Mass Shootings That Weren’t

Criminal use of guns usually makes the headlines.  Defensive use of guns…not so much, as that would justify gun ownership.

The left-wing media concentrates on incidents when guns are used in mass shootings.  What about defensive use of guns that stopped likely mass public shootings?  John Lott has produced a list of concealed handgun permit holders that stopped likely mass shootings, since 2014.  It’s a long list that the main stream media has somehow managed to overlook.  

It is not a list of all defensive gun uses (it’s estimated there are a million defensive gun uses every year) but only those that stopped a likely mass shooting.  It’s probably not all of these incidents since the media doesn’t cover them very well.

 * For more details on all of these incidents, go to the link at the end of this post.

Muncie, Indiana, August 30, 2024

A suspect approached a group of people, waved a gun, and threatened to kill everyone before opening fire. Two witnesses retrieved firearms from their vehicles and shot back, wounding the assailant.

Martinsburg, West Virginia, June 30, 2024

When a godmother realized a man who had confronted her godson in the parking lot of her apartment complex was pulling a gun on him, she came downstairs with a .380 and fired some rounds back at them, which stopped this melee and they took off. 

Statesville, North Carolina, May 25, 2024

A suspect had become angry with his neighbors for playing music and setting off fireworks and decided to fire shots at the group of people that were outside the home. One person returned fire, but no one was seriously injured.

Arlington, Texas, September 28, 2023

A former employee was armed with a rifle and fired multiple shots into a car dealership lobby full of people. When the suspect headed toward the service area, an armed employee told him to leave and they began shooting at each other. The suspect then returned to the parking lot toward his vehicle and was shot in the chest by the police as he pointed the rifle in their direction. 

Las Vegas, Nevada, Friday June 23, 2023

A gunman walked in and fired shots at the front desk. Fortunately, the employee had a concealed handgun permit and was able to quickly stop the attack before anyone else was hurt.

El Paso, Texas, Wednesday, February 15, 2023

A permit holder stopped a shooter who had shot four people and threatened others.

Phoenix, Arizona, Saturday, February 11, 2023

A man was killed after he had entered a restaurant with a gun and fired a number of rounds inside the building.  Another man was inside the restaurant during this incident and shot the individual ending this confrontation. 

Panama City, Florida, January 11, 2023

After being locked out of the business and enraged over lost property, a man got a firearm from his car and began firing into the club occupied by multiple patrons and staff. A patron who is a concealed weapon license holder intervened and fired multiple rounds, striking the suspect at least once.

Tucson, Arizona, December 18, 2022

A suspect was kicked out of the bar because of his disruptive and threatening behavior. He returned shortly after with a rifle and fired a shot into the ceiling. The suspect was shot three times by an armed patron at the bar after he was repeatedly told to put the rifle down but refused.

Chandler, Arizona, December 14, 2022

A man pulled into the employee parking lot of an Amazon facility and opened fire after jumping out of his car.  An armed Amazon worker on the scene saw what was unfolding, and he pulled out his gun and fired at the gunman, wounding him.

Billings, Montana, November 30, 2022

An unruly customer was escorted out of a club.  He then retrieved a handgun from a vehicle and threatened to shoot. Another armed customer outside the restaurant fired the bullet that struck the 35-year-old in the chest.

Detroit, Michigan, August 28, 2022

A gunman killed three people and injured a man and his dog. When an armed bystander saw the shooting, he intervened and stopped the spree killer by drawing his own gun and firing at the gunman until he fled. 

West Palm Beach, Florida, August 7, 2022

A concealed carry permit holder fatally shot a 22-year-old man who brandished a short-barreled shotgun from his car at a family gathering and threatened to fire into the crowd. 

Greenwood, Indiana, July 17, 2022

A heavily armed man had murdered three people and wounded three others when a 22-year-old man legally carrying the gun fatally shot him.

Charleston, West Virginia, May 25, 2022

A man started firing an “AR-15 style firearm” into a crowd. A woman, who was legally carrying a gun, shot and killed him.

South Fulton, Georgia, May 3, 2022

A teenager fired his gun at multiple people. Two men responded by firing back and killing the shooter.

Phenix City, AL, April 13, 2022

After a dispute from earlier in the day, two men returned.  One got out of his vehicle and shot at four people. One of the intended victims with a concealed handgun permit, returned fire, striking both suspects.

Portland, OR, February 19, 2022

A homeowner shot multiple people at a demonstration, killing one woman and injuring several others. A demonstrator, who is licensed to conceal carry a firearm, shot the homeowner.

South Central, Nebraska, October 22, 2021

A fired employee returned to the facility and killed two employees and injured another before another employee shot and killed the gunman.

Lancaster, Pennsylvania, October 17, 2021

A shooting between two teenagers ended when a concealed handgun permit holder intervened,  shooting one of the participants.

Syracuse, NY, August 31, 2021

A property manager saved several lives when he used a legally possessed handgun to fatally wound a man who had opened fire on a crowd.

