John Crump

VA Senator Admits To Adding Barriers & Hoops For Gun Owners

February 25, 2021 by contrib1 Leave a Comment

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RICHMOND VA –-(Ammoland.com)- SB 1430 failed in the Virginia Senate Judiciary. The bill’s point was to eliminate a double background check that the Commonwealth requires when someone sells an NFA item privately.

Senator Bill DeSteph introduced the bill because of a poorly written Virginia law. Right now, if someone buys an NFA item from a private seller, the law requires them to go through a background check at the time of sale and an identical background check at the time of the transfer of the item. The checks are redundant and just serve to add obstacles for those seeking to buy NFA items.

During the hearing of SB 1430, Senator DeSteph explained the bill’s purpose to a room full of Democrat Senators. His explanation fell on deaf ears. The Democrats seemed to have had already decided to kill the bill. The anti-gun politicians admitted to keeping the flawed law in place and add barriers and hoops for gun owners to jump through.
Senator Scott Surovell was transparent in his reasoning for rejecting the bill. He did not attempt to hide that he already decided he wanted to kill the bill to discourage gun owners from purchasing NFA items.

“I feel uncomfortable about reducing the number of hoops someone has to jump through to get a machine gun,” Surovell told DeSteph.

DeSteph tried to explain to Surovell that the bill just removes the first check because it doesn’t serve a purpose. After all, the second check is the same thing as the first. Surovell looked disinterested and disregarded the Republican Senator’s explanation of the intention of the bill. He said he likes it the way it is. The other anti-gun Senator’s looked like they didn’t even want to be in the hearing.

Surovell then said, “I know a lot of people in my district would be very concerned that we’d be reducing barriers to obtaining a machine gun.”

Democratic Senator and Chairman John Edwards jumped in to try to define a machine gun for the hearing. Unfortunately, Edwards didn’t seem to know what a machine gun is. The aging statesman stated that a machine gun is a firearm that takes two people to fire.
DeSteph tried to correct him, Edwards cut him off and insisted it takes two people to fire a machine gun. When DeSteph tried to correct him once more, Edwards insisted that the Marine Corps taught him that you need two people to fire a machine gun. One person to fire the weapon, and “one guy is guiding” the ammunition.
The Marine Corps has never taught that a machine gun was a firearm requiring two people to shoot. AmmoLand News reached out to a USMC recruiting office to ask about the Marines’ assertion taught Edwards’s definition of a machine gun. The recruiter laughed and immediately hung up.
Another Senator spoke up and said he was thinking of a belt-fed machine gun. Edwards laughed at him and said, “Well, no. It can’t feed itself.”
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After the exchange, DeSteph and others in the room looked dumbfounded. Edwards then called for a vote on the bill. The bill failed in the Senate Judiciary by a count of 8-6.
About John Crump
John is a NRA instructor and a constitutional activist. John has written about firearms, interviewed people of all walks of life, and on the Constitution. John lives in Northern Virginia with his wife and sons and can be followed on Twitter at @crumpyss, or at www.crumpy.com.

A Real Break Down of NFA Numbers & Backlog Solutions

February 24, 2021 by contrib1 Leave a Comment

A Real Break Down of NFA Numbers & Backlog Solutions
U.S.A. –-(Ammoland.com)- In 2019, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) budgeted $13.2 million in additional funding for the National Firearms Arms (NFA) branch.

The ATF used the new money to hire 25 additional employees, including 13 more examiners, bringing the number to 42 employees assigned to the branch. The new employees doubled the size of the department. Also, at-risk Industry Operations Investigators (IOIs) started a temporary detail in the NFA branch. The additional funding goal was to help the ATF “process NFA applications within a 90-day timeframe.”

The experiment has failed. Processing times for NFA items are higher than ever. The ATF blames these delays on the number of Americans buying suppressors and making short-barreled rifles. The agency says it processed 512,315 NFA applications for 2,353,436 guns. This number breaks down to around 12,200 applications per employee.

