Rhode Island Proposes Ban on Possession after Ban on Sale and Manufacture draft

 

On June 26, 2025, Governor of Rhode Island (D) Dan McKee signed into law a ban on the manufacture, purchase, sale or transfer of certain firearms. The firearms affected were: semi-automatic shotguns with fixed magazine capacity exceeding six rounds, shotguns with revolving cylinders, and semi-automatic rifles with fixed magazine capacity exceeding ten rounds. In addition the ban covers semi-automatic rifles which can accept a detachable magazine and which have any one or more of the following characteristics:

• folding or telescoping stock
• bayonet mount
• grenade launcher
• shroud which protects the non-trigger hand, except an extension of the stock on the bottom of the barrel
• pistol grip or thumbhole stock
• flash suppressor or threaded barrel which could accept the same

The ban also covers semi-automatic pistols with a fixed magazine capacity exceeding 10 rounds and any semi-automatic firearm which can accept a belt ammunition feeding device.

The ban does not include .22 rimfire rifles with attached tubular magazines.  The ban does not appear to include pistols with detachable magazines or semi-automatic shotguns with detachable magazines.

On February 27, 2026, Democrats in the Senate introduced a bill to add possession to the prohibitions already passed in 2025. This changes the ban on obtaining the affected firearms into a ban on possessing them.

Senate sponsors to add "Possession" are:   Alana M. DiMario, district 36;Dawn Euer, district 13; Meghan E. Kallman, district 15;  Pamela J. Lauria, district 6; Tiara T. Mack, district 6; Mark P. McKenney, district 30; Linda L. Ujifusa, district 11; Bridget Valverde, district 35; and Samuel D. Zurier, district 3.  

The Rhode Island Senate contains 38 senators. 17 are women, 21 are men. Four are Republicans, 34 are Democrats. All of the sponsors of the bill to ban possession are Democrats, seven of the nine sponsors are women. 

Analysis:

Rhode Island is a deep blue state.  As mentioned, on 4 of 38 Senators are Republican. Only 10 of 75 representatives are Republican. The Govenor, Daniel McKee is a Democrat. The legislature already passed the bill banning the manufacture, purchase, sale or transfer of the listed firearms. There are several court cases involving outright bans of these sort of weapons. As many of the listed weapons are in common use in the United States, the Supreme Court is likely to strike down these bans at some point in the future. The Supreme Court has refused to do so at present. It refused to hear the case Snope v. Brown.  It is not clear if the new bill will be passed, as it makes the original law more likely to be seen as unconstitutional. With supermajorities of Democrats in the House and Senate, passage is plausible. The longer the Supreme Court takes to hear an "assault weapons" ban, the more states will thumb their noses at the Supreme Court precedent in the Bruen decision.

In 2022, a federal district court found the banning of stun guns in Rhode Island to be unconstitutional under the Second Amendment.  The judge in the case was William E. Smith.  Judge Smith assumed senior status in 2024. He might or might not be assigned to hear a challenge to the current weapons ban.

 

 ©2026 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice and link are included.

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FL: Jacksonville - Homeowner Shoots, Wounds, Intruder

After an initial investigation, detectives determined that the shooting began when the homeowner reportedly walked in to find an intruder in his home and confronted him. The suspect was then shot.

Sgt. Smith said all involved parties were detained and are cooperating with the investigation.

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IL: Chicago - Man with Alzeimer's shot after Entering Wrong Home

Upon arrival, they found a man with a gunshot wound to the chest, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. The man was later identified as 62-year-old Carmelo Medina of Harvey. 

Police said a 33-year-old man said the other person entered their home and charged in his direction, and that's when he told police he fired a gun and struck the man in the chest.

"Él era bueno, no era mala persona. (he was a good man, he wasn't a bad person)," Medina's sister, Estella, told CBS News Chicago. 

She, along with Medina's niece, Ana Bahena, and son, Carmen Martinez, spoke about what happened to Carmelo.

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USPS Moves to Allow Mailing Handguns After DOJ Says Federal Ban Is Unconstitutional

 

The Trump Administration via the Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) issued a Memorandum Opinion on January 15, 2026, pertaining to the general ban on the mailing of handguns by use of the Postal Service. The Memorandum declared the federal ban on mailing handguns to be unconstitutional.  This was a significant step to restore rights traditionally protected by the Second Amendment.

Our history is full of famous figures ordering firearms by mail, from Bat Masterson to President Theodore Roosevelt.  In 1927 a federal law banning the sending of handguns through the mail was put into effect. It is widely regarded as the first federal firearms law. The Congressional record of the debate shows the purpose was to prevent black people from circumventing existing state and local handgun bans on the carry of concealed weapons by black men. The Congressional record of the debate was found by esteemed historian Clayton Cramer. From the debate:

 Here we have laid bare the principal cause for the high murder rate in Memphis--the carrying by colored people of a concealed deadly weapon, most often a pistol.  Can we not cope with this situation?

The quote above is from Senator Shields (D-TN), in 1924. It took time for the act to be passed and become law. Senator Shields said the primary purpose was to prevent black people from circumventing state and local bans on the possession and carry of concealed handguns. This was done through the interstate shipping of handguns. Shields asserted that no law abiding citizen had any lawful reason to carry a concealed weapon. The ban only affected the postal service. Private shippers were not banned from shipping handguns.

The current regulation proposed by the Postal Service is designed to bring postal regulations back into conformity with the Constitution, or at least, into conformity with the finding by the OLC Memorandum. Some changes would be as follows:

Definition:

Handgun: a pistol, revolver, or other firearm capable of being concealed on a person. 

Handguns will be included as "Mailable firearms".  For mailing within a particular state, shipment of handguns will be required to use "Return Service Requested". Tracking and signature capture at delivery will be required. For mailing to out of state addresses, by those without a Federal Firearms License,  the following is to be required:

 The mailpiece must:
1) Be addressed to the recipient.
2) Include the “in the care of” endorsement immediately preceding the
name of the applicable temporary custodian.
3) Be opened by the recipient.
4) Be mailed using a class of mail, product, or Extra Service that
provides tracking and signature capture at delivery. 

The reform regulation will not go into effect until the comment period has lapsed. The comment period will extend from the time of publication in the Federal Register, which is expected to be on April 2, 2026, and continue for the next 30 days. Comments can be made after the proposed rule is published, at https://federalregister.gov/d/2026-06376. Exactly when the regulation may go into effect is not certain at this time. If this rule is of interest, citizens can affect it through reasoned arguments submitted by comment at the link, when the comment period is opened.

One of the expected results of being able to send handguns through the postal service is a drop in the cost of ordering handguns remotely, through the Internet, telephone, or by mail. The cost of returning handguns to the manufacturer for warranty service should also drop. The cost of sending handguns through non-postal means has sky-rocketed in recent years, along with privacy concerns.

Analysis:

The argument about the utility of concealed weapons has continued to the present time. Those opposed to an armed population claim weapons in the hands of ordinary citizens, especially handguns, serve no useful purpose. Those supporting the reasoning behind the adoption of the Second Amendment claim multiple useful and necessary purposes. Research on the subject is divided. Bans on handguns do not appear to reduce overall homicide rates or suicide rates. Handgun bans appear to motivated for purposes of political power.

The Second Amendment appears clear on the subject. The Supreme Court has issued a definitive opinion in the Bruen decision. The Second Amendment protects the right to be armed in public.

©2026 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice and link are included.

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TX: Dallas - Resident Shoots Burglary Suspect at Mystic Trail Home

The preliminary investigation determined that a suspect attempting to enter a home was shot by a person inside. The injured suspect was transported to the hospital in critical condition by Dallas Fire-Rescue.

