.223-.556 Ammo Information

Violent Protests Escalate As Organized Rioters Receive Tactical Gear And Funding Darwin Nercesian Whenever the left doesn’t get what they want, they get violent. Looting, vandalism, burning cities, hurling bottles and stones at law enforcement, and overall destruction are just another day in the life for a leftist agitator. Let’s face it, we’ve been here before, and we all knew this was coming as soon as winter was in the rearview mirror. They lost the election, and now they’ll use any excuse to terrorize Americans in a transparent attempt to intimidate the public into seeing things their way. Somebody ought to send them a memo about how this is, in fact, a failing strategy, but I doubt they’ll listen because terrorists never do. What’s more disturbing is that someone or some group is helping to organize and fund the chaos, with websites like nokings.org promising nationwide and international escalation scheduled to kick off on June 14th, although it seems many of these degenerates have already arrived. Additionally, those paying for this actual insurrection are supplying their useful idiots with tactical gear, including masks, shields, and other equipment to help them be better protected and more efficient thieves, rioters, arsonists, and violent criminals. An anti-ICE protester was recently recorded handing out this equipment in broad daylight amidst what is sure to escalate into 2020-style carnage in Democrat controlled Los Angeles. And just like the original Floyd-inspired savagery, similar riots are starting to pop up in other liberal strongholds, including usual suspects like New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Boston, Philadelphia, and Atlanta. Another blast from the past, coming back around for 2025, are the leftist claims of “mostly peaceful protests” amid the backdrop of fires, burnt-out vehicles and buildings, vandalism, looting, blocking freeways, and mass criminal behavior. The unidentified chode caught on camera in Los Angeles on Monday June 9 appeared to be handing out riot shields, gas masks, and other types of protective equipment normally seen deployed by law enforcement agencies during such unrest. Audacity and a low IQ provided the courage necessary to park his truck and begin dispersing the gear, only steps away from downtown federal buildings, where crowds of illiterate sheep swarmed to get their hands on “Bionic Shield” masks, which appear to have been purchased in bulk. The excuses this time, turning criminal mischief and terrorism into “expressions of frustration,” as Democrats would call it, surround President Trump’s order to send in 2,000 National Guard troops to contain the situation that started over ICE deportations of illegal immigrants, a reaction conspicuously absent during Obama-era deportations. It’s funny how that works, until you accept the reality that this is all part of a treasonous attempt to stall and subvert the current administration. On the street, rioters can be seen breaking off pieces of cement anywhere they can to hurl at authorities and federal agents, also destroying and setting fire to government and privately owned vehicles and infrastructure. Still, no matter how bad the scene gets, how many millions in tax dollars get flushed down the toilet, or how many people get hurt, failed abortions like California Governor Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass continue to blame President Trump, first for the deportations, then for sending in reinforcements. Perhaps it’s time we take a closer look through the lens of logic and reason. While Democrats are busy trying to put an end to our Second Amendment in the name of public safety, this is the behavior they promote and allow to run roughshod in the dumpster fires they govern. Could it be that public safety is not part of their agenda, but overthrowing American liberty in the name of subjugation is? That was a rhetorical question, because anyone in their right mind knows that’s exactly what’s happening here. If they disapprove of the National Guard, I can’t imagine they’re thrilled with the 700 Marines recently deployed to Los Angeles, more than enough to take over Canada by the way, with instructions from the President to protect federal officials and property. I’ll confess to getting the popcorn ready for when these dolts decide it’s a good idea to throw rocks at Marines, but for the sake of being seen as a kinder and gentler writer, I really have to discourage any attempt to threaten or agitate them, as doing so could cause one’s complete obliteration. Seriously, Marines are bad news for bad guys. On the other hand, I do have that popcorn ready

Summer Travels: Firearms and First Aid Gregg Kielma Advises Gregg Kielma, FFL, Firearms Instructor, if you’re traveling with a firearm or firearms, it’s incumbent on you, the responsible firearm owner, to know the laws when traveling through states you will have a firearm on your person, in your car, or inside your vehicle. You must have a CCW permit from your issuing state and the states traveled through and final destination must share repository with the issuing state. Continues Kielma, please check out the USCCA website for each state you are traveling with a firearm. The onus is on you to know the law or laws. Kielma says. Let’s take a look at Jacob Paulsen President: ConcealedCarry.com thoughts and recommendations The open road calls — but for the responsibly armed American, travel isn't just about planning fun stops or