This number sounds daunting until you dig deeper into the statistics. Only 9.7% of the applications consisted of a form one or form four. The vast majority of the applications the ATF processed were from dealers, manufacturers, and from things like exportation by the military. None of these applications requires a background check, checking fingerprints, and processing passport pictures. It just needs the ATF to update databases.
Subtracting the number of industry applications from the total number leaves the ATF with 49,695 applications from private citizens. Even if you remove the underperforming IOIs that the ATF put on temporary detail to the NFA division, this means that the ATF is only processing 1,183 non-industry forms per employee per year. This number further breaks down to less than 23 applications per employee per week.
If employees can’t keep up with the volume, maybe it is time the ATF shift gears and attacks the problems from another angle. The ultimate solution would be to get rid of the NFA. Realistically, the NFA’s chances of being repealed wholesale by Congress is probably a long shot due to the Biden administration being hostile to any pro-gun legislation and anti-gun politicians controlling both chambers.
A good start for Congress would be to remove SBRs from the NFA.
This move would cut down on the number of form ones and fours to a more manageable number for the NFA branch. This move would also solve the issue with conflicting ATF guidance that surrounds stabilizing pistol braces. With 10 to 40 million braced pistols currently in the country and no increase in crime, this should be a no-brainer for Congress but still would hit resistance.
Another solution would be removing suppressors from the NFA.
This change has been attempted several times in the past but has failed. For it to work, the public would need to be educated on the actual usage for these devices. Hollywood and anti-gun groups have long sold the public on the myth that suppressors are the tools of assassins. In fact, in most countries in Europe, gun owners can purchase suppressors over the counter without going through background checks.
A third solution would be letting licensed firearms dealers issue the tax stamps at the time of sale.
The background check that the NFA branch runs on a buyer is the exact same background check dealers run when someone buys a gun. The only difference would be scanning fingerprints and passport photos into the system. This small change would save American’s time and American taxpayers millions of dollars that now go to the NFA branch.
The final solution would be for the NFA Branch to use machine learning to process applications. In addition to the cost and time-saving benefits of such a system, it would also eliminate human error from the process. Congress wouldn’t have to change a single law to implement this approach.
Even though there are many different ways to speed up the NFA process, it is unlikely to get Democrats to sign onto any changes. It isn’t about making us safer. It is about creating an artificial bottleneck to inconvenience gun owners.

About John Crump
John is a NRA instructor and a constitutional activist. John has written about firearms, interviewed people of all walks of life, and on the Constitution. John lives in Northern Virginia with his wife and sons and can be followed on Twitter at @crumpyss, or at www.crumpy.com.

Leaked: Congressional Research Service Report on Firearms Stabilizing Braces

February 18, 2021 by contrib1 Leave a Comment

SIG SAUER Pistol Stabilizing Brace
WASHINGTON, D.C. –-(Ammoland.com)- AmmoLand News has obtained a report dated February 12th, 2021 sent by the Congressional Research Service to Congress members about pistol braces. (embedded below)

Congressional Research Service (CRS) is a non-partisan government think tank that works with Congressional members on reports about different issues. The service consists of 600 government employees, including lawyers, economists, reference librarians, and social, natural, and physical scientists. It is the policy counterpart to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO).

William J. Krouse, Specialist in Domestic Security and Crime Policy, #ad wrote the report for members of Congress detailing the ATF’s long saga with stabilizing braces. This report can be a sign that Congress is once again looking into the brace issue. The CRS confidentially works with members of Congress, so AmmoLand News hasn’t been able to determine what member requested the document.

The document starts by Krouse summarizing the December 18th, 2020 pistol brace guidance letter submitted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) to the National Register. In his determination, the ATF was “preparing to reclassify certain heavier, larger handguns (pistols) equipped with stabilizing braces as more stringently regulated short-barreled rifles.” On December 23rd, he notes that the ATF “withdrew its guidance, pending further Department of Justice review.”
Krouse explains how a pistol brace helps a disabled shooter use an AR/AK-type pistol. He describes how the user would attach the stabilizing brace to their gun and how an operator would strap the pistol brace around their forearm. The specialist explains that the first model was to help a disabled veteran safely use his firearm. From his description, Krouse studied the history of pistol braces.
Krouse then goes onto say that shooters can use stabilizing braces and similar devices as a “quasi-shoulder stock.” He states in his opinion that by adding a stock to certain pistols, the user could change a firearm’s classification under the Nation Firearms Act of 1934 (NFA) and the Gun Control Act of 1968 (GCA), effectively turning the gun into a short-barreled rifle (SBR) or a short-barreled shotgun (SBS).

The specialist points out that the ATF has long held “that the attachment of a shoulder stock to a handgun or pistol grip firearm transformed that GCA-regulated firearm into an NFA-regulated short-barreled rifle or shotgun.”

Krouse points also out that in November of 2012, the ATF ruled that a user installing a stabilizing brace would not be enough to change the firearm classification.
Krouse then speaks about the ATF’s 2015 open letter, which seemed to insinuate that a shooter could not shoulder a firearm with a brace installed. He mentioned several private letters that the agency issued that walked back these statements. Although in 2018, the government charged an individual with possession of an unregistered SBR because his AR-pistol had a cheek rest installed and its “length of pull” was greater than 13.5 inches. The defendant beat the charges because of the “ATF’s failure to take the measurement properly in alignment with the barrel’s axis.” Krouse echoed what the industry has been saying for years.

He states: “This case is an example of how the absence of definitive determinations about the legality of firearms equipped with stabilizing braces and similar devices may create repercussions.”

