ATF NEWS: FFL's Wrongly Arrested By Biden ATF
Gregory Kielma • June 7, 2025
SPECIAL REPORT: ATF fixing minor issues but ignoring major problems
SPECIAL REPORT: ATF fixing minor issues but ignoring major problems
by Lee Williams
The ATF wants former gun dealers to know that if their Federal Firearm License was suspended, revoked or denied they are now “invited to reapply.”
The ATF claims that every new FFL application will now be judged by an “Administrative Action Policy,” whatever that means.
The ATF did not respond to questions about the new program, which is typical. They would not say how many former gun dealers have applied to have their FFLs reinstated, or how many former FFLs have actually been reinstated.
Krissy Y. Carlson, ATF’s senior industry advisor/liaison, wrote in an email that she was “forwarding your questions to our public affairs division.” Then, an unsigned email from ATF’s public affairs division demanded an official FOIA request containing the questions, which was sent Wednesday. However, the ATF has still not responded to two previous FOIA requests, which were each sent more than three years ago.
It is clear that the ATF would rather issue broad public statements about its internal policy changes than answer a few specific questions, despite its new promise of “fairness and transparency.”
“ATF is committed to fairness and transparency in its regulatory enforcement program and to protecting Americans’ Second Amendment rights while also protecting public safety,” the agency now boasts on its website.
None of ATF’s recent changes were based on any internal decisions, but were instead the result of President Donald J. Trump, who issued an executive order February 7, titled “Protecting Second Amendment Rights.”
The FFL rule was not the only new item announced on ATF’s new page.
ATF also claims its Zero Tolerance Policy has been reviewed and replaced “with a new administrative action policy,” whatever that means.
“The new policy provides a fair framework for addressing violations uncovered by a compliance inspection, particularly when those violations do not impact public safety,” the ATF claims.
This “fair framework” was certainly never part of Joe Biden’s insane Zero Tolerance Policy, which raised the bar to impossible heights by punishing human error. Simple paperwork mistakes that would have barely merited a mention before Biden took office triggered hundreds of FFL revocations.
Before Biden, the ATF revoked an average of 40 FFLs per year. But in just the first year that Biden occupied the White House, the ATF revoked 273 FFLs, and many more dealers ended up losing their licenses and livelihoods.
For gun dealers, Biden’s Zero Tolerance Policy was likened to the death penalty for a minor traffic offense. Most will celebrate that it’s gone, at least for the next several years.
ATF’s real victims
The ATF should do nothing—take no official action—until they repair the lives that they destroyed carrying out Biden’s illegal orders. There are far too many real victims that we know about, and probably hundreds more who never reached out for help.
Quite frankly, no one really cares how former gun dealers can get relicensed until the ATF is held accountable for the atrocities it committed for years under the Biden administration, and the lives they ruined are made whole.
Here are some examples:
Russell Fincher, who is from the small town of Tuskahoma, Oklahoma, needed three jobs just to make ends meet. He taught high school history, served as a Baptist minister and sold guns and ammunition out of a small shed in the backyard. For reasons that are still not known, Fincher somehow came to the attention of the ATF.
A story published last year chronicled how 15 heavily armed ATF agents raided Fincher’s home, handcuffed him on his deck and then yelled, screamed and threatened the 52-year-old man—in front of this 13-year-old son—until he “voluntarily” surrendered his FFL. The ATF agents seized dozens of Fincher’s personal firearms, which he estimated were worth more than $50,000.
Fincher’s Federal Public Defender negotiated a plea agreement, in which Fincher pled guilty to selling ammunition to a prohibited person, which is punishable by up to 15 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. Prosecutors dismissed the two remaining charges once Fincher signed the plea agreement.
The deal kept Fincher out of prison. Both sides agreed that three years of probation would be “the appropriate disposition of the case.” The plea agreement also specified that Fincher would not contest the forfeiture of 39 personal firearms.
His crime? Ficher was accused of selling a box of ammunition to a convicted felon, even though no licensed gun dealers in Oklahoma run background checks for ammunition purchases.
