Crossing State Lines With A Firearm

If I legally carry a firearm and someone is robbing a store I'm in, can I draw the weapon if the robber has a knife? If no shots are fired, is this legal? From Jim Z an avid reader of the blog. It depends on your political climate in your state, and the laws where this takes place. Let’s use New York City: You’re carrying a firearm. Do you have a NYC-issued permit to do so? If not, you just bagged yourself five years in jail. NYC recognizes NO OTHER firearms permit, even those issued by New York STATE, as valid, within city limits. You brought a GUN to a KNIFE fight. You’re using a MORE deadly weapon than your opponent. That’s known as “escalation of force”, and it kills any futile attempt you make at a self-defense plea. You DREW your gun. You committed “menacing with a deadly weapon”, even though NEITHER of you did ANYTHING . Because YOU have a GUN , and HE has only a KNIFE, YOU are the guilty party. Using a weapon of ANY kind, except for your bare hands, to defend yourself, is illegal in New York City, thanks to many decades of Democrat rule, and the mindless citizens that keep voting them into office.

Bradenton man cleared of assault charge using ‘stand your ground’ defense Credit: WWSB Sarasota/Bradenton Florida BRADENTON, Fla. (WWSB) - Charges have been dismissed against a Bradenton man accused of starting a gunfight that wounded his girlfriend and himself during a domestic dispute, Manatee County Court Judge Frederick Mercurio accepted Kevin Armstrong’s “Stand Your Ground” defense Monday and will dismiss the charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Mercurio ruled that Armstrong’s fear of harm was well-founded, even if his actions were not the wisest. “The better practice would have been for you to call the police, stay in your house and not go out there with a gun,” Mercurio said. “My legal conclusion is that Mr. Armstrong was reasonably believing that be needed to use or threatened to use force in order to prevent is imminent death or his great bodily harm.” Armstrong’s attorney, Jon Weiffenbach, told ABC7 Monday that the charges will be dismissed as soon as the court enters an order. “For all intents and purposes, this case is over,” he told ABC7 via email. The arrest report According to the arrest report, a 911 call was logged around 8 p.m. from the Sunny Shores Mobile Home Park on 116th Street West. According to the Manatee County Sherriff’s Office, an argument broke out between Armstrong and his girlfriend, Caitlin Lipke, 33, at their home in the park. Lipke left the residence and met two men, Cole Banyas and Dylan Taylor, who used a golf cart to accompany her back to the home so she could retrieve her dog and personal items. The arrest report noted Banyas and Taylor were both armed with “a myriad of weapons, including long guns and pistols.” When they arrived, deputies say another argument ensued and Armstrong had armed himself with a shotgun. Banyas and Taylor told deputies Armstrong began shooting at them and they retuned fire, sending 9 to 10 rounds toward Armstrong and the house. Lipke is shot in the chest during the melee, deputies noted, saying in their report “she may have inadvertently been hit by Dylan while he was trying to protect her from Kevin.” Lipke and her friends retreated on the golf cart to a nearby intersection where they called 911. The motion to dismiss Armstrong filed a motion to dismiss the charge Sept. 16. In that motion, Armstrong said one of the two men with Lipke phoned him, saying they were coming to retrieve Lipke’s belongings, “and if he didn’t cooperate they were going to kill him,” the motion says. After arming themselves, they drove a golf cart to Armstrong’s home. Lipke shoved Armstrong, “and Cole Banyas and Dylan Taylor displayed their firearms in a threatening manner while still in the golf cart.” As Likpe walked toward the golf cart, Armstrong fired a single shotgun blast into the air as a warning. Taylor then returned fire, striking Likpe in the breasts and unloading the rest of the magazine into Armstrong’s house, shooting Armstrong in the foot. The motion to dismiss argued Armstrong had the right to defend himself “against the alleged victim’s imminent use of unlawful force OR to prevent the commission of a forcible felony.” The motion also argued the burden of proof is on the state to prove by “clear and convincing evidence” that a defendant is not entitled to full immunity. It also argues “the court may not deny a motion simply because factual disputes exist. “Wherefore, because the defendant acted in self-defense as set forth herein, he is immune from prosecution based upon the Stand Your Ground law and this case must be dismissed,” the motion concluded.