He then explains different NFA items and gives an overall review of firearms, such as what constitutes a shotgun and what constitutes a smooth bore pistol. He explains the differences between GCA-controlled firearms and NFA-controlled firearms. Krouse also breaks down other firearms laws that surround both.
Krouse discusses a potential gray area in the law. He mentions how “some GCA-regulated handguns and pistol grip firearms are dimensionally equivalent—in terms of their barrel lengths, overall lengths, and/or barrel bores—to other NFA-regulated firearms.” He explains by modifying the barrel length of a rifle or shotgun, a user could change the classification of the firearm. He points out that if a pistol never had a stock attached that a user could not turn the gun into an SBR or SBS under the NFA.
Krouse mentions companies successfully marketing AR and AK-type pistols #ad since the sunsetting of the Clinton era “assault weapons” ban. He notes that many of the guns that companies are selling would have been illegal under the expired law. However, AmmoLand News is unsure as to why he stated that fact in this document.

10 To 40 Million Pistols Equipped With Stabilizing Braces
He then discusses how the sale of these firearms has exploded in the past 12 years. He theorizes the rise of these guns is due to pistol braces. The government unofficially believes that there are 10 to 40 million pistols equipped with stabilizing braces in the country. This number is higher than previously thought.
The document ends with the firearms rights advocate’s view that stabilizing braces are a viable alternative to creating an NFA firearm. He also points out that anti-gun advocates want to see the ATF reverse course on its brace rulings and have called on Congress to act.
The document is a valuable insight into the information that the CRS is providing Congress on gun issues.
Congressional Research Service Issues Report on Stabilizing Braces for Congress

ATF IOIs Temporarily with the NFA Division are Not Hitting Target Metrics

February 17, 2021 by contrib1 Leave a Comment

ATF Call: IOIs On Temporary Detail To The NFA Division Are Not Hitting Target Metrics iStock.com/monsitj-958626050
MARTINSBURG, WVA –-(Ammoland.com)- According to a leaked Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) leadership conference call obtained by AmmoLand News, Industry Operations Investigators (IOIs) that the ATF has assigned to a temporary detail with the Nation Firearms Act division have not been pulling their weight and are missing their target goals.

In regular times, the IOIs are responsible for visiting Federal Firearms License (FFL) holders and conducting industry inspections. These tasks include inspecting the FFL’s bound book to verify that firearms are correctly cataloged and transferred, checking that the dealers’ customers have correctly filled out the 4473 form and the dealer has processed it, answering FFLs questions about regulations, and making sure the FFLs are following all applicable firearms laws.

512,315 Nation Firearms Act Applications in 2020
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the ATF has temporarily moved several at-risk IOIs who cannot work in the field to the NFA division to help process incoming NFA requests. 512,315 plus in 2020, according to ATF recent documents. The ATF leadership is not happy with these employee’s performance on their detail. The top brass at the bureau plans to have a conference call with the IOIs assigned to the NFA division detail to reinforce what they expect from ATF employees working in the division. The ATF leadership didn’t lay out the target metrics and how much the IOIs were missing these metrics.

The ATF leadership expects some or all of the IOIs to request a transfer after the conference call. The ATF leadership did not share the number of IOIs currently on the temporary detail with the NFA Division. While these inspectors are on assignment with the NFA division, the number of industry inspections has plummeted. To combat the lack of assessments made by current IOIs, the ATF will be hiring nearly 100 more IOIs to help do the ATF employees’ work that cannot or will not work in the field because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The call’s leadership did not give a timeline for hiring the new IOIs but stated that the human resources department has already approved the requisition request. The leadership requested that hiring managers clearly detail the reason for passing on any candidate.

The leadership is worried that someone will ask for the reasons for the rejections through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. AmmoLand News spoke with a few attorneys who deal with FOIA requests, and they believe that this information would not be FOIAable due to personel privacy concerns.

The conference call didn’t make it clear to where the ATF will reassign these at-risk employees. Some believe that the inspectors will want to take a temporary detail in a division that isn’t as visible as the NFA division. The ATF administration does not think that the IOIs on the detail will be able to return to the field for the foreseeable future due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The ATF leadership on the call also did not state if the NFA division positions left vacant by the IOIs that request a new temporary assignment will be backfilled or just left empty. Nor did they mention an improved plan to process and/or speed up approvals for the flood of NFA applications the agency is receiving from U.S. citizens. AmmoLand News is firing off several FOIA requests to try to fill in the gaps about the NFA division.
About John Crump
John is a NRA instructor and a constitutional activist. John has written about firearms, interviewed people of all walks of life, and on the Constitution. John lives in Northern Virginia with his wife and sons and can be followed on Twitter at @crumpyss, or at www.crumpy.com.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene Introduces The Second Amendment Preservation Act

February 14, 2021 by contrib1 Leave a Comment

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene Introduces The Second Amendment Preservation Act (Dave Workman photo)
WASHINGTON, D.C. –-(Ammoland.com)- Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has introduced the Second Amendment Preservation Act which is a bill that would prevent federal funds from being used to enforce any measure, law, regulation, or guidance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) issued after November 1, 2020.