San Antonio, TX, August 11, 2021

A woman crashed into a parked car and then began shooting indiscriminately as people came out of their homes. An armed resident shot the woman to death.

Fort Meyers, Florida, July 22, 2021

A convicted felon, with an illegally possessed gun, fired multiple shots into a crowd before a bystander with his own gun confronted the attacker. The felon stopped attacking and “threw his gun in a parking lot.”

Chicago, Illinois, July 4th, 2021

Three people standing in an alley were shot before a witness with a concealed carry license shot at the gunman 

Arvada, Colorado, June 21, 2021

A good Samaritan fatally shot a gunman who had just killed a police officer. The Samaritan was mistakenly killed by responding officers.

Fort Smith, Arkansas, May 15, 2021

A man shot an elderly woman in her apartment and then began shooting at people in neighboring apartments. A man used a rifle, not a concealed handgun, to stop the attack.

Metairie, Louisiana, February 20, 2021

After murdering two people and wounding others, armed employees and customers, all with concealed handgun permits, returned fire and eliminated the threat.

Weslaco, Texas, August 17, 2020

A man with an AK47 was planning to shoot people at a Walmart. A customer and security guard held the man at gunpoint and the man put down the gun. The man had another gun on him, which he pulled on police, who returned fire and killed him.

Dallas, Texas, July 25, 2020

Three men were shot and a woman was hit by shrapnel when someone opened fire outside a sports bar.  He was confronted by armed patrons and they exchanged gunfire.  The shooter fled.

Brownsburg, Indiana, July 16, 2020

A 22-year-old man attacked two cemetery workers, killing one.  He shot a third man who was legally armed and shot back, fatally wounding the attacker.

Hummels Wharf, PA, July 11, 2020 

A man killed his ex-wife and another man in the parking lot of a restaurant.  A restaurant customer, who is licensed to carry a firearm, shot and wounded the shooter.

Louisville, KY, June 27, 2020

A man shot a handgun into a park crowd.  Several bystanders returned fire, shooting the assailant in the leg.

Kwethluk, Alaska, May 16, 2020

A 19-year-old man, broke into the village public safety building dressed for combat. He staged rifles inside, and activated the fire alert system and shot at responding officers. A resident armed with a rifle, was able to get the shooter to drop his weapon.

Tulsa, Oklahoma, March 27, 2020

A woman started firing at a group of people who were standing in a parking lot.  An armed citizen shot and killed the assailant.

Near Fort Worth, Texas, December 29, 2019

Three people, including the shooter, were shot in an attack in a church.  The attacker died after being shot by two of the parishioners. Four other parishioners also drew their permitted concealed handguns.

Duncan, Oklahoma, November 18, 2019

A gunman murdered two people in a vehicle before a bystander with a gun confronted him, causing the gunman to turn the gun on himself.

Newnan, Georgia, August 13, 2019

A gunman intended to shoot up a bar when an off-duty employee took a small caliber rifle from his SUV and shouted at the gunman, who opened fire, hitting the employee.  The gunman fled but was later arrested.

Colonial Heights, Tennessee, February 13, 2019

A shooting at a dentist office in Colonial Heights, Tennessee was stopped by a concealed handgun permit holder. After the killer fatally shot his wife, he turned his gun on other people in the office.  A patient shot the killer and kept him covered until police arrived.

Birmingham, Alabama, October 27, 2018

A masked man entered a McDonald’s restaurant and immediately started firing his gun. A concealed handgun permit holder returned firing killing the attacker.

Louisville, Kentucky, Wednesday, October 24, 2018

A white racist murdered two blacks in a Krogers but a white bystander with a concealed carry permit engaged the murderer.  Multiple rounds were fired and no one was injured.  The murderer fled the scene and was later taken into custody.

Titusville, Florida, August 4, 2018

A gunman opened fire at a park full of kids.  The gunman was confronted by a citizen with a concealed weapons permit.  The gunman pointed the firearm at the concerned citizen who shot the gunman.

Tumwater, Washington, June 18, 2018

An attacker carjacked a vehicle, drove to Walmart, stole ammunition and continued shooting at people. He unsuccessfully tried to carjack another vehicle, seriously wounding the driver before two armed customers shot him dead.

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Thursday, May 24, 2018

A man shot at people from outside the front door of a restaurant.  An off-duty security guard and another man who was legally open carrying a gun shot and killed the attacker.

San Antonio, Texas, December 7, 2017

A man with a gun was about to start shooting a father’s children as the children were walking out of a restroom.  The father shot and killed the attacker.

Rockledge, Florida, November 17, 2017

A man killed one person and severely wounded another in a parking lot and then continued shooting inside a car repair shop.  Two other workers, both concealed weapons permit holders, engaged in a shootout that left the suspect wounded.

