I missed the letter when it came out last month, but GOA shared it on X, and the NFL, NHL, MLB, NCAA, MLS, NBA, and NASCAR jumped on the anti-gun bandwagon in it.

Hey @nfl, @nhl, @mlb, @ncaa, @mls, @nba, and @nascar why did you send a letter to Congress in SUPPORT of gun control?? https://t.co/vvak8GHLMX pic.twitter.com/HrmoSWq2lb

— Gun Owners of America (@GunOwners) February 11, 2024

They have already made the Super Bowl as much about Taylor Swift dating Travis Kelce, who plays for the Chiefs, as they have the game, and you have to wonder how much of a publicity stunt it is.

When I did a post on social media, Vincent pointed out, “They support something that a good percentage of their players don’t follow, anyway. How many times have we seen professional athletes get caught with firearms they’re not supposed to have? Or in places they’re not supposed to have them in? Keep harming the masses based on the 1%. Sounds legit to me.”

You would have thought these organizations would have learned after stunts like the Bud Lite promotion that featured a transgender influencer named Dylan Mulvaney, who promoted the beer on his/her Instagram, and NASCAR ticking off their fan base in recent years, but I guess not.

When sports or Hollywood come out in support or opposition of something, are you more or less likely to spend your money on what they offer?

It’s a shame that things like sports and entertainment, which used to be an escape from politics, are now intertwined with it.

In a constitutional carry state, you do not need any training or a permit to carry a firearm. The researchers claimed to have used “advanced statistical modeling” to support their claim.

The study looked at 34 states that made it easier to carry a gun between 1980 and 2019 and compared them to “predicted” crime rates using data from “may issue” states.

Professor Cassandra Crifasi said, “If you graph all of the states in the U.S. by their rate of gun death from the highest to the lowest, a very clear pattern emerges.”

Several factors make this study inaccurate, but let’s look at the one that jumped out first. If you sort the data differently, you will get a different result.

The researchers used “advanced statistical modeling,” but @AHistory pointed out on X that ten of the fifteen states with the lowest homicide rates are constitutional carry. These states have some of the least restrictive gun laws since they are constitutional carry states.

Here are fifteen of the safest states based on factual homicide data, not “predicted” crime rates.

The researchers used the same old talking points that don’t hold up under scrutiny. “When states made it easier for potentially untrained gun owners to carry their weapons in public, assaults with guns increased.”

Part of that can’t be backed up with reliable data because what do they consider assaults?

“While the Supreme Court’s Bruen decision is forcing some states to weaken their concealed carry permitting systems, this study shows that states can reduce the expected increase in gun assault rates by including training requirements.”

This video from @wethepewple tries to explain the confusion since the gun control groups seem to be using fussy math.

Stricter concealed carry = safer? ?

S/o to @2aHistory for always dropping that ? data on schooling peeps on x?? pic.twitter.com/pOoAAwv3Jp

— #wethepewple (@we_the_pewple) December 4, 2023

Bloomberg Professor Daniel Webster said, “This study shows that making the concealed carry permitting process more rigorous can have a major impact on public safety.”

Since you do not need a permit to “constitutional carry,” the evidence doesn’t seem to support the idea that “more rigorous” training will impact “public safety.”

Military Conflict

War and preparation for war engulf the world. The Ukraine conflict lumbers on and shows no sign of ending anytime soon. Governments worldwide are sending all their old ammunition to Ukraine, so they will need to refill their inventory, and they will be buying vast restocks for years to come. The Israel/Palestine situation will drive similar demand, and in the background sits the U.S./China “cold war.” United States Military procurement will always trump civilian supply because they buy in volume, and it can be multi-year deals.

Panic Buying

Of course, the above situations make civilians nervous. Add to that the polarized political landscape magnified by social media, and you have a veritable stampede for civilian ammunition sales (mainly in the U.S.).

Raw Materials and Components

We still haven’t returned to normal since COVID. Raw materials and components are far more expensive and sometimes unavailable. 12 gauge is becoming challenging to source in high volumes because of propellant, and even the internal wad is becoming a problem. Politics and war have affected some of the raw material supply, and some are just significantly backlogged since everything stopped for COVID. Logistics costs are double or triple pre-covid prices, and many carriers won’t even ship hazardous cargo as they have enough work with standard items.

