Keep and Bear Arms - Gun Owners Home Page

SCOTUS Refuses 2 Cases Challenging Gun Bans For Young Adults 18, 19 And 20 Years Old
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: www.marktaff.com

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

Weve covered the issue of various gun bans for 18-, 19- and 20-year-olds for several years now, pointing out that the right to keep and bear some arms in some places is the only constitutionally protected right that Americans must wait until they are 21 to exercise. Such restrictions are nonsensical, as these same Americans can vote, marry, and even carry a firearm in military service.

Many gun-rights advocates had hoped that the U.S. Supreme Court would take up a case involving the Second Amendment rights of young adults, and two were submitted to the court for consideration this session.

SC: One dead, one arrested after armed robbery ends in self-defense stabbing: BCSO
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: www.marktaff.com

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

The Berkeley County Sheriffs Office arrested an Andrews woman after an armed robbery led to a justifiable homicide, and one man was injured on Saturday.

According to the Berkeley County Sheriffs Office, deputies responded to the Old Wing Road area after a passerby saw a man with a gunshot wound near the roadway.

The victim told deputies he had traveled to Georgetown County to meet his cousin, Nance, at a residence near Spring Grove Road. Nance and her boyfriend, Harry Phillips, 21, of St. Stephen, rode in the victims vehicle to Old Wing Road, BCSO says.

NY: Stewart's employee's stabbing case to be dismissed
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: www.marktaff.com

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

In City Court on Tuesday, Emily Underwood-Jones agreed to the deal with Saratoga County prosecutors, referred to as an adjournment in contemplation of dismissal, which means the charges will be dismissed as long as she is not arrested again over the next six months.

Saratoga County District Attorney Brett Eby said that Underwood-Jones stabbed the man in self-defense at about 9:16 p.m. May 20. He said the victim, Joseph Hughes, chose not to pursue the charges against her, which were two counts of felony assault and a weapons possession charge.

Hughes was stabbed in the abdomen with a folding knife after Underwood-Jones tried to stop him from stealing from the store, Eby said.

VA: Justice Department Sues Virginia Over This Stupid Gun Control Law
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: www.marktaff.com

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

The Justice Department is suing the Commonwealth of Virginia and its Department of State Police over its ban on so-called assault firearms.

The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia and challenges its newly-passed law making it a Class One misdemeanor for any person to import, sell, manufacture, purchase, or transfer an assault firearm in the state. It also prohibits anyone from selling this type of gun for money, goods, or services.

The definition of assault firearm under the Virginia Code includes AR-15 style rifles as well as others that are commonly owned.

VA: Court Orders Preliminary Injunction In NRAs Challenge To Spanberger Gun Ban
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: www.marktaff.com

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

Now, just two days later, the Washington County Circuit Court has granted a statewide preliminary injunction preventing enforcement of Virginias newly enacted assault firearm and magazine bans, finding that the plaintiffs demonstrated a strong likelihood of success on their claim that the bans violate Article I, Section 13 of the Virginia Constitution.

The case, Santolla v. Katz, challenges legislation signed into law by Gov. Abigail Spanberger on May 14 that was scheduled to take effect on July 1. In a June 29 opinion letter, Judge Jeffrey L. Campbell concluded that the challenged laws likely violate the Virginia Constitutions guarantee of the right to keep and bear arms.

8 Classic Guns That Are Still Made in America
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: www.marktaff.com

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

America has been, and still is, the powerhouse of global firearms manufacturing. It might not always feel that way in the sporting market as some of the most popular shotguns are made in Italy and Turkey. Remington rifles have all but disappeared, while Browning and Winchester rifles are made overseas. The most common pistol in the US is Austrias Glock (though some Glock models are made in Georgia).

On the upside theres an infinite number of smaller, high-quality gun makers that have cropped up all across the country in the last several decades (think folks like Staccato and Proof Research). And there are still plenty of classic guns that are made here on US soil.

CA: 4 deaths per year: BB gun shooting highlights need for gun safety
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: www.marktaff.com

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

BB guns can be as dangerous as the real thing, and a Sacramento County resident recently found out the hard way.

...

While this incident wasnt fatal, BB guns and pellet rifles cause about four deaths per year, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, a federal agency that educates the public on potential risks and dangers from consumer products.

