Category: Business

NYT Obliterates the Myth That Planned Parenthood Is About Anything Other than Abortion

Once in a while, the mainstream media does something useful — even if it’s just saying the quiet part out loud.

I came across a New York Times piece from earlier this month that makes some startling revelations about one of the left’s biggest sacred cows: Planned Parenthood. Reporter Katie Benner begins her piece by telling the story of a woman who went to Planned Parenthood for an abortion.

The single mother still experienced bleeding and cramps after the procedure, so she returned to Planned Parenthood, where clinicians told her that she was fine and that nothing was wrong. She later delivered a stillborn baby at 12 weeks. It’s a heartbreaking account, but it’s also a worthwhile springboard to Planned Parenthood’s failures.

Benner reports:

Planned Parenthood is synonymous with the fight to preserve abortion rights. But it is also the health care provider of last resort to millions of the poorest Americans. Its clinics offer cancer screenings, birth control, annual gynecological exams, and prenatal care, regardless of whether patients can afford to pay. The organization is unique in its reach, one of the few health care providers with a presence in all 50 states.

But a New York Times review of clinic documents and legal filings, as well as interviews with more than 50 current and former Planned Parenthood executives, consultants, and medical staff members, found that some clinics are so short of cash that care has suffered. Many operate with aging equipment and poorly trained staff, as turnover has increased because of rock-bottom salaries. Patient counts have shrunk from a high of five million and 900 clinics in the 1990s to 2.1 million patients and 600 clinics today.

Planned Parenthood has massively fundraised off the Dobbs decision in 2022, to the tune of nearly $500 million that year alone. However, the organization’s bylaws require that the vast majority of that money go toward lobbying for baby-killing. Thus, the functions of Planned Parenthood that genuinely help people go underfunded or totally unfunded.

Benner points out that much of the funding for healthcare at Planned Parenthood clinics comes from Medicaid, and that varies from state to state. To be fair, the disjointed nature of state funding hurts the healthcare side of the organization.

However, another one of the left’s sacred cows is at odds with this part of Planned Parenthood’s mission. Obamacare is giving poor women more options for healthcare, which means that fewer of them go to these clinics for procedures other than abortion.

Clinics are running out of money for healthcare options, so they’re running out of supplies, failing to properly keep up facilities, and laying off staff. But can you guess which aspect of Planned Parenthood thrives? You guessed it: abortion.

“There are bright spots, especially in areas of the country that support abortion rights,” Benner reports. It’s tremendously sad to see the phrases “bright spots” and “abortion rights” in the same sentence.

She continues:

Planned Parenthood in Illinois recently opened an 11,200 square foot, state-of-the-art facility in Carbondale, a few hours drive from the borders of Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Missouri, which have banned or severely restricted abortion. The affiliate boosted salaries for staff and improved benefit packages as it prepared to welcome women from nearby states who were seeking abortions.

An affiliate in Ohio made substantial upgrades to an abortion clinic, and clinics in Southern New England have kept wait times low.

In conservative media, we often use the clickbait phrase “saying the quiet part out loud” in headlines. In this case, the New York Times did just that.

In lamenting Planned Parenthood’s trouble with healthcare funding, Benner reveals that the organization is keeping the main thing the main thing and focusing on abortion. That has always been Planned Parenthood’s primary mission and always will be — regardless of how hard the left tries to push the myth that Planned Parenthood is all about healthcare.

Gov. Rhoden Signs Pro-Second Amendment Bill into Law

Gov. Rhoden Signs Pro-Second Amendment Bill into Law

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Larry Rhoden signed SB 81, which prohibits the use of a firearms code for transactions involving firearms, accessories, components, and ammunition and to provide a civil penalty therefor.

“I am proud to protect our Second Amendment rights with the signing of this bill,” said Governor Larry Rhoden. “South Dakota has seen strong growth of our firearm industry, and this bill will help that continue. I am grateful that both the bankers and the firearm industry came together on this issue.”

A private signing ceremony was held this morning and included representatives from South Dakota’s growing firearms industry, South Dakota’s banking industry, the National Rifle Association, and prime sponsors of the bill. You can find a picture of Governor Rhoden signing SB 81 here.

Governor Rhoden has signed 35 bills into law this legislative session.

