Buckeye Firearms Association

Instinctive Point Shooting Class by Knox Technical Center Coming Soon

drieck — Sun, 06 Sep 2026 10:00:00 +0000

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Are you prepared to engage a target in a rapid, close-quarters deadly force encounter when there isn't enough time to align your sights? Knox Technical Center (KTC) is offering a training opportunity hosted at Elite Preparedness in Utica, Ohio: Instinctive Point Shooting (IPS).

IPS (handgun) is an authentic, battle-proven close-quarters shooting technique designed for spontaneous, high-stress encounters where using traditional sighted fire techniques is not possible due to time, distance, lighting, or lack of cover. Certified Instructor Mark Prince will lead this Knox Technical Center program, delivering the exact methods taught directly by Colonel Rex Applegate—the pioneer of modern tactical handgun training.

Throughout this course, participants will master authentic, battle-proven close-quarters handgun techniques developed by Col. Applegate, learn to respond effectively during rapid, high-stress deadly force encounters, and develop accurate shooting skills under tight time constraints, poor lighting, and low-cover conditions—all without relying on traditional front sight focus.

To be eligible, participants must meet at least one of the following requirements: be a current Ohio Law Enforcement Officer, a retired Law Enforcement Officer with valid credentials, an active or veteran military member (who qualifies for a 10% discount), a current Ohio CCW holder, or have completed a successful FBI background check through the Knox County Sheriff's Office (fingerprinting must be scheduled at least 30 days prior to class).

Event Details & Location

PRESENTED BY: Knox Technical Center (KTC)
WHERE: Elite Preparedness, LLC, 25580 Bell Church Rd, Utica, OH
WHEN: September 26 & September 27, 2026 | 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Bring a lunch)
COST: $300 per person
REQUIRED GEAR: Personal handgun, 500 rounds of ammunition, OWB (outside the waistband) holster, eye and ear protection (electronic muffs preferred), lunch

LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE!

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Support BFA-endorsed candidates with a donation to our Political Action Committee

drieck — Fri, 04 Sep 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Buckeye Firearms Association PAC seeks to empower Ohio's 4 million gun owners by grading, endorsing, and supporting candidates on the federal, state, and county level.

Our Endorsement Committee grades candidates based exclusively on their support for gun rights and issues endorsements for those who have demonstrated this support through votes and real-world action on behalf of gun owners. See our grades and endorsements for 2026.

The PAC provides endorsees with volunteer support, fundraising assistance, consultation, event speakers, and targeted email alerts to help them win elections. To effectively support these campaigns, we depend on your support.

Every dollar you donate to the PAC goes directly to candidate and issue campaigns, not expenses or overhead. You can donate any amount, but if you donate $200 or more, we'll send you the exclusive BFA Patriot lapel pin, the same pin worn by our endorsed elected officials.

Click here to donate to Buckeye Firearms Association PAC.

Trump Department of Interior expands access opportunities for hunting, shooting

SHummel — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 10:00:00 +0000

by NRA-ILA

Heading into hunting season, America's sportsmen and women have another significant development from the Trump administration worth celebrating. Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) finalized the largest expansion of hunting, shooting, and fishing opportunities in history.

The new rule creates an additional 1,488 hunting and fishing opportunities across 32 states. Newly available for hunting are more than 92 million acres, mostly within the National Wildlife Refuge System, with 14 of those newly opened wildlife refuges offering hunting opportunities for the very first time. For NRA members and sportsmen nationwide, this is not only welcome news but also the fulfillment of an effort NRA-ILA has been following since the beginning.

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This final rule delivers on a promise by the Trump administration that NRA-ILA reported on in January. That promise has become a reality, and it is about far more than simply opening additional acreage for outdoor opportunities. This action importantly follows Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum’s Secretarial Order 3447 directing agencies to identify and remove unnecessary regulatory barriers to hunting and fishing, expand opportunities where consistent with conservation efforts, and improve coordination with states.

As noted from DOI:

“The Service is making more than 1,000 modifications to existing regulatory provisions, reducing complexity and making it easier for hunters and anglers to understand and comply with applicable rules.”

