Defensive Display Becomes Law in Oklahoma

On May 14, 2025, Governor J. Kevin Stitt signed Oklahoma HB 2818 into law. This type of law is known as a Defensive Display law. it codifies and clarifies actions which are allowed during defense of self, others, and property while being armed. HB 2818 was passed by the House with a 73-16 vote on March 25, 2025. It passed the Senate 39-7 on May 8, 2025. The law took effect immediately. From oklegislature.gov:

 4. For purposes of this subsection, "defensive display of a
firearm" includes, but is not limited to:

a. verbally informing another person that the person possesses or has available a firearm or any other deadly weapon,

b. exposing or displaying a firearm or any other deadly weapon in a manner that a reasonable person would understand was meant to protect the person against the use or attempted use by another of unlawful physical or deadly force, or

c. placing the hand of the person on a firearm or any other deadly weapon while the firearm is contained in a pocket, purse, holster, sling scabbard, case or other means of containment or transport.

Texas has a defensive display law, Penal section 9.04, which was last amended in 1993. Arizona passed a defensive display bill in 2009. The Florida defensive display, HB89,  was signed into law in 2014.

Defensive display is a simple concept. If a person reasonably fears a potential opponent, defense display allows them to inform the potential adversary they are armed, both verbally, or by showing the potential adversary they have a weapon. Actually pointing the firearm at a potential adversary is usually reserved for circumstances which would allow the use of deadly force.

Some states have confusing statutes, which make it legally dangerous to let an opponent and possible attacker know a person is armed. Some are quite severe. In Arizona, before the defensive display law was passed in 2009, showing a firearm could be prosecuted as an aggravated assault, a felony. Prosecutorial abuse of this statute lead to the passage of the Arizona law.

As a practical matter, the display or reference to a firearm most commonly results in the aggressor stopping the aggression and leaving. These numbers are difficult to quantify, but appear to happen in about 90-95% of defensive uses of firearms. This is reasonable. Once an aggressor knows they are facing an armed opponent, who is aware of their intent, they stop the aggression. Criminals have often been recorded as saying they fear armed victims more than they fear police.

Professors James D. Wright and Peter Rossi surveyed 2,000 felons incarcerated in state prisons across the United States. Wright and Rossi reported that 34% of the felons said they personally had been “scared off, shot at, wounded, or captured by an armed victim”; 69% said that they knew at least one other criminal who had also; 34% said that when thinking about committing a crime they either “often” or “regularly” worried that they “[m]ight get shot at by the victim”; and 57% agreed with the statement, “Most criminals are more worried about meeting an armed victim than they are about running into the police.” (James D. Wright & Peter H. Rossi, Armed and Considered Dangerous: A Survey of Felons and Their Firearms [1986]. See Guns and Public Health: Epidemic of Violence or Pandemic of Propaganda? by Don B. Kates, et. al. Originally published as 61 Tenn. L. Rev. 513-596 [1994]).

Making the most effective defensive use of firearms illegal is extremely dangerous for both suspects and victims. In states where the law is still ambiguous, prosecutors have enormous discretion.

Analysis: HB2818 is a welcome reform of defense law in Oklahoma. The law protects defenders, and makes the killing or wounding of suspect less likely. States which do not have a defensive display law would do well to consider adopting HB2818 as an good example.

 

©2025 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice and link are included.

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TX: Houston - Armed Victim Wounds 1 of 3 Robbery Suspects

Three men approached the pair with guns and announced that it was a robbery.

The man pulled out a gun of his own and shots were fired.

Police say blood was found at the scene.

Officers believe one of the suspects may have been hit by gunfire before running.

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CO: Aurora Man Shoots, Wounds Garage Intruder

AURORA | An Aurora man shot and critically injured another man he said was an intruder in the garage of his northwest Aurora home early Monday, police reported.

Police said the unidentified man “was alerted” to someone breaking into his garage in the 1200 block of Moline Street about 4:30 a.m. 

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PA: Pittsburg - Armed Carjack Victim fires at Suspect. Car recovered, Suspect Arrested with two Gunshot Wounds

Upon arrival, officers were met by an adult male who stated he was the victim of a carjacking. During the encounter, the victim fired two rounds toward the actor, who then fled the scene in the victim’s stolen vehicle. 

Pittsburgh Police were not involved in the pursuit of the stolen vehicle. However, they issued a BOLO describing the vehicle as it was seen heading eastbound, out of the city. 

A short time later, Pitcairn Police observed a vehicle driving erratically that matched the description of the stolen car. Pitcairn Police conducted a traffic stop in the 4400 block of Broadway Boulevard and noted the adult male driver had sustained two gunshot wounds, one to the arm and one to the shoulder.  

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AL: Baldwin County - Armed Fugative Attemps Car-Jack, Passenger Stops Attack with Gunfire

According to Baldwin County Sheriff's Office, on Sunday, May 18, the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office assisted in a vehicle pursuit that began in Conecuh County, Alabama with a wanted murder suspect out of Georgia who had already fired shots at pursuing officers.

Baldwin County deputies were able to spike the vehicle’s tires, bringing the chase to an end. The suspect then ran from the vehicle and attempted to car-jack an 18 wheeler, striking the driver multiple times in the head and face with a pistol. A passenger in the 18 wheeler fired several shots at the suspect, who then jumped off the truck and ran into the woods.

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Anti-Drone Shotgun loads?

Image from Ministry of Defense of Ukraine 

The Russian-Ukraine is the first drone war. Not the first war in which drones have been used (arguably WWII), but the first war in which drones may have accounted for the largest proportion of casualties. Defense against drones is an imperative, and many different approaches are being tried.

One approach this correspondent has considered is using Tungsten Super Shot (TSS) in ordinary shotguns. On one forum, a commenter stated a Ukrainian soldier had obtained a Keltec KS7 to use for drone defense. Shotguns have obvious utility for close in drone defense, against smallish drones. Many drones are small quad-rotor designs the size of a pheasant. Sizes rang upward to drones as large as commercial jet planes. A shotgun defense might work against drones as large as geese.

Ordinary lead shotgun loads have very limited range. The pellets are lead. Significant improvement could be made by using TSS shot in shotguns. TSS shot is very hard and very spherical. It is about 2/3 more dense than lead, about 18-18.5 grams per cubic centimeter. Lead is about 11.3 grams per cubic centimeter. Because of the hardness, symmetry and density, TSS holds tight patterns at long range, often with little choke. TSS #5 shot is considered to have enough energy at 105 yards to bring down geese. It should have enough energy to disrupt small drones, if it hits a vital component. There are 106 #5 TSS shot per ounce. It is easy to fit 1.5 ounces of TSS in an ordinary 2.75 inch 12 gauge shotgun shell. Tungsten has been used as a military projectile for years. TSS may have been developed for military purposes, such as in anti-aircraft missiles.

Drones can be very difficult to bring down. About 50 years ago, this correspondent was supporting and witnessed a test at Hunter Liggett Military Reservation in California. About 60 troops were on a firing line. Most were armed with M16 rifles. As I recall, there were also a pair of M60 machine guns. A drone, a small radio-controlled plane, was the target. The wingspan was about 4-5 feet. It had a gas engine and a propeller. It was operated to come perpendicularly at the line of fire from about 300 yards out.  It was probably 50 yards high when it passed over the center of the line.  It seemed reasonably fast, probably over 70 mph.