Can I own a gun if I have a very old felony? Over ten years? Federally, no. In at least one state, yes, provided you don’t get it from a Federally-licensed dealer, and you always keep it in your home. Texas state law criminalizes “felons in possession”, but only if they possess the weapon within 10 years of the full completion of their sentence including probation/parole, and/or if the weapon is possessed outside the home. So theoretically a felon 10 years passed his sentence, including parole, can own a gun and keep it in his home for his own defense. EDIT: the law has changed since this post, to reduce the term to 5 years after completion of incarceration and/or supervised release. Under Federal law, however, a person in possession of a firearm who has been convicted of any crime punishable by more than a year in jail is committing a Federal crime worth ten in the pen, no matter how long ago the conviction was. The Feds usually have better things to do than bust ex-felons, much to the frustration of local police in many cases, but if you draw attention to yourself or commit any other crime the Feds are more willing to prosecute, the gun possession is an additional 10-year gimme. If the felony is that old and you’ve stayed out of trouble and built a respectable life since getting out, you can avoid Federal problems by petitioning the court for a restoration of civil rights. Basically, the court says that you’ve demonstrated yourself sufficiently rehabilitated that you should no longer have the limitations on your rights that come with being an ex-con. That’s typically something you must show you have earned; most judges won’t just sign that kind of order as a matter of course, and it’s largely their discretion to do so at all. Also understand that the felony and the expungement or restoration order don’t just automatically cancel out in the NICS system used for background checks. The fact you have a felony record will red-flag any 4473 form submitted by an FFL in your name. Theoretically, the idea is that the person processing the application on the NICS side looks through the full record and will find the restoration order and determine it quashes the felony conviction, but if they miss it you will be denied, and there’s a lengthy, time-consuming and expensive process to make sure your NICS records are being properly interpreted (and there’s no penalty to the FBI that runs NICS even if you prove you were falsely denied; you get a “sorry, we’ll try to do better next time” and they really won’t). One option to avoid these headaches, after you’re gotten your conviction taken care of, is to apply for a carry license in one of the 25 states where that license is an acceptable substitute for NICS checks. You go through a comprehensive background check one time (where you usually get the chance to clue the agency into the existence of the restoration order), you take the class, get fingerprinted, maybe pass a practical qualification (you’ll have to rent or borrow a suitable firearm), then once you have the permit, you still have to fill out the 4473 but the FFL doesn’t have to send it to NICS; they write your license number on the form as the proof of background check, you pay them and you have a gun.

Can I dry fire my Ruger 10/22 ? How worried should I be about damaging the gun? I've heard dry fire hurts rimfires. All guns, snap caps should be used. The reason, it keeps the firing pin from becoming damaged. Some firearms like the Ruger 10-22 are not as easily damaged by dry fire. Dry-firing rimfires can damage the chamber face as the firing pin hits it instead of a cartridge. However, the Ruger 10/22 is an exception—its manual states that dry-firing is safe, thanks to a firing-pin stop that protects the breech face. While you shouldn't regularly dry-fire rimfires in general, the 10/22 is designed to handle it.

Can a felon shoot a gun at a gun range? Gregg Kielma Range Owner Gregg Kielma firearms range owner says no. If you're a felon, you cannot enjoy the shooting sports at our range. You lost your constitutional rights to fire firearms or own a firearm or ammo. Do not do it. It's federal law. It's not my law but the federal government. Please don't lie to us on the forms you need to fill out before you shoot. DON'T DO IT! Technically, prohibited persons could lie on waivers at ranges to shoot with friends, unless caught by law enforcement or revealing themselves. However, this is a felony from the moment they handle a gun or ammunition; if discovered, they can be arrested and possibly jailed. Signed waivers act as admissions of their status. Being able to do something does not mean it's right.

Attorney General Bondi Issues Memo on Ending Political Violence Against ICE WASHINGTON – Today, Attorney General Pamela Bondi released a memorandum to the FBI, DEA, ATF, USMS, and Executive Office of U.S. Attorneys focused on ending political violence against ICE. As noted in the memo, riots in Los Angeles and Portland reflect more than a 1000% increase in attacks on ICE officers since January 21, 2025, compared to the same period last year. The memo instructs Department of Justice components to: • Direct officers and agents to defend ICE facilities, specifically in Portland and Chicago. • Add local law enforcement entities to a temporary ICE Protection Task Force alongside DOJ law enforcement components. • Provide grant funding, training, and technical assistance to support federal, state, and local law enforcement protecting ICE. Finally, the Department of Justice will “arrest and prosecute to the fullest extent of the law every person who aids, abets, or conspires to commit” crimes against ICE – including through “funding, coordination, or planning.”

How far can a “buck-shot: shotgun shoot? What's The Best Choice? Gregg Kielma Gregg Kielma, FFL, Firearms Instructor, Gunsmith, First Aid Fundamentals expert, Range Safety Officer, and a 5-Star USCCA Instructor , offers the following advice: it is essential to understand your shotgun. Consider whether it is intended for tactical home defense or hunting purposes; only you can determine which option best suits your needs. Firearms may vary significantly in recoil, depending on configuration, barrel length, and gauge, all of which influence firearm control. Each "shell" can travel specific distances for the purpose of application. Kielma further emphasizes that every application and operator is unique. Prior to selecting any firearm—be it a long gun, shotgun, or handgun—it is important to test the firearm and assess its suitability for you. Frequently, firearms arrive via transfer, and clients are unaware of the specifics of their purchase. It is advisable to consult a seasoned firearms Instructor for evaluation to ensure the firearm aligns with your requirements. Regarding buckshot, it is important to note that there is no such thing as a "buckshot shotgun." Rather, a shotgun can fire shells containing buckshot. Shells are available with various shot sizes, ranging from size 8 shot, approximately the diameter of a pencil lead, to buckshot, which is about 3/8 inch in diameter. All have specific purpose. It is hoped that this information proves helpful. Stay safe, Stay Situationally Aware Gregg Kielma Tactical K Training and Firearms