After the Presidential election, the Biden transition team contacted the ATF to see what their top priorities will be for the new administration. Acting ATF Director Regina Lombardo and Acting Assistant Director Marvin Richardson responded that their top priorities were pistol braces and unserialized firearms. As soon as it appeared that Biden won the election, the ATF started tackling their biggest concerns.

The ATF raided Polymer80 and started showing up at firearms dealers that sold unfinished frames. They radically changed what they considered firearms after the Biden victory. According to the agency, a kit with a jig and a frame was enough to consider it a gun. The ATF believed anyone selling the kits was selling unregistered firearms. Biden’s win emboldened the ATF.

Then right before Christmas, the ATF submitted a letter to the National Registry, which would make almost every pistol brace on the market into a stock. They were about to turn millions of Americans into felons overnight. Only because of the massive public outcry and enraged Congress members did the ATF pull their letter. No one believes that the ATF will stop trying to change the definition of pistol braces and unfinished frames.
What Rep. Greene’s bill will do is stop the ATF in their tracks. Without funding, they will not be able to enforce changes to long-held definitions of devices as they did with bump stocks to make de facto gun laws. Rep. Green believes only Congress can make laws, and the law enforcement agency has overstepped its bounds.
The bill has won praise from firearms advocacy organizations like Gun Owners of America (GOA). The group endorsed Rep Greene during her campaign, citing her commitment to defending the Second Amendment. Greene is a gun owner and a staunch supporter of the right to bear arms.

“President Biden has promised to take on gun owners and pursue the most aggressive gun control agenda in history,” Aidan Johnston, Director of Federal Affairs for GOA, stated. “He’s vowed to attack the gun rights of seniors, ban the distribution of 3D printed gun files, and target pistol braced firearms and 80 percent receivers. However, the Second Amendment Preservation Act cuts at the heart of the enforcement of any legislation by any agency—through cutting its funding—and prevents any of Biden’s measures from going into effect.”
“This legislation harmonizes with the clear mandate of ‘shall not be infringed’ in the Second Amendment and gives gun owners a tool to peaceably fight back against unconstitutional gun control measures,” Johnston concluded.

Rep Greene has been a lightning rod for Democrat’s attacks on the Hill. Greene was an ardent Trump supporter and not your average politician. Democrats went as far as to try to remove her from committees and wanted to prevent her from being seated. Greene fought back and refused to bend a knee to the establishment.
The bill will face a tough road through Congress, but Rep Greene vows to keep pushing for pro-gun bills.
About John Crump
John is a NRA instructor and a constitutional activist. John has written about firearms, interviewed people of all walks of life, and on the Constitution. John lives in Northern Virginia with his wife and sons and can be followed on Twitter at @crumpyss, or at www.crumpy.com.

Leaked ATF Document Shows Americans Filed 512,315 NFA Applications

February 9, 2021 by contrib1 Leave a Comment

Americans filed 512,315 NFA weapons applications and a massive backlog of firearms industry FATD reviews are still pending but ATF’s priority for 2021 is… more “Diversity”!?
U.S.A. –-(Ammoland.com)- Guns Owners of America acquired a leaked document from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) highlighting their “accomplishments” in 2020 and their goals in 2021.

The document comically opens with a picture of a dog. The ongoing joke in the gun community is that the ATF likes to shoot people’s dogs. It does not appear if the image of the dog is used in jest. Dogs appear throughout the document including on the last page of pictures.

The ATF document starts with its main goal for 2021.

The ATF’s Primary Goal Is To Increase Diversity Within Its Ranks!?
The ATF has a quota for “diversity,” stating 25% of all special agents (SA) and Industry Operations Inspectors (IOI) must “represent diversity.” It appears that the ATF is making a massive push to hire minorities even though the document does not come out and say that there is a quota for minority ATF employees.

