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Obama Admin. Backs Down, Yanks Proposal to Ban Green Tip AR15 Ammo

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After an unprecedented response, the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms has temporarily pulled its proposal to ban common AR-15 M855 “green tip” ammunition . . .

“Although ATF endeavored to create a proposal that reflected a good faith interpretation of the law and balanced the interests of law enforcement, industry, and sportsmen, the vast majority of the comments received to date are critical of the framework, and include issues that deserve further study,” an ATF press release states. Accordingly, ATF will not at this time seek to issue a final framework. After the close of the comment period, ATF will process the comments received, further evaluate the issues raised therein, and provide additional open and transparent process (for example, through additional proposals and opportunities for comment) before proceeding with any framework.”

Members on both sides of the aisle in Congress have also been highly critical of the proposal, along with the National Rifle Association and the National Shooting Sports Foundation. The Bureau received extra scrutiny last week when it was discovered the new ATF 2014 Regulation Guidebook did not include an exemption for AR-15 “green tip” ammunition as “armor piercing.” ATF has said the Regulation Guidebook will be updated to include the exemption.

ATF released the proposal in February for public comment, citing law enforcement safety as justification for the ban. A timeline for “further study” of the proposed ban has not been issued. (Read more from “BREAKING: Obama Admin. Backs Down, Yanks Proposal to Ban Green Tip AR15 Ammo” HERE)

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Montana Moves to Block Federal Gun Bans [+video]

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By Michael Boldin. A bill seeking to block any future federal bans on firearms or magazines was passed by an important Montana Senate committee today. The vote was 7-5.

Introduced by Rep. Art Wittich, House Bill 203 (HB203) would prohibit the state “from enforcing, assisting in the enforcement of or otherwise cooperating in the enforcement of a federal ban on firearms and magazines” enacted on or after Jan. 1, 2015. The bill also prohibits state participation in any federal enforcement action implementing such a federal ban on firearms and magazines.

The bill passed the state House last month by a vote of 58-42. (Read more about Montana passing the bill to block federal gun bans HERE)


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Eight States Have Passed Laws Voiding Federal Firearms Regulations

By Justine McDaniel, Robby Korth and Jessica Boehm. Across the country, a thriving dissatisfaction with the U.S. government is prompting a growing spate of bills in state legislatures aimed at defying federal control over firearms – more than 200 during the last decade, a News21 investigation found.

Particularly in Western and Southern states, where individual liberty intersects with increasing skepticism among gun owners, firearms are a political vehicle in efforts to ensure states’ rights and void U.S. gun laws within their borders. State legislators are attempting to declare that only they have the right to interpret the Second Amendment, a movement that recalls the anti-federal spirit of the Civil War and civil-rights eras.


“I think the president and the majority of Congress, both in the House and Senate, are just completely out of touch with how people feel about Second Amendment rights,” said Missouri state Sen. Brian Nieves, who has fought for bills to weaken the federal government’s authority over firearms in his state.

In Idaho, the Legislature unanimously passed a law to keep any future federal gun measures from being enforced in the state. In Kansas, a law passed last year says federal regulation doesn’t apply to guns manufactured in the state. Wyoming, South Dakota and Arizona have had laws protecting “firearms freedom” from the U.S. government since 2010.

A News21 analysis shows 14 such bills were passed by legislators in 11 states, mainly in Western states, along with Kansas, Tennessee and Alaska. Of those, 11 were signed into law, though one was later struck down in court. In Montana, Missouri and Oklahoma, three others were vetoed. (Read more from this story HERE)

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Guess What? Common AR-15 Green Tip Ammo is ALREADY Banned, Turning Tens of Thousands into Felons Overnight [UPDATE: ATF Responds]

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On Friday February 13 at 4:00 pm, the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms released a proposal to ban commonly used M855 “green tip” AR-15 ammunition under the guise of law enforcement safety. The same day the proposal was released, on a Friday of a three day holiday weekend, ATF opened up a shortened 30-day period for the public to submit comments about the new regulation.

But it turns out, ATF has been working on a ban of AR-15 “green-tip” ammunition for quite some time and has already issued the ban in its new, 2014 Regulation Guide. For reference, ATF Regulation Guides come out approximately every ten years.

When you take a look at the 2005 ATF Regulation Guide, you’ll see an exemption for AR-15 “green-tip” ammunition, which means it exempted from the definition of “armor piercing” and therefore is legal on the federal level . . .

“The 2014 edition of the Federal Firearms Regulations Reference Guide contains information that will help you comply with Federal laws and regulations governing the manufacture, importation and distribution of firearms and ammunition. This edition contains new and amended statutes enacted since publication of the 2005 edition, as well as updated regulations and rulings issued by ATF. In addition to these updated materials, in response to inquiries received from industry members, the public, and partner agencies, the 2014 edition contains additional and amended Questions and Answers to assist with compliance,” ATF Director B. Todd Jones states in the 2014 edition of the new Regulation Guide (emphasis mine). “Laws may change over time, as will information in this guide.”

