June NICS Checks Jump as NFA Background Checks Surge 177%

The National Instant background Check System (NICS) shows significantly higher numbers for the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) adjusted NICS checks for June of 2026. The total NICS checks show only a small decrease. From NSSF:

The June 2026 NSSF-adjusted National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) figure of 1,123,006 is an increase of 11.7 percent compared to the June 2025 NSSF-adjusted NICS figure of 1,004,986. For comparison, the unadjusted June 2026 FBI NICS figure of 1,886,539 reflects a 1.2 percent decrease from the unadjusted FBI NICS figure of 1,909,294 in June 2025.

The adjusted NICS checks are designed to approximate actual firearm sales by removing the large numbers of NICS checks which are used for firearms permits and firearm permit rechecks.  In some months of previous years, the number of checks done for permits and permit rechecks exceeded the number done for sales. Those excesses, primarily done in Illinois, have been reduced. The adjusted NICS checks appear to be a good approximation of firearm sales done through the NICS system. Some people are able to purchase firearms without NICS checks. There are about 28 states which have at least one type of permit where the permit is a valid substitute for a NICS check. More than one firearm may be purchased with one NICS background check.

 

This year, the NSSF has started listing checks done for the National Firearms Act. There is a time lag between when a check is done and an NFA firearm is built or transferred. The number of checks for NFA purposes do not directly correspond to new firearms or suppressors. Silencers/suppressors are defined as "firearms" in the NFA.

The June number for National Firearms Act (NFA) checks was 166,677, an increase of 177.1 percent from June of 2025. The number for June of 2025 was 60,147. Another way to state the same statistic, the NFA checks for June of 2026 were 2.77 times as many as for June of 2025. Much of the increase has to do with the removal of the $200 excise tax on silencers suppressors and on short barreled shotguns (sbs) and short barrled rifles (sbr).  The ATF has announced a proposed rule which will eliminate the need for fingerprints and photographs as part of the application process for "tax stamps" to obtain NFA items. There are several lawsuits challenging the validity of the NFA for items on which zero tax is required.

The uptick in firearms sales in June, at over 11% from last year, is significant. May and June continue the annual pattern of having sales lower than most of the other months. The only month in 2026 which shows lower firearm sales than the same month in 2025, (as shown by the adjusted NICS numbers) is January of 2026.

Analysis: The continued unsettled situation in and around the Persian gulf may be contributing to greater firearm sales. The stalemated war in Ukraine continues. Fuel prices have started to come down, leaving consumers with more disposable income. Firearm sales in July tend to be higher than firearm sales in June. Ammunition prices appear to be stable or slightly increasing. The mid-term elections are approaching, but political threats from the Left should be off-set by the Second Amendment victories at the Supreme Court. NFA sales will continue to break records. July firearm sales are predicted to be higher than June sales and higher than July sales were in 2025.

 

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

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IN: Anderson - Attempted Robbery and Gunfight, Suspect and Victim Wounded

Among the six — including Novotny — injured, a 19-year-old male was shot in the back and transported to IU Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, where he underwent emergency surgery. None of the other wounded people suffered life-threatening injuries, according to authorities.

In the court document, the 19-year-old told police that he was in a grass field near the intersection when Novotny approached and started patting him down before shooting him in the back. Police believe Novotny was trying to rob the 19-year-old.

After he was wounded, the 19-year-old pulled out a gun and fired several rounds at Novotny. He later told police that he believed one of the rounds he fired hit Novotny.

The probable cause affidavit said officers saw Novotny run toward a car wash, where officers stopped him and ordered him to drop the handgun he was carrying.

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MO: St. Louis - Gunfight From Attempted Home Invasion, 1 Suspect Shot, Killed

SLMPD said officers were in the area of Union Boulevard and Terry Avenue when they saw a gunfight around 9:30 p.m. Four suspects were detained, and a 44-year-old man was found shot on the ground.

According to police, the preliminary investigation shows the 44-year-old man, along with a 42-year-old man and a 35-year-old woman, were attempting to break into a home when they were confronted by a 35-year-old man.

The man called the police and attempted to hold the suspects until officers arrived, but the 44-year-old man ran off and fired shots towards the 35-year-old man. The 35-year-old man fired shots back at the 44-year-old man, striking him.

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Japan’s Bear Attacks Are Breaking Records. Strict Gun Laws Leave Rural Residents Waiting for Help

 

In 2025, Japan broke records for total and fatal bear attacks. There were 230 attacks and 13 fatalities, more than double the previous record of 6 fatalities in one year. Japan collects bear statistics by fiscal year, from April 1 to March 31.

2026 is off to a bad start. Five fatalities have been identified from April 1 to June 30. The previous record was two fatalities during April 1 to June 30. Bear attacks tend to trail off in July and August, and pick up significantly in September, October and November. Bears in Japan start hibernating in December. Another fatality is being investigated in a mountainous area of Tohoku. If found to be a bear caused fatality, it would be the sixth in 2026. Before 2025, the record for bear fatalities in Japan was six in one year. The record number of people killed by bears in North America continues at six in one year.

All five verified bear fatalities in 2026 have been inflicted by Asiatic black bears. Only Asiatic black bears live in Tohoku.  Japan is home to two types of bears, the Asiatic black bears and the Ussuri brown bears. The brown bears only occur on Hokkaido, the most northern of the Japanese islands. There are about 12,000 brown bears on Hokkaido. The brown bears are a subspecies of Ursus Arctos, also known as grizzly bears, Kodiak bears, and European brown bears. The are all slight variations of Ursus Arctos.  Large differences in sizes are the result of how common food supplies are where the bears live.