First Baptist Church of Sutherland Spring, Texas, November 5, 2017

A former NRA instructor, who lives next door to a Church where 26 churchgoers were being murdered, grabbed his AR-15-style rifle after hearing the gunfire and went over to investigate. He shot the murderer in the leg and torso before the murderer fled the scene, but was later arrested.

Clearlake Oaks, California, October 23, 2017 

A shooter killed one person and wounded seven in a rampage that started in a neighborhood and continued to two gas stations and a church.  A gas station vendor exchanged fire and a concealed carry church usher eventually held the murderer at gunpoint until police arrived.

Arlington, Texas, May 3, 2017

A man, who had already killed one person, was shooting at the front door of a restaurant as customers were fleeing.  A concealed carry customer, who was dining with his wife, shot and killed the murderer.

Townville Elementary School, September 28, 2016

A 14 years old boy killed his father and then began shooting at a school playground.  One student was killed and three were wounded.  A volunteer firefighter, who possessed a valid firearms permit, restrained the shooter until law enforcement officers arrived.

Lyman, South Carolina, June 30, 2016

A man started to shoot three people in a nightclub.  Permitted concealed handguns were allowed in bars in South Carolina and a permit holder was able to shoot back, wounding the shooter in the leg and stopping him.

Winton, Ohio, Sunday, July 26, 2015

A shooter fired at four different people. A legal concealed carry holder returned fire.  No one was hit and the shooter withdrew.

Conyers, Georgia, Sunday, May 31, 2015

A man came into a liquor store firing a handgun, killing two people.  A customer fired back at the murderer.  The assailant fled but later died. 

New Holland, Wisconsin, May 5th, 2015

A man pulled up to a crowded fire station parking lot full of children and firefighters and began firing in the air and at his vehicle.  He also pointed the firearm at individual firefighters.  Two firefighters who have concealed weapons permits pulled their guns on the gunman who ultimately complied and was disarmed.

Chicago, Illinois, April 19, 2015

An Uber driver with a concealed carry permit pulled a gun and opened fire on a man he saw firing a pistol into a group of people.  The shooting stopped when the assailant was wounded several times.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, March 22, 2015

A man in a barber shop was arguing and took out his gun and opened fire on customers and barbers.  Another man outside heard the gunfire, ran into the shop, took out his own gun and opened fire, striking the assailant in the chest.

Darby, Pennsylvania, July 25, 2014

A convicted felon killed a caseworker during a regularly scheduled appointment.  A doctor in the vicinity had his own gun and returned fire, hitting the murderer three times and critically wounding him.

Chicago, Illinois, July 7, 2014

A man fired on a group of people leaving a party, only to be shot himself by one of the victims, a military service member with a concealed carry permit.

Portland, Oregon, January 11, 2014

A man was ejected from a nightclub, but he returned 30 minutes later with a gun and shot a bouncer and two others.  A second bouncer, a concealed handgun permit holder, fatally shot the assailant.

* UPDATED: Compiling Cases where concealed handgun permit holders
have stopped likely mass public shootings (crimeresearch.org)

THE HOCHUL WALK OF SHAME  by Jim Tuttle

Let’s look at New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s willful failures as well as her intentional and criminal failures. 

Upon taking office Mrs. Hochul pledged the following.  “I do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of the State of New York, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of Governor of the State of New York, according to the best of my abilities.”

The oath is to support and uphold the Constitution of the United States. Since then, she has often conducted herself contrary to this oath. Let’s look at how she has done this.

She has always supported the NYS Safe Act. The Safe Act is not one law but rather a name given for a series of changes to several different NYS laws, over the years.  None of those changes made a weapon safer to operate, or less dangerous. Firearms only become dangerous in the hands of the wrong person. 

In addition, these changes were mostly cosmetic in nature.  Ban it if it has a bayonet mount or a large capacity magazine or looks like a military weapon, and on-and-on.  In direct contrast to the 2nd Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, these changes were intended to infringe on the civilian ownership of a weapon and not intended to make society safer. 

Later she formulated an enhanced Safe Act, which included “Red Flag” Laws. These are laws having to do with individuals with criminal histories, histories of domestic violence or others that she deemed unfit to own a firearm.  It might sound good but to accomplish this she had to violate the “Due Process” clauses of the 5th and 14th Amendment.

At that time, she also provided NYS taxpayers’ monies to the NYS Police to create a gun owner registration. This was accomplished by requiring the NYS Police to perform background checks (NICS) on anyone purchasing not only a firearm, but any ammunition.  The ammo provision is a delaying tactic (harassment) that could take from two hours to two weeks (or more) to accomplish.  She also created a fee system to put an extra burden upon the ammo purchaser.

Most importantly, she made a very extensive list of places that she deemed that firearms could not be carried: schools or school events; churches; public events; sporting events; private property; and the list goes on.  In reality, all she did was create free fire zones, with a target rich environment. Anyone who wanted to do a lot of damage would have free reign in these areas. As far as I’m concerned, this was an act of criminal negligence. 