The Office of Management and Budget must review and approve ATF Regulation Guides, which again, come out approximately every 10 years. This can take months and changes to Regulation Guides are not easily or often made. Because of the lengthy amount of time it takes for OMB to approve a new ATF Regulation Guide, ATF’s comment period is just for show. ATF officials and the White House have (and never did) no interest in actually listening to or considering comments that are currently being submitted. The exemption for the ammunition in question has already been stripped out of the regulation handbook moving forward and “green-tip” has been reclassified as “armor piercing.” The rules have been changed. Further, because of local rules and regulations in different states across the country having their own “armor piercing” standards based on ATF regulations, thousands of people in possession of AR-15 green tip ammunition have essentially been turned into felons overnight. (Read more about the AR-15 green tip ammo being banned HERE)

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UPDATE: ATF Claims Publishing Mistake

Yesterday I exclusively reported that common AR-15 “green tip” ammunition has already been banned in the new 2014 Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Regulation Guide, which was published in January. After the story received wide public attention [above] ATF released a response Friday night at 9:12 p.m. blaming a publishing error for stripping out the “armor piercing” and ban exemption for AR-15 “green tip” ammunition.

Nothing to analyze here folks, just a publishing mistake. No AP ammo exemptions revoked @NRA @NSSF. See https://t.co/mEIKThYBAX
— ATF HQ (@ATFHQ) March 7, 2015

. . .Most importantly, if you’re in possession of AR-15 “green tip” ammunition, legally you’re good to go in most states and not in possession of “armor piercing” ammunition. Because of the “publishing error” in the 2014 Regulation Guide, ATF has advised FFL’s and others to reference the 2005 Regulation Guidebook, where the ammunition is still exempted.

Despite ATF saying there’s “nothing to analyze here folks,” this simple “publishing mistake” deserves scrutiny. Considering the Office of Management and Budget must approve new Regulation Guides, which come out approximately every 10 years, are difficult to change and take months to review, that’s quite the “publishing mistake.” (Read more from about the AR-15 green tip ammo now NOT banned HERE)

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New Jersey Retiree Facing 10 Years in Prison for Having an Antique Pistol During Traffic Stop

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By Nina Golgowski. A 300-year-old flintlock pistol may be the exact kind of weapon the Second Amendment was written to protect.

But for 72-year-old Gordon van Gilder — who’s a collector of 18th century antiques — he says he’s facing up to 10 years in prison because he was found possessing such a weapon at a New Jersey traffic stop.

“Beware of New Jersey. Don’t come here. Don’t live here,” the retired teacher recently told NRA News following his big bust for unlawful, felony weapons possession in the Garden State.

The Cumberland County resident said his own honesty got the best of him when he voluntarily revealed the unloaded, antique firearm to prying deputies late last year during a search of his vehicle.

Even though antique guns aren’t considered “firearms” under Federal law, New Jersy’s gun laws treat them like any other modern-day weapon. (Read more about the New Jersey retiree HERE)

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5 Things You Need to Know About Rights-Violating Police Checkpoints

By The Daily Sheeple. It seems that every time we turn around there is some new type of checkpoint or a new way for police to stop innocent people. The fact that you are a law-abiding citizen who hasn’t been drinking is not always enough to keep you safe from police abuse at checkpoints.

The National Motorists Association has put together a helpful list of five key points to consider when dealing with the rights-violating, freedom-diminishing police checkpoints. . .

Q. Are roadblocks legal? A. The US Supreme Court has found roadblocks to be legal for a variety of purposes, the most prominent being so-called “sobriety check points.” There is a longer history of roadblock approvals related to checking vehicles near or at national border crossings. . .

Q. Do I have to answer the questions posed to me at a roadblock? A. You do not have to answer any questions, particularly questions that would be self-incriminating. You may be required (forced by threat of arrest) to show your drivers license, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance, if the state requires these items to be present in your vehicle.

Q. Can they search my car? A. Your car can only be searched under the following circumstances: You voluntarily give the police permission to search your vehicle. The Police have a warrant to search your vehicle. The police have “probable cause” or “reasonable suspicion” based on a reasonable explanation of why they believe you have illegal items in your vehicle. They must be able to explain what they think they will find and why they think said items are in your vehicle. (Read more from this story HERE)

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“This is Not a Gun Free Zone”: Pennsylvania Town Packs Heat, and Wants Visitors to Know it [+video]

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Photo Credit: Fox News Drive into tiny Conoy Township, Pa., and you’ll see the standard “welcome” sign, but it also comes with a warning: “THIS IS NOT A GUN FREE ZONE.”

The signs are meant to alert criminals to the fact that many people in the rural Pennsylvania town of 3,000 are armed. A dozen have been installed so far and three more are slated to go up, which would cover every major road into the town. Officials hope the signs give would-be criminals second thoughts before causing trouble.

“I think even those who have bad intentions can read,” Stephen Mohr, one of the township supervisors, told FoxNews.com. He said the town’s five supervisors unanimously decided to put the signs up.

Mohr noted that the intent of the signs is to welcome good people to their town.

“The first word on there is “Welcome”… we have a lot here that we take pride in. What we’re telling people is that when they do come here, they should feel safer knowing that everyone in the township is watching out for them,” Mohr said. “And the criminal — he should realize that going into this township he could have a bad day.” (Read more about the Pennsylvania town HERE)

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The 2nd Amendment : For Muskets Only?!

People have been telling us for years that the 2nd amendment was written in a time of Muskets, and that it doesn’t apply to the evolved weapons of today. Is it true?

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