In 2025, only two fatalities were from brown bears on Hokkaido. Eleven were from Asiatic black bears on the other Japanese islands. The Asiatic black bears are related to the American black bears, but are reported to be more aggressive. There are reported to be about 54,000 Asiatic black bears in Japan. The human Japanese population is shrinking. Many small farms in rural areas are being abandoned. This increases habitat for the bears, and brings the bears into closer contact with humans. The bears become habituated to humans and lose their fear of humans.

The increase in bear attacks is attributed to an increasing bear population. The bear population has increased for several reasons. Hunting of both species of bears was severely restricted since 1990. Before 1990, bears were treated as pests.

The population of licensed bear hunters dropped from 517,000 in 1975 to 218,500 in 2020.  Extremely strict firearms regulations have made it difficult to obtain a license to shoot a bear.  According to the Guardian,  in 1975, 98% of people in Japan with a license to hunt bears, had a license to shoot bears. In 2020, only 42% had a license to shoot bears. The other 58% are allowed to trap bears, but not to shoot them. In order to obtain a permit to have a rifle, a person must obtain a permit to have a shotgun. After ten years of shotgun possession with a spotless record, one can apply to obtain a rifle. Japanese hunters are limited to 50 rifle cartridges a year for all purposes.The shrinking number of bear hunters in Japan are aging. 60% of bear hunters in Japan are over the age of 60.

Japan has started to take measures to reduce the population of bears on the islands. The Japanese government is setting goals to reduce the bear population by about a third in the areas where there are the most problems. According to asianews.network, the  bear populations in Chubu are to be reduced to 63% of the present population, to 62% in the Tohoku prefectures, and 67% in the Kanto prefectures. The bear population in Hokkaido is projected to be reduced to 71% of current levels. The annual population growth of bears is estimated at 14.5%, with target harvest numbers of 20%.

This correspondent has not found a single case where a handgun was fired in defense against a bear in Japan. It is nearly impossible for an ordinary person to obtain a permit to own a handgun. Some police officers sometimes carry handguns. The officers with handguns are almost never where the problem bears are. This year, a police officer was attacked by a bear while searching for a missing person. The bear was killed by a licensed Japanese hunter about 10 minutes later.

When there are bear problems, the bears are usually trapped. Sometimes bears are shot, in highly restrictive circumstances. Often, the person shooting the bear needs to obtain permission to do so seconds or minutes before the bear is shot.

Problem bears in North America tend to be shot rather quickly, often by the intended victim. The lower 48 states of the United States have about 17% of the numbers of ursus arctos (brown bear/grizzly) which exist in Japan. In the lower 48 United States, 211 ursus arctos were killed in defense of human life from 2002 through 2023.  Those are bears killed in the act of being aggressive toward humans. In the United States, the ability to carry a handgun for self defense is a Constitutional right.

In Japan, during the same period, one or two ursus arctos (brown/grizzly bears) may have been killed while being aggressive toward humans. This is because only hunters are allowed to carry firearms, and only when they are hunting. A couple of Japanese hunters may have killed bears in Japan while the bears acted aggressively toward them. Carrying firearms for self defense in Japan is not allowed. Police are virtually never where the bear attacks occur. When a bear needs to be shot, local hunters or the military are called in. There is a reform movement to allow police to kill problem bears without asking permission of the local governments just before they shoot.

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

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TN: Memphis - Road Rage Gunfight, Victim Wounded, Aggressors Drive Away

When they arrived at the scene, officers said they found a man sitting in the front seat of a silver Jeep, suffering from a gunshot wound.

The man told them he had been shot in a road rage incident involving a white Ford Fusion. He said there were five people in the car, all of whom were armed with weapons.

The victim says they were driving southbound on South Mendenhall Road when a Ford Fusion approached the driver’s side of their Jeep and opened fire, police reported.

In an effort to defend himself, the man stated that he returned fire with his handgun.

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MS: Hattiesburg - Man Shoots, Wounds Assailant

A short time later, a person arrived at a local hospital with a gunshot wound to the leg. Police said the injury was not considered life-threatening.

Investigators also spoke with a man who remained at the scene and told officers he fired the shots after being assaulted during an altercation. The man cooperated with detectives throughout the investigation.

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AR: Jonesboro - Gunfight During Attempted Robbery, 1 Victim Killed

Jeremiah Northern, 23, was booked into the Craighead County Detention Center Tuesday on suspicion of first-degree murder.

Jonesboro police were dispatched to the 3500 block of Fairview Drive shortly after 7:30 p.m. Monday following a report of shots fired.

Police said Northern and another man were involved in a robbery in which gunfire was exchanged.

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America Turns 250 as the Second Amendment Movement Keeps Winning

 

 

As America prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday, gun owners should take a moment to remember how unlikely today’s victories once seemed. In 1976, when the nation marked its bicentennial, many Second Amendment supporters believed the right to keep and bear arms was slowly being written out of American life. The law schools were hostile. The courts were hostile. The media was hostile. Most politicians treated the Second Amendment as a historical inconvenience. The future looked grim.

We chose to keep fighting. Giving up was not an option. The Constitution was clear, and we intended to fight to keep the Republic, even if the chance of success seemed nil. 

A strange thing happened. The Second Amendment movement became the seed of the movement to restore the American Republic. This correspondent doubts it would have happened without the clear words of the Second Amendment. They created a rallying point, an anchor of certainty in the righteousness of our cause, a clear guide to who was with us and who was against us.  Voting against the Second Amendment showed a politician might say he valued the Constitution, but his actions showed him to do the opposite.  We educated ourselves. 

The NRA played a critical role. They slowed the advance of the administrative state. It appears they believed the fight was lost, but they were determined to fight long rearguard actions to delay the inevitable. They stopped the registration and licensing of handguns in the National Firearms Act of 1934. They stripped registration of handguns out of the Gun Control Act of 1968. In 1977, Second Amendment supporters took control of the NRA in the Revolt in Cincinnati, where NRA life members voted in Second Amendment supporters and outed the old guard.  The NRA would become powerful and rich with its rearguard actions in Washington, DC.  Second Amendment supporters wanted more. They wanted to win. 

