Conceal Carry

D.C. Circuit lets stand concealed-carry ruling, cheering gun-rights activists

In a win for gun rights advocates, a federal appeals court on Thursday decided to let stand a ruling that found it is unconstitutional to require firearms owners prove a “good reason” in order to be permitted to carry a concealed handgun in the nation’s capital. The D.C. government had petitioned for the full D.C. Circuit to rehear the case en banc, but the court declined to revisit the 2-1 decision handed down earlier this year, noting that none of the 10 judges who considered the matter requested a vote on it. The decision leaves in place the D.C. Circuit’s prior ruling, which found that the city’s “good reason” requirement was unconstitutional. It also sets up the potential for the Supreme Court to take up the case, as the decision creates a split with other federal circuits that have found discretionary permitting schemes elsewhere are legal. “Sometimes the most important thing a court does is not do anything,” said Adam Winkler, a University of California at Los Angeles law professor who has written extensively on the Second Amendment. “Because of what the D.C. Circuit didn’t do today, the Supreme Court is now far more likely to take a concealed carry case.” D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine said he was disappointed in Thursday’s decision, but it was not immediately apparent if his office would appeal the decision to the Supreme Court. “As we review options for next steps in consultation with the mayor, the council and the Metropolitan Police Department, our primary concern will be ensuring public safety through reasonable gun laws,” Mr. Racine said. But the circuit split created by the D.C. ruling is the type of scenario gun rights activists have salivated over for years, with the hope that the Supreme Court would take up a case on concealed carry rights and rule to expand Second Amendment protections. Four other federal appeals courts have ruled in favor of similar restrictions elsewhere. The city’s law had required gun owners to prove they have a “good reason to fear injury” or another “proper reason,” such as a job that requires carrying large amounts of cash or valuables, in order to get a concealed carry permit. Under the city’s law, living in a high-crime neighborhood was not reason enough to justify approval of a concealed carry permit. Second Amendment advocates who brought the lawsuit said the city’s law was so restrictive that most law-abiding citizens would be unable to obtain permits. As of June, the Metropolitan Police Department reported having granted just 125 concealed carry permits. The city’s strict concealed carry laws have remained in effect while the D.C. Circuit was considering whether to rehear the case, so the ruling marks the first time the “good reason” requirements will be cast aside.

It’s about time!  Glad to see the D.C. Circuit slap the fascist, Democrat, D.C. city government’s unconstitutional “good reason” requirement down.  Outstanding!!    🙂

Armed Texan Intervenes, Stops Alleged Sexual Assault of Female Jogger

Court documents filed this week claim an armed good Samaritan intervened and stopped an alleged sexual assault after hearing a female runner scream. The incident occurred on a running trail near Lady Bird Lake in Austin, Texas. According to the Austin American-Statesman, an affidavit claims the unidentified female was running around 5:46 a.m. when she began to hear loud steps closing in behind her. Suddenly, “the victim was grabbed behind by the suspect with both the suspect’s arms, (bear hug).” The victim said both she and the suspect fell to the ground “and she was on her back and the suspect was on top of her.” The woman said she tried to use a whistle to attract help but the suspect had her pinned down. Moreover, he placed his hand over her mouth to mute her screams. The suspect allegedly told the woman that he was “a virgin” as he assaulted her. At some point, the woman was able to scream and nearby armed jogger heard her. He ran toward the scream with his handgun and flashlight drawn and ordered the suspect to get off the woman. The attacker allegedly stood up “naked from the waist down” and took off running with the woman’s shoes and shorts. The partially naked woman walked toward the jogger who was holding the flashlight in hopes of finding protection. Three days later, police arrested 22-year-old Richard Jordon McEachern and accused him of perpetrating the assault. Police are also investigating whether McEachern may have been involved in a similar assault–carried out by grabbing another female jogger from behind–on August 22. On January 12, 2017, he New York Times editorial board wrote against expanding the opportunities for armed citizens to be armed for self-defense. The paper claimed, “The grim truth is that concealed-carry permit holders are rarely involved in stopping crime.”

Typical liberal factually inaccurate bs from the NY Times..  Whoever this “good Samaritan” was, he was definitely a hero.  And, his actions show the value in arming yourself.  If you don’t have a conceal carry permit yet, then get one.

