No, we don’t

Gabby Giffords: We need to come together for gun control

Former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords was the unfortunate victim of a violent attack targeting her specifically. It was an awful event and one that should never have happened.

Since then, though, the Democrat who tried to position herself as at least somewhat pro-gun has fully embraced gun control, founding her own group to advance just that agenda.

Now, she’s taken to the opinion page of the Fox News website to call on all American gun owners to join with her to advance gun control.

That’s why I founded a coalition within Giffords called Gun Owners for Safety. It’s a community for responsible gun owners to advocate for gun safety laws while standing up to extremists who claim to stand up for freedom — but whose ideas undermine the safety of our schools and communities.

Members of Giffords Gun Owners for Safety have the courage to take action to address the gun violence epidemic. They understand that the right to own guns must be balanced with civic responsibility. They know that gun ownership is not a license to terrorize and harass others with firearms — and they don’t feel understood, heard or represented by gun lobby groups that use fear and extremism to sell more guns.

First, I agree owning a gun isn’t a license to “terrorize and harass others with firearms.” Of course, I’m pretty sure Giffords thinks any sight of firearms counts as terrorization and harassment with a gun whereas I don’t, but that’s just my assumption based on her views. I could be wrong.

The problem, though, is that rather than working on educating gun owners about how to be responsible gun owners or something like that, they’re demonizing the groups that actually work to preserve our gun rights.

That’s because, for Giffords, the only way to advance “gun safety” is to restrict law-abiding gun owners.

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The Paranoid Style in Gun Control Politics
Bloomberg’s “The Trace” fabricates a conspiracy about amicus brief writers who adhere to Supreme Court Rules

If you’re looking for a website like QAnon, but catering to gun control advocates, you will enjoy some articles from The Trace, a gun control website founded and funded by Michael Bloomberg. In August, The Trace presented a conspiracy about the amicus briefs filed in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen. The article was reprinted by Politico. Will Van Sant, The NRA’s Shadowy Supreme Court Lobbying Campaign, Politico, Aug. 5, 2022.

The 12-brief conspiracy

The Politico reprint of the Trace article opens with snazzy graphics. Forty-nine amicus brief were submitted in the Bruen case: “12 of those briefs were filed by people or institutions who had received millions of dollars from the NRA, a Trace and Politico Magazine investigation found. Only 1 brief disclosed the financial connection.” According to Van Sant, “neither the justices nor the public were told that 11 of these ostensibly independent voices owed their livelihoods in part to the NRA.” Let’s look at some of his examples.

In 1991, the Law Enforcement Alliance of America (LEAA) was created by San Jose police officer Leroy Pyle. The then-police chief of San Jose, Joseph McNamara, was one of the leading gun control spokesmen in America. McNamara attempted to fire Pyle for Pyle’s Second Amendment advocacy. Pyle ended up winning his case, thanks in part to the excellent work of his attorney, who happened to be the daughter of California Senator Dianne Feinstein. Later, Jim Fotis succeeded Pyle as head of LEAA, and LEAA received substantial donations from NRA. Although LEAA is apparently now defunct, in its day it advocated for the viewpoint of most rank and file law enforcement officers: skepticism about gun control and support for strict punishment of violent criminals.

In Bruen, an amicus brief was filed by The League for Sportsmen, Law Enforcement and Defense, which is based in Virginia. Van Sant’s article reports:

“Those of us involved with the League have been involved in 2nd Amendment advocacy for decades,” attorney Christopher Day, counsel of record on the brief, said by email in response to a request for comment. “The League is not affiliated with the NRA, nor received any financial support from them.” The League is led by James Fotis, who for many years oversaw an NRA-supported effort to elect judges and state attorneys general who opposed firearms restrictions.

According to Van Sant, it was “shadowy” for the League’s 2021 brief not to disclose in that brief that the League’s president had, years before, headed an organization that received NRA grants.

