Gun Groups Take Concealed Carry to the Supreme Court

New York State doesn’t recognize a right to carry a handgun in public. To get a concealed-carry permit, applicants must show they have an unusually strong need for self-defense, not just a normal and healthy desire to keep themselves safe. The state also bans the open carry of handguns entirely. There’s a “circuit split” among the nation’s courts as to whether such strict restrictions are kosher.

The New York State Pistol and Rifle Association and the National Rifle Association are asking the Supreme Court to step in. And now would be a good time for the Court to better enforce the Second Amendment, a project it began with Heller and McDonald more than a decade ago.

I’ll have more to say about this case if the Court takes it, but here are a few things I’m interested in when it comes to gun-carrying and the Second Amendment. Continue reading “”

Ohio Legislature sends ‘Stand your ground’ gun law to Gov. Mike DeWine

COLUMBUS, Ohio (FOX19) – The Ohio House has passed a controversial change to the state’s current “stand your ground” law that eliminates “duty to retreat” before using force in self-defense.

House Republicans added the “stand your ground” language Thursday into a last-minute floor amendment to Senate Bill 175, which grants civil immunity to churches and other nonprofits where shootings occur.

The mostly-party line vote passed 52-31.

Under current law, Ohioans are permitted to use deadly force in self-defense as long as they aren’t the aggressor, believe they are in imminent danger of death or great bodily harm, and are in their home or vehicle.

The amendment also removes the “home or vehicle” requirement. Now, Ohioans only need to be where they are legally allowed.

The change must now be approved by the Senate before going to Gov. Mike DeWine for final approval.

DeWine’s spokesman responded “Under review” when we asked him Friday morning what the governor thought.

Man killed after shooting, injuring paramedics in Pine Bluff Arkansas

A 22-year-old man was fatally shot early Thursday after reportedly shooting two paramedics who were giving aid to his injured girlfriend, police said.

Officers responded to a call regarding two paramedics who had been shot at 1409 W. 23rd Ave. just before 4:40 a.m. Thursday, according to a news release issued by Pine Bluff police.

Paramedic Joshua Godfrey, 35, was sitting in the back of an ambulance bleeding and John Spriggs Sr., 21, was lying on the ground beside the ambulance when police arrived, the release states.

The paramedics told officers they were rendering aid in the back of the ambulance to a 20-year-old woman complaining of knee pain, when her boyfriend, Kevin Curl Jr., walked up to them “aggressively,” police said.

Spriggs told police Curl refused to back up, and pushed him and asked what he was going to do about it, police said. Spriggs punched Curl, who then pulled out a gun and shot both paramedics approximately three times each in the chest, pelvic and abdomen areas, according to the news release.

Spriggs returned fire, striking Curl, police said. When officers arrived they found Curl dead on the kitchen floor of a residence at the address with at least one gunshot wound in his chest, police said.

Both paramedics and the woman were transported to Jefferson Regional Medical Center to be treated for their injuries.


Woman shoots suspect who fatally shot man inside apartment

One man is dead and another is injured following a shooting inside an apartment in northwest Atlanta late Monday night.

Police say the two men were involved in a fight when one of the men fatally shot the other. A woman also inside the apartment then fired her own weapon multiple times at the shooter. That man was taken to an area hospital with multiple gunshot wounds. He’s currently in stable condition.

Police say the woman is not expected to face charges as the shooting is believed to be in self-defense. The victims have not been identified and are only described as men in their late 20’s to early 30’s.

No additional information was released.

Guide to Women’s Self Defense: Best Safety Tips, Weapons, and Tactics

19.3% of women have been stalked at some point in their lifetime, whether it’s been by someone they know or a stranger. This can make women increasingly worried about their surroundings and being able to protect themselves if something occurs.

It’s because of stalking incidents and the increased number of sexual assaults that take place every day that women’s self-defense has become more critical than ever. We’re going to provide you with a complete guide that has safety tips, weapons, and tactics in it that you need to know about.

