Florida Bill Exempts Church Security from Private Security Regulations

The Florida Legislature is close to reforming the requirements for voluntary armed security in churches. The bill exempts voluntary church security members who have concealed carry permits from the requirements of Florida statutes which regulate the members of private security services. Private investigative,, security, and repossession services are regulated under Chapter 493 of Florida Statutes. Section 6102 spells out who the provisions of the chapter shall not apply to.

The Florida Legislature is posed to pass Bill HB 95/ SB 52. The wording in both bills is nearly identical in the operative parts. The Senate bill, SB 52 has passed the Senate committees and the Senate unanimously. The near identical House bill, HB 95 has unanimously passed the House committees and is ready to be presented to the whole House for a vote. A few members of the committees were absent during committee votes.

The bill makes a relatively minor change in the regulation of security for churches. Unarmed church security was exempt from regulation. This bill exempts volunteer church security who have concealed carry permits from the regulations of Florida statutes. The previous paragraph 13 of Section 493.6102 will not be changed:

 (13) Any individual employed as a security officer by a church or ecclesiastical or denominational organization having an established physical place of worship in this state at which nonprofit religious services and activities are regularly conducted or by a church cemetery to provide security on the property of the organization or cemetery, and who does not carry a firearm in the course of her or his duties.

The new paragraph will be paragraph 16 of Florida statutes 493.6102. From flhouse.gov:

 493.6102 Inapplicability of this chapter.—This chapter shall not apply to:

(16) Any person who on a voluntary basis provides armed security services on the premises of a church or ecclesiastical or denominational organization having an established physical place of worship in this state at which nonprofit religious services and activities are regularly conducted, if:

(a) The person providing the armed security services holds a valid license to carry a concealed weapon or firearm issued pursuant s. 790.06.24

(b) The security services are provided exclusively on the premises of a church or ecclesiastical or denominational organization, including any property owned or leased by the church or ecclesiastical or denominational organization for worship, education, or religious activities.

(c) The person providing the armed security services did not receive any compensation for such services. For purposes of this paragraph, the term "compensation" does not include reimbursement for reasonable expenses actually incurred and related to the cost of training or the cost of equipment necessary for providing the security services.

The reform bill appears popular, without opposition. It is expected to pass and be signed by Governor Ron DeSantis, and to become law as of  July 1, 2026. In 2021, Governor DeSantis signed HB 259, which allowed people with concealed carry permits to carry on church property unless the religious institution has a policy explicitly forbidding the carry of concealed firearms. The previous law restored the choice to religious institutions instead of preemptively forbidding the carry of concealed weapons on the grounds of churches, unless the administration of the religious institution specifically allowed it. Armed volunteers have served as church security since colonial days. During the colonial period, several colonies required members of the church to bring their weapons to church services. 

 

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

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FL: Miami - Man Fires Rounds to stop Mugging

Rasheed Hussien reported that he and his brothers were at Wawa when a group of men was “mugging them and saying things to them in Spanish,” and then outside Diaz-Caraballo shot at them, according to deputies.

Hussien said he ran to the parking lot at 13550 SW 120 St., grabbed a firearm from his brother’s parked black Infiniti, G375, and “in self-defense, he shot several rounds” at Diaz-Caraballo, records showed.

Deputies reported finding eight spent bullet casings.

A deputy detained Diaz-Caraballo shortly after 1:55 a.m. near Southwest 120 Street and 135 Court, and corrections booked him shortly after 11:50 p.m. at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.

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NV: Las Vegas - Ex-Employee Confronts, Threatens, Current Employee, Is Shot by other Employee

Preliminary details showed that an ex-employee came to a business and started a confrontation with an employee. During the confrontation, the ex-employee began to chase the employee with a gun, Price said. 

Another employee then grabbed his firearm from his vehicle and shot the ex-employee who was chasing the employee with a gun.

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AZ: Gilbert - Intruder Shot, Wounded

Around 4:30 a.m., Gilbert police received reports of “unknown trouble” at an apartment off of the Loop 202 and San Tan Village Parkway. The 911 caller reported that an unknown man broke into their apartment and assaulted one person. Investigators say one tenant opened fire, striking the alleged intruder.

Once officers arrived, they found the suspect seriously hurt, and he was rushed to the hospital. He remains in critical condition, according to police. No residents inside the apartment were hurt.

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Fl: Jacksonville - Arguement at Lowe's leads to Gunfight, both Wounded

A man in his 20s was hit in the stomach and chest and taken to the hospital in life-threatening condition, JSO said. The other man, who was shot in the wrist, was in non-life-threatening.

Kaleb Tubman, a witness, described how he stepped in to help the man who was shot multiple times.

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HI: Mapunapuna - Gunfight at Gym - No injuries

Around 1:44 a.m. on Saturday, two men wearing black hoodies entered the gym while carrying AR-15 style rifles. They pointed the rifles at people inside the gym.

The 35-year-old gym owner grabbed his own firearm and confronted the suspects. The suspects were outside the building when gunfire was exchanged between them and the owner.

The two suspects then ran away on foot and have not been found.

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CPRC Study Examines Transgender Representation in Active Shooting Attacks

The Crime Prevention Research Center (CPRC), created by John Lott, has published research on the ratio of active shooting attacks by people who are mentally confused about their gender identity, commonly referred to as "transgender".  In 2024, according to the CRPC research, "trans" were 12 times as likely to commit an active shooting attack compared to the population as a whole.

In 2024, Politifact published an article claiming that mass shooting by "trans" people is a small number of all mass shootings. As the CPRC research points out, this does not tell us if people who identify as "trans" are more or less likely to engage in mass murder or attempted mass murder than the population at large. As is common in discussions of violence and statistics, the way you define the variables makes all the difference in how the numbers shake out.  Considering broad definitions of "terrorism" or "gun violence" will give a significantly different result than considering more precise definitions of active shooting attacks or mass killing. Another important variable is what time frame is considered.

The variables most important to determine if "trans" people are over-represented in active shooting attacks are the total number of active shooting attacks, the number committed by "trans" people, and the percentage of "trans" people in the population as a whole. The numbers can be refined by looking at particular population sub-groups if there is enough data. All of these numbers can be manipulated by changes in definition. When conducting statistical research, it is extremely important to use precise definitions.

The research published by the CRPC does a good job of carefully defining the numbers it uses, and the definitions which are used. The CRPC study examines both active shooting and mass killing with the traditional FBI definitions. It uses estimates of the percentage of "trans" people in the population from the Center for Disease Control, a Gallup survey in 2021, and the Census.  The numbers vary from .5% to 1% in the period studied. The numbers appear to be rising. The study only looks at the period from 2018 through 2024. The study does not speculate about the causes of the increase in the percentage of people who identify as "trans".

The CRPC study also looks at the age distribution of "trans", finding that most "trans" active shooters are concentrated in age groups younger than 30 years old. The CRPC study cites research showing "trans" people have much higher levels of suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts, about 10-20 times higher than the rest of the population. That is not 10-20%. It is about 10 times the percentage of people considering suicide than the general population. It is about 20 times the percentage of attempted suicides compared to the percentage attempting suicide in the general population.

The research by the CRPC is a welcome counterpoint to articles which work hard to show people who identify as "trans" as less violent than non-trans people.  The CRPC research does not examine the motives of "trans" people involved in active shooting incidents.

Analysis: It is not surprising that a population which takes significant amounts of powerful drugs, who are not happy with their bodies, who attempt suicide at 20 times the percentage of the population as a whole, could commit crimes against society at much higher levels than the general population.