As the drone approached, the entire line opened up with automatic weapons fire. The drone was disabled about once out of a dozen runs. It was hit more often, but only the engine, the prop, and controls were vital. A bullet or three through a wing did not bring it down.

Small quad-rotor drones may be more vulnerable. Break a rotor or a motor and they will likely come down. Hit the processor, or maybe a battery, and they will likely come down. Rifles and machine guns have plenty of power, but not sufficient projectiles to be a serious threat, unless they are tied to a fire control system with radar or lidar.

Shotguns and TSS shot offer a cheap possibility for short range protection against small drones. Another possibility is to mount a shotgun on a hunter-killer drone as a way to shoot down other drones. A potential range of a hundred meters seems useful. Targeting could be built into the drones software, or relayed back to an operator for shooting decisions.  Multiple jamming strategies are driving drones toward more autonomous operation. It would not be a difficult test for Ukraine to obtain a couple of drones, a couple of kilos of TSS shot, and a couple of shotguns to see which, if any, loads might be effective as a drone defense.

It may be that shotguns and TSS shot are already being used as drone defense weapons in the Russia-Ukraine war. If readers have any knowledge of such use, please let us know in the comments.

©2025 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice and link are included.

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UT: Kearns - Attempted Robbery, Armed Victim Shoots, Kills Suspect

The two in the back seat exited with guns. The seller said he ran to the front seat of his car to grab his gun when one of the masked gunmen put a gun to his head and demanded that he open the trunk, the affidavit states. "He then began to shoot at the suspects who had come at him with their guns."

Detectives used school surveillance video to help verify the man's story. The victim was shot and killed near the driver's door of the Malibu. Police said they identified him, in part, by a tattoo. He is identified in the arrest report only by the initials "T.V.

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FL: Fort Meyers - Landlord dispute turns Violent, man Shot

“We were just chilling and a drunk guy pulls up and just starts barging into our house,” said victim Daniel Siri.

He said that’s how a terrifying situation began outside his new home off of U.S. 41.

“That’s when he gets in his car, backs up, and then, like, angles straight to drive straight into me and my wife and the other tenant who was also here as well,” Siri said. “Luckily, I pushed them out the way, but I got caught in the middle and I got pinned down on one leg between the car and the house.”

Siri said the driver used to live at the home and came by to collect some of his stuff.

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SC: Domestic Defense - Attempted Disarm ends with Shooting

Upon arrival, they found a man in the driver’s seat of a car who had been shot. The passenger, who was in a relationship with the man, was an off-duty officer of the Mount Pleasant Police Department. She told police that the shooting happened as a result of an argument that turned physical.

During a struggle for a gun, it fired. The Mount Pleasant Police officer called emergency services.

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CA: Santa Monica Store Owner Shoots, Kills Suspect During Targeted Robbery

According to the Santa Monica Police Department, officers were called to the 1300 block of the Promenade around 9:30pm for a report of an assault with a deadly weapon. When they arrived, they found one person critically injured inside the store. That individual was later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.

Investigators say the business owner had arranged a private, after-hours sale with a known associate. During the meeting, a second man, believed to be connected to the associate, entered the store and sprayed the owner with a chemical irritant. A physical struggle broke out and the owner, who was carrying a legally owned firearm, shot the suspect.

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MD: Fairmont Heights Defensive Disarm, Victims Wounded, Suspect Killed

The preliminary investigation revealed Coates was in the neighborhood attempting to break into cars. He and the male shooting victim encountered each other outside. Coates, who was armed with a gun, chased the male victim around a house where they got into a physical struggle over the weapon. Occupants in the home came outside to intervene. During the struggle, multiple shots were fired, and the two victims were struck. One of the occupants eventually gained control of the weapon and shot Coates.

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OH: Lorain Home Occupant Shoots, Kills Man Attempting to break in

Police found 48-year-old Clayton Parker with multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

Lorain Police found Parker allegedly was trying to break into the home when an “occupant” in the home shot him, according to the release.

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1984 NRA Annual Meeting in Milwaukee: Manipulation, Lies, Betrayal

Dean Weingarten, office in Panama, 1986

In 1984, the National Rifle Association (NRA) Annual Meeting was held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It was the first Annual Meeting this Correspondent attended. It was characterized by manipulation, lies, and betrayal.

In 1984, this correspondent was a graduate student at the University of Wisconsin. A masters degree in mining engineering was nearing completion. A life membership in the National Rifle Association had been paid off in installments. When informed the annual meeting would be held in Milwaukee, this correspondent, his brother, and a mutual friend, Jim Blair, made plans to attend.

Neal Knox had been booted as head of the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) and off the NRA Board of Directors in 1982, because he was considered too aggressive in defending Second Amendment rights on Capitol Hill. Neal was the first head of the ILA after reformers had taken control of the NRA in what became known as the revolt in 1977, at the annual meeting of that year. Neal had submitted the motions for the By-Law changes which effected the "revolt".  Neal had been aggressively recruited by the Executive Vice President, Harlon Carter, in 1977, to head up the ILA. Carter reportedly fired Knox at the request of Senate Majority Leader Robert (Bob) Dole.

Neal and supporters had organized a mini-revolt for the 1984 meeting in Milwaukee. The plan was for the membership at the meeting to pass resolutions re-installing Knox on the Board of Directors and condemning his removal from the ILA.  As a young activist, this correspondent became aware of the plan. Activists in the NRA were not happy with Knox' removal from the ILA. We planned to do something about it.

During the meeting, it became clear the political winds favored Neal Knox. The person chairing the meeting saw what was happening and put a counter-plan into action. The Chair said it appeared this would be a long meeting (The Revolt in Cinncinnati had lasted until 4 a.m.). He said it would not be fair to the people who were waiting for the presentation of awards. He asked for a motion to suspend the rules, so the awards could be granted before the rest of the business of the meeting was done. He promised the controversial resolutions would be addressed, and the meeting would stay in session as long as it would take to do so.

It was a well thought out plan. Instead of a motion to suspend the rules, there could have been a motion to alter the sequence of the agenda. However, the motion to suspend the rules passed in spite of Neal Knox attempting to raise a point of order.

Many of the activists immediately started leaving the hall, in order to obtain a bite to eat. They anticipated a long session, as the Chair had promised. This correspondent, brother, and friend went to a McDonalds less than a block away.  We sat down with another couple of activists. As we were eating, this correspondent noted, under a suspension of the rules, the meeting could theoretically be adjourned before we returned. None of us expected the meeting to be adjourned.

We quickly finished our meal and returned to the convention hall. As we approached it, hundreds of members were streaming out of the doors. We asked what was going on? The meeting is adjourned, we were told. Some one had called for adjournment. The Chair recognized them, and immediately asked for a voice vote. After the vote, the Chair claimed the ayes have it and the meeting was adjourned. It was a direct betrayal of the promise of the Chair and the members who had gathered for the meeting. It was this correspondent's initiation into the Machiavellian internal politics of the NRA.

As the members were leaving, this correspondent spoke briefly with Jeff Knox, Neil's son. Later, Jeff and this correspondent became colleagues and friends. It is unlikely Jeff would remember the brief exchange from over 40 years ago.

The official account of the Annual Meeting in the American Rifleman did not mention the drama and the betrayal.

