Category: Second Amendment

The Right Stuff?

The U.S. Senate on Thursday confirmed Jennifer Mascott, President Donald Trump’s latest nominee to the federal appeals court in Philadelphia, further shifting the court’s ideological balance to the right. [More]

Anybody ask her some pointed questions?

Or are we just making $#!+ up?

[Via Jess]

Related UPDATE

Major, major breaking news. A huge victory for President Donald Trump and perhaps the Second Amendment… [More]

How is “perhaps” definitively asserted to be a “huge victory”?

It may turn out to be, but the claim is premature.

That doesn’t surprise me.

An Age-Old Question

Attorney General Pam Bondi has announced that the DOJ does not believe that the McCoy vs ATF should be the next 2A SCOTUS case. Why did DOJ say this? Mark Smith, Four Boxes Diner, discusses [Watch]

I’m not afraid to say so when I think he’s not being objective considering all factors, or just generally playing see-no-evil administration cheerleader. That said, I think he’s correct here.

[Via Jess]

Twice More Unto the Breach

You know who ought to be taking the lead on all this, not just with arguments but with bearing the costs…?

And They Say There are No Stupid Questions

Our Next Debate: Would America Be Safer Without the Second Amendment? [More]

There’s nothing to debate.

Remember what Mr. Paine said [link downloads Word doc]:

The balance of power is the scale of peace. The same balance would be preserved were all the world destitute of arms, for all would be alike; but since some will not, others dare not lay them aside. And while a single nation refuses to lay them down, it is proper that all should keep them up. Horrid mischief would ensue were one-half the world deprived of the use of them; for while avarice and ambition have a place in the heart of man, the weak will become a prey to the strong. The history of every age and nation establishes these truths, and facts need but little arguments when they prove themselves.

That balance of power must exist between government and governed or tyranny will prevail.

The Second Amendment does not authorize predatory abuse of arms any more than the First authorizes libel, fraud, and perjury. Since the right to arms is a preexisting one, amending the Constitution would not eliminate, the right, just the government’s recognition of it, and try changing that and you ain’t seen nothin’ yet in terms of body counts.

Dershowitz is an impotent old fool, what Aaron Zelman called a “bagel brained Jew,” serving here in the role of ideological kapo.

‘Where Shopping is (Once More) a Pleasure’

Publix has confirmed it will allow customers to openly carry firearms inside its Florida stores, following a court ruling that struck down the state’s long-standing open carry ban. In a statement to 7News, a spokesperson for Publix said the grocery chain “follows all federal, state and local laws” and emphasized that “treating customers with dignity and respect is a founding belief.” [More]

Well, that ought p!$$ off the same people who endorse a Democrat who wants to shoot Republicans in the head.

They sure had no trouble gloating when they thought they were winning.

[Via Kid Sister]

Looking Away

Pelosi dodges when asked if Virginia AG candidate who fantasized about shooting Republican should drop out – Pelosi, who pressured Biden to bow out of 2024 race, says she doesn’t ‘get involved in other people’s races’ [More]

In other words, she’s joined the other grabbers in hiding.

What happened to “Don’t look away“?

What a cowardly and ridiculous hypocrite.

Democrats have given up any claim to lecture anyone– not that they ever had any in the first place. Every single one of them mugging with the red shirts should have this thrown in their faces.

Democrat Inaction and Gun Prohibitionist Silence on Violent Jay Jones Comments Speaks Volumes

Equally unsurprising, but nonetheless very revealing, is that none of the so-called “gun safety groups” that have come out for Jones are rescinding their endorsements. [More]

Maybe the cat’s got their tongue… And why does it look like the Brady group is trying to quietly erase their endorsement…?

Doing the Work Republicans Won’t Do

Gun Owners of America Files Motion for Summary Judgment Against ATF, Challenging NFA Provisions [More]

A familiar name is on page 3.

I understand civil litigation and FOIA stuff is considered nonessential and will be delayed by the shutdown, so we’ll see if this has to grab a ticket and line up in the queue.

Guess what else is delayed.