 

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

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Ill: Bridgeview - Verbal Exchange leads to Gunfight, 1 Dead, Legal Gun Owner Wounded

When the first group left about 10 minutes later, the second group followed them outside and “words were exchanged,” Mancha said.

A man in the second group “brandished a handgun,” prompting a concealed-carry license holder in the first group to grab a gun from his vehicle, according to police.

They exchanged fire, and the man from the second group was hit multiple times. He was taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where he was pronounced dead within the hour, police said.

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FL: Clearwater - Man Brandishes Knive, is Shot, Wounded

At 7:30 p.m., a suspect threatened a man and a woman with a knife outside of the Royal Breeze Apartments located at 21227 U.S. 19 N.

Clearwater Police identified the suspect as 37-year-old Josten Pack.

Police said that, fearing for his life and the life of his girlfriend, the man shot Pack, hitting and injuring him.

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GA: Macon - Domestic Defense, Man Shot at Estranged Wife's Home

40-year-old David Evans attempted to break into his estranged wife's home, where he was shot, per the Sheriff's Office.

Evans was transported to a medical facility with minor injuries.

Evans has an active warrant for property damage and will also be facing new charges for battery in this case.

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SC: Rock Hill - Robbery Attempt ends with Death of Suspect

Investigators said Heath and a 16-year-old girl conspired to rob a 15-year-old boy in the parking deck. During the robbery, the 15-year-old allegedly used a pistol to shoot and kill Heath.

The 16-year-old girl was charged with armed robbery and criminal conspiracy. Police also charged her with murder “due to her participation in a violent felony that resulted in the death of another.”

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AZ: Tempe - Man Attempts to Break-in, is Confronted, Shot, Dies. Two victims wounded

Tempe PD said Ruiz entered the apartment through a broken window and was confronted by 22-year-old Schon Nicholas Rhode, with the two exchanging gunfire.

Rhode and 21-year-old Gavin Scott Van Tassel were identified as the two men with injuries not expected to threaten their lives.

No other information was provided.

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TX: New Braunfels - Gunfight, Victim Killed, 1 Aggressor Critical Condition

Officers found a 16-year-old male suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Police said officers provided immediate lifesaving measures, but the teen was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators were later notified that an 18-year-old male had been dropped off at Resolute Hospital with a gunshot wound to the chest. Police said he was transferred to University Hospital in San Antonio and remains in critical condition.

After what police described as an extensive investigation that included interviews, video review, and evidence collection, investigators identified two primary suspects.

Police said Jayce Cooper, 18, was identified as the shooter of the deceased victim. Police also said Cooper is the person who was dropped off at Resolute Hospital and that he was shot by the victim during the altercation.

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TX: Fort Worth - Armed Victim Shoots Robbery Suspect

What we know:

Fort Worth police said they got a call around 11 p.m. on Wednesday about a man with a gunshot wound in the 6000 block of White Dove Drive.

After he was taken to the hospital, police determined that he was actually the suspect in a prior attempted robbery.

The victim told police a man approached him and attempted to rob him, so he pulled out a firearm and shot the would-be robber.

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Gun Owners Fight Back as New Mexico Gun Ban Falters

The New Mexico legislature is considering a combination gun ban and hyper-regulatory bill, SB17. It is covered at Ammoland in a previous article. The bill bans the future sale of most semi-automatic firearms and detachable magazines which hold more than ten rounds of ammunition. Those parts of the bill are almost certainly unconstitutional.

The bill also imposes costly regulatory measures likely to drive many small dealers out of business.  SB17 has passed the senate 21 to 17, with two senators not voting and two more senators absent. The bill is sponsored by six women Democratic party Senators and Senator Peter Wirth, the Senate Majority Floor leader.

The bill passed the New Mexico House Commerce & Economic Development Commitee. It is being heard, as of February 17, 2026, in the House Judiciary Committee. Firearms are popular in New Mexico. Second Amendment supporters are mounting a campaign to melt the phone lines to members of the Judiciary Committee and House members in general. On X, The National Association for Gun Rights, NAGR, is reporting the bill is stalled in the House Judiciary committe. From X:

@gunrights
·
Feb 17
We are receiving several reports from both people here and our members through the call center that angry staffers are slamming phones, yelling at callers, attempting and failing to shut down their lines, and generally losing their minds. 

Keep. Up. The. Heat!

The  Santa Fe New Mexican published an article saying SB17 was "all but dead":

After being riddled with a slew of proposed amendments in a late-night committee hearing, the most contentious gun control bill of New Mexico’s 30-day session is all but dead.

One of the lead sponsors of Senate Bill 17, Sen. Debbie O’Malley, D-Albuquerque, said Tuesday the measure is unlikely to get another hearing after the House Judiciary Committee delayed a vote early Tuesday morning.

“There’s not enough time to hear it again,” she said.

The sportsmensalliance.org continues to call for opposition to SB17:

February 18, 2026

Yesterday, the House Judiciary Committee heard SB 17, the Governor’s tyrannical “Stop Illegal Gun Trade Act,” a measure that serves not as a safety tool but as a calculated strike against the rights of every law-abiding firearm owner in the state. It did not receive a vote, but with the 2026 legislation session expected to end on the 19th, the committee could take a vote at any time.

Immediate Action Required

It is imperative that you use the Take Action button to send an immediate message to the committee to vote “NO” on SB 17. SB 17 isn’t about safety, it’s a calculated burden on law-abiding citizens that leaves actual criminals untouched.

As noted in the Los Alamos Daily Post, the executive director of New Mexicans to Prevent Gun Violence warned SB17 was vulnerable to court challenge, and might lead to undesired consequences. From the LADP:

“By passing a ban this broad, we are handing the U.S. Supreme Court a perfect opportunity to deliver a definitive, nationwide ruling against state-level firearm restrictions,” Viscoli told The New Mexican last week.

“Beyond the legal risk,” she added, “the bill’s immediate effect will likely be a surge in panic buying of the exact weapons this bill is trying to limit.”

There end date for the New Mexico legislative session is February 19, 2026. SB17 has an uphill climb to be passed before the end of the session. It could happen.

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

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PA: New Castle -Burglary Suspect Shot, Wounded

NEW CASTLE, Pa. —

An alleged burglar has been taken to a hospital after being shot by a homeowner Monday morning in New Castle.

Authorities were called to the home in the 1600 block of South Jefferson Street around 6:08 a.m. after someone reported a person had been shot after breaking into a home.

When the New Castle Police Department arrived, they found a suspect with a gunshot wound to the left leg.

 

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Nature Isn’t Gentle: Why Managed Bear Hunting is Beneficial for Ecosystems

Image of grizzly bear  by Troy Nemitz, used with permission. 

While studying the reality of people protecting themselves from increasing populations of bears, it is impossible to ignore the emotional arguments of those who oppose human killing of bears.

It is as if the opponents of human management believe bears to be immortal, never to die except at the hands of human hunters.  This is a false, emotional, irrational belief structure. All predators die. Death by human hunter is overwhelmingly less painful than death without human intervention.

Without human intervention, most bears die in one of three ways:

The most common is being killed and eaten by another bear. Mature males are overwhelmingly the greatest cause of mortality in bear cubs. Many boars learn to actively hunt denning females with cubs. Sometimes they only kill and eat the cubs. Often they kill and eat the female as well.  When hunters reduce the numbers of mature males, the number of cubs which survive to become adults increase. Death by predation from a bear is not quick and painless. Bears kill by tearing at and biting their prey to immobilize it. Bears often start eating before the prey is dead.