From the perspective of July of 2026, what happened seems miraculous. Second Amendment supporters organized from the ground up. Powerful voices such as Neil Knox educated those on the ground. (Neil was kicked out of the NRA in 1982).  Newsletters and telephone trees were fashioned to educate on local politics. The NRA had a significant role in opposing anti-Second Amendment legislation.  The Second Amendment became an important item for politicians who wished to be elected. The Second Amendment Foundation was established. Gun Owners of America was established. Academics and intellectuals started writing about the Second Amendment from a historical instead of a Progressive perspective. In 1979, Don B. Kates, Jr. published "Restricting Handguns, The Liberal Skeptics Speak Out. In 1982, with Ronald Reagan in office, the Senate issued a Report on the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, confirming it as an individual right.  In 1987, the NRA and local Florida groups were able to pass a "shall issue" concealed carry bill. 

By 1989, Sanford Levinson felt compelled to write "The Embarrassing Second Amendment" in the Yale Law Journal.  The grass roots had made the Second Amendment so prominent in national politics, left wing academics were forced to mention it. In 1996, the Supreme Court struck down the Gun Free School Zone Act as exceeding the power of Congress under the Interstate Commerce Clause (USA v Lopez). Justice Clarence Thomas declared he would like to see a Second Amendment case before the Supreme Court. 

The Shall Issue revolt against Second Amendment infringements was well underway. Those who sought to restore the right incrementally were shown to have the more effective tactics. In 2008, the Supreme Court ruled the Second Amendment was an individual right which must be respected in the Heller decision. In 2010, the Supreme Court confirmed the Second Amendment applied to the states, not just the federal government, in the McDonald case.  

These things did not happen in a vacuum. The organizational ability of grass roots Second Amendment supporters was magnified by talk radio. It found a favorable medium in the early Internet. It became clear the problem was primarily one of an oppositional national Media more than who was elected to Congress, because the Media were the gatekeepers to Congress and the Presidency. In 2016 a loud mouthed New York billionaire upset the apple-cart by supporting the Second Amendment and being elected President. We had entered the Trump era. 

The old Media could not control the narrative. President Trump appointed three originalists and textualists to the Supreme Court. For the first time in 80 years, the Supreme Court had a reliable originalist and textualist majority. Last week, the Supreme Court removed more infringements on Second Amendment rights. They agreed to hear cases involving semi-automatic rifles. Those rifles will be ruled to be protected by the Second Amendment. The states which are defying the Supreme Court are having their fingers slapped. The requirements for courts on how to handle Second Amendment cases are being made more stringent and precise, all in favor of the Second Amendment. 29 states have permitless carry. 

All of the above appeared to be fantasy unobtainium in 1976. To get where we are today took billions of hours of work by millions of activists and Second Amendment supporters. It took billions of dollars of money. Much was wasted. Much had significant effects.

The Second Amendment can be read by anyone who can read English. It was, and is our lodestar. Along the way, we found we needed the whole Constitution to protect the Bill of Rights, and the Bill of Rights to protect the Constitution. We learned most politicians are more concerned with holding office than with protecting us. We learned to lobby and pressure and persist. 

More than half the country has learned with us. The Donald Trump administration is the most pro-Second Amendment administration in the history of the United States since before 1860.  To all Second Amendment supporters out there; these victories belong to you. The future belongs to you. We are winning. We are not finished. Keep fighting. Keep lobbying. Keep pushing. The future looks much brighter than it did in 1976.  

God bless America. God bless the Constitution. God bless the Second Amendment. 

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

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PA: Fayette County - Man fires at Home, Resident Returns Fire, no Injuries

Aubele said Vernon began following a man home after this incident.

When the victim got home, Vernon fired multiple shots into his house and nearly hit a woman who was showering inside, Aubele said. Neighboring homes were also endangered.

The victim returned fire in self-defense. Aubele said he will not be charged.

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NH: Peterborough - Knife and Gun Fight, Off Duty Officer Stabbed, Other Shot, Killed

Authorities responding to the scene found Jack Hutchings, 24, dead from gunshot wounds outside of his residence. An off-duty police officer was found at the same property with stab wounds, and was taken to the hospital, where he continues to receive medical treatment.

“The investigation is active and ongoing and includes whether the person who appeared to have shot Mr. Hutchings acted in self-defense,” the New Hampshire Attorney General’s office said Monday. “Additional information will be released as it becomes available while protecting the integrity of the investigation.”

An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday on Hutchings. The name of the off-duty police officer has not yet been released.

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TX:Houston - Intruder Reported Shot while Breaking In

According to the Houston Police Department, officers responded to a shooting call at an apartment complex in the 11000 block of Harwin Drive at about 10 a.m. Investigators said that the resident reportedly shot a person who was breaking into the home.

Police said that one person was shot and rushed to the hospital, while another person was detained.

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VT: Pownal - More on Intruder Shot by Resident

Vermont State Police said they were notified by Pownal Rescue Squad that members were transporting a man with a gunshot wound to Southern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington.

The burglary victims, Ryan Cote, 41, and Joyce Colegrove, 42, were at the private residence when Gardner entered and engaged in a physical dispute with both people, Detective Sgt. Jesse Robson said.

He said during the dispute, Gardner received a minor wound on his leg from a small caliber firearm.

Robson said the firearm was used in self-defense against Gardner who entered the residence uninvited and engaged in a dispute.

 

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FL: Tampa - Man Claims Self Defense in Tampa Shooting

The shooter, identified only as a man, told police that the victim walked up to his car and opened the driver’s side door with a gun. The shooter drew his own weapon and fired, striking the man.

Police did not say if the two men knew each other or if there was any prior confrontation before the shooting.

