Are YOU Prepared?
Gregory Kielma • July 22, 2023
Are you and your FamilyPrepared?
Are You and Your Family Prepared?
The 5Ps — Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance.
July 29, 2023
By James Tarr
Says Firearm Instructor and FFL Gregg Kielma, " It doesnt matter what we are preparing for to stay safe and most importantly, alive. In Florida, we prepare for Hurricanes. Mid-west Tornado's, Northern States, snowstorms. In California, fire, rain , snow, earthquakes, the list goes on and on. We live in a great country; however, each geographic area has its unique challenges. Being prepared (5 P’s) is critical to you and your family's survival. This philosophy is well known it has a name, the 5Ps — Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance. Stay safe, stay alert and follow all emergency personal directions and Be Prepared!
Now that I’ve gotten your attention with an inflammatory title let me clarify. For decades, the media has portrayed anyone who stocks up on an extended supply of food and/or other daily essentials as a little kooky at best. The nation’s recent experience with the Coronavirus, the resulting panic, and the government’s ensuing restrictions, has shown not just “preppers” but everyone the value of having an extended supply of what you and your family might need. Many people now realize it makes sense to have on hand a supply of food and necessities in case of the power going out or the grocery stores are closed, or the Governor issues a month-¬long “shelter-¬in-¬place” executive order.
We all saw people panic-¬buying bulk packs of toilet paper and water bottles, but the worst time to buy necessities is in the middle of an “event.” Your grandfather would have referred to that as “closing the barn door after the horse has escaped.” The purpose of this article is to provide general guidelines on not just how to “hoard” supplies ahead of time, but to help you figure out exactly what you’ll want to have on hand for you and your family, “just in case.”
To Stock Up
As to the how, there are two basic ways to stock up on the essentials. The first is my preferred method I call the “One More Rule.” When I first heard there was a run-on toilet paper due to the Coronavirus panic, I rightly assumed food would be next. So, I looked around my house. We had enough paper goods, spare light bulbs, batteries, medicine, etc. to keep us going for months. Some would look at me as a dirty hoarder by having enough food on hand to feed my entire family for probably 3+ months. And by food, I mean actual, normal, everyday food that normal everyday people like to eat. Not weird and expensive “survival” food. Now, this didn’t happen because one day I decided to go out and spend an exorbitant amount of money on food.
My “hoard” wasn’t the result of any bulk purchases, but rather one simple rule: If it’s something you already use/consume, and it’s not something that spoils quickly, buy one more than you normally would. Then you simply stick the extra one in the pantry/closet/basement/freezer. Spend an extra five or ten bucks, that’s it, but buy “one more” every time you go to the store. You’ll hardly notice the extra expenditure, but in no time at all you’ll have enough extra to keep your family supplied for a month. If you keep at it you’ll soon have supplies for six months, then a year.
Look around your house. What are you out of? What is in short supply? Whatever it is put it on your next shopping list. You don’t need to buy fifty and break the bank, just buy one or two. The next time you head out buy one or two of something else. The only real problem with this method is it takes time. It’s not a method to use during the hurricane/ice storm/pandemic/power grid failure. This is a long--term accumulation method. Plan for the future. If you do, there’s no need for panic.
I am not advocating buying a year’s worth of supplies, sticking them in a dark corner of your basement, and then forgetting about them until the next emergency two or ten years from now. That is a great way for half your food and a quarter of your batteries to be unusable. Do not keep your “just in case” supplies as a separate entity. These are things that you use, so use them. But … continue to buy more to replace what you’ve been using and put the new stuff in the back. By shopping in this manner, you are always cycling through your stock. This way you always have on hand what you want/need, and it’s as fresh as possible.
The second method of accumulating supplies is to (when there isn’t a panic stripping the shelves bare) make big purchases. Every three, six, or twelve months, set aside a chunk of money to buy in bulk. Make this part of your household budgeting. Whether it’s a giant Conex container-¬sized package of toilet paper or a fifty-¬pound bag of rice, buying in bulk is almost always cheaper per piece. So, it is economically smart. This is where a membership to Costco or Sam’s Club comes in handy. However, you will need a certain amount of money to do it. So, you need to plan for that expense.