The second most common death is by starvation. Food available to bears is limited in any area. When food is plentiful, the bear population booms. When the food supply becomes restricted, for any number of reasons, such as weather, fire, insect infestation, excessive predation, or cyclical reduction of production of nuts and berries, the maximum population cannot be supported. The weakest, because of age, injury, or size, die by starvation. It is a slow, painful death. The weakest are also killed and eaten by other bears.

The third most common is by accident.  Animals are not immune to accident. There is no department of animal accidents, so most animal accidents occur unnoticed, without numeration. Nature is not safe. Animals drown, fall off cliffs, freeze to death, are struck by lightning, fall into natural traps, are hit by human vehicles and are injured in fights so they cannot feed themselves.  Virtually no bears die of old age. As they get older, they lose the ability to defend themselves from other bears, lose the ability to defend food sources, and die by starvation or predation.

Managed human hunting has evolved an ethos where a prime value is the "clean kill" which minimizes the suffering of the animal. Compared to being torn apart by a bear, starvation, or lingering death by accident, death by bullet is quick and painless.

"Natural" is not synonymous with "good". Humans have been demonized for far too long. Humans can manage wildlife populations better than nature. Humans can produce far more biomass per area than nature.

There is no "balance" in nature. Natural "balance" has always been a myth. 

Ecosystems are not machines, but dynamic mixes of ever changing processes. Only 12,000 years ago, there were no bears, or any other animals in most of Canada and as far south as Iowa, Indiana, Illinois and Ohio. Michigan, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine were completely covered with ice thousands of feet thick. There were probably polar bears living on the edges of the permanent ice which extended to large areas of the ocean.

South of the ice in North America there were dire wolves, sabre-toothed tigers, short faced bears, the scimitar cat (about the size of an African lion), the North American lion (larger than African lions). All are extinct as the climate, landscape and species mix changed to include humans, grizzly bears, moose and grey wolves. Humans were the first to make it south of the Canadian border, followed by moose, grey wolves and then grizzly bears.

Humans can manage wildlife populations for greater productivity than when wildlife populations are not managed. Non-management results in horrific swings between environment destroying maximum populations and ghastly minimum population deserts devoid of most large mammals. Most of North America was managed by humans with varying degrees of success long before Europeans were able to establish and maintain a presence.  Human management aims for high, but not destructive, productivity.

Human management is better for the ecosystems and the animals involved. 

The more power humans have the better they can manage animal populations. Humans have more power now than at any other time. Humans are the only ones who can establish measurements and determine if a policy is increasing productivity or decreasing it, and then make adjustments. Conversely, humans have so much power they can destroy ecosystems. Fortunately, increasing awareness is making such destruction less likely.

Rich civilizations have the resources to afford the management of ecosystems. Good management is popular. No management is bad management. Predators are not immortal. Human management is beneficial for animals and humans.

The myth of immortal predators is part of the growing neo-paganism in the West. It is undermining Western Civilization.

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

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FL: Miami - Suspect Rob Security Guard, Gunfight follows, both Suspects and Guard Wounded

Deputies said they soon discovered that the suspects had been casing the apartment complex, looking for unlocked vehicles, when they tried to open the driver’s side door of the security guard’s personal vehicle.

According to the report, the security guard was sitting in the front passenger seat at the time and got out of the vehicle to ask the suspects what they were doing on the property.

Deputies said the suspects then robbed the victim at gunpoint and also searched his vehicle.

At one point, the suspects entered the victim’s vehicle and tried to drive away, but the victim was able to disarm Pickens and shoot him several times, authorities said.

Deputies said the victim then exchanged gunfire with Hernandez, who fled the scene on foot after being shot.

According to the report, during the exchange of gunfire, the victim was shot in the back of the head.

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AL: Mobile - Armed Victim Shoots, Kills, Assilant

Police responded at 11:09 p.m. to a shooting near the intersection of Dauphin and South Joachim streets. Mobile Police Chief William Jackson said at a news conference that five men and two women, ranging in age from 24 to 30, suffered gunshot wounds. One of the victims remains in critical condition, according to the chief.

Jackson said the second shooting took place minutes later, about a block away, in the parking lot at Joachim and Conti streets, across from the Saenger Theatre. He said investigators have determined that was a would-be robbery and that the victim shot the assailant to death in an exchange of gunfire.

“We thought at first that it was all one incident,” he said. “We learned throughout the night that it was not one incident. It was two that happened almost simultaneously.”

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TX: San Antonio - Man Points Gun at Security Guard is Shot

The incident occurred early Sunday morning, around 2:39 a.m. on the 700 block of East Sonterra Boulevard, when SAPD officers responded to a reported disturbance. Police said a 35-year-old man was disrupting the location and was asked to leave by three security guards.

The guards escorted the suspect toward his vehicle, and as they reached it, the man allegedly took out a gun and pointed it at the three other men. One of the security guards then fired at the man, striking him.

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NM: Albuquerque - Armed Samaritan Business Owner Shoots Burglary Suspect, Disarm

While officers investigated, they learned that the owner of a neighboring business heard the break-in at 5:30 AM and attempted to intervene. The business owner reported that one suspect ducked behind a counter, then suddenly stood up and pulled his hand from his pocket. Fearing for his life, the owner drew his handgun and shot the suspect. When the second suspect approached him, the owner fired a second round. The three men then struggled, and one suspect took the owner’s firearm before fleeing with the wounded suspect.

At approximately 6:30 AM, officers responded to the University of New Mexico Hospital after receiving a report of a shooting victim. Montoya arrived at the hospital and told officers he had been shot while walking near Tramway and Manitoba NE, claiming the shooting was unintentional. Montoya had a gunshot wound to the upper left side of his abdomen according to the criminal complaint.

Detectives continued investigating throughout the day and determined that Montoya had been shot during the Nob Hill burglary and NOT on a nature walk in the foothills as he stated. They executed a search warrant at his residence, 5608 Eastern Ave. SE, where they recovered 10 bags of Pokémon and sports trading cards stolen from the Nob Hill store. The cards are valued at thousands of dollars. Detectives also recovered a blood-stained tan hooded sweatshirt, burglary tools and the .22 caliber handgun allegedly taken from the store owner during the altercation.

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CA: Stockton - Homeowner Shoots, Kills Man Attempting to Break In

STOCKTON, Calif. —

A homeowner fatally shot a man who the Stockton Police Department said was trying to break into his house.

Police said the shooting happened around 1:30 a.m. Saturday at the homeowner's residence in the 3600 block of Appleton Court, south of West Benjamin Holt Drive. Afterward, the 41-year-old man was taken to a hospital, where he later died of his injuries.

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FL: Jaccksonville - Gunfight, Both Men Injured

When officers arrived, Richardson said they learned that the two men, who were not identified, got into a "verbal altercation."

Afterwards, Richardson said one of the men was sitting inside his car with his girlfriend when the other man approached him and started firing multiple shots in his direction.

"The victim and his girlfriend returned fire, striking the suspect multiple times," Richardson said.

The victim was reportedly shot in the shoulder, while the suspect was shot in the abdomen and foot. JSO did not say the victim's girlfriend was injured.

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SC: Spartanburg - Domestic Defense, Male Friend Shoots Woman's Boyfriend

According to statements provided at the scene, the ex-boyfriend left his vehicle, approached the passenger side of the other car and tried to forcibly remove the woman from the car. Police say the woman told him to leave her alone.

During the altercation, the male friend produced a firearm and discharged one round, hitting the ex-boyfriend in the chest.

The ex-boyfriend tried to go back to his vehicle, but collapsed in the roadway. Shortly after, first responders arrived and provided aid until emergency personnel took over care.