This correspondent performed numerous searches on the Internet to find an account of the 1984 Annual Meeting. Conversations with my brother and old friend confirmed the gist of what happened, but not the exact date.  A search of my personal journal from 1984 revealed almost two full pages of entries for May 25, 26, and 27, when the NRA Annual Meeting in Milwaukee occurred. The journal entries are the basis for this article.

Neal Knox started his Hard Corps Report a month after the 1984 Annual Meeting. He remained the foremost proponent of reform within the NRA until his death in 2005. Jeff Knox continues to publish the Hard Corps Report.

This correspondent met Neal Knox a few times and spoke with him occasionally. Neal Knox was a genius at understanding the legislative process and long term effects of firearms legislation. Jeff Knox has continued the fight to reform the NRA.

Who would have thought the machinations of a corrupt and racist New York Attorney General would have resulted in victory of NRA reformers in 2024 and 2025?

©2025 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice and link are included.

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OK: Property Dispute Gunfight, 1 Dead, 1 in Hospital

The incident occurred around noon on property in the Byng area.

Scott said it appears the elderly man shot the other man, and the injured man then returned fire, killing the elderly man. However, Scott cautioned that the matter remains under investigation, which includes what occurred prior to the shooting.

Scott said the deceased man is a relative of a person who owns landlocked property, who had gotten an easement for a road to the property. The injured man is a relative of a property owner, of which the easement traverses, according to Scott.

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House Report: FBI Misled the Public on 2017 GOP Baseball Shooting – Gun Owners Took the Fall While Left-Wing Terrorist Was Whitewashed

Washington, D.C. – In a bombshell report released Tuesday, the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence accused the FBI of deliberately downplaying the politically motivated 2017 shooting that nearly killed House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and injured several others. The shooter, James Hodgkinson, was a far-left extremist who opened fire on Republican congressmen practicing for the annual charity baseball game—but the FBI called it “suicide by cop.”

That decision, the report says, wasn’t just wrong—it was dishonest.

The 27-page unclassified report, compiled from more than 3,000 pages of FBI records recently turned over by new Director Kash Patel, reveals that the Bureau ignored or buried clear evidence of political terrorism. Hodgkinson had a hit list of GOP members, had cased the field for two months, and had posted violently anti-Republican rants online. Yet the FBI’s leadership under then-Acting

Director Andrew McCabe told the public there was “no nexus to terrorism.”

“The FBI used false statements, manipulation of known facts, and biased and butchered analysis,” the report concludes.

 

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CA: LA Security Guard Drives off Burglary Suspects with Gunfire

A security guard working at a Los Angeles marijuana dispensary opened fire on suspected burglars early Thursday morning, authorities confirmed.

The attempted burglary was reported around 4:20 a.m. at the ERBA Markets location at the 12000 block of W Pico Blvd, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

There, police said three or four male Hispanic suspects wearing masks attempted to break into the store with crowbars.

 

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WA: Armed Spokane Victim Shoots Knife-Weilding Attacker

Officers were called about 5:15 p.m. to an altercation at the Hart Terrace apartment building, 3308 E. 11th Ave., police said in a news release. Lt. Jay Kernkamp told reporters Tuesday that officers found two people injured in the parking lot of the complex. Police and other emergency personnel tried to save them, but both died, according to the release.

Detectives believe the man with a knife first attacked a woman in the apartment building, according to a Wednesday police release. The woman was uninjured as another tenant came to her aid and pulled her into an apartment, separating her from the man.

The man with the knife then stabbed and killed a different man near a stairwell, police said.

The suspect with the knife started walking through the complex before encountering a man walking a dog. The suspect ran at the man, who drew a gun and shot the suspect, killing him in what appeared to be self-defense, police said.

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Tennessee Lowers Age Requirement for Carry Permit; Complies with Court

Tennessee Capitol

On January 23, 2023, Tennessee was required by court order to allow individuals aged 18-20 to carry handguns under the Tennessee permitless carry (Constitutional Carry) law, and to obtain carry permits under the law governing the issue of handgun carry permits.

On May 8, 2025, the government of Tennessee reduced the age requirement to obtain a handgun carry permit from 21 to 18.  HB1332 became public chapter no. 356.

SECTION 2. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 39-17-1351(b), is amended by deleting the language and substituting:

(b) Except as provided in subsection (r), any resident of Tennessee who is a United States citizen or permanent lawful resident, as defined by § 55-50-102, who has reached eighteen (18) years of age, may apply to the department of safety for a handgun carry permit. If the applicant is not prohibited from purchasing or possessing a firearm in this state pursuant to§ 39-17-1316 or§ 39-17-1307(b), 18 U.S.C. § 922(g), or any other state or federal law, and the applicant otherwise meets all of the requirements of this section, the department shall issue a permit to the applicant.

SECTION 3. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 39-17-1351(x)(1), is amended by deleting the language "twenty-one (21) years of age" and substituting "eighteen ( 18) years of age".

SECTION 4. This act takes effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.

Young citizens who are 18-20 years old may be in greater need of self defense than older citizens. In a South City apartment complex, four suspects hunted down two young men and killed them. From wreg.com:

Police say last Thursday, an Infiniti pulled into the South City apartment complex at Mississippi Boulevard and Lauderdale.

Surveillance video shows four suspects, all armed with guns, getting out and walking through the complex and shooting both victims multiple times, police said.

As they got back into the Infiniti, police say Patterson was shot by someone inside the apartment complex. He fell out of the car onto the ground.

Only one person at the complex shot back. The problem with denying the ability of people to legally be armed, is the law will only effect those who are interested in following the law. This idea was placed into common thought by Cesare Beccaria, who stated it thus in 1764, according to a translation:

 Laws that prohibit the carrying of arms are laws of that nature. They disarm only those who are not inclined or determined to commit crimes . . . These laws worsen the plight of the assaulted, but improve those of the assailants.They do not lessen homicides, but increase them, because the confidence of carrying out an assault against the disarmed is greater than against the armed. These laws are not preventive ones, but born out of the fear of crime.

Analysis: There are several federal court cases challenging the discrimination against young adults 18-20 years old.

There is a current split in the circuits. Some circuits claim a prohibition on the ability of 18-20 year olds from being able to exercise rights protected by the Second Amendment is not prohibited by the Second Amendment. The United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit has ruled the opposite. Tennessee is in the Sixth Circuit. At some point the Supreme Court will have to resolve the issue. The logic and facts are clear. At the time of the ratification of the Bill of Rights, there were no barriers to 18-20 year olds exercising rights protected by the Second Amendment.

The Supreme Court has not ruled that any requirement for a permit to carry concealed is unconstitutional. The Court prefers to change precedent in small, incremental steps. It would not surprise this correspondent if Constitutional Carry for all states becomes law during the next decade.

 

©2025 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice and link are included.

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OH: Self Defense? Woman Shoots Woman Armed with Baseball Bat

BOND HILL, Ohio (WKRC) - Police say a neighborhood fight resulted in a shooting Tuesday.

Crews were called to Glenmeadow Lane in Bond Hill shortly after 11 a.m.

Police say a woman shot another woman who had a baseball bat.

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IN: Evansville Home Invation Suspect Shot, Killed

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WEVV) — Evansville Police are still looking for the two burglars who were apart of the deadly home invasion.

Authorities say the 911 call came in just before 2 p.m. on Tuesday at a home on Sweetser Avenue, near McConnell Avenue.