Production Capability

Most producers run a pretty lean operation. They can’t afford to stockpile for rainy days because old ammunition loses value, especially for military supplies. They want new ammunition made to maximize shelf life. The manufacturers cannot just turn up numbers overnight. They may need to invest in new lines, extra factories, and more skilled workers. None of that is quick or easy. They may not even wish to if they believe high demand is temporary because nothing lasts forever.

Is There Going to be an Ammunition Shortage?

Do I bring any good news about potential ammunition shortages? Yes, if you have good, trusted connections, you will still find products. Some of the bigger players took steps to mitigate the above factors, so hopefully, things will not get as bad as they’ve been in the past.

However, gun violence is a serious matter, but boiling it down to “guns are the problem” ignores the multifaceted factors like mental health, socio-economic conditions, and any other blame you wish to put towards the use of a gun in the death or injury of another.

It’s not as black-and-white as that. That would be like blaming every vehicle for a vehicle accident just because someone you might have known died in one. It’s never been the “object” that committed the act. It was the “person” using the object!

The first gun, or proto-gun, appeared in China around 1000 AD. People have been killing each other for thousands of years, using various weapons such as sticks and stones. We, the “Human Race,” have always been the “cause and effect” of our own violence. Yes, guns have, no doubt, played their part, but they have also saved the lives of people.

Perhaps it’s the same reason when there is a “car accident,” we all slow down to see, knowing something terrible happened. We seem to crave the bad and don’t care about the good. Part of being a responsible “gun owner” is knowing that you have a tool that can cause serious injury, death, or save a life.

The bad people know it, too. That’s why they have theirs and why I have mine. “I train not to be a hero, but I refuse to be a victim.”

I don’t know exactly what some labels the media are using mean, like “anarcho-capitalist” and “radical libertarian populist.” So, I spent a few hours reviewing his policies and listening to his speeches last night.

What Does Javier Milei Stand For?

He has proposed some significant reforms that many call radical, but I’m seeing some common sense. He can be very abrasive and blunt, so I can’t use his actual words for some of his views.

His governing philosophy is that “you can’t give s**t leftists an inch.”

• He’s Anti-China
• Thinks teaching gender education in school is brainwashing
• Anti-socialism
• Anti-woke
• Anti-globalist
• Anti-establishment
• He’s said, “redistributing wealth is a violent act”
• Climate change is a “lie of socialism”
• He believes criminals shouldn’t be allowed to immigrate to his country.
• You’ll have to look up what he said about Pope Francis and Mickey Mouse, but use your imagination.
• Pro-gun and wants to loosen gun control.

?? JAVIER MILEI, NUEVO PRESIDENTE DE LA ARGENTINA

HA ARRASADO EN LAS ELECCIONES#Elecciones2023 #EleccionesArgentina #EleccionesArgentina2023 #Ballotage2023 #Ballottage2023 pic.twitter.com/2coKzpd45s

— antiprogre.com (@antiprogrecom) November 19, 2023

Gun Control in Argentina

You can carry a firearm in Argentina, but it is not a simple and a nearly impossible process. You have to pass both physical and psychiatric examinations. Then, you are required to undergo firearm training and show proof of income.

You need to provide the reason you want the firearm, and once you get your permit for ownership, it has to be renewed continually.

In Argentina, there were over 1 million gun owners registered with 1.62 million guns in 2021. They estimate that there are another 1.6 million illegal weapons in the country, which once again shows gun control doesn’t work.

Argentina’s Economy

They counted over 26 million paper votes within hours, and he got 56% in his favor with a 76% voter turnout. In the US, we are still ironing out 2020.

They will not swear in Milei until December 10th, and with central bank interest rates at 133%, he is inheriting a train wreck. The inflation rate is currently 143%, and the central bank predicts it to be 185% by the end of the year if something doesn’t change.

Milei’s acceptance speech vowed “a limited government, respect for private property and free trade ” last night. The model of decadence has come to an end. There is no way back.”

He is a self-proclaimed populist who they have labeled a libertarian. I watched an interview where he said “libertarian” has a different meaning in his country compared to the US. Honestly, I can’t figure out the difference.

“If printing money would end poverty, printing diplomas would end stupidity” -Javier Milei, newly elected President of Argentina.

He’s like a Trump on steroids with no ego, and they both need a hairstylist. I see a pattern there.