Think of this as your complete introduction into the need to know women’s self-defense tactics. Let’s start with some women’s self-defense tips that everyone needs to know. Continue reading “”

News Media Fears Ammon Bundy May be Right

They’ve got the White House come January 21st, 2021.  They may pick up the United States Senate after a special election in Georgia.  They still hold the U.S. House of Representatives.  Then why do liberals still appear to be living in fear when it comes to their perceptions of people in fly over country?

One latest example comes out of a Nampa based newspaper.  You can click on a link here.  Political activist Ammon Bundy is recommending people prepare for rough times ahead.  He’s called a conservative activist by the writers of the story.  I’m not sure all of these labels are accurate.  He was more than willing to meet members of Black Lives Matter.  He was vilified by many old allies on the right.  Yet, he explained he wanted to know why they were taking to the streets.  It’s a fair question.  People who believe they’re aggrieved could solve at least some issues by having a dialogue.  Or it’s at least worth a try. Continue reading “”

Six Best Revolvers for Home Defense

As more and more people buy handguns for self-defense, revolvers have experienced a surge in popularity. And that has led to a lot of talk about a “revolver resurgence,” which is kind of amusing to serious revolver fans for whom the wheelgun never went away. While a lot of the surge is due to folks purchasing small, super-light revolvers for concealed carry, sometimes overlooked is how good revolvers—particularly mid- to full-size ones—can be for home defense.

Sure, they may not hold as many rounds as a 9mm semiautomatic, but they’re simple to use. There are no safeties to worry about, no slides to struggle with, no difficult magazines to load, no complicated manual of arms. With a revolver you just load the cylinder, close it and pull the trigger. That’s pretty much it.

And if you’re new to guns and haven’t heard about the revolver’s reliability, well it’s legendary. Misfires are rare and almost always due to a faulty round of ammunition (which isn’t very common). If you do pull the trigger and nothing happens, simply pull the trigger again.

Let’s take a look at six top revolver candidates for home defense. Again, since we’re not worrying about size and weight for concealed carry, these are mid- to full-size guns, which are much easier to shoot. They are all either double-action-only (the trigger must be pulled through its entire length, rotating the cylinder to place a live round under the hammer/firing pin) or double-action/single-action (in addition to a double-action pull, the hammer can also be cocked to rotate the cylinder, resulting in a lighter trigger pull).

Continue reading “”

Gun-control activists need to stop demonizing John Lott

The recent reaction of Griffin Dix to the appointment of John Lott as an adviser to the DOJ Office of Justice Program reflects the continued inability of the gun-control advocacy community to address the fundamental issues that prevent us from making an effective response to the problem of gun violence.

Lott’s book “More Guns, Less Crime” has become a flashpoint for arguments on both sides of the gun debate. On the one hand, the book is celebrated by the pro-gun lobby as a justification for ‘stand your ground’ laws and other legal rationales for armed self-defense. On the other hand, the book is condemned by gun-control activists as error-filled propaganda that promotes the false idea that guns are an effective response to fears about personal safety and threats of crime. As a long-time member of the Brady Campaign, Griffin Dix obviously belongs to the latter group. Continue reading “”

Why the Most Important Part of Being Armed is Being Armed

Some time back I saw a news report of three thugs who decided to pull a daytime burglary, not knowing the homeowner was present. Breaking in the front door, they barged into the living room only to be confronted by the homeowner armed with a rifle. It looked like some sort of comedy routine when all three crooks tried to go back out the front door at the same time.

Recently, in one of our larger Texas cities, a lady was walking out of a mall to her parked car. As she got near her car, a rough-looking guy stepped out and said, “Hey, sweetie!” The lady’s reply was to stick her hand in her purse and say, “I’ve got a gun.” The presumptive suitor turned and took off.

Then, there was a couple who watched a group of criminals break down their gate and trespass onto their property. The couple armed themselves and ordered the group to leave. Although threats were hurled at the couple, the group left.