“2 of the subjects fled, one person is diseased inside the home," said Evansville Police Public Information Officer Anthony Aussieker

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Trinidad Tobago Prime Minister Moves to Make Firearms User Licenses Shall Issue

In a parliamentary election in Trinidad and Tobago, held on April 28th, 2025, the United National Congress (UNC) party won 26 of 41 seats, returning Kamla Persad-Bissessar to power as Prime Minister after 10 years on the sidelines. From caribbeanamericanpassport.com:

At age 73, Persad-Bissessar becomes the first person in the nation's history to serve non-consecutive terms as Prime Minister, having previously held the office from 2010 to 2015. She remains the only woman to have led the twin-island Caribbean nation.

Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar made reform of defense laws and access to legal firearms a core part of her campaign. Law abiding citizens will be able to obtain a Firarms Users License (FUL), essentially making the FUL "shall issue".  From guardian.co.tt:

“We will be reviewing shortly the firearm license laws. Remember we’ve said we will consider giving legal firearms to law-abiding citizens? But they will only be given to persons who want it,” the PM said.

“I see some people complaining and saying, ‘No, No, No!’,” she observed. “If you don’t want it [a FUL], you know what to do. Do not apply.”

The UNC made legal gun ownership, ‘stand your ground’ and anti-home invasion laws a pillar of its campaign strategy.

As discussed in an AmmoLand article in January, crimes in Trinidad and Tobago have skyrocketed, presumably because of the dysfunctional society which exists in Venezuela. Trinidad and Tobago exist close to the Venezuela coast. At the closest point, there are only seven miles separating Trinidad and Tobago from Venezuela.

The homicide rate in Trinidad and Tobago was at historic highs in 2024, at 45.7 homicides per 100,000 people.  Leftist academics blame an increase in the availability of illegal firearms for the increase.  In 2000, the rate was a little over 9 per 100,000. Hugo Chavez started implementing his "Bolivian" revolution in 2000.

As organized crime, extortion and murder have skyrocketed in Trinidad and Tobago, the idea of armed self defense has become more popular.  The previous government in Trinidad and Tobago declared a state of emergency which lasted 105 days, ending on April 13. Under the state of emergency, the police could search homes and individuals without a warrant.

It remains to be seen what legislation will be passed in Trinidad and Tobago. The UNC, with nearly two thirds of the seats in Parliament, has the ability to pass legislation at will. If Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar fulfills her promises, enacts "shall issue" reforms for the FUL, and passes "stand your ground" and anti-home invasion laws, Trinidad and Tobago will be an interesting test case among Carribean nations. When Jamaica enacted draconian anti firearms laws in the 1960s, homicides broke record highs.  When President Bolsonaro of Brazil reformed the extremely restrictive firearms laws in Brazil, homicide rates dropped sharply.

There is considerable academic debate about whether restricting the access to legal firearms increases or decreases the homicide rate. There have been many decades of experience with draconian gun controls, in many countries. The United States of America stands out as highly unusual where access to firearms is readily available to most people. When comparing large countries such as India, China, Brazil, and the United States, it appears controls have little effect except to make criminals out of people who experience a strong need to protect themselves. Academic John Lott states that in every case where guns (or just handguns) are severely restricted or banned, the homicide rate goes up.

 

 ©2025 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice and link are included.

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AL: Birmingham Armed Victim Shoots, Wounds Robbery Suspect

Sgt. LaQuitta Wade said two males tried to rob a man. The robbery victim fired shots, striking at least one of the suspects.

The suspect was taken to UAB Hospital with life-threatening injuries. Wade said though he is critical, he is stable.

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AL:Mobile County Gunfight, Man Killed, Juvenile Wounded

A neighbor told News 5 that the incident began as a graduation party up the road, but moved to the end of the cul-de-sac, where a fight broke out.

According to the release, witnesses at the scene told deputies the juvenile and Rivers began arguing, and Rivers allegedly fired multiple shots at the juvenile. The juvenile reportedly returned fire, killing Rivers, the release said.

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SC: Gunfight at Restaurant, both Participants Arrested, 1 Wounded

According to Joye, a customer, now identified as 24-year-old Daquan Markel Brown, went into the Cook Out with an AK-47 style rifle while an employee he knew was working.

The customer and the employee, identified as 17-year-old Eugene Travis McClease Jr., started arguing and then shooting at each other, Joye said. The sheriff added that the customer was shot, sending them to the hospital.

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TN: Nashville Man Shoots Man over Concerns for Girlfreind's Safety

Judkins reportedly got into an argument with Green’s girlfriend. During the fight, Green allegedly saw Judkins pull something from his waistband, police said.

Worried for his and his girlfriend’s safety, police said Green shot Judkins before calling 911.

Police said Green claimed self-defense and that no charges have been placed against him at this time.

Fatal Bear Attack Recorded for first time in Florida

Bear approaches door of home. Image from Winter Springs, Florida, Police Department

 

An 89-year-old Florida grandfather appears to have been attacked and killed by a black bear during the early morning hours of May 5th, near Jerome, Florida.  Jerome is a rural area on the opposite side of the state from Miami, between the Big Cypress Wildlife Management Area and the Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park, part of the Everglades.

 

The relative of 89-year-old Robert Markel called 911 to report a bear had killed Markel's dog as the relative had watched, and that the elderly relative was missing. The call was made about 7 a.m. From fox4news.com:

"No, he’s gone completely. His whole camper was destroyed," the 911 caller said. "He’s not in there. He’s 89-years-old...he can’t run. He literally can’t even walk without falling over," he added.

The granddaughter told deputies on scene the last time she saw her grandfather was 7:30 p.m. Sunday. 

When deputies arrived, the report says the trailer was in disarray, the mattress was off the bed and items were scattered throughout the trailer.

One relative said (video) the dog was tied to a fence outside the camper when the bear attacked Markel and dragged him from the camper. It is not clear if the dog was tied up when the dog was killed by a bear hours later.

Investigators from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission suspect Robert Markel was killed hours before the 911 call. The call was made at about 7 a.m. If correct, Markel was attacked in the early morning hours, before daylight.  Sunrise, on May 5th in South Florida was scheduled for 0641, in Eastern Daylight time.

Video of the scene showing a woodline indicates the area is heavily forested.

[caption id="attachment_596784" align="alignnone" width="600"] 

Woodline near where fatal Florida bear attack took place.

Markel's pants and bloody t-shirt were found about 20 yards from the camper. His body was found about 100 yards away, in the woods, covered in leaves and dirt. It is common for bears to cover large prey with dirt and forest debris.

So far, three bears have been killed by FWC agents. They are testing the bears for DNA to make certain the remove the offending bear or bears.

Analysis: with a rapidly expanding black bear population in Florida, and increasing bear-human conflicts, a fatality was nearly inevitable. Less than a year ago, Florida Governor DeSantis signed a bill which restored some of the rights of people to defend themselves against bears which threatened themselves, their homes, and their pets.  It appears black bears are very common in the area where the fatal attack occurred. If the victim had been able to access nearly any type of firearm, it is likely he would not have been killed. Black bears usually to stop attacking if they are hurt or wounded.

The last time an official estimate of the black bear population was in 2014-15. The estimate, at that time, was there were more than 4,350 bears. Black bear populations, with abundant food and habitat, can easily increase by 15% a year, after subtracting cannibalism by adult male bears and the approximate 300 black bears killed in vehicle accidents in Florida each year. A new estimate of the Florida black bear population is due shortly. This correspondent has been unable to find any official estimate of the black bear population in Florida since the study conducted in 2014-15.