That matters a lot. For far too long, sportsmen using federal lands have been forced to navigate a patchwork of confusing, overlapping, inconsistent, and sometimes unnecessary regulations that can vary among federal property and adjoining state-managed lands. Simplifying these guidelines not only expands access but recognizes the traditional role of states as the primary managers of wildlife resources.

Then, as reported in May, DOI took a major step in announcing this rulemaking. The directives contained in the proposed rule were exciting prospects, and now with its finalization, the rule delivers an even stronger outcome for America’s hunters and anglers. As Secretary Burgum explained in announcing the final rule, the administration is committed to continuing to increase access for hunters, while reducing regulatory burdens, recognizing that hunters and shooters are not an obstacle to conservation but rather its original and continuing champions.

These latest DOI changes represent more than just policy; they represent a change in philosophy that federally managed lands should be available for hunting and fishing unless specific documented and legally supported reasons require otherwise. Ultimately, public land means little to sportsmen if the public cannot meaningfully use it. These newly opened opportunities move federal policy in the right direction and amount to no less than a historic victory for our hunting and shooting heritage in the United States.

ATF confirms major cyberattack after Qilin claim: Were gun owners' records exposed?

SHummel — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 10:00:00 +0000

by John Crump, AmmoLand

On Aug. 26, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) became the latest federal agency targeted by a major ransomware operation.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) confirmed the attack after AmmoLand News flagged a claim by the Russian-speaking ransomware syndicate Qilin. That confirmation immediately raised a question that matters to lawful gun owners: whether the agency’s vast collections of firearms records were among the files taken.

ATF is responding to a cybersecurity incident affecting a standalone system not connected to the ATF enterprise network, ATF eForms system, or any other ATF system. The system was quickly shut down when the breach was discovered. This is an ongoing investigation.

Press release:… pic.twitter.com/N2z5eBtILY

— ATF HQ (@ATFHQ) August 26, 2026

According to sources inside the ATF, the hackers obtained investigative tools and other operational files, and gun-owner information was not compromised. Those sources described most of the files as innocuous. That account, if it holds, would be significant. ATF has digitized hundreds of millions of dealer records, and Second Amendment groups have long argued that those archives function as a backdoor registry.

Until the bureau and the DOJ release a fuller inventory of what left the network, the public has only competing claims: Qilin’s boast that it breached the agency and internal assurances that the most sensitive civilian data stayed out of reach.

Qilin is not a new name in cybercrime. The group operates a ransomware-as-a-service platform.

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Core operators build the malware, maintain leak sites and other infrastructure, and recruit affiliates. Those affiliates break into private companies and government systems, encrypt or steal data, and demand payment in cryptocurrency under threat of public release. Affiliates typically keep 80% to 85% of any ransom; the rest flows back to Qilin. The group is based in Russia.

Researchers do not treat it as a formal arm of the Russian state, but Moscow has long tolerated crews that hit geopolitical rivals rather than Russian targets.

The operation began in 2022 as Agenda ransomware. Trend Micro first flagged it that August after an attack on the company itself. A month later, the crew advertised the service on Russian-language forums under the Qilin name. What started as a mid-tier outfit grew into one of the world’s most active ransomware platforms after competitors such as RansomHub went dark and affiliates migrated to it. Trackers have logged thousands of claimed victims. Exact revenue is unknowable because many victims pay quietly, but even conservative estimates put proceeds in the millions of dollars.

Qilin’s affiliates use several paths onto a network. Spear phishing remains one of the most reliable: a tailored email tricks a specific employee into handing over credentials or opening a malicious file. Exposed remote services are another favorite, especially Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) left open to the internet. Affiliates also abuse remote monitoring and management (RMM) tools that IT departments install for legitimate administration. Once inside, the typical playbook is double extortion: steal data first, then encrypt systems and threaten to publish the haul if the ransom is not paid.

Federal agencies have been hit before. Hackers have targeted the U.S. Marshals Service, FEMA, the Department of Homeland Security, and the FBI. The Aug. 26 incident shows the same pressure now bearing down on the ATF.

For gun owners, the immediate issue is not the brand name of the malware. It is whether an agency that already stores an enormous volume of firearms data can keep that information off the dark web, and whether officials will say so with more than anonymous reassurance.

Republished with permission from AmmoLand.