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FL: - Gainseville - Man Attacked by Three Men, Fires Shot

Officer say a man and woman were shopping at Kay Jewelers when three men entered the store and attacked the other man. The victim pulled out a handgun and fired a shot.

Everyone then left the mall. The victim was found a few blocks away, and the gun was found in a nearby drain.

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Dangerous Grizzly Killed on Texada Island; Men Fined for Not Reporting

   Image from Mark Roberts, Texada Island, posted on Facebook May 25, 2025

During 2025, a saga unfolded where a dangerous, food habituated grizzly bear swam across three miles of salt water to Texada Island in British Columbia, Canada. The bear had been tagged in the left ear. It was a young boar about four years old which had been relocated twice because of conflicts with humans. The bear kept coming back. Just before the swim, the bear had been breaking into fishing boats and had stalked two teenagers on the beach. They had to take to the water to avoid the bear on May 22, 2025. COS is the acronym for the Conservation Officers Service in British Columbia.   From sportfishing.com:

 The COS cited additional encounters in May, including on May 22 in Powell River.

“The bear displayed aggressive behaviour by stalking two residents while walking on a trail,” stated COS.

Fortunately, the residents were able to escape, but it wasn’t easy.

“The people escaped by entering and remaining in the water for half an hour while the bear remained on shore circling back and forth. The grizzly bear tore up one of their jackets on shore before leaving,” COS said.

Another recent incident occurred on May 27 on Texada Island.

According to COS, “the grizzly bear stalked a resident walking home with her horse and dog for half a kilometer.”

On Texada Island, residents appeared to be united in opposition to a grizzly bear invasion of their Island. Opinions were divided about how to remove the bear. Some residents thought the bear should be killed. Others thought the bear should be trapped and relocated. The COS was not willing to apply either option. They would not issue a kill order for the bear, but stated it was too habituated to relocate, as it already came back to areas of dense human population after two relocation attempts. A resident of Texada posted this message to the facebook Texada message board:

I am the person who was charged by the grizzly bear while walking with my horse and dog on May 28. Without a doubt, the most frightening experience of my life. I am still recovering from that experience. 

 

I have read the posts regarding the bear for the past month. I agree that things need to change. I don’t think Texada is a good place for a grizzly bear. What is the answer to this problem? I don’t know.

Mark Robert, who first discovered and took video of the grizzly on Texada, said this about Texada Island:

 Biggest predator is a raccoon. Everyone has free roaming chickens and goats and sheep, no one is really prepared for a large predator. 

Local bear supporters found a tribe which was willing to have the bear transported to a remote salmon stream, where there was plenty of food and few humans. After refusals by the COS, followed by tribal negotiations, the COS agreed to allow the relocation by private parties. The bear enthusiasts were able to raise the twenty to thirty thousand dollars required for the relocation. A few days before the relocation trapping efforts were to start, the grizzly was shot and killed.

Investigation eventually determined two Island residents were involved. They were each fined $3,000 for failure to report the killing of a grizzly bear. They were not charged with illegal killing of the bear. It may be the killing was justified as self defense. The details of the shooting and killing have not been made public. From facebook:

 Texada Island residents Kody Bevan and Seneca Antony pleaded guilty and were sentenced in Powell River provincial court today for failing to promptly report the wounding or killing of a grizzly bear, a violation under section 75(2) of the Wildlife Act (WLA).

In July 2025, the BC Conservation Officer Service initiated an investigation into the killing of a tagged grizzly bear after receiving a report it had been shot and possibly wounded in the Van Anda area. The BCCOS conducted a thorough investigation into these allegations, which resulted in these charges being laid.

Bevan and Antony each received a $3,000 fine, with $2,000 from each fine directed to the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation.

Analysis: It seems unlikely those raising money to relocate the grizzly will use some of the funds to pay the fines for Kody and Seneca. The bear was habituated and dangerous. The bad habits are not erased by relocation. The COS should have euthanized the bear before it swam to Texada Island. Grizzly bears are not endangered in British Columbia. Their populations are increasing, which is why more bears are entering populated areas, becoming habituated to humans and becoming dangerous. Relocating habituated bears moves the problem from one place to another. The dangerous bear becomes like a landmine in the forest. Maybe no one will trigger it until it becomes inert. The potential is there for years in the future. British Columbia has banned most hunting of grizzly bears, thus eliminating one of the most effective ways of removing aggressive, dangerous bears from the bear population. As noted by Stephan Herrero,  bears which are not afraid of humans tend to be killed, either during aggressive behavior or when hunted. This tendency is accelerated when humans commonly carry effective weapons.

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

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GA: Atlanta - Man Impersonating a Police Officer Shot, Wounded

Police believe Jordan tried to get into the victim’s apartment by saying he was a police officer, trying to kick the door in several times. The victim shot at him through the door, hitting him, according to officers.

Jordan faces charges of impersonating a police officer, loitering and prowling and criminal trespass with damage to property.

 

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LA: Hammond - Gunfight in Front of Crowd, Suspect Wounded, 1 Victim Killed, 3 Wounded

That suspect has been identified as Marquanvius Jones, 30-years-old. He’s facing charges for second-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder and assault with a deadly weapon. His mugshot has not been released at this time. He too was shot and injured.

Three bystanders were also struck in the shooting: A 25-year-old man, who remains in serious condition; a 22-year-old woman and 4-year-old boy were treated and released, per TPSO.

TPSO says their investigation so far reveals Jones allegedly fired into the crowd and Myers fired back. Officials say the argument started over a request for a ride.

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WA: Seattle - Domestic Defense, New Boyfriend Shoots Girlfriend's Old Boyfriend

Police determined that the 33-year-old forced his way into his ex-girlfriend’s apartment and assaulted her new boyfriend, the armed 27-year-old. He then shot the ex-boyfriend, in “self-defense,” according to GVRU.

Once detectives completed their interview, they released the shooter from police custody.

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FL: Miami - Police Investigate Shooting Death as Self Defense

In a Thursday afternoon update, Sunrise police told CBS News Miami that the shooting stemmed from an argument between two men, during which one of them shot the other.

They are not releasing the name of either the shooter or the man who died. 

Police said the shooting is being investigated as an act of self-defense and appears to be an isolated incident.

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TN: Nashville - Gunfight From Armed Robbery, 2 Victims Wounded, 2 Suspects Arrested

According to investigators, Pointer entered the store wearing a ski mask and pointed a gun at a customer, who ran toward the door. Pointer then fired, striking Greer and his girlfriend.

Surveillance video showed Greer fall to the ground, draw a gun, and fire. Pointer fled the scene, discarding a pistol reported stolen, and left in a Toyota sedan.

Pointer was arrested Tuesday evening in Bellevue, while Greer is being treated for gunshot wounds to his knee and hand.

Greer’s 31-year-old girlfriend was also hospitalized with a gunshot wound to her buttocks.

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TX: Houston - Gunfight after Range Time, Armed Victim Wounds 1 of 3 Suspects

Investigators say a man had just left a nearby gun range and was driving home when he was followed by three suspects.

Police said the suspects attempted to rob the man and grabbed a bag containing guns. The victim was armed with two guns, and a shootout ensued involving multiple firearms. During the exchange, the victim shot one of the suspects in the chin area.

The suspect who was shot was transported to a hospital and is expected to survive. Police have not released details about the suspect’s condition or whether any weapons were recovered.

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January 2026 NICS Background Checks Dip Slightly While NFA Checks Surge

The National Instant background Check System (NICS) adjusted figures for January, 2026 show a slight drop from those of January, 2025. From the National Shooting Sports Foundation:

The January 2026 NSSF-adjusted National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) figure of 1,198,879 is a decrease of 0.7 percent compared to the January 2025 NSSF-adjusted NICS figure of 207,557. For comparison, the unadjusted January 2026 FBI NICS figure of 2,172,185 reflects a 5.6 percent decrease from the unadjusted FBI NICS figure of 2,299,989 in January 2025.

