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MA: A Lynn teenager stabbed another teen to death in a convenience store. A jury just acquitted him
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A Lynn teenager was acquitted of second-degree murder on Thursday for the fatal stabbing of another teen in a convenience store in the summer of 2023, an attack federal officials said was motivated by a gang rivalry.
Iram Allen was 15 when he was charged with killing Daniel Marquez Santeliz, 17, inside Alpha Convenience Store in Lynn. During the trial, Allen’s defense did not dispute that he was responsible for Marquez Santeliz’s death, but said the stabbing was an act of self-defense.
Jurors returned the not-guilty verdict within hours of being sent out to deliberate on the ninth day of the trial on Thursday. |
FL: School employee accused of punching student during school bus fight at Dwyer High School
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"They were just kind of talking about it and how it's just kind of like really surprising," Arntz said. "You kind of see her hitting the kid. I was really in disbelief. I wouldn't expect that from an adult."
The arrest affidavit says Smith's actions rose from a level of self-defense at the start of the interaction to "intentional and unnecessary infliction of physical injury upon a child."
Smith was booked on charges of child abuse without great bodily injury.
One parent, who didn't want to be identified, is coming to the employee's defense.
"I don't think she should be facing charges, not if the kid threw the first punch, nope," she said. |
VA: Gun law roundup: Speakers urge reaffirming IW as ‘constitutional county’
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Citing a slate of proposed gun laws making their way through Virginia’s General Assembly, a handful of Isle of Wight County residents urged elected supervisors on Feb. 19 to reaffirm Isle of Wight’s stance as a “constitutional county.”
When Democrats previously won the governor’s office and state legislature in the November 2019 elections, the Virginia Citizens Defense League, a gun-rights group, led a statewide push for localities to preemptively declare themselves “Second Amendment sanctuaries”... |
IL: Plans to take case to grand jury after charges dismissed in Hancock County Christmas Eve stabbing
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Chicago-based Defense Attorney William Wolf had claimed from the start that the stabbing was the result of a struggle that broke out in Miller’s home after a verbal argument over what the victim, Dalton Sherman, 29, perceived as a racist comment Miller made about some music.
Wolf said Sherman, while they were in the garage, proceeded to bang Miller’s head against a car repeatedly, causing a concussion and a skull fracture, and when Miller retreated to a nearby bathroom, Sherman followed him.
He said statements on 9-1-1 calls and to responding officers confirm this account.
“A single stab wound was inflicted, that’s it,” Wolf said. “He’s allowed to defend himself.” |
The pro-gun case liberals don’t want to hear
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Exhibit A: his recent piece on why Minneapolis should be a “Second Amendment wake-up call,” an argument for why liberals should take gun rights seriously if they truly believe their own warnings about creeping authoritarianism.
I invited Harper on The Gray Area to talk about the killing of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis and why he thinks many on the left are thinking about guns in the wrong way. As always, there’s much more in the full podcast, which drops every Monday, so listen to and follow us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pandora, or wherever you find podcasts. |
AL: Alabama Lawmakers Advance Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday Bill
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An Alabama bill that would create a new annual sales tax holiday for firearms and hunting gear is moving forward in the state Legislature.
House Bill 360, sponsored by State Rep. Chris Sells, R-Greenville, advanced out of the Alabama House Ways and Means Education Committee last week. The proposal would establish a “Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday” on the last weekend in August each year, running from 12:01 a.m. Friday through midnight Sunday.
If approved, the exemption would apply to firearms including pistols, rifles and shotguns, along with ammunition and related components. The bill also covers items such as holsters, belts, slings, cases, hearing protection, suppressors and certain archery equipment and accessories. |
3rd Circuit: 3D-printed guns not protected speech
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The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit delivered a significant ruling on Feb. 12 in the long-running legal battle over digital files for 3D-printed firearms, affirming the dismissal of a lawsuit brought by Defense Distributed and the Second Amendment Foundation against New Jersey’s attorney general.