One of the good changes coming in 2021 is the new eForm 4. This new form should speed up the ATF’s NFA response time. Currently, purchasers of NFA items end up waiting up to a year for the ATF to issue their tax stamp.
Getting into the ATF’s 2020 highlights, the document starts with the “Office of Management.” This section gets into what the ATF did with their $1.4 billion allocated to the agency by Congress. The ATF purchased 4,000 pieces of equipment for a total cost of $496 million. This cost includes the agency’s purchase of 332 law enforcement vehicles for a total of $11.9 million. Additionally, the ATF leased 611 other cars for its IOIs costing it an additional $3.2 million. The Bureau also spent another $320 million on leased office space around the country.
The Office of Management also oversees asset forfeiture, including the controversial civil asset forfeiture. In a civil asset forfeiture, the agency seizes property and money from people without the ATF charging them with a crime. [for examples see ATF Makes Moves Against the Solvent Trap Industry] The office processed 107,372 items. The agency disposed of 93,835 items and served around 12,000 seizure notices.
The Firearms & Ammunition Technology Division (FATD) looked at 1,716 pieces of evidence in 637 criminal cases. FATD only conducted 379 evaluations for the industry. There is currently a massive backlog of firearms industry items for FATD to examine. Some companies have waited over two years for their products to receive an opinion letter from the division. FATD did respond to 2,623 contact requests from the industry, and 6,637 inquires from the public.
The Firearms & Explosives Services Division processed an astonishing 129,792 applications for Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs). That number is massive, but it doesn’t have the astounding numbers of the National Firearms Act (NFA) applications. The ATF processed 512,315 applications for NFA items. That number is mindblowing and shows the need for a new eForm 4.
Another surprising number is the number of people purchasing multiple handguns. Whenever a buyer buys multiple handguns in a week, the FFL must report the transaction to the ATF. In 2020, buyers purchased 1,253,422 handguns as part of multiple handgun sales. Americans are stocking up on firearms.
Americans Filed 512,315 NFA Weapons Applications in 2020
Field operations investigated 37,772 criminal cases. Out of these cases, 34,562 were firearms-related. The ATF referred 9,880 total cases for prosecution and arrested 14,700 suspects. Only 12 cases were tobacco-related. The document doesn’t go into the specific charges. IOIs conducted 35,482 inspections and revoked 49 licenses. An additional three FFLs surrendered their licenses to avoid the ATF revoking them.
During the 2020 civil unrest, the ATF responded to 936 arsons. Surprisingly the agency also responded to 83 explosive incidents. Most of these incidents did not make the mainstream news.

The leaked document is an interesting look into the ATF in 2020 and we are looking forward to the increased “Diversity” solving the enormous application and review processing delays at ATF.

Catching Up With Chris Cheng About His Debut on TBS’s “Go-Big Show”

February 8, 2021 by contrib1 Leave a Comment

Photo credit: Courtesy of TBS
U.S.A. –-(Ammoland.com)-Chris Cheng is not your average gun guy. For one, he is from the very gun unfriendly city of San Francisco, where he worked for Google. He decided to leave his job at the tech giant to pursue his passion for marksmanship.

Without any formal training, he applied to be on the fourth season of “Top Shot.” The History Channel accepted his application and invited him on the show. Cheng had the odds stacked against him, but that didn’t stop him from taking on the challenge head-on. With only a belief in himself and raw natural skill, Chris took on world-class shooters. Cheng bested them all to win the title of “Top Shot” and took home the $100,000 prize.

Since then, Cheng has been busy in the firearms world. He has written a book on shooting called “Shoot to Win.” He has spoken at rallies around the country about 2A rights and is now returning to TV in hopes of winning it big.

Cheng is a contestant of TBS’ new “Go-Big Show.” He hopes to win over judges such as Rosario Dawson, Cody Rhodes, Jennifer Nettles, and Snoop Dogg. The ever-hilarious Bert Kreischer hosts the show. It highlights acts from shooting to monster trucks. This past Thursday, Cheng advanced to the semi-finals by defeating a pair of motorcycle stunt riding twins.
I had a chance to catch up with Chris and find out more about the show and his involvement.
John: I think the last time I interviewed you was about your appearance on History Channel’s “Top Shot.” Now you are on another TV show that is on TBS called the “Go-Big Show.” Can you tell us about the show?
Chris: Go-Big Show isn’t your average competition series – it showcases an incredibly diverse range of unique, supersized talents on a scale never before seen on television. No one can predict what’s going to come next. The program celebrates daring acts alongside personal, behind-the-scenes stories from the challengers as we battle head-to-head to impress the judges and advance toward the finale’s ultimate $100,000 prize. The show features host comedian Bert Kreischer and an all-star panel of judges, including entertainment icon Snoop Dogg, beloved actress Rosario Dawson, GRAMMY® winner Jennifer Nettles, and legendary wrestler Cody Rhodes. The competition focuses on heartland acts that speak to the core of America – acts with scale, swagger, and attitude.
John: How did you get involved with the “Go-Big Show?”
Chris: The casting team reached out to me in early 2020, and I was initially skeptical about how big the show could go. So, I threw together a list of weapons such as machine guns, grenade launchers, and pyrotechnics, fully expecting them to come back and say “no,” but in fact, they agreed that many of my weapons and ideas were viable. On top of it all, we had to create a custom shooting stage for an indoor stadium in Macon, Georgia. I don’t think a stage like this has ever been built. I’m shooting live ammunition in an indoor facility that is not designed for gunfire. However, safety was a top priority for me and the Go Big Show, and I am incredibly excited that we opened up a new paradigm for future TV shows and firearms.
John: Can you describe your act on the show?
Chris: My act is inspired by the days of Annie Oakley and other professional shooters who traveled the country with their shooting acts. My act is driven by storytelling with the firearms and their history at the center of the narrative. I intersperse my own personal story and opinions into my act to make for a memorable and positive firearms experience.
John: How did you come up with your act?