Squirrel hunting and the shotgun-or-rifle debate

SHummel — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 10:00:00 +0000

by Joe D. "Buck" Ruth

Editor's note: Ths article originally was published Aug. 22, 2024.

A longtime friend, colleague, and fellow hunter once quipped, "If squirrels were the size of bears, they'd rule the world." He was referring to how tough their skin is and how they can take shots like a roaring twenties gangster.

It's true. I've hunted squirrels with 12-gauge and 20-gauge shotguns and with my Ruger 10/22 repeater, and the results have been interesting.

It begs the question as squirrel season arrives today (Sept. 1): Which do you prefer — shotgun or rimfire rifle? For me, it comes down to numerous factors, not the least of which is safety. Each has its pros and cons, and interesting enough, the pros can be the cons. Let's take a look.

Shotguns

The advantage of using a shotgun when hunting squirrels or any fast-moving small game is the shot spread. My favorite squirrel gun is my 1940s single-shot Iver Johnson 12-gauge with a 32-inch, full-choke barrel, using 6-shot, 1-ounce shells. I find the shotgun and heavier loads give me enough reach for power and accuracy at a fairly long distance but with enough spread to not miss. The older I get — with my eyesight not the 20/13 acuity it once was — a little spread is helpful.

It's also safer on public hunting grounds, as I don't have to worry about shot traveling too far.

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In the early part of the season, when the tree canopy is thick, that's my go-to regardless of what land I'm on. I'm usually shooting upward, and I like knowing errant shot won't travel much farther than my intended target.

But the slowing velocity of shot — even with a muzzle velocity of nearly 1,300 feet per second — can be a disadvantage and potentially lead to a wounded or not-so-clean kill. A few years back, I shot a fox squirrel perched on a limb about 25 feet high, only to watch it fall onto the leaf-covered ground and take off running to a nearby tree. I was able to finish it off when it began climbing up the next tree, but still. And before you say it, yes, it was an intended head shot. They're all intended head shots with a shotgun. That's not always so easy when they're dancing from branch to branch. I consider myself a pretty good shot and have nailed many running rabbits in the head with my Remington 870, so don't go all keyboard warrior on me! By the way, I seldom use the 870 for squirrel hunting. The shorter barrel with its modified choke is my go-to for rabbits. Squirrels — not so much.

Another disadvantage is felt at dinner, when you inevitably bite into a lead shot and wince in pain.

Rimfire rifles

Several years ago, my father-in-law and I had the luxury of hunting on private land deep in the boonies, and we sat high upon a hill, looking a little downward toward treetops. I remember it was well into rabbit season, and the canopy was long gone. My 10/22 was great for the occasion. It had reach, and it was highly accurate. Of course, I was much younger and had great vision, with no cataracts. But I was a good shot — accurate even at 30-40 yards. I don't take shots much farther than that regardless, as I want to ensure a clean kill. I do not like laming animals of any kind, including small game.

One significant advantage is that you can chew on a tasty piece of meat without fear of shell shot shock!

Now that I mostly hunt on public lands, I rarely use my 10/22. It's not worth the risk. There's one spot on the land I usually hunt on that I could sit on a hill and shoot downward toward treetops, but it has become overhunted, and the fox squirrel population there isn't what it once was.

Those .22s can travel a ways, and I have this fear that an errant projectile is going to land on someone somewhere. You may recall back in 2011, a Holmes County guy was about to clean his muzzleloader when he inadvertently shot it, striking an Amish girl in a buggy over a mile away. That thought has stuck with me all these years.

I've never squirrel hunted with a .410-bore, a .17-caliber, or a true bolt-action rifle, so I can't speak to their pros and cons. Feel free to chime in on those options.

What's your go-to squirrel gun and why? Share in the comments on social media.

Joe D. "Buck" Ruth, a pen name for Scott Hummel, is a longtime small-game hunter and gun owner who spent nearly three decades in the news industry. He is the website and social-media manager for Buckeye Firearms Association.

Commerce Department to Congress: No evidence microstamping reliable

SHummel — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 10:00:00 +0000

by Larry Keane, NSSF

The U.S. Commerce Department’s National Institutes of Standards and Technology (NIST) sent a letter to Chairman Brian Babin (R-Texas) to tell the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Science, Space and Technology that there is no reliable evidence that gun control’s vaunted goal of requiring microstamping on every handgun sold at retail would actually work.