‘This is war’: Florida sheriff urges citizens to arm themselves in case of attack

A Florida sheriff’s office posted a controversial message on social media, urging citizens to arm themselves in self-defense. Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey posted the video on Facebook Wednesday, two days after a deadly workplace shooting in nearby Orlando claimed the lives of five people. “Folks, now more than ever is the time for our citizens to be prepared to serve as the first line of defense, not only for them, but for their families,” Sheriff Ivey said. As images of the Fort Lauderdale airport shooting and Pulse nightclub massacre flashed on-screen, Ivey warned residents that attacks have happened locally as well as abroad. “What’s next is to fully understand that this is war, and you better be prepared to wage war to protect you, your family, and those around you if attacked,” he said. Ivey stressed that attackers rely on people running, hiding, and waiting for help, rather than fighting back. “What they don’t count on is being attacked themselves, having to become defensive to save their own lives,” Ivey argued. The sheriff said that calling 911 means officers are on their way, but said, “Until they arrive, it’s up to you and those with you to neutralize or eliminate the threat.” Ivey encouraged people to take self-defense classes, and urged those with concealed weapons permits to carry their guns with them at all times. “No matter who you are or what your position is on guns, there’s no denying the fact that the only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun or a knife is an armed and well-prepared citizen or law enforcement officer,” Ivey said. The sheriff’s message received a mixed response.

I’m sure..  But, Sheriff Ivey is exactly right!!  As a concealed carry person myself, I’m always armed.  And, it doesn’t hurt that I have many years of experience as a “field grade” Army officer, including time in Afghanistan, etc.  If you don’t have a concealed carry permit, consider getting one…as well as a concealed carry firearm.  Then, spend time on your local firing range.  Its a great hobby, and is something you do with your family and loved ones.  Kudos to Sheriff Ivey for having the courage in this day and age to put such a message out there.  Excellent!!    🙂

May 2017 Shatters Background Check Records Set Under Obama

May 2017 shattered the gun purchase background check records set under Barack Obama during May 2015 and 2016. Breitbart News reported that May 2015 set what was then an all-time record for background checks for the month of May and began a 19-month streak in which each month surpassed background check records. In other words, May 2015 witnessed more background checks than any May in history, then June 2015 witnessed more background checks than any June, and more in July than any July, and so on. The streak continued through November 2016. Newly released FBI figures for May 2017 show that the background check records set in May 2015 and 2016 are now history. May 2015 saw 1,580,980 checks, May 2016 saw 1,870,000, and May 2017 saw 1,942,677. It is interesting to note the newest month-of-May record comes on the heels of a Crime Prevention Research Center (CPRC) report that concealed carry surged 215% between 2007 and 2015. CPRC reported the murder rate fell 14% during that same time period.

…a fact you will NOT hear about, if you get your news from the dominantly liberal mainstream media.  This is really good news; more and more law abiding Americans exercising their 2nd Amendment rights.  It’s a beautiful thing!    🙂

