Gregory Kielma • October 12, 2023
Personal Defense Tip: Stay Frosty Out There, Especially Now
Personal Defense Tip: Stay Frosty Out There, Especially Now
By Jeremy S. -October 11, 202343
Just over a week ago, border state FFLs received a warning from ATF about criminals angling to acquire some heavy-duty firearms. This was, apparently, based on fresh intelligence that a unique, current, and active push among bad actors to acquire .50 caliber rifles and belt-feds was underway.
Then the attacks in Israel happened…and are escalating. Now we’re learning even more about how many “special interest aliens” from the Middle East have been illegally crossing our open southern border.
Seen above is the entirety of the email sent to FFLs in Texas (and other border states, we believe). This was assumed by most to be referring to drug cartel activity and the ATF’s assertion that cartels use straw purchasers in the U.S. to acquire firearms intended for criminal use in Mexico.
However, that may not be the case and given global terrorism activity and military age males entering the U.S. illegally, it could be something worse — something directed at Americans.
From Fox News . . .
. . . fiscal year 2023 broke the record for encounters on the FBI terror watch list with 151 people encountered at the southern border between ports of entry, higher than the previous six years combined.
I’ve seen other sources stating 160-something encounters with people on the terrorist watchlist by July of this year. We don’t know if these encounters resulted in deportations, arrests, or, given the open border policy, individuals being released into the U.S.
We also don’t know how many of the approximately 1.6 million-plus-plus “gotaways” — people who successfully snuck across the border without an encounter with .gov types on the U.S. side — who have entered the country since 2021 are on the terrorist watchlist. Or should be. Or if the number of “gotaways” is at all accurate since, after all, they’ve snuck past any border controls and much of that happens without our knowledge or visibility.
How about people who aren’t formally on the Terrorist Screening Database (the “terrorist watchlist”) but are coming from countries where, to put it kindly, many terrorists originate? Countries which, by the way, generally have such a lack of infrastructure that we have no way of confirming who one of their citizens actually is when they show up at our border. Countries with very rudimentary identification systems, no searchable criminal or other databases, etc.
These sorts of foreign immigrants are deemed “special interest aliens.” The same Fox News article explains what that means . . .
“Special interest aliens” are people from countries identified by the U.S. government as having conditions that promote or protect terrorism or potentially pose some sort of national security threat to the U.S.
That data, confirmed by multiple CBP sources and reflects apprehensions between ports of entry between October 2021 and October 2023, shows that agents encountered 6,386 nationals from Afghanistan in that period as well as 3,153 from Egypt, 659 from Iran and 538 from Syria.
Agents also encountered 13,624 from Uzbekistan, 30,830 from Turkey, 1,613 from Pakistan, 164 from Lebanon, 185 from Jordan, 139 from Yemen, 123 from Iraq and 15,594 from Mauritania. The data does not include information on how many of those migrants were removed or who were released into the U.S. with a court date.
Not exactly comforting. We know that these people were encountered by CBP, but we don’t know what was done with them. Were they released into the U.S.? Probably, given that’s clearly been the standard applied to visitors at our southern border since 2021. Heck, they’re showing up with pre-paid debit cards paid for, in part, by U.S. taxpayers via grants to NGOs and such.
To be clear, I have precisely zero information that hasn’t been written in this article already. It’s nothing but reasonable concern that the ATF warning, the terror attacks on Israel, more information about who’s coming across our border, the Mayor of NYC publicly warning of the threat of a near-term terrorist attack, and, now, Hezbollah calling for a “global day of jihad” this Friday may all be dots that connect to an acute, increased risk of terrorism on U.S. soil.
Obviously .50 BMG ain’t no joke. That’s the far-right cartridge in the photo above, with the AR-15’s cartridge second from the left. Belt-fed firearms are serious business, too.
All I’m saying is, I guess, this is a very good time to stay frosty. That’s slang for vigilant, ready, keeping your head on a swivel, and observant. More so if you’re in population centers or will be at large gatherings.
Carry a firearm whenever and wherever you’re legally allowed to do so. Perhaps keep something heavier in your vehicle, such as a capable rifle, multiple loaded magazines for it, body armor (here, rifle rated here, other options here), a blowout kit and other medical supplies, etc. Maybe even a gas mask would be a good idea.
Grey Man makes cool stuff for keeping a rifle and all sorts of other gear handy in a vehicle, and their panels can be concealed in a trunk or other hidden space as well as mounted to the back of seats.
Finally, you should have a planned course of action for your family and such. In the few extreme weather and other events I’ve been through, communications were affected and unreliable, especially in the beginning. Cell phone towers get overwhelmed when an event triggers mass usage (if you have the means, you can hedge against that with some very cool satellite messaging devices).
Establishing a protocol for unplanned events and emergencies such as a place to meet is very helpful. It at least gives your people a first course of action and an initial plan should things go sideways.
Stay safe out there, y’all.