Chris: I created a customized act for the Go Big Show, which I have never done before. It was exciting to have a blank white space to produce and develop an act concept that would be educational, fun, and engaging. One of my firearm peers, Iraqveteran8888, was a key friend who I brainstormed with. He had an amazing idea of dressing up in period clothing, so my act is focused on the gangster Prohibition era and the guns.
Photo credit: Courtesy of TBS
John: Do you think that your appearance on the show might make people realize that the 2A community is large and diverse?
Chris: Highlighting the diversity and big tent nature of the 2A community is a big goal of mine. My act on the Go Big Show touches upon my Asian and LGBT background. It is my hope that my act will dispel the false narrative that the 2A community is a singular stereotype.
John: What do you hope to get out of your appearance on the show?
Chris: I hope my Go Big Show appearance spurs more TV shows featuring firearms. The fact that we shot firearms in an indoor arena is incredibly notable, and we did so in an affordable, scalable way — other TV shows can utilize that safety template.
John: What other act on the show impressed you the most?
Chris: One person whose talent caught my eye is Orissa Kelly. She is an international foot archer and performer. She is also into firearms, and I’d love to collaborate with her down the line.
John: How were the judges?
Chris: Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be on a first-name basis with Snoop and Rosario Dawson. These two judges are people who I respect greatly for their contributions to the arts. It was also really exciting to interact with the other two judges, Jennifer Nettles and Cody Rhodes, who I was unfamiliar with prior to the Go Big Show. All the judges were personable and critically honest of everyone’s performances, and I like how the Go Big Show judges didn’t tear anyone down. There isn’t a “bad guy” judge like you see on some other talent show competitions.
John: Are you still glad you left your day job at Google to become a professional shooter?
Chris: Absolutely! Pivoting out of tech into the firearms industry was one of the best career decisions I’ve made. But it wasn’t without challenges. Many Asian American parents, mine included, tend to direct their kids towards careers in medicine, law, accounting, etc., and no one in my family has ever been in the firearms industry. However, my parents have always supported my entrepreneurial interests, and after their initial concerns about what I was going to do as a pro shooter, they are also really happy with my choice.
John: What is up next for you?
Chris: I am turning my eye toward more TV and possibly movie work and explore the hosting and producing side of the business. There is so much potential and opportunity for more entertainment and educational content featuring firearms, Asians, and LGBT communities. I have some irons in the fire, so we’ll see what happens in 2021 and beyond.
[embedded content]
The “Go-Big Show” airs Thursday nights at 9 PM EST/8 PM CST on TBS. Readers can catch up on past episodes on the TBS website.
About John Crump
John is a NRA instructor and a constitutional activist. John has written about firearms, interviewed people of all walks of life, and on the Constitution. John lives in Northern Virginia with his wife and sons and can be followed on Twitter at @crumpyss, or at www.crumpy.com.

January, 2021 Sets New Record For Gun Sales

February 7, 2021 by contrib1 Leave a Comment

January, 2021 Sets New Record For Gun Sales
U.S.A. –-(Ammoland.com)- Americans purchased more guns in January 2021 than any other month on record.

American citizens purchased 4,137,480 firearms, which is a rise of 60% over last January. For reference, in 1999, Americans purchased 9,138,123 firearms for the entire year. Gun ownership has exploded since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and the civil unrest that gripped the nation over the summer. Americans watched rioters burn cities and loot businesses throughout the country. This perfect storm of chaos saw the gun market explode. Last year, gun sales hit an all-time high of 39,695,315, a 40% increase over 2019.

Michigan, Rhode Island, and Maryland saw the most significant increase in gun sales last year. Firearms sales increased by over 100% in those three states. The only state that saw a decrease in gun sales was Kentucky, which saw a decline of just under 20%, but still saw the sale of 3,330,462 firearms. The FBI stats don’t include the number of private sales in states that do not have universal background checks.