Additionally, she further endangered our children by prohibiting the purchase of any type of body armor or bullet proof vest.  Since it has been a serious crime to wear such an item during the commission of a crime for twenty years of more, this was an unnecessary act and only served to endanger citizens. (A further form of citizen disarmament.) Formerly, parents were able to purchase Kevlar lined backpacks for their children.  They can no longer do that.

With these new laws at her disposal, she still has completely failed in her stated goal: “Public safety is my top priority and I won’t rest until everyone is safe and feels safe in New York State”.  Yet, an individual who was very well known to local police, probation officers, family court, criminal court and the New York State Police, and not one entity met their responsibility.  As a result, this person went to Buffalo NY and shot and killed several people.  Kathy Hochul never took responsibility for her incompetence and the failure of all the laws. Instead, she took less than twenty - four hours to blame the tool (weapon) to promote her agenda. (She always uses her failures to promote more gun restrictions).

During the same time that she has continually violated our 2nd amendment rights, she encouraged places like New York City, Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and more, to become sanctuary cities, inviting very dangerous criminals into this state.

A no bail policy was instituted, encouraging these criminals to continue and even escalate in their activities, all in direct violation of the nation’s laws and the laws of NYS. I’ll never understand how a person can be arrested almost forty times and still be on the street.  Apparently, Hochul has no problem with this.

I could go on-and-on about the contract frauds, (which she prevents from being made public,) or the lies connected with solar power - don’t get me started on that subject.

I’ll close and leave you with this thought.  With about five-million-gun owners in this state, more than ever, we need to actively promote our cause, which is the protection of our families and our 2nd Amendment rights - or lose them forever.

One party rule in Albany is going full force in attacking Constitutional Rights!   by Bohdan Rabarsky

Legislative bills have a shelf life of two years, ending in even numbered years.  Therefore, all gun bills introduced in 2023, expired at the end of 2024.  They have to be reintroduced in 2025 as a new bill with a new bill number.   

The New York State’s 2025 Legislative Session started on Jan. 8th and it didn’t take long before Democrats in Albany started writing gun bills. Within the first ten session days, they had sponsored 50 gun-related bills.

Like everything in life, not all gun bills are created equal. There are gun bills they actually plan on moving forward through the system, with a chance of making it to the governor's desk to be signed into law.  

In other instances, leadership assigns bills to be written by certain legislators, so the legislators can go back to their constituents and show they’re fighting for them. Many of these bills don't have a chance of becoming law, but it makes the Legislator look good.

Though a bill has not passed in the past, in New York State they are still lurking out there and that makes them dangerous.  Here’s a couple examples 

One of these bills is S1358 sponsored by state Senator Jose Serrano (D-29, New York City). This bill would require all pistols to be equipped with a permanent “Child Proofing Device”. Senator Serrano first sponsored this bill in 2009 and 8 more times since then. Each year the bill was referred to the codes committee or, to put it into baseball terms, it made it to first base and never went any further. 

Another bill S418 sponsored by Senator Michael Gianaris (D-12, Fordham Heights). This bill prohibits the purchase of more than 1 firearm during any period of 30 days. Senator Gianaris first sponsored this bill in 2011 and 7 more times since then. This bill was referred to codes, but it never made it past first base.

One thing these two bills have in common is that both are sponsored by Democrat legislators from the New York City area. More than likely, none of the Democrats that have sponsored these gun bills own a gun or have ever held or fired a gun. Come to think of it, almost every unconstitutional gun bill sponsored by a Democrat comes from New York City or one of the surrounding counties.

All legislators take an oath of office to uphold the Constitution, but seem to skip over the 2nd Amendment.  Below is a partial list of the Democrats, the districts they represent surrounding New York City and some of the bills they've sponsored.

D-12 Michael Gianaris, New York City                           S418

Only 1 firearm purchased every 30 days.                                                                                                                                     

D-14 Leroy Comrie, New York City,                               S2158    

Microstamping

D-29 Jose Serrano, New York City,                                S1358

Firearms not usable by 5year old

D-38 Jenifer Rajkumar, New York City,                        A2228, A2060

3D printed NICS check and ID #

D-88 Amy Paulin, Scarsdale,                                          A346, A198

Minimum age of 21, waivers  

D-81 Jeffrey Dinowitz, Riverdale,                                 A437

Required warnings                                                                                  

D-47 Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Manhattan,                       S227, S3833

3D Printers and Licensing, dart and stun guns                                          

D-67 Linda Rosenthal, New York City,                         A1764

Marketing firearms to minors

D-31 Khaleel Anderson, New York City,                       A3021

Microstamping                                                           

D-73 Alex Bores, New York City,                                    A1191

Personalized handguns                                                         

D-58 Monique Chandler Waterman, New York City, A2084

Establish office of gun violence prevention

Notice the number of 3D Printer proposed bills.  NY City based legislators obviously do not know that every LEGAL firearm must have a certain amount of steel in it (that makes it detectable to a metal detector.)  They want to make illegal what is already illegal!