That is not what the Supreme Court Rules say, nor should they. Consider some career attorneys at the U.S. Department of Justice. During their employment, they “owed their livelihoods” (Van Sant’s phrase) to the DOJ. Later, they left the DOJ for private practice, and still later they wrote an amicus brief supporting a DOJ position in a Supreme Court case. Per Van Sant’s theory, the former DOJ lawyers must disclose their past DOJ employment in their amicus brief.

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Security guard shoots man assaulting woman near El Paso international bridge

A security guard shot a man who may have been assaulting a woman near an international bridge in El Paso on Friday, police said.

The security guard witnessed the apparent assault taking place inside a car waiting in the southbound lane leading up to the Stanton Bridge, El Paso police said.

The guard fired “at least one shot,” an El Paso officer told the Post. A video shared by KVIA captured the sound of at least ten shots being fired.

Police block Stanton International Bridge after the shooting.
Police block Stanton International Bridge after the shooting.
Go Nakamura for New York Post

The alleged assailant was sent to the hospital with one gunshot wound and is expected to recover, authorities said.

No arrests were made as of late Friday.

Fatal shooting in Warner Robins being treated as self-defense

HOUSTON COUNTY, Ga. (WGXA) – Police in Warner Robins are investigating a fatal Saturday shooting.

In a post on Facebook. the Warner Robins Police Department says their officers were called to the area near American Deli on Watson Blvd. just after 2 p.m. Their investigation shows that 22-year-old Tamar Lewis was shot and later died at the hospital. Investigators say Lewis approached another man and started shooting at him. That man returned fire and then ran away and called 911. Investigators are treating this shooting as self-defense.

The investigation is ongoing.

What exactly are the laws for minors possessing guns in North Carolina?

When it comes to minors purchasing firearms in North Carolina, the rules are clear: No one under the age of 21 may buy handguns, and no one younger than 18 can buy long guns, such as shotguns or rifles.

The state actually adheres to federal standards when it comes to such age restrictions.

But the rules are different in North Carolina when it comes to the possession of firearms. And it can get a little confusing.

  • North Carolina law makes it a misdemeanor for someone under the age of 18 to possess a handgun.
  • But there is no similar NC statute specifically addressing the possession of “long guns” — rifles, shotguns and carbines (except for a statute that allows children younger than 12 to handle firearms with permission from or under supervision of adults.).

So what exactly are the rules for minors possessing or using guns? There are a few.

▪ Under the age of 12. A child under the age of 12 must have permission from their parent or guardian to possess or use a firearm, whether loaded or unloaded, or be under the supervision of an adult, says NC statute 14-316. Violation is a misdemeanor.

▪ Keeping guns away from minors. According to North Carolina statute 14-315.1., people who possess firearms and live with minors have a responsibility to store firearms in a way that unsupervised minors cannot access them.

The penalty for not doing this is a Class 1 misdemeanor — but only under certain circumstances: if that firearm is obtained without permission and the minor exhibits the weapon in a public place or in a threatening manner, carries it onto an “educational property,” causes injury or death (not in self-defense) or uses it in the commission of a crime.

The statute is long, but specifies that the adult may be responsible if the firearm is stored “in a condition that the firearm can be discharged and in a manner that the person knew or should have known that an unsupervised minor would be able to gain access to the firearm.”

▪ No guns on school grounds. It is a Class 1 felony for anyone of any age to possess or carry (openly or concealed) any kind of firearm on “educational property” or to an extracurricular activity sponsored by a school. If that weapon is discharged, it’s a Class F felony. (Note: does not apply to BB guns, stun guns, air rifles or air pistols.).

It is also a Class 1 felony to encourage or aid a minor (less than 18 years old) to carry a firearm onto an educational property.

▪ No permit needed for “long guns.” You do not need any kind of permit to own a “long gun,” which includes a rifle or shotgun, but you do need a North Carolina ID and the buyer must pass a background check. (You do need need a permit to purchase a handgun.)

Why is it a crime to improperly store a firearm, but not illegal for a minor to own a rifle?

In North Carolina, it is not illegal for a minor to possess a long gun, such as a shotgun or rifle. And yet, it can be a crime for a minor to access a firearm if a parent or guardian has not properly secured it.

It all depends on what the minor does with the gun they access.

