Missouri Democrats Cry Foul as Governor Addresses Crime Without Gun Control

Given the pro-2A majorities in Missouri’s House and Senate, there’s virtually no chance that the scant number of Democrats elected to the legislature are going to be able to pass their extensive gun control agenda. The big question this year is what, if any, bills strengthening the right to keep and bear arms will make it to Gov. Mike Kehoe’s desk.

Still, that’s not stopping some Kansas City and St. Louis-area lawmakers from complaining about Kehoe’s plan to address violent crime and its lack of anti-gun initiatives.

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The CLUEBAT can take many forms, and some people need a stronger application of it than others do.

A Pensive Trump Admits Assassination Attempt ‘Changed Something’ in Him, Feels ‘More Strongly’ About God

A somber and reflective President Trump, speaking at the National Prayer Breakfast at the Capitol on Thursday, talked about the attempt on his life in Butler, Pennsylvania, last July.

In a rare public moment of emotion, Trump explained that the incident affirmed his belief in God.

“Honestly, it’s a mir (miracle) — It changed, it changed something in me,” the president said in a hushed tone. “I feel even stronger.”

“I believed in God, but I feel — I feel much more strongly about it. Something happened,” he added as the crowd burst into applause.

The assassination attempt in Butler turned out to be one of the most iconic moments in the history of this nation. That isn’t over-selling.

While tales of heroism and defiance in the face of threats against one’s life scatter the historical landscape of America, very few have been witnessed in real-time as they were this past summer.

During the campaign rally in question, an assassin’s bullet struck Trump’s ear, coming just centimeters from taking him out and very likely plunging a profoundly divided nation into civil conflict.

Did he run for his life? No.

The soon-to-be president dusted himself off, blood pouring down the side of his face, and demanded the American people keep fighting for the nation they love so dearly.

It led to an image that will be etched into the collective memory of this nation for decades to come.

While some have attributed Trump escaping the bullet meant to take his life as mere luck, he has long suggested that it was the guiding hand of God that helped him through.

During his inaugural speech on January 20th, the president eloquently reiterated that stance.

“Those who wished to stop our cause have tried to take my freedom and, indeed, to take my life,” he said. “Just a few months ago, in a beautiful Pennsylvania field, an assassin’s bullet ripped through my ear.”

“I felt then and believe even more so now that my life was saved for a reason: I was saved by God to make America great again.”

It’s hard to argue. A nation founded by those who believed in the Creator is experiencing a second revolution and resurgence under a man whose life was spared — it’s hard not to attribute — by the hand of God.

Trump, at the National Prayer Breakfast, also vowed “to bring religion back” and reminded the American people, “If it was up to Democrats, I would not be in a good place.”

Perhaps that was another allusion to the assassination attempt(s) or the resistance party’s unceasing efforts to put him in jail.

BLUF:
On Friday, all overseas USAID missions are to be shut down. For now, the gravy train is over, but given how they were able to hide what is arguably a covert piece of state-run media that targeted a president, what else is buried in these file grants? DOGE will find out.

Wait, USAID Was Involved in Donald Trump’s Impeachment?

USAID will effectively shut down on Friday. Most of the staff will be furloughed as it’s absorbed into the State Department. Under the president’s direction, Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency unearthed a web of corruption, waste, and fraud that wasn’t necessarily shocking but jarring, nonetheless. Democrats are livid that this agency is being gutted, and we may know why. They seem to have subsidized and played a significant role in the 2019 impeachment of Donald Trump.

The agency appears to have been pulling the strings of the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), which was cited multiple times by the CIA whistleblower that sparked the quid pro quo circus surrounding Trump, Ukraine, and military aid. Independent journalists Michael Shellenberger and Alex Gutentag did a deep-dive into this sordid government web, where the purpose of OCCRP wasn’t your usual investigative journalism—USAID seems to have had massive sway regarding agenda, hiring practices, and mission.

This story on Public ruffled the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project’s feathers, which threatened Shellenberger and company with a lawsuit, claiming their premise was false and defamatory. The second part is a lengthy sifting through of what USAID’s relationship is with OCCRP, the latter of which is trying to create degrees of separation. Even then, USAID officials offered statements that cast severe doubt on the OCCRP’s supposed independence, which even outlets like ProPublica admit. Drop Site News, an outlet helmed by former Intercept reporters, did well to piece together this seedy relationship. They, too, have been slapped with threats of a lawsuit. It’s quite the read here, folks. And given what we know about the waste and fraud from USAID, it was the perfect vehicle for the Deep State and other anti-Trump staffers at government agencies to farm this out (via Public):

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Leak Shows ATF Continues to Disregard Court Orders on FRTs

The ATF is still informing law enforcement agencies that FRTs are machineguns.

In a recent Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) leak released by AmmoLand News and Gun Owners of America (GOA), the government agency shared its fears about 3D-printed machinegun conversion devices (MCD), but not everything the ATF listed is an MCD.

