Gregory Kielma • September 6, 2023
The Media Will Go to Any Lengths to Smear American Firearm Makers While Carrying Water for the Gun Control Industry
The Media Will Go to Any Lengths to Smear American Firearm Makers While Carrying Water for the Gun Control Industry
By
Larry Keane
September 6, 2023
There’s peril when media sets out to confirm a narrative instead of reporting facts. Whether it’s criminal violence in America perpetrated by a deranged lunatic, or by violent drug cartels in countries beyond our borders, some media outlets will find the flawed logic to argue it is American companies that should be punished.
This results in a disservice to readers and erodes public trust not just in their subjects but also in the Fourth Estate.
Antigun Bias
It’s no surprise The Washington Post published an article critical of the firearm industry. What is surprising is that a news outlet with the motto “Democracy Dies in Darkness” would get so much wrong writing about firearms and gloss over the complicated and strictly-regulated process of firearm exports.
The report, written by Bloomberg opinion writer Francis Wilkinson, seemed to blame the firearm industry for corruption and crime in other nations, many with stricter gun control laws than that of the United States. The Washington Post uses words like “morally grotesque,” “murderous,” and “corrupt” to directly connect the industry with “facilitating” violent criminal regimes in other countries, including Guatemala. Other countries that are frequently referenced as receiving firearm exports from U.S. manufacturers include Mexico, Thailand, the Philippines and even Canada.
That column was preceded by one in Bloomberg chastising U.S. firearm manufacturers for crime, corruption and violence in Thailand. Bloomberg, of course, is owned by antigun-billionaire Michael Bloomberg, who also funds the gun control groups Everytown for Gun Safety, Moms Demand Action and Everytown’s agitprop outlet, The Trace.
The misleading narrative of how U.S. firearm exports are regulated was repeated by the Dallas Morning News editorial board. In that column, editors attempted to assign blame for lawlessness in Guatemala to U.S. firearm manufacturers.
The Washington Post’s, Bloomberg’s and Dallas Morning News’ repeated mischaracterizations of the export license process and review priorities of the U.S. Department of Commerce, known as the U.S. Munitions List to Commerce Control List reforms, are myopic views to provide the public with an inaccurate account of how firearms and ammunition exports are reviewed and approved.
The truth is there are multiple layers of redundancy and duplicative end-user checks for every single firearm and ammunition license application for export to another country. Firearms are only exported after both the State Department and Defense Department approve a sale, including a specific review to consider human rights records and regional stability.
The Washington Post also references a Congressional letter sent to U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, in which antigun Members of Congress criticize the department for “approving nearly $16 billion in firearms export licenses in the first 16 months after it took over authority over small arms exports from the State Department – a roughly 30 percent increase from the State Department’s rate of approval – while denying only 0.4 percent of applications.”
What those lawmakers get wrong, and the article’s author ignores, is that licenses issued by the Commerce Department are valid for four years, while the licenses previously issued by the State Department were only valid for one year. For this reason, the initial license applications in the transition year of 2020 were much higher than the comparable State Department totals.
Likewise, the Congressional letter refers to a Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) license denial rate of 0.4 percent, lamenting it as extremely low and implying BIS is rubberstamping the approval of firearm export licenses. The truth is firearm exporters do not submit applications for exports to countries they know are prohibited, embargoed or under a policy of denial.
Mexico’s Malicious Legal Maneuver
Bloomberg News has reported on Mexico’s years-long attempt to sue U.S. firearm manufacturers – including Smith & Wesson Brands Inc., Glock Inc., and Beretta USA Corp. – for $10 billion in compensatory damages with the help of the Brady United gun control group. Mexico is unwilling to enforce its gun control laws on their side of the border. Further, officials in Mexico’s federal government and military have been found guilty of corruption from the narco-terrorists plaguing that country. The firearm industry is deeply disturbed by the violence brought by these crime syndicates, often with the assistance of Mexican authorities. However, that doesn’t change the facts. Mexico is responsible for the rampant violence and corruption in their own nation.
“Mexico argues that American gun manufactures are partly liable for the country’s 23,000 annual gun deaths. The businesses allegedly sell assault rifles that can be easily converted to fire automatically and market their weapons to cartels, violating both US law and Mexican tort law,” reported Bloomberg.
Bloomberg failed to report that Mexico has just one firearm retailer in the entire country, and it’s located on a military base in the heart of Mexico City. An independent investigation showed that the Mexican army “lost” 30 percent of its small arms purchased from the United States. Those are arms only the government can buy yet are being found at crime scenes.
The case was correctly dismissed earlier by the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts but is now being considered on appeal by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.
Facts Matter
The lawful and Constitutionally-protected firearm industry is among the most stringently-regulated industries in the world. Industry members all share an immense sense of pride in the role they play in facilitating the exercise of the Second Amendment by law-abiding Americans. The firearm industry is invested in efforts to improve community safety, including programs that partner with law enforcement agencies at all levels.
This includes Project ChildSafe, which has distributed over 40 million free gun safety kits, including locking devices, free of charge through partnerships with more than 15,000 local police departments in every state and five U.S. territories. It also includes Operation Secure Store and Don’t Lie for the Other Guy, which help to educate neighborhood firearm retailers about the warning signs of illegal straw purchases and how to more securely store their inventory. The firearm industry led the effort to ensure that all disqualifying records are submitted to the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) by championing the FixNICS campaign to ensure the background check system works as intended. So far, the law has been changed in 16 states and in Congress.
NSSF also partners with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) and the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide firearm ranges and retailers resources to better recognize the signs of mental distress of suicidal ideations.
Media ignore that it’s the firearm industry that has a proven history of spearheading responsible gun ownership initiatives that have led to the lowest levels of unintended firearm fatalities since records first were kept in 1903, according to the National Safety Council’s Injury Facts Report. Instead, they carry the antigun water to blame U.S. companies for the violence committed in other countries.
Larry Keane is SVP for Government and Public Affairs, Assistant Secretary and General Counsel of the National Shooting Sports Foundation.
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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