Gun rights advocates see chance in Congress for concealed carry reciprocity

Gun rights activists, after an early victory getting an Obama-era Social Security rule axed, are now setting more ambitious sights on getting a national concealed carry reciprocity bill to President Trump’s desk. The legislation would allow people who have concealed carry permits in their home states to exercise those rights in other states that allow concealed carry, provided that the permit holder abides by those other state laws as well. Advocates of such a measure say permit holders would not have to worry about inadvertently breaking the law if they pass through a state with different restrictions from those in their home states. All 50 states allow some kind of concealed carry, and most states have some form of out-of-state reciprocity, but the specifics vary. “The current patchwork of state and local gun laws is confusing and can cause the most conscientious and law-abiding gun owner to run afoul of the law when they are traveling or temporarily living away from home,” said Chris W. Cox, executive director of the National Rifle Association’s legislative lobbying arm. But opponents say such a measure would undermine stricter controls in certain states by imposing a one-size-fits-all solution. “One size does not fit all, and this NRA-backed bill would only make the weakest link the law of the land — gutting America’s public safety laws,” said John Feinblatt, president of the gun control advocacy group Everytown for Gun Safety. Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, the Senate’s No. 2-ranking Republican, recently introduced such legislation in the upper chamber after Rep. Richard Hudson, North Carolina Republican, offered a similar bill in the House. “This bill strengthens both the constitutional right of law-abiding citizens to protect themselves and the power of states to implement laws best-suited for the folks who live there,” Mr. Cornyn said. With Obamacare repeal and tax reform dominating attention on Capitol Hill, it’s unclear where expanding concealed carry reciprocity — a longtime goal of gun rights activists — will fall on the Republican priority list. But many Republicans are at least welcoming the opportunity to play offense on the issue after spending much of the last administration working to beat back Democratic proposals for tougher gun control — particularly in the wake of the December 2012 Sandy Hook school shootings in Newtown, Connecticut. “With a groundswell of support from Americans across the country and a pro-Second Amendment president, I believe we can make national concealed carry reciprocity a reality,” Mr. Hudson said. Mr. Trump recently signed legislation to reverse an Obama-era rule asking the Social Security administration to scour its records for people deemed mentally deficient to add their information to a national gun purchase background check system. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke also has announced the reversal of an Obama-era ban on the use of lead bullets on some federal lands. Gun rights and sportsmen’s groups said the original rule was designed to discourage hunting. Rep. Jeff Duncan, South Carolina Republican, and Rep. John R. Carter, Texas Republican, introduced legislation that would remove sound suppressors from the scope of the National Firearms Act, saying the move would promote safety and help safeguard the hearing of shooters. Mr. Trump’s early willingness to expand gun rights stands in contrast to the approach of President Obama, who tried to take some executive steps to impose more gun controls.

Agreed..  And we’re thrilled to see a more pro-gun administration in the White House.  🙂

Ambushed Pizza Delivery Man Pulls Own Gun on Attackers

A pizza delivery man who was ambushed and shot subsequently dropped his pizzas, pulled his own handgun, and opened fire on the two robbery suspects. The incident occurred Monday about 7:05 p.m. in southwest Philadelphia. WPVI reports that the 36-year-old delivery man brought the pizzas to a home that turned out to be vacant. The delivery man knocked on the door of the home “and two armed men [allegedly] emerged from an adjacent home.” Police said those armed men “shot the deliveryman man once in the left arm and once in the left side.” At that point, the delivery man “dropped the pizzas and pulled out his own gun.” He fired at the suspects, who then fled. It is unknown whether either suspect was hit. The victim was able to make it back to his car and “drive himself to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.” He was transported to a second hospital and is in stable condition. Police said the deliveryman was licensed to carry a gun for self-defense.

Glad to hear this poor guy is recovering from his wounds.  Hopefully they find the animals who ambushed and attacked him, and they’re arrested.  Just another great example of the importance of conceal carrying.  He’s alive because he was carrying.  Period.  Outstanding!!  🙂

Armed Citizen Intervenes, Kills Suspect Beating AZ State Trooper on Roadside

On January 12, an armed citizen stopped and killed a man who was beating an Arizona State Trooper on the side of I-10. The incident occurred early Thursday morning on about “50 miles west of downtown Phoenix.” According to KTAR News,  the trooper had stopped to investigate a rollover accident at about 4:30 a.m., when someone opened fire, shooting him in the shoulder. The alleged shooter then began to beat the officer. An armed citizen and his family were driving by when they spotted the officer under duress. The citizen stopped the car, ran toward the officer and asked if he needed assistance. When the officer said “yes,” the citizen ran back to his car, grabbed his gun, then returned and “demanded the attacker stop.” The attacker refused to stop, so the citizen shot him multiple times, killing him. Arizona Department of Public Safety Director Col. Frank Milstead said, “I don’t know that my trooper would be alive without [the armed citizen’s] assistance.” The name of the armed citizen was not released, but Milstead added, “I would just say thank you.” Also on January 12, the New York Times editorial board wrote against expanding the opportunities for armed citizens to be armed for self-defense. The paper claimed, “The grim truth is that concealed-carry permit holders are rarely involved in stopping crime.”

And it’s no wonder that liberal rag is losing subscriptions left and right.  This AZ state trooper is alive today because a law-abiding gun owner stopped a thug cold.  Kudos to that anonymous good Samaritan.  Outstanding!!    🙂