Gun sales had risen in most years since 1998 when the FBI started tracking gun sales using National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). Some analysts think the increase in gun sales since 1999 has to do with the explosion of concealed handgun permits. Currently, all states have some form of concealed carry, even if it is tough to qualify for a concealed carry permit.
Another reason for the increase in gun sales could be the explosion in firearms ownership in non-traditional demographics. Gun purchases among women have increased by 40% since this time last year. According to a National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) survey, black Americans purchased 58% more firearms than in previous years. Many of these gun buyers are new firearms owners.
It is just not women and black Americans buying their first firearm. Hispanics have seen almost a 50% rise in firearms purchases. Asian’s gun purchases increased by nearly 43%. Overall, gun purchases have increased across all demographics, and there are no signs of sales slowing down. Even with the trend of rising firearms sales since 1999, it doesn’t explain the massive jump in sales during 2020 and the first month of 2021.
According to the NSSF, five million Americans purchased their first firearm in the first seven months of 2020. New firearms purchases have slowed down the processing of pistol permits in states that require a permit to buy a handgun. Mecklenburg County, NC, is currently four months behind on processing pistol buying permits and concealed handgun permits. This delay causes an artificial bottleneck for gun buyers seeking to purchase their first gun. The Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Department told AmmoLand they are currently moving resources to help clear the backlog.
One issue the increase in gun sales has caused the firearms industry is the lack of ammunition. Americans are also buying ammunition at an astounding rate. Even with Ammunition companies running their machines around the clock, they are not keeping up with the demand. The companies are getting into bidding wars for components, which drive up prices for consumers.
There is no end in sight to the great American gun-buying spree. With the Biden/Harris administration promising gun control, gun sales will most likely increase instead of decrease.
Welcome to the new normal.
About John Crump
John is a NRA instructor and a constitutional activist. John has written about firearms, interviewed people of all walks of life, and on the Constitution. John lives in Northern Virginia with his wife and sons and can be followed on Twitter at @crumpyss, or at www.crumpy.com.

Rate of Airline Passengers Caught With Firearms Doubles in 2020

January 27, 2021 by contrib1 Leave a Comment

Rate of Airline Passengers Caught With Firearms Doubles in 2020
Washington, D.C. –-(Ammoland.com)- Airlines have been hit hard with a steep drop in passengers, with Americans traveling less than they have in years due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. With fewer people in the country flying, you would think guns confiscated at airports would be at an all-time low rate, but that isn’t the case.

According to a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) press release, the agency found firearms at double the rate the agents found in 2019. TSA officers discovered 3,257 passengers carrying guns on their person or in their carry-on bags. Of these discovered firearms, flyers had 83% of these guns loaded. The rate of passengers caught with firearms by TSA agents in 2020 was the highest in the agency’s 19-year history.

In 2019, the agency recovered 4,432 firearms from flyers, but agents screened 500 million fewer passengers in 2020. The stats broke down to 5 guns per million flyers in 2019 and 10 firearms per million travelers in 2020. The TSA did not include toys, replicas, improperly checked firearms or BB guns in its stats.

“I commend our officers for their commitment to TSA’s security mission by identifying and stopping these weapons at the TSA checkpoints. Firearms are strictly prohibited on board planes in the passenger cabin,” said Senior Official Performing the Duties of TSA Administrator Darby LaJoye. “Bringing a firearm to a TSA security checkpoint poses a serious risk to TSA officer and passenger safety, and doing so may result in significant fines or arrest.”

TSA agents stopping passengers with firearms took place at 234 of the country’s busiest airports. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) topped the list with the TSA finding 220 passengers with guns in 2020. The Georgia airport happens to be the nation’s most-used airport and is the central hub for airline giant Delta, Frontier, and Southwest airlines.
According to the TSA, local law enforcement is the one that decides if charges are filed against passengers who brings a gun to a TSA checkpoint. The federal agency will, however, make the traveler pay civil penalties for the transgression. The penalty assessed by the TSA depends on several key factors. These factors include if the traveler has been caught previously with a gun at a TSA check and how many times, they have violated the law. Each time a traveler is found with a gun at a TSA checkpoint, the penalty against the passenger increases. Also, the civil penalty lodged by the TSA is larger if the firearm is loaded.
It is not illegal for a flyer to travel by plane with a firearm, but the traveler must declare the gun at the airline check-in counter, and the firearm must be stored in the traveler’s checked bag. The firearm also cannot be loaded and must be in a TSA approved locked hard-sided case. Ammunition must be in the original box but can be in the same locked hard-sided case.
There are 8.4 million new gun owners in the United States. It might be new owners not knowing the laws governing flying with a firearm.
About John Crump
John is a NRA instructor and a constitutional activist. John has written about firearms, interviewed people of all walks of life, and on the Constitution. John lives in Northern Virginia with his wife and sons and can be followed on Twitter at @crumpyss, or at www.crumpy.com.

A Wave of Gun Bills Introduced In Virginia

January 25, 2021 by contrib1 Leave a Comment

A Wave of Gun Bills Introduced In Virginia, iStock-1055138108
U.S.A. –-(AmmoLand.com)- VCDL’s lobby day has passed, and now the real work begins. It is time to send emails and make phone calls to our representatives to defeat bad gun bills.

There are a lot of bad bills in Richmond this session. One terrible bill that appears to be dead is the so-called “assault-firearms” ban that would see most semiautomatic banned as well as magazines holding more than twelve rounds. That is the silver lining to the slew of horrible legislation ranging from a ban on incomplete firearms to background checks on gun rentals.

There are a few long-shot pro-gun bills that we need to support to send a message to the state government. We sent them a clear message last year with lobby day and the 2A Sanctuary movement, and we need to send another now. Below I outline the gun bill that has been introduced in the Old Dominion.