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MT: Officers Return Shotgun and Ammo to Gabriel Metcalf in GFSZ case

Gabe Metcalf with his returned single shot 20 gauge shotgun and six rounds of ammunition. Courtesey Gabe Metcalf's Mother, Vivian. 

In the Gun Free School Zone case against Gabriel Metcalf in Billings, Montana, the authorities have returned Gabriel's single shot 20 gauge shotgun, an ammunition pouch, and the six rounds of 20 gauge ammunition which were seized when Gabriel was arrested on August 23 of 2023. The case was ruled to be illegitimate by the Ninth Circuit Court of appeals when they sent the case back to the District Court with instructions to dismiss the case. The Ninth Circuit opinion was sent to the District Court on September 23, 2025, just short of two years after Gabe was arrested. 

AmmoLand has been at the forefront of reporting on this case, with over two dozen articles over the course of the last two and a half years. 

Officer Stroble returning Gabe's shotgun, ammunition, and ammo pouch.  He does not appear happy or freindly. 

It is not clear if the officers were acting on behalf of the Billings Police Force or the ATF/Billings Police Task Force. Gabe says officer Stroble was the officer who arrested him two and a half years ago as an officer in the task force. The arrest was a federal arrest based on the federal Gun Free School Zone act.  The task force was used to arrest Gabe after the Billings police, on a local TV station, said they could not arrest Gabe because he was not breaking the law.

Gabriel won his case in the Federal Courts. The Ninth Circuit did not say the Gun Free School Zone law was unconstitutional. They said Gabe should never have been indicted and tried.

Gabe and his mother, Vivian, suffered significant damages during the two and a half years of punishment by process in the courts. Gabe spent a month in jail and years on probation. His mother stopped her business as a seamstress. Their budding recycling business was destroyed. Their reputation was damaged, relationships destroyed. When talking to Gabe and his mother, this correspondent learned Gabe's property, particularly the shotgun, had not been returned, months after the case was dismissed.

It has been common for police departments to fail to return property, even to those who win in the courts. The cost of forcing the police to comply often costs more than the property is worth. This correspondent told Gabe and his mother he would contact Gary Marbut and ask for advise.

Gary Marbut is a founder and President of the Montana Shooting Sports Association MSSA. He is a legendary figure in the Second Amendment community in Montana.

Gary put forward the idea of sending a letter from the MSSA to candidate for the US Senate in Montana, Kurt Alme. Kurt Alme was the United States Attorney for Montana, appointed by President Trump. Alme resigned from the US Attorney office on March 6, 2026. Gary sent the letter on March 10, 2026.

Kurt Alme's predecessor had been appointed by President Biden. Kurt has good contacts in the US Attorney's office in Montana. Timothy J. Racicot is currently the acting United States Attorney in Montana.  U.S. Attorney Racicot was the acting U.S. Attorney assigned to the position by President Trump before Kurt Alme was appointed as the U.S. Attorney in Montana in 2025.

Racicot was the First Assistant U.S. Attorney (similar to second in command) during the previous administration, before becoming acting U.S. Attorney. Kurt Alme was Racicot's boss for five months, from October 7, 2025 to March 6. 2026. The Ninth Circuit ordered the District Court to dismiss the case on September 23, about two weeks before Kurt Alme was appointed to be the United States Attorney for Montana, and became Timothy J. Racicot's boss. Kurt Alme was not in charge when the Metcalf Gun Free School Zone case was being prosecuted. It may be Kurt Alme was unfamiliar with the case, as it was ordered dismissed before he was appointed.

On March 10 Kurt Alme was sent the letter by Gary Marbut, to remind him of the case. On March 20, 2026,  Gabe's shotgun was returned by officer Strobel. Stroble is said to be the same officer who had arrested Gabe. Gabe and his mother received a phone call on or about March 20th, where the call was difficult to identify. When called back, the officer on the phone wanted Gabe to come to their office to pick up the shotgun.  

Gabe insisted his shotgun be returned to where it had been seized.

Within half an hour, on March 20th, at about 0930, the shotgun was returned. Such a quick response makes it appear the return was considered a high priority.

Because of the nature and high profile of the case, and because Kurt Alme had already resigned as United States Attorney before the letter from Gary Marbut was sent, there is no documented evidence the letter was responsible for the shotgun being returned. The timeline implies such may be the case.

Gabe's mother, Vivian, reminded the officers who were returning the shotgun, the front door did not work properly. According to Gabe's mother, it was unnecessarily damaged when the officers served a warrant on August 23, 2023, the day Gabe was peaceably arrested outside his home.

Gabe was arrested when he went to talk to officers at a parking lot across the street outside his home. Gabe said he took the initiative to talk to them. He had the understanding the situation would be resolved in his favor. Gabe said he had left the shotgun inside, as he had said he would do, to the same officers, days earlier.

The arrest, indictment, trial, appeal, and dismissal were all uncalled for. 

It is unknown if Gabe and his mother will ever be made whole for their years of suffering and punishment by process.

Gabe's Mother, Vivian, has established a GiveSendGo site.

 

©2026 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice and link are included.

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TX: Midlothian- Domestic Defense Gunfight, Girl Wounded

According to the report, after the altercation, Nienhuis went to his truck and got a handgun. He walked back to the house and fired several rounds, one of which struck the caller's 11-year-old sister, the report states. Nienhuis then drove away from the scene.  

Nienhuis returned to the house minutes later, where he was confronted by another of his sons who had armed himself with a rifle. They exchanged gunfire in the front yard.

Midlothian police said they believe no one was injured during the second shooting, but houses and vehicles belonging to several neighbors were damaged by gunfire.

Midlothian police officers arrived at the home at 7:17 p.m. and confronted Nienhuis, who had armed himself with a knife. Officers pleaded with him to drop the knife, but he refused and then stabbed himself in the neck. Officers charged him and retrieved the knife.  

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OH: Hull- Road Rage, Shots Fired, Disarm, re-arm, Aggressor Wounded, in Jail

Seawright then exited his truck and placed a revolver in his pocket. Howard hit Seawright several times. During the fight, Seawright retrieved his revolver from his pocket. Howard gained control of the revolver and attempted to shoot at Seawright. Seawright then regained control of his revolver and fired several shots.

An off-duty GBI agent traveling north on U.S. Highway 29 witnessed the fight between Howard and Seawright and stopped to intervene. Once the agent saw Seawright fire his revolver, the agent fired multiple rounds. Seawright was not injured. Seawright immediately dropped his revolver and complied with the agent’s verbal commands. Howard then drove away from the scene into Clarke County, where he stopped and called 911. Howard reported that he had been shot. EMS then responded to Howard’s location, where he was taken to an area hospital for treatment.

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FDR Attorney General Homer Cummings Pushed National Handgun Registration for Years

Homer Stillé  Cummings in 1915 Government Photo Public Domain 

President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's 1933 pick for Attorney General was Senator Thomas J. Walsh, born in 1859 in Two Rivers Wisconsin. Two Rivers had a population of 1,337 in 1860 . A self-made man, he graduated from the University of Wisconsin.  He grew with the country in the West.  Walsh won election to the US Senate from Montana in 1912. He exposed the Teapot Dome scandal in 1922. His summer home was in what became Glacier National Park. On the way to his inauguration in 1933, he died of apparent heart attack on a passenger train, as he traveled to D.C. from Florida, at the age of 73, with his new bride.  Homer Stillé Cummings was meant as a stop-gap replacement.