 

©2025 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice and link are included.

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TX: Houston Man shoot Man who was Loitering, Claims Self-Defense

The Houston Police Department said a man in his 20s, who was loitering, was shot and killed at the Red Roof Inn, not far from Centerwood.

HPD said witnesses reported that an argument broke out and then gunfire erupted around 1:30 a.m.

Police said officers have a man in his 50s or 60s detained for questioning right now, who is claiming self-defense.

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TN: Chattanooga Robbery Suspect Shot by Armed Victim

Police say the preliminary investigation shows the robbery victim, a 30-year-old man, met an unknown person to purchase two items.

 

During the purchase, a suspect put a gun to the victim’s face and made a demand, tp which the victim quickly exited his vehicle.

 

A second suspect, the 17-year-old male, then got into the driver seat.

 

During the incident, the robbery victim and one of the suspects exchanged gunfire.

The 17-year-old was struck during the gunfire, and has been arrested and charged with Carjacking and Attempted Murder.

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AL: Gunfight in Mobile, no one Hit.

Police say a man drove to the 2700 block of Farnell Drive and began shooting at another man. This led to the victim shooting back.

MPD says an occupied dwelling and two unoccupied vehicles were struck by gunfire during the altercation.

According to Mobile police, the incident was isolated. We’re told the case is active, and there no additional information at this time.

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OR: Portland Security Guard Shoots Man

The Gan Jewish Preschool confirmed in a written statement that its armed private security officer had shot a man who had threatened and assaulted him.

"During this interaction, the individual presented a direct threat to the guard. In response, the guard was forced to take protective action, using his licensed weapon to defend himself," the statement read.

The Portland Police Bureau says no arrests have been made and the security officer is cooperating; however, the investigation is ongoing, and it is not ruling out the possibility of charges in the future.

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SC: Summerville Intruder Suspect Shot, Killed

SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (WCIV) — A suspected intruder who was fatally shot after being accused of attempting a home invasion in Summerville Wednesday was identified by the county coroner Thursday.

Richard Williams, 42, of Summerville, was fatally shot while entering a home on Hope Drive around 1:25 a.m., Dorchester County Coroner Paul Brouthers said.

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NRA Annual Meeting in Atlanta, 2025 Seminars and Workshops

Major John L. Plaster discusses use of suppressed firearms during SOG operations

 

The seminars and workshops offered at the NRA Annual Meetings are an often overlooked and valuable resource.  The seminars and workshops are held in smaller spaces in the same venue as the annual meeting. The seminars and workshops are usually held in meeting rooms. The rooms typically hold a couple of hundred people. They fill up at popular times and have plenty of extra space when people are leaving the event.

This correspondent attended a seminar conducted by Major John L. Plaster, the well known author and expert on the SOG secret wars during Vietnam, in Laos and Cambodia.  Behind Enemy Lines: The Men and Guns of SOG, by Major Plaster, was offered only once.

 

The level of expertise was world class. The seminar lasted two hours and was free to NRA Meeting attendees.  This correspondent learned a great deal about the scope of the conflict, the techniques and tactics used, in the two hours than from years of occasional contact with veterans. Considerable misinformation which was widely spread by the old media, was dispelled. More than two dozen seminars and workshops were available during the NRA Annual Meeting over a three day period. Many of the seminars were offered several times during the three days of the event. Here are a few of the offerings which were available:

The 26TH NATIONAL  FIREARMS LAW SEMINAR

ARMED CITIZEN: HOW TO INTERACT WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT

GUNS OF IWO JIMA

RELOAD LIKE A CHAMPION

There were over twenty others. Noted researcher and author John Lott gave several seminars over the three days. These seminars offer rare opportunities to interact with top of their field authorities such as John Lott and Major Plaster. The seminars offer information and insights nearly impossible to obtain elsewhere. Most of the 70 thousand plus attendees ignore the free seminars and workshops. In this correspondent's experience, this is a mistake.  The seminars and workshops were all listed at the NRA Annual Meeting website.  They were all listed in the printed program available to attendees when they register.

 

It is impossible for one person to attend all the incredible content available. There is top of the line content available for a wide variety of interests. This correspondent suggests attendees look over what is available and prioritize what is most important to them. During the three days of the Annual Meeting, this correspondent was able to attend most of three seminars.

This correspondent would like to see all of these seminars video taped and posted online by the NRA. It is a shame to see the exposure limited to the few hundred people who may see it during the event. There are serious issues about copyright and content which would have to be worked out.  The technology is there. Perhaps, it could be done on a voluntary basis by the people giving the seminars.  These seminars offer world class information which deserves a wider audience.

Most the struggle to restore the rights protected by the Second Amendment, indeed most of the struggle to retain and keep our constitutional republic, is a struggle over information. As more people are exposed to more and better information, more winning will happen.

 

©2025 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice and link are included.

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NM: Armed Albuquerque Samaritan Shoots Suspect in Leg

Witnesses said that a man, identified as Justyn McDaniel, was standing near the drive-up ATM outside the Nusenda Credit Union at 6501 Indian School Rd NE. McDaniel began to harass the people in line, demanding money. When confronted by two Nusenda employees, McDaniel punched one in the face.

McDaniel then jumped on the hood of a woman’s vehicle and when she wouldn’t give him any money, he kicked in her windshield. A person in line behind the woman pulled a gun and fired it in the air to scare McDaniel away. When that did not work and McDaniel approached another customer, that person shot the suspect in the leg. 

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PA: Robbery leads to Gunfight in Port Richmond

That's when two men approached and held them at gunpoint, but the victims didn't back down.

Police said the boyfriend got into a fight with the men and that when the girlfriend intervened, one of the suspects shot her in the leg.

The men then pistol-whipped and stole $1,000 in cash from the couple. But as the suspects were leaving in a getaway vehicle, police said the boyfriend -- who was licensed to carry -- pulled out his own gun and fired off 16 shots at the car.

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WA: Lynnwood Home Invasion and Gunfight

A home invasion in Lynnwood led to a shootout Tuesday morning, leaving a woman injured and the suspect later arrested in Shoreline, according to the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies responded around 11:20 a.m. to reports of an assault involving a weapon at a home in the 900 block of 210th Place Southwest.

Investigators say a 48-year-old man forced his way into the residence and exchanged gunfire with one of the occupants.

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Book Review: The Sledge Patrol, David Howarth, 233 pages, Macmillan, 1957

 

The Sledge Patrol, by David Howarth, 233 pages, published by Macmillan in 1957.

$10 in mass market paperback from Amazon. First editions available as used copies.

The Sledge Patrol is a one of those fascinating glimpses of WWII which show the conflict through an unexpected and unusual lens. It is the story of the East Coast of Greenland and how a few men can affect a much larger conflict, in ways of which they are unaware. As a bonus, there is the description of a conflict between polar bear and man alone on the ice. The polar bear conflict is not listed in the Polar Bear Human-Information Management System (PBHIMS) data base. It should be included.

When WWII began, Denmark was unexpectedly invaded by the Germans on April 9th, 1940. Greenland was a colony of Denmark. The King of Denmark ordered all Danes to submit. Greenland refused to do so, because the administrator believed the King was acting under duress. The administrator, Eske Brun, decided to defy the order to submit. He believed, sooner or later, the Americans would enter the war. The Western coast of Greenland was easily under the protection of the United States. The East coast was another matter.  It could only be patrolled unsatisfactorily by airplane at great expense; or it could be patrolled by a small number of men with dog teams. Thus was formed the Greenland Sledge Patrol, with 15 men who knew the hundreds of miles of coastline, and who could hunt, live off the land, and exist for months in their scattered and isolated hunting huts. The firearms in Greenland consisted of hunting rifles.