The common factor in each of these incidents is that not a single shot was fired. When you study news reports and videos, as I do, it is interesting how many times the mere presence of a gun is all that it takes to discourage criminal activity. Crooks simply don’t like it when it looks like the odds are anywhere near even.

It has been said that the first rule of gunfighting is to have a gun.

Continue reading “”

Gunman Shot by Police at NYC Cathedral Christmas Concert

NEW YORK — A man was fatally shot by police on the steps of a landmark New York City cathedral Sunday after he began firing two semiautomatic handguns at the end of a Christmas choral concert, police said.

The gunfire began just before 4 p.m. at the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine, mother church of the Episcopal Diocese of New York.

A 45-minute concert held on the cathedral steps had just concluded and a crowd of several hundred people was drifting away when the gunman started shooting, sending people running down Amsterdam Avenue screaming and diving to the sidewalk.

A detective, a sergeant and a police officer who were at the event fired 15 rounds, killing the man, said New York Police Commissioner Dermot Shea.

“It is by the grace of God today,” he said, that no one besides the gunman was struck…


Rosedale man fatally shot in Walmart parking lot was attempting to rob another man

Baltimore County police say a 20-year-old Rosedale man who died Sunday was fatally shot in a Walmart parking lot after he attempted to rob someone.

Baltimore County Police spokeswoman Ofc. Jennifer Peach said on Sunday that the department was called to the Golden Ring Shopping Center at 6420 Petrie Way Road in the Rossville area just after 5:20 p.m. for a shooting

When police arrived, Peach said, they found Kumar Jumar Burney suffering from a gunshot wound to the upper body. Peach said Burney, of the 5300 block of King Arthur Circle, was transported with life-threatening injuries to Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center where he later died.

Police said Burney arranged a meetup in the parking lot with a man he found on a popular app selling an expensive pair of shoes. During the transaction, police said, Burney attempted to rob the seller, who pulled a handgun, shot Burney once, then called 9-1-1 and remained at the scene.

Responding officers located Burney lying in the parking lot with a gunshot wound, and recovered a loaded handgun from him before he was transported to the hospital.

“Investigators interviewed and released the seller, who is cooperating with the police investigation,” police said in a news release. “Once detectives from the Baltimore County Police Homicide Unit have concluded their investigation the case will be reviewed by the Baltimore County State’s Attorney’s Office.”

Man in Las Vegas killed after attempting break-in

LAS VEGAS (NV) — A man who police in Las Vegas said was attempting to break into an office building and used car dealership died after being shot by an employee, authorities said.

Police said the man was trying to enter a United Way office and nearby car dealership on Friday when an employee confronted him. Police believe the alleged burglar was homeless and armed with barbecue utensils.
The employee shot the alleged burglar after a confrontation, police said.
The man was taken to the University Medical Center, where he was later declared dead. The employee was taken to the hospital for observation.
Lt. Ray Spencer said the department is investigating the shooting but that he expects the incident to be regarded as self-defense.


Seems reasonable. I think carjacking isn’t ‘nice’.


Victim fatally shoots attempted carjacker in Nicetown

NICETOWN (PA)- A man is dead after what police say was an attempted carjacking in Nicetown.

Officials say two men stopped at a gas station at the corner of West Hunting Park Avenue and North Broad Street Saturday, just after 10:30 p.m.

One of the two men went into the convenience store, while the other remained outside. It was then, authorities say, two men pulled up in a dark SUV and attempted a carjacking.

The man inside the store came outside, saw the two men and began to fire a gun, according to officials.

The two men with the dark SUV reportedly returned fire. One of the two men was hit once in the chest.

That man was transported by police to Temple University Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Investigators say the other man reportedly fled the scene in the dark SUV.

The man who saw the attempted carjacking and fired a weapon was said to be licensed to carry a gun.

The investigation is ongoing.