Homer Stillé  Cummings was a reliable political hack who Roosevelt picked to be Governor General of the Philippines.  He was an early child of the American Urban class, born in Chicago in 1870. He grew up and prospered in the American North East Coast. In 1933 he was a member of the Democratic National Committee, and had been chairman of the committee previously. He left the office of Attorney General in 1939 and entered private law practice in Washington D.C.

Homer Cummings became Franklin Delano Roosevelt's Attorney General in 1933. He became the crusader who pushed hard for defacto national firearms bans and especially for handgun registration in the United States.

Cummings succeeded in passage of the National Firearms Act, but failed to obtain national handgun registration. In 1937, he stated his belief all firearms must be registered.

 I am convinced of this—any practical measure for the control of firearms must at least contain provisions for the registration of all firearms.

In an interview with Homer Stillé Cummings, in 1938, much of his philosophy about gun control was revealed. Rex Collier was on the staff of the Washington Evening Star, which was the paper of record in Washington D.C. until 1981.  Cummings had pushed for national handgun registration and licensing in the National Firearms Act. At first, he did not include short barreled rifles, but was willing to do so when pressured by Minnesota Representative Harold Knutson. After the NRA succeeded in convincing the Congress to reject universal handgun registration, Cummings made several more attempts to achieve it. His last attempt was in 1938. During that attempt, he was interviewed by Rex Collier. From the Interview with Cummings in 1938, by reporter Rex Collier on the staff of the Washington Evening Star::

From Collier:

Now as I understand it you are urging the extension of that law [NFA] to cover pistols, revolvers, and gas guns. 

Atty Gen: That is correct and I might add, Mr. Collier, that this is not a recent inspiration with me. I have been fighting for such legislation for four years.  

Cummings goes on to say what has been one of the major talking points of those pushing for disarmament of the public in the United States. The claim is Canada and some European countries have lower reported rates of homicide than did the United States at the time. Cummings did not mention the homicide rate stayed the same or went up after handgun registration was passed in those other countries. He says this, which shows his mind-set:

 Of the homicides in this country, almost 70 percent are committed by firearms. 

Cummings uses the generic term firearms, not handguns. Cummings' history as a Northeast coastal urbanite suggests he had little personal knowledge of firearms. Cummings went to Yale. He practiced law. It is difficult to believe he did not know the proper us of "by" and "with". Firearms have no volition. The proper usage is "killed with firearms, not killed "by" firearms. 

Cummings goes on to denigrate those who claim the natural right to keep and bear arms, because it is outdated:

And even in the year 1938 we hear the hollow argument of the inalienable right of a person to buy a pistol without leaving any form of identification.  

Later, Cummings lets slip a telling point. The group most in favor of the registration of all handguns in the country is "the press".

Question: Can you tell me which groups are in favor of the proposal? 

Atty. Gen: In the first place, I would list the press of the country.  

To his credit, Rex Collier asks the obvious question:

Question: What good does it do, General, to have a large file of guns owned by persons who are not criminals? 

Atty. Gen: Simply this. Tomorrow's supply of guns for the underworld is today in the hands of honest citizens. Under this bill no honest citizen will transfer his weapon without complying with the terms of the statute, and in time the underworld supply of guns, except those secured by theft, will be cut off.

Cummings goes on to say most guns used in crime are purchased through legitimate channels in 1938. Because criminals will not register their guns, when his subordinates find  someone who has an unregistered gun, they can prosecute him, because anyone with an unregistered gun would have to be a criminal. Cummings probably believed what he said. 

In 2026, his words seem laughably naive. Today we know the small number of guns used in criminal homicides are easily obtained on the black market;  substitute weapons are commonly used;  disarming the population leaves the vulnerable at the mercy of the violent. Congress did not agree with Homer Cummings.  In Europe, firearm registration was being used against the people. In Germany, in France, in the countries occupied by the NAZI regime, registration lists were used as a means of oppression. Today we know gun registration is in effect gun confiscation.

Stephen Halbrook notes the winds of war were blowing against firearms registration in the USA. He reports what happened in 1941.  From the Wyoming Law Review:

 Congress took notice. Reporting a bill to allow the President to requisition property, the House Committee on Military Affairs included a provision forbidding the impairment of Second Amendment rights “in view of the fact that certain totalitarian and dictatorial nations are now engaged in the willful and wholesale destruction of personal rights and liberties[.]”220 The resultant Property Requisition Act of 1941 declared in part:

Nothing contained in this Act shall be construed—

(1) to authorize the requisitioning or require the registration of any firearms possessed by any individual for his personal protection or sport (and the possession of which is not prohibited or the registration of which is not required by existing law), [or]
(2) to impair or infringe in any manner the right of any individual to keep and bear arms[.]221

Homer Cummings died in 1954, celebrated as a faithful Progressive who did what he could to register all firearms in the United States.

©2026 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice and link are included.

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OH: Dayton- Argument at Intersection leads to Assault, Shooting

According to Miami Twp. Communications Manager Jill Drury, the incident happened at approximately 4:15 p.m. on Jassamine Drive and Student Street.

The men reportedly stopped in the intersection to argue. The first man approached the second while holding a pipe. He was then promptly shot in the leg by him.

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KY: Owensboro - Domestic Defense, Mother's Juvenile Son Shoots, Kills Man

According to a release, 30-year-old Christopher Ray was named as the deceased in this weekend’s shooting. Authorities say Ray was physically assaulting a woman inside the home prior to the shooting. It is believed at this time that the woman’s juvenile son, in fear of his mother’s life, retrieved a firearm from inside the home and shot Ray in defense.

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MO: Person Shot 15-Year-Old in Self Defense

The first shooting happened around 4:30 p.m. near the intersection of South Grand and Park Avenue at the BP Gas Station. Police say a 15-year-old was shot multiple times and is in stable condition at an area hospital.

Police say their preliminary investigation indicates the 15-year-old had pointed a gun at someone, and that person fired in self-defense. Police say the shooter is cooperating with investigators.

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NC: Charlotte - Homeowner Fires at Intruder, Intruder runs Away

Speaking on camera, the homeowner told WSOC he "immediately began shooting" after coming face to face with the intruder in a hallway. He said his only focus was protecting his family. According to his account, the person ran from the home, and he could not say whether the suspect had been struck. The homeowner declined to share more details while the investigation is still underway.

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WA: Puyallup - Domestic Defense? Armed Samaritan Shoots Father who Shot Daughters

Puyallup police officers responded to a domestic violence call in the 1200 block of 31st Street NW shortly after 9 a.m. on April 2. 

A family dispute that began in a home spilled outside, and the three people ended up in a neighbor's driveway and garage. 

The suspect, identified as Guanlao through medical examiner records, was armed with a handgun and shot the two women, according to police.

The owner of the home where the shooting occurred intervened, shooting Guanlao. Guanlao died at the scene.

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CA: Tehachapi - Homeowner Shoots, Kills Burglary Suspect

Around 6:30 p.m., deputies were dispatched to a report of a burglary in progress in the 19000 block of Alta Vista Avenue. 

They arrived to find the suspect — identified only as male — suffering from a gunshot wound, officials said. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

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TX: Katy - Woman with Mental Problems Creates Confrontation, Grabs Gun, is Shot

Authorities said Brooks was driving with her 8-year-old daughter, 4-year-old son, and their dog when she came across a van pulling a trailer.

Video captured by surveillance cameras showed the van pulling over to let Brooks pass, but she stopped her car and started yelling at the other driver.

Investigators said Brooks eventually took a pistol from her car, which led the other driver to grab his own gun and shoot her.

