary circumstances that would need to be justified to the Director, ATF will seek to revoke the licenses of dealers the first time that they violate federal law . . . for certain specified violations.

This zero tolerance policy can result in the revocation of a well-meaning gun dealers license for minor mistakes, including simple paperwork errors. The new zero tolerance policy has a clear aim of reducing the number of federally licensed dealers, which will in turn make it more difficult for law-abiding Americans to exercise their Second Amendment rights. More than doubling the number of bureaucrats tasked with carrying out Bidens confused anti-gun scheme would further this attack on gun rights.

Unsatisfied with its limited ability to produce gun control advocacy, of which the NFCTA is an example, ATF recommends the creation of a permanent Analytics Division. The document noted that Analysis generated by the Analytics Division should be incorporated into publications designed for distribution to firearm industry members, policymakers, and the general public. As with the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions efforts in the 1980s and 90s, ATF appears intent on using taxpayer resources to advocate for gun regulation and its own power.

If this vague recommendation and other portions of the NFCTA have the distinct flavor of previous taxpayer-funded attacks on gun rights, thats because the document was produced in partnership with a veritable whos who of anti-gun researchers. With CDCs anti-gun advocacy funding restriction and fading reputation, these academics may be searching for another trough to gorge at.

The acknowledgements section of the NFCTA explains, The heart of this project is a unique partnership between ATF and members of academic institutions. The document then goes on to list those who contributed immeasurably to the report. This list includes such longtime gun control advocates/researchers as Anthony Braga, Philip J. Cook, and Garen J. Wintemute. Also included is Alaina De Biasi of the California Firearm Violence Research Center (that states taxpayer-funded gun control propaganda outfit).

Braga and Cook have both advocated for the imposition of severe gun control measures. In a December 2000 working paper titled Gun Control, the pair promoted a prohibitive federal tax on guns and ammunition. Acknowledging that such a tax would price lower-income individuals out of exercising their rights, the researchers wrote, we recognize that this tax is repressive, and will be particularly burdensome on poorer people who want a gun. Braga and Cook also endorsed federal legislation to criminalize the private transfer of firearms and contended that the government should advance devices to personalize guns, commonly understood as so-called smart gun technology.

The researchers looked favorably on the use of frivolous lawsuits against gun manufacturers as a form of leverage to secure acquiescence to state gun control measures. In endorsing public policy by lawfare, the two recalled events in one state, noting, the plaintiff's lawyers were successful in improving the terms of political trade by changing the status quo, and the result, while still quite moderate, went farther to control guns than otherwise would have been possible. The paper also endorsed state gun rationing schemes.

In a 1981 article for the Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology titled, The Saturday Night Special: An Assessment of Alternative Definitions from a Policy Perspective, Cook argued in favor of the efficacy of a ban on the manufacture and sale of small handguns. In a 1995 piece for the Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology, Cook advised, Gun shows should be regulated or abolished.

Perhaps best known to gun owners for having spent years skulking around gun shows with a hidden camera, Wintemute is the Director of the Violence Prevention Research Program at UC Davis - which is the site of Californias state-funded anti-gun factoid factory. Wintemute is a vocal critic of the CDC anti-gun advocacy funding restriction and has previously collaborated with handgun prohibition organization the Violence Policy Center.

There is no indication on when the remaining volumes of the NFCTA will be published. However, a reasonable person might expect this anti-gun collaboration to be wrapped up before January 3, 2023 the date the 118th Congress will be seated.

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ATF Partners with Anti-gun Researchers to Expand Agency's Power - NRA ILA

2022 NRA Annual Meetings And Exhibits In Houston, Texas | An Official Journal Of The NRA – America’s 1st Freedom

Im looking forward to seeing many of you over Memorial Day weekend at the 151st NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits in Houston, Texas. From entertainment to special events, its all happening in the Lone Star State, where NRA members will gather at the George R. Brown Convention Center May 27-29 to celebrate freedom and honor those who have served our country.