BLUF
In the unlikely event Mexico’s case is not dismissed, President Sheinbaum would do well to remember that discovery in civil litigation in America goes both ways

Trump Designating Cartels Terrorists Isn’t ‘Worrisome’ To Lawful U.S. Gun Manufacturers

The assertion that U.S. firearm manufacturers ‘sell arms to criminals’ is a flat-out lie.

President Donald Trump’s State Department has officially designated several murderous drug cartels, including Tren de Aragua and MS-13, as foreign terrorist organizations. Bloomberg Opinion columnist Juan Pablo Spinetto labeled that decision “worrying” while attempting to argue against the president’s move.

Never mind the thousands of lives lost every year to drug cartel violence in both Mexico and the United States. Pay no attention to the more than 250,000 American deaths since 2018 from illegal drug use by fentanyl smuggled into the United States from Mexico across a virtually open Biden-era border. Disregard that after four years of woeful inaction by an American president barely at the steering wheel, the new Trump administration is following through with the campaign promises he made to the American people to protect them from such violence. Spinetto has other concerns.

While describing to readers why, in his determination, President Trump’s move forward to label Mexican narco-terrorist drug cartels as international terrorist organizations would be “worrisome,” Spinetto takes an uninformed and bogus potshot at the lawful and highly-regulated U.S. firearm industry.

“The proposal to treat cartels as terrorists … adds significant collateral risks: Anyone who has contacts with narcos, knowingly or not, could be accused of collaborating with terrorists, from avocado producers in Michoacán that pay to stay alive to the US gun industry that has been selling arms to criminals,” Spinetto writes. The assertion that U.S. firearm manufacturers “sell arms to criminals” is a flat-out lie.

Mexico, of course, has no Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms for its citizens and the one and only firearm retailer in the country is in the heart of Mexico City, located on a military base. Firearms legally exported from the United States to the Mexican military have gone through rigorous and thorough end-to-end security checks, attempting to ensure that American-made guns do not fall into the hands of anyone else, especially the cartels.

After all, there are documented reports of Mexican soldiers defecting to work for narco-terrorist drug cartels, bringing with them over 150,000 firearms stolen from Mexican armories. Virtually all of the firearms used by the Mexican drug cartels, on the other hand, are illicitly possessed illegal arms unlawfully smuggled into Mexico by a network of drug cartels, through theft or straight-up government corruption. These facts are well known. Spinetto knows all of this too, of course, but the facts are inconvenient for his argument.

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‘Second Amendment Summer’ tax holiday on guns and ammo in DeSantis’ proposed budget
DeSantis unveiled his proposed $115.6 billion budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year during a news conference in Tallahassee on Monday

A new sales-tax “holiday” on guns and ammunition is one of several included in Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ new proposed state budget.

DeSantis unveiled his proposed $115.6 billion budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year during a news conference in Tallahassee on Monday.

The budget includes a number of temporary tax savings, or “holidays,” that the governor’s office says will provide around $296 million in temporary tax savings.

Many of the tax holidays are returning after they were included in previous budgets.

But among the new ones is the “Second Amendment Summer” sales-tax holiday, which would run between Memorial Day and the Fourth of July.

The measure would temporarily remove sales taxes on ammunition, firearms and related items and would save shoppers an estimated $8 million, according to the governor’s office.

“We are unveiling the ‘Second Amendment Summer’ tax holiday, so from Memorial Day to the Fourth of July, you can get your ammunition, your firearms, and your accoutrements tax free in the state of Florida,” DeSantis said Monday.

Another new savings measure in the budget is a “Marine Fuel” tax holiday. That two-month holiday would provide a 29.5 cents per gallon reduction of the motor fuel taxes levied on commonly used boat fuels, saving boaters $27 million, the governor’s office said.

Among the measures returning would be the 14-day “Back-to-School” sales tax holiday that exempts certain school supplies, clothing, computers and other items ahead of the start of the school year.

Here’s what you can get tax-free during Florida’s back-to-school sales tax holiday. As the calendar inches closer to the start of a new school year, parents are busy helping their children get ready by stocking up on school supplies. NBC6’s Kris Anderson has more on Florida’s back-to-school tax holiday.
A pair of “Disaster Preparedness” sales tax holidays are also included, which apply to certain supplies at the start and height of hurricane season.

Also returning would be a 7-day “Tool Time” sales tax holiday on certain power tools and equipment used by skilled trade workers.