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Ohio SB392: Huge Weapons Carry and Possession Reform Bill

Ohio Statehouse 

Ohio Senate Bill 392 was introduced into the Ohio legislature on March 23, 2026. It is a long bill of 182 pages which reforms and rationalizes much of the Ohio code involving the possession and carry of weapons. Here is the summary as listed in legiscan. Summary:

 To amend sections 9.68, 109.69, 109.731, 311.41, 311.42, 311.43, 1547.69, 2921.13, 2923.11, 2923.111, 2923.12, 2923.121, 2923.122, 2923.123, 2923.124, 2923.125, 2923.126, 2923.127, 2923.128, 2923.129, 2923.1210, 2923.1211, 2923.1212, 2923.1213, 2923.16, 2923.17, 2953.35, 4511.19, and 4749.10 and to repeal section 1533.04 of the Revised Code to enact the Freedom to Carry Act to rename a concealed handgun license a concealed weapons license, to allow a concealed weapons licensee to carry a concealed deadly weapon other than an exclusive deadly weapon,
and to allow the possession or transportation of a loaded firearm while in a motor vehicle or vessel.

There are many parts to SB 392. Much of the bill consists of changing the word "handgun" to deadly weapon. This appears to be because Ohio law, at current, only allows the carry of handguns under a concealed carry permit, and does not allow, or is unclear about other deadly weapons. It makes no sense to be able to carry a handgun, but not a knife, a fist re-enforcer, or nun-chucks.

The bill continues to prohibit some weapons which may fall under the category of "dangerous and unusual" as used in Second Amendment jurisprudence following the Heller, MacDonald, Caetano, and Bruen decisions. For example, it appears destructive devices are still banned from carry if they are not owned in accordance with National Firearms Act provisions. Short barreled rifles, short barreled shotguns and silencers appear to be removed from the list of prohibited weapons in this bill. Here is the definition of "exclusive deadly weapon" in the bill. Underlined words are new words. Strike thru words are words to be removed. The weapons meeting the definition are a very short list:

(2) "Exclusive deadly weapon" means a deadly weapon that is an exclusive firearm or that is a deadly weapon that any law of this state or the United States prohibits the subject person from acquiring, possessing, having, or carrying.

(3) "Exclusive firearm" means a firearm that is dangerous ordnance or that is a firearm that any law of this state or the United States prohibits the subject person from acquiring, possessing, having, or carrying.

The number of weapons which fall under the above definitions has been considerably reduced.

In addition, SB392 changes the age requirement for obtaining a concealed carry permit from Twenty-one to Eighteen. From SB392:

(2) "Qualifying adult" means a person who is all of the following:
(a) Twenty-one Eighteen years of age or older;

The bill changes the definition of prohibited weapons from a very specific reference to the National Firearms Act (NFA) provisions to a general provision. This is likely put in place so that if the courts strike down the parts of the NFA, the Ohio legislature will not be required to revise Ohio laws again. From the bill:

(b) Not legally prohibited from acquiring, possessing, or receiving a firearm deadly weapon under 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(1) to (9) or under section 2923.13 of the Revised Code or any other Revised Code provision the law of this state or the United States;

There are changes which remove some of the restrictions on the carry of weapons in vehicles and vessels.

SB392 is one of the longest state bills this reporter has encountered in decades. It has a significant chance of being amended if it is passed. The provisions appear to be clear rationalizations and  clarifications in light of Supreme Court decisions involving the Second Amendment.

The Ohio Legislature has a super majority of Republicans in the Senate, 24 of 33. The Ohio House of Representatives has a super majority of Republicans in the House, 65 of 99. The Ohio Governor is Mike DeWine, a Republican.

Analysis: SB392 has a good chance of passage. Its provisions are reasonable and likely to resonate with conservatives in Ohio. This could boost electoral prospects for Republicans in Ohio in the 2026 elections. This correspondent is not a lawyer. This article is not legal advise.

 ©2026 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice and link are included.

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GA: Atlanta - Car Accident leads to Gunfight, 1 dead, 1 Wounded

Two men had reportedly gotten into a car accident at the intersection, after which an argument started. The two men then shot each other.

Also Monday night, police responded to another double shooting in southwest Atlanta. That shooting happened near 3540 North Camp Creek Pkwy. SW, the address for The Preserve at Camp Creek apartments, located just outside the perimeter.

There, they found two people with gunshot wounds. One was pronounced dead on the scene. The other was alert, conscious and breathing and was taken to a hospital.

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NC: North Wikesboro - Return Fire at Drive-By, Suspect Wounded

Mathis said Owens was shot in the left leg when a male subject at the skate park, an 18-year-old who was identified, returned fire at the Toyota.

He said officers learned while investigating that a male subject (Owens) was receiving treatment at Atrium Wilkes Medical Center for a gunshot wound he stated occurred on Chestnut Street.

Mathis said investigators interviewed multiple witnesses, identified two persons of interest and located the Toyota Highlander, unoccupied and with multiple bullet holes, on Fairmount Drive in North Wilkesboro. Mathis said no one else was injured or has been charged.

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MS: Attala Co. - Homeowner Shoots, Kills Fugitive

The manhunt continued, the perimeter was secured, and checkpoints were set up throughout the area.

Multiple drones were deployed, along with an MHP helicopter.

A search warrant was executed on Hughes’ home; however, the home was found to be empty.

Shortly after, gunshots were heard, and units went toward them to find that Hughes had attempted to break into a homeowner’s back door.

The homeowner fired a weapon, striking Hughes.

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PA: Williamsport - Domestic Defense, Son Shoots Father

Earlier in the evening of March 27, Andrew Tubbs got into a fight with his father, whom he lived with. While leaving their home, Andrew reportedly took a kitchen knife with him.

Andrew's father then contacted his grandson and Andrew’s son, 21-year-old Kaiden Tubbs. 

When Kaiden arrived at the home, a fight ensued between him and his father, Andrew. During the fight, Andrew reportedly produced a knife. In response, Kaiden drew his legally-owned firearm and fired it, striking Andrew.

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MD: Arundel County - Assault by Group leads to Gunfire, One Assailant Wounded

On the scene, the victim told officers that he was walking out of the Burlington Coat Factory when a group of people approached him. As the incident escalated, the group began assaulting him. 

During the assault, the victim pulled out a gun, and a struggle ensued. The gun discharged, and one of the suspects was struck in the wrist, detailed police.

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TX: Houston - Business Owner Shoots Two Intruders

According to investigators, the owner was on his way to work when he received a notification on his phone that the building's metal gate was open.

HPD said the suspects did make it inside the building, but it is unclear if they were successful in taking anything. The business was said to be either electric or HVAC-related.

The owner said he arrived and saw the two suspects inside, who then approached him, before shots were fired, HPD said.

Police said the suspects were taken to the hospital, but their condition is not known.

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LA: Eunice - Armed Samaritan in Domestic Defense

“We understand that there was a domestic issue for some time with the couple, and it’s a really sad situation. Thank God she didn’t get more than she did,” Guidroz said. “She did get some bruises and a broken nose, but other than that she’s okay.”

Deputies said the vehicle pursuit led to a home on Janet Road, where the suspect opened fire on a homeowner and his son as they stood in the yard. The homeowner returned fire in self-defense, striking the suspect in the groin as he attempted to enter the house.

“The suspect goes to the door and tries to gain entry, and that’s when the homeowner opens fire,” Guidroz said. “He shoots him in the groin, and the suspect makes it back to his truck, where he pointed the gun at his head and shot himself.”

 

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IN: Evansville - Road Rage Leads to Gunfight, Aggressor Wounded

Police say the couple followed 62-year-old David Milan after he punched the husband in the face.

They say Milan fired several shots at the couple, and one of them returned fire, hitting Milan.

He was released from the hospital and charged with Battery with a Deadly Weapon.