scenic routes. It also means thinking through logistics that most folks ignore: How will I secure my firearm? What if I get pulled over in another state? Can I carry in a hotel, or through a National Park? Here's your summer travel checklist for responsible concealed carriers: 1. Medical Preparedness: More Important Than You Think A gun may stop a threat, but a tourniquet can stop you from bleeding out and of course way more likely than getting in a gunfight is getting in a serious car accident. A good trauma kit helps you prepare for both. Before hitting the road, make sure your vehicle is equipped with a trauma kit, not just a first-aid box. Essentials include a tourniquet, chest seals, a pressure bandage, and wound packing gauze. You should also know how to use them. 2. Research Local Gun Laws (Or Use the App That Does It For You) Gun laws change dramatically from state to state — and sometimes city to city. Don't assume your concealed carry permit is valid just because you're on vacation. 3. Know When You Can Legally Ignore Local Laws: 18 USC § 926A (FOPA) This little-known federal law protects travelers who are transporting firearms, even through states where gun possession is legally challenging, if you follow the strict guidelines. 4. Visiting a National Park? Here's What You Need to Know Yes, you can carry in most National Parks — but not in all buildings. You're subject to the state laws where the park is located, and you still have to follow rules about transport, signage, and use of force. 5. Hotels and Concealed Carry: Legal Gray Areas and Smart Habits There's no federal law about guns in hotels. Policies vary by chain and location. Even if you're legal, poor tactics like leaving a pistol unsecured in your nightstand can lead to disaster. 6. Secure Vehicle Storage: Don't Make Yourself a Target Smash-and-grab car burglaries spike in summer travel season. If you're going somewhere you can't carry, your firearm must be secured properly. 7. Flying With a Firearm? It's Legal, but Highly Regulated Yes, you can fly with a gun — but the TSA has rules, and every airline has different baggage policies. Violating one could land you in handcuffs. 8. Verify Your Self-Defense Coverage and Save the Hotline Number If you ever have to defend yourself away from home, your first call shouldn't be to your cousin's buddy who's "a lawyer." Travel confidently by making sure your CCW legal defense coverage is active — and that their 24/7 emergency hotline is saved in your phone. Final Thoughts Summer travel is about freedom, and as armed citizens, we enjoy a freedom that comes with serious responsibility. A little planning goes a long way. Whether you're hiking a national forest, staying in a sketchy motel, or just driving cross-country to see family, stay trained, stay legal, and stay ready. Sincerely, Jacob Paulsen President | ConcealedCarry.com

Some Of The Things I've Heard At The Gun Range Gregg Kielma Says FFL, Firearms Instructor and Range Safety Officer Gregg Kielma, “It’s ok to ask questions. Not question is “dumb”. If you are new to the wonderful sport of shooting, it’s always good to ask if you’re not sure. Continues Kielma, “before I take people to my range, they need to take my safety course and view at a video and pictures of the range before we start the day's activities. People say I’m over ‘protective” however, if you’re a new shooter or never fired a gun or been to an outdoor range it’s a prerequisite. You must either take my safety class or my CCW class to be permitted or invited on the range that I oversee. Here’s some of the things I’ve heard over my career as a Firearms Instructor, First Aid Fundamentals Instructor and Range Safety Officer. 1.) “Is this thing loaded?” Starting up with an important one, you should never ask “Is this thing loaded?” at a gun range, because it suggests that you don’t know the condition of your firearm. That’s one of the most basic safety responsibilities you have, and even beginners won’t be forgiven for such a lack of judgment. 2.) “Watch this!” Nothing wise ever starts by saying “Watch this” when it comes to guns. Typically, it means someone is about to try something flashy or dangerous, likely something they saw in a movie. Like, come on – gun ranges are not the place to show off or treat firearms like props. 3.) “I saw this in a movie once.” Speaking of movies, don’t be foolish enough to bring up movie scenes at the range, as it gives the impression that you have an unrealistic understanding of guns. As cool as they might be to watch, movies are full of bad gun handling and unsafe behavior, and that should never be brought into the real world. 4.) “Oops.” If you say “Oops” at a gun range, you’re going to make people freeze, as it might mean you dropped a magazine or misfired. Instead, if you make a mistake, fix it calmly and quietly or alert a range officer if needed, but don’t announce it as if it’s no big deal. 5.) “This gun isn’t mine—I just found it.” Nobody wants to hear this when there are guns around. In fact, it’s the kind of comment that would get you escorted off the premises. Gun ranges require you to be responsible and accountable for your equipment and saying this implies that you’re doing quite the opposite, even if you’re “just joking around.” 6.) “Don’t worry, I’ve done this in a video game.” Even the most realistic video games have highly unrealistic weapon combat, so it doesn’t matter how many hours you’ve logged in an FPS – it doesn’t count for anything on a real gun range. Therefore, mentioning video games will only make people question whether you should really be on the range, and how much you understand concepts such as recoil and gun safety. 