The ATF included the Super Safe AK in its documents, claiming it was in a drop-in auto-sear (DIAS). The issue with that designation is that the Super Safety is not a machinegun or an MCD. It is a forced reset trigger (FRT), and the Bureau might be violating a court order by designating the device as a machinegun in its January 15, 2025, documentation.

Each time a shooter uses the AK Super Safe, they must pull the trigger. The statute definition of a machinegun is a firearm that expels more than one round per function of the trigger. For each function of the trigger, the Super Safety only expels a single round. It does not fit the definition of a machinegun as defined under the National Firearms Act of 1934 (NFA). The Supreme Court has already ruled that the ATF cannot change the statutory definition of a machinegun in the Cargill case.

The Cargill case involved a bump stock. SCOTUS found that since a shooter must pull the trigger between each round, a bump stock is not a machinegun. The Cargill case has been referenced in NAGR v. Garland, which challenged the ATF’s definition of FRTs as machineguns. In that case, the judge found that only one round is expelled per trigger function. The judge issued an injunction against the ATF from taking enforcement actions against the owners and manufacturers of FRTs. Yet, the ATF is still informing law enforcement agencies that FRTs are machineguns.

The ATF also refers to the AK Super Safe as the AK-DIAS. The AK-DIAS is not the same as the AK Super Safe. The AK-DIAS is a separate project and is a machinegun conversion device. It does convert a semi-automatic AK into a fully automatic firearm. The AK Super Safe engages the safety between every round making it impossible to fire automatically. It appears that the ATF is trying to conflate the two different devices which could lead to confusion amongst law enforcement, and the false arrest of Americans for possessing something that is completely legal.

This situation isn’t the first time the ATF rebelled against the courts or the White House. The ATF was criticized for disregarding an executive order demanding that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) positions be eliminated. The order explicitly stated that those employees should be placed on administrative leave, and agencies should not try to hide them. The ATF did the opposite of the order. Lisa T. Boykin was the ATF’s “Chief Diversity Officer” responsible for implementing DEI at the Bureau. After President Trump issued the order, her title was changed to “Senior Executive.”

The ATF also recently came under fire for disregarding multiple court orders blocking the pistol brace rule. In that case, the ATF told a Gun Owners of America (GOA) member that their CZ Scorpion equipped with a brace would have to be registered with the NFA division of the ATF and pay a $200 stamp fee, or they could be charged with a federal felony. The ATF said that even though the rule was blocked, they could interpret the statute however they wanted. GOA forced the issue, and the ATF finally issued a retraction.

The situation is similar in this case. Even though the courts have barred the ATF from taking action against FRTs by a permanent injunction, they seem to be doing just that. Many view the Bureau as an out-of-control rogue government agency that ignores the law and does what it wants to do. This situation doesn’t instill confidence in those running the ATF, including the default head of the Bureau, Marvin Richardson.

Some have campaigned for Richardson to become the permanent head of the ATF, but this situation is the third time in a month that the ATF has disregarded a Presidential or court order. It leads many to wonder if Richardson is complacent or incompetent.

What Did Trump Promise Mexico’s President on Guns?

President Trump has hit the pause button on his tariff threat to Mexico after discussions with his counterpart south of the border, but President Claudia Sheinbaum says that while her country will increase the number of military troops at the border to counter the drug cartels’ trafficking of fentanyl, Trump has agreed to “work jointly to avoid the entry of guns to Mexico.”

Sheinbaum’s comments came during her press conference on Monday. The Wall St. Journal covered Sheinbaum’s remarks, but she apparently didn’t announce any details of the supposed agreement between Trump and herself. 

“There are rocket launchers that come from the U.S. illegally,” Sheinbaum said she told Trump. “How is that possible?”

Mexico says that upwards of 70% of the weapons used by the country’s organized crime groups are smuggled from the U.S. “For the first time, the U.S. government will work jointly to avoid the entry of guns to Mexico,” she said at her daily news conference on Monday. 

Mexico is suing U.S. gun manufacturers and arms dealers in federal courts to try to end the illegal trafficking of weapons to the country.

If Sheinbaum’s end of the deal involves sending 10,000 troops to the U.S.-Mexico border to combat fentanyl trafficking, what is Trump supposed to do in return? Increasing border patrols is one thing, but Sheinbaum’s interest in targeting gun dealers and manufacturers suggests she might have something else in mind

Sheinbaum also hit back after Washington accused her government of having an “intolerable alliance” with drug trafficking groups.

“We categorically reject the slander made by the White House against the Mexican government about alliances with criminal organizations,” Sheinbaum wrote earlier on social media.

“If there is such an alliance anywhere, it is in the U.S. gun shops that sell high-powered weapons to these criminal groups,” she added.

U.S. gun stores aren’t selling rocket launchers to cartel members, despite Sheinbaum’s claims. In fact, one of the major sources of U.S.-manufactured arms that end up in the hands of the cartels were diverted there by Mexican law enforcement and the military. As CBS News reported more than a decade ago:

The State Department audits only a tiny sample – less than 1 percent of sales – but the results are disturbing: In 2009, more than a quarter (26 percent) of the guns sold to the region that includes Mexico were “diverted” into the wrong hands, or had other “unfavorable” results.