A “Freedom Month” sales tax holiday would also return in July, which includes boating, fishing and camping supplies like pool toys, tents, and even kayaks. Outdoor supplies such as grills and bicycles will also be tax-free.

Trump nominee will review Biden restrictions on firearms exports

WASHINGTON, Feb 3 (Reuters) – President Donald Trump’s nominee to head the Commerce Department said on Monday he will review the Biden administration’s year-old restrictions on firearms exports that were aimed at limiting foreign criminal groups acquiring U.S. guns.

Nominee Howard Lutnick said in written comments that if confirmed he would “ensure the department reviews this policy and takes appropriate action.”

After a temporary export pause on firearms exports in 2023, the Biden administration in April 2024 imposed restrictions on sales to non-governmental users in 36 countries where the State Department determined the firearms were at high risk of diversion.

At the time, the Commerce Department forecast the restrictions would reduce average annual U.S. firearms exports by 7% or $40 million.
Lutnick was responding to a question from Senator Eric Schmitt who said the policy “cost U.S. manufacturers and exporters hundreds of millions of dollars annually.”

An industry association estimated in 2023 that the sales loss would be $238 million a year.

Then-Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said the rules would limit diversions of guns to drug cartels, criminal groups, gangs and others. “The days of exporting military-style weapons to civilians in unstable countries are over,” Raimondo said.

The Senate Commerce Committee will vote on Lutnick’s nomination on Wednesday.

GOP Senators Introduce Bill Prohibiting Gov’t. Contracts with Anti-2A Groups

A group of 22 Republican U.S. Senators have signed onto legislation which weeks to prohibit the federal government from using taxpayer money to enter into contracts with known anti-Second Amendment corporations.

Led by Montana Sen. Steve Daines, the group is sponsoring the Firearm Industry Non-Discrimination (FIND) Act.

According to an announcement from Daines’ office, he is joined by Senators Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.).

In a statement released to the press, Daines explained, “Democrats and woke corporations have proven over and over again that they want to carry out an unconstitutional, overreaching gun-grabbing agenda, and under no circumstances should our federal government use taxpayer dollars for these efforts. Doing business with anti-Second Amendment corporations erodes Americans’ trust and infringes on law-abiding citizens’ Constitutional rights. It must stop.”

One of the most infuriating and alarming moves by the Biden-Harris administration was the creation of the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, staffed by people from the gun control movement. This office should immediately disappear when Donald Trump is sworn in as the 47th President Jan. 20.

Lawrence Keane, senior vice president and general counsel at the National Shooting Sports Foundation, announced support for the measure.

“This legislation is critical to ensuring ‘woke’ corporations don’t use their financial might, funded by taxpayers, to deny essential services to the firearm industry,” Keane said. “Corporations, in particular financial institutions, have been dictating public policies from boardrooms that throttle firearm businesses, which are Constitutionally protected. This bill will no longer allow those corporations to benefit from taxpayer dollars while at the same time using those funds to deny Americans their Second Amendment rights. We thank Senator Daines for his leadership to ensure fairness in business, reasserting Congress’s role in ensuring the federal government isn’t picking winners and losers in the marketplace based on politics, and protecting the ability of a lawful industry to compete for services without artificial and agenda-driven barriers.”

Daines introduced the seven-page bill twice before, explaining that the FIND Act “ensures that corporations cannot benefit from taxpayer-funded contracts and subcontracts while discriminating against firearm trade associations or businesses that deal in firearms, ammunition, or related products.”

Lawmakers Introduce Measure Outlawing Federal Gun Registry

The threat of gun registration has long been a concern for U.S. gun owners, and for a very good reason: registration always leads to confiscation. Now, two U.S. lawmakers have introduced legislation to prevent any potential gun registration schemes in the future.

On January 16, U.S. Sen. Jim Risch, R-Idaho, and Rep. Michael Cloud, R-Texas, introduced the “No Retaining Every Gun In a System that Restricts Your (REGISTRY) Rights Act.” Although its name is somewhat awkward, this legislation is commendable as it would prevent the U.S. government from establishing a federal firearms registry.

Among other things, the act would require the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to eliminate all existing firearm transaction records, permit federal firearms licensees (FFLs) to destroy transaction records upon going out of business and prevent the ATF from establishing or maintaining a firearms registry in the future.