Our Governor at Work

It’s doubtful if anyone could paint Kathy Hochul as anything but an enemy to the 2nd Amendment.  She doesn’t let the U S Constitution or NY State laws stop her and not just in her opposition to guns*.  Politics seems to trump concern for the people of New York State.

For example.

As SCOPE reported on January 16th, NY Congresswoman Elise Stefanik is President Trump’s nomination to be his Ambassador to the U N.** 

Once confirmed and Stefanik resigns, under the current law, Governor Hochul will have 10 days to schedule a special election in the following 70 to 80 days.  So, Stefanik’s 21st congressional district will have up to three months without a Representative.  Did I mention that the 21st is a solid Republican district?  With Republican control of the House of Representatives so close, a vacant Republican seat would make their majority ultra-thin, but only last for about three months.   

Thus cometh NY Senate bill S4588*** which would move the election to replace Stefanik to November, keeping the House Republican majority ultra-thin for an added six months.

Here is the rational, directly from the bill:

“New York's current system of filling federal and state elected office vacancies places undue financial and operational burdens on local boards of elections and exacerbates voter confusion and fatigue by asking voters to frequently participate in elections throughout the year.”

(Where was all this concern about fiscal issues and voter confusion and exhaustion in 2022 when the Democrats were overturning a redistricting commission that they established?)

With such a “noble” rationale behind the bill, one would think that Governor Hochul would leap to defend it.  Not so!

Hochul tried to distance herself from the plan to hobble President Trump’s agenda.  She claimed she had nothing to do with the plan even as the state Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins contradicted Hochul’s stance and said: “It began with her.”  Apparently, House Minority Leader and Brooklyn Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) was also involved in the effort but, somehow, Hochul claims knew nothing about it.

That the people of Stefanic’s district will not have any representation in Congress until November is just collateral damage to Hochul’s pursuit of political power.

Then there is this example.

Last September, prosecutors at the Southern District of New York indicted NY City Mayor Eric Adams.  He was accused of receiving benefits from Turkish nationals which, prosecutors alleged, led to a quid pro quo. 

Adams pled not guilty in court.

On February 10th, 2025, Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove said in a letter that the case cannot be brought until after this year’s mayoral election. The directive from Bove makes no assessment on the strength of the evidence against Adams and only delays any action, but he says it is hindering Adams' ability to address the immigration crisis.

NY City has been a Sanctuary City for illegal aliens, which definitely hinders everyone’s ability to address the immigrant crisis – if one wants to address it and Hochul has made it clear she does not want to address it.

Eric Adams has said he met, on February 13th, with President Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan to prepare for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to resume operations on Rikers Island, which houses the NY City’s largest jail.

On February 14th, Adams said that he wants to loosen New York City’s sanctuary laws to allow the NYPD to cooperate with ICE

On February 18th, it has been reported that Governor Kathy Hochul is considering removing Adams from office as NYC Mayor.  As governor, Hochul has the power to remove Adams from office, but that authority has never been used in the state’s history. 

(Since New York State was officially formed on July 26, 1788, no New York City mayor has deserved being removed from office?  From the founding of our state until the 1930’s, Tammany Hall was the main local political machine of the Democratic Party and played a major role in controlling New York City and New York state politics but no Mayor in all that time was ever deserving of removal from office for corruption, until Adams?)

There are many unknowns around these actions and accusations and given NY City politicians are involved there are probably no ‘clean hands.’  But the important fact is certain; Hochul showed no public interest in removing Adams from office when these charges were made.  After Adams said he will cooperate with ICE, Hochul is swiftly motivated to take action.

Draw your own conclusions about her political motives.

And then there is “Congestion Pricing” for NY City.

Congestion pricing is a system that charges vehicles $9 during peak hours for entering Manhattan's Congestion Relief Zone (CRZ) — the area below 60th Street, excluding certain highways like the FDR Drive and West Side Highway.

As one can imagine, another ‘tax’ on the middle class was not popular.

It was scheduled to go into effect this past Summer, but Governor Hochul abruptly halted the plan. At the time, she said she worried it would cost motorists too much money. 

(Could she have been more worried that it would cost democrats votes?)

Once the presidential election was over, Congestion Pricing reappeared and took effect on January 5th.  (Maybe votes were her motivation!)

So, why this civics lesson centered on Kathy Hochul.  Politics is dirty and Hochul is not the only one wallowing in the mud.  But many gun owners don’t want to get involved because they don’t believe Hochul and company are coming for their guns.  But as the above examples indicate, the Constitution and laws are considered a hindrance, not a guidance for Hochul and friends.  They may not appear to be coming for your guns – yet – but don’t be deceived by their current actions and words.  They are coming.  It’s not if but when.

Ask yourself this question: do you trust Kathy Hochul after reading he above examples?