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Tennesee Legislature passes Right to Own Guns in Rental Units

 

Tennessee Capitol 

 

On March 16, 2026, the Tennessee Legislature transmitted Bill SB0350 to Governor Bill Lee. Governor Bill Lee is expected to sign the legislation.  Governor Lee signed a Constitutional Carry Bill in 2021. Bill SB0350 guarantee's renters rights to keep and bear arms will not be subject to cancellation by rental contracts.  The bill does not apply to state and federal government leases or rentals of property.  The bill applies to both residential and commercial renters. While Governor Lee is expected to sign SB0350, if he does not veto the bill by the 28th of March, the bill will become law without his signature.

The Tennessee Senate passed the bill on February 27, 2026 on a 27 to 5 vote. The Tennessee House followed with a 72 - 22 vote on March 9, with an amendment.  The Senate concurred with the amendment on March 12, 32 -0. Governor Lee is term limited in Tennessee. His term will expire when a new governor takes office in January of 2027.  From the bill:

 SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 66, Chapter 7, is amended by adding the following as a new section:
66-7-113. 

(a) On and after July 1, 2025, a landlord shall not prohibit a tenant or a tenant's guest from lawfully possessing, carrying, transporting, or storing a firearm, any part of a firearm, or firearm ammunition in the tenant's home, apartment, or business; in a vehicle located in a parking area provided for tenants or tenants' guests by the landlord of the leased premises; or in other locations controlled by the landlord as necessary to enter or exit the tenant's home, apartment, or business, to enter or exit the leased premises, or to enter or exit a vehicle located on the leased premises or in a parking area provided by the landlord for tenants or tenants' guests.

The bill provides for remedies if the landlord insists on prohibiting firearms, Renter who have been damaged may file a civil lawsuit against a landlord for "actual damages, punitive damages, and recovery of attorney fees".  New leases may be placed into effect by July 1, 2026 as long as existing lease provisions against firearms are not enforced.

Analysis: The major effect of such bills are to remove from landlords any liability for damages which could be claimed in the event of use of firearms on the landlord's property, even when rented to another person. Because those who wish the population disarmed have failed to do so legislatively and judicially, the mechanism of civil suits has been employed to create bans which would otherwise be considered ridiculous.  Through zoning and the threat of lawsuit, landlords have been required to provide all sorts of services which they might otherwise not be required to do. This is part of the reason for increasing housing costs. Bills such as SB0350 do not require action on the part of landlords; they require inaction. An armed public is considered to be in the interest of the Republic. Actions making it difficult to maintain an armed public are thus against the interests of governments in the United States.

In reality, such bans are extremely difficult to enforce. They are primarily used to allow landlords to remove unwanted tenants. Failure to pay rent or damage to property should remain the primary reason to remove unwanted tenants.

 

©2026 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice and link are included.

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TX: Houston - Customer and Robbers Gunfight, Customer Wounded

Two men wearing hoodies and masks walked into the store and stole jewelry from employees. As they were running out, a customer chased after them. That customer had a gun, and both sides started shooting at each other in the parking lot. That same customer was shot in the leg. She was taken to the hospital. The victim is a Hood News Peep’s family member and is currently in stable condition. She was shot in the thigh.

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AZ: Senate Bill 1424 looks to provide Firearms Safety Instruction in all Grades

 

 

Arizona Senate Bill 1424 has passed the Senate 17 -2, and has passed in the House Education Committee and the House Rules Committee. The bill creates a requirement for school districts and charter schools to provide age-appropriate firearm safety awareness training in all grades kindergarten - 12 grade.

The instruction is to be objective, and not promote firearms ownership or any political position. The instruction is to be limited to accident prevention and personal safety awareness. It is to include guidance on safe firearms storage in homes and vehicles. The instruction is to give guidance on what to do if a firearm is encountered, to include not touching the firearm and to notify an adult.  Inside the bill there is a long list of restrictions about six things which may not be included in the instruction:

 3. NOT INCLUDE ANY OF THE FOLLOWING:

(a) A LIVE FIREARM.
(b) AMMUNITION OR SIMULATED AMMUNITION.
(c) A DEMONSTRATION THAT INVOLVES HANDLING, OPERATING, LOADING, UNLOADING OR FIRING A FIREARM.
(d) INSTRUCTION THAT IS INTENDED TO TRAIN STUDENTS IN THE USE OF FIREARMS.
(e) A MORAL JUDGMENT REGARDING LAWFUL FIREARM POSSESSION.
(f) AN INQUIRY, SURVEY OR REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ABOUT WHETHER A STUDENT, STUDENT'S PARENT OR MEMBER OF THE STUDENT'S HOUSEHOLD OWNS, POSSESSES OR MAY POSSESS A FIREARM OR ABOUT THE FIREARMS STORAGE PRACTICES OF A STUDENT, STUDENT'S PARENT OR MEMBER OF THE STUDENT'S HOUSEHOLD.

The Arizona Citizens Defense League (AZCDL) (this correspondent is a member),  supports the legislation.  This correspondent did not find a formal statement of opposition against the bill. An advocate for gun storage legislation made the argument the legislature should pass a bill requiring safe storage of guns instead.  The bill is considered a partisan bill, supported mostly by Republicans, according to Legiscan.  Fatal firearms accidents have declined by over 94% since 1933. The number of firearms per person has increased about 3X during that period. On average, about 61 children die each year in firearms accidents. About 168 children die each year in accidents involving glass tabletops. About as many children die from accidents involving 5 gallon buckets as die in fatal firearms accidents.  More children are killed in accidents involving bicycles than are killed in accidents involving firearms. Firearms are one of many hazards children encounter while they grow up.

Analysis: The bill is likely to pass the Arizona legislature, which is narrowly controlled by Republicans. Republicans have a 17 to 13 advantage in the Senate and a 31 to 29 advantage in the House. SB 1424 might avoid Governor Hobbs (D) veto, but it seems unlikely. Governor Katie Hobbs has earned a reputation for the number of vetoes she has given. Governor Hobbs is facing serious re-election challenges. She might sign SB 1424 to claim she is not against rights protected by the Second Amendment.

SB 1424 severely restricts what may be taught to students. This may be necessary to obtain passage in a legislature with a very small majority of Republicans. 

The bill is a step toward more comprehensive knowledge about firearms safety. It makes  students more aware of firearms. It has the advantage of not being overtly against the ownership or use of firearms. As "age appropriate" instruction about firearms safety, later grade levels might be able to include information about the legal status of firearms in Arizona. It is difficult for people to obey the law if they do not know what the law is. Firearms are one of many potentially hazardous items children encounter while they grow up. 

It is far better to gun proof the child than to attempt to create a gun free environment.

 

 ©2026 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice and link are included.

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PA: Brownsville - Woman Shoots Intruder

According to the criminal complaint, the victim was sleeping in her bed when she woke up to someone beating on her door and ringing the doorbell. This happened on 18th Street in Brownsville.

The criminal complaint said Rosiek broke a window with a brick and came in through the front door.

Police say he went to the victim's bedroom and started yelling at her.

They say he blocked her doorway, and that's when the victim fired several shots, hitting him in the leg and side of the head.

The complaint says he chased her — and they started fighting — until she was able to run outside to police.

 

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TN: Memphis - Intruder Shot, Wounded by Homeowner

The homeowner told police he was sleeping when he heard noises from the back of his home, then saw an unknown woman inside.

The homeowner stated that when the woman said she wanted to buy his residence, that’s when he shot her.

The woman told police she was shot after she entered the residence through the unlocked back door.

MPD states that the woman is experiencing mental health issues.

The woman was transported to the hospital in non-critical condition and subsequently taken into custody.