Mark “Choppa” Manley is a gun owner, a gun collector and a Second Amendment advocate who had more than 70 legally owned firearms stored in a gun safe at his Baltimore home. All of his firearms complied with both federal law and the laws of Maryland. He was always very careful about that, but that didn’t matter to ATF agents who raided his Baltimore home last year.
The Baltimore home of Mark “Choppa” Manley was mistakenly raided by ATF Agents last year. His wife (not pictured) and their three children (pictured) were home during the early morning ATF raid.
ATF agents busted down several doors to his home and threw two stun grenades—including one at his juvenile son.
More than a dozen ATF agents ransacked Manley’s home.
“They threatened to blow up my gun safe,” Manley said at the time. “I don’t have anything to hide, so I told them I’d open the safe. They uncuffed me and told me ‘Don’t try to run.’ Where was I gonna run to? My family was right there.”
Manley unlocked his gun safe and slowly swung open the door.
“They were all standing around waiting and hoping,” he said “This was their moment, they thought. They started pulling out rifles and shotguns, but everything was registered and Maryland-compliant. ‘We got nothing here,’ one of them said.”
Manely and his 17-year-old daughter were each handcuffed. His wife and children were moved to the rear of a SWAT van. It was 20-degrees outside, and they were only wearing pajamas.
“I would like you to take the handcuffs off my daughter,” Manley’s wife told the ATF agents. “Why did you handcuff my husband? He complied with everything you asked for.”
ATF agents left after they found nothing illegal. The Manley family was never told, at least officially, why they were mistakenly targeted by the ATF.
David Schieferle, who spent 20 years as a U.S. Air Marshal, served eight months behind bars in the Miami Federal Detention Center—which he described as a “hellhole”—10 months on home confinement wearing an electronic ankle monitor, and is currently on probation for the next two-and-a-half years. Yet, he’s still willing to risk even more time behind bars through a new trial by claiming his first attorney was incompetent and that he never broke any law.
Former Federal Air Marshal David Schieferle, pictured with his four children, spent months in prison after purchasing fuel filters for his organic farm that the ATF said could be silencers. (Photo courtesy David Schieferle).
“The ATF is really screwing over law abiding Americans. The ATF screwed me over,” he told the Second Amendment. “What HSI (Homeland Security Investigations) and the ATF did to me was wrong. Every ATF person involved in my case seemed evil.”
Schieferle’s life-altering saga began when he was called into the Federal Air Marshal’s office on his day off to be interrogated. Little did he know that the ATF and other federal agencies had dozens of agents positioned in cars, ATVs and even a helicopter, who were awaiting a “go” order to invade his five-acre organic farmstead and home.
Said Schieferle: “If I had to venture my best guess at what happened during my trial, the ATF reluctantly admitted the tubes were legal. The problem was the DOJ was allowed to convince a clueless jury that I intended to use or convert the tubes into illegal silencers. The DOJ won this trial by using innocent gun data on my hard drives and by not allowing me to present to the jury any evidence nor my expert witness to give his full testimony. I never did anything illegal, and I never took one step or thought to convert anything into a silencer.”
Patrick “Tate” Adamiak committed no crime, so why is he serving a 20-year sentence at a federal prison in New Jersey? Because the ATF screwed up and would rather charge an innocent man and force him to serve two decades behind bars than admit the truth—that their special agents don’t have a clue about what they’re doing.
Patrick “Tate” Adamiak is serving a 20-year sentence because the ATF lied in court multiple times about what they found when they raided his home. (Photo courtesy of Patrick “Tate” Adamiak).
Adamiak, who is now 31, was just a 28-year-old E-6 in the U.S. Navy prior to his arrest. He enjoyed firearms and ran a website that sold gun parts—not guns. He was always extremely careful about what he sold. After all, he had to protect his naval career, which was doing extremely well. Adamiak had already been accepted into Naval Special Warfare, so exciting things were soon headed his way.
But after their informant lied and dozens of heavily armed ATF agents kicked open Adamiak’s door during a search warrant, nothing illegal was found. As a result, the ATF was forced to call in their ringer, Firearms Enforcement Officer Jeffrey Bodell.