* See the Concealed Carry Improvement Act for proof.

** S.C.O.P.E. Shooters Committee On Political Education -
Biden, Reciprocity, Stefanik and Hearing

*** Bill Search and Legislative Information | New York State Assembly

Sale of Child Operated Firearms

To date, there have been five proposed bills introduced in the New York legislature having to do with age restrictions for firearms.  One of those is especially bad!

New York State Senate bill S1358 was introduced by four Democrat Senators in January and referred to the Codes Committee.  It’s summarized as “Sale of child operated firearms.”

Does that bill refer to selling firearms meant only for children?  (That would not be a problem since no one manufactures firearms for children.)

Nope.  Under that harmless sounding name lies a more sinister purpose.

If passed, one year after being passed, in New York State, you will not be able to buy a newly manufactured firearm that has not been “childproofed” against a 5 year old.  Basically, firearms that are widely available almost everywhere else in the United States would be illegal to sell in NYS.    

The bill actually says:

“No person, firm, limited liability company or corporation engaged in the retail business of selling rifles, shotguns or firearms shall sell, deliver or transfer any child operated firearm to another person.”

What is a child operated firearm?

"Child operated firearm means a pistol or revolver manufactured twelve months or more after the effective date of this section which does not contain a childproofing device or mechanism incorporated into the design of such pistol or revolver to effectively preclude an average five years old child from operating the pistol or revolver.”

How does one child proof a firearm to comply with this law?

“Such devices or mechanisms shall include, but not be limited to:

• the capacity to adjust the trigger resistance to at least a ten pound pull; 

• the capacity to alter the firing mechanism so that an average five year old child's hands are too small to operate the pistol or revolver;

• the capacity to require a series of multiple motions in order to fire the pistol or revolver.”

The way the bill is written, a firearm must have all three of the above, not just any one of the three.

Does this technology even exist?  (Remember, the lack of an effective technology did not stop multiple states from requiring “micro-stamping.”)

Would it make the firearm almost unusable by an adult?

What’s the penalty for selling, a non-child proofed firearm?

“Any person, firm or corporation who violates the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor.”

The bill only addresses selling these guns.  Could one buy a non-child proofed firearm in another state?

Answer: the gun grabbers in New York would certainly try to stop this with a future bill!  The already tried this in another case.

On February 9th, SCOPE sent an email** explaining proposed bill A00929 which would violate the “Interstate Commerce” clause of the United States Constitution in order to allow NY Attorney General to prosecute New Yorkers and gun sellers who buy guns or ammo in another state without “without contacting the New York state police for authorization.”

Has lack of technology or violation of the United States Constitution ever stopped Kathy Hochul and the New York Legislature?

You might consider dropping your state Senator or Assembly-person a line and tell them how much you dislike this bill.

** S.C.O.P.E. Shooters Committee On Political Education - Assembly Bill A00929

Presidents’ Day

Technically, George Washington was born on February 11th under the Julian calendar, which was still in use for the first 20 years of Washington’s life.  The Gregorian calendar, intended to more accurately mark the solar year, was adopted in 1752, and added 11 days.  Washington’s birthday moved to February 22nd.

In 1879, Washington’s birthday on February 22nd became a legal holiday for federal employees in the District of Columbia.

In 1885, it grew to include the entire nation.  (Joining just four other bank holidays that the federal government recognized at that time: Christmas Day, New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, and Independence Day.)

Some states like New York (not the federal government), also celebrated Lincoln’s birthday on February 12th 1809.  Lincoln’s birthday was never a federal holiday.

Congress proposed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. The idea was to move several holidays to various Mondays throughout the year, giving workers a few three-day weekends off. During debate on the bill, it was proposed that Washington’s Birthday be renamed Presidents’ Day to honor the birthdays of both Washington and Lincoln. Following much discussion, Congress rejected the name change. But the idea of adding more three-day weekends was popular enough that the Uniform Monday Holiday Act passed Congress in 1968.

In 1971, the Uniform Monday Holiday Act took effect. Washington's Birthday holiday was moved from February 22 to the third Monday of the month.  That it splits the difference between Washington and Lincoln’s birthdays is probably not a coincidence, but it is nothing official. The third Monday in February remains only "Washington's Birthday" in federal law. 

However, many states have official variations which include: Washington and Lincoln’s Birthday; Presidents’ Day; Washington’s Birthday; Washington and Jefferson Day.  And some states have a separate state holiday for President’s Day.

The holiday was never ‘President’s Day’ at the federal level but that has become its unofficial title.

Some object to honoring all presidents, just because they had been president, and do not like the title President’s Day.  I’m sure the readers could quickly name a few!

However, if you are going to honor February birth presidents, another president that many feel deserves special recognition was born on February 6th; Ronald Reagan.

MCC’s

Merchant Category Codes (MCCs) classify merchants and businesses by the type of goods or services provided.  Most businesses have one (1) code that covers all purchases.  Historically firearms and ammo purchases were included under a general sporting goods code (5941) under the MCC.