Luckily, I managed to download a couple of videos because one is missing this morning, and getting to some others is hit or miss. The views are in the millions, so I’m sure the servers are struggling to keep up. Two tweets with videos are averaging 833,000 views per hour. That’s 10 million views between two videos; half the world hasn’t even been open for business.

The market is up over 12% already this morning, so someone thinks he’s got potential. Like him or not, he’s one to keep an eye on.

Market reaction to the election of Javier Milei to be president of Argentina. pic.twitter.com/OKVdgLoMx7

— Wall Street Silver (@WallStreetSilv) November 20, 2023

I went to a meeting of a pro-gun group, and the topic “Who Is to Blame for Anti-Gun Laws Getting Passed” came up.

My day yesterday started with training on The Fatal 10 Factors of Law Enforcement Suicide. It ended with the monthly meeting of a Second Amendment organization last night.

The topic of who should be “blamed” for some of the illogical legislation that has been passed came up, along with why there wasn’t more opposition.

A board member said the politicians aren’t the ones we should blame because they got into office and did what they said they would. Pass anti-gun laws. OK, I agree we have some common ground there.

They said that for every person in the organization, 99 other gun owners in the state are not members. They should blame those 99 people because they are not members.

Whoa, wait a minute. I’m one of those 99, and you just tossed me under the bus. My mouth wanted to engage, but my brain said, wait, it isn’t your group, and I knew ONE PERSON in the room—the person who invited me.

That’s it, about 80 of them and me. Among the 80, at least three individuals are in a position to do something within the organization. I.e., board members, etc.

They said some other counterintuitive things, and I, being the shy person I am, couldn’t keep my mouth shut. I looked over at the guy who invited me and raised my hand.

This is what I had to say in a nutshell.

“First off, I apologize, this isn’t how I had hoped to meet everyone here, but I’ve sent multiple emails requesting comments for past articles and introduced myself at various events. Not once has anyone gotten back to me. Don’t you think it would be helpful if you had a media contact?”

What I didn’t say in front of the entire group was, Do you realize I’m one of the 99 people you just blamed for anti-gun laws getting passed? And to make matters worse, I’m part of the media.

I mentioned the fact that I was one of the 99 to one of them on the side afterward and handed some of them my card once again.

This is a sizeable group in their state, not some organization with a few thousand members. They have the resources and could look for members to volunteer to help if needed.

I know if I reached out to the NRA or NSSF, I’d probably have an answer before the weekend was up. Malk Olivia over at the NSSF is amazing, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he responded this evening.

Fighting For a Cause Is a Group Effort

My point is fighting for a cause is a group effort, and we are stronger together than we are divided. Yet, time and time again, I see people who should all be on the same side fighting with each other or working against each other.

I’m still not a fan of the organization, but my door is open because everyone needs to get along. If you want to fight, do it behind closed doors and not in front of the opposition. We are our own worst enemies when we fight among ourselves.

Folks, suck it up and get your act together. I’m not just referring to a Second Amendment issue or pro-law enforcement cause. The statement applies to anyone who cares about something and believes in seeing change happen.

Before we jump in, I want to be realistic. This isn’t going to work for everyone, and it isn’t going to turn people into libertarians or conservatives overnight (perhaps not at all). I can tell you from experience, though, that once you demystify firearms for an anti-gunner, it starts to open their eyes to other things.

Talking About Guns and Finding Common Ground

The first step is to find some common ground to agree on. Yes, there is absolutely too much gun violence in this country. Yes, too many innocent people die. No, the police can’t really do much to prevent it. There’s your common ground.

Most of these people you’re trying to reach have rarely if ever, shot or even picked up a real gun. Here is where the real work begins. Invite them to go to the range. Ideally, you should find a qualified firearms instructor to help you unless you’ve had some experience teaching firearms to others. Now is not the time for your ego, so make this assessment objectively. Also, using an instructor conveys some authority and respect that you might not have on your own. Remember, the goal is to demystify guns for them.

At the range, that first round down range is going to change their lives. By the 100^th round, they will feel empowered, capable, and fearless. Some are going to get really emotional about it; some might cry. Nobody leaves that range the same person as they were coming in.

Range Practice

Next, you need to help turn them into a legal gun owner. Please be sure to follow all the local, state, and federal gun laws because you’re not going to be of any use to them in jail and/or deep in debt from legal fees. If they’re going to buy one, help them pick it out. Once they take possession of it, go home, show them how to take it apart, oil it, clean it, and load it (with dummy rounds, dummy).