In a unanimous opinion authored by Circuit Judge Cheryl Ann Krause, the court upheld the District Court of New Jersey’s decision to dismiss with prejudice all constitutional challenges to a state law that criminalizes the distribution of certain digital instructions or code that can be used to 3D-print firearms to unlicensed individuals. |
VA: Windsor backs Second Amendment
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The Windsor Town Council voted unanimously Tuesday, Feb. 10, to adopt a resolution affirming the Second Amendment rights of the citizens of the town of Windsor.
Windsor Vice Mayor David Adams introduced the resolution during the council’s meeting.
“I am an unapologetic Second Amendment absolutist, and I don’t believe I’m the only person in the town that is concerned about some of the legislation running through the General Assembly,” he said. “I won’t get into a political discussion. I just wanted to affirm the town’s stance on the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution and Section 13 of the Constitution of Virginia, and I would implore other localities to consider adopting a similar resolution.” |
OK: Oklahoma lawmakers reject bill to allow guns in state Capitol
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A proposal to allow Oklahomans to conceal carry guns inside the state Capitol was defeated after the state's commissioner of public safety convinced enough lawmakers to reject the bill.
House Bill 3094, which was discussed Thursday in front of the Civil Judiciary Committee, aimed to extend Second Amendment rights into the Capitol building.
State Rep. Molly Jenkins advocated for the bill.
"The Second Amendment should not be infringed. People should be able to carry in their capital. The reality is they can carry elsewhere around the state, and this building should be no exception,” Jenkins said. |
WV: West Virginia Passes Pro-Gun Bills as its Neighbor Chooses a Different Path
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The deep red West Virginia state legislature is well on its way to sending gun reform measures to the governor, while neighboring Virginia is ratcheting up the gun control.
On Thursday morning, the Republican controlled West Virginia state Senate unanimously approved SB 478, the "Second Amendment Reaffirmation and Protection Act." The bill, as passed, would automatically adjust state law if federal gun laws such as the National Firearms Act, Gun Control Act, or the Firearm Owner’s Protection Act are repealed by the U.S. Congress or deemed unconstitutional by a court. |
OK: Lawmakers nix attempt to allow guns in the Oklahoma Capitol
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House lawmakers voted down a measure that would have allowed licensed handgun owners to carry their weapons in the Oklahoma Capitol amid concerns about ensuring safety.
Rep. Molly Jenkins, R-Coyle, said Oklahomans should have the right to protect themselves “at all times,” including at the state Capitol.
House Bill 3094 proposed allowing anyone in possession of a valid handgun license issued under the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act to carry their weapon at the Capitol after having their license checked by security.
It would have brought Oklahoma law in line with neighboring states like Missouri, Texas and Kansas that allow guns to be carried at their Capitol buildings, Jenkins said. |
WV: House of Delegates passes bill regarding concealed carry permits
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The West Virginia House of Delegates passed a bill Tuesday that would give young adults younger than 21 the ability to carry concealed firearms without a permit and without training.
House Bill 4106, allowing constitutional carry for 18-to-20-year-olds, passed the House Tuesday morning in an 87-9 vote with three members absent or not voting. The bill now heads to the state Senate.
HB 4106 would grant individuals between the ages of 18 to 20 the right to carry concealed weapons without a permit. The bill repeals the crime of carrying a concealed deadly weapon without a license for the 18-20 age bracket. It repeals specific exceptions previously required for this age group to carry concealed weapons. |
WY: Gun Rights Bill Legislator Says Could Prevent ‘Dystopian Future’ Passes Senate
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The bill named the "Second Amendment Protection Act" could be Wyoming’s “insurance policy” against a hypothetical dark future where masked federal agents trample residents' rights, a legislator said Thursday, prior to the bill passing the Senate.
Senate File 101 aims to bar Wyoming law enforcement agencies from enforcing any federal gun regulations that violate residents’ Second Amendment rights.
