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GA: No charges in Beech Island fatal stabbing, 'self-defense' ruled
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No criminal charges will be filed following a fatal stabbing reported on March 9 in Beech Island after investigators determined the actions involved were legally justified as self‑defense, according to the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office.
Preliminary findings were presented to the 2nd Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s Office, which concluded that Christopher Paul McRae, 47, was being physically assaulted and acted in defense of his life. |
CA: Pajaro family subdues intruder who entered children's bedroom
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"You do have a right to self-defense in your own home, especially when you feel that your life or maybe a family member's life is at danger," said Scott Davis, commander at Monterey County Sheriff's Office.
The suspect, 31-year-old Aniketh Kumar, allegedly walked into the home through an unlocked door and exposed himself to the young girls.
The family heard the children's screams and intervened, holding Kumar down until law enforcement arrived.
Kumar was injured during the scuffle and taken to the hospital.
"This case is being forwarded to the district attorney's office for prosecution. We're looking at a, at least a couple felonies at this time," said Davis. |
VA: Virginia's Impending 'Assault Firearm' Ban Is Logically and Constitutionally Dubious
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Virginia is poised to become the 11th state with a ban on "assault weapons," an arbitrarily defined category of politically disfavored firearms. Senate Bill 749 makes it illegal to import, sell, or buy many of the country's most popular rifles, including the AR-15, although it does not apply to firearms possessed prior to July 1. The bill also prohibits the importation, sale, or purchase of magazines that hold more than 15 rounds, which are likewise highly popular and come standard with many models of rifles and handguns.
The bill is awaiting the signature of Gov. Abigail Spanberger, a Democrat who has said she favors such legislation. |
FL: Florida Senate Advances HB 757, Doubling Down on ‘Guns on Campus’ Legislation Despite Public Outcry
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The Florida chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots network, issued the following statements today after the Florida Senate voted to pass HB 757, a dangerous piece of legislation that effectively ends gun-free zones at public colleges and universities. The bill expands the Guardian Program to allow faculty and staff to act as armed guards on campuses, ignoring months of vocal opposition from students, parents, faculty, and community members who warned that more guns will only lead to more tragedy. After the House accepts the Senate’s amendment, the bill will move to the Governor to be signed into law. |
GA: Georgia Senate Passes SB572 to Strengthen Self-Defense Protections and Expand Civil Immunity for Lawful Use of Force
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The Georgia Senate has passed legislation that would strengthen legal protections for people who use force in defense of themselves or others.
Senate Bill 572 passed the Georgia Senate on March 6 by a vote of 30 to 23. The measure has now moved to the Georgia House of Representatives. It received its first and second readings on March 9 and March 10 and is currently pending before the House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee.
The bill was sponsored by Senators Brian Strickland, Jason Anavitarte, Randy Robertson, Steven McNeel, Bo Hatchett, and Blake Tillery. The legislation proposes several changes to Georgia law related to justification defenses, immunity from prosecution, and civil liability following a defensive use of force. |
GA: Georgia Senate approves changes to ‘Stand Your Ground’ law
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The Georgia Senate passed a bill that would expand the state’s “Stand Your Ground” law.
Senate Bill 572 would allow people to claim immunity from prosecution soon after they’re charged, and cases involving claims of self-defense would only move forward if there’s clear and convincing evidence of a crime.
The bill would not apply to law enforcement officers.
According to supporters, it’s a move to protect self-defense rights. Opponents, however, warned this could make it harder to prosecute violent crimes. |
MN: Minnesota 2A Switchblade Ban Lawsuit Briefing Begins
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It's been 16 months of preliminary procedural matters since Knife Rights filed its federal lawsuit challenging Minnesota's complete ban on switchblades (automatically opening knives). We are finally entering the actual motions phase. The state of Minnesota has filed its Motion for Summary Judgment.
In its motion for summary judgment, Minnesota argues that the switchblade ban is constitutional because switchblades allegedly fall outside the Second Amendment's protection. It claims they are not in "common use for self-defense," and are supposedly analogous to historical weapons regulations. |
GOA Announces Special Event Add-Ons Now Available for GOALS
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Gun Owners of America (GOA) is excited to announce that special event add-ons for the 2026 Gun Owners Advocacy and Leadership Summit (GOALS) are now officially available.
GOALS brings together thousands of Second Amendment supporters, grassroots activists, industry leaders, and policymakers for a weekend dedicated to defending and advancing the right to keep and bear arms. These newly released add-on experiences give attendees the opportunity to connect with fellow advocates and leaders through several exclusive gatherings throughout the weekend.