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GA: Atlanta - Legally Armed Man Survives Gunfight, Assailant Wounded, Arrested

Preliminary information: On Friday, July 3, 2026, at approximately 11:20 a.m., Atlanta police responded to 859 Oak St. NW regarding a person shot call. Upon arrival, officers located a male suffering from two gunshot wounds. Officers quickly detained one male at the scene, while the other male, 38-year-old Brandon Harper, was transported to the hospital alert, conscious, and breathing.

During their preliminary investigation, officers determined there had been a verbal dispute between Harper and the detained male. Investigators determined Harper was the primary aggressor and had fired a firearm multiple times at the detained male. The detained male, who was uninjured, returned fire in self-defense, striking Harper twice.

Additionally, investigators determined Harper is a convicted felon and was wanted on multiple outstanding warrants. Harper was charged accordingly in connection with this incident and will be transported to the Fulton County Jail upon his discharge from the hospital. The other male will not face any charges.

Please keep in mind that the information released is preliminary in nature and could change as the investigation progresses or new information comes to light.

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TX: Houston - Argument leads to Physical Confrontation, Car v. Gun, Driver Killed

Investigators said the shooting happened outside a business known as the JV Ranch Ice House. Deputies interviewed witnesses who told them the victim had been involved in a verbal argument that escalated into a physical confrontation with another man.

Witnesses told detectives the victim then got into his vehicle and drove toward the other man. The other man fired one shot into the vehicle, striking the driver. The vehicle then crashed, and the driver was transported to the hospital, authorities said.

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AR: Centerville - Medic Shoots Combative Patient

At approximately 6 a.m., YCSO deputies and emergency medical services were called to a home in the 10000 block of Prairie Lane in Centerville. During the incident, a 29-year-old at the home reportedly became combative with paramedics. During the disturbance, a paramedic fired a weapon, striking the man.

He was transported to Dardanelle Regional Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. No one else was seriously injured during the incident.

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FL: Nakomis - Man Intrudes, Assaults, is Shot, Dies

Murphy entered the gated apartment complex by scaling a perimeter fence, it states.

Video footage shows the resident unsuccessfully attempting to prevent Murphy from entering his residence, it states.

The video also shows Murphy assaulting the resident and repeatedly threatening to shoot him while keeping one hand behind his back in a manner that caused the resident to believe he was armed, in an attempt to force the resident to leave the apartment against his will, it states.

There had been prior conflicts between the two men, with the resident providing evidence of prior threats allegedly made by Murphy toward him, the release states.

During the confrontation, the resident retrieved a firearm from a bedroom. It was discharged during a physical struggle, striking Murphy, it states.

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AR: Hot Springs - Gunfight at Motel, Three Injured, Five Arrested

Suspect and witness accounts differed as to who started a gunfight at a local motel early Wednesday that resulted in three non-life threatening injuries and the arrest of five Hot Springs men, according to affidavits obtained Thursday.

Henry Master Love, 23, who was staying at the Kings Inn, 2101 Central Ave., where the shooting occurred, was charged with one count of terroristic act, punishable by up to life in prison, and two counts of first-degree battery, punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Shawn James Sanello, 20, Monico Joseph Contreras, 18, and Dustin Gene Wayne Devore, 18, all of whom share the same Wood Street address, and Andrew Elisha DeWeber, 18, who lists a South Rogers Street address, were each charged with one count of first-degree battery and one count of terroristic act.

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AL: Huntsville - Armed Intruder Shot by Occupant

On Wednesday, July 1, around 3 a.m., HPD officers responded to a report of a shooting at a residence on Salem Drive. When officers arrived, they found a man suffering from gunshot wounds. He was transported to a local hospital, where he remains in critical condition.

The preliminary investigation by HPD’s Violent Crimes Unit found that the injured man unlawfully entered the home while armed with a firearm. During the incident, he allegedly threatened the occupants inside the residence before one of them fired a weapon in self-defense.

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OH: Cincinnati - Fatal Shooting at Apartment Complex considered Self Defense

Police said the shooting happened after an assault, and they described it as a “justifiable homicide.”

“You’re allowed to use deadly force if you’re in fear of death or great bodily harm to yourself or another,” explained FOX19 NOW legal analyst Mike Allen.

The prosecutor’s office could pursue charges down the road if new evidence should come to light, Cincinnati police added.

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FL: North Lauderdale - Argument over Parking Spot, Woman Shoots Man

A 62-year-old man has died after being shot by a woman following an argument over a Walmart parking space in North Lauderdale, Fla.

The fatal scene, which happened around 12:28 p.m. local time on Tuesday, June 30, according to the Broward Sheriff’s Office, was captured on cell phone video by others in the parking lot. The footage, shared via WPLG Local 10 and NBC 6, showed the woman holding up the gun while the two appeared to be in a heated argument. 

At one point, Bart Diguglielmo, 62, took a step toward the woman and she fired into his stomach, before he was seen falling to the ground. The woman then waited for police to arrive. 

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PA: Domestic Defense, Woman Wounds Man with "Warning Shot"

A woman told police that Diante Sherrill, 42, of New Brighton, assaulted her while they were both in a car, then refused to leave her home, and that's when she fired a shot, according to the criminal complaint.

"(The woman) stated that she was fearful and fired one shot that she described as a 'warning shot.' (The woman) stated that Sherrill sustained a gunshot wound, she rendered aid and called 911," police said in the complaint.

The complaint shows that Sherrill is charged with simple assault.

 

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TX: Fort Worth - Domestic Defense by Armed Samaritan? Neighbor Shoots Man

After speaking with witnesses, officers learned that the man was involved in a verbal and physical argument with a woman and dragged her down the street while being armed with a machete.

Witnesses told police that the woman was screaming for help, and one neighbor came outside to tell the man to stop.