As noted by the NSSF, the unadjusted NICS numbers, which include checks for various gun permits and re-checks for the same, are down 5.6%. This is likely a reflection of the increasing "permitless" or Constitutional Carry states.

On a positive note, the NSSF’s report on NFA items saw a massive increase compared to 2025. From the NSSF:

“The January 2026 NFA figure of 206,871 is an increase of 121.2 percent compared to the January 2025 figure of 93,518.”

 

 

 

Other than a slight jump up in 2006 - 2008, the rise in firearm sales reflected in the adjusted NICS figures, corresponds to both the Heller decision in 2008 and the election of Barack Obama as President in late 2008. The prominent spikes in sales occurred just after the re-election of President Obama in 2013, the run-up to the election of President Donald Trump in 2016, and the aftermath of the 2020 election during the first year of the Biden administration. 

By comparison, the years of the George W. Bush presidency, the first Trump term, the last three years of the Biden Administration and the first year of the second Trump term have been relatively flat.  The jump up from 2005 to 2025 has been enormous. 2000 - 2005 sales look flat and similar to 2022 - 2026.  When adjusted for population increase, estimated gun sales per capita have increased in January. 

The US population 2000-2005 averaged about 287 million, with adjusted NICs about 535,000 for those first of the year months. From 2022 - 2026 the population averaged about 337 million, with adjusted NICS about 1.20 million for those Januarys.

Analysis: Several factors are in play. Foremost are the enormous changes in the political structure since 2008. President Obama, elected to bring closure to race-division in the United State, did the opposite, exacerbating and escalating racial strife to levels not seen since the 1960s. He was able to form a new coalition of single white women, homosexuals, Asians, blacks, and others except white, straight men.  His policies were a weak USA, elevation of Iran, a weak NATO, and elevating the climate hoax for the benefit of China. The reaction to these destructive policies was President Donald Trump. President Joe Biden was President Obama's third term. It was disastrous. President Trump, in his Second term, is presiding over a counter revolution to the "fundamental change" President Obama forced on the nation.

Both the Republicans and the Democratic party have been unwilling to take the heat to step away from the crippling and suicidal debt inflicted on the USA. The only solution appears to be extraordinary growth. President Trump has been promoting this potential avenue to survival.

Part of the growth is an tremendous increase in productivity in the United States. It is one of the reasons for the rise in firearm sales. Excellent, practical firearms are historically cheap in the United States, when considered in constant dollars. The primary reason is the cost of making them has dropped due to superior technology. This correspondent grew up with the Savage 99. It is an excellent deer rifle. So are the Winchester 94 and the Marlin 336.  They are wonderful examples of the gun-makers art at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the smokeless powder, non-corrosive primer era.

The requirements to produce those rifles are not well suited to the more efficient technologies of the 21st century.  A new rifle in these models runs over $1200 and up. A new semi-auto based on the AR15 platform performs as well, with better accuracy, for 1/3 to 1/2 the cost.  Good centerfire defensive handguns are available, new, for less than the constant dollar cost of a surplus 1911A1 in 1960. A new, semi-auto .22 rimfire can be had for less than a quarter of the constant dollar cost of a semi-auto .22 in 1960. These prices are in spite of increasing, choking government regulation.

At the moment, sales appear to be leveling off. There may be some market saturation. Handguns have become more popular than rifles or shotguns. Serious innovation maybe rewarded, but is a gamble. Rising prosperity may bring more sales. Rising security may inhibit sales. The Trump Department of Justice has declared the ban on mailing handguns by the USPS  unconstitutional. How this may affect sales is unclear.

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

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PA: Philadelphia -Off Duty Officer and Family Member Wound Teen Car Burglary Suspect

A 17-year-old boy who was breaking into a vehicle in Southwest Philly overnight was shot after an off-duty officer with the Philadelphia Sheriff's Office and a family member fired at him, officials said.

According to Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small, the incident happened at about 3:30 a.m. along the 7300 block of Bunting Place, in Southwest Philadelphia, when an off-duty officer for the Philadelphia Sheriff's Office spotted someone breaking into his private vehicle.

Small said "for reasons unknown at this time," the officer fired his gun at the the individual inside the vehicle, a Honda Accord. Another member of the officer's family also fired his gun at the teen, Small said.

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TX: Gunfight, Wounded Victim Returns Fire, Kills Attacker

Navarro, who was known by at least one person at the party, arrived at the scene armed with a gun and started causing a disturbance, authorities said. During the disturbance, Navarro fired at least one round into the crowd inside the apartment, authorities said.

The man who was shot possibly returned fire, striking the shooter, police said. Detectives are continuing to interview multiple witnesses.

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TX: Arlington - Woman uses Knife to Threaten Couple, is Shot

Investigators found that the woman came to the gas station carrying a knife and approached a Jeep parked at one of the pumps, where a man was pumping gas, and his wife was inside the vehicle. The woman then began hitting the Jeep with the knife, police said. 

The man went to another vehicle parked nearby, and the woman followed him and began striking that vehicle with a knife, the release states. 

The man then retrieved a gun and warned the woman, who continued to move toward him, police said. The man then shot the woman in the leg, officials said. 

The man and his wife were uninjured and remained on the scene, the release states. No charges have been filed as a result of the incident. 

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PA: Dunmore - Domestic Defense, Son Shoots, Kills Father

Lackawanna County District Attorney Brian Gallagher said that Zantowsky, "who was showing signs of intoxication" at the time of the shooting, had "brandished a firearm and pointed it at his son and other members of the family, including an eight-year-old child."

Gallagher stated that Zantowsky's son fired his own weapon once, striking him.

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Governors' Forum at 2026 SHOT Show

From Left to Right Governor Pillen of Nebraska, Governor Gordon of Wyoming, Governor Lombardo of Nevada, Governor Sanders of Arkansas, Governor Rhoden of South Dakota, Governor Little of Idaho, and Governor  Gianforte of Montana. 

At the Governors' Forum during the 2026 SHOT Show, the eight governors present answered questions about how the could counter attacks against rights protected by the Second Amendment and against the firearms and associated industry. After the introduction by NSSF Larry Keane and remarks by White House Counsel David Warrington, the moderator, Shermichael Singleton, directed questions to the governors.

Nevada Governor Lombardo was asked about the Cyberattack which paralysed Nevada  gun store sales for more than two weeks. Governor Lombardo gave a detailed explanation. It was the internal state systems which were hacked. No ransom was paid. The lesson learned was: Do not silo all systems in one domain.

Governor Sanders of Arkansas praised the firearms and ammunition industry and mentioned her sons love of hunting and fishing vs staring at screens. She stated hunting and fishing are not the most important thing. Governor Sanders said:

If you do not have the right to bear arms, then all of the rights you enjoy can easily be taken away.

Governor Rhoden of South Dakota mentioned the passage of a bill last year to disallow the coding of firearms on credit card purchases and his support for deregulation of silencers. Governor Rhoden said:

Its the Left who, by any means possible, want to eliminate our Second Amendment rights. 

Governor Gianforte of Montana talked of his program to convince firearms and ammunition manufacturers to move from Colorado to Montana. From the Governor:

So I personally cold called all the major manufacturers in Colorado, and my message was simple: Do you want to move back to America?

