Firearm Confiscation By Country...There Government Rule Over Them

Gregory Kielma • December 25, 2024

Countries That Took Their Citizens’ Guns – What Happened Next?

Countries That Took Their Citizens’ Guns – What Happened Next

©Mitch Barrie - by Mitch Barrie

Gregg Kielma
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As 2024 comes to an end, there have been approximately 385 mass shootings in the United States, which continues to be a driving force around those who want to see more gun control. While the Second Amendment protects the right to bear arms, this issue has become even more contentious as school and workplace shooting numbers are moving in the wrong direction.

Key Points
• Gun restrictions have been met with varying success, depending on the country.
• The United States is unlikely to enact any broad sweeping gun restrictions in the future.
• Some countries have restricted gun ownership out of fear of a public uprising against authoritarian or Communist leadership.

While the US continues to debate gun ownership, there are lessons to be learned from countries that have already gone down this path. With varying degrees of success, some nations, like Australia, China, and the United Kingdom, have banned guns outright to varying levels of public opinion. It's these countries that may one day help guide the US on what any sort of gun ban fallout could be.

12. Brazil
• Gun law enacted: 2003
• Brought on by: Brazil's disarmament policies were put in place to help curb the country's high firearm-related death count
• Government response: The government established the Disarmament Statue in 2003, only to pull it back with reforms in 2019 and 2021 with moderate success
Brazil's 2003 Disarmament Statue was put in place as a result of 36,000 gun-related deaths in the same year, leading to a 12% drop in firearm deaths over the next decade. The statute called for increased background checks and mental health reviews, as well as providing a "genuine need" to the government as to why you should own a firearm. There is a growing movement in the country to reduce gun restrictions so Brazilians can protect themselves in high-crime areas.

11. China
• Gun law enacted: 1966
• Brought on by: The government sought to stop potential uprisings during the country's Cultural Revolution
• Government response: Under Mao Zedong, the Chinese government pulled guns off the streets and enacted strict penalties for ownership

In modern-day China, should you be caught with an illegal firearm, the penalty is severe and can include up to life in prison. On the positive side, gun-related crimes are very rare in China, and the country has a very low firearm-related death number. Still, critics of the 1966 gun ban in China can't help but claim this policy was put in place to boost authoritarian rule and prevent any uprisings against China's Communist Party power.

10. New Zealand
• Gun law enacted: 2019
• Brought on by: 51 people were killed at two Mosques in the country using legally purchased semi-automatic rifles, causing a massive outcry among the public
• Government response: The government of New Zealand moved fast to enact gun reforms with strong support, including a national gun buyback program

Almost immediately, the reaction to the new gun law in New Zealand was positive. A national buyback program resulted in over 56,000 firearms being turned over. While gun owners complained, the government quickly considered the program a success in removing thousands of high-risk weapons off the streets. There is still a small but vocal movement of New Zealanders that continue to reject this gun policy as not going far enough to address illegal firearm possession, which still poses a threat.

9. Japan
• Gun law enacted: 1958
• Brought on by: Heavily influenced by post-World War II reforms enacted by the US to demilitarize Japan
• Government response: The people of Japan at this time were removed from their wartime mindset of a decade before and have typically shown an aversion to firearms
While violence can certainly take place in Japan, the country has one of the lowest firearm-related death rates annually. It's believed less than ten people die per year in the country because of a firearm. The country has long been focused on nonviolence. While some groups argue firearm laws are too restrictive

8. Germany
• Gun law enacted: 2003
• Brought on by: A 2002 school shooting where 16 young adults and children were killed
• Government response: Government action was swift and looked to enhance background checks, as well as add restrictions around semi-automatic weapons and high-capacity magazines
Germany was already home to one of the lowest firearm-related deaths in the world at the time of the 2003 shooting. The country was already averaging only 1 per 100,000 people annually killed as a result of a firearm. However, since the 2002 shooting, the German public has been extremely supportive of gun control as a public safety measure.

7. Norway
• Gun law enacted: 2018
• Brought on by: A 2011 school attack where 77 people were killed using a legally purchased rifle and pistol
• Government response: The government moved to ban semi-automatic rifles in 2018
While Norway was already a country where firearm-related deaths were already low among Western nations, the government's action led to stronger gun restrictions, which was a response to a public outcry after the 2011 attacks. While Norway has a history of hunting, the firearm restrictions enacted in 2018 respect these traditions while ensuring that hunting licenses require extensive background and mental health checks.