Let me amend my above point. Buying in bulk is almost always cheaper, provided you’re actually going to use/consume what you buy. Some people love SPAM, but if you hate the stuff, don’t buy a case of it on the off-¬chance the world might end. The world never actually ends, and you’ll never eat it. If you do not eat it, whatever money you spent on it is wasted. Plus, it’s taking up room. Buy in bulk things you regularly use and/or eat, and that brings us to the second category.
What To Stock Up On
If you’re the warrior who braves the aisles of the grocery store every week, you know what your family eat/uses, and what sits on the shelf for six months without being touched. Whatever your family regularly uses, whether that’s toilet paper, batteries, Band-¬Aids, peanut butter or bar soap, those are the items you should always have extra on hand. The best commercial “long-¬term food storage device” is the can. Your pantry should be stuffed with cans of food. The expiration dates on cans usually will be next year, if not years in the future, and whether it’s soup, vegetables, tuna, chili, whatever, you can find it in can form. Better still, canned food is affordable, if not downright inexpensive.
Buy what your family eats, and when trying to stock up for the “Just in Case” days (without breaking your budget, whenever possible) buy what’s on sale. I don’t have SPAM in my pantry, or MREs, but I have half a dozen cans of Dinty Moore beef stew because they were on sale one day. The same goes for tuna, Progresso soup and kidney beans.
Bread, fruits and vegetables and dairy products all spoil in a relatively short period of time. But you’d be surprised at the shelf life of many regular foods, and how many foods freeze very well that otherwise spoil quickly. Stored properly, dry rice and beans will last for years, as will most “baking” supplies like flour, cornmeal, pasta, etc. Learning how to cook using basic baking supplies will help you make the most of your money. Remember, making it yourself is always cheaper than buying prepared food.
Long-¬lasting but not necessarily “long term” products are known as “shelf stable” items, and whether that’s bar soap, bleach, ketchup or pretzels, you need them in your life and in your home. Don’t forget spices and seasonings, which have a very long shelf life. Salt, pepper, sugar, honey, dried herbs, etc. are all good to have on hand. Another thing you’ll need is cooking/vegetable oil of some sort. Coconut oil has perhaps the longest shelf life at two years. Perhaps most importantly, coffee! If you need coffee in the morning, make sure you have extra in your pantry.
Even more important than food is water. Now, chances are you’ll never be in a situation where water is completely unavailable, but there’s a good chance at some point in your life you’ll experience some sort of bad weather or utility disruption that results in a “boil water advisory.” Having a month’s supply of drinkable water on hand is a good idea (one gallon per person per day is the general rule). Cases of water bottles are everywhere, but not cheap, and not the best for long term storage. The bigger the container, the cheaper it is per ounce. Remember, those five-¬gallon jugs of water meant for office coolers are great, and they usually have built-¬in handles. However, also having some sort of water purifier is a must, if only because it is portable and can go with you if you have to travel.
Food and water are the Big 2, but they’re not the only concern. Extra toilet paper is nice to have, yes, but you know what is more important? A vehicle that works. For that, you need gasoline. I still remember the massive power outage in the summer of 2003 that lasted, in some places, for weeks. If the power is out, guess what? Pumps at gas stations do not work. If you need to drive somewhere, chances are the only gasoline you’ll have is what’s in the tank of your vehicle. This situation might last for maybe a day or maybe a week or longer. Not good, but don’t panic.
If you have a lawn, that means you’ll already have a gas can somewhere for your mower. Next time you’re heading to the hardware store, buy a spare can or two. I’d recommend having at least five spare gallons on hand although one entire refill for your vehicle would be better. Steel five-¬gallon “Jerry cans” of the type traditionally used to store gasoline are available for sale online, and I highly recommend them. Five gallons isn’t much, it won’t even fill the tank of your car halfway, but if you need to run someone to the hospital it might be enough to save a life. However, gasoline doesn’t age well. So, every six months or so I’d recommend using the gas in the cans to fill up your tank. Then simply refill them at the local station.