The weaponized ATF’s overreach in implementing several new final rules under the Biden Administration was the impetus for the introduction of the measure.

“The ATF’s excessive overreach has gone unchecked for too long,” Sen. Risch said in a press release announcing the legislation. “Idaho’s law-abiding gun owners should not be subject to an already illegal federal firearms registry. The Second Amendment is not conditional to a list of guns in circulation and their owners. All law-abiding Americans have the undeniable right to keep and bear arms. My No REGISTRY Rights Act will safeguard this essential liberty for generations to come.”

Rep. Cloud, the measure’s sponsor in the U.S. House of Representatives, said that Americans’ right to keep and bear arms should not be subject to a government inventory.

“The Second Amendment is a cornerstone of individual liberty, and no administration—Republican or Democrat—should have the ability to compile a list of law-abiding gun owners,” Cloud said. “The Biden administration’s backdoor attempts to create a federal firearms registry are a clear threat to Americans’ privacy and constitutional freedoms. The No REGISTRY Rights Act will dismantle the ATF’s existing database and ensure such a registry can never be implemented.”

In April 2022, the Biden Administration issued a final rule requiring that FFLs retain all firearm transaction records indefinitely. Since 1984, federal regulations have permitted FFLs to discard records older than 20 years, as the “time-to-crime”—the interval between a firearm’s last known legal sale and its use in a crime—rarely exceeds two decades.

Risch and Cloud were joined in introducing the No REGISTRY Rights Act by Republican U.S. senators Mike Crapo of Idaho, Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming, Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy of Montana, Roger Marshall of Kansas), Pete Ricketts of Nebraska, Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma, Cindy Hyde-Smith of Mississippi and 47 members of the House of Representatives.

This Gun Store Owner Just Forced the ATF to Reverse an Anti-Gun ‘Zero Tolerance’ Policy

Score another victory for gun rights. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) has reversed its “zero tolerance” policy created under the Biden administration to infringe on the right to keep and bear arms.

The policy allowed the ATF to revoke the licenses of firearms dealers who make common clerical errors on their paperwork. Several small gun shops have been forced out of business because of the rule.

Michael Cargill, owner of Central Texas Gun Works, joined with the Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF) in a lawsuit against the White House over the unconstitutional measure. The Biden administration capitulated before the lawsuit could be decided in the courts and reverted back to the previous policy, which only allows the ATF to revoke licenses for “willful” offenses, not small clerical errors, according to a press release issued by the TPPF.

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LaPierre Pays Up $, Lawyer Brewer Resigns, Our Causes Advance : NRA Board After Action Report

Dallas, Texas, January 12, 2025 – The Winter meeting of the NRA Board of Directors wrapped up just after midnight last night (January 11/12/25) in Dallas, after almost a week of committee meetings and a long, sometimes contentious meeting of the Board.

The big news from the meeting was confirmation that Wayne LaPierre has tendered payment of over $4 million to the NRA. The payment covers the total judgment against LaPierre issued in last year’s civil trial, plus interest.

As I understand it, Mr. LaPierre has filed a notice of appeal on that judgment, so the NRA will need to hold onto the money until that or any other appeals are finally concluded, which could take years. The wheels of justice turn slowly.

The Board wasn’t satisfied with LaPierre’s payment though, passing a strongly-worded resolution expressing their commitment to recovering all legal fees and other expenses paid by NRA on behalf of LaPierre in relation to the lawsuit.

A few of LaPierre’s long-time friends and supporters on the Board tried to argue against “kicking a man while he’s down,” but after some debate over wording, the resolution passed on a strong majority voice vote. Like the payment already received, this claw-back commitment will not yield substantive action until all appeals are concluded, which could take years, but at least we’ve begun the process.

Another action of significance from the meeting was the dissolution of the Special Litigation Committee.

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Experience for the Future: To Revive, Reform & Rebuild the NRA

John C. Sigler Running for 2025 NRA Board

I am running to return to the NRA Board of Directors because I love the NRA, and I fear for her well-being and continued viability.

My name is John Sigler. I am a retired Police Captain, a veteran of the U.S. Navy’s Submarine Service, a lifelong Second Amendment activist, a lifelong hunter, collector, and competitive shooter, and an experienced corporate attorney. [John also writes for AmmoLand News]

My passion is Second Amendment legal research and advocacy. All of my pro bono legal work is centered upon and revolves around the defense of The Right to Keep and Bear Arms.