Iceberg off of Scoresby Sound, East coast of Greenland in July of 1970 Public Domain
 

Greenland came to matter because of the few weather stations available.  Greenland covers hundreds of miles of the Northeast coast of the Atlantic ocean. The battle of the Atlantic was soon raging. One of the advantages the Allies had was reliable weather observations from Greenland. Lack of these left a large hole in Axis weather maps and degraded their weather forecasting.

In 1942, the Germans established a weather station outpost on the East coast of Greenland. An American plane flew right over them on their way in, but did not spot the ship in the pack ice. Six months later, the Sledge patrol found them.

As part of the drama to accompany this conflict, one of the patrol members escaped capture, and made his way over 50 miles of ice and snow, on foot, with a rifle and scavenged clothes, to warn his comrades.  A few miles from his point of escape, he and a polar bear encountered each other at close range in a broken ice field. From p. 84:

One of the curious things about polar bears is that in nature they never see any animal which does not run away from them as well as it can; and so if a man stands his ground in front of a bear, or goes toward it, it often takes fright and goes away. But, on the other hand, if the man runs away, the bear regards him as another animal, much easier than most of its prey, and will lope after him and almost casually fell him with its paw.

For once, Marius did not want to shoot the bear. He did not know how close the Germans were. They might easily have come along the sea-ice more quickly than he had come over the hill, and he thought they might hear a shot.  So he advanced toward the bear, hoping to scare it; but it would not move. For some minutes, he and the bear stared each other out, each waiting for the other to give the first sign of fear. It was Marius whose nerve broke first: he reluctantly raised his rifle and fired. The bear fell dead. The sound of the shot echoed around the hills and he listened, half expecting an answering shot; but the silence fell back again.

The story is well researched and riveting. Most of the principals were interviewed by David Howarth, the author, including the German commander. Extensive official records were made available.

The Axis powers were denied meteorological reports from Greenland at the most crucial time. Perhaps it made a significant difference in the D-Day invasion. It is impossible to know for certain. Most of the principals survived the war and continued their lives.

©2025 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice and link are included.

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NY: Rochester Gunfight, Store Owner Shoots Robbery Suspect

The teen, a Rochester resident, is charged with the attempted robbery of Henry’s Convenience Store on Denise Road on Tuesday. He’s also charged with a robbery at the same store that happened on April 26.

Police say the store owner shot the suspect in self-defense after the suspect went into the store wearing a mask and pointing a gun. The teen underwent surgery for a gunshot wound to his leg and remains hospitalized under the watch of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.

Officers say they found the suspect injured on nearby Lake Avenue. A Greece police officer put a tourniquet on the suspect’s leg before he was taken to Strong Hospital.

Police got calls about the robbery and shooting around 7:30 a.m. The caller said the store owner and the suspect exchanged gunfire and the suspect ran away after being hit. Fifteen minutes later, officers got reports of a man shot.

Police say the suspect went into the store with a mask, and when asked to take it off, he pointed a gun at the store owner.

Greece Police say they recovered the suspect’s gun inside the store. Police say the store owner was a legal pistol permit holder and wasn’t injured.

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TN: Napier Robbery Suspect Wounded by Armed Victim

Authorities said a 20-year-old man got into the front passenger seat of a blue Dodge Dart in the parking lot. After a short altercation in the car, the 20-year-old was seen falling out of the vehicle and running away.

He ran a short distance before he threw a handgun in the direction of a witness and collapsed on the ground. The witness later handed over two firearms to investigators.

The victim was transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center with a gunshot wound. He is expected to recover from his injuries.

Following the shooting, a 23-year-old turned himself in to law enforcement at the Downtown Detention Center. He claimed he shot the victim in self-defense after the 20-year-old tried to rob him at gunpoint. No charges have been filed against the shooter as of publication.

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FL: Domestic Defense? Older Man Shoots, Wounds Attacker

Daniel Michael Sonier, 35, was charged with felony battery on a person 65 years of age or older and felony criminal mischief with property damage.

Deputies said Sonier was attacking an elderly couple when he was shot by the male in self-defense. The victims and Sonier were known to one another, and the incident is being investigated as a domestic violence incident.

 

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Open Carry at NRA Meeting in Atlanta in 2025

An open carrier at the NRA Annual Meeting in Atlanta in 2025. He is carrying a Colt Single Action Army, a Bowie knife in his boot, and a skinning knife in a sheath (handle seen just beyond the butt of the Colt. This open carry was seen, primarily as a fashion statement which went with the overall dress of the attendee. 

Open carry at the NRA Annual Meeting in Atlanta, in 2025, was observed and uncontroversial. Open carry was a bit more common at the NRA Annual Meeting in Atlanta in 2017, at documented in AmmoLand. Georgia passed Constitutional Carry (permitless carry) in 2022.

Permitless carry applies to all lawful weapons carriers, as defined in Georgia code 16-11-125.1.

(2.1) “Lawful weapons carrier” means any person who is licensed or eligible for a license pursuant to Code Section 16-11-129 and who is not otherwise prohibited by law from possessing a weapon or long gun, any resident of any other state who would otherwise be eligible to obtain a license pursuant to such Code section but for the residency requirement, and any person licensed to carry a weapon in any other state.

Those who are not "lawful weapons carriers" are defined, as mentioned above, in Code Section 16-11-129. The largest group are most people who are under 21 years of age. The vast majority of adults in George qualify as "lawful weapons carriers".

A more conventional open carry was observed as this individual was leaving the Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) during the NRA Annual Meeting in 2025.

 

While the retention features of the holster are not obvious, it would be difficult to snatch the pistol from the holster in any direction but upward along the bore axis. The pistol is a CZ 07 in 9mm.

 

This openly carried pistol in the black retention holster was seen in the hallways of the GWCC. The pistol is a customized Glock in .45 GAP. The pistol is a level two retention holster. What is in his back pocket? The outline looks a bit like a five shot revolver.

Also seen at the 2025 NRA Meeting in Atlanta, this correspondent recalls this customized rig and pistol as 9mm. It appears to be a Vertec variant of the Beretta 92, with a light, a customized trigger, and a skeletonized retention rig. Perhaps an alert reader can tell us the make of the rig which uses the stylized T-Rex head as a trademark.  It does not appear to be T.REX.

 

This more conventional 1911 stainless pistol in a leather rig was seen on the display floor. 

This correspondent was able to talk to most of the open carriers. A couple of contacts were rushed due to time constraints. The consensus was the successful passage of permitless (Constitutional Carry) in Georgia in 2022 lowered the incentives for open carry. The primary purpose of open carry, in this correspondent's opinion, is to make a political statement. That statement is less important once Constitutional Carry (permitless) carry becomes the law of the land.

None of the people openly carrying at the NRA Annual Meeting in Atlanta, in 2025, were the subject of unusual attention or even quizzical looks, that this correspondent could discern. Open carry has become normalized at NRA Annual Meetings.  Many activists will remember when the carry of any defensive firearm, openly or concealed, was banned at most NRA Annual Meetings.