Once the ATF turned the case over to Bodell, Adamiak’s innocence no longer mattered. Bodell would break the rules. Under oath, he actually turned toys into firearms, legal RPGs into destructive devices and 100% legal semi-autos into machineguns.
Despite Bodell's claims, items like inert RPGs, toy STENs, submachinegun receivers, and open-bolt semi-autos are still sold legally online. The RPGs, toy STENs and submachinegun receivers don’t require any paperwork to purchase.
Despite Bodell’s and the ATF’s untruths, an anti-gun judge crippled Adamiak’s defense. One of his defense experts, an actual former ATF official, wasn’t even allowed to testify much.
As a result, Adamiak was found guilty and sentenced to 20-years in prison, even though everything he possessed is still completely legal and that he had never committed any crime.
Bryan Malinowski had never been charged with any crime. When the ATF raided Malinowski’s West Little Rock home last year they were spoiling for a gunfight, and they got one. As a result, a good man is dead—the latest victim of ATF’s overly aggressive tactics and complete disregard for the sanctity of human life.
Little Rock airport executive director Bryan Malinowski, 53, was shot and killed in his home last year during an early morning ATF search warrant.
ATF never commented officially about the killing, other than to claim Malinowski fired first. But Malinowski’s family released a statement, which confirms what everyone already knew: It is extremely unlikely that the 53-year-old airport executive knew he was trading gunfire with federal agents. It is far more likely Malinowski believed he was defending himself and his wife from armed home invaders.
His widow, Maria “Maer” Malinowski, recently filed a lawsuit, which accused the ATF and 10 agents and task force officers of violating hers and her husband’s constitutional rights.
“The Constitution requires reasonableness and, specifically here, that defendants both knock and announce their presence and purpose and wait a reasonable time before entry,” the lawsuit states. “The ATF failed to do so, resulting in an entirely predictable, needless and tragic outcome.”
Takeaways
The ATF has never learned from its mistakes. Neither Ruby Ridge, Waco nor any of these bad searches and arrests taught them anything. Therefore, the ATF will continue making bad arrests and using excessive force, and more Americans will be injured and killed. That much is certain. In fact, it’s guaranteed.
President Donald J. Trump can fix this very easily. All he needs to do is decide whether he wants the type of scrutiny that an unchecked ATF will bring to his administration.
President Trump needs to understand that unless the ATF and its leadership are finally held accountable, only one question still remains: Who will the ATF shoot next?
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Glock Confirms V Series, Discontinues Gen 4 & Gen 5 Pistols Austrian gun company Glock revealed company plans to discontinue a large portion of its pistols starting in November. Glock issued a statement on October 21, 2025, regarding the leak of the company’s plans. “Yesterday, a retailer NOT affiliated with GLOCK Inc. made premature statements concerning the availability of certain GLOCK pistols. The individuals making these representations are not authorized to speak for GLOCK. As part of GLOCK’s commitment to future innovations, we are making necessary updates to our product line to align with upcoming offerings. Our dedication continues to be with maintaining the highest level of quality, reliability, and accessibility that you expect from GLOCK. The GLOCK V Series is here to establish a baseline of products while simplifying our processes.” According to the company, V models will be available December 2025 and will include the following models: • G17 V • G19 V • G19X V • G45 V • G26 V • G20 V MOS • G23 V • G23 V MOS • G21 V MOS • G44 V Glock also said that distributor exclusive models will be available, including: • G19C V • G45C V • G17C V • G19X V MOS TB Glock Store posted about Glock’s plans on social media, saying they’d received word that all Glocks will soon be discontinued except for the Glock 43, 43X, and 48X. Glock G19 According to Glock Store, the discontinued models will be usurped by all new Glock models known as “V Models.” The newer pistols will not come in MOS formats upon launch but will include features that prevent Glock pistols from being used along with switch conversion kits that make them full auto. Glock 17 converted to full-auto Tactical K Training and Firearms reached out to Glock for comment but received no word by the time of publishing. We confirmed with multiple sources close to the company, though, that they too have been informed that starting November 30, 2025, Glock will stop shipping the discontinued models. That said, Glock’s own webpage lists popular models like the Glock 17, Glock 17 MOS, Glock 19 Gen 4, and more as discontinued. According to the page, the decision to cut models out of the lineup was a strategic one. “In order to focus on the products that will drive future innovation and growth, we are making a strategic decision to reduce our current commercial portfolio,” the company said. “This streamlined approach allows us to concentrate on continuing to deliver the highest-quality and most relevant solutions for the market.” Though Glock says the move is to provide a more focused lineup for consumers, California just announced last week that it was banning the sale of pistols that could be converted to “machineguns” — effectively putting an end to sales on most Glock pistols and Glock clones in the state. Though Glock appears to be discontinuing some pistols, it does say support will remain for owners of discontinued models.