Wyoming Governor Gordon spoke about the purpose of the commerce clause in the United State Constitution is to prevent individual states from impeding commerce between the states. This should apply to the firearms industry. From Governor Gordon:

 "That's one of the very few things the federal government is supposed to do is to make sure that  Arkansas can't cut off Wyoming.Not that you would..." (speaking to Governor Sanders of Arkansas)

Governor Pillen of Nebraska was asked about the unicameral legislative system in Nebraska. Governor Pillen spoke of how important it was to do the right thing instead of what was required to be re-elected. He spoke of the importance of reducing regulation:

 "We have to keep getting government out of our hair."  "I have not met a Nebraskan yet who wants to be told what to do."

Governor Little of Idaho talked about the need to educate a labor force for the recreational industry in rural Idaho.

"You don't over tax them, you don't over regulate them, if you give them the labor force they need, they will thrive." 

The moderator, Shermichael Singleton, did an excellent job of controlling the forum. The governors were all from Red (Republican) states. The forum was limited to an hour. The governors could have each taken up the whole hour, so distributing time among them was an important job.

There was friendly banter among the governors about who had the best business climate, the best hunting, the best parties and the best bourbon. A major theme of the forum was the necessity of limiting federal power and using state power to counter the attack on rights protected by the Second Amendment. As expected, there was little disagreement on the necessity of doing so.

Governor Gianforte of Montana reminded everyone to remember there have been difficult times in the United State before, and we have managed to keep the Republic. He used the term "chronological snobbery". Maintaining the Republic has always been a difficult task. From the Governor:

The availability of social media and the insincerity of our main stream media has amplified the divisions that exist between us. For my part I try not to exacerbate those differences and focus on those things we have in common. 

Governor  Rhoden of South Dakota said they are looking to find ways to roll back regulations by the federal government, and the current administration offers a window of opportunity to do so.

 

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

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IL: Alton - Home Invasion, Gunfight Through Doorway, Victim Wounded

Video from the scene showed Knight approach the home, knock on the door, “then immediately repeatedly fire into the dwelling” as he went through the door.

The suspect then fled, discarding the gun in nearby woods.

The weapon was recovered by the police.

Witnesses inside the residence reported hearing gunfire, then returned fire to repel the suspect. Police said nobody else was charged, and no additional charges against those returning fire are being considered as of late Monday.

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MS: Jackson - Apartment Resident Shoots, Kills 1 of 2 Invaders

"The investigation revealed that two unidentified Black males wearing ski masks broke into the apartment," authorities stated via a press release. "The owner, fearing for her life, fired a weapon striking at least one suspect who had entered the apartment. The suspect succumbed to his injuries."

Brown said authorities identified the deceased suspect as 15-year-old Kaden Young.

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New Mexico Legislature Debates Outlawing Semi-Automatics and Magazines over 10 Rounds and More

 

 

The New Mexico legislature is considering what appears to be an unconstitutional bill, SB17. The bill creates considerable red tape and records requirements for gun dealers. It also bans the sale of numerous common firearms by the simple requirement that dealers are forbidden to process background checks for the sale of those firearms. New Mexico requires background checks to be run by a dealer for nearly all sales of firearms in New Mexico. Excerpts of the bill from nmlegis.gov:

 A. Beginning on July 1, 2026, a dealer shall not sell or transfer any of the following firearms, ammunition or devices to a person who is not licensed pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 923, nor shall a dealer process a background check pursuant to Section 30-7-7.1 NMSA 1978 for the transfer of any of the following firearms, ammunition and devices between parties that are not licensed pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 923;

(1) a detachable magazine that holds more than ten rounds of ammunition;

(snip) 

 4) a gas-operated semiautomatic firearm that can accept a detachable magazine;
(5) a gas-operated semiautomatic firearm with a fixed magazine that holds more than ten rounds of ammunition;

SB17 has seven sponsors as of this writing. They are six women and one man. Senators Micaelita Debbie O'Malley, Andrea Romero, Heather Berghmans, Charlotte Little, Patricia Roybal Caballero, and Peter Wirth. They are all members of the Democratic party. Senator Peter Wirth is the Majority Floor Leader. Republicans in the New Mexico House are asking the federal Department of Justice for help.

From Sourcenm.com:

New Mexico House Republicans on Wednesday in a letter to the U.S. Department of Justice asked Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon to carefully review SB17 and offer guidance on its constitutionality. 

“Among other provisions, SB17 would prohibit the sale and transfer of semiautomatic firearms in common use, ban magazines capable of holding more than 10 rounds, and outlaw entire classes of firearms based on operating mechanisms rather than criminal misuse,” the letter, signed by 26 New Mexico House Republicans, says. “At a time when New Mexico faces one of the highest crime rates in the nation, SB17 does nothing to target violent offenders. Instead, it imposes sweeping bans on law-abiding citizens, firearm dealers and sportsmen.”

Both the Attorney General in New Mexico and the Administrative Office of District Attorneys  in New Mexico recognize there will be legal challenges to the portions of the bill which ban the sale of firearms and magazines over 10 rounds.

The Department of Public Safety (DPS) claims the odds are the bans would be upheld in the courts. DPS estimates a one-time cost of about $874,000 to build systems and recurring costs of about $1.6 million annually to enforce the provisions of the SB17. This correspondent did not find an estimate of the costs of defending the constitutionality of the bill in the courts.

The bill may face challenges based on the New Mexico state constitution.  From NM Const art II § 6:

No law shall abridge the right of the citizen to keep and bear arms for security and defense, for lawful hunting and recreational use and for other lawful purposes, but nothing herein shall be held to permit the carrying of concealed weapons. No municipality or county shall regulate, in any way, an incident of the right to keep and bear arms. (As amended November 2, 1971 and November 2, 1986.) 

SB17 has not been voted on at present. The New Mexico Senate has 26 Democratic members and 16 Republican members. The House of Representatives has 44 Democratic members and 26 Republican members.

Gun control has not been a highly popular issue in the state. SB17 may be amended in committee.

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

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KY: Harrodsburg - Home Invasion Suspect Shot, Killed

Police say life-saving measures were attempted, but Hyatt died at the scene, according to the Mercer County Coroner’s Office. The coroner’s office confirmed to ABC 36 News Now that the incident began as an apparent home invasion.

Investigators say the shooting appears to be an isolated incident and there is no ongoing threat to the public. The case remains active, and police say more details will be released as they become available.

 

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TN: Raleigh - Domestic Defense? New Boyfriend and Old Boyfriend Gunfight, Woman Wounded

According to records, the woman was involved in an argument with her ex-boyfriend, Johnathan Stevenson. Records show, Stevenson waved a gun at his ex-girlfriend, her new boyfriend, Pierre Teamer, and their 2-month-old baby.

 The woman said Stevenson fired several shots at them. Teamer returned fire, records show. According to the affidavit, the woman was in the crossfire and struck in the neck. She was taken to the hospital in critical condition, police said.

Both men were arrested, MPD said.

 

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TN: Nashville - Domestic Defense? New Boyfriend Shoots Girlfriend's Old Boyfriend

Three people were inside the home at the time of the shooting — one woman and two men.

Homicide detectives spoke with the woman, who said she was visiting her 39-year-old boyfriend’s house when her 22-year-old ex-boyfriend showed up and began banging on the front door and window.

The woman told detectives that after a prolonged period of this, she decided to open the door to go outside. That’s when she said her ex-boyfriend forced his way into the house and walked toward her current boyfriend.

The woman said she then heard multiple shots, and her 39-year-old boyfriend left the scene.

The 22-year-old, identified as Tariq Anderson, of Nashville, who rushed into the house was transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where he later died.