Police said the man who witnesses said was dragging the woman then approached that neighbor while he was still armed with the machete, and the neighbor shot him at least once.

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Tennessee Fights to Revive “Going Armed” Law After Court Rules It Unconstitutional

 

 Video link

On June 23, 2026, oral arguments were heard in the Tennessee Court of Appeals Western Section, before a three judge panel, on the Tennessee case of Stephen L. Hughes Et Al. v. Bill Lee Et Al. The case is a challenge to two parts of Tennessee statutes which infringe on rights protected by the Second Amendment.  The first is the Tennessee Going Armed Statute, Tenn. Code Ann.§ 39�J7-l307(a),38. The statute makes it illegal for anyone, anywhere in the state to carry a firearm or club with the intent to go armed. The second is the Parks Statute, Tenn. Code Ann.§ 39-17-131 J(a), which prohibits carry in large areas of public land. The laws are leftovers from the Reconstruction era, when they were designed to keep freed slaves and other disfavored groups disarmed.  Here is a link to a copy of the order of the three judge panel.

The case was filed as a civil lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the two statutes. The case was referred from the Chancery Court in Gibson County. Chancery Courts in Tennessee are equity courts. They do not hear criminal cases. The Gibson County Court referred the case to the Tennessee Supreme Court, which created a three judge panel Chancery Court, as required by Tennessee law, specifically to hear civil cases challenging the constitutionality of Tennessee statutes.

The Supreme Court created the three judge panel to hear the case in accordance with Rule 54, as meeting the requirements of a civil challenge that:

(1) challenges the constitutionality of a state statute, including a statute that apportions or redistricts state legislative or congressional districts; or an executive order; or an administrative rule or regulation; and

(2) includes a claim for declaratory judgment or injunctive relief;

The three judge Chancery Court, created by the Supreme Court, held for the plaintiffs the challenged statutes were facially invalid. They infringed on rights protected by the Second Amendment. From the last page of the opinion:

 "For the foregoing reasons, Plaintiffs' Motion for Summary Judgment is GRANTED, and Defendants' Motion for Summary Judgment is DENIED. As a result, the Going Armed Statute, Tenn. Code Ann.§ 39�J7-l307(a),38 and the Parks Statute, Tenn. Code Ann.§ 39-17-131 J(a), are hereby DECLARED unconstitutional, void, and of no effect.

The State of Tennessee appealed the decision. It is the oral arguments of the appeal which were heard on June 23, 2026. Judge Andy D. Bennet asked most of the questions.

Mr. Edwin A. Groves, Jr. submitted oral arguments for the state. The major argument appeared to be a claim the Chancery Court does not have jurisdiction in the case. The claim was Chancery Courts cannot hear criminal cases. But, the case is a civil challenge to the validity of a criminal statute, no a criminal case. The Supreme Court appointed the panel.  Judge Bennet appeared skeptical of the idea the Supreme Court would appoint a court without jurisdiction in the case.

Mr. Groves also claimed the Appelees could not win a facial challenge, because the laws could apply to "dangerous and unusual weapons" and/or that the intent to go armed could mean the same as going armed to the terror of the public.

Judge Bennet asked if the case is about the Second Amendment, because the Tennessee Constitution cannot have less protection than the Second Amendment. This clarified the merits of the case were about infringements on the Second Amendment.

John I. Harris, II. gave the oral arguments for the appellees. He first decreed this was a civil case, not a criminal case, and the three judge Chancery court had jurisdiction. Then he made clear the statutes in question infringed on Second Amendment rights.  He cited law to the effect states may not use procedural mechanisms to defeat a right the federal courts would uphold.

Harris also stated the Supreme Court in Heller, Bruen, and Rahimi held the fringe issues of "Dangerous and unusual weapons" or "going armed to the terror" of the public did not invalidate the facial challenge, because they did not invalidate the challenge in the Supreme Court decisions Heller, Bruen, or Rahimi.

Analysis: It is difficult to understand why the State of Tennessee is challenging the three judge Chancery court on this issue. The Tennessee statutes clearly infringe on Second Amendment rights. The State is primarily arguing procedural issues. It is difficult to see how this benefits Governor Lee or the State of Tennessee.

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

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AK: Fairbanks - Homeowner and Burglars Exchange Gunfire

At around 5 a.m. on Sunday, Alaska State Troopers responded to Old Steese Highway after receiving a report of a burglary with shots fired.

According to investigators, two individuals were allegedly stealing copper, fuel, and other items when the homeowner arrived on the scene.

Troopers say the suspects fired shots at the homeowner, who then returned fire.

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AZ: Phoenix - Drive by Gunfight in Parking Lot, Man Wounded

When officers arrived, they found a man who had been shot by someone in a white sedan as he was driving through the parking lot, Phoenix PD said.

Police said the victim was armed and returned gunfire, striking the suspect’s sedan. The suspect then fled the area.

First responders took the man to a hospital with life-threatening injuries, police said.

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NC: Andrews - Shooting at Home Investigqated as Self Defense

When deputies arrived, they found 49-year-old Jeffrey Wade McTaggart dead in the backyard of the residence.

According to the sheriff's office, the person who admitted to firing the gun stayed at the scene and immediately called 911.

Investigators say that person told deputies an altercation had taken place and that the gun was fired in self-defense.

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LA: New Orleans - Armed Samaritan Shoot Assailant in Gunfight

F-25142-26
34S - AGGRAVATED BATTERY BY SHOOTING
06-25-2026 12:23 PM (CDT)
3400 blk Franklin Av.

Victim Information: Known adult male, Known adult female
Suspect Information: Known adult male (apprehended)

Gist: Two known victims were outside alongside two additional individuals in front of the location when the suspect emerged and began shooting, hitting the victims. In response, the other two individuals returned fire, successfully striking the suspect. The victims were transported in a private vehicle, while the suspect was taken by NOEMS to a local hospital for treatment before being placed in custody.