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Being Prepared for the 2026 Hurricane Season By Gregory Kielma, Tactical K Training & Firearms The 2026 Hurricane Season is shaping up to be another year where preparation isn’t optional it’s essential. Florida has seen record heat, rising insurance pressures, rapid population growth, and increasingly unpredictable storm behavior. None of that is meant to create fear. It’s meant to reinforce a simple truth: preparedness gives you control, confidence, and options when the weather turns. Whether you’re protecting a home, a business, or a family, the goal is the same build layers of readiness before the first storm forms. Start With Awareness and a Plan Storms don’t give you time to “figure it out later.” Your plan should be written, practiced, and known by everyone in the household or workplace. Key elements of a solid plan: Where will you go if evacuation becomes necessary Multiple routes out of your area A communication plan if cell networks fail A designated out‑of‑state contact A plan for pets, elderly family members, and anyone with medical needs For businesses, include: Who secures the building Who handles digital backups Who communicates closures and reopening A plan removes panic. It replaces it with action. Strengthen Your Home or Business Before the First Storm Florida structures take a beating every year. Small improvements now prevent major losses later. Exterior protection: Inspect your roof for loose shingles or soft spots Clear gutters and drainage paths Trim trees and remove dead limbs Install or test shutters Reinforce garage doors—one of the most common failure points Interior protection: Surge protection for critical electronics Elevate valuables and important documents Know how to shut off water, power, and gas If you own a business, walk your property as if you were a storm: What can break? What can blow away? What can flood? Fix those points now. Build a Realistic, Usable Supply Kit For Your Home or Business A hurricane kit isn’t about stockpiling, it’s about independence. After a major storm, help may take hours or days to reach your area. For homes and families: Water: 1 gallon per person per day (minimum 3–7 days) Non‑perishable food Medications and medical supplies Flashlights, headlamps, and batteries Battery bank for phones First aid kit Copies of important documents Cash in small bills Tools, gloves, tarps, duct tape For businesses: Backup power for essential systems Printed employee contact lists Hard copies of insurance documents A plan for securing inventory and equipment Preparedness isn’t about fear it’s about not being dependent on luck. Protect Your Digital Life In 2026, digital readiness is just as important as physical readiness. Back up important files to the cloud and an external drive Photograph your home, business, and valuables for insurance Store digital copies of IDs, insurance policies, and receipts Keep chargers, power banks, and a small solar panel if possible When the power goes out, your digital preparation keeps you moving. Understand Post‑Storm Safety Most injuries happen after the storm, not during it. Be cautious with: Downed power lines Flooded roads Carbon monoxide from generators Unstable structures Contaminated water If you evacuated, don’t rush home. Wait for official clearance. Your safety comes first. Mindset: Prepared, Not Paranoid Preparedness is a discipline, not a reaction. It’s the same mindset we teach in every Tactical K class awareness, planning, and responsible action. A hurricane is a natural event. Your response is a choice. When you prepare early, you protect: Your family Your property Your business Your peace of mind And you set an example for your community. Kielma’s Parting Shot The 2026 Hurricane Season will bring challenges, just like every season. But Floridians are resilient, and preparation is part of our way of life. Start now. Strengthen your home, your business, and your plan. Build your layers of safety before the first storm forms. If you need help building a plan, creating a checklist, or preparing your family or business, Tactical K Training is here to support you with practical, real‑world guidance.
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Convicted Felon Sentenced to 87 Months in Trafficking Nine Firearms, Including to Buyer Who Said He Was ‘At War’ Thursday, April 30, 2026 U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Columbia WASHINGTON - Brandon Smith, 34, a previously convicted felon residing in the District of Columbia, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 87 months in prison for conspiring to traffic at least nine firearms to a prohibited buyer over the course of six months, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. “Brandon Smith was already on supervised probation for a violent felony when he chose to traffic firearms, and he continued even after being told the buyer intended to use them for violence,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “Over the course of six months, he arranged the sale of at least nine guns—including one with an obliterated serial number—to a prohibited individual. This was not a momentary lapse in judgment, but a sustained and deliberate effort to arm someone who could not legally possess firearms. My office remains committed to holding accountable those who endanger our communities by trafficking illegal guns.” On Jan. 9, 2026, Smith pleaded guilty before Judge Howell to conspiracy to commit trafficking in firearms. In addition to the 87-month prison term, Judge Howell ordered Smith to serve three years of supervised release. Federal prosecutors had requested a 108-month prison term. According to court papers, beginning in November 2023, ATF opened an investigation after a confidential source reported that Smith, then on supervised probation for a violent felony, was actively advertising firearms for sale by texting photographs of guns to prospective buyers, including individuals with prior felony convictions. During the next six months, Smith sold or arranged the sale of nine firearms to a buyer on six separate occasions. During the transactions, Smith sold his own personal carry firearm on multiple occasions when a supplier failed to deliver, then purchased a replacement for himself afterward. In early January 2024, as Smith and the buyer discussed an upcoming transaction, the buyer told Smith he needed the firearms because he was “at war” after his cousin had been killed. Smith proceeded with the sale. The buyer had also told Smith he was serving a criminal justice sentence at the time of the transactions. Smith acknowledged that he, too, was “on papers.” Smith arranged a total of six transactions from Nov. 30, 2023, through May 30, 2024, resulting in the sale of nine firearms. At least one of the firearms had its serial number obliterated. On Oct. 26, 2024, MPD officers conducted a traffic stop on the 1600 block of 16th Street SE and found Smith in the front passenger seat of a parked vehicle. Officers observed open containers of alcohol and discovered a satchel at his feet. Inside the satchel, in plain view, was a loaded Glock Model 19X 9mm handgun with a round in the chamber and 16 additional rounds in the magazine. The bag also contained a bank card and government-issued identification in Smith’s name. Smith has prior convictions for Simple Assault (2011), Attempted Robbery (2013), and Robbery and Possession of a Firearm during a Crime of Violence (2016), for which he was sentenced to five years in prison. He was serving a term of supervised probation from the 2016 conviction at the time of the firearms trafficking conspiracy. This investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Office, and the Metropolitan Police Department. The matter was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan M. Horan. Convicted Felon Sentenced to 87 Months in Trafficking