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FL: Nassau County - 18-Year-Old and Juvenile Break into Home, are Shot, Wounded by Homeowner

“If you break into somebody’s home, you should beg to get shot. And that’s exactly what happened,” said Sheriff Bill Leepe, with the Nassau County Sheriffs office.

The sheriff’s office said the shooting was in self-defense. Investigators 18-year-old Anson Shawn Drew and a juvenile broke into a home on Clearwater Road in Nassauville. The report states the suspect pointed a flashlight at the homeowner, who then shot his revolver at the suspect in fear for his life.

The juvenile suspect is recovering at the hospital and is in stable condition after being shot in his lower back. Sheriffs office says both suspects tried to flee on foot after the shooting. The report states Drew left one of his shoes behind when he ran off. He was later arrested at his home.

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Trump DOJ Submits Brief in Massachusetts Handun Roster Case

 

 

On January 28, 2025, Harmeet K. Dhillon filed an amicus curiae brief for the Trump administration, detailing the reasons the Massachusetts handgun roster is unconstitutional under the Second Amendment.  Harmeet K. Dhillon is Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division. The timeline for the lawsuit started almost five years ago.

In 2021, a number of Massachusetts residents and the Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) filed suit against then AG Maura Healey in Massachusetts, contending the Massachusetts handgun roster violated the rights protected by the Second and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution.  On May 19, 2022, the District Court granted a motion to dismiss the case, claiming the handgun roster regulations were allowed as "safety requirements".  Plaintiffs appealed the ruling to the ruling to the Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.  On April 7, 2023, the appeals court remanded the case back to the District Court, to be reconsidered under the Supreme Court Bruen Decision. On August 29, 2025, the District Court granted summary judgement to the Defendants (State of Massachusetts) for a second time. Plaintiffs appealed the ruling to the Court of Appeals for the First Circuit for a second time on September 9, 2025.  The lawsuit is now Granata v Campbell, as Andrea Joy Campbell is the current AG of Massachusetts.

The amicus brief filed by the Trump administration Civil Rights Division, makes several important arguments in the case. In particular, the brief shows the following:

• Supreme Court precedent: Arms which are in common use may not be banned.
• Regulations on the sale of arms may not be used to effect a ban
• Bans do not have to be complete to be unconstitutional
• The American people decide what arms are in common use, not judges.
• Some arms are clearly not in common use, such as ICBMs or nuclear weapons.
• Some arms may be at the margins of common use, but handguns are not at the margins.
• The right to keep and bear arms includes the ancillary right to acquire arms.

The brief by the Civil Rights Division makes clear how courts are to determine whether a law infringes on the rights protected by the Second Amendment. The procedure is spelled out in the Bruen decision.  From the brief:

Bruen makes clear that whether a law “infringes” the right to bear arms is a legal conclusion, based on text and history. See Bruen, 597 U.S. at 79 (Kavanaugh, J., concurring) (“The Court employs and elaborates on the text, history, and tradition test that Heller and McDonald require for evaluating whether a government regulation infringes on the Second Amendment.”). 

The Supreme Court has repeatedly stated, all rights have limitations. The limitations of the rights protected by the Second Amendment are dependent on what the right to keep and bear arms meant at the time the Second Amendment was ratified in 1791. As examples, the right to keep and bear arms did not mean a person had the right steal a weapon because they did not possess one. It did not mean a person with a weapon had the right to use the weapon to murder another person without consequence.

The Civil Rights Division brief shows there were no bans on the purchase of weapons which were in common use at the time of the ratification of the Second Amendment. The Massachusetts handgun roster bans guns in common use from commercial sale in Massachusetts.  From the brief:

 It is thus undeniable that the weapons banned by the Massachusetts scheme are “widely legal and bought by many ordinary consumers” across the Nation. See Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. v. Estados Unidos Mexicanos, 605 U.S. 280, 297 (2025). For this reason alone, the decision should be overturned.

The arguments put forward by the Civil Rights Division do not show if a weapon is not in common use, it may be banned. They show weapons in common use cannot be banned, even if circuitous and indirect means are used by a state government to effectuate a partial and incomplete ban.

The submission of an amicus brief by the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice shows the Trump administration is committed to aggressively preventing state governments from infringing on rights protected by the Second Amendment. No other federal administration has been willing to do so.

The earliest federal infringement on rights protected by the Second Amendment appears to be the ban on the mailing of handguns put into place in 1927.  The Office of Legal Counsel in the Trump Department of Justice has issued an opinion the ban on the mailing of handguns violates rights protected by the Second Amendment.

Restoring rights protected by the Second Amendment is a process which must be built in the law and the courts, bit by bit, because the infringements were put in place little by little, over time.  Mark Smith, Constitutional Attorney, winner of two Gundie Awards for the Top Voices of the 2A , and AmmoLand contributor, explains the process in a video about the Civil Rights Division brief at his YouTube channel.

Analysis:

For the last hundred years, the federal government has been unwilling to enforce rights protected by the Second Amendment. The reasons are complicated and numerous. The people of the United States have been demanding the restoration of those rights, with building momentum, starting about 1968. The administration of President Trump is, in part, a political force put into place to effect the restoration of Second Amendment rights. The process is ongoing.

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

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NM: Roswell - Domestic Defense, Son Shoots Father

The police investigation found an argument happened between the hospitalized man and his former girlfriend. The two have an adult son, who was there amid the argument.

This led to the father allegedly hitting the mother, when the son came to her defense, according to the Roswell Police Department. Investigators also believe he was shot after aggressively approaching the son.

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FL: Jacksonville - Armed Robbery Gunfight, Victim Shoots, Wounds 4 Suspects

The man complied, exited the car, and then there was an exchange of gunfire between the victim and the suspects, the news release states.

The victim shot two of the assailants; one in the leg, the other in the back, the news release states. “The injuries the suspects sustained are considered non life threatening at this time,” police said.

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The Senate Fillibuster and the Second Amendment

Dean Weingarten in front of the Supreme Court

The filibuster in the United States Senate is not created by the U.S. Constitution. It exists because of Senate rules. From early in the history of the Senate, the ability of Senators to talk for unlimited amounts of time was used as a tool to slow down legislation, as a bargaining chip to gain concessions on bills, or to stop bills altogether. This extended use of "debate" became known as a filibuster.

For decades there was talk about changing the Senate rules to limit debate, but nothing was done until 1917, during the Wilson administration. In 1917, the Senate adopted Senate Rule 22, which allowed a 2/3 super-majority in the Senate to close debate and force a vote on an issue.  The cloture vote was only used five times over the next 40 years. In 1975, the Senate changed the rule from requiring a 2/3 super-majority of the senators voting to end debate, to a super-majority of 3/5 of all senators correctly chosen and sworn in. A cloture vote to limit debate has come to require 60 votes. Use of the filibuster limited by a cloture vote has become more and more common over time.  It has become a primary way for the party in the minority in the Senate to stop controversial bills.

The Senate rules can be changed with a simple majority vote. When the Democratic Party controlled the Senate in 2013, Majority leader Harry Reid orchestrated a rule change to exempt votes of all nominees except for the Supreme Court from the 60 vote requirement for cloture. When the Republicans took control of the Senate, they expanded the exemption to include all nominees.

Currently, a vote to stop debate in the Senate requires 60 votes for legislation. An exemption exists for budget reconciliation, as required in the Budget Reconciliation act of 1974. Limits on the time for debate are included in the act, which prevents a filibuster.