Homeowner shoots 17-year-old intruder during home invasion in Sycamore

SYCAMORE (IL)- Sycamore police are investigating two separate home invasions Saturday morning, during which a 17-year-old was shot by a homeowner, said Sycamore Police Chief Jim Winters, who believes the two break-ins are not related.
“We have no information that they’re connected,” Winters said about the two home invasions that occurred in the early morning hours Saturday. “We don’t believe there was any theft involved.”
According to a news release sent by the Sycamore Police Department, police believe the incidents are isolated and don’t believe there is danger to the public at this time.
Police are still on the lookout for one suspect connected to a home invasion in the 400 block of West High Street, though the other suspect, the 17-year-old who was reportedly shot in the 900 block of Arvle Court, was taken to Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital with unknown injuries. The teenager was later taken to OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center in Rockford, and police are awaiting updates on his condition, Winters said.
About 1:20 a.m. Saturday in the 900 block of Arvle which has four-unit duplexes, Sycamore police received a call that someone had been shot.

Continue reading “”

I think it can be put a bit more simply:
Someone ever tries to kill you, you try to kill them right back.


When Violence Is the Answer: Learning How to Do What It Takes When Your Life Is at Stake.

In a civilized society, violence is rarely the answer. But when it is, it’s the only answer. The sound of breaking glass downstairs in the middle of the night. The words, “Move and you die.” The hands on your child, or the knife to your throat.

In this essential book, self-protection expert and former military intelligence officer Tim Larkin changes the way we think about violence in order to save our lives. By deconstructing our assumptions about violence — its morality, its function in modern society, how it actually works — Larkin unlocks the shackles of our own taboos and arms us with what we need to know to prevent, prepare for, and survive the unthinkable event of life-or-death violence.

Through a series of harrowing true-life stories, Larkin demonstrates that violence is a tool equally effective in the hands of the “bad guy” or the “good guy”; that the person who acts first, fastest and with the full force of their body is the one who survives; and that each and every one of us is capable of being that person when our lives are at stake.

An indispensable resource, When Violence is the Answer will remain with you long after you’ve finished reading, as the bedrock of your self-protection skills and knowledge.

Two killed, 3 wounded in Lacombe home invasion

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – St. Tammany sheriff’s deputies are investigating a double homicide in Lacombe in which two of four of the armed intruders were killed. The homeowner’s four-year-old daughter was also struck by a bullet in the crossfire.

It is a tight-knit community here on Palmer Drive where everyone is either related or has known each other for years and many are stunned by what happened here on Tuesday.

Police say four armed intruders entered the home at the end of Palmer Drive at around 10 a.m. and all four wound up being shot by the homeowner leaving two of them are dead.

The St. Tammany Coroner’soffice has identified the deceased as 25-year-old Renard Causey Jr. and 21-year-old Justin Hill, of Hammond. The homeowner’s four-year-old daughter was also apparently struck in the crossfire.

A relative tells us that the homeowner may have been pistol-whipped before he fired at the intruders. Neighbors say they waited 24 hours to learn about the shooting.

“It was late morning and we heard patrol cars, one after another and detective cars and then there would be ambulances. There were several dozen emergency vehicles involved,” said Shannon Bordelon of Bayou Adventure in Lacombe.

Family members say they are relieved that the four-year-old girl in the home was operated on and is expected to be okay. The St. Tammany sheriff’s office says they didn’t want to put out information sooner, because they say they did not want to impede the investigation, which is ongoing.

The homeowner is also expected to be okay.


Hammer-wielding suspect attempting to break into home shot, killed by house-sitter
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office said no charges have been filed at this time, but an investigation is underway.

NEW CANEY, Texas — A man house-sitting for a friend shot and killed an attempted burglar Wednesday night in New Caney, according to Montgomery County Sheriff deputies.

This happened shortly before 10 p.m. in the 23700 block of Pankey Drive.

Investigators said the man heard a banging sound coming from the back of the house and when he went to see what was going on, he was confronted by an unknown suspect who was holding a hammer.

Deputies said the suspect charged at the man and that’s when the man pulled out his gun and shot the suspect multiple times in the backyard of the home.

The man then called police, according to deputies.