St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter St. Paul Mayor, Councilors Considering Ban On Many Common Semi-Auto Firearms Mark Chesnut - St. Paul’s Proposed Assault Weapon Ban Draws Fire Over State Law Violation The decision by St. Paul, Minnesota, city councilors to push forward with a plan to ban so-called “assault weapons” and “high-capacity” magazines is drawing fire from a state gun owners’ group. At their October 22 meeting, councilors introduced a proposal that would ban many common semi-automatic rifles and high-capacity magazines that hold more than 10 rounds within the city limits. “We have to do something,” said St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter, who is backing the proposal. “What we’re saying isn’t that you can’t make, sell, or own an assault rifle. What we’re saying is don’t carry it down Grand Avenue.” Mayor Carter did not elaborate on whether carrying an “assault weapon” down Grand Avenue was currently a big problem in the city. The main downfall of the proposal, which is likely to pass given the council’s support, is that it violates the state’s firearms preemption law, which was enacted for just such a purpose. That law states: “The legislature preempts all authority of a home rule charter or statutory city, including a city of the first class, county, town, municipal corporation, or other governmental subdivision, or any of their instrumentalities, to regulate firearms, ammunition, or their respective components to the complete exclusion of any order, ordinance or regulation by them except that: (a) a governmental subdivision may regulate the discharge of firearms; and (b) a governmental subdivision may adopt regulations identical to state law. Local regulation inconsistent with this section is void.” That’s just one of the sticking points with the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus (MGOC), which trashed the proposal in a recent action alert.
17 Anti-Gun AGs Side With Hawaii On Purchase Permits, Inspection Requirement Mark Chesnut - A coalition of anti-gun attorneys general from 17 states has filed an amicus brief with the San Francisco-based 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in support of two restrictive Hawaii laws being challenged as unconstitutional under the Second Amendment. The lawsuit revolves around two provisions of Hawaii’s permitting regime— a 30-day time limit to purchase a firearm after receiving a permit and a requirement that police inspect legally purchased firearms within five days. The brief argues that not only do the laws directly violate the Second Amendment, but they also lack historical support and impose undue burdens on law-abiding citizens exercising their constitutional rights. In March, a three-judge panel of the 9th Circuit Court struck down the two provisions, but the state government appealed to the full 9th Circuit. However, the brief from the 17 anti-gun AGs urges the 9th Circuit’s en banc panel to reverse the decision striking down the provisions. The brief claims that states’ interests in implementing “appropriate, reasonable regulations tailored to their specific circumstances” is more important than the protections afforded by the Second Amendment. Heading up the AGs’ efforts is California Attorney General Rob Bonta, one of the most anti-gun attorney generals in the country. In Other NEWS Anti-Gun Lies March 23, 2025 The Violence Policy Center (VPC) has set its sights on banning .50... “No one should be made to live in fear: States have both the responsibility and the authority to protect their communities from the threat of gun violence,” Bonta said in a news release announcing the filing. “Commonsense gun restrictions help stop dangerous weapons from reaching the hands of those who shouldn’t possess them, while upholding law-abiding gun owners’ Second Amendment rights. We will continue to stand up for States’ legal authority to enact laws to maintain public safety, including constitutional gun regulations that respond to local needs and concerns.” Joining Bonta in filing the brief were attorneys general from Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington and the District of Columbia. Gun-rights groups are also heavily invested in the case, with the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) filing a brief arguing against the constitutionality of the provisions. Alan M. Gottlieb, SAF founder and executive vice president, said the amicus brief is part of his organization’s ongoing mission to defend, secure and restore the Second Amendment rights of Hawaii residents. “These arbitrary restrictions in Hawaii are unique and burdensome, with no parallel in other states,” Gottlieb said. “We urge the Ninth Circuit to either reinstate the three-judge panel’s ruling striking down these laws or rule in favor of the plaintiffs, ensuring that the Second Amendment is treated with the respect it deserves.”