If they’re anxious to get to the range with their new pew-pew, go! Then again, maybe they’ll want to get used to the idea of having it around first. Before you go, please review the firearm safety rules again and point them to some material about self-defense rules of engagement, castle doctrine (if you have it), and whatever else is appropriate for your state.

New Supporter of Gun Ownership

Behold! You have a fully functioning new gun owner. Soon, they will begin to see that the people they’ve tacitly supported over the years want them disarmed. Now they’re the “good guy with the gun.” They won’t change their political outlook overnight, but this will crack it open and let some light in.

From here, keep talking to them casually about things. Talk about concealed carry. Help them select a holster. Invite them back to the range. Occasionally, send them articles from this site about defensive gun information. You don’t want to overdo it, though, or you’ll get a lot of pushback. Don’t hammer them with gun politics. They’ll start to see it on their own.

Even if you only ever get to the first step, that’s good. You’ve made them think. Sometimes, it’s hard to know the long-term impact.

Stay safe, be prepared, and never panic!

The famous Third Wave Experiment might help explain your feelings about some current events and media. It was 1967, and a high school teacher named Ron Jones tried an experiment to explain the Nazi’s rise to power during WW2 to his students. The students wondered how an entire country could become cruel and evil. After all, aren’t people naturally good, caring, and selfless?

The Third Wave Experiment

The teacher did an unofficial experiment to show them just how easy it is for anyone to become like the Nazis.

He created a group in his class called the “Third Wave,” with rules, symbols, community, etc. (things not inherently bad). However, an atmosphere arose in which the Third Wave quickly took on several negative traits.

Within days (that is days, not weeks!), the group grew to over 200 students! These students did not hesitate to ostracize, ridicule, and bully other students. They would label critics as traitors as totalitarianism took over.

By the fifth day, Jones had ended the experiment after leading all the students into the auditorium with the promise of a major event. This is where the teacher broke the news to them that what they had been doing was not real. It took time for the initial shock to wear off.

The Standford Experiment Was Worse

The Stanford Prison Experiment was very similar and had to be shut down after seven days because of the abuse it was inflicting upon those involved in the experiment.

One student from the Stanford Prison Experiment said the harm caused by the worst guard (“John Wayne“) still harms him (in the present tense). He stated he knew ‘John’ was a ‘nice guy’ but “I know what you can turn into.”

This should all lead us to ask, “Why would I be any different?” These were people, and since you and I are also people, we are subject to the same temptations and pressures. What is stopping you from turning into ‘John’ or a Third Wave student, or worse?

We Should Learn from History

I’m not trying to be wholly negative here. I am trying to bring to light some important historical experiments and lessons about the human condition. After all, this is important if we want to avoid the hypocrisy of becoming the very oppressors and evil doers we condemn.

I have two brief closing thoughts.

Know The Problem

The first is being aware of the problem. Third Wave, students were much more conscious of the human condition after the experiment than they were before. Learn from them.

Be Careful Who You Follow

Second, in the words of one student, “Be careful who you follow because you never know where they will lead you.” Who or what are you following?

Tim Keller gives some incredible words here regarding following Jesus and where it leads: “[These are] Christianity’s unsurpassed offers—a meaning that suffering cannot remove, a satisfaction not based on circumstances, a freedom that does not hurt but rather enhances love, an identity that does not crush you or exclude others, a moral compass that does not turn you into an oppressor, and a hope that can face anything, even death.”

By Ben Shaw, PhD

Dr. Ben Shaw is the President of Core Apologetics. He has authored or co-authored over two dozen publications, along with multiple presentations at conferences and universities (UVA, etc.). He has a book coming up in 2024 with InterVarsity Press called “Trustworthy: Thirteen Arguments for the Reliability of the New Testament.” In addition to his academic work, he has also obtained a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Would having the populous armed stop an attack of this proportion? Probably not, but it may have given some people a fighting chance.

Israel Disarmed Civilians

Israel had not only disarmed civilians but also disarmed what they call security teams, which differ from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Everyone in Israel is required to serve in the military, so they train everyone on how to use a firearm.

A few days ago, I wrote an article highlighting the restrictions on private citizens owning firearms in Israel. A few hours after publishing that article, Israel took it further. It said it would issue 10,000 assault weapons to security teams.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had taken firearms away from these same civilian security teams over the past three years because of repeated theft. When the attacks began, the security teams had no weapons to protect themselves except for a few handguns.