Ed.: CPSC actually says BB guns *or* pellet rifles--they do not specifically claim *any* deaths from BB guns.

NY: Murder charge against Syracuse man dropped after hung jury
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: www.marktaff.com

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

A murder charge against a Syracuse man who fatally shot another man has been dismissed after a hung jury in his trial.

Josue Pizarro, 28, shot Jesus Carmona, 28, outside of a home on the 200 block of Sabine Street on April 13, 2024.

Pizarro admitted to killing Carmona but asserted he acted in self-defense. Pizarro shot Carmona first with one gun and then a second time with a gun Carmona dropped.

How do originalists justify modern weapons under the Second Amendment?
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: www.marktaff.com

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

Scalia saw no problem applying the Second Amendment to modern firearms. Writing for a 5-4 majority in 2008s District of Columbia v. Heller, he said it was almost frivolous to claim that only those arms in existence in the 18th century are protected by the Second Amendment.

He said the court doesnt interpret constitutional rights that way. For example, he cited the First Amendments protection of modern forms of communication and the Fourth Amendments application to modern searches.

Against that backdrop, Scalia said the Second Amendment covers all instruments that constitute bearable arms, even those that were not in existence at the time of the founding.

VA: DOJ Takes Aim at Virginia Assault Weapons Ban
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: www.marktaff.com

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

All eyes are on the Commonwealth as the Department of Justice challenges the assault weapons ban.

At the heart of their lawsuit is one question: Is Virginias assault weapons ban constitutional?

The Justice Department says no. The Commonwealth says yes. Now, a federal judge will decide.

Former U.S. Attorney John Fishwick says this case isnt about politics but about what the Constitution says.

Does it violate the Second Amendment or not? Fishwick said.

The Justice Department argues the law crosses that line, saying states cannot ban entire categories of firearms that are commonly owned for self-defense.

Trump administration sues California, Virginia over new gun laws
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: www.marktaff.com

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

The Trump administration sued California and Virginia on Wednesday over new laws in both states that restrict the sale of semiautomatic firearms.

The two separate lawsuits filed by the Justice Department in federal court say the laws violate the Second Amendment.

The Constitution is not a suggestion, and the Second Amendment is not a second-class right, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said in a news release announcing the lawsuit against Virginia.

Virginias Democratic governor, Abigail Spanberger, signed legislation earlier this year banning the sale and manufacture of certain semiautomatic firearms. The law, which took effect Wednesday, is facing at least four other lawsuits challenging its constitutionality.

Trump DOJ Pulls the Trigger: Sues California and Virginia Over Unconstitutional Gun Bans
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: www.marktaff.com

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

The U.S. Justice Department's Civil Rights Division's Second Amendment Section announced federal lawsuits on Wednesday against gun bans in two states.

The first suit, U.S. v. Bonta, has California Attorney General Robert Bonta as a defendant in his official capacity and was filed in the U.S. Central District of California. The second suit, U.S. v. Virginia, was filed in the U.S. Central District of Virginia's Richmond Division.

The cases challenge California's ban on Glock-style handguns and Virginia's ban on popular semi-auto firearms, both of which became law on July 1.

In both cases, the DOJ publicly warned the states that legal action would follow should the bans become law.

IN: IMPD: 4 teens arrested after robbery turns into self-defense shooting
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: www.marktaff.com

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

One teenager was shot and his accomplices were arrested after the group of teens allegedly tried to rob a man at Garfield Park in April.

According to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, officers were called out to Garfield Park on the citys near south side on April 25 on report of a shooting. At the time, officers arrived and found no one injured.

Later, however, a teenage victim arrived at a hospital with a gunshot wound.

MO: Missouri Prosecutors Warn of Expanding Self-Defense Law After Key Court Decision
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: www.marktaff.com

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

However, the key phrase in these lawsreasonable beliefhas always been subject to interpretation. Courts have traditionally required that the perceived threat involve imminent danger of serious injury or death, particularly when deadly force is used.

The recent appellate ruling appears to shift that interpretation, suggesting that a broader range of perceived threatsincluding certain forcible feloniesmay justify the use of force, even if the danger is not clearly life-threatening.