6. Venezuela
• Gun law enacted: 2012, 2017
• Brought on by: Increasing gun violence and one of the highest homicide rates in the world
• Government response: The government enacted two separate policies under Authoritarian rule to restrict firearm ownership
In 2012, Venezuela's Authoritarian ruler, Nicolas Maduro, enacted the Control of Arms, Munitions, and Disarmament Law, which set forth a group of tight and restricted gun policies. While the move was seen as more political in an effort for Maduro to stop an uprising and stay in power, civilians were prohibited from owning firearms and ammunition, except for security firms or government loyalists. This policy continues to this day and has done little to quell the violence in the country.

5. Yugoslavia
• Gun law enacted: 1945-1991
• Brought on by: The Communist government's desire to maintain law and order
• Government response: During this period, civilian ownership of firearms was heavily regulated, and guns could only be used by government officials, military, and law enforcement
Before Yugoslavia was dissolved as a nation, it was a Communist country, and as a result, access to firearms was heavily restricted. In other words, the government had complete control over weapons access to prevent armed uprisings. After the country dissolved, firearms poured into the country, introducing a whole new set of conflicts, which eventually led to the Bosnian War.

4. Russia
• Gun law enacted: 1917 – 1991
• Brought on by: The Bolsheviks wanted to maintain gun control to prevent an uprising
• Government response: During this period in Russian history, private gun ownership was severely restricted, and citizens could only own firearms for hunting
While Russia is far more flexible with firearm laws, Russia between 1917 and 1991 under Communist rule was a very different story. Strict gun laws within the Soviet government were set up to limit the opportunity for armed resistance to form. After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, civilians can now own hunting rifles and small-caliber firearms, which are heavily regulated. Still, unauthorized firearm possession remains a crime punishable by prison or worse.

3. Canada
• Gun law enacted: 1995
• Brought on by: Mass shootings beginning in 1989 with the Ecole Polytechnique massacre, which led to the death of 14 women
• Government response: Canada enacted significant gun reform laws in 1995 with the Firearms Act and then additional measures in 2020 and 2022
As a result of the Firearms Act and the ban of over 1,500 assault-style firearms by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in 2020, firearm-related deaths in Canada are far lower than that of its neighbors to the south. Polls continue to show that most Canadians are in favor of strict gun control measures, so there continues to be a government mandate to maintain the current status quo around firearm measures.

2. United Kingdom
• Gun law enacted: 1997
• Brought on by: Dunblane school massacre in 1996 when 16 children and teachers were killed with legally-owned handguns
• Government response: Public outcry led to the Firearms Amendment Act in 1997, which banned most private handgun ownership
In the aftermath of the school shooting, Prime Minister John Major banned all handguns in mainland Britain and enacted strict background checks, safe storage requirements, and mental health evaluations. Within a decade, gun homicide rates were among the lowest in the world. In addition, over 162,000 firearms were surrendered with a buyback program. However, knife-related crimes increased in Britain, which was an indicator of the change in criminal behavior in the country.

1. Australia
• Gun law enacted: 1996
• Brought on by: Port Arthur Massacre, where 35 people were killed
• Government response: Introduction of the National Firearms Agreement, strict gun control measures, and a ban on semi-automatic rifles and shotguns
After Prime Minister John Howard introduced the NFA, Australia also initiated a gun buyback program, which destroyed 650,000 firearms. As a result, gun violence in Australia has seen a 59% reduction in firearm-related homicides and a 65% drop in suicides. More importantly, there hasn't been a single mass shooting of five or more people in the country since the NFA was enacted in 1996.








By Gregory Kielma May 27, 2025
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.
By Gregory Kielma May 25, 2025
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.
By Gregory Kielma May 25, 2025
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.
By Gregory Kielma May 25, 2025
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.
By Gregory Kielma May 25, 2025
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
By Gregory Kielma May 25, 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
By Gregory Kielma May 25, 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
By Gregory Kielma May 20, 2025
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.
By Gregory Kielma May 20, 2025
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.
By Gregory Kielma May 20, 2025
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.
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