7.) “What does this button do?” If you’re unsure how to operate your firearm or someone else’s, the worst time to figure it out is when you’re standing in a live-fire zone. It shows a complete lack of preparedness, which is seriously dangerous. Make sure you learn how to use your gear before you get to the range, and if you’re not confident, leave immediately and do your due diligence before returning. 8.) “I didn’t know that could happen.” Sure, surprises do occur on the gun range for new shooters, but they shouldn’t be expressed with this kind of phrase. It makes you look like you didn’t bother learning the basics before coming, even if you did. It’s a particularly concerning sentence if you’ve been caught off guard by something predictable, like recoil or a stovepipe. Understandably, it will make others nervous around you, so it would be better to leave the gun range and come back when you’ve studied up. 9.) “I’m probably too drunk for this.” No matter what, never utter this phrase at a range, even if you’re 100% sober and joking around. Mocking the safety of others is never going to land well, especially considering that ranges have zero tolerance for drugs or alcohol. 10.) “Let’s see how fast I can shoot.” In some contexts, speed shooting can be a valid skill when done under supervision and within specific guidelines. Announcing it in that way, though, makes it sound like you’re about to go wild without any control. Ranges and their clients care deeply about accuracy and consistency, not to mention safety, and they couldn’t care less about how fast you can empty a magazine without aiming. 11.) “Is it okay if I shoot sideways like in the movies?” As we previously covered, movies have all sorts of unrealistic gun cliches, and that includes shooting sideways. Doing this dramatically reduces the control and aim of a weapon, even if it does admittedly look cool in the movies. In real life, though, it’s incredibly silly-looking, and asking a member of staff if you can do it does not set a good first impression. Sure, it might have some small benefits in a gang war context, but that has no place at the range. 12.) “This isn’t going to hit anything anyway.” You might think it sounds harmless, but this kind of defeatist talk doesn’t exactly suggest you have control of your weapon, does it? So, if you genuinely think that your shots are unpredictable, why are you firing at all? 13.) “You better duck.” Yet another wisecrack, a comment like this is bound to put people on edge instantly. People expect a controlled environment at the range, not surprise warnings that imply someone’s about to get hurt. So, here’s another reminder: leave your bad sense of humor at the door. 14.) “Let’s see what happens.” Another phrase that you should never say at a gun range is “Let’s see what happens.” Yikes – this phrase is a dead giveaway that you’re not sure of the outcome, which is not what anyone wants to hear when live firearms are involved. Whatever you do, never shoot a weapon to “see what happens,” because the worst-case scenario could be deadly. 15.) “Can I try yours?” Sharing is caring in most areas of life, but not at the gun range. You should only be using a gun that you’re familiar with and well-practiced with, so asking to use someone else’s gun without knowing them is a terrible idea, and will no doubt be responded to with an aggressive rejection. 16.) “Stand back, I've got this.” You should have gathered by now that, at a firing range, this kind of bravado will backfire. Overconfidence is one of the fastest ways to make mistakes with firearms, especially when you say things that make people assume you’re compensating for a lack of experience. At the end of the day, if you know what you’re doing, you won’t need to announce it or push people away like they’re in your way. 17.) “I didn’t bring eye or ear protection.” One of the first things you learn about firing a gun safely is that you should wear eye and ear protection. Because of this basic rule, failing to bring any protection proves that you didn’t plan or don’t fully understand the risks of gunfire. So, say this at the gun range, and you’re bound to get kicked out. 18.) “This gun’s been jamming all day.” If your gun has been jamming all day, why on Earth are you still trying to use it!? Repeated malfunctions shouldn’t be ignored, and saying this out loud means you’re aware of a potential safety issue, yet you’re continuing to shoot anyway. There’s nothing smart about that. 19.) “Let’s film this - it’ll be hilarious.” The word “hilarious” should never appear in a conversation about firearms. Everyone at a range is going to be focused and serious, so hearing this will make them squirm. To make matters worse, popping out your phone to create content just confirms that you care more about the clout of shooting a weapon, rather than the safety. 20.) “I think I left one in the chamber.” Last but not least, hearing this is a worst nightmare for experienced gun owners. If you think there’s a round in the chamber, that’s something to confirm, not announce casually. It’s a key safety check that should’ve been done before moving the firearm, handing it over, or putting it away. Therefore, saying it this way sounds like you’re shrugging off responsibility, and that’s the opposite of what safe handling requires.