I had the honor and privilege of serving as NRA’s 59th president (2007-2009) during the “Glory Years” immediately following Charlton Heston’s time as our president.

To be painfully blunt, our beloved NRA is not what it once was, nor what it could be and should be today. Over the past few years, the NRA has been lied to, lied about, used, abused, swindled, spindled, and mutilated – and we, “The Members”, have paid the price.

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NRA Board Election Face Off: ‘Reform’ Candidates, NRA 2.0

Author’s Note: This is one part of a two-part series on the upcoming 2025 NRA Board of Directors election. In writing this, I’ve tried to give equal exposure to both camps in message, word count, and number of people whose opinions were represented. Due to a glut of information, some prospective candidates or board members who responded towards the end of the editorial process were told their contributions were not needed due to spatial constraints. As an NRA Benefactor Life Member, I want to see a strong and viable NRA. Please be sure to read my coverage of the opposing camp: NRA Board Election Face Off: ‘Old Guard’ Incumbents, Strong NRA.

“The NRA shall adopt a Director Nomination Policy […] such that the Nominating Committee shall then endeavor to identify up to 20 additional candidates who […are considered] ‘New Qualified Candidates,’” was a portion of the December 11, 2024 order in People of N.Y. et.al. v. The National Rifle Association, et.al. The annual NRA board of directors elections are going to be changing. There have been contentious races in the last few years and this year is no different. A cadre of board members and board candidates self-describe as “Reformers.” While there’s a list of incumbents who self-describe as “Strong NRA,” and are being labeled a so-called “Cabal.”

The December 11 order identifies 13 specific actions the NRA must take in the coming years. Both the NRA and New York Attorney General Letitia James have claimed victory after the final judgment. The list of requirements has a lot to do with transparency for the members as well as serving board members.

Not so quietly over the years a group of members, board members, and those eying a seat at the board of directors’ table, have assembled to speak out against the actions of other board members and employees of the NRA. These folks have come together and galvanized as the Reform Candidates.

Who are and what do the Reform Candidates believe in?

We are NRA members running for the 2025 Board of Directors and we are ready to meet the challenges facing us head-on and secure the future of the NRA. We are  concerned about the status quo of the organization and the internal issues impacting our mission. Membership has been demanding a change and we are ready, willing, and able to make that change.

We believe the governing of the NRA should be based on integrity and transparency. We are dedicated to the fight and challenges that lie ahead, and we are committed. We are here to serve the members. To do that though, we need your help. You MUST VOTE!
…
Who are we?

On this website, you can see who each candidate is, where we came from, and what we stand for. We want to restore the trust and faith of the NRA members because the NRA exists for its members. We will continue to fight for the 2nd Amendment and bring the NRA back to its mission of creating and supporting shooting programs, competitive shooting, and furthering firearm safety and education. Our goal is to bring the NRA back to the Mission and Core Values that made it the great organization it once was.

What are we asking?

We are asking you to VOTE in this upcoming election.  Make your choice by completely filling in the circle next to the name with a pen or pencil. Two are Write-In candidates: Charlie Brown of Dayton, OH, and Paul Babaz of Atlanta, GA. Please clearly write in their full name, city, and state on the reverse side of the ballot. They were denied the opportunity to have their names printed on the ballot. These 28 candidates support the Mission and Core Values of NRA 2.0. So, please mail it in before the deadline of  April 6, 2025.

We will fight for you and the NRA!

But without your support and VOTE, we can’t win that fight. Thank you in advance for your VOTE!

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Americans Likely Bought More than 15 Millions Guns in 2024

Americans still really love guns, as highlighted by the latest statistics for over-the-counter retail firearm sales from last year.

The year-end data published by the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System show 28,097,205 checks were logged between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2024, with the busiest single week being that of Black Friday, which saw 613,380 checks.

The National Shooting Sports Foundation analyzed the figures for last year, and after removing checks and rechecks for firearms permits, found that no less than 15,239,011 checks were for likely retail gun sales. Further, 2024 continued a now 65-month trend of consumers purchasing over a million firearms monthly. 