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Los Angeles County Failed to Report 147,000 Felony Convictions to the DOJ

The Los Angeles County Superior Court has revealed 147,000 cases of felony convictions were not successfully reported to the California Department of Justice.  The public notice of the backlog of errors was posted on February 24, 2026. Because they were not reported, they were not included in the National Instant background Check System (NICS) criminal history records. It is possible some convicted felons were able to obtain firearms through licensed dealers because of this oversight. From lacourt.org:

Of the approximately 464,000 impacted cases, the Court has identified approximately 380,000 instances with convictions where the case’s ADR was not successfully reported to the DOJ. Of those, roughly 147,000 involved cases with felony convictions, and roughly 233,000 were cases with misdemeanor convictions. Approximately 84,000 cases were dismissals in which ADRs were not successfully reported to the DOJ. Of those, roughly 61,000 involved felony dismissals, and roughly 23,000 involved misdemeanor dismissals.

The convictions are being transmitted to the DOJ at the present time. Most of the records occurred from the 1980's to 2006. Some of the records are as late as 2023.

About 18% of the records are of cases being dismissed. These could have consequences for things such as criminal history checks. Such checks often include arrests. Without the record of a dismissal of charges, it would become more difficult for an individual to show he was not convicted of a crime.

This correspondent has not found any indication if the California Department of Justice will be doing checks to see if any firearms were transferred to people with felony convictions.

Analysis: Los Angeles County Superior Court handles court cases for a bit less than 10 million people. These cases are mostly from a period of over 20 years, more than 20 years ago. The average number of felony convictions in the United States over that period was about 500 per 100,000 adults per year. The average is probably higher in California, but assuming the national average, we would expect about 50,000 felony convictions per year, or about 1.15 million convictions over the 23 year period. Given these back of the envelope estimates, roughly 1 in 8 felony convictions in the period, in Los Angeles County were not input properly. This does not engender faith in the criminal justice system.  Bad record keeping is what one expects in third world countries. This shows, in spite of platitudes about how important it is to keep guns away from those who should not have them, the actual performance of doing so was not a very high priority.

This correspondent does not believe it should be the highest priority, because such laws are of marginal use against violent criminals. They are primarily used to convince those who desire to follow the law they should not acquire firearms. Such an attempt does not work well. In Australia, when extreme gun control measures were put into effect, the population followed the arcane and difficult rules, but increased the number of firearms owned, per capita, anyway. People will go to considerable trouble to obtain legal firearms when they have the desire to have them. Australian bureaucracy followed the rules. The number of firearms owned increased. Those who hate an armed population were outraged. Now they are proposing even more restrictions. Rule-following is not what those who want the people disarmed desire. They want the people disarmed. 

It is good to see proper record keeping. Bad record keeping undermines faith in government.  Given the allegations of corrupt politics in California, and especially in Los Angeles, this correspondent has to wonder if any of the "mistakes" were "helped" by a "helpful" clerical staff.  This correspondent has not seen any evidence of such "help". The more people see the state as corrupt or even bumbling, the more they see the value of an armed population.

 

©2026 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice and link are included.

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CA: Rancho Cordova - Man Attempts Forced Entry, is Shot, Wounded

The Sacramento County Sheriff's Office said the man attempted to force his way inside a residence in the 2900 block of Hunt Drive around 9:15 p.m. and threatened to kill one of the people inside. The homeowner called 911 after repeatedly asking that person to leave.

According to the sheriff's office, the homeowner shot the suspect after he broke a window to gain entry into the home. Deputies responded to the scene, and the man was taken to a nearby hospital and then booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail on Friday morning.

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California Must Pay $1.3 Million in Fees After Newsom’s Gun Advertising Ban Is Struck Down

 

 

On March 17, 2026, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, the court certified a settlement between the Attorney General of California and the plaintiffs in the case of Junior Sports Magazines Inc. et al., and Rob Bonta. The First Amendment and the Second Amendment were big winners.  From the Court Order:

 III. JUDICIAL DECLARATION 

 IT IS HEREBY DECLARED that Section 22949.80, in its entirety, violates the First Amendment of the United States Constitution on its face and as applied to Plaintiffs.

IV. PERMANENT INJUNCTION

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Defendant shall be permanently enjoined from enforcing section 22949.80. The Attorney General is further directed to issue an alert through an information bulletin or other ordinary communications notifying all District Attorneys, County Counsels, and City Attorneys in California that enforcement of Section 22949.80 has been permanently enjoined in its entirety.

In addition, AG was ordered to pay Lawyers fees to the lawyers for the Firearms Policy Coallition (FPC) and the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF). This case started almost four years ago when the California legislature passed a statute designed to chill First Amendment protected speech in favor of the Second Amendment. The law became Section 22940.80. Alan Gottlieb and Dave Workman wrote about it at AmmoLand in July of 2022:

Several plaintiffs, including gun rights organizations, are challenging changes in state law created by the passage of Assembly Bill 2571, which makes it unlawful for any firearm industry members to advertise, market, or arrange for placement of an advertising or marketing communication concerning any firearm-related product in a manner that is designed, intended, or reasonably appears to be attractive to minors. The plaintiffs are asking for a preliminary injunction against the enforcement of the law.

On October, 2024, the District Court ruled against the First and Second Amendment defenders. The defenders immediately appealed to a three judge panel of the Ninth Circuit.  On September 13, 2023, the three judge panel reversed the District Court and found the law to be unconstitutional under the First Amendment. It was a unanimous decision. Then the State of California asked for a en banc panel to re-hear the case and reverse the three judge panel. Alan Gottlieb wrote about it on AmmoLand.

En banc reviews have been used in the Ninth Circuit to kill positive three judge panel decisions on the Second Amendment. The Ninth Circuit refused to re-hear the case en banc on February 28, 2024.  The case was sent back to the District Court. On October 1, 2025, the Preliminary Injunction was ordered by the District Court. On March 17, 2026, the parties agreed to a settlement. As shown above, all of Section 22949.80 was struck down. The agreed settlement, approved of by the Court, awarded $550,000 to the law firm of Michel & Associates, P.C., who represented the Firearms Policy Coallition (FPC)  and $350,000 to the Law offices of Donald Kilmer, who represented the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF). In addition, Kostas Moros reports on X that another $480,000 is to be paid in the Safari Club International case. Kostos reports the two cases are on the same issues.

Analysis: The law was an egregious violation of the First Amendment, in an attempt to stop support for the Second Amendment, from the beginning. It should never have been passed. The State of California then compounded their contempt for the First and Second Amendments by dragging out this case for almost four years, costing the state thousands of dollars in lawyers’ fees.

 The fees will not cost those who filed the bill and voted for the law, or those who defended the law in court any money at all. They were/are spending other people's money. This is expected in California.

 

©2026 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice and link are included.

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IL: Chicago - Armed Teen Robber Shot, Killed by Armed Victim

A 27-year-old man was approached by a 16-year-old boy who pulled out a gun and attempted to rob him, police said. The man took out a handgun of his own and shot the teen suspect in the chest.

The 16-year-old was taken to a hospital, where he was later pronoucned dead. His identity has not been released.

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TN: Memphis - Assault, Home Invasion finally Stopped with Gunfire

At home, the victim and his friend heard a knock at the door while the two were in the living room. The report then states that the victim approached the door before the suspect kicked it in and pointed a handgun at the two, yelling "Get down, f-- k n --- a" and firing shots into the home.

The victim ran to his room to grab a handgun and returned fire at the suspect before retreating to his room with his friend.

Another suspect was also seen on surveillance footage, according to a police report. The victim did not know where the suspects went following the incident.

The victim was taken to Le Bonheur, according to the report; however, his current condition is unknown. 