Financial Services companies such as credit card companies use these codes.

The International Standards Organization approved creation of a separate code for guns and ammo, under pressure from the gun control activists, worldwide.

The Biden administration, of course, pushed American financial institutions to adopt this, which is a backdoor into a gun registry.

At the individual state level, California Governor Gavin Newsom became the first governor in the country to enact the MCC firearm credit card code. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis followed suit.  New York Gov. Kathy Hochul joined in by becoming the third state to enact the firearm retail store MCC. 

Hochul expressed the real reason for the code change: “We’re also going to require credit and debit card companies to track purchases at gun dealerships, and make it (possible), in turn, for us to monitor the sale of guns and ammunition.” 

As usual, this effort of the gun grabbing left has lots of holes in it, the main one being that one (1) code applies to all purchases at that business.

Even the anti 2A Bloomberg News reported: “The payment network and its banking partners would have no idea if a gun-store customer is purchasing a [firearm] or safety equipment.”

Hochul suggests NYS can flag “suspicious” purchasing behavior.  A “suspicious” purchase” would prompt a bank to file a Suspicious Activity Report to the Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network.  However, the banks haven’t defined what would be a suspicious purchase, in this case.

Are all purchases under the new code ‘suspicious?’  Hochul would say yes!

Will buying boxes of shotgun shells, waders, decoys and a hunting license at a local retailer be flagged with the MCC.

To remedy this, the Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act (PPPA), was introduced by Representative Riley Moore (R-WV) and 25 House colleagues.   It would prohibit a credit card network from requiring firearms retailers to use or assign a special merchant category code that distinguishes such a retailer from a general-merchandise retailer or a sporting-goods retailer.  A firearms retailer may not be assigned any merchant category code that distinguishes the gun dealer from a general-merchandise retailer or a sporting-goods retailer.

Not only would this protect gun owners from one form of government intrusion, it would eliminate a lot of bureaucratic created confusion. 

A similar bill, HR 7450, was introduced in a previous session of Congress, but it did not come up for a vote.  The new version does not yet have a bill number, as of this writing.  

2A defenders are encouraged to write their congressperson to support this bill.

NYS Congress printable .pdf 

Recertification 2.0

Got this advice from a SCOPE Member.

You might want to inform others that if they need to make changes in pistols being co-registered, they need to delete it from their current list and then add it back in as co-registered. (Make sure to jot down the info before you delete so you can add it all back in.)

This is the only method for making changes.

Also, if you have had the semi-automatic rifle added to your permit you need to go to that line and click yes even if you already have it on your permit.

A very helpful gentleman at the NY Trooper website for pistol permit recertification helped me navigate these issues.

If you need to contact the Recertification help desk call: 855-529-4867

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U.S. Rep. Mike Bost(R-Ill) and Rep. Morgan Lutrell (R-Texas) introduced H.R. 1041.  Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) and Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) introduced S. 478, a companion bill.

Veterans’ who name a fiduciary (or someone to assist with their finances) have their names submitted to the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) as prohibited individuals.   This practice was temporarily suspended but the suspension will expire on March 14, 2025.

This legislation, introduced both in the House and Senate, would ensure that no Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) bureaucrat can strip a veteran with a fiduciary of their rights to keep and bear arms without a judge or court ruling first that the veteran is a danger to themselves or their community.

Those pesky 5^th and 14^th Amendments strike again, much to the dismay of gun grabbers.

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U.S. Representative Jack Bergman (R-MI) reintroduced H.R. 45, the Firearm Industry Non-Discrimination Act (FIND Act). U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) also introduced a companion bill in the U.S. Senate (S. 137).

The FIND Act would prevent corporations and other entities that receive government contracts from discriminating against the firearm and ammunition industries. 

This is important in relation to large financial institutions, to stop them from implementing ‘virtue-signaling’ corporate policies.  These financial institutions have wielded their size and influence in an attempt to restrict firearm manufacturers from conducting constitutionally protected business.

An Illinois County Resident Circuit ruled against a requirement that Illinois residents must obtain a Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) card in order to possess a gun in the home for self-defense.

The judge noted:

“…the defendant’s possession of a .22 caliber rifle within the confines of her own home, even without a valid FOID card falls squarely within the protections afforded her by the Second Amendment.”

“If we compare [the right to keep and bear arms in one’s home] to the right to vote, requiring a voter to pay an administrative fee for absentee voting from their own home would be unthinkable. There is no question that voting from home requires more administrative work. Yet, to require the payment of additional fees would disenfranchise voters, regardless of the amount of the fee”...any fee associated with a FOID card, as related to possessing one for having a gun in one’s home for self-defense, “violates the Second Amendment.”

“After analyzing all the evidence in this matter, this court finds that the defendant’s activity of possessing a firearm within the confines of her home is an act protected by the Second Amendment. Additionally, there are no historical analogues to the FOID Act as required in Bruen.