How are you going to buy gas or groceries in the middle of an emergency? Using your credit/debit card? That’s great, as long as the power isn’t out. But sometimes the power goes out, or the internet goes down. Due to this I recommend having an emergency stash of cash. I know, lots of people are living paycheck-¬to--paycheck, but when saving up cash use a variation of the “One More Rule.” Every paycheck, take out $5, $10 or maybe $20 extra in cash and stick it into an envelope somewhere safe. Before you know it, you’ll have hundreds if not thousands of dollars in cash ready for use in case of emergency.
If you or a member of your family has a medical condition that requires pills to be taken every day, prescription or otherwise, having an extra week or month’s supply on hand seems to me a very smart idea. Some medicines have a surprisingly short shelf-¬life, so pay attention to those expiration dates. Most doctors will not have a problem writing a prescription for an extra couple weeks’ worth of medication, just in case. As for the rest … as long as it’s not a drug likely to be abused/resold, you doctor should have no concerns refilling your prescription early because the full bottle of pills you just picked up from the pharmacy accidentally got flushed down the toilet or thrown in the trash.
Storage
If you only want to have a month’s worth of supplies on hand, you will probably be able to fit it into whatever space you’re using for storage right now. However, if you want to keep six months or a year’s supply of food and household supplies, you will need a dedicated food pantry/closet and a separate full-¬size freezer. Having a spare freezer is always a good idea, no matter the size. The small cube--style freezers hardly take up any room, and are very affordable. In certain situations having that overflow freezer capacity makes a huge difference.
Do a little research and learn which foods store better and how to store certain kinds of food. For everything except those products requiring refrigeration or freezing, a pantry, closet, or basement will do just fine for storage. Whether its rice, peanut butter, or batteries, you will want them stored in a place with somewhat stable temperatures and humidity. If the packaging your food comes in isn’t that great for the long term, think about sticking it in Ziploc bags or airtight containers with lids. This can greatly extend its life.
As I write this, I’ve got a news story open on my computer detailing how the FBI as part of the Justice Department’s COVID-¬19 Hoarding and Price Gouging Task Force confiscated N95 masks and other medical supplies from private companies “hoarding” them. In plain English that means these companies legally bought these supplies following the 5P philosophy, but when there was an emergency, the government decided to seize them.
My point: whether its food, water, guns, ammo, masks, medicine, or other supplies you’ve bought “just in case,” no one outside of the people those supplies were bought for needs to know you have them. Whether we’re talking panicked neighbors or government agencies who have temporarily forgotten what “private property” means. If no one else knows you have them, then they won’t try to take them away. Remember, the idea isn’t to stock up to survive the Apocalypse. It’s simply to plan, so that during the next societal disruption, big or small, your family has all the things it needs to live life as normally as possible.
About the Author
James Tarr is a longtime contributor to Firearms News and other firearms publications. A former police officer he is a USPSA Production Division Grand Master. He is also the author of several books, including CARNIVORE, which was featured on The O’Reilly Factor. His current best-selling novel, Dog soldiers, is available now through Amazon.
Louisiana House Rejects Firearm Storage Mandate, Advances Two Pro-Gun Measures Story by Mike Jenkins The Louisiana House of Representatives took decisive action on several firearm-related bills Thursday, defeating a measure that would have mandated specific firearm storage practices while approving two bills aimed at expanding gun rights. The two pro-gun bills now head to the State Senate for further consideration. The Senate will now take up both HB 393 and HB 407 for additional policy committee hearings. These two bills join another pro-gun measure, HB 289, already in the Senate and eligible for a committee hearing. Authored by Representative Dewith Carrier, HB 289 is a pro-Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA) bill. It aims to further protect the firearm and ammunition industry from being held liable for the criminal misuse of their legally manufactured and sold products by third parties. HB 289 has been referred to the Senate Judiciary C Committee and could receive a hearing as early as next week. In other legislative activity, SB 101, a pro-gun bill authored by Senator Blake Miguez, is poised for a House floor vote next week. This bill seeks to eliminate some gun-free zones, allowing individuals legally carrying under constitutional carry provisions or with out-of-state concealed carry permits recognized by Louisiana to carry in more locations across the state. Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage. Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates. Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