Joe Biden Senate Measure Would Ensure ATF “Zero Tolerance” Policy Never Returns Mark Chesnut We reported recently how the Trump Administration’s kinder, gentler Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives had rolled back its Biden-era “zero tolerance” policy which led to revocation of nearly 200-gun dealers’ federal firearms licenses over simple paperwork errors. Now, one U.S. senator is trying to make sure that policy is never again implemented should another anti-gun advocate reside in the White House. On June 2, Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, introduced S. 1922, the Fighting Irrational Regulatory Enforcement to Avert Retailers’ Misfortune (FIREARM) Act. The FIREARM ACT would make several changes that will protect lawful gun sellers in the future, including creating a safe harbor for FFLs to self-report violations, so they can correct any accidental errors and requires the ATF to work collaboratively with FFLs to fix violations and help avoid future violations. Zit would also address the “willfulness” issue by defining it to mean a voluntary, intentional violation of a known legal duty achieved through specific intent or deliberate planning, excludes previous conduct and creates a rebuttal if the conduct is not willful, and allow for direct judicial review of license revocations to avoid the ATF from serving as both judge and prosecutor. “The Biden administration’s zero-tolerance policy empowered gun grabbers in Washington to infringe on the Second Amendment and shutter small businesses,” Ernst said in a press release announcing the legislation. “Iowans spoke loud and clear in November that they were tired of bureaucratic overreach. My FIREARM Act disarms the out-of-control ATF and ensures that the rights of law-abiding gun owners are protected.” U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa, R-California, who is introducing a companion measure in the House of Representatives, said the idea is to prevent what happened to Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) from every happening again. “For four years, the Biden administration undermined the Second Amendment and weaponized government against law-abiding citizens and small businesses of the lawful firearms industry,” Issa said. “It is now a new day and a different Washington, and that’s why my friend Senator Ernst and I are advancing the FIREARM Act . We can stop the targeting of our citizens and prevent it from ever happening again.” The legislation was met with solid approval by several gun-rights organizations, including the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the firearms industry trade association. “Senator Joni Ernst’s FIREARM Act will ensure that future administrations cannot weaponize the ATF as a political gun control tool for special interests,” Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF senior vice president and general counsel, said in a news item posted on the organization’s website. “Under the Biden administration, the firearm and ammunition industry witnessed the ATF being weaponized to carry out that administration’s extreme anti-gun policies. That damaged the cooperative relationships between firearm retailers, who are on the frontline preventing illegal straw purchases of firearms, and the ATF, which enforces laws to safeguard our communities. NSSF is thankful for Senator Ernst’s leadership to provide remedies that repair this necessary public trust in our federal agencies.” At the time of this writing, the text of the bill was not yet available.