The suspect died on scene. His identity has not been released, but deputies said he was in his 20s.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office said no charges have been filed at this time, but an investigation is underway.

Ohio: No Duty to Retreat Legislation Heads to the Senate Floor

On Wednesday, the Senate Government Oversight and Reform Committee passed important No Duty to Retreat Legislation, Senate Bill 383. This self-defense measure now heads to the Senate for floor action.

Senate Bill 383 strengthens Ohio’s self-defense laws by stating that individuals have no duty to retreat from a place that they are lawfully present before using force in defense of themselves or others. Previously the law only applied to residences and vehicles, however SB 383 expands that to allow for law-abiding gun owners to be able to defend themselves without being required to retreat from any place they are allowed to be.

Store clerk shoots robbery suspect in Maplewood

MAPLEWOOD, Mo. (AP) — A robbery suspect is hospitalized after being shot by a store clerk in suburban St. Louis. Police say they won’t likely ask for charges against the clerk, who they say acted in self-defense. The incident happened Wednesday night in Maplewood. Police say the 21-year-old suspect was found inside the break room of the Boost Mobile store. He had been shot three times and underwent surgery. Police say the Boost Mobile employee was alone when the man came in with a gun. The employee was able to pull out his own gun and shoot the suspect. The clerk was unhurt.

Suspect in string of Jacksonville robberies killed by homeowner

JACKSONVILLE, Ark.- Police in Jacksonville said the suspect in a series of robberies is dead after being shot by a homeowner while attempting another theft.

When officers with the Jacksonville Police Department responded to reports of a robbery near Military Road and Bailey Street Monday night, they discovered the body of a man matching the description of a robbery suspect from an earlier call.

Dispatchers received that call just after 8 p.m. about an attempted robbery at the Jacksonville Stop and Shop. Two hours later, police said the suspect attempted to rob another victim outside her home.

Investigators said the suspect’s third robbery attempt turned fatal when the man’s intended victim shot the suspect in self-defense after the suspect shot at them.

The identity of the suspect is unknown at this time, but was described as a Black man, 19 to 24 years of age, wearing a black shirt, black jacket and red sweatpants with brown Ugg boots.


Homeowner in Elizabethtown area shoots intruder

Police continue to investigate the shooting of an intruder Saturday night by a homeowner in the Elizabethtown (Indiana) area.

The homeowner called Jennings County dispatchers at 7:15 p.m. to report there had been an altercation and he had shot the intruder who was inside his home, according to a report from the Jennings County Sheriff’s Department.

While officers were en route to the home, Jennings County dispatchers received a call from a male who said he had been shot. That male was at the Elizabethtown Volunteer Fire Department State at 700 Washington St.

Police went to both the home and fire station where medical aid was provided.

Indiana State Police were contacted and during the course of the investigation, it was determined there was a physical altercation between the homeowner and a male subject who gained entry into the home. The homeowner discharged his firearm striking the male, who then drove himself to the fire station.

Medical aid was provided by members of the fire department and area law enforcement. The male was eventually airlifted to an Indianapolis area hospital for treatment of a gunshot wound and is listed in critical condition, police said.


Woman Shoots Man Attempting to Rob Her Car

HOUSTON — Houston Police reported an interesting event early Friday morning near Clear Lake.

A woman parked at an apartment complex in the 10900 block of Gulf Freeway around 12:30 a.m. After she parked, the woman noticed a man trying to break into her car. The woman went inside and grabbed a gun before going outside to confront the burglar.

During the confrontation, the woman shot him in the leg. The burglar was taken to the hospital and is expected to survive. He faces a burglary of a motor vehicle charge

The woman isn’t expected to face charges related to the shooting.

Personal Defense During the Holidays

Here we are, once again, entering the Holiday Season—the most stressful time of the year for most folks—in a year like no other year any of us has ever experienced or expected. What that means for folks like us is that we’ve got to really increase our awareness and keep personal defense in the forefront of our minds at all times.