It passed its third and final reading before the Senate on Thursday by a 26-to-5 vote. It now moves to the House. |
MD: America Fortifies Schools but Ignores the Root Cause of Gun Violence
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While we are seeing the First, Fourth and Fifth Amendments being trampled on, our country continues to prop up and reinterpret the Second Amendment, allowing 400,000 students since Columbine (1999) to be present at a school that had a school shooting during their current year.
We know that guns are the No. 1 killer of America's children, deaths and injuries every day (you can read the statistics anywhere).
We had a local school shooting in Maryland last week. |
AL: 2nd Amendment Sales Tax Holiday: Alabama may eliminate taxes on gun, ammunition purchases
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Alabama shoppers already get tax holidays for storm‑preparedness gear and school supplies. Now lawmakers are considering whether to add a third: a tax‑free weekend for firearms and ammunition.
Beginning Friday, residents can purchase weather radios, first‑aid kits and portable generators during the Severe Weather Preparedness Tax Holiday. In late July, families will return to stores for the Back‑to‑School Sales Tax Holiday. And in August, if a new proposal advances, Alabamians could be shopping for guns and ammo without paying the state’s 4% sales tax. |
IA: A recap of week five at the Capitol
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2A Day at the Capitol is an annual Second Amendment advocacy event held at the State Capitol in Des Moines. Hosted by the Iowa Firearms Coalition, it brings together gun rights supporters, lawmakers, and speakers to celebrate and defend Second Amendment rights, learn about the legislative session, and engage directly with legislators.
A shout out to our amazing local supporters who traveled to Des Moines for the event and especially the keynote speaker, Sara Weaver, who shared her survival story of the 1992 federal siege at Ruby Ridge. |
MO: Senate bill would ban keeping lists of privately-owned firearms
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Twenty states have enacted laws prohibiting the use of unique merchant category codes to distinguish firearm purchases, and Missouri could be the 21st.
Majority Caucus Whip Sen. Jill Carter, R-Granby, put forward Senate Bill 1128 in a Senate committee Monday, Feb. 9, proposing the “Second Amendment Financial Privacy Act.”
SB 1128 prohibits government entities from keeping a list, record or registry of privately-owned firearms. |
Duncan v. Bonta: Supreme Court Poised to Decide the Future of Gun Rights
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Tomorrow, the U.S. Supreme Court will formally consider whether to grant certiorari in Duncan v. Bonta, a case that could reshape how courts treat bans on common firearm accessories like large-capacity magazines under the Second Amendment.
The case, long simmering in the federal courts, challenges California’s ban on possession of magazines capable of holding more than ten rounds—so-called “large-capacity magazines.” Originally filed in 2017, Duncan has traveled a winding path through the courts and already represents one of the most significant Second Amendment disputes in years. |
VA: Breaking Down Virginia With NRA-ILA Executive Director John Commerford
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John Commerford is the Executive Director for the National Rifle Association’s Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA). The NRA-ILA serves as the NRA’s dedicated lobbying and political advocacy arm. Established in 1975, it is committed to preserving and protecting the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens by ensuring their ability to purchase, possess, and use firearms for legitimate purposes, such as self-defense, hunting, and sport shooting.
NRA-ILA engages in a range of activities to achieve this goal. It actively lobbies lawmakers at the federal, state, and local levels to promote pro-gun legislation and oppose restrictive gun control measures. |
NM: Gun Owners Fight Back as New Mexico Gun Ban Falters
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The Santa Fe New Mexican published an article stating that 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. |
Part III: Guns and Glass Ratings
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Membership in the militia was often mandatory in early America and carried a requirement that everyone own their own gun and ammunition. Against that background, it is not surprising that the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified in 1791 as a part of the Bill of Rights, enshrining the right of every American to own and bear arms.
Today, Americans exercise their Second Amendment rights in astonishing numbers. A gun is sold in America on average every eleven and a half minutes. That adds up to about 45,000 gun purchases every year. Americans also load those guns, buying about 8.7 BILLION bullets every year!
Ed.: There are on the order of one million gun purchases per month, based on background check data. |
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