One individual said, “The IDF took our rifles recently, they left us with just a few. We repelled a Hamas commando terror cell with just pistols.”

Israeli Civilian Security Teams

Civilian security teams protect small towns and communities in Israel’s outlying areas and West Bank settlements. Some teams tried to protect civilians against the Hamas attack on Saturday before the IDF could help. They had handguns to defend themselves against well-armed attackers with rifles and other small arms. The attackers had way more firepower.

Aside from that, regular citizens have been applying through the government website to get a firearm, and Gun Owners of America reported the site was down for a while. Because of that, people couldn’t apply for a license. You’d think at times like this, they’d speed things up.

?BREAKING?

Israel's licensing portal is down—leaving qualified individuals unable to apply to carry a firearm for defense during a terrorist invasion.

Translation⤵️

It is temporarily not possible to fill out the form
Please try again later
We apologize for the inconvenience pic.twitter.com/oNWeBZSSqq

— Gun Owners of America (@GunOwners) October 11, 2023

This person Tweeted the process isn’t going smoothly: “I have written about it dozens of times. Twenty-two residents are waiting for approval for a gun. Everyone will finance their own gun. Some just need a permit for a firearm. Please help.” He’s not the only one that has said licensing is being delayed.

In a related article, Scott Kirshner, President of Dedicated Threat Solutions, talked about kidnapping and the risk involved if they move you to a secondary location. Again, these people were unarmed.

Do you think it can’t happen in the US?

If you think something can’t happen here, you’re not watching the news. Some militant groups that are killing people are no bigger than a typical street gang. Add to that the unknowns flooding across the border, and the potential is there. Are we likely to see anything of the magnitude that’s going on in Israel, highly doubtful but that doesn’t mean risks don’t exist.

Instead of fixing the root cause of the problem, politicians added more gun control, leaving people defenseless. They disarmed everyone, including law-abiding citizens and security forces, with training.

Instead of Israel’s politicians trying to disarm everyone, why not solve the theft problem? The law-abiding citizens, as always, were left to fend for themselves with nothing to use except, in some places, a few handguns.

Solve Underlying Issues of Violence Instead of Adding More Gun Control

The United States is heading down the same path. Instead of solving the underlying issues, politicians want to disarm everyone and hope it works. Just look at Gov Grisham, who decided to single-handedly pretend the Second Amendment doesn’t exist and make HER own rules.

In times of emergency or widespread events, it’s essential to remember that no one is coming to save you. You are your own first responder.

Tight gun control laws in Israel and Ukraine have undoubtedly resulted in the deaths of many people. These incidents highlight the importance of the Second Amendment in protecting everyone.

In January 2020, everyone was rushing for police accountability, and Illinois state lawmakers rushed a bill through to make the masses happy. They passed the 764-page SAFE-T ACT (Safety, Accountability, Fairness, and Equity- Today) in less than a week. That was where HB-3653 started, and it was the beginning of “No Cash Bail” for Illinois.

Exactly one year ago, I wrote the article “Illinois May Officially Become the Wild West With No Cash Bail.” They may need to make additional changes, and fast, if this is how things are going to go.

Illinois “No Cash Bail” week one results.

• A man who “allegedly” left his dead wife in the middle of the road was released on electronic monitoring. She had jumped out of the car during a fight.
• They gave a man in Chicago accused of punching a police officer in the face a free pass; the prosecution didn’t even ask the judge to keep the man. They charged him with felony aggravated battery of a peace officer and misdemeanor resisting.
• They sent a 24-year-old girl home without restrictions after she “allegedly” pepper-sprayed four cops.
• Three women “allegedly” punched, kicked, pepper sprayed, and robbed a 44-year-old woman. The court sent two on their way without bail, and one got electronic monitoring. She only got EM because she had been on probation for less than a month for repeatedly hitting a pregnant woman.

These instances came from the same source, CWBChicago. If you want to take the time to look at other outlets, there is a long list.

Cashless bail: A suburban man who allegedly left his dead wife lying in the middle of the road was released on electronic monitoring yesterday.https://t.co/3Y71B1Rs2r

— CWBChicago (@CWBChicago) September 22, 2023

Will there be a breaking point where law-abiding citizens stand up and take care of things themselves? Or maybe they’ll untie the hands of the police and let them loose to do their job?