Available GOALS add-on events include:
Activist Society Dinner
Women’s Brunch
Hunters Brunch
Prayer Breakfast
Student Lunch
Fueza Breakfast
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GA: Georgia Senate Bill Enhances Right to Self Defense
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The claim of immunity is a bit like Florida law. If self-defense is claimed, charges may only be brought if there is probable cause to believe the use of force was unlawful. A claim of self-defense can only be overcome by “clear and convincing evidence“.
If a person is justified in threatening or using force, including deadly force, under Georgia law, they have no duty to retreat and shall not be held liable in civil actions. The bill adds this immunity to legal representatives and heirs of such persons: |
WY: Gov. Gordon vetoes Second Amendment Protection Act
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According to WyoFile, the law imposes restrictions on enforcing federal gun regulations within Wyoming’s borders. Twin bills in the house and Senate — House Bill 130 and Senate File 101 — will change Wyoming’s SAPA by adding steep civil penalties, as well as other restrictions, to the law.
Wyoming law enforcement argue that the changes made to the act would create legal ambiguity that could put officers and agencies at risk for litigation. Changes could also threaten partnerships and effectively hamper efforts to address crime. |
WY: Senate 9 Votes Short Of Reversing Gordon’s Second Amendment Protection Act Veto
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Sen. Bob Ide, R-Casper, moved Wednesday for an override vote to rescue the bill.
The Senate, which had caucused before that floor session, voiced no debate on the motion.
Then 12 senators voted in favor of the override, 18 against it, with one — Sen. Ogden Driskill, R-Devils Tower — marked excused.
Driskill’s prior comments and votes on the bill indicate he may have opposed the override as well.
The chamber needed a two-thirds majority to win the override, so it was nine votes short.
Because that vote failed, the House will not hear the override motion. |
VA: Virginia Is Becoming a ‘Gun Desert’: Firearms Community Pushes Back on New Gun Laws
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With what seems like the inevitable signing of one of the worst gun bans in the country, the firearms community is pushing back against Virginia’s move away from Second Amendment rights.
The Virginia state legislature passed a slew of anti-gun bills this week, which include a ban on common semi-auto firearms, standard-capacity magazines, possession of common firearms on public property, and regulations directly targeting businesses within the gun industry.
In a scathing rebuke against the passage of bills like SB749, which on its own criminalizes the import, sale, manufacture, purchase, and transfer of so-called “assault firearms” and magazines capable of holding more than 15 rounds... |
TN: Bill Protecting Second Amendment Rights For Renters Passes Tennessee House
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A bill which guarantees Second Amendment rights for renters in Tennessee was passed by the Tennessee House on Monday, March 9, and will become law.
HB0469 states that landlords cannot prohibit a tenant from lawfully possessing, carrying, transporting, or storing firearms or ammunition in their rented residence, vehicle, or points of access to the residence or vehicle. It does allow landlords to require tenants to keep the firearm concealed, holstered, or stored in a carrying container when they move between vehicles and their residence or when the tenant is in common areas like an elevator or shared hallway. |
WY: 'Problematic provisions': Gov. Gordon vetoes Second Amendment Protection Act
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Gov. Mark Gordon has vetoed or stopped Senate File 101, the Second Amendment Protection Act from becoming law.
The bill aimed to limit how much Wyoming law enforcement could work with federal agencies on certain gun laws.
The governor shared in a Facebook post online that the bill would undermine cooperation between Wyoming law enforcement and federal agencies, which he says is critical to fighting violent crime, firearms trafficking and cartel activity.
Wyoming sheriffs and police chiefs also raised concern about the legislation. |
IL: Illinois Supreme Court weighs challenge to state gun restriction
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The Illinois Supreme Court began weighing arguments Tuesday in a case that challenges the state’s ability to prohibit people with non-violent felony convictions from possessing a firearm.
At issue is whether state laws governing the possession of firearms conflicts with the latest U.S. Supreme Court standard on the Second Amendment, which says laws that limit a person’s right to bear arms must be consistent with the nation’s “historical tradition of firearm regulation.” |
IL: Illinois Supreme Court hears FOID, double jeopardy cases
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Arguments in two separate appeals were heard by the Illinois Supreme Court Tuesday in Springfield. One appeal challenges the state's law prohibiting felons from possessing firearms, arguing it violates the Second Amendment. The other brings questions about double jeopardy in criminal proceedings within the State.
CHALLENGES TO FOID LAWS
The defense, arguing for James Benson, contends that the state’s unlawful use or possession of a weapon by a felon statute, as applied to Benson in this case, is unconstitutional.