Kristi Noem From The....THE BLAZE! Kristi Noem’s bombshell letter hits Harvard where it hurts Owen Anderson May 24, 2025 Ivy League academics mocked traditional values for decades. Now they’re panicking as their utopian vision crumbles — without a savior in sight. Picture a Harvard University faculty lounge: a ring of professors clustered around Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s letter, one of them furrowing his brow and murmuring, “Wait, are we the baddies?” Such moments of self-awareness, alas, remain forever just beyond the reach of our academic elite. The very institutions that lecture us daily about our original sin — racism — have, with impressive irony, perfected the art of racial discrimination. We are now at the far end of a 75-year arc that began with William F. Buckley Jr.’s “God and Man at Yale” and ends, aptly, with Harvard losing federal funds over the consequences of its own institutional neglect. The problems Buckley identified — contempt for Christianity and American ideals chief among them — have not only remained; they have metastasized. The very professors who made a career of moral hectoring have, predictably, become the thing they claimed to hate. How did we get here? On Thursday, Noem sent a letter to Harvard informing the school that it had lost its certification for the Student and Exchange Visitor Program. This came after Harvard repeatedly ignored federal requests to disclose statistics related to anti-Semitic activity on campus. According to the letter, Harvard fosters a hostile environment for Jewish students, tolerates pro-Hamas sympathies, and sustains racially discriminatory diversity, equity, and inclusion policies. Sign up for the Blaze newsletter By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content that may sometimes include advertisements. You may opt out at any time. Harvard is now learning the lesson that Christian colleges grasped nearly half a century ago: Government money comes with government strings. But why did it take Harvard so long to recognize this? The answer is disarmingly simple — until now, those strings were always in harmony with Harvard’s ideological tune. Federal dollars came bundled with leftist priorities, and thus the elite saw no need to question them. Christian colleges, in contrast, often declined the money to preserve their mission of faithfulness to Scripture. What’s astonishing is that Harvard — the oldest corporation in the Western Hemisphere, chartered in 1650 — still behaves as though it needs government money. Its endowment, by the latest count, stands at more than $53 billion. Yet judging from the panic issuing from the president’s office, one might think bankruptcy was imminent. The reason? DEI is embedded so deeply into Harvard’s research infrastructure — even in the sciences — that stripping funding from DEI-tainted grants strikes at the university’s financial core. In academic circles, panic now masquerades as prophecy. Professors speak as though the world is ending — though, given their long record of failed doomsday predictions about climate catastrophe, one might be forgiven for tuning them out. I remember, early in my career, being told by an administrator that Al Gore’s book was a “road map to the future.” It turned out to be more of a road map to irrelevance. Global warming’s great success was posting more failed predictions than Hal Lindsey. But now the panic is personal. It’s not the planet they fear losing. It’s their world — their imagined utopia of managed speech, redefined morality, and subsidized ideology. That world is slipping through their fingers, and they have nothing left but their performances of alarm, such as reading an indigenous land acknowledgement, confessing their privilege, employee training about infinite genders, and giving a voice to the voiceless. This explains the despair among leftist academics. Even as the broader world shows signs of improvement, economically, culturally, and even morally, they howl louder. Why? Because the improvement is happening without them — or worse, despite them. They believed they were changing the world by sermonizing about “whiteness” and “heteronormativity.” Instead, they became a punch line. They trained a generation of DEI advocates with the promise that there would always be government work, but those jobs disappeared faster than the edibles at a faculty party. This is why Noem’s letter cuts so deeply. It documents, officially and unambiguously, the discriminatory policies of Harvard University. The very professors who made a career of moral hectoring have, predictably, become the thing they claimed to hate. As we turn the page on this chapter of the failed American university, we should remember that Buckley, despite his critique, was ultimately optimistic. He knew that donors, parents, and students were no longer represented by Ivy League ideology, even as those schools embraced collectivism in his day. He believed they would reject the communitarian ideologies of these universities. And they have! Now, as the last gasps of those failed philosophies echo through Harvard Yard, we too have reason to be hopeful. Parents, donors, and students are awakening, and they’re asking for something better. American ideals and Christianity are back on the menu at the schools that matter. Perhaps, at long last, we are remembering what once made Harvard great in the first place: Veritas.