Judge demands to know how many CPD officers carry gun tied to misfire claims Chicago Police decided to stop using the Sig Sauer P320 earlier this year, but hundreds of officers still possess it A federal judge is demanding answers on how many CPD officers are carrying guns tied to dozens of lawsuits over alleged misfiring. A federal judge has given the City of Chicago until this week to explain how many Chicago police officers are still carrying a controversial handgun that's been tied to dozens of lawsuits across the country associated with claims that it misfires without a trigger pull. Across the country, dozens of officers and civilians have sued the gunmaker Sig Sauer alleging that the company's P320 handgun can misfire - even while holstered. Expert witnesses and even a former Sig Sauer employee have alleged the gun is defective. But in court filings, Sig Sauer has denied liability and challenged the authority of expert witnesses' claims. Chicago Police decided to stop using the Sig Sauer P320 following an April meeting earlier this year; but 780 officers still possess it, according to CPD firearms supervisor’s sworn affidavit. At one time, close to 1,500 officers - or 13 percent of the force - were using it as their service weapon. According to the CPD firearms supervisor's sworn statement, nearly half of those 1,500 officers that once used the gun are now using an alternative weapon. Still, at least 780 other officers have ordered a new handgun, but their "transitions" have been delayed due to "holster availability' and scheduled pickups of their new weapons, court records show. According to the court filings, a CPD panel decided in April to move away from the controversial handgun and set benchmarks over the summer for officers to supply CPD administrators with how many officers still had the weapon. The Chicago Police union's president John Catanzara thinks the department isn't moving fast enough. "If something is dangerous like a firearm to the point where you had to ban it, it should be off the street immediately," Catanzara informed several news sources. Federal Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer seems to agree. In her order filed last week, she wrote "any officer who is in possession of an alternative weapon ... should be required immediately to use that alternative weapon." Former Virginia police officer Marcie Vadnais says she experienced a misfire incident involving her P320 in 2018 when she was sitting in her vehicle. “I still to this day have two thirds of the rounds in my right leg," painful and still there. The now-medical former officer from Loudon County, Virginia says she never had any concerns about her weapon before the incident and says it misfired while it was holstered. "This weapon is dangerous; nobody should ever have their hands on this weapon," Vadnais said. X-ray images she shared with NBC 5 Investigates show the close-range gunshot shattered her femur. The road to recovery she says was long." It took a long time to be okay to talk about this," she said. "I did struggle a lot with this. The injury, the pain..."Vadnais sued Sig Sauer in 2019 and later settled for an undisclosed amount, and she’s not alone. Over the past decade, more than 100 people have made claims that their P320s have misfired, according to publicly available court records. A 2023 investigation by The Washington Post and the non-profit newsroom, The Trace, found that more than 90 have claimed to have suffered injuries as a result. "There have been some wins; some losses," said attorney Jeff Bagnell, who says he's been involved in dozens of lawsuits where his clients have alleged the gun is defective. The results of legal challenges have been mixed. Bagnell says Sig Sauer has lost three recent cases. Sig Sauer reportedly won a case in 2022 involving a different defect in the P320. And at least 12 other lawsuits have been dismissed, The Trace reported. Bagnell says while Sig Sauer has Sig Sauer has challenged the results of other cases through appeals, court records reviewed by attorneys involved. In court filings, Sig Sauer has denied liability, defended its product and said that misfires can happen with a variety of guns. And while the company offers a pistol upgrade program through its website, it also says the original version of the P320 "meets and exceeds all U.S. safety standards." Chicago Police did not respond to NBC 5 Investigates' requests for comment. Correction: The story has been updated to reflect mixed results of legal challenges. An earlier version misstated Sig Sauer's court victories in two cases. The company won a 2022 case involving a different defect involving the P320. At least 12 other lawsuits have been dismissed, The Trace reported. The story has been updated to reflect that.

Chicago Violence Interrupter Program Seems Long On Violence And Short On Interruption Gregg Kielma Chicago officials have implemented several strategies to address violent crime, though most have proven ineffective. Recently, a "violence interrupter" with CeaseFire Chicago, Jamari Edwards, was sentenced to 22 years in federal prison after admitting to three carjackings in August 2022—one of which involved shooting a victim in the leg—and pleading guilty to related firearm charges. Further details reveal that during one incident, Edwards approached a man at a Dunkin' Donuts drive-thru, threatened him with a gun, shot him, and stole his wallet, phone, and car. Says Gregg Kielma Firearms Instructor-FFL Gunsmith and First Aid Fundamentals Instructor, “Chicago, haven’t you had enough of your neighborhoods, friends, and family killed? It’s time to make the city, your city, safe and remove the criminals from your beautiful streets! Let's together, make your city safe. The current Presidental administration has a plan please follow it. Give it an opportunity, you have nothing to lose. Your current leadership is doing nothing for you, Friends and family are leaving, my goodness look around you.. Look what they are doing to you! VOTE Smart and Carefully Chicago : Before you continue to plunder into obyss. Safety First Politics Second. Be safe friends