ATF Reports Soaring Seizures of Machine Gun Conversion Devices — But What’s Really Driving the Numbers? Scott Witner Des Moines, IA — According to Des Moines Police Chief Michael McTaggart, local officers are encountering more “machine gun conversion devices” (MCDs). These tiny parts can turn semi-automatic firearms into fully automatic weapons. While that might sound alarming to some, the reality is far more complex than the headlines suggest. The Hype vs. the Reality MCDs, also known as switches or auto sears, are about the size of a quarter and can be 3D-printed or purchased online for next to nothing. The ATF claims law enforcement agencies across the U.S. have seized an increasing number of them, from just 658 in 2019 to 5,816 in 2023, a reported 784% increase. Critics, however, argue that the surge says as much about enforcement priorities and ATF reporting methods as it does about actual criminal trends. A fivefold increase in data collection doesn’t necessarily mean a fivefold increase in use, especially when most seizures come from possession or manufacturing cases, not violent crimes. State and Federal Tug-of-War Adding to the confusion, the ATF recently walked back one of its own enforcement actions. In early 2024, “forced-reset triggers” (FRTs), which the Biden administration had previously ordered seized, were reclassified as lawful for use with semiautomatic rifles under a settlement reached during the Trump administration. The agreement required certain manufacturers to halt development of pistol versions of these devices, while thousands of previously confiscated rifle triggers were ordered returned to their owners. Still, the government won’t allow them to be redistributed in 16 states that chose to block the deal, Iowa not among them.
Judges rule some Florida gun laws are unconstitutional. Here's what to know Story by KATE PAYNE US Florida Gun Laws What to Know TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — A pair of court rulings declaring some of Florida's gun restrictions unconstitutional are creating some confusion in the notoriously firearm-friendly state — and fueling activists' calls for Republican legislators to take action to update state statutes so they abide by the new legal landscape. US Florida Gun Laws What to Know Despite Florida's history of being a gun-supporting climate, Florida's GOP-dominated state Legislature took steps to restrict gun laws in the wake of the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. Since the day the measure was signed into law, gun rights advocates have been pushing to unravel it. US Florida Gun Laws What to Know Now, activists say recent court rulings are fueling their push to expand gun rights in the state, emboldened by U.S. Supreme Court's updated standards for evaluating gun laws based on the nation’s historical tradition of firearm regulation. “Leaving unconstitutional laws on the books creates nothing but confusion,” said Sean Caranna, executive director of the advocacy group Florida Carry. Open carry ruling sparks questions Florida's First District Court of Appeal issued its ruling last month in a case stemming from the July 4, 2022, arrest of a man who stood at a major intersection in downtown Pensacola carrying a visible, holstered pistol and a copy of the U.S. Constitution. The decision legalizes open carry, though there are preexisting limitations against carrying in a threatening manner or in certain restricted spaces like government meetings, schools and bars. The ruling has prompted some Florida sheriffs to urge caution among gun owners and seek clarity from lawmakers. Legalizing open carry has long been a major focus of gun rights activists in the state, who oppose the slate of restrictions that Florida’ lawmakers implemented in the wake of the Parkland school shooting, which killed 17 people and injured 17 others. Among the law's provisions was raising the legal gun-buying age to 21. Advocates push for expanding gun laws In the years since the 2018 Parkland shooting, lawmakers' efforts to lower the gun-buying age to 18 have advanced in the Florida House but ultimately failed in the state Senate. Now some advocates say the recent court rulings should force the hand of legislators who have opposed expanding gun rights in the past. "I hope that given some of the recent decisions from the United States Supreme Court and the Florida courts, that they will finally see that the Second Amendment is not a second-class right," he added. Representatives for Florida's House speaker and Senate president did not immediately respond to inquiries Wednesday. ___ Kate Payne is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on under covered issues.