The filibuster has been used to stop and slow down gun control legislation and to stop and slow down legislation to restore Second Amendment rights. The filibuster does not appear to have been used in attempts to stop the gun control act of 1968. The Brady Act of 1993 was slowed by use of the filibuster, but was not stopped. The Universal Background Check gun control bill promoted by President Barack Obama in 2013 failed to overcome a the filibuster by Republicans.  The vote was 54-46. The 2022 gun control bill had to overcome a filibuster. Cloture passed with 65 votes.  It was a relatively weak bill.  In 2025, removal of short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, silencers, and Any Other Weapons (AOW) was stymied because of inability of Second Amendment supporters to overcome a Democratic Party filibuster.

The filibuster is a strong tool to slow down legislation, facilitate compromises, and limit governmental action.  Support for the filibuster by Senators Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona and Joe Manchin of West Virginia has been credited from preventing draconian measures proposed by far left Democratic politicians in 2021. Both Sinema and Manchin were purged from the Democratic Party, in large part for their support of the filibuster.

President Trump has called for Republican senators to eliminate the filibuster. His logic is clear: The next time Democratic politicians control the Senate, they will eliminate the filibuster. Republicans should pre-emptively do so in order to pass legislation to cement the Trumpian counter revolution against radical leftism. President Trump wants to end the filibuster in order to stop the current government shutdown. Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin explains this.  From newsmax.com:

"The Democrats purged the last two senators who held out and supported the filibuster," he said. "We know they have no respect for it. So we need to strike first."

Johnson said if Republicans move first, it should be "for the benefit of the American people."

"When the Democrats eliminate the filibuster, it'll all be about their maintenance of power," he said.

"If we're to do it, it will be to further secure our border, to secure our elections, and to pass good pieces of legislation," Johnson added. 

He also warned Democrats would "pack the Supreme Court" and push for statehood for Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico if they regain control of the Senate.

The Senate has two senators for each state. For decades, far more Democratic Senators than seemed warranted came from what were expected to be "conservative" states such as Montana and North Dakota. In the last 20 years, states have tended to sort themselves out more consistently. This is likely because the left no longer has unquestioned dominance in the media. Conservative dominance in the Senate seems probable in the future.

The Republicans have both senators in the 25 states which voted for Donald Trump in all three of his presidential elections.  This makes control of Congress by the Democratic Party very difficult. The Senate was designed, in part, to protect small states from being made politically irrelevant by large population states.  Control of the Senate by the Democratic Party is probably diminished for at least a few years.

Legislation is important, but court decisions tend to be more durable. It is harder to overcome Supreme Court decisions than to pass legislation. The protection of the filibuster is less important if the Supreme Court has an originalist majority, such as currently exists.

Packing of the Supreme Court has been supported by the Democratic Party to overcome the originalist majority.  To do this, they need control of Congress. They need to overcome a filibuster in the Senate. They can eliminate the filibuster anytime they have a majority in the Senate, so continuing the filibuster is not much of a protection against radical leftists.  As Sinema and Manchin demonstrated, it has some value.

Analysis:

If the Senate Republicans eliminate the filibuster, they open the door to pass more of President Trump's agenda, more quickly. The potential of pro-Second Amendment legislation passing increases somewhat. Is this potential worth the loss of the protections of a filibuster? This correspondent tends to approve of limitations on government power. Limitations which are only applied to Republicans are worse than no limitations.  It is a close call. This correspondent would keep the filibuster in hopes the radical left Democratic party is rejected by voters, at least in the Senate.

 

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

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TN: Memphis - Robbery Suspect Found Shot, Mortally Wounded

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A male suspect is dead after a robbery turned shooting at a gas station in Lakeland early Tuesday morning.

Shelby County Sheriff’s Office deputies say they were called to the Exxon gas station on 3548 Canada Road around 3:12 a.m.

They say the suspect was found suffering from a gunshot wound outside the gas station. He was pronounced dead on the scene by paramedics.

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TX: Fort Worth - Man Attempts to Break-in, Homeowner Shoots, Wounds Same

An east Fort Worth homeowner shot a man yesterday after police say the man tried to force his way into the residence. Officers responded around 3 p.m. to the 6000 block of Grayson Street, where they found the wounded man and had him taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. According to police, the resident said he fired a small‑caliber handgun to stop the attempted break‑in and stayed at the house to speak with officers. Detectives have opened an investigation into the confrontation.

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MI: Detroit - Gunfight Outside of Bar, Secuity Guard Wounds Attacker

According to police, the man pulled out a gun and fired shots at security outside the bar. The security guard, who is a licensed Concealed Pistol License holder, returned fire, striking the man.

The man was taken to a local hospital for treatment. His condition was not released.

No other injuries were reported.

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KS: Wichita - Homeowner Shoots Intruder in Leg during Confrontation (update)

Police were called at 4:42 a.m. Friday to the shooting in the 12000 block of East Blake, which is near Pawnee and Oliver. A 56-year-old man shot the intruder inside his home, police said. “The investigation determined the 40-year-old male was burglarizing the home,” police said. “A confrontation occurred inside the residence, and a shot was fired by the homeowner striking the suspect in the leg.”

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Colorado Black Bear Killed with Pellet gun in 2024

Image from Colorado Parks and Wildlife

The pellet appears to be .177 caliber, using the knife bolt head to scale the pellet size. The bolt head is assumed to be .25 inches, the size of a bolt head on Outdoor Edge Razor-Lite knives. The knife seems to be a Outdoor edge Razor-Lite variation, but the identification is not certain. The pellet could be distorted by impact forces, as well.

On September 1, 2024, in Willits, Colorado, a resident shot a black bear sow with a pellet rifle. The man said he was attempting to harass the sow to have it move away from his neighborhood, because children might encounter the sow and the two cubs.

According to the The pellet hit the bear in the side, penetrated a rib, hit at least one lung, and was lodged in the opposite rib cage.

The man who shot the bear was charged with the unlawfull killing of a black bear and unlawfull failing to comply with provisions of a license. The citations carry penalties of $100 plus $37 surcharges each, for a potential of $274.  He said he used the pellet gun only after attempts with a garden hose and ammonia failed to persuade the bear to leave. He said he made multiple attempts to obtain help from the authorities.

 

The sow appears to be about 200-250 lbs. 

Black bear sows with cubs have a reputation of being aggressive. Researchers say it is almost always a bluff.  The resolution, with the citations issued, seems reasonable for the accidental killing of a black bear. Black bears are common in Colorado and in the United States.

The death of the black bear sow illustrates how vulnerable bears are to punctures of the thoracic cavity. Most pellet rifles are much less powerful than the common .22 rimfire, even from a handgun. Other than a direct brain shot, the thoracic cavity is the most vulnerable target. Penetration of the thoracic cavity will usually cause death in a few minutes. Broadside shots are preferred because they are more likely to puncture both lungs, and to cause an exit wound as well. If only one lung is punctured, death may take longer. If the heart is punctured, death is usually quicker.

An attack by a bear is often over quickly, but can take many minutes. It is not uncommon for bears to attack, leave, and come back to attack again. If the bear's thoracic cavity is punctured, the chances of a return attack are greatly diminished.

The thoracic cavity is a popular target for hunters. However, if only one lung is punctured, and the heart is not injured, large animals may not be seriously disabled for many minutes. This seems to have been the case on a bear hunt in Alaska where a .338 ultra mag was fired and a .454 Casull was used to stop the subsequent charge.  Bears shot often break off an attack or leave the area before they die.

A shot to the thoracic cavity will nearly always limit the time the bear has left before it is incapacitated. Some thoracic cavity shots cause immediate collapse of large animals. Such a collapse depends on numerous variable which are difficult to measure, such as the mental state of the animal. Animals in full "fight or flight" mode tend to take longer, or at least travel further before they collapse.

 

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

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