The NRA Annual Meeting is the largest gathering of NRA members and Second Amendment supporters in the United States. The Exhibit Hall, spanning more than 14 acres this year, will showcase the latest guns and gear from your favorite brands. Be sure to wear your best walking shoes, because with all that exhibit space, you can spend all three days exploring products from the most popular firearm companies in the country and still not see everything. You can book the hunt of a lifetime in our exclusive outfitter section, view priceless collections of firearms in the gun collector area, and observe an amazing array of knives, wildlife art, shooting accessories, hunting gear, ATVs and more.

On Friday, May 27 is the NRA-ILA Leadership Forumone of the most politically significant events around. Hear from our nations top Second Amendment leaders about what is at stake in the upcoming midterm elections. Additionally, NRA leadership will address the Association membershipalong with recognizing the youngest and oldest among usat the Annual Meeting of Members on Saturday, May 28.

The NRA Annual Meeting is one of my favorite events each year because its a celebration of patriotic values and the Second Amendment. With musical heavyweights Don McLean and Lee Greenwood headlining, the NRA Grand Ole Night of Freedom Concert on Saturday night is a must-attend event. Plus, you can support the NRA Institute for Legislative Actions lobbying efforts at the 14th Annual NRA-ILA Dinner and Auction on May 27.

One of the most talked about events each year, on May 27, the NRA Womens Leadership Forum Luncheon and Auction will once again connect philanthropic women and provide different avenues to defend our cherished Second Amendment rights. Theres also the NRA Womens New Energy Breakfast on Sunday, May 29, with coffee and conversation for like-minded female NRA members.

In addition, I want to encourage everyone attending to check out the many seminars that are available in Houston this year, such as the NRA Foundations National Firearms Law Seminar on May 27, which will cover important firearms law topics drawn from around the nation.

As you can see, this is a jam-packed weekend you will not want to miss! Admission to the NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits for NRA members and their immediate families is free. Learn more at nraam.org.

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2022 NRA Annual Meetings And Exhibits In Houston, Texas | An Official Journal Of The NRA - America's 1st Freedom

WITH POLL | ‘The wife and I no longer go to places that don’t allow open carry’ – Texarkana Gazette

TEXARKANA -- The 10 people killed make the May 14 gun attack at an upstate New York supermarket the deadliest mass shooting to date in the U.S.

Yet, it's just one of the reported 209 mass shootings the nation has seen since the beginning of 2022, according to the Gun Violence Archive.

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CAN'T SEE THE POLL QUESTION? Read the story at texarkanagazette.com/news/polls

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In the five days after 18-year-old Payton Gendron's alleged racist rampage at the Buffalo, New York, grocery, there were nine other mass shooting events in U.S. The Gun Violence Archive reports that those attacks killed 12 people and injured 59 others.

Closer to home, on May 12, one person was killed and four were injured when a gunman opened fire after a graduation ceremony in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Over Easter weekend a month ago, one person was killed and six others were hurt by gunfire at a pasture party north of Daingerfield, Texas.

As gun violence continues to mount across the nation, the Gazette was interested in learning what readers do to stay safe in public places. The responses vary, but there is a theme: being armed.

"I carry a Glock .26 everywhere," Jessie Morris said.

Reader Lewis Branan gave a two-prong plan for protection: "Remain vigilant; be armed. Self-preservation is the first law of nature."

The Second Amendment is a cornerstone of what Chris Loveall does to stay safe.

"Always be aware of my surroundings. I carry a concealed weapon everywhere unless it is prohibited," Loveall wrote. "I try not to frequent those places. Most mass shootings occur in places where guns are not allowed."

Daniel Sparks said while he practices concealed carry, it's not a show of bravado.

"(It's) for my family's protection. You never know what can happen one minute from the next," he wrote. "If I had only one piece of advice for those out there is to be aware of your surroundings. Don't walk with your head hung low and looking at the ground. Be aware."

The lengthiest response came from Tom Rainey, who builds his personal protection plan on being selective.

"The wife and I no longer go to places that don't allow open carry. We have also cut out establishments that are heavy on alcohol consumption. As a concealed handgun carrier, I still recognize guns and alcohol don't mix. Everyone needs to know strangers are strangers. We know nothing about them so why be around them always."

Above all, Rainey recommends that people put themselves in the safest situation possible, "even if it means cutting things out that were safe before."

