Gregory Kielma • April 13, 2025
Gun Owner Data Leaks Expose The Danger of Registries
Gun Owner Data Leaks Expose The Danger of Registries
Darwin Nercesian -
Democrats in America will stop at nothing when it comes to their disarmament agenda, up to and including attempts to intimidate Americans by providing hit lists to criminals with private information regarding gun owners, where they live, and what you might be able to find if you pay them a visit. But a corrupt government that demands trust from citizens while at the same time maintaining lists of those privately armed is not an exclusive ideocracy of the United States. New Zealand and Israel, of all places, have not only maintained registries but have also allowed them to leak, putting their citizens at risk to both criminals and enemies of the state.
Israel is an example of a government that demands the loyalty of its citizens but responds with authoritarian firearm restrictions and registries, should you be permitted to defend yourself and your family in an often-dangerous region plagued by terror attacks. It was only after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks condemning approximately 1200 people to murder, most without the means to fight back, that the country finally relaxed its firearms restrictions on civilians. But the government still made its lists.
“260,000 new requests for firearm permits have been submitted… since Hamas’s October 7 attacks on Israel… My policy within the office was to permit as many people as possible to get a weapon… within a short period of time, we are [now] giving up to 3,000 approvals a day,” said National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir according to the Times of Israel.
Talk about an effort “too little, too late” that should be tried for criminal negligence rather than celebrated. Now, it seems the privilege of self-defense and the defense of loved ones will come with added danger, thanks to a recent data leak initiated by Iranian-linked hackers who penetrated Israel’s databases containing sensitive gun owner information, according to the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, that worked with U.S. cybersecurity firm, databreach.com to analyze the hack.
“The documents include personal details of gun owners, including their full name, home address, photograph, military and medical background, firearm type, ammunition count and whether the weapon is stored at home… Anyone who keeps a gun at home is now at higher risk… We estimate the database contains identifying information on over 10,000 Israelis,” according to the report.
Haaretz contacted several victims of the breach to confirm the accuracy of the leaked data, one of whom responded, “This is really dangerous. This puts a target on our backs.”
But Israel isn’t the only country that doesn’t care about its citizens’ safety and right to privacy. New Zealand’s repeated inability to secure private gun owner information compromised more than 100 firearms owners in July of 2023 according to the New Zealand Herald.
While the New Zealand Firearm Safety Authority described the data breach as an “error,” it came just a year after firearm owners’ private details were stolen during the commission of an old Auckland police station burglary, according to the Herald. Prior to that, a 2019 data breach connected to New Zealand’s mandatory gun confiscation program labeled as a “buyback” was the subject of a story in The Guardian entitled, “New Zealand’s gun buyback website ‘a shopping list for criminals.”
Here in the U.S., if you think California still qualifies, the state’s Department of Injustice under Attorney General Rob Bonta launched a Firearms Dashboard Portal designed to provide firearm transaction and Concealed Carry permit holder data to anyone on the DOJ’s website. This purposeful attempt to intimidate gun owners led to the leak of personally identifying information, confirmed in a statement by the DOJ to include the names, dates of birth, gender, races, driver’s license numbers, addresses, and criminal histories of individuals who had applied for permits from 2011 through 2021. The breach also extended to dashboards detailing California’s Assault Weapon Registry, Dealer Record of Sale, Firearm Certification System, and Gun Violence Restraining Orders.
Regarding the breach, Bonta feigned concern, however disingenuous and patronizing it must have seemed to gun owners throughout the state who, by now, must know that this is precisely as the state intends.
“The California Department of Justice is entrusted to protect Californians and their data. We acknowledge the stress this may cause those individuals whose information was exposed. I am deeply disturbed and angered,” Bonta said in a statement.
This epidemic lead too many to believe that the best way to prevent this type of sensitive data from being exposed is not to collect it. While I agree with that statement, we must hold those responsible for the leaks accountable for their actions. Data breaches are nothing new, and nobody can claim an error or accident at this point when it comes to exposing citizens to the dangers associated with publishing such a criminal hit list. These registries are meant for subjugation and nothing else, whether it be through intimidation, willful publishing for and recruitment of the criminal element to assist with disarming law-abiding citizens, or eventual confiscation plans. Always remember that these people are not the first to make lists, as they follow some of the most nefarious footsteps throughout history.
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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