Nevada Man Sentenced to 46 Months in Prison for Threatening U.S. Senators A Las Vegas man who pleaded guilty to threatening a U.S. Senator from Nevada and threatening family members of two United States Senators was sentenced today to over three years in prison followed by three years of supervised release. “The threats against these U.S. Senators and their families were vile, dehumanizing, and shameful,” said Sue J. Bai, head of the National Security Division. “Today’s sentence reflects the Department’s firm resolve to holding accountable those who seek to intimidate and harm our public officials. Such threats of violence have no place in our country.” “With today’s sentencing, the defendant will pay the price for making threats of violence,” said Assistant Director Donald M. Holstead of the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division. “It is unacceptable to threaten public officials or anyone else, and the FBI will work with our law enforcement partners to identify and hold accountable anyone who engages in such illegal activity.” According to court documents, from Oct. 11 to 25, 2023, John Anthony Miller left numerous threatening voicemails at the offices of two U.S. Senators. Miller threatened to assault and murder a U.S. Senator with intent to impede, intimidate, and interfere with U.S. Senator while engaged in the performance of official duties, and with intent to retaliate against the U.S. Senator on account of the performance of official duties. The following week, on Oct. 24 and Oct. 25, Miller threatened to assault and murder a member of the immediate family of two U.S. Senators, with intent to impede, intimidate, and interfere with the U.S. Senators while engaged in the performance of official duties, and with intent to retaliate against the U.S. Senators on account of the performance of official duties. Miller pleaded guilty to one-count of threatening a federal official and two-counts of influencing, impeding, or retaliating against a federal official by threatening a family member. U.S. District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey presided over the sentencing hearing. The FBI Las Vegas Field Office investigated the case with valuable assistance provided by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the U.S. Capitol Police. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jacob Operskalski and Daniel Schiess for the District of Nevada prosecuted the case. To report suspected threats or violent acts, contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324) or file an online complaint at www.tips.fbi.gov. If someone is in imminent danger or risk of harm, contact 911 or your local police immediately.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi, DEA, & USAO New Mexico Announce Results of Historic Drug Bust On May 6, 2025, Attorney General Pamela Bondi, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico, announced the outcome of a weeklong, multi-agency enforcement operation targeting one of the largest drug trafficking organizations responsible for flooding communities with fentanyl and other illicit narcotics.
Maryland drug trafficker sentenced to five years in prison for firearms offense U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Virginia ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Maryland man was sentenced today to five years in prison for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. According to court documents, on Dec. 7, 2024, an officer of the Pentagon Force Protection Agency (PFPA) initiated a traffic stop after she observed Kaleel Malcolm Nagbe, 21, of Baltimore, holding a cellphone as he was driving on the Pentagon Reservation. As she approached the vehicle, the officer detected the odor of marijuana and asked Nagbe to exit the vehicle. After being informed that PFPA officers would be conducting a probable-cause search of the vehicle, Nagbe reentered the vehicle and attempted to drive away. Another PFPA officer then leaned into the vehicle and grabbed Nagbe. Both officers prevented Nagbe from driving away and secured him after a brief struggle. During a search of the vehicle, officers located approximately 13 pounds of marijuana in the trunk and multiple clear baggies in the passenger compartment that bore images of characters from the cartoon “Codename: Kids Next Door.” The baggies bore a QR code that, when scanned with a cellphone, were linked to an Instagram account that advertised marijuana for sale using the same cartoon packaging. When officers searched Nagbe they located a loaded firearm in his underwear. The firearm had a round of ammunition in the chamber and 16 additional rounds in the magazine. The firearm was equipped with a machinegun conversion device, rendering it capable of firing automatically. On Jan. 4, 2023, Nagbe was convicted in the Montgomery County, Maryland, Circuit Court of possession of a regulated firearm by a person under 21 years of age, and was sentenced on April 23, 2023, to five years in prison, with all but the 367 days he had already spent in custody suspended. Nagbe was on probation for that conviction at the time of the current offense. Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Anthony A. Spotswood, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division; and Chris Bargery, Director of the Pentagon Force Protection Agency, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Michael S. Nachmanoff. Assistant U.S. Attorney John C. Blanchard prosecuted the case. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:25-cr-6. Contact Press Officer USAVAE.Press@usdoj.gov Updated May 22, 2025