The defense asserts that Benson is protected by the Second Amendment, despite a prior felony conviction for possessing a gun without a Firearm Owner's Identification card. |
Event Recording: More Guns, Less Murder?
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Private gun ownership in America has surged in the past several years, even as authorities have intensified enforcement against illegal firearms—cracking down on “ghost” guns, tightening oversight of licensed dealers, and seizing more weapons from the streets. Meanwhile, violent crime, particularly homicide, saw a historic rise followed by a historic decline.
The Council on Criminal Justice’s Centering Justice project hosted a conversation with leading experts about how gun policies, enforcement strategies, and market dynamics are shaping gun violence trends today—and the implications for policy and strategy. |
TX: Trump endorses Texas congressional candidate after rival drops out over affair scandal
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President Donald Trump on Wednesday endorsed Texas Republican Brandon Herrera after his primary rival exited the race amid an ethics investigation into an admitted affair with a former staffer.
Herrera, a self-described Second Amendment activist and social media personality, was touted by Trump as a Republican who would promote the MAGA agenda in Texas’ 23rd District.
“Brandon is strongly supported by many Highly Respected MAGA Warriors in Texas, and Republicans in the U.S. House,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social. “As your next Congressman, he will work tirelessly to advance our MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN Agenda.” |
Should Guns Be Able to Say No? The Case for AI-Constrained Firearms
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It is February 2026, and another school shooting has taken place, this time in Tumbler Ridge in Canada. At first glance, the tragedy appeared to be in line with previous incidents. However, it now appears that artificial intelligence played a role in this particular case. It turns out that the shooter used ChatGPT as a confidant to plan the incident. The fact that OpenAI’s internal systems failed to flag the user’s account to the authorities is now the focus of a civil lawsuit against the company. |
Supreme Court Reviews Federal Restrictions on Drug Users Who Own Guns
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U.S. Supreme Court justices expressed reservations about whether marijuana users can be blocked from owning guns as they heard oral arguments in the case of United States vs. Hemani on Monday.
It began with a search warrant at a suburban home in Denton County, Texas in August 2022.
FBI agents executed the warrant at the Texas residence of Ali Daniel Hemani, a native-born U.S. citizen, after opening an investigation that included alleged ties to a foreign terrorist organization. |
Trump administration backs Gov. Mark Gordon’s veto of law enforcement bill
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The Trump administration is backing Gov. Mark Gordon’s veto of a bill it said would have weakened cooperation between Wyoming law enforcement agencies and federal authorities investigating serious crimes.
On Tuesday, Gov. Gordon vetoed Senate File 101, also known as Senate Enrolled Act No. 64, after law enforcement leaders across the state warned the measure could undermine public safety. Federal officials echoed those concerns, saying the bill could interfere with investigations into violent crime, firearms trafficking and cartel activity.
In a letter to the governor, Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons said the legislation, which was promoted as a Second Amendment protection, could have had unintended consequences.. |
VA: AR-15 bans are unconstitutional
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The Virginia General Assembly recently sent a bill for Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s (D-VA) signature that would ban new sales of “assault firearms” and “high-capacity magazines,” two nonsense phrases concocted by the Left to scare non-gun owners. Virginia would become the 10th state to enact these bans.
Sooner or later, the Supreme Court is going to have to stop evading the question of state bans on semiautomatic rifles and magazine capacity. Because any justice that adheres to the District of Columbia v. Heller decision couldn’t possibly believe either passes constitutional muster. |
TX: Excuse Texan Voters If They Mistake James Talarico’s Record On Guns For A Blue-State Liberal
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Democratic Texas state Rep. James Talarico is seeking to represent the Lone Star State in the Senate, but his views on Second Amendment rights seem more suited for New York or California.
Talarico defeated Democratic Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett in the March 3 Democratic primary for the party’s nomination to challenge for the seat currently held by Republican Texas Sen. John Cornyn. Talarico’s publicly-stated positions on his campaign website claim he seeks to “protect the Second Amendment while protecting our neighbors from gun violence,” but his actions paint a more hostile picture toward the right to keep and bear arms. |
The Trump DOJ is giving guns back to felons, including one alleged fake elector
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Last month, the Department of Justice quietly published a list of 22 names in the Federal Register. With little explanation or fanfare, the department announced that these individuals had their federal gun rights restored.
Most of them had something in common: decades-old felony convictions. Many had been charged long ago and had lived for years without access to firearms.
There was one exception — with a much more recent charge: Republican Arizona State Senator Jake Hoffman, who was indicted in 2024 for being a fake elector in 2020 -– and was one of dozens of people President Trump pardoned in November. |
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