The National Shooting Sports Foundation‘s Larry Keane, who speaks for gun manufacturers, said he understands the potential for abuse.

“There have been 150,000 or more Mexican soldiers defect to go work for the cartels, and I think it’s safe to assume that when they defect they take their firearms with them,” Keane told CBS News.

If Sheinbaum really wanted to curtail cartel access to U.S. firearms she could order a halt to the direct sales to Mexican law enforcement and the military, but that would mean pointing the finger at the corruption within her own government instead of scapegoating the U.S. firearms industry.

I don’t think Trump is interested in stopping those sales either, to be honest, but the question still remains: what “help” did Trump offer, exactly? 

Gun control groups like Brady are calling on Trump to “craft a plan to ensure that gun manufacturers do not do business with those who break the law, fund the ATF, and instead of diverting agents to focus on immigration enforcement, allow them to focus on holding rogue gun dealers accountable.” 

Trump has yet to do undo the ATF rules enacted under the Biden administration, which has already exasperated many Second Amendment advocates. Now he also needs to offer up specifics about his agreement with Sheinbaum to put gun owners at ease.

Combatting the cartels shouldn’t result in an emboldened ATF or actions against the firearms industry, but that’s exactly what Sheinbaum and her allies in the American gun control movement are demanding.

Attempted carjacking goes awry: Car owner opens fire hitting 2 of 4 teen suspects

After having a gun pulled on him, a Southwest Philadelphia resident shot at four teenagers – hitting two 13-year-olds – who were allegedly trying to steal his car from behind his house Tuesday evening, police said.

The incident unfolded in the alleyway between the 5900 blocks of Bellmar Terrace and Windsor Avenue just after 6 p.m., Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said.

According to Small, a neighbor called the man to tell him they saw what looked like four teenagers trying to steal his Honda that was parked in the alleyway behind his house in the Kingsessing section of Southwest Philadelphia.

The man went into the alleyway and confronted the teens, Small said.

There are additional resources for people or communities that have endured gun violence in Philadelphia. Further information can be found here.

One of the teens pulled out a gun and the car’s owner responded by firing at least seven shots at the group, according to Small. All four teens ran away.

When officers responded to the scene they found two 13-year-olds suffering from gunshot wounds just one block away, Small explained. One teenager had a gunshot wound to his lower back and the other had one gunshot to his leg.

Both of the teens were taken to a nearby hospital by police where they were listed in stable condition, officials said. They are each being questioned by police.

The two other teens in the group were found by police just two blocks away and the car’s owner was able to identify them as the suspects.

Small told NBC10 that the car’s owner does have a legal permit to carry and is cooperating with police.

The entire incident was captured on private surveillance cameras, Small explained.

The Unexpected Silencer Lawsuit in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals
Sanchez v. Bonta 24-5566

Many years ago, a wise, white-haired, old lawyer told me that lawsuits are not won because you have the law on your side. Lawsuits are lost by the guy who makes the first fatal procedural error.

That is why I spent well over a year preparing before I filed my California Open Carry lawsuit in November of 2011, and that is why my lawsuit is still standing today. I haven’t made a fatal procedural mistake. When the State’s attorney argued to the Court of Appeals that it could affirm the 2014 judgment of the district court on any grounds, the State’s attorney did not, and could not, point to any grounds by which the three-judge panel could have affirmed.

And so you can imagine my surprise when, after receiving an email PACER notification yesterday, I read the “briefs” and final judgment in this civil lawsuit challenging California’s silencer ban. The Order read:

ORDER FILED. Lisa B. Fitzgerald, Appellate Commissioner.

The court is inclined to appoint pro bono counsel to represent appellant in this appeal. Appellant may file a written objection within 14 days. If appellant does not object, the court will appoint counsel and set a new briefing schedule. [Entered: 02/03/2025 02:36 PM]

This is both impressive and curious.

The Order states, “The Court is inclined…” The Court is a three-judge panel that was picked long ago. Three-judge panels are formed long before they are assigned a particular case on appeal. Internally, two rosters of three-judge panels are formed. One roster consists of judges who will hear cases that will dispose of cases in unpublished memorandum opinions. The other roster consists of judges who will decide cases on the merits, via published, precedential opinions.

Each appeal goes through an internal screening panel of staff attorneys and judges. Most appeals are disposed of without any opinion being published because they suffer from some fatal procedural defect, such as filing a late notice of appeal.

Those cases that survive the initial screening process are assigned to a panel on one of the rosters.

In this particular case, it could have been assigned to a panel on either roster. But regardless of which roster the screening panel assigned it to, at least two judges think the case should be decided in a published, binding opinion.

That doesn’t mean the case will result in a published, binding opinion, but it is far more likely than not, given that the panel has, sua sponte, decided to appoint pro bono counsel to represent the Plaintiff-Appellant in his appeal.

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