This correspondent observed a few concealed carriers "print" holsters and handguns, although, with so many people carrying electronic and medical devices under shirts, it has become increasingly difficult to be certain.

Innumerable people were observed carrying pocket knives with the ubiquitous clip. Knives are arms with protection equal to that of firearms, under the Second Amendment.

 

©2025 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice and link are included.

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VA: Teens Say they were "Playing a Game" when Shot by Homeowner

About 3 a.m. Saturday — the day of the Massaponax High School prom — a homeowner fatally shot Michael Bosworth Jr. on McKenzie Lane in Spotsylvania County, Virginia.

The homeowner said Bosworth and two other teenagers were trying to break into the home.

One of the other teens, who was grazed by a bullet, told detectives they weren’t breaking in to steal anything. They said they were recording ding-dong ditch pranks for TikTok videos – ringing doorbells and then running away.

A detective tracked down the third teen, who was not shot. That teen gave the same account and offered their phone to show a similar video shot earlier that night.

The Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office hasn’t said whether that story checks out. The Spotsylvania County commonwealth’s attorney is reviewing the evidence to determine if charges are appropriate or if the homeowner was justifiable in opening fire. The homeowner has not been named or charged with any crime.

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OH: Elyria Woman Wounds Herself while Intoxicated

According to a preliminary investigation, Armstrong had previously been involved in a disturbance at the same residence about an hour before the shooting.

Police said that officers encountered the earlier disturbance around 3:27 a.m. while responding to an unrelated call, but at that point, it was determined no crime had occurred. Armstrong was transported back to her residence away from the home in the 400 block of East Avenue.

According to the release, just before 4:56 a.m., Armstrong returned to the East Avenue home while intoxicated and forced entry while armed with a handgun.

Police said a physical altercation ensued between Armstrong and the 27-year-old that resulted in the firearm discharging and Armstrong’s injury.

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GA: Whitfield County Car Burglary Suspect shot by Homeowner

On May 3, 2025, at around 5:30 a.m., Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to an entering auto-in-progress call in the area of Pleasant Drive and Old Grade Road. Deputies arrived and spoke with the caller, who advised deputies that several subjects were breaking into his vehicle and attempting to open his back door. The homeowner exited the home firing multiple shots at the subjects.

A round struck one of the female suspects, causing her to be transported by medical personnel. Tristen Knight has been arrested and charged with Felony Entering Auto in relation to this incident, and charges will be pending for the female. The Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office will not release the name of the female involved at this time pending her medical treatment. The Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office will not pursue charges against the homeowner at this time. This case will be turned over to the District Attorney’s Office pending their review.

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MO: St. Louis Gunfight, Victim and Suspect both Wounded (Concealed Carry Fail)

According to police, the victim was at the counter of a market in the 5200 block of Hamilton Avenue when Tayvion Baker approached him around 5:30 p.m. on Thursday. Police said Baker was armed with a pistol and approached the victim, who had a gun in a holster on his hip underneath his shirt. Baker reportedly grabbed the victim’s gun and stated, “give it to me, I’m finnin to pop you.”

Baker, 23, struggled with the victim, shooting him twice, police said. As the struggle continued, the victim shot Baker. After being shot, Baker ran from the store, and the victim followed him outside while continuing to fire at him.

Baker and the victim were taken to the hospital for treatment.

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TX: Houston Donut Shop Robber Shot, Killed

Source: Google Street View

Early this morning, an attempted robbery at Snowflake Donut Shop in southeast Houston turned deadly when the store owner shot and killed the suspect, police reported. The Houston Police Department confirmed that the incident occurred at approximately 6 a.m. on Winkler Drive, near the Gulf Freeway. The suspect, believed to be in his 20s to 30s and wearing dark clothing, was pronounced dead at the scene after entering the shop with intentions to commit robbery.

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MO: Gunfight in St. Louis, Car Burglary Team Shoots, Kills one of Their Own

Neighbors' ring doorbell cameras caught the crimes on video.

"They were going from car to car. One person would stand at the car trying to break in. The other one would point a gun at the house just in case anybody came out," Carr said.

A neighbor said he fired two gunshots at the ground in his backyard, hoping to scare the young criminals off.

 "It sounded like boom, boom, boom," said Michael De Long.

"The group of car break-in suspects fired multiple shots at an individual," said Mitch McCoy, a spokesman for the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.

One of those shots hit one of the teens.

 

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IL: Chicago Domestic Defense, 14-Year-Old Shoots 33-Year-Old

Officers responded to a service call around 11:02 p.m. in the 4800 block of South Drexel Boulevard. Police said a 33-year-old woman was involved in a domestic dispute with a 33-year-old man when the man pulled a knife on her. At that point, the 14-year-old male produced a handgun and shot the man in the shoulder.

The man was treated by Chicago Fire Department paramedics and transported to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he was listed in critical condition.

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PA: Domestic Defense Gunfight with Rifles and Pistols, 1 Dead, 1 with Multiple Wounds

Police also reviewed Ring doorbell footage from a nearby residence.

Police could hear a single gunshot, then a man shouting, “get in your car and leave,” then, “get in your (expletive) car and leave” twice.

A man shouted, “I’m not playing with you.”

Then multiple shots were fired and a man shouted something inaudible, according to the police report.

Police interviewed Hurst at the hospital. He told police he drove to Frederick’s home to confront him about the way he treats the woman that Hurst had had a previous relationship with.

Hurst told police that he saw Frederick outside the home then quickly go inside and emerge with a rifle.

According to court documents, while trying to talk with Frederick outside Hurst told police he fired five shots at the ground.

Hurst said he got into his vehicle and tried to leave, but got his rifle and began firing toward Frederick after Frederick fired shots into his car. Hurst said he called 911 after the shooting stopped.

Police said Hurst’s statements conflict with the witness reports and audio/video footage.

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FL: Plant City Man pulls Knife during Confrontation, is Shot, Killed

Officers said witness statements and security video indicated the incident began as a verbal dispute inside the gas station before a confrontation outside.

During the argument, the victim moved toward the shooter while holding a knife, and the shooter fired a single round, hitting the victim, PCPD said. 

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WA: Seattle Father Shoots, Wounds man attempting to Break into Home

Officers went to a third-floor apartment, where they interviewed a 31-year-old man, his wife, and their 2-year-old child. The family reported that the suspect had broken through an exterior door, tried to enter multiple units, and eventually reached their apartment. The suspect allegedly began yelling and kicking at their door.  

According to the family, the father gave several warnings before the burglar forced the door open. The father then fired a single shot through the door, striking the suspect in the leg.  

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TX: Domestic Defense, Intoxicated Austin Man has knife, Threatens Bystander. Bystander Shoots, Kills him

 

 
Homicide Detectives and Crime Scene Specialists responded to process the scene and interview witnesses. The investigation showed Valerio-Rodriguez arrived intoxicated at his girlfriend’s place of employment, which is located next to the Shell station. A verbal argument broke out between Valerio-Rodriguez and his girlfriend outside of the business. Eventually, she went back inside her workplace and Valerio-Rodriguez left the scene. A short time later, Valerio-Rodriguez returned to his girlfriend's workplace and banged on the door. A male bystander intervened, at which point in time Valerio-Rodriguez pulled a knife on him. The bystander then pulled a gun and shot Valerio-Rodriguez. Multiple witnesses were on scene and confirmed the order of events. The male bystander was cooperative and interviewed by Homicide detectives.
 