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Armed Security Stopped Synagogue Terror Attack in Michigan

Smoke coming from Temple Israel from Fox 2 Detroit news video.

On March 12, 2026, a Lebanese born, naturalized citizen, 41-year-old Ayman Mohamad Ghazali performed a combined vehicle, rifle and explosive/incendiary attack on Temple Israel. The Temple has a large congregation. It is located at 5725 Walnut Lake Road in West Bloomfield Township, Michigan, about 25 miles northwest of Detroit. The 100,000 square foot facility is described by members as making up 1% of Reform Jews in America.  The temple serves over 3,000 families.

Because of increasing attacks on Jews in the United States, Temple security had been beefed up. A former police officer and long time firearms instructor had been hired to be head of security. The security team had been trained in January in active shooter prevention and preparedness.  From AP, via Washingtontimes.com:

And in January, Temple Israel’s staff and clergy participated in an active shooter prevention and preparedness training led by an FBI official, according to the synagogue’s social media accounts.

Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard said on Thursday that he had contacted the head of security for the temple just two days before the attack. He credited the thorough preparation ahead of the attack as the reason that there weren’t casualties.

AP reports there were 140 pre-school students inside the facililty at the time of the attack. The FBI has released a timeline of the attack at a press conference.  From the press conference on wilx.com:

 9:58 a.m. Ghazali drove a gray Ford F-150 into the Temple Israel parking lot

10 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. Ghazali remains parked and Ghaxali was not seen interacting with people or other vehicles.

12:15 p.m. Ghazali started driving through the parking lot.

12:19 p.m. Ghazali drives the truck into the door 5 in the southeast corner of the building, hitting a security guard on the way in.

12:19 p.m. 911 call received by police.

12:20 p.m.  The vehicle became jammed between hallway walls; Ghazali fires a gun through the windshield.

Shortly after 12:20  A security officer engaged Ghazali in a gunfight through the rear window of the vehicle. Ghazali could not extract himself because the truck was jammed in the hallway. 

12:22 p.m.  A second security officer engages Ghazali in a gunfight from the front of the vehicle. Soon after, the vehicle engine compartment catches on fire.  At sometime during the gunfight, Ghazali shoots himself in the head.

12:24 p.m. Police responders arrive on the scene. 

In the bed of the truck, they found quantities of commercial grade fireworks. Several Jugs of flammable liquid they believe to be gasoline were also in the bed of the truck. Some of them were consumed in the fire. 

Security at Temple Israel had been increased in the last few years. A Google map image from 2018 shows there were no anti-vehicle bollards installed at the door 5 entrance in 2018. 

 

Entrance 5 in 2018. 

Images from the Fox 2 Detroit helicopter video show two anti-vehicle bollards installed in the cement walkway the day of the attack.  There is another barrier at the west corner of the cement walk way, and a tree about 15 feet from that barrier. There is enough space on either side of the tree for a vehicle to avoid the barriers and hit the doorway. This appears to be the route the attacker chose.

The other entrances to the building appear to have been better protected. 

Analysis: The security team did their job. The attack was over two minutes before the police could arrive at the scene. In active shooter or terrorist incidents, response times in seconds save lives.  The Temple Israel attack and response show how important it is to have defenders on the scene rather than having police waiting to respond.  Many lives have been saved by an aggressive, violent response to an attack. Many lives have been lost to delay on the part of responders. Training and mindset are extremely important. 

Attackers will look for weak points and exploit them. In this case, entrance 5 appears to have been a weak point. An extra two or three anti-vehicle bollards would have made a vehicle attack much more difficult.  Vehicle attacks are becoming more common. Many are effective. Church security teams should re-examine their vehicle protection to see if there are weak points.

This attack was almost certainly a part of the worldwide Jihad by Islamic believers. From headlineusa.com:

 Ghazali also had brothers in the Iran backed paramilitary group, Hezbollah, according to the Post. Those brothers, Kassim and Ibrahim Ghazali, were killed—along with his niece and nephew—by an Israeli airstrike in Lebanon on March 5, just after sunset as they were having their fast-breaking meal during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Ibrahim Ghazali’s wife was also seriously wounded and remains in the hospital.

Hezbollah is a proxy for Iran and has been attacking Israel for decades. The Iranian Theocracy sees Israel as the "little Satan" and the United States as the "great Satan".  Many adherents to this theology have been allowed into the United States. A significant case can be made that Islam is not compatible with the United States Constitution.

 

©2026 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice and link are included.

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LA: Shreveport - Man Claims Self Defense Against Robber, with History

As the investigation progressed, detectives say they learned that the two knew each other and had a history of prior verbal arguments, which this time, escalated into a physical confrontation.

Jones would be pronounced dead at 8:11 p.m.

According to police, the deceased reportedly threatened the shooter with a firearm, shooting multiple rounds.

The shooter then allegedly retrieved a firearm from his vehicle and returned fire, striking Jones several times, resulting in his death.

 

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Gun Used in Old Dominion Terror Attack - Untraceable Glock 44

 

The gun used in the terror attack on Old Dominion University was an untraceable Glock 44, a .22 caliber handgun which uses 10 round magazines. The Glock 44 was untraceable for two common reasons. First, the gun was stolen. This breaks any chain of custody. A trace only goes to the first retail purchaser. When a gun is stolen, there is no link from the legal purchaser to the thief. From apnews.com:

 The man charged Friday, Kenya Chapman, told federal agents in an interview that he stole the gun from a car in Newport News, Virginia, about a year before the shooting and recently sold it to Jalloh, according to an affidavit filed in court. Chapman said he met Jalloh at work and that Jalloh told him he needed the gun for protection as a delivery driver, the affidavit says.

The second reason the Glock 44 was untraceable was the serial number was partly obliterated. From unionbulletin.com:

Jalloh was still on supervised release from a 2017 prison sentence — and barred from carrying firearms — when he barged into an Army ROTC classroom at Old Dominion University on Thursday morning.

He was carrying a loaded Glock 44 .22-caliber pistol with a partially obliterated serial number, according to the newly filed court documents in U.S. District Court in Norfolk.

When the serial number of a firearm is obliterated or altered, it becomes difficult if not impossible to trace. There are other common reasons why the firearms tracing system is almost never used to solve crimes of violence. The most common reason gun traces are not useful for solving violent crimes is they are seldom found at the scene of the crime. When guns are found at the scene of a violent crime, they are often found with the person who used them, as happened in this case. When the person who used the firearm is already known, a trace does nothing to solve the crime.

Another common reason firearms become untraceable is the age of the firearm. Once a firearm is more than ten years old tracing becomes difficult. Guns are sold, change hands through estates, are given, traded, and stolen, as was the case with the Glock 44 in this case.  There are hundreds of millions of firearms in the United States which are more than 10 years old. There are hundreds of millions of firearms in the United States which are untraceable.  In 1987, almost thirty years ago, there were 198 million private firearms in the United States.

The investigators in the Old Dominion Islamic terrorist  attack did not find the person who sold the Glock 44 to the terrorist through the tracing system. They found him through analysis of the terrorist's telephone records. It has become harder and harder to do anything without leaving an electronic trail which can be unwound. The entire firearms tracing system is obsolete and cost ineffective.

Analysis: Even systems which require complete registration for the legal ownership of firearms are seldom helpful in solving violent crimes. Canada has required all handguns to be registered since 1934. In 1995, Canadian officials could not identify a single instance where handgun registration helped to solve a crime.   Registration systems are even more expensive and intrusive than the failed gun "tracing" system in the United States.

©2026 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice and link are included.