From the state statute (G.S. 14-315.1), here are all the elements that must be present for improper storage of a firearm to be a crime:

WNY Baptist ministers filing federal lawsuit over NYS ban on guns in place of worship

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — On Thursday, two Western New York congregation leaders alongside Firearms Police Coalition and Second Amendment Foundation filed a lawsuit against New York State.

The plaintiffs are challenging the state’s law and regulation banning guns in places of worship or places of religious observation.

The two WNY congregational leaders, Pastor Jimmie Hardaway with Trinity Baptist Church and Bishop Larry Boyd with Open Praise Full Gospel Baptist are filing this against Kevin Bruen, who recently resigned as Superintendent of the New York State Police, Niagara County District Attorney, Brian Seaman, and Erie County District Attorney, John Flynn.

According to the 49-page lawsuit, the ban denies the plaintiffs and “other typical law-abiding individuals” from carrying loaded handguns “in case of confrontation for immediate self-defense in a place of worship that would otherwise permit them to carry.”

The complaint notes that both Hardaway would typically carry a concealed firearm at Trinity Baptist, particularly on Sundays and during services.

“Reverend Hardaway has carried both for self-defense and because he feels a unique obligation to his congregants as Pastor to be prepared in case of confrontation. Trinity Baptist is in a neighborhood that has struggled with violent incidents,” the complaint argues.

It is also noted Boyd would carry a concealed firearm at Open Praise’s on Sundays and during services. “Open Praise is in a neighborhood that has struggled with crime, violence, and gang-related issues,” the complaint argues.

The plaintiffs also argue that because of tragic shootings in churches across the country, specifically in Charleston in 2015, Boyd has even more of a desire to carry for self-defense.

Boyd and Hardaway, the complaint argues, are both law-abiding, responsible gun owners.

7 News did reach out to Boyd and Hardaway for comment, but was directed to their attorneys, Nicolas Rotsko and Pete Patterson. 7 News reached out to them, but have not heard back.

7 News also reached out to the defendants. A spokesperson for the Erie County’s District Attorney’s office said Flynn would not comment on pending litigation.

Store owner shoots, kills 2 suspects trying to rob jewelry booth at Orlando flea market

Two men were killed and two others are on the loose after they attempted to rob a jewelry vendor at an Orlando flea market and were shot by the owner.

Orlando Police Department officers responded on Friday, October 14, at 11:44 a.m. to the Magic Mall after receiving calls regarding a shooting.

According to police, four suspects attempted to rob a jewelry booth inside the mall, which is an indoor flea market located at 2155 West Colonial Drive. At least one of the four suspects was armed.

The store owner shot at the suspects, who then attempted to flee the scene. One of the suspects was found dead at the scene by police.

The other three suspects fled in a vehicle that was later found at a nearby location. One of the suspects who had been shot was found inside the vehicle with a gunshot wound.

That suspect was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased.

The other two suspects have not been located by police.

Okay, update on the Raleigh massacre.
Why the type of gun wasn’t mentioned?
Nailed it: Shotgun. And that doesn’t fit the gun banner’s narrative, so this will be shoved down the memory hole by Monday. And all SloJoe could do is replay he want’s to ban ‘assault weapons’.

Raleigh Active Shooter VIDEO: Multiple Dead

A 15-year-old active shooter, wearing camouflage and wielding a shotgun, randomly shot and killed five people near a trail in Raleigh, North Carolina. Video emerged from the scene, showing a massive law enforcement response.

FPC VICTORY: Judge Issues Injunction Against California Gun Owner Data-Sharing Law

SAN DIEGO, CA (October 14, 2022) – Today, Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) announced that San Diego Superior Court Judge Katherine Bacal has issued a preliminary injunction in its lawsuit challenging California Assembly Bill 173, which requires the state’s Department of Justice to share the personal identifying information of millions of gun and ammunition owners with other parties for non-law-enforcement purposes. The ruling in Barba v. Bonta, which was affirmed by the judge in full, can be viewed at FPCLegal.org.