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South Carolina HOA Firearms Ban Controversy

 

 

Link to Youtube video 

A South Carolina Home Owners Association has sent an email to residents declaring:

Firearms--whether openly carried or concealed--are not permitted in an Forest Pines Common area, including:

               a.  Pool and pool deck

               b. Clubhouse and restrooms

               c. Mail kiosk

               d. Parking areas

               e. Sidewalks, landscaped grounds, and all HOA-maintained outdoor spaces. 

The email was shown on WMBT television. The email goes on to say residents may lawfully possess firearms inside their private residences, and may even transport firearms to and from their vehicles, as long as it is not "displayed, handled, or carried" through the common areas more than what is "reasonably necessary".  A serious question arises about the HOA authority to do this and/or what is required by state law in order to do this.

HOAs can make rules for people who live in the property covered by the HOA. The HOA cannot impose criminal penalties. They may impose fines or sanctions such as limiting access to HOA facilities.

Private property owners can ban people who are not owners from bringing firearms onto the private property.  South Carolina Code § 23-31-235 (2025) concerns signs which are required to be posted in order to prohibit the carrying of concealable weapons, whether openly or concealed. In order to be enforceable by law, the signs must meet particular criteria. For buildings, signs must be posted at all entrances. If there is a door, the signs need to be eight inches by twelve inches tall. The letters on the sign need to be in black one inch tall letters. The sign needs to include a seven inch diameter circle with the black silhouette of a handgun and a diagonal line which runs from the upper left to the lower right of the circle.  When a door does not exist, the sign has to be 36 inches wide by 48 inches tall.

From news coverage of the condominiums in question, and from using Googlemaps, there do not appear to be any official firearms ban signs at Forest Pine Condominiums. A resident reported there were no such signs anywhere in the Forest Pine properties.

Forest Pines Condominiums appears to be a fairly new development. The condominiums were built
about three years ago. A Google maps satellite view does not show the buildings. Using Googlemaps street view, Forest Pines is easily seen to the left when taking McCormick Rd from State Rd 26-992.  It appears to be a cluster of  two-three story buildings with about three to six two-three story units per building. One unit was listed as slightly less than 1,900 square feet. The size of the units are within a few square feet of each other.  Because of the lack of signs, it appears the sanctions of fines or limiting access to common areas for violation of the firearms policy could only be applied to members of the HOA.

A Florida HOA was recently warned by Florida Attorney General Uthmeier HOA policies banning firearms from common areas were a violation of Florida law. The Florida HOA announced the policy in May of 2026. Florida law is not the same as South Carolina law. The South Carolina AG does not appear to have issued a statement on the Horry County HOA firearms ban as of this writing.

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

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FL: Miami Gardens - Domestic Defense, Armed Samaritan Shoots Woman's Ex

The incident happened before 1 p.m. when a male subject allegedly battered his ex-girlfriend and was confronted by her brother, Miami Gardens Police said.

During the altercation, a third man intervened, police said. The subject then pulled out a gun and fired multiple rounds at the other two men.

The third man also fired his gun at the subject, striking him, police said. The subject then fled the scene but was later located at the CVS suffering from a gunshot wound.

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GA: Savannah - Aggravated Assault, Gunfight, 2 Wounded

At approximately 8:04 p.m., SPD officers responded to the area in reference to shots fired. Upon arrival, they encountered an adult male victim, who stated he had been shot at on his property and returned fire.

Officers received reports of an injured individual, Michael Ingram, suffering from a gunshot wound at Memorial Health University Medical Center. Ingram was found to be connected to the incident in W. 51st St. and was charged with aggravated assault.

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LA: Raceland - Home Invasion? Gunfight, 2 Wounded

According to the LPSO, after 4 a.m., deputies responded to a home in the 400 block of Mitchell Road. Deputies said two men allegedly entered a home, which was occupied by their two friends, with handguns.

When the situation escalated, deputies said there was a reported shooting among the parties, which resulted in one of the residents getting a facial injury and one of the suspects suffering from an abdominal injury.

Deputies said the two injured individuals were taken to out-of-parish hospitals for treatment, where they are in serious but stable condition.

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LA: Abbeville - Man is Shot at, Returns Fire, Wounds 2 Assailants

Police received video footage showing Broussard’s vehicle being followed to Hawthorne Street, where Broussard’s grandmother resided.

Occupants of a Silver Malibu exited the vehicle to shoot at Broussard. 

Brousssard returned fire, shooting the driver and rear seat passenger.

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GA: Augusta - Argument turns to Gunfight, two Wounded

Both men were asked by a gas station employee to take their argument outside, according to the incident report. The argument continued outside in the parking lot where Moody changed shoes at the back of his vehicle and confronted Nixon, according to both witness testimony and review of surveillance video.

During the confrontation, Nixon allegedly pulled a gun and shot Moody in the leg. Moody then, according to the incident report, also pulled a gun and fired in Nixon’s direction while fleeing.

A 31-year-old man who was in the vehicle with Nixon and nearby the argument when the shooting took place was also struck by gunfire in the exchange.

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TN: Memphis - Resident Shoots Masked Burglar

Police said an apartment tenant told officers he saw a man in all black wearing a ski mask trying to take his TV. 

 The tenant said the suspect turned around, looked at him, and reached into his bag, trying to pull something out. 

 He then took his gun out and shot the suspect twice, the tenant told police. The suspect took off running from the rear side of the residence.

The tenant shot two more times towards the suspect, and the suspect dropped his back and kept running towards the apartment complex, police said.