“We are proud that NSSF member companies continue to serve the American public that chooses to exercise their Second Amendment rights by the millions each month,” said NSSF President and CEO Joe Bartozzi. “These background check figures show strong sales and that today’s firearm manufacturers are delivering high-quality products. We are proud that our member companies continue to exceed the high standards that law-abiding Americans demand when it comes to the products that allow them to exercise their Second Amendment rights.”

Going past the NICS data, the true number of guns sold nationwide is even higher.

This is because federal background check numbers don’t include private person-to-person gun transfers in most states or cases where a carry permit is used as an alternative to the background check requirements of the 1994 Brady Law, which allows the transfer of a firearm over the counter by a federal firearms license holder without first performing a NICS check. Further, it doesn’t capture homemade firearms unless assembled on serialized frames or receivers, or purposely registered by the builder with local authorities.

Discussion Of Final Judgment Item By Item

Judge Joel Cohen’s Final Judgment has been released. Realistically, I think both sides can claim victory as it grants measures to both the New York Attorney General’s Office and to the NRA. On my initial reading of the document, I wish Judge Cohen had gone a bit further. It does emphasize just how important the 2025 Board of Directors election will be for the future of the NRA.

The Final Judgment does follow much of what was said in court in the last hearing. For example, Judge Cohen was critical of the petition process calling it “antiquated” and thought it could be done electronically. That is in the Final Judgment. Another example is that Judge Cohen was leery of having the recommendations from the Committee on Organization on board size die “a quiet death in committee”. The Final Judgment mandates the committee have its proposals ready for the April 2025 board meeting.

The Final Judgment itself covers seven pages and the remainder of the 25 page document is composed of exhibits. The Final Judgment starts with the Stipulations agreed to by defendants Joshua Powell and Wilson “Woody” Phillips. It then goes on to dismiss the 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th causes of action in the NYAG’s Second Amendment Complaint. These dealt primarily with permanent bars on the named defendants along with items covered in the stipulations. The Final Judgment then moves to the remedial actions that the NRA shall implement.

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Now, they need to relocate the corporation from New York before James fonds something  else to sue them for .

NRA Successfully Resolves Longstanding Legal Battle with New York Attorney General

December 11, 2024

The National Rifle Association of America (NRA) today announced the successful conclusion of a multi-year legal battle with New York Attorney General Letitia James. In August 2020, James sued to dissolve the Association and seize its assets following a campaign-trail promise to target the Association, its banks, and its donors. After the NRA defeated the NYAG’s “corporate death penalty” claim, James sought a court-appointed monitor to oversee the gun group. The court rejected that request this summer.

In the end, Justice Joel Cohen denied all invasive relief sought by the government. Instead, the court’s order is tailored to compliance and governance measures in the NRA’s interest—many proposed by the NRA itself, and several of which were already underway at the Association. The NRA pays no fines or penalties under today’s judgment. Instead, the judgment entitles the NRA to collect millions of dollars from former executives found to have breached their duties.

“The NYAG sought to shut us down, and then appoint outsiders to oversee management of this historic organization,” said NRA President Bob Barr. “Fortunately for freedom lovers everywhere, this politically motivated attempt failed. This was the ultimate stand at our moment of truth – defeating an unprecedented attack from the highest levels of New York government. The NRA remains strong, safe, and independent – continuing to protect freedoms.”

Today’s judgment caps a six-year saga during which the NRA withstood not only the NYAG’s lawsuit, but a barrage of other blue-state regulatory actions, sweeping congressional inquiries, and a debanking effort by New York officials that became the subject of a blockbuster Supreme Court decision in May. In that case, NRA v. Vullo, all nine justices backed the Association’s First Amendment claims, and the ACLU stood shoulder to shoulder with the NRA against New York.

“The last six years have been difficult for NRA members, staff, and supporters,” said NRA CEO and Executive Vice President Doug Hamlin. “With Judge Cohen’s ruling, we can now put this challenging chapter in NRA history behind us and focus solely on the business of the members and all law-abiding gun owners. The NRA is committed to transparency, compliance, and good governance going forward. Today’s outcome ensures that NRA members can support the Association, America’s oldest civil rights organization, with confidence.”

California Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Against Smith & Wesson Over Synagogue Shooting

On the last day of Passover in 2019 a 19-year-old man walked into the Chabad of Poway synagogue in Poway, California and opened fire, killing a 60-year-old woman and injuring three others, including the synagogue’s rabbi. The shooter, who fled the synagogue after his gun jammed and was taken into custody by police a short time later, was ultimately sentenced to life without the possibility of parole for his shooting spree.