Secretary of Defense Peter Hegseth Gun club alerts Secretary of Defense of their 2A fight against Fort Devens TTAG Contributor by Lee Williams The Ft. Devens Rifle & Pistol Club, Inc., warned Fort Devens officials multiple times that if they didn’t let the civilian club shoot, they would take official action. Act they did. On Tuesday, the gun club sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Peter Hegseth, notifying him of the five-year history of problems that the gun club has had with Fort officials. The letter was written by the club’s treasurer, James Gettens, an attorney and Iraq War veteran. “On instructions issued by bent DoD civilian lawyer John Hollis, Fort Devens chain of command has, since the March 20, 2025, Judgment and Order entered in the action referred to above, employed multiple stratagems to evade implementing that Judgment and Order and thus has prevented the Club and its members from using Fort Devens,” Gettens wrote. “That dishonesty and obstructionism forced the Club to file its Motion for a Finding and Order of Contempt, with supporting documents.” Copies of the letter were also sent to LTG Omar J. Jones, IV, the three-star general in charge of U.S. Army Installation Management Command, Stephen Miller, Esq., the White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy, the Second Amendment Foundation and the National Rifle Association. It was DoD’s civilian lawyer, Hollis, who initially stonewalled the Club’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, Gettens wrote, for which the club paid $1,056 and never received a single document. “The Club was never repaid the $1,056. Hollis should be fired for continuing misconduct,” the letter states. The Ft. Devens Rifle & Pistol Club, Inc., also told Secretary Hegseth how the Fort was over-charging their gun club and non-DoD law enforcement organizations, too. “The Club demonstrated that Fort Devens is only paying a daily rental fee of $2.29 per ‘Porta-John’ but is still charging municipal, state, and federal non-DoD law enforcement agencies more than $140 per range outing for use of a ‘Porta-John’ located near each firing range,” the gun club reported in its letter. Gettens was very clear to Hegseth about the Fort’s obstructionism. “I remind you that on February 7, 2025, President Trump signed an Executive Order upholding and promoting U.S. citizens’ Second Amendment rights.” Gettens wrote. “I suggest that you order all component commands to honor citizens’ Second Amendment rights and implement 10 U.S. Code Section 7409 honestly and in good faith.” The gun club held regular shoots at the large military base for decades until December 2020, when Joe Biden’s defense officials decided to bill gun clubs for using their ranges, which violated federal law. “Moving forward, the Department will no longer provide non-reimbursable support of any nature to other Federal, State, Territorial, Tribal, or local government entities; private groups and organizations; foreign governments; and international organizations (hereinafter non-DoD entity or entities), unless such support is required by statute or if discretionary non-reimbursable support is authorized but not required by statute. such support: (I) is authorized by the DoD Joint Ethics Regulation or DoD Public Affairs guidance; or (2) is provided after approval of an exception under the process prescribed below,” Biden’s DoD officials wrote in a June 2020 memo titled “Reimbursable Activities in Support of Other Entities.” The gun club first filed suit in August 2022. The club won the lawsuit March 20, 2025. The Fort had 60 days to appeal the court order but allowed it to expire without filing any appeal. Club members showed up to shoot on May 13, 2025, but officials wouldn’t allow them access. The club had been told they would shoot handguns, so all of the members brought handguns. However. when they arrived at the base they were told they had been reassigned to a rifle range without any notice. As part of their initial response, the gun club filed a motion for an order of contempt against Fort officials, which has officials scared, insiders say. Fort Devens public relations officer, John Quinn, had not yet received the letter. Gettens, however, was willing to talk. “Secretary Hegseth has to see the microcosm first—what the Fort did to our club. However, we know this is going on all across the nation. It has to stop.” Gettens said Wednesday. The Second Amendment Foundation’s Investigative Journalism Project wouldn’t be possible without you. Click here to make a tax-deductible donation to support pro-gun stories like this.