Seven-Time Convicted Felon Sentenced To More Than Two Years For Attempting To Illegally Purchase A Firearm U.S. Attorney's Office, Middle District of Florida Jacksonville, Florida – U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Corrigan has sentenced Stephen K. Gainous (38, Jacksonville) to 30 months in federal prison for making a false statement to a federally licensed firearms dealer during the attempted purchase of a firearm. Gainous pled guilty on February 14, 2025. According to court documents, Gainous completed an ATF Form 4473 during the attempted purchase of a firearm from a federally licensed firearms dealer. Gainous indicated on the required paperwork that he was not a felon. This was a false statement, in that Gainous was previously convicted of seven felonies, including battery on a child, making a false statement during the acquisition of a firearm, possession of cocaine, criminal use of personal identification, and fraudulent use of a credit card. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brenna Falzetta. This is another case uncovered through the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). All NICS denials are reported to federal law enforcement and are reviewed daily for potential criminal prosecution. Federal law makes it a felony offense to make a false statement to a firearms dealer when trying to buy a gun. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. Updated May 22, 2025
Pam Bondi ATF Updates National Policy on Federal Firearm Licensee Inspections To Promote Fairness, Consistency, and Public Safety The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives today issued an updated national policy for administrative actions related to compliance inspections of federal firearms licensees. The guidance promotes clear, consistent and fact-based decisions that uphold ATF’s commitment to public safety and respect for Second Amendment rights. The policy replaces the 2021 Enhanced Regulatory Enforcement policy, also known as the "zero-tolerance" policy. It directs industry operations investigators to consider all circumstances of an inspection rather than applying automatic outcomes, ensuring ATF uses its regulatory authority fairly and effectively. “This update is about getting it right and making sure we’re focused on public safety,” ATF Acting Director Daniel Driscoll said. “Under the previous policy, some licensees were being penalized for simple mistakes such as, forgetting to put their license number on forms. This new guidance gives our investigators the discretion to tell the difference between an honest mistake and a real threat to public safety. Law-abiding dealers deserve a system that treats them fairly, not like suspects. They are our partners and the first line of defense in our efforts to combat firearms trafficking.” The policy provides investigators and field leadership clearer guidelines for evaluating violations, weighing mitigating and aggravating factors, and determining the proper response—from education and warnings to administrative actions. Decisions must factor in whether licensees self-reported issues, implemented corrective actions, or present a continuing threat to public safety. These updates support the administration’s efforts to increase transparency and public confidence in government oversight, reaffirming ATF’s commitment to accountability and legitimate business practices. Key points of the updated policy • Context-driven enforcement: Serious, willful violations may lead to administrative action, while minor or clerical errors may be addressed with education or warnings. • No automatic revocation: Removes the prior policy’s presumption of license revocation, instead considering intent, compliance history and public-safety risks. • Stronger public-safety focus: Investigators must evaluate whether continued operations pose a public-safety threat or contribute to violent crime, and whether the licensee demonstrates the ability to comply moving forward. • Clear legal standards and timelines: Defines key terms such as “willful” and “knowing” and establishes uniform timelines for reviews, actions and coordination. • Support for lawful industry engagement: ATF continues early intervention and collaboration with responsible licensees, while firmly addressing repeat or serious violations. ATF conducts compliance inspections as part of its mission to ensure firearms are sold, transferred and documented in accordance with federal law. The revised policy ensures inspections are fair, consistent and focused on reducing violent crime while protecting the rights of responsible gun owners. Compliance inspections also support ATF’s broader efforts to combat firearms trafficking. By examining dealer records and business practices, industry operations investigators can identify suspicious patterns—such as straw purchases or missing inventory—that may indicate firearms are being diverted into illegal markets. These findings assist in criminal investigations and help reduce violent crime by preventing guns from falling into the wrong hands. ATF is the federal law enforcement agency responsible for regulating the firearm industry and enforcing laws related to firearms and violent crime. For more information, visit atf.gov or follow @ATFHQ on X. Contact: ATF Public Affairs Division, Liaison2@atf.gov