Spoiler Alert?

“There never was, and never will be, a tenable pathway for Hunt,” they said in the memo. “It’s time for the vanity project that could cost Republicans control of the Senate and dilute our resources to end.” [More]

I dunno– Cornyn is a weasel gun owners will stay home over and Paxton comes with exploitable scandals.

Why don’t they drop out and the Republicans throw everything they’ve got behind a guy who actually gets it?

[Via Michael G]

Do You Come from a Land Down Under?

Australia Police Seize Guns from Dozens of Owners Over Personal “Sovereign Citizen” Statements [More]

True, they don’t have a First or a Second Amendment, but contrary to popular opinion, Australians have a right to free speech and a right to keep and bear arms. Everyone does.

What most don’t have is the will to keep violence monopolists from denying them.

ATTN: Ohio Gun Owners

Received via email:

There’s still time to register for the Ultimate CCW Class coming up on Sunday, Oct. 12. This is a comprehensive CCW certification and refresher course for new and experienced gun owners alike. Click here for complete information.

We also have a Protecting Houses of Worship training event on Saturday, Nov. 1 in Mayfield Heights. Training will include the history of active killing events, including current tragedies, as well as medical training, tactics, and active killer response scenarios. Click here for itinerary and topics covered.

Finally, we’ve marked down the Traveler’s Guide to the Firearm Laws of the Fifty States to only $11.95. Click here to get your copy now.

Crossroads

Montana Shooting Sports Association is at a crossroads. Montana Shooting Sports Association (MSSA) needs to either grow substantially or begin spooling down. I just had my 79th birthday and will not be able to carry the MSSA load much longer. To set MSSA up to carry on will require money and members, lots of both. [More]

Gary Marbut has been the engine that has kept things going in more ways than I could summarize. If Montana gun owners don’t appreciate the sacrifices he has made on their behalf, the innovation in his thinking to protect their rights, and the sheer determination of pulling the load every day, step by step, with unflagging devotion, if the greatest enemy of the animating contest for freedom, apathy, prevails, they’ll bring Mr. Churchill’s terrifying assessment down on their own (and our) heads, and Mr. Adams’ judgment on their souls.

Montana gun owners have the choice of doing things the easy way or the hard way. Not doing anything is simply surrendering that choice to those who would leave them none– under force of arms.

It’s Not Like It’s a Right or Anything

NFA approvals are paused until the shutdown ends. This means no new tax stamps will be issued until ATF staff return to work. [More]

I wonder what text, history, and tradition have to say about that…

Related UPDATE:

AI Overview
Due to the 2025 federal government shutdown, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) has halted the processing of NFA firearms approvals, such as those for suppressors and short-barreled rifles. The ATF eForms system remains online for submissions, but applications will not be reviewed or approved until the shutdown ends and staff return to work.
Here is what you need to know about the current situation:
Approvals are paused: While you can still submit NFA paperwork, no new tax stamps will be issued during the government shutdown. This applies to all National Firearms Act (NFA) items.
Submissions are still possible: You can continue to file and certify NFA paperwork electronically through the eForms portal or other platforms. Submitting your application now will secure your place in the processing queue once the government reopens.
Delays are expected: When the shutdown ends, a backlog of applications will likely cause a delay in processing times.
Status of NFA regulations: Recent legislation, “H.R. 1 – One Big Beautiful Bill,” was signed in July 2025 and eliminated the $200 NFA tax for suppressors, short-barreled rifles, and short-barreled shotguns, effective January 1, 2026.
However, registration and compliance requirements remain. The tax repeal does not change the requirement to submit all necessary forms (Form 1 or Form 4, fingerprints, photos) and maintain records.

Wolford at the Door

On Friday we celebrated DOJ Civil Rights filing an amicus brief with SCOTUS on Wolford v Lopez, the case out of Hawaii where there is a circuit split on “whether private property no carry default violates the Second Amendment.”

That’s the case where Alan Beck is one of the attorneys for petitioners.