Bad House Bills:
HB2295– Firearm or stun weapon; carrying within Capitol Square and the surrounding area, state-owned bldgs.
This bill would make any Commonwealth owned building a gun-free zone. Conceal handgun permit holders will not be exempt from this rule. As we know, gun-free zones do not make us safer. In fact, most mass shootings happen in gun-free zones. This bill makes us less safe.
HB1992 – Firearms; purchase, etc., following conviction for assault and battery of a family member.
On the surface, this bill doesn’t seem bad. Who wouldn’t want a domestic abuser stripped of their firearms, right? The issue that arises with this bill is any assault and battery of a family member is treated the same. If two brothers get into a fistfight, both brothers can lose their ability to own a gun. The proposed laws don’t treat two brothers getting into a fight any different from a violent serial wife abuser.
HB2231 – Group Violence Intervention Board and Division of Group Violence Intervention; established, report.
A few months ago, AmmoLand obtained emails from an open record request that shows the anti-gun group Gifford’s championed this bill. In the proposed law is a Project Ceasefire Grant Fund. This slush fund is a pile of money that goes directly to anti-gun groups to push their anti-gun agenda across the state. The Commonwealth will give these groups millions of your dollars to infringe on your rights.
HB2276 – Plastic firearms and unfinished frames, etc.; manufacture, import, sale, transfer, etc., penalty.
This bill would ban so-called “ghost guns.” If the law passes, Virginia will make unfinished frames and lower receivers illegal. There is a long tradition of Americans making their own firearms, but anything without a serial number would have to be turned over to the government. This law is a firearms confiscation act. The lawmakers didn’t include a grandfather clause, so you have to destroy or turn in anything that you own now. The owners are not allowed to transfer the firearms to anyone but the government.

HB2081 – Polling places; prohibited activities, unlawful possession of a firearm, penalty.
The proposed law would make it illegal to have a firearm at a polling place. The gun owner will have to choose between exercising their right to vote or to practice their right to bear arms. There has not been a rash of shootings at polling places. The purpose of the bill is to disenfranchise gun owners from participating in the democratic process.
HB2128 – Firearms; criminal history record information check delay increased to five days.
Right now, the Virginia State Police can delay an answer to a background check for three days before the dealer can legally transfer the firearm to the buyer. This proposed law would increase the maximum allowed time to five days. This new proposed wait period is a shifting of the goal post.
Good House Gun Bills:
HB1839 – Special hunting and fishing licenses for disabled veterans; 50 percent disabled.
This bill is something everyone can get behind. Simply put, it allows any disabled veteran is a rating of 50% or higher to get a free fishing and hunting license for life. These are the men and women who put their lives on the line for your freedom. This gesture is the least we can do.
HB1773 – Carrying a concealed handgun; permit not required.
This proposal is a constitutional carry bill. Anyone who can own a gun would be allowed to carry it concealed without seeking the state’s permission. These bills have popped up in many different parts of the country and have passed. It will be a long shot for the bill to make it through the Virginia Legislature, but we must push for it.
HB1757 – Firearm-free zones designated by the Commonwealth or a locality; waiver of sovereign immunity.
I love this bill. It states that if the state or a locality designates a gun-free zone, and someone is attacked in that area, the injured person or their family can sue the state or locality. Under the current law, both the state and localities have sovereign immunity, which means they cannot be sued.
HB1793 – Concealed handgun permit; local control of firearms.
This bill also deals with local gun-free zones. It makes any citizen with a concealed handgun permit exempt from local gun-free ordinances. Anyone who holds a CHP has already passed a background check and is a law-abiding citizen. Also, guns are more likely to be used in self-defense. This bill puts pressure on the localities to reconsider their anti-gun ordinances.
HB1799 – Sunday hunting; allowed on public lands.
In Virginia, hunters can’t hunt on public lands on Sundays. Most people work Monday through Friday, so by only allowing hunting six days a week, the law makes hunters burn leave or practice their passion on Saturdays. Democrats have pushed back on this bill by stating that game wardens need a day off. Most can see right through this ploy.
Bad Senate Bills:
SB1250 – Firearm rentals; criminal history record information check required, penalty.
Democrats want ranges to run background checks on everyone renting guns. A record number of firearms is being sold, meaning that the chances of a delayed background check are high. A lot of people’s first experience with a gun is through a firearm rental. By making them complete a background check before renting a firearm adds a barrier to entry. Democrats in the Commonwealth claim the new law will prevent suicide, but it is just a thinly veiled excuse to prevent people from taking up shooting.
With the anti-gun government in Virginia and now at the federal level, gun owners are in a fight for our rights. The only way to win is if every gun owner makes their voices heard in Washington and Richmond.
About John Crump
John is a NRA instructor and a constitutional activist. John has written about firearms, interviewed people of all walks of life, and on the Constitution. John lives in Northern Virginia with his wife and sons and can be followed on Twitter at @crumpyss, or at www.crumpy.com.