"This world isn't safe," he said. "Don't be the one who was at the wrong place and wrong time. Your place to be is with your family."

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SURVIVING AN ACTIVE SHOOTING SITUATION

Sgt. Kim Weaver of the Texarkana Texas Police Department offers three suggestions on how to survive during an active shooting.

RUN. If you can escape and have an exit, escape and evacuate the premises. After you have exited and are safely away, call 911. Warn others that might try to go into the building if you see someone going that direction.

HIDE. If you can't exit the building and cannot escape, you need to hide. Try to get into a room and secure it, turn off the lights, and stay quiet. Call 911 and silence the ringer on your phone. If you can't get into a room, try to conceal yourself behind an object.

FIGHT. If you can't run or hide, fighting is the last resort if your life is in danger. Commit to what action you are going to take and act with physical aggression in an attempt to incapacitate the shooter.

"Always be aware of your environment and always have an exit plan," Weaver said.

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WITH POLL | 'The wife and I no longer go to places that don't allow open carry' - Texarkana Gazette

Letters: Mike DeWine has moved too far to the right – The Columbus Dispatch

Letters to the Editor| The Columbus Dispatch

I am 100% with Kathie Bailey May 19 letter "Sorry, Mike, no more'."

The three issues required to be met by a politician to garner her vote are spot-on.

Well said. We must continue to speak out and then vote.

Kathleen Rosati,Westerville

Ho hum. Another mass shooting by a man carrying a legal paramilitary weapon bought legally by the 18-year-old but then modified.

Officials say the motive wasracism, no doubt fed by those in conservative media (Foxs Tucker Carlson included), piggybacking on the fear of a non-existent Critical Race Theory, not satisfied with cancelling history.

More: Our view: Proposed laws open Ohio kids up to hateful ideology, racist conspiracies

These fearmongers, backed by a majority of Republican elected officials, through willful agreement or dead silence, have introduced a new fear tactic: the replacement theory, which implies that minorities are coming to replace us, the whites.

Blacks, whose descendants were brought here as slaves centuries before ourEuropean descendants arrived, and who were counted by our Framers as 3/5 of a person, are here to replace us?

Latinos are coming to take our jobs?

The jobs most of us dont want?

More: Greater Columbus schools lack teacher diversity, and some fear HB 616 could make it worse

Hatred and ignorance have caused Republicans toabandon their principles while also abandoning the Constitution, ignoring Supreme Court nominations and election results, and allowing the misinterpretation of The Second Amendment to destroy so many lives.

They willingly choose to cause fear for two reasons they have nothing positive to offer our country, and because of their own fears fear of Trump, and, mostly, fear that standing up against racism, hate and the NRA will end the cash gravy train that they are riding.

Greg Ward, Dublin

More: How to submit guest opinion columns to the Columbus Dispatch

I read Stan Fulk's May 3 letter, "No one is saying you can't be LGBTQ+" inresponse to Jasmine Nicole Miller's April 28 column, "Transwoman: HB 616 a step against love,' understanding'."

More: Letters: Columbus needs Amtrak badly. Rent control isn't a good idea for Columbus.

So, since House Bill 616 would ban both instruction and materials about sexual orientation and gender identity from kindergarten through third grade in all public and most private schools,we can conclude thatnoinstruction and materials about being heterosexual (or, for that matter, anything other than heterosexual) will be included as well...? (Hmmm.)

Jim Mergner, Columbus

More: How to submit a letter to the editor for The Columbus Dispatch

I couldnt agree more with Kathie Baileys May 19 letter "Sorry, Mike, no more'."

Her letter summarizes the feelings of a great number of Ohioans.

More: Who's Matt Huffman? The Lima man running the show at the Ohio Statehouse

I am a registered Republican but DeWine and the entire Republican party has moved too far right for me,and many more people than the Trump Republican party has realized.

They will find out however at the next election.The real question is, where are the moderate candidates in either party?

Chet Ridenour,Worthington

Note from Opinion Editor Amelia Robinson: Today's page features two viewsopposing student loan debt forgiveness, which isbeing considered by President Joe Biden.

What do you think of the subject and the views?