Liberal Democrat The Late Diane Feinstein: Don't be LIKE DIANE Why do gun enthusiasts all do the “trigger discipline” ? Why? Because you never have your finger on the trigger, ever, until you are on target and ready to pull it. The Rules of GUN SAFETY 1.) Treat all firearms as they are loaded. ALWAYS 2.) Never point the firearm at anything you do not wish to destroy. EVER. 3.)Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on target, 4.) Always be sure of your target and what's beyond it. This is taught so that you do not hurt or kill someone. Trigger discipline is a fast an easy thing to see if someone at least has some idea of gun safety. Diane Feinstein another liberal (deceased) who knows nothing and continued to spout her righteous thoughts about firearms and knew nothing. (see top picture) If you will look closely, her finger is on trigger, drum magazine is loaded, bolt is closed, and safety is off. There is no way to tell that she is not about to shoot a poor person off screen to her left. Diane Feinstein, a famous antigun senator, does not know even basic gun safety. I have seen literal children handle guns with more safety than this. What worries me is that you think this is posing. This is not to be “badass”, this is so that you do not shoot someone by mistake. What is funny is if you go to any range you can tell who hunter or sport shooter is. Because trigger discipline is habit, not posing, you will see men holding drills with trigger discipline. We teach this all the time with his drills. This is muscle memory. Look for people holding a firearm unsafe. Make it a teachable moment. It may save there life or a family member. Only when you’re ready, and on target should you touch the trigger.
I am teaching a course on how to disarm a gun owner. It is not a self-defense class but is geared towards firearms confiscation. How much should I charge? From an avid reader of many websites, including mine, his thoughts on disarming a lawful CCW person . Gregg Kielma say's, "If I could locate the jurisdiction you lived in sir, I'd report you and this post to them" . Continues Kielma an FFL and Instructor of Firearms , “for the individual teaching this please don’t. It’s not up to you to disarm a lawful CCW person that is for law enforcement not you sir. This truly boarders on insanity. Nothing good will come in this situation. Let’s Take a Look I open carry my pistol, a Canik Rival with an 18 round magazine and optics mounted. I don't conceal this, and I never keep a single round even in the magazine, let alone in the chamber. I simultaneously carry my Taurus gx4 XL concealed, loaded, and chambered, in my waistband. The second anyone ever reaches for my open carry gun; they will be surprised when I don't stop them from taking it. They will be even more surprised when I aggravate them to shoot me. And assuming they pull the trigger, they will be most surprised to find the gun was never loaded, but the one I am currently shooting at their head is. I honestly doubt you could teach someone how to punch their way out of a paper bag. But assuming you can find people even more ill-informed then yourself, please let us know ASAP so we can report you to the FEDs.
Considering Concealed Carry? Be Safe, Be Smart, Be Ready—Here’s How and WHY Tactical K Training and Firearms Kielma says, as a firearms instructor, CCW and your training must go hand in hand. Repetition with your carry firearm is critical. Holsters are critical. Holster placement is critical. Your weapon of choice is critical. Train with me and we can put a plan together that fits your lifestyle and comfort. You must be trained and prepared! NOW: LET’S TAKE A LOOK Carrying a concealed weapon is a serious responsibility that goes beyond simply owning a firearm. It means choosing suitable gear, training until actions are smooth, and keeping a clear head when situations turn tense. The right holster fits your body, hides the gun, and lets you access it safely. Good practice builds good habits. Carrying a concealed weapon is a serious responsibility that goes beyond simply owning a firearm. It means choosing suitable gear, training until actions are smooth, and keeping a clear head when situations turn tense. The right holster fits your body, hides the gun, and lets you access it safely. Good practice builds habits, so you don’t freeze or act on impulse. Equally vital is mindset: knowing when to avoid danger, when to seek help, and how to keep bystanders out of harm’s way. Learn your local laws, store your gun safely, and train regularly. This guide lays out foundational tools, simple drills, and common-sense rules that help responsible carriers act with care and calm. Read on to build skill, reduce risk, and gain confidence when you carry. Take Training Seriously One of the biggest mistakes people make when getting their concealed carry permit is assuming that the basic certification is enough. Unfortunately, many concealed carry classes barely scratch the surface of what it takes to responsibly handle a firearm in