Florida Lifts Guns and Ammo Purchase Restrictions During Local States of Emergency Darwin Nercesian - June 6, 2025 17 comments On Wednesday, May 28, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill into law that would end the ability of local governments to restrict the purchasing of firearms and ammunition during local states of emergency. While many, including myself, see logic in the ability to protect themselves, their homes, and their loved ones in a state of emergency, I encourage Americans to be prepared ahead of time, as shopping during difficult times can be as rough as the last bits of toilet paper on the shelf during the COVID-19 pandemic. House Bill 6025, sponsored by Republican Representatives Monique Miller and Debbie Mayfield, repeals Section 870.044 of the Florida statute, dealing with restrictions on firearms and ammunition under the state’s “Automatic Emergency Measures” during what the statute calls “Affrays; Riots; Routs; Unlawful Assemblies.” The bill’s message is simple, so simple in fact that it took a single sentence to convey and another to place into effect immediately. “Section 870.044, Florida Statutes, is repealed… This act shall take effect upon becoming a law,” the bill reads. The measure is an important one, as Floridians’ Second Amendment rights during such times are not additionally restricted by the state or federal government, but can be subject to arbitrary, confusing, and unconstitutional local laws enacted by activist city councils. This occurred in certain Florida municipalities during COVID-19, the 2020 riots after the death of George Floyd, and Hurricane Helene. Those restrictions specifically prohibited the sale or any display for sale of firearms or ammunition, and the intentional possession of a firearm in a public place by any person other than a law enforcement officer or military servicemember acting in the official performance of their duties. If preservation of life legally falls solely on those government employees during such times, would they then be subject to liability for loss of life also? No, it never works out that way with the government, where everything seems to work in its favor. But those days are gone now, at least in Florida. Residents will no longer be restricted from defending themselves from the threats of violence and public disorder brought on by the left. Jed Carroll, Florida’s deputy state director of Gun Owners of America, pointed out the obvious as he discussed a similar bill passed around the Senate, calling the former prohibitions unconstitutional, especially “at the very time when people need to be able to protect themselves.” This all comes as Governor DeSantis and the Florida Legislature have been working to restore Second Amendment rights to Floridians by looking to repeal red-flag laws and age restrictions on adults aged 18-20, scars inflicted on the state during Pam Bondi’s time as the state’s Attorney General. Yeah, let that sink in. Either way, this is a smart move that respects the natural and constitutionally enumerated rights of Americans who choose to call the Sunshine State home.

Small Claims Court From an avid reader of the blog. I won a case in small claims court. The defendant made it clear that she has no intentions of paying, even though she lost. How long should I wait before taking action? What even IS the next action? I had to sue someone for $1200 once and the judge ruled in my favor. The defendant kept making promises to pay the judgement. But then he kept failing to send anything and ignored my calls. I called his office — at that point he had no idea I knew where he worked. I was greeted with one of those call trees “press 1 for…”. There were no options that would take me to him. But one of the options was for Human Resources. I left a message with HR stating who I was and needed the defendant to call me (without telling any details of the lawsuit/judgement). The next day, I sent him a letter that included a 6 month payment plan (including statutory interest of 9%) and told him that as long as he made payments per this plan, I wouldn't pursue it further. However, the day after a missed payment, I would file the garnishment paperwork that I had already drawn up — the first payment listed was due 30 days later. A week later, I received my first payment along with a letter agreeing to the payment plan. He followed through as promised.

What is wrong with gun owners? Do they really need guns when my safety is in danger? A post from an avid reader of the blog: There is nothing wrong with me. I am a legal gun owner. I obey the law. I have a concealed permit, even though my state does not require one. Concealed carry permit holders are 1/10th as likely to commit a crime with a gun as a sworn, active-duty police officer. Police officers are extremely unlikely to commit a crime with a gun, so that shows you how unlikely I am to do so. So, you have nothing to fear from me, even though I carry my firearm daily. That said, from here on out, I promise to NOT use my firearm to help protect you, should you ever find yourself in danger and needing someone with a firearm to help you. You want to be a melted snowflake? Be my guest.

North Tonawanda man arrested, facing multiple drug and gun charges Thursday, June 12, 2025 U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of New York BUFFALO, N.Y.–U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Tre Smitherman, 31, North Tonawanda, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute cocaine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug crime and being a felon in possession of a firearm. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum life, and a $1,000,000 fine. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey E. Intravatola, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, on November 6, 2024, the Niagara County Drug Task Force executed a search warrant at Smitherman’s Oliver Street residence and on his vehicle. During the searches, investigators recovered a loaded pistol, quantities of cocaine and methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, and $3,789.00 in cash. In 2014, Smitherman was convicted of a felony in New York State Court and is legally prohibited from possessing a firearm. The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Niagara County Drug Task Force, under the direction of Sheriff Michael Filicetti, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Bryan Miller, New York Field Division. The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. # # # # Contact Barbara Burns 716-843-5817