Trump reiterates support for national right-to-carry reciprocity Submitted by: Mark A. Taff Website: www.marktaff.com	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
During remarks to American workers at a Mack Trucks facility in Macungie, Pennsylvania, on June 23, President Donald Trump reiterated his support for national right-to-carry reciprocity and NRA. The president singled out NRA President Bill Bachenberg for recognition and noted how he is working with NRA. President Trump pointed out, The NRA theyve been with me right from the beginning.

AL: One injured in shooting near Salem Drive in Huntsville; believed to be self-defense
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: www.marktaff.com

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

Huntsville police have released new information on the July 1 shooting on Salem Drive.

They say their preliminary investigation has found that, "the injured man unlawfully entered the home while armed with a firearm. During the incident, he allegedly threatened the occupants inside the residence before one of them fired a weapon in self-defense."

The case was presented to the Madison County District Attorney's Office and based on current evidence, the DA's office agrees that the shooting appears to be an act of self-defense and no charges against the resident are expected.

IN: Patrick Waite acquitted of murder in Gibson County shooting deaths
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: www.marktaff.com

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

A Gibson County jury on Thursday found Patrick Waite not guilty of murder, clearing the 78-year-old Haubstadt man in the 2025 shooting deaths of his wife, his son-in-law, his bedridden mother-on-law and fourth relative who survived after Waite argued he had fired in self-defense.

The jury acquitted Waite on all four counts he faced: three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder. His lead defense attorney, Evansville-based Scott Danks, said Waite was "prepared to accept any type of outcome" as being "God's will." By all accounts, Waite was a deeply religious man with no documented criminal history.

Vortex Donates $10,000 to the Second Amendment Foundation
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: www.marktaff.com

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

Vortex and Hunter Constantines limited-edition carry belt has done more than offer EDC enthusiasts an exclusive piece of gearit has also generated meaningful support for the Second Amendment Foundation. After all 250 Vortex x Hunter Constantine Carry Belts sold out, Vortex and Hunter Constantine announced a $10,000 donation to the organization, made possible by the generosity of Vortex Nation and everyone who purchased one of the limited-run belts. This shows a company standing by its business and following through on its commitments. That might not sound like a big deal, but its not as common as you think.

Trump DOJ sues Gavin Newsoms California over glock ban
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: www.marktaff.com

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

The Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a lawsuit Wednesday taking aim at Californias ban on Glock pistols the day it was slated to take effect.

Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed AB1127 into law in October 2025, making California the first state to ban the popular pistol. The lawsuit filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, targets both AB1127 and Californias Unsafe Handgun Law, and comes one day after Democratic California Attorney General Rob Bonta rejected a proposal to avoid litigation in a two-page letter to Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division Harmeet Dhillon.

CA: DOJ sues California over Glock ban, says law violates 2nd Amendment
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: www.marktaff.com

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

The lawsuit also challenges California's longstanding Handgun Roster, which limits the handgun models licensed dealers may sell in the state. The DOJ contends both laws unlawfully infringe on the constitutional rights of law-abiding gun owners.

The challenged law, Assembly Bill 1127, was signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom in October 2025 and took effect on July 1, the same day the Justice Department filed suit. Critics have dubbed the law the "Glock ban" because it bars dealers from selling semiautomatic pistols that can be readily converted into fully automatic firearms using illegal conversion devices commonly known as "Glock switches."

SCOTUS And The 2nd Amendment: The Next Round
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: www.marktaff.com

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

Hurry up and wait.

That's the lot of the Second Amendment activist when it comes to Supreme Court action.

It makes perfect sense in a court dominated by restrained originalists, loath to uproot American jurisprudence rashly.

We waited 14 years between Heller - which started the process of cementing "individual right" as the official definition of the Second Amendment - and Bruen, which ruled that the right applied to commonly owned firearms.

ATF Moves to Cut Fingerprint, Photo Requirements for NFA Gun Owners
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: www.marktaff.com

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) unveiled a new proposed rule that would simplify the process of acquiring National Firearms Act (NFA) firearms.

The ATF filed a notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal Register today. The rule is titled Fingerprint and Photograph Requirements for Firearms Applications [Docket No. ATF-2026-0397; ATF 2025R-14P]. It modifies 27 CFR parts 478 and 479 to reduce burdens on the American gun-owning population by removing several key requirements for filing ATF Forms 4 and 1.