No charges are being filed at this time. This is an isolated incident and there is no threat to the public’s safety.
 

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MO: Attempted Robbery results in Gunfight, Death of one Suspect

A man said he had been defending himself when he fatally shot another man who grabbed his gun at a Kansas City liquor store on Monday, according to court documents. Another man, who was with the man who died, allegedly pulled a gun during a struggle for the initial weapon and was charged with murder for his connection to the shooting.
 

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PA: Attempted Carjack results in Gunfight, Police Car Chase

Police say this all started with a carjacking by a Public Storage facility near the intersection of G Street and East Hunting Park Avenue around 7:11 p.m.

That's where Cooper allegedly shot a 32-year-old man in the stomach before stealing the victim's Toyota.

During that encounter, police say Cooper exchanged fire with a 29-year-old witness.

A chase then ensued through multiple police districts.

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CO: Domestic Defense, Aurora Estranged Husband Shot

“Officers quickly arrived on scene and detained multiple people, including who we believe to be the suspected shooter.,” Aurora Police spokesperson Agent Matthew Longshore said in a statement on Sunday. “The victim and others involved are all known to each other. “

Police said an investigation revealed the shooting was connected to a domestic-violence issue involving the separated couple.

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AL: Domestic Defense, Man Forces Entry, is Shot

The VCU took over the case, and Kennedy said their investigators spoke to witnesses whose accounts raise questions of self-defense.

"Witnesses on scene reported the deceased individual had been involved in a domestic argument with a female, had forcibly entered her apartment, and then began a physical altercation with a third party during which he was shot," Kennedy said

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VA: Hinrico County, Armed Victim of Attempted Robbery Shoots, Kills Suspect

According to investigators, a man and a woman were in a vehicle when Hunt approached them with a gun and attempted to rob them. During that interaction, Hunt fired his gun, prompting the man in the vehicle to return fire. 

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IL: Altercation in Elgin Home leads to Self Defense Shooting

Upon investigation, it was determined that a gathering had occurred Sunday in the 100 block of South Commonwealth Avenue, and that at some point during the early morning hours the 29-year-old man left the gathering on foot. He subsequently returned to the area and entered the residence on Carr Street, which was near the location of the gathering. The resident of this location, a 79-year-old man, awoke to find the younger man sleeping. At some point a verbal and physical altercation occurred between the two which led to the shooting.

The facts of the case were reviewed by the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office and it was determined that no charges would be filed in this case.

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At the NRA Annual Meeting in Atlanta

As this correspondent sits in the Press Office at the 2025 Annual Meeting of the NRA in Atlanta, Georgia, there is time to reflect on the enormous progress which has been made in restoring rights protected by the Second Amendment of the United States Bill of Rights.

The first time this correspondent was in Atlanta for more than a plane exchange was within a month or two of 51 years ago, while on active duty in the Army, in 1974. This correspondent attended the NRA Annual Meeting in Atlanta in 2017. 

In 1974, travel across state lines with firearms was a perilous proposition. It would be 12 years before  The Firearms Owners Protection Act (FOPA) was passed , with intense lobbying by the NRA.   Peaceably carrying unloaded firearms locked in your vehicle was subject to a host of differing state and local laws. This incremental improvement in restoring rights protected by the Second Amendment  is often ignored by people discussing FOPA.

There was no permit in Texas, although there was a somewhat ambiguous exception for carrying while traveling. You could carry on your own land.

In 1974 there were may issue permits by local Sheriffs in Georgia and Mississippi to residents.  Alabama had a shall issue permit system which depended on the local sheriffs.

In 1974 this correspondent was acutely aware of the many legal vulnerabilities which existed carrying arms across state lines. Traveling under orders while on active duty with the U.S. Army gave some protection. 

By the 2017 trip from Texas to Georgia, the situation had improved significantly.

FOPA had been passed. As long as you could legally possess firearms where you were going, and where you had been, federal law gave you some protection. Georgia and Mississippi passed a shall issue law in 1989. Texas passed a shall issue permit law in 1995. Louisiana became shall issue in 1996. Louisiana had passed an improved Right to Carry amendment to their Constitution in 2012. They had a shall issue permit and open carry. In 2016, Mississippi joined the Constitutional Carry club.

In 2025, Constitutional Carry (permitless carry) has become law in 29 states. When the 30th state will join the club is uncertain. Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Georgia are all Constitutional Carry States. The Supreme Court issued the landmark Bruen decision in June of 2022. While about a dozen recalcitrant states still fight to prevent the exercise of rights protected by the Second Amendment, numerous cases are in the courts. A second Trump presidency makes nullification of the Second Amendment by the courts unlikely.

Analysis: In 1974 it seemed the battle for Constitutional government had been lost. Progressive philosophy was in power nearly everywhere. President Reagan was in the future, the Cold war was in full swing. Vietnam was still a hot war. This correspondent decided to fight for recognition of Second Amendment rights because giving up meant giving up the rule of law. In many ways, it meant  giving up on limited goverment. Contrary to expectations, Second Amendment supporters have been mostly winning for the last 40 years. 

Much remains to be done. Don't forget how much has been accomplished by steady incrementalism. The facts, the culture, and the Constitution are with Second Amendment supporters. The primary tools of our opponents are lies and emotional deception. 

©2025 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice and link are included.

Gun Watch

IN: Henry County Man Shot in Face while Breaking into Home

It happened just before 2 a.m. at a home in the 9300 block of South 175 East. The homeowner told dispatchers someone was banging on his windows and doors, trying to get inside.

 

Investigators say the man smashed a window and tried to crawl in, but the homeowner shot him. Deputies found him lying on the porch when they arrived.

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WV: Boon County Acquaintance Shot after Breaking into Home

According to the Boone County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called to Hurricane Branch Road in the Manila area around 10:30 a.m. Thursday in regard to a shooting. Deputies say they met with the caller on scene, who told them he had shot an acquaintance after the two got into an altercation when the man allegedly forcefully entered his home.

Deputies say shortly after speaking with the caller, they found the man at his own home. The man, identified as 43-year-old Billy Wheatley, had been shot and was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to the Boone County Sheriff’s Office.

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NY: Self Defense case, Defender Charged with Firearms Offense

SCHENECTADY — A city man shot and killed an armed intruder last week during a home invasion at a Hamburg Street residence in what Schenectady County District Attorney Robert Carney described as a “justified use of deadly force.”

Attorney Daniel Smalls said Tuesday that the incident marked the second time that the assailant had targeted his client, Marc Cunningham, 25. While he does not face a charge directly related to the man’s death, Cunningham is charged with felony criminal possession of a firearm.

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OH: Security Guard attacked by Mob, Fires Shot, they Flee

According to Cleveland Police, about seven to eight people attacked the guard and he fired one shot, which prompted the group to flee.

Shortly afterwards, a 34-year-old woman arrived at MetroHealth Medical Center.

Police said the woman was not shot, but had been injured while trying to flee or seek cover.

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TN: Memphis Gang of Four Murders two, One Gang member Shot, Wounded

Police say last Thursday, an Infiniti pulled into the South City apartment complex at Mississippi Boulevard and Lauderdale.

Surveillance video shows four suspects, all armed with guns, getting out and walking through the complex and shooting both victims multiple times, police said.

As they got back into the Infiniti, police say Patterson was shot by someone inside the apartment complex. He fell out of the car onto the ground.

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