Have you ever had to use your concealed carry? Kielma say’s, this from an avid reader of my blog. Your thoughts? Unfortunately, yes. I was pumping gas into my 2011 mustang boss 5.0 when a Hispanic looking man came up from behind me and when he yelled HEY! I turned around and he had a gun pointed at my face. He told me in broken English to stop what I was doing so I stopped pumping gas and hung up the gas pump. While still pointing his gun at me he got in my car and locked the door. When he tried to start my car, he suddenly realized that the key was not in the ignition. He turned towards me, and I had already pulled my micro desert eagle .380 out of my pocket and now I was pointing it at his head. The idiot tried to reach for his gun which he had placed next to him on the passenger seat. I screamed “RIGHT THERE” at the top of my lungs. He looked scared and I used my key to unlock the door, and I ordered him out of my car. I pistol whipped him hard across his face and ordered him on the ground. I told him that he had really fucked up and that I was going to kill him. I guess he decided to take a chance, and he got up and started running down the street. I decided to just let him go because I didn't want to kill anyone after all. When he was a block away, I went into the tiger mart and asked the clerk if they had a security video. He said we have cameras, but the machines haven't worked for a long time. I decided screw it because there's no proof and I left. I still have that scumbag’s gun. FYI never leave your keys in the ignition when you're pumping gas and keep your head on a swivel. If you live in a carry state buy yourself a good compact handgun and get a CCP.
States Move to Ban Glocks Over Full-Auto Conversion Panic Scott Witner - You read that right— California and Illinois lawmakers are pushing bills to ban Glock pistols. Why? Because some criminals have illegally installed so-called “Glock switches” to convert them to full-auto fire. These devices, also known as auto sears, are already federally banned, heavily prosecuted, and undeniably illegal under the National Firearms Act. But that’s not enough for anti-gun legislators. Instead of punishing criminals, they’re coming after law-abiding gun owners—again. From Banning Devices to Banning Guns The logic behind these proposed bans is just as ridiculous as it sounds: Since some criminals have illegally modified Glock pistols, the solution must be to ban Glocks altogether. In California, Assembly Bill 1127 seeks to outlaw the sale of Glock pistols and any other handgun that could potentially be converted to full-auto. Meanwhile, Illinois’ HB4045 is aiming for the same target. And you can bet other blue states are watching closely. As Gun Owners of America National Director Mark Jones warned in a recent interview, this trend could spread. “Our citizens need to be vigilant and not think it cannot happen here,” said Jones. “Colorado has shown us that with their transformation over a decade.” Even in pro-gun states like Wyoming, gun owners are being warned not to get too comfortable. Elections have consequences, and the anti-gun crowd is playing the long game. Let’s Be Clear: Full-Auto Conversions Are Already Illegal Glock pistols, like the overwhelming majority of modern handguns, are semi-automatic—one round fired per trigger pull. The “Glock switch” alters the pistol’s internal mechanism to make it fire fully automatic, which is illegal unless you own a properly registered machine gun manufactured before 1986 (and good luck affording one). These devices are typically imported illegally from China and other black market sources. They’re unreliable, unsafe, and built with all the quality you’d expect from a sketchy ePacket shipment. Not only are they illegal to possess under federal law, but installing one can seriously damage your firearm—or injure the user. Yet instead of focusing on those criminals, lawmakers want to punish the millions of Americans who legally carry and depend on Glock handguns for self-defense. Banning Glocks Won’t Survive Constitutional Scrutiny The push to ban handguns like Glocks isn’t just unconstitutional—it’s already been ruled that way. George Mocsary, director of the Firearms Research Center and professor at the University of Wyoming College of Law, pointed out that the Supreme Court’s 2008 Heller decision explicitly affirmed the individual right to own handguns. “It’s just an effort by these states to harass the people who own these Glock handguns lawfully,” Mocsary said. That precedent is crystal clear: You can’t ban handguns just because a few bad actors break the law. And trying to justify a ban based on the hypothetical that someone might commit a felony with an aftermarket part? That’s like banning pickup trucks because someone might use one to flee a robbery. What This Means for Gun Owners If these bills pass, don’t expect them to stop at Glock. Any pistol with a polymer frame and a modular fire control group could be next. Heck, even metal-framed classics could be targeted if someone finds a way to hack them. And for those traveling through California or Illinois with a concealed carry permit? Be careful. Even if your permit is recognized, your legally-owned Glock could make you a criminal under these new laws. “It certainly could impact travel,” said Jones. “Even if traveling with a reciprocal permit, you need to comply with the laws of the state where you go.” A Desperate New Gun Control Tactic Jones summed it up best: This isn’t about safety—it’s about control. “Specifically, to these switches, it is already a federal felony to illegally convert a weapon to full auto,” he said. “This is already illegal, so more unconstitutional gun control isn’t the answer.” These proposals aren’t just misguided—they’re proof that anti-gun legislators will never stop at regulating illegal behavior. Their real goal is to chip away at lawful gun ownership, piece by piece. And now they’re coming for America’s most popular handgun.