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Victor Davis Hanson Says a 1987 Threat Made the Second Amendment Personal

Victor Davis Hanson (VDH) became a sincere supporter of the Second Amendment in 1987. He faced down three armed gang-bangers who threatened him and his family. VDH is a world class public intellectual. He has written hundreds of newpaper editorials, articles, and book reviews. He has written or edited 24 books according to his bio at the Hoover Institution. He is an avid supporter of the Republic and President Trump. He is recovering from recent cancer surgery.

On December 6th, 2025, prominent historian, author, writer, and public intellectual Victor Davis Hanson spoke about why the Second Amendment scares Alvin Bragg. The discussion starts about 13:30 minutes into the video posted on Victor Davis Hanson and The Daily Signal. The title is Victor Davis Hanson: Why The 2nd Amendment Scares Alvin Bragg.

At about 13:30, Victor explains why the authorities in the criminal justice system in "blue" states do not want people to be able to protect themselves.  If people are able to protect themselves, they are not as dependent on the state criminal justice system. If people can protect themselves, it is not as important if the criminal justice system decides who is worthy of protection and who is not. People have a chance to protect themselves. In short, VDH tells us more power in the hands of individuals means less power in the hands of the State. VDH admonishes Alvin Bragg, and pointedly tells him this is the purpose of the Second Amendment. From the video:

 .. because as long as you are allowed to defend yourself, everything else falls in place.  You have no control over people if they have Second Amendment rights.

VDH continues to talk about the murder of Iryna Zarutska. He says no one was willing to get involved, probably because they see examples where prosecutors go after individuals who stop crimes, such as Daniel Penny in New York. Then VDH reveals a story this correspondent had not heard before. VDH seems a bit reluctant. He makes a decision. At about 17:30 into the video he relates how he used his great-grandfather's 16 gauge pump shotgun to stop an attack on his family in 1987 or 1988. He describes the shotgun as a Winchester pump in 16 gauge with an exposed hammer. This is probably a Winchester 1897 shotgun, because the earlier 1893 Winchester was not made in 16 gauge. He calls it an "1892". On well used shotguns, the 1897 can look like 1892. Later models of Winchester pump shotguns did not have exposed hammers.

Victor was sitting in his farm house, the same house as current farm house, in 1987. At 2 a.m. his eight year old son came down stairs and said someone was throwing rocks at his window and yelling. Outside Victor found three gangbangers who were armed and threatened him. Fortunately Victor was armed with his shotgun. When confronted, one armed gangbanger fell to his knees and started praying. Victor forced the gangbangers to take him to their car. He took their keys. He had them push the car about a quarter mile down the road. He threw the keys into a vineyard and told them the police were on their way.

More than 30 minutes later, the police showed up. Officially they said he should not have done what he did. Unofficially, they told him he did the right thing. Later the police department contacted him, informed him one of the three had just been released from prison, but they could not prosecute because the three denied doing anything, and they did not find any firearm.

From that day on, Victor Davis Hanson had a strong, personal understanding of the importance of the Second Amendment.  The story finishes about 20:50 on the video.

An old joke says: A conservative is a liberal who has been mugged. Once a person uses rights protected by the Second Amendment to protect themselves and their loved ones, respect for the Second Amendment becomes personal.

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

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IN: Columbus - Domestic Defense? Resident Shoots man who Attacked Him

Officers were called to a home in the 3000 block of Wedgewood Drive on a reported shooting at about 9:06 a.m. after a caller told authorities that he had shot a man who had attacked him.

Police say that 44-year-old David R. Young of Columbus was treated at the scene but eventually died. He was identified by the Bartholomew County Coroner’s Office.

According to their investigation, police say that Young was known to the residents of the home. He drove himself to the home Monday morning. A fight broke out near the front door and Young was shot.

The incident remains under investigation. A forensic autopsy has been scheduled.

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OR: Medford - Burglary Suspect Shot by Homeowner

MPD responded to a reported burglary in progress Sunday night on the 800 block of Gilman Road in Medford. The reporting party told a dispatcher that the suspect was attempting to break into the residence and that a homeowner had fired shots.

After the family inside the home was able to exit the residence safely, officers established a perimeter around the home. With the help of drone operators, MPD was able to communicate with the suspect, 21-year-old Nathan Roberson, who was still located inside the residence.

Roberson was found to be suffering from a gunshot wound. He was subsequently taken into custody and transported to a local hospital to receive medical treatment. He is currently in police custody while receiving medical care.

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AL: Fultondale - Domestic Defense? Son and Relative of Mother's Boyfriend Shot, Wounded

An unidentified man and woman were having a domestic dispute when the woman's son arrived at the house on Hickory Lane, fighting with his mom's boyfriend.

At some point, the son was pushed out of the home, while a member of the male homeowner's family approached the house. The door closed on the son's face when he started firing at the door, shooting the male homeowner through it twice.

The son was then shot by the approaching family member, sustaining multiple bullet wounds. Fultondale Police say that both men are now at UAB Hospital in stable condition.

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AL: Huntsville - Man Charged with Murder in Neighborhood Shooting

The neighbor said he thinks someone was trying to steal Stout’s pickup truck.

“If anybody was messing with his truck I don’t blame him. I’d probably do the same thing I come out and somebody was trying to steal my truck,” the neighbor said.

Officers on the scene said they were responding to a shots fired call. First responders administered a blood transfusion to a victim before taking them away in an ambulance.

Huntsville police have not released the shooter’s identity or the condition of the person shot. According to jail records, Stout is behind bars, charged with murder.

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Alaska, Skilak Lake, Black Bear, 9mm Glock 43, June 7, 2026

Lori Price recently successfully defended herself from a black bear attack in Alaska. Her dog was severely wounded by the bear.  Then the bear came after her. She used a 9mm Glock 43 to defend herself. Joe Allgood interviewed her for In Depth Alaska (video link). 