The gun control group Brady, working with some of the victims of the Poway shooting, filed suit against gunmaker Smith & Wesson, as well as San Diego Guns, the store that sold the rifle to the shooter. In 2021 a judge on Superior Court of California for San Diego County allowed the lawsuit to proceed despite the arguments from the gunmaker that the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act precluded lawsuits seeking to hold gunmakers responsible for the acts of criminals, but this week Superior Court Judge Wendy Behan granted Smith & Wesson’s motion to dismiss after determining that the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act does apply to the case.

In her decision, Behan noted that while the PLCAA generally preempts civil actions for damages and injunctive relief against gun makers and sellers arising from the criminal misuse of firearms, there is a “predicate exception” that allows litigation when “where a manufacturer or seller knowingly violated a State or Federal Statute applicable to the sale or marketing of the product, where violation proximately caused the harm” that led to the lawsuit.

In this case, Brady and the plaintiffs contended that Smith & Wesson knowingly violated California’s prohibition on the possession of “assault weapons”, the federal prohibition on the sale of full-auto “machineguns”, and California’s prohibition on “deceptive, untrue or misleading advertising”. This was one of the first cases where a gun control group tried to argue that legally, there’s no functional difference between a semi-automatic rifle and a full-auto machine gun, but Behan shot down that claim in her decision.

Plaintiffs allege that the rifle used in the shooting was a fully automatic “machinegun” because it could allegedly be modified, thereby violating 18 U.S.C. § 922(b)(4). However, the evidence shows the rifle used, the M&P 15, is a California-compliant semi-automatic rifle not designed to function as a machinegun.

The US Supreme Court recently held in Garland v. Cargill (2024) 602 U.S.406, 410: “[s]emi-automatic firearms, which require shooters to reengage the trigger for every shot, are not machineguns” as defined in 26 U.S.C. § 5845(b).

While plaintiffs argue that modifications could make the rifle illegal, there is no evidence that the shooter intended to or did modify the firearm. Forty-year-old ATF agency interpretations relied upon by plaintiffs are not binding on this court and ultimately lack relevance due to the lack of ambiguity in the statutory definition of a machinegun, which excludes firearms not originally designed for automatic fire.

The evidence remains undisputed that that Smith & Wesson “S&W” manufactured the rifle as a semiautomatic firearm, and the shooter used the rifle as a semi-automatic firearm.

Gun control advocates, including officials for the city of Chicago, are making essentially the same argument in their lawsuit against Glock; that the semi-automatic pistols should be treated like they’re full-auto machine guns because they can be illegally converted to full-auto fire. While Behan’s ruling won’t have a direct impact on that litigation, her reasoning can and should be applied to Chicago’s lawsuit.

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Smith & Wesson Gets Booted Off Facebook

One of the oldest firearms manufacturers in the United States, with generations of history supplying legal firearms worldwide to law enforcement, police and other government organizations, not to mention millions of civilian customers, has had their Facebook account shut down.

Getting the boot

According to a post that Smith & Wesson made on The Social Media Platform Formerly Known As Twitter (“X,” as Elon Musk wants us to call it now), the historic manufacturer saw their Facebook account canceled in late November, 2024. Here’s their announcement, verbatim:

Despite our extensive efforts and resources spent on trying to adhere to Facebook’s ever-changing community guidelines on firearms, our account was suspended indefinitely on Friday, November 22nd, 15 years after its original creation.

In an era where free speech and the right to bear arms are under constant attack, we want to thank @elonmusk and @X for supporting free speech and our constitutional rights guaranteed by the 1st and 2nd Amendments.

While we work to reinstate our account, we encourage our 1.6 million Facebook followers and fans to seek out platforms that represent these shared values.

https://twitter.com/Smith_WessonInc/status/1861856272657822178

 

They posted the following image of their ban announcement as well:

And for his part, Twitter/X owner Elon Musk replied to Smith & Wesson’s post by saying “We restored the gun emoji and believe in the Constitution 🔫🔫.”

An ongoing trend

While some readers might be surprised by this news, they shouldn’t be. Meta-owned Facebook is just one of many online platforms that continue to enact restrictions on legal firearm owners—I myself have received warnings for posting photos from a hunting stand. YouTube creators have seen their channels targeted by anti-firearm restrictions in recent months. In an era of political and social instability, Big Tech appears to be doubling down on its slow march to ban public displays of firearms, instead of walking back policies that discriminate against gun owners.