Stephen Stamboulieh, who has worked with Alan on numerous efforts, as well as represented me, shares his thoughts:

We Could Tell You But Then We’d Have to Kill You

In an interview, Gottlieb noted that the organization has “been obviously working very closely with the Trump Administration.” However, he stipulated that “we don’t like to get into details talking about who we’re working with and how we’re accomplishing it.” [More]

Why not? Those are our rights being talked about in the back room, and if we have no input, who knows what kind of “deal” will be worked out by our betters, and if we’ll find the cost/benefit trade-off acceptable?

No one is saying to lay out all details of the legal strategy so the enemy knows your battle plans, but existing briefs and arguments mean they’re already pretty much known anyway. And if the “gun lobby” doesn’t have political/legal goals announced and prioritized by now, then what the hell?

I call bull$#!+ on “Rest assured we know best” attitudes. My feel is this has more to do with walking on eggshells and being able to jockey for credit. But when you have a longer reach, and a louder voice, you can ignore solutions that don’t provide for that.

A Discouraging Word

Bondi’s DOJ Defends Unconstitutional Handgun Sales Ban — Another Betrayal of Trump’s Pro-Gun Agenda [More]

An X.com thread elaborates.

Maybe they need to up the lithium…

This is where I gotta address an administration apologist, attorney, author, and YouTube “gunfluencer Mark W. Smith of Four Boxes Diner fame, who seems to always find excuses for such disappointments and who doesn’t much like those of us who dare point out disconnects. But before I elaborate, I’ll stipulate he’s got me outmatched with academic and legal credentials, and that I’ll never win a Gundie (or for that matter, a bathing suit contest). And don’t get me wrong– I really do appreciate much of what he does. Just not all.

I’ll also stipulate that Donald Trump has done more to advance 2A than any president in my lifetime. We can help him do better, but not if we ignore infringements pushed by “our side.”

Here’s a direct quote, noting commentary like this is peppered throughout this presentation and increasingly showing up in others:

And it reiterates my point on this channel that a lot of those people in the Second Amendment community, and you know exactly who you are. You anti-Trumpers in the Second Amendment community whining and complaining about nonsensical things, about Amy Coney Barrett on one day, Pam Bond on another day, Donald Trump on another day, and you know exactly who you are .

Yeah, I know exactly who I am. Does he? Because if he thinks that’s why “we” do this, it makes me wonder what else he’s not factoring in, and how much of that is deliberate. To dismiss pointing out differences between promises and actions as “whining” is obnoxious and candidly, not an honest take.

Somebody’s got to point out when the emperor has no clothes, and our ideological leaders, of which he is one, shouldn’t be discouraging that.

As for Texas Gun Rights, which brought us the above-linked story, instead of dismissing them as “anti-Trump,” maybe we should talk with Brandon Hererra and Lt. Col. Allen West first.

And as long as I’m pointing out disagreements, as essential as “in common use” has proven to be in moving the ball this far, going forward it can and will be used to deny arms that are not. He’s had the opportunity to refute me and show me where I’m wrong, and truthfully, I wish he could.

As for criticisms earned by the Trump administration, and there are many in the mix, I keep coming back to how this could be easily avoided and we could live happily ever after singing his praises.

But not presuming to be “the smartest person in the room,” what the hell do I know?

[Via WiscoDave]

I’ve Got Mine!

Federal Judge: Biden ATF Rule on Firearms Sales Cannot Be Used Against NRA Members [More]

Speaking as Life Member who is now covered, let me just say that equal protection should demand it apply to everyone else, as well.

Note the difference in that attitude, and the attitude of “Only Ones” benefiting from LEOSA but unwilling to invite those of us on the outside in.

[Via bondmen]

In the Kapu Tradition

The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) and its partners have filed a motion for summary judgment in a federal lawsuit challenging Hawaii’s ban on the acquisition and possession of firearms and ammunition for adults 18-20 years old. [More]

Great.

But the state has a virtually unlimited war chest, and 2A advocacy groups have to scramble up money from already overburdened activists.

Where are Harmeet Dhillon and Pam Bondi on this deprivation of rights under color of authority?

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