We know that robberies and home invasions increase during these last days of the year. But you also have to realize that ordinarily good folks are getting awfully stressed out. They’ll be letting their anger and frustrations get the best of them. They’ll do stupid things. And they will do things that place other’s lives in danger.

We can begin by recognizing that we, too, can become overly frustrated and angered. Talking with the family about finding ways to avoid stress is a really good place to start. Often, just supporting each other is a good way to keep that stress level within bounds. And we can also make a concerted effort to remain polite and courteous to everyone, strangers included. When a person loses his temper, he has also weakened his defense level.

The holidays are also a good time to review the personal defense plan, especially the need for being aware of what is going on around us. We also need to make sure that we are communicating regularly with other family members and that we know each other’s location at all times. When another family member is especially stressed or not feeling well, we need to be there to pick up the slack, carry some of their load for them.

And this is also not the time to let your pistol practice wane. Yep, I know that ammunition is difficult to come by but that just means that you need to increase the time you spend in dry practice. Practicing the basics—draw stroke, flash sight picture, trigger press—can also still be honed during dry practice. And you might want to do it while wearing that heavy coat and winter gloves that you’ll be wearing when you go out.

Getting serious about our personal defense and having a solid personal defense plan does not have to hamper our enjoyment of the holidays. Once these principles become ingrained in our everyday lives, we can enjoy ourselves and still be careful. You say you haven’t gotten around to developing a personal defense plan and discussing it with your family? Well, now is an awfully good time to start it.

You can’t avoid being a target, but you can decide if you are going to be an easy target or a hard target.

So find ways to keep the stress within due bounds. Make it a point to put a smile on your face at the same time that your head is on a swivel. Focus on your family and the other stuff that really matters and you’ll likely get through these trying times successfully.

First-time gun buyers projected to top 8M: Smith & Wesson
Women are making up 40% of new buyers

Background checks, a metric for gun sales, are hitting an all-time high in 2020, and nearly half of the purchases being made this year are by first-time firearm owners, firearm manufacturer Smith & Wesson said Thursday.

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To date, nearly 8 million Americans have already decided to “exercise their Second Amendment rights for the first time,” chief executive Mark Smith told analysts in an earnings call.

For their findings, the company cited data from the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), which estimated that 40% of the tens of thousands of firearm purchases in 2020 are coming from first-time owners.

Smith noted that these new purchases are further “broadening and diversifying” its consumer base and are an indicator of the long-term vitality of the industry as a whole.

Smith said NSSF data indicated that “women are making up 40% of new buyers and overall firearm purchases by African Americans are outpacing all other demographics with 58% growth in the first half of the year alone through June.” Continue reading “”

Lawmakers set to expand gun rights in Ohio, DeWine’s reform plan unlikely to pass

Gov. Mike DeWine’s package of gun reforms appears unlikely to pass the Statehouse this session, but lawmakers are poised to permit armed Ohioans to stand their ground in public settings and use deadly force in self-defense.

Ohio House Speaker Bob Cupp, R-Lima, said he plans to move House Bill 796 “as soon as possible,” which could be as soon as next week.

Currently, Ohioans have a “duty to retreat” from dangerous situations, if possible, before using force in self-defense. HB796, sponsored by state Rep. Kyle Koehler, R-Springfield, would eliminate that duty. Continue reading “”

Employee at Akron Metro PCS store shoots robber who pulled out gun

AKRON, Ohio (WOIO) – A man who pulled out a gun during a robbery at an Akron MetroPCS store Tuesday night was shot by an employee who pulled out a gun of his own, Akron police said.

The robbery happened just before 8 p.m. at the MetroPCS store on Main Street in Akron.

According to Akron police, the suspect entered the store, pulled out a handgun, and took money from the cash register.

The suspect then tried to get access to the safe.

That’s when a MetroPCS employee pulled out his own handgun and fired multiple shots at the subject before running from the store.

Officers took the suspect into custody when they arrived on scene.

The suspect had been hit by at least one shot and is in the hospital where he is in serious, but stable, condition, police said.