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GA: Jasper - Armed Civilian Engages Attempted Murder Suspect

Update, Victim  Nicholas Cruz, father of two, whose wife is pregnant, has died. 

 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

After the shooting inside the clinic, the GBI said Michels exited the building while armed with a handgun.

Outside, he encountered responding police officers and an armed civilian. An exchange of gunfire followed between Michels, officers, and the civilian.

Michels was hit during that exchange and was pronounced dead at the scene.

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Georgia SB572 Passes Senate, Bill Ehances Right to Self Defense

Georgia State Capitol, Atlanta from wikipedia

In Georgia, Senate Bill 651 has passed the Senate 30 to 23 on March 6, 2026 and has been sent to the House. The bill amends the current statutes about the justification of the use of force and immunity from civil liabililty: From legiscan.com, Here is the summary:

 A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 3 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to justification and excuse in defenses to criminal prosecutions, so as to provide for an additional justification for use of force in defense of self or others; to amend Code Section 51-11-9 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to no duty to retreat and immunity in certain instances of threat or use of force, so as to extend immunity from civil liability in justified use of force cases to legal representatives and heirs of the person against whom force was used; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

The changes happen mostly in Section 2 of the 16-3-24.2, which relates to immunity from prosecution and exceptions.  Section 2 of Code Section :

"16-3-24.2.

(a) A person who uses threats or force in accordance with Code Section 16-3-20, 16-3-21,76, 16-3-23, 16-3-23.1, 16-3-24, or 17-4-20 shall be immune from criminal prosecution therefor unless in the use of deadly force, such person utilizes a weapon the carrying or possession of which is unlawful by such person under Part 2 of Article 4 of Chapter 11 of this title.

Unlawful weapons are defined in the law and include sawed off shotguns and rifles and National Firearms Act weapons, including silencers if they are not legally possessed under federal law.  Georgia is a Constitutional Carry state, but there are people who are not allowed to carry certain weapons. They include children and felons.  The changes are in paragraphs (b) and (c):

(b) A law enforcement agency may use standard procedures to investigate the use of threats or force in instances set forth in subsection (a) of this Code section; provided, however, that such agency shall not arrest a person for using or threatening to use force unless a probable cause determination has been made that such force used or threatened was unlawful.

(c) A claim of immunity pursuant to this Code section may be made during arraignment or as a pretrial motion. When a prima-facie claim of immunity has been raised, such claim shall only be overcome by clear and convincing evidence."

The claim of immunity is a bit like Florida law. If self defense is claimed, charges may only be brought if there is probably cause to believe the use of force was unlawful. A claim of self defense can only be overcome by "clear and convincing evidence".

If a person is justified in threatening or using force or deadly force under Georgia law, they have no duty to retreat and they shall not be held liable in civil actions. The bill adds this immunity to legal representatives and heirs of such persons:

"has no duty to retreat from the use of such force and shall not be held liable to the person against whom the use of force was justified, to any legal representative or heir of such person, or to any person acting as an accomplice or assistant to such person in any civil action brought as a result of the threat or use of such force."

This correspondent is not a lawyer. The explanation of the bill and the law above comes from a plain reading of the bill and the law. It is not legal advice, and should not be relied on as legal advice.

©2026 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice and link are included.

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LA: New Iberia Shooting was Self Defense

UPDATE, 3/16/26, 4 p.m.: Following the investigation and multiple witnesses interviews the New Iberia shooting that occurred earlier today, police said the individual was shot in self-defense.

All parties involved have been identified but no names have been released. The investigation is ongoing.

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CA: Lancaster - Gunfight, Man Wounded, Suicide Attempt

Initial Call: Deputies from the Lancaster Sheriff’s Station and California Highway Patrol (CHP) responded to a "shots fired" call. An intoxicated man was reportedly firing at his neighbor, who returned fire and was struck before the call disconnected.

 

The Standoff: Upon arrival, law enforcement observed the suspect moving between outbuildings on the property while armed. Although a Deputy-Involved Shooting (DIS) occurred during the encounter, the suspect did not appear to be hit by police gunfire at that time.

 

Resolution: Air units from the LASD and CHP observed the suspect's hat on the ground near a pool of blood following the sound of a single gunshot heard by ground units. Entry was made by a CHP supervisor and deputies, who located the suspect and initiated CPR, though the wound appeared self-inflicted.

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WV: Charleston - No Charges for Warning Shots..

As tensions rose, a person outside the bar reportedly fired “two warning shots”, which ricocheted off the ground, striking two people, according to the Charleston Police Department. 

One person was treated for non-life-threatening injuries and another person refused treatment.

According to the Charleston Police Department, the suspect who fired the shots was cooperative and stayed on scene to talk with detectives, claiming that the warning shots were fired in self-defense.

The Charleston Police Department is still investigating the incident, and no one has been charged at this time.

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Slovakian Bear Attacks Stopped by Use of Handguns

Public domain map showing area of the two bear attacks. 

On February 15, 2026, a Slovakian father and son used a handgun or handguns to defend against an attacking European brown bear, ursus arctos. From bernama.com:

Environment state secretary Filip Kuffa said the father and son had been inspecting timber in a mountain forest with a hunting dog when the bear attacked unexpectedly.

According to Mr Kuffa, the father fired several shots from his pistol in self-defence, but the bear knocked him to the ground and bit him repeatedly.

His son then shot and killed the animal with a handgun.

The incident has been verified by multiple accounts from Slovakian sources. It is unclear whether there was one or two handguns or what caliber they were. The attack happened very fast, with little or no warning. The bear grabbed the father and they tumbled down a steep slope. The son had to be sure he would not shoot the father who was underneath the bear. The father was 57 years old. The attack took place near Ružomberok, in the Zilina province in north central Slovakia.

Defense against bears with handguns is unusual in Europe because of highly restrictive firearms laws. However, 2% of adults in Slovakia have a permit for concealed carry of handguns. This is a very large number for Europe. 8.2% of adults in the United States have concealed carry permits. There are 29 of 50 states in which no permit is required to carry a handgun, concealed or openly. There are nine states in which it is difficult to obtain a permit to carry. For example, in California, only about .6% of adults have a permit to carry.

While researching the most recent defensive firing of a handgun against a bear in Slovakia, a previous incident was uncovered. The incident occurred near Sučany, about 30 miles to the east of Ružomberok. From praguemonitor.com:

Over the weekend, a man walking his dog near the village of Sučany, close to Martin in northwestern Slovakia, was attacked by an 18-year-old female bear. In an act of self-defense, the man shot the bear with a legally held weapon. TA3 television reported that even warning shots fired into the air were ineffective in deterring the bear, which was stopped by a fatal shot just a meter away from the man. The police are currently investigating the incident.

The weekend referred to would have been July 8-9, 2023.  Spiegel is quoted as saying 12 shots were fired, two as warning shots, with the final fatal shot fired from 1 meter away. As quoted from Spiegel:

  Jul 15, 2023 - Summary by Spiegel First he shot twice in the air, then ten times at the animal — the last bullet was fatal: In Slovakia, a man repelled a bear attack with a pistol.

In the most recent case, the bear was also a female, with very young cubs in a den. Bear attacks in Slovakia have resulted in a culling of bears.  A recent academic paper showed Slovakia as suffering from the highest density of human-bear conflicts. Local bear density was found to be one of the most important factors. The population of bears in Slovakian is estimated at 1,300, according to the BBC.  In 2004, the Slovakian bears were protected, and no longer listed as a game species.  In 2010 the bear population was estimated at 500, increasing at about 20% per year. A cull of 350 bears out of a population of 1,300 would stabilize the population of bears.

(Confusion between Slovakian and Slovenian corrected)  

©2026 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice and link are included.

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