real-world situations. Just because you passed the class doesn’t mean you’re ready to carry. Start Slow, Build Confidence It’s easy to watch experienced shooters hit targets from 25 yards out and feel like you need to do the same. But starting at longer distances can be discouraging, especially for new shooters. Instead, begin your practice sessions up close, around five yards, and work your way back as your confidence builds. The goal is to establish good shooting habits and accuracy before adding in the stress of longer distances or rapid-fire drills. Real-World Drills In a self-defense scenario, you’re unlikely to be standing still with a perfect sight picture. That’s why it’s essential to incorporate movement into your training. Practice moving backward, side to side, or even retreating while firing. These real-world drills mimic situations where you might need to defend yourself while on the move. By practicing these techniques, you’ll build muscle memory, so you’re prepared to act quickly and efficiently when under stress. Training Is Non-Negotiable The most important takeaway from carrying a concealed weapon is that your rights come with responsibilities. Simply owning a gun and carrying it isn’t enough – you must commit to regular, meaningful training. Whether it’s live fire at the range, dry fire at home, or studying real-world scenarios, being a protector means being ready for anything. Take the time to train, because when the moment comes, there won’t be time for second chances.
GOA Wins Permanent Injunction Against Virginia “Universal” Background Checks Mark Chesnut On October 16, Gun Owners of America (GOA) announced that it, along with the Gun Owners Foundation (GOF) and Virginia Citizens Defense League (VCDL), had secured a permanent injunction against the commonwealth’s law mandating so-called “universal” background checks. “The statute as it stands, cannot remain intact,” the injunction filing stated. “If the legislature wishes to rewrite the law to create a system that does not impose disparate treatment based on age, it may do so. At that time, a court might rightly address the question of whether it is constitutional to require a background check to obtain a handgun through a private sale. Now is not that time.” The ruling made clear, however, that it wasn’t ruling on the constitutionality of lack thereof of background checks themselves. “Let it be clear, the Court today is not holding that background checks are unconstitutional,” the ruling concluded. “That is a question for another day, perhaps another court. Today, the Court holds that the manner in which Virginia Code Section 18.2-308.2:5 is applied cannot pass constitutional scrutiny. If the Court were to merely hold the Act unconstitutional as-applied and simply sever those 18 to 20 years of age, the Court would be ignoring the constitutional deficiencies in the enforcement of the Act. After applying the Ayotte framework, the Court finds that it is left with one option at this time—that is, to strike the statute in its entirety for the reasons set forth herein. The long-running lawsuit was filed way back in 2020, proving once again that finding justice can be a very slow process. But the win also proves that dogged tenacity in pursuing right is often rewarded handsomely.
SAF Lawsuit Challenges Unwarranted Search Of High School Senior’s Truck Mark Chesnut Just because a person is known to be a gun owner doesn’t mean that authorities can search his or her vehicle at a whim without regard to Fourth Amendment protections. Most of us would agree with that statement simply out of respect for the U.S. Constitution. And, in fact, that’s the very argument the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) is making in a court battle just launched in Washington State. As background, 18-year-old Hillsboro-Deering High School senior Jack Harrington lawfully owns a handgun and sometimes keeps it in his truck in full compliance with all federal and state laws. However, he always removes the gun when he drives his truck to school. According to an SAF news release, when school authorities became aware of Harrington’s gun ownership on April 24, he was subjected to aggressive interrogation by district employees, which culminated in his vehicle being searched without consent. The school had no reason to believe Harrington brought his firearm to school, and no firearm was found during the invasive and unconstitutional search. Bill Sack, SAF director of legal operations, said that being public about exercising your private rights cannot be grounds for being harassed and searched on campus. “The apparent position of the school district here is ‘choose to exercise one right, give away another,’” Sack said. “That’s just not how it works. If simply being a gun owner is legal justification to be harassed and searched by authorities, what would stop them from submitting gun owners like Jack to searches every day? And what’s their proposed solution to avoid that abuse, that he sells his privately owned firearm?”