The decision only impacts this specific case and Illinois.  Being a thoroughly Blue state dominated by Chicago, it will certainly appeal this decision.  But, the logic is strong and may be picked up in other similar cases.

Executive order on 2A

On Friday, February 7th, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order that will start to undo the Second Amendment regulations put in effect by Biden. It reads as follows:

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered:

     Section 1.  Purpose.  The Second Amendment is an indispensable safeguard of security and liberty.  It has preserved the right of the American people to protect ourselves, our families, and our freedoms since the founding of our great Nation.  Because it is foundational to maintaining all other rights held by Americans, the right to keep and bear arms must not be infringed. 
     Sec. 2.  Plan of Action.  (a)  Within 30 days of the date of this order, the Attorney General shall examine all orders, regulations, guidance, plans, international agreements, and other actions of executive departments and agencies (agencies) to assess any ongoing infringements of the Second Amendment rights of our citizens, and present a proposed plan of action to the President, through the Domestic Policy Advisor, to protect the Second Amendment rights of all Americans.
     (b)  In developing such proposed plan of action, the Attorney General shall review, at a minimum:
          (i)    All Presidential and agencies’ actions from January 2021 through January 2025 that purport to promote safety but may have impinged on the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens;
          (ii)   Rules promulgated by the Department of Justice, including by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, from January 2021 through January 2025 pertaining to firearms and/or Federal firearms licensees;
          (iii)  Agencies’ plans, orders, and actions regarding the so-called “enhanced regulatory enforcement policy” pertaining to firearms and/or Federal firearms licensees;
          (iv)   Reports and related documents issued by the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention;
          (v)    The positions taken by the United States in any and all ongoing and potential litigation that affects or could affect the ability of Americans to exercise their Second Amendment rights;
          (vi)   Agencies’ classifications of firearms and ammunition; and
          (vii)  The processing of applications to make, manufacture, transfer, or export firearms.
     Sec. 3.  Implementation.  Upon submission of the proposed plan of action described in section 2 of this order, the Attorney General shall work with the Domestic Policy Advisor to finalize the plan of action and establish a process for implementation.
     Sec. 4.  General Provisions.  (a)  Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
          (i)   the authority granted by law to an executive department, agency, or the head thereof; or
          (ii)  the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
     (b)  This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
     (c)  This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

Assembly Bill A00929

NY State Assembly bill A00929 was introduced by Phillip Steck and Rebecca Seawright.  Referred to Codes Committee in January 8th. No same as (corresponding) bill introduced in the NYS Senate.

Quotes directly from the bill:

‘a) Investigate and prosecute any individual  seller  of  firearms  or retail  firearms dealer who knowingly sells an illegal firearm or rapid fire modification device to a resident of the state of New York or to an individual who purchases a firearm or rapid-fire modification device  on behalf  of a New York state resident or who knowingly sells a firearm or rapid-fire modification device to a resident of the state of New York or to  an  individual  who  purchases  a firearm or rapid-fire modification device on behalf of a New York state resident without contacting the New York state police for authorization  pursuant  to  section  two  hundred twenty-eight of this chapter and any other law, rule or regulation.’

‘c) Investigate and prosecute any individual seller of firearms or retail firearms dealer should they knowingly sell ammunition to a resident of the state of New York or to an individual who purchases ammunition on behalf of a New York state resident without contacting the New York state police for authorization pursuant to section two hundred twenty-eight of this chapter and any other law, rule or regulation.’  (Emphasis Added.)

Article 1 Section 8 of the United States Constitution says:

‘The Congress shall have Power to…regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes…’ (Emphasis added)

Article XIII Section 1 of the New York Constitution reads:

"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the constitution of the United States, and the constitution of the State of New York, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of ......, according to the best of my ability…”  (Emphasis Added)

It seems that Assemblypersons Steck and Seawright have violated their oaths of office by introducing a bill which is obviously contrary to the United States Constitution in which regulation of interstate commerce is only done by the United States Congress.  Will they be impeached?  (Sarcasm intended.)

How is NY State going to notify every individual seller of firearms or retail firearms dealer in the world that they need to be contacting the New York state police for authorization - or NYS Attorney General Letitia James will be coming after them? 

Because of the burdensome background check and fees introduced by the Concealed Carry improvement Act and signed into law by Governor Hochul, (an act that has numerous unconstitutional parts) many gun owners now buy ammunition in other states.  

If you should buy ammo in another state, this bill would allow:

3. The attorney general shall have the power to enforce the provisions of this section by bringing civil and criminal actions in the state courts of New York.  (Emphasis added.)

It is easy to complain but difficult to get people motivated into action.  How aggressive in doing away with 2nd Amendment protected gun rights does New York State have to get in order to get gun owners motivated? And not just gun owners – anyone who believes in the Constitution and the rule-of-law.