ATF issuing suppressors for the ‘health and safety’ of its agents, but what about us? Lee Williams The ATF admitted it issues $1,300 rifle suppressors for the “health and safety” of its law enforcement agents, “due to the extensive training and quarterly firearms qualifications they must complete,” according to our story published Wednesday. But those three words chosen by the ATF – health and safety – set off a bomb among readers, and rightly so, because of how those of us who aren’t ATF agents are treated if we want to protect our own health and safety. Why do law-abiding Americans have to pay $200, submit a federal application, and jump through a series of legal hoops just to purchase a single silencer? Besides, most of us shoot a lot more than at quarterly firearms qualifications, so our hearing is at serious risk. One reader pointed out that suppressors are safety devices for the ATF but are considered a privilege for those of us who aren’t ATF agents. Unfortunately, he is 100% correct. The ATF is completely wrong in its reasoning. We can all agree that suppressors offer a tremendous boon to health and safety, but shouldn’t civilians receive the same benefits as our lowliest federal agents? We should be able to purchase them anywhere, anytime we want, without any federal forms, waiting periods or especially $200 fees. Doesn’t the American public deserve the same level of health and safety that ATF agents receive, especially since we’re already funding theirs through our tax dollars? If the ATF is correct and suppressors are true health and safety devices, why isn’t there one included in the box with every new gun purchase? The ATF already requires gunmakers to include padlocks and keys with every new sale. Why not suppressors, too? Why do American citizens have to take second place to federal agents? Don’t we have the same right to safeguard our own health and safety? H.R.404 – Hearing Protection Act Just four months ago, Congressman Ben Cline (R-VA) reintroduced the Hearing Protection Act (HPA), which was designed to reduce “the overly burdensome barriers required to purchase a firearm suppressor to ease access for law-abiding citizens simply trying to obtain the hearing protection they need.” “Americans who enjoy hunting and target shooting should be able to do so safely and legally without facing burdensome government regulations,” Rep. Cline said. “The Hearing Protection Act will reclassify suppressors, making it easier for law-abiding gun owners to protect their hearing while enjoying recreational activities. It’s time to ensure that our Second Amendment rights are upheld, allowing responsible citizens to enjoy their freedoms without unnecessary obstacles.” As it stands now, Cline’s bill has 76 cosponsors, and every single one is a Republican. The bill was assigned to the Committee on Ways and Means, and the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period of time that will be determined by the Speaker of the House, The bill drew strong support from the gun community, including the American Suppressor Association (ASA), the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the National Rifle Association (NRA), and the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF). While representatives from all of the organizations were quoted in the bill’s press release, no one said anything better or more relevant than Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF’s senior vice-president and general counsel. “Congressman Cline’s Hearing Protection Act will have the federal government recognize firearm suppressors for what they are. These are accessories to a firearm that make recreational shooting and hunting a safer experience,” Keane said. “These safety devices reduce the report of a firearm to a level that won’t cause instant and permanent hearing damage. Despite Hollywood’s depictions, they do not mask the sound of a firearm. The focus should be on removing barriers to safe and responsible use of firearms and dedicating resources to ensuring firearms are safeguarded from those who should never possess them. Strict regulatory control of firearm accessories, and the parts of those accessories that have no bearing on the function of a firearm, is unnecessary and not the wisest use of federal resources. NSSF thanks Congressman Cline for his leadership for ensuring safe and responsible use of firearms and dedicating necessary resources where they are most needed.” 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.