“Defendant responds plaintiffs cannot establish irreparable harm because the personal identifying information has already been shared with researchers as recently as November of 2021. Yet this does not account for the potential ongoing and future harms that could occur by continuous use of the information,” wrote Judge Bacal in her ruling. “Additionally. . .this does not necessarily mean that future requests for data would not occur in the interim . . .and while this motion has been pending, a massive data breach reportedly occurred that leaked personal identifying information from the firearm databases for concealed carry applicants in or about June of 2022. Accordingly, plaintiffs have shown that the balance of harms weighs in favor of issuing the injunction.”

“The California government has proven time and time again that it can’t be trusted with the private personal information of its residents,” said FPC Director of Legal Operations Bill Sack. “Today’s ruling reinforces what FPC has been arguing all along; that you needn’t be forced to open your front door to immoral government intrusion in order to exercise your fundamental rights.”

FPC is joined in this lawsuit by the Second Amendment Foundation, California Gun Rights Foundation, San Diego County Gun Owners PAC, Orange County Gun Owners PAC, and Inland Empire Gun Owners PAC.

Individuals who would like to Join the FPC Grassroots Army and support important pro-rights lawsuits and programs can sign up at JoinFPC.org. Individuals and organizations wanting to support charitable efforts in support of the restoration of Second Amendment and other natural rights can also make a tax-deductible donation to the FPC Action Foundation. For more on FPC’s lawsuits and other pro-Second Amendment initiatives, visit FPCLegal.org and follow FPC on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube.

Firearms Policy Coalition (firearmspolicy.org), a 501(c)4 nonprofit organization, exists to create a world of maximal human liberty, defend constitutional rights, advance individual liberty, and restore freedom. FPC’s efforts are focused on the Right to Keep and Bear Arms and adjacent issues including freedom of speech, due process, unlawful searches and seizures, separation of powers, asset forfeitures, privacy, encryption, and limited government. The FPC team are next-generation advocates working to achieve the Organization’s strategic objectives through litigation, research, scholarly publications, amicus briefing, legislative and regulatory action, grassroots activism, education, outreach, and other programs.

FPC Law (FPCLaw.org) is the nation’s first and largest public interest legal team focused on the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, and the leader in the Second Amendment litigation and research space.

Homeowner shoots at naked man accused of breaking into home, trying to steal cat

NEWTON COUNTY, Texas (KFDM) — A Texas man is in jail after investigators say a homeowner awakened to find the suspect naked inside his home and trying to steal his cat.

The homeowner fired a shot at the naked man, who was eventually caught by a deputy, according to Newton County Sheriff Robert Burby.

According to the sheriff, at about 5:30 a.m. Wednesday, a homeowner contacted the Newton County Dispatch Center and stated that he woke up and found an unidentified naked man inside his house. He described the intruder as a white male that appeared to be young, possibly in his early twenties.

The homeowner further advised that the unidentified man tried to steal his cat and said he fired a shot at the man that grazed his right forearm.

The man ran from his home toward an old high school in Deweyville. Deputy Nash arrived on the scene and observed a naked man running toward CR 4156. Nash gave chase and took the man into custody.

The unidentified man was transported by EMS to a Beaumont hospital for treatment and was released into the custody of Newton County S.O. He is currently lodged in the Newton County Jail pending additional charges and arraignment.

Alright. so this was something personal and then the kid decides to go out in a blaze of hate.
Also, since no one is commenting on the gun used, we can be pretty confident, it’s not an AR, but a shotgun or rifle the kid stole from his parents.

Raleigh shooting suspect identified as younger brother of slain victim, law enforcement source says

The suspected gunman in Thursday’s deadly mass shooting in Raleigh, North Carolina, has been identified as the younger brother of one of the five people killed in the rampage, a law enforcement source confirmed to CBS News. The suspect, who was identified as a 15-year-old boy, is the brother of 16-year-old James Roger Thompson, CBS News’ Pat Milton reports.

CBS News is not naming the suspect due to his age.

Raleigh Police Chief Estella Patterson said the suspect is in critical condition. According to the law enforcement source, the suspect suffered an apparent self-inflicted wound.

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