Software Development Goes Full Brown Shirt On 3D Printing

Software makers have solidified their place as useful idiots for the anti-Second Amendment agenda by leading the charge when it comes to the development of programs that detect gun parts being made by 3D printers, block those prints and in some cases, automatically notify the authorities. Claiming that these advances are aimed at curbing the illegal printing of firearms and firearms parts, these companies have donned their brown shirts a bit too quickly and have not the first clue regarding the tradition and constitutionality of homemade guns in America.

Cloud-based 3D printing management platform 3DPrinterOS has partnered with Montclair State University to develop an algorithm that identifies the 3D printing of firearm parts, but they are not the first. Print&Go recently launched a software system designed to block 3D-printed production of firearms called 3D GUN’T. What this software does not offer before it invades your privacy and tells you what you can and can’t do in your home on the equipment you paid hard-earned money for is detect whether or not you are a prohibited individual, that is a person who’s record prohibits them from legally purchasing or possessing a firearm.

“This partnership allows us to explore the intersection of technology and public safety. We are excited to contribute our knowledge to develop a system that can make a real difference in identifying and mitigating risks associated with 3D printed firearms,” says co-director of the MIX at Montclair State University, Jason Frasca.

I have long said that the attack on 80% receivers as being “too easy to complete” has been disingenuous, a statement supported by authorities and companies now setting their sights on 3D-printing, which is effectively a 0% home build. If starting from scratch is considered illegal, then let’s face the facts, the goal is to prohibit Americans from exercising their Constitutional right to construct a firearm at home, a move that I find in contempt of the Supreme Court’s Bruen decision, which directs authorities to respect the historical traditions of the Second Amendment.

Print&Go claims 3D GUN’T is designed to prevent the illegal manufacture of firearms via 3D printers, however, if a law-abiding citizen in a free state (actual America) chooses to manufacture a gun at home using their 3D printer, how does 3D GUN’T distinguish between this user and a criminal? It doesn’t. The software treats all Americans as criminals, deploying advanced algorithms to analyze CAD files, sent remotely or loaded via USB, and detect components that resemble firearm designs, immediately blocking print jobs that match these items in its extensive database. Additional use of artificial intelligence (AI) recognizes new or modified gun designs, keeping the software adaptive to emerging freedom and helping to stifle it.

3D GUN’T doesn’t stop there. It goes full Gestapo in your home, logging details of each print job and allowing authorities to trace activities and conduct a full audit trail, with integrated firmware installed directly on printers ensuring that unauthorized printing is blocked even if the printer is offline. The icing on top is real-time camera monitoring, providing visual oversight during printing and stopping any job where it detects a firearm shape.

“3D GUN’T is a critical tool in our efforts to ensure the responsible use of 3D printing technology… The solution not only prevents the illegal manufacture of firearms but also creates peace of mind for clients, whether they are makers, educational institutions, or businesses. With 3D GUN’T, users can oversee the management of their print jobs with the assurance that their technology misuse can be mitigated,” says Print&Go’s CEO John Amin.

The silver lining to this situation is that it opens up an oppertunity for 3D printer manufacturers who respect the rights of Americans to step in and fill a void. It also allows us yet another vote, this time with our bank accounts. Note these software developers and the 3D printer manufacturers who utilize this technology, then ask yourselves if you want to give them your money or invite them into your home. 

Gun Made Launches The Largest Online Search Engine For Guns and Ammunition

Gun Made just launched the largest online search engine for firearms and ammunition, connecting consumers to more than 4,000 gun stores across the United States. The coolest thing about this search engine is it provides gun buyers with real-time inventory so they can not only check the price, but see if a nearby brick-and-mortar store has the gun in stock. Gun Made tracks over 500 million items so consumers can locate in-stock products on shelves anywhere in the country, including right in their own backyard with a simple ZIP code search for local inventories.

Gun Made also plans to expand the search engine’s capabilities by the end of the year to include firarms parts and accessories as well. The sheer volume of tracking necessary to bring this information to your computer, tablet, or phone browser is remarkable, however, Gun Made has faced the challenge head-on, making it the first website in the firearms industry to provide this capability.

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