Let us know in a letter to the editor of 200 words or less sent to Letters@Dispatch.com. Include your name, address and phone number.

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Letters: Mike DeWine has moved too far to the right - The Columbus Dispatch

Opinion | The conservative foundation is laid and Alabama is ready to build back better – Alabama Political Reporter

The Alabama Legislatures 2022 regular session ended recently, marking the conclusion of a successful quadrennium that began in 2019. Throughout four regular sessions and numerous special sessions, I am proud to say that my colleagues defended Alabamas conservative values, fought for hardworking Alabamians in every corner of our great state, and took significant steps to strengthen Alabamas future and economy.

In this past session alone, lawmakers helped spearhead $160 million worth of annual tax cuts for Alabama families, small businesses, farmers, and retirees.

Thanks to conservative fiscal management by the legislature in recent years, we were able to deliver these much-needed tax cuts to ease the burden on Alabamians without negatively affecting vital government services, such as law enforcement, infrastructure, and education.

At the same time, weve made historic strides toward expanding affordable, high-speed internet access to all Alabamians, regardless of their zip code. Senate Majority Leader Clay Scofield, R-Guntersville, has been a stalwart leader in this critical effort, and the result has been not only unprecedented investments and public-private partnerships related to broadband expansion, but also innovative, comprehensive planning that will guarantee resources are allocated strategically, efficiently, and as expeditiously as possible.

On that note, innovation has been an overarching theme of this quadrennium for the legislature.

Along with Governor Kay Ivey, her administration, legislative colleagues, and private sector stakeholders, we concluded our work with the Alabama Innovation Commission and put legislation in motion that formed the Alabama Innovation Corporation. I am honored to serve as an ex-officio board member as well vice-chair of the Corporation, and Im thrilled at the progress we have made in a short time at cementing the Yellowhammer State as a burgeoning hub for 21stcentury entrepreneurship and technology.

From electric vehicles and modern automotive manufacturing to the aerospace and defense industry, biomedicine, cutting-edge scientific research, precision agriculture, and landmark developments at the Port of Mobile, the Alabama Legislature has proactively supported the growth of well-paying jobs and greater opportunity in all 67 of our counties.

My colleagues have also been laser-focused at guaranteeing our workforce is able to meet the demands of a 21st century economy. While we still have work to do, this quadrennium fashioned several pieces of legislation that compensate and treat our teachers like the professionals they are while striving to see all our students reach their full potential.

Its certainly notable that Alabama Republicans tackled all of this while not compromising on our values, core beliefs, or way of life.

We took steps to further secure our elections, including a ban on curbside voting and limiting the influence that private funds have on elections in Alabama, ultimately strengthening the integrity of our elections. Even though wed put our election system and processes up to anyone elses nationwide, we can never stop working to make it easy to vote and hard to cheat.

Additionally, Alabama Senate Republicans know that the Second Amendment codifies inalienable rights that we will never allow to be infringed. After years of work, my colleagues and I were elated to pass constitutional carry and the Second Amendment Preservation Act, pushing back on President Joe Bidens radical gun control agenda.

Finally, and most importantly, the Alabama Legislature has been a champion for the most critical right of all the sacred, God-given right to life. With the Supreme Court of the United States potentially on the cusp of overturning the disastrous Roe v. Wade decision, Alabama Republicans this quadrennium have prepared the people of our state for this very moment.

By passing a constitutional amendment declaring Alabama a pro-life state and passing the most pro-life law in the country, we are ready and willing for the State of Alabama to again have the power to protect the unborn. Nothing is more important than being a voice for the voiceless and protecting the most vulnerable among us.

In Fiscal Year 2022, the legislature made a $772 million investment in communities across the state with will impact Alabamians for generations. Lawmakers appropriated the first round of federal dollars from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) in January to assist with challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. It is imminent that we will be tasked with allocating a second round of federal dollars, and I am confident that we will again make fiscally sound investments for the future of all Alabamians

I am proud of the work the Alabama Legislature has accomplished these past four years, but Im also filled with hope for the future of our state knowing that the best is yet to come.

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Opinion | The conservative foundation is laid and Alabama is ready to build back better - Alabama Political Reporter