On Sunday, June 7, 2026, Lori Price was hunting mushrooms, near Skilak Lake. Skilak lake is south of highway 1 on the Kenai penninsula, about 20 miles east of Soldatna, Alaska. She was almost ready to go home. She had two dogs with her, a chocolate lab, Liz and Chaos her German short-hair. The dogs were not very far away, but the woods was very dense. Both dogs wore bright colored GPS collars.

Lori heard a yip, an expression of alarm and fear from Chaos, then a loud roar from a bear.   Immediately, she hears yelps of pain and fear from her dog. Lori charged into the woods, a dense combination of alder, Devil's club and other trees to get to her dog. As she dashed in she was screaming for her dog. In a tiny opening, she looked up, and a black bear, with the blood from her dog dripping from its face and teeth, was coming at her.  Lori always carries a pistol and bear mace with her. The bear was only 4-5 feet away as Lori drew her Glock 43 and fired. The bear dropped. 

Out of the corner of Lori's eye she sees the GPS collar for her dog. She saw Chaos lift his head and he was a bloody mess.  In that instant, the bear got up. Lori reacted and shot again. The bear went down again. Lori's chocolate lab was trying to push past Lori, to get between her and the bear. Lori was holding her back. The German Short-hair, Chaos was dragging himself to Lori. Lori was gathering herself and the dogs to get away. The bear rose again, and Lori fired again She is sure she hit the bear the first two times. She is not certain about the third time. The bear took off as Lori ran down the hill with her dogs. She gets out of the woods, not far from where her 4 Runner is parked. Lori   tries  to call 911with some success, but the connection was patchy.  She flagged down Captain Shawn and his wife Sandra from Homer, telling them she needs first aid for her dog. They grab their first aid kit. They jump into action. She asks them to hold Chaos as she grabs her 4 Runner to take Chaos to veternary care. Chaos is bleeding profusely. Lori had been able to get ahold of her husband. Her husband arranged for aid to be ready on standby, and to meet her to help get their dog to the vet. They get Chaos to vet. Then Lori drops off the chocolate lab and goes back to Skilak Lake to coordinate with Fish & Game. Lori tells them Chaos is petrified of bears, and never would have initiated an attack. 

On the way back from Skilak Lake, the veterinarian called and said Chaos would live, and they could take him home that night.

 

Lori went on to thank her husband for insisting she practice drawing and firing her Glock pistol. She said she learned things such as it was necessary to have a good belt, wear it snug so she could confidently draw the pistol without fumbling for it. She said it was important to practice drawing bear spray as well. She practiced at home with a laser practice system. 

Analysis: Lori Price's practice is what saved the situation. The bear was very close. She may not have had two seconds from the time she saw the bear to the time she fired. In an emergency, you do what you have trained to do. She shot the bear, saved herself and her dog. The bear was not found, but the odds are it will not recover. Lori's experience is a good lesson for other Alaskans to follow. Practice and be prepared.  Laser systems are good ways to practice drawing and firing, with little expense.  The system allows safe practice while drawing, and shows where the first shot would land. Fast recovery from recoil is best practiced on the range. Do not practice with a loaded handgun in your home, or anywhere you do not have a safe backstop. Do not practice with live bear spray inside a building, or where other people are likely to be affected. 

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

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MO: Blue Springs - Homeowner Shoots, Kills Burglary Suspect

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A person is dead after being shot by a homeowner during a reported burglary early Friday morning in Blue Springs, according to police.

The Blue Springs Police Department says officers were sent to a house on Little Garden Lane, just north of Colbern Road, for a burglary after a homeowner called saying someone had broken into their home.

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PA: Tobyhanny (Coolbaugh Township) - Gun fight in Home, Homeowner Killed, Assailant Wounded

McDonald chased Breland to the upstairs bedroom.

Breland then armed himself with a handgun and a gunfight ensued. He was struck multiple times, and died from his injuries, police said.

McDonald was also wounded during the incident.

McDonald fled from the house, leaving a trail of blood through the house and into the street.

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OK: Tulsa - Robbery Victim Shoots 1 of 2 Suspects.

Officers say the preliminary report is that two suspects, one armed with a knife and one armed with a firearm, tried to rob a man outside a convenience store near 36th St North and Lewis.

Police say the victim pulled his own gun and fired a shot, striking one of the suspects in the head. They say after the suspect was shot, he ran across the street and collapsed. That suspect was transported to the hospital in critical condition, according to TPD.

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FL: Jacksonville - Pistol and Rifle confrontation Leads to Shooting, Wounding

According to the investigation, the shooter was parked and sitting in his car when the man approached him and told him to leave. The shooter agreed to do so, but JSO said that when the shooter did not leave quickly enough, the other man reapproached him and pointed a rifle at him.

The shooter then shot the man several times before leaving the scene and calling police, JSO said. Investigators believe the incident was isolated and said there was no threat to the community.

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MI: Roseville - Bail Bond Agents Struggle with Man who Skipped Bail, Wound Same

Police said the bail agents positioned their vehicles to block the man's vehicle and exited their vehicles in an attempt to take him into custody. The man then got back into his vehicle and tried to escape by driving away. 

During that attempt, the man pinned a bail bond agent who was standing between the vehicles. The man then accelerated his vehicle, trying to push the bail agent's vehicle away. 

Another bail agent broke the front driver-side window of the suspect's vehicle and tried to shift the vehicle's transmission into park. Police said the bail agent and driver fought, and the agent fired one round, with the bullet striking the suspect in the arm. The bail agents then got the man into handcuffs.

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NC: Fayetteville - Clerk and Suspect Struggle, Disarm, Clerk Wounded

He pulled out a gun and attempted to rob the store. However, the clerk working in the smoke store also brought out his weapon, and police said the two got into a tussle.

As a result of the fight, the suspect ended up shooting the store clerk in the leg, police said. He then took the employee’s weapon and ran out of the store. 

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