The science just doesn’t show that it’s ready for primetime. Much like other gun control fantasy ideas, this one just doesn’t work.

That’s what NSSF has been trying to tell gun control, state legislatures, and Congress.

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To be clear, NIST officials informed Chairman Babin that, “NIST has not conducted independent research in this area, nor does the agency currently have an active workstream on this topic.” Studying it in a real-world application, they explained, would require a significant investment of time and resources. What NIST officials did, though, was a deep dive into the studies that have already been conducted and synthesized the results.

The answer they came back with is that microstamping shows no evidence that it is reliable technology that can produce repeated and reliable legible alphanumeric or gear codes.

Here’s the most salient comment they could make. “There is significant disagreement regarding the viability of this technology.”

The bottom line is that it just doesn’t work.

To get the science behind what microstamping is, or is supposed to be, here’s a quick refresher. Microstamping requires a laser-engraved alphanumeric code (that’s a combination of letters and numbers) or a gear code (that could involve identifiable geometric shapes or dots) that impart a replicated reverse code on the primer of a cartridge. In theory, this code would be unique to every firearm’s firing pin and impart that unique code to the cartridge’s primer. When that spent cartridge is ejected — again in theory — the spent cartridge cases would aid in criminal investigations when they would be collected and examined by criminal investigators. The investigators, going with the theory, would be able to verify the code from the cartridges to a database of firing pin codes maintained by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN).

Just like that, presto — criminal case solved.

Except that’s not how it works. That’s not how any of this works.

Just a little more science

The determination by NIST officials, after reviewing the compendium of data examining microstamping, is that the existing studies show that microstamping cannot produce repeatable and legible codes. That’s for a couple reasons. Even the microstamping patent-holder, Todd Lizotte, got involved in the research that ultimately concluded that “…legitimate questions exist related to both the technical aspects, production costs, and database management associated with microstamping that should be addressed before wide scale implementation is legislatively mandated.”

Even though state-led studies in California and New Jersey promise that microstamping works, there are other independent studies that show it doesn’t. Reminder, these are states that want to require this unworkable technology that would burden firearm manufacturers not just with the technology costs but also the liability when it doesn’t work. The Association of Firearm and Tool Mark Examiners (AFTME) and the New York State Firearms Technical Working Group (TWG) observed that firing pins wear over time.

That makes sense. Firing pins striking metallic primers naturally wear over time. NIST noted that adding in the fact that firearms produce residue from gunpowder (as any recreational shooter can attest). That gunpowder residue can accumulate in the microscopic laser-engraved microstamp, obscuring the code.

That doesn’t take into account that different firing pins are used in different firearms. That variation of make and model, metallurgy and even lacquer coatings on ammunition can affect the ability of a legible code to be present on spent cartridges. On top of that, it doesn’t work at all in rimfire ammunition, since there’s an entirely different primer in the rim of the cartridge and not a separate primer. Manufacturers’ branding on the cartridge can affect legibility too.

How the firing pin strikes the primer can affect legibility too. Repeated strikes and drag marks can mar the microscopic microstamping code.

Gun control proponents claim this isn’t a big deal. Since partial license plates help investigators narrow down suspected vehicles involved in crimes, they claim a partial microstamp can do the same. But NSSF did the math on some of those claims too.

Impossible math

In New Jersey’s microstamping study, an armorer fired 10 handguns on an indoor range. Ten of the 50 expended cartridge cases were designated for examination, including the first expended cartridge case, the fiftieth and the final eight from various intervals in between.

Only one of the 10 fired cartridge cases delivered a full gear and alphanumeric code resulting in a failure rate of 90% for the chosen sample. In the end, nine out of 10 rounds sampled omitted critical portions of either the gear code, alphanumeric code, or both.

If the result omitted a single digit, that would mean one would have to potentially trace 10 firearms and, in turn, 10 suspects. If an alphabetic character were to be omitted, that means there are 26 guns to trace. If one number and one letter are omitted, you are getting into big numbers to trace. At a minimum, 50% of an eight-character code with 36 combined objects results in 1.7 million unique combinations. And these were the results only after collecting 10 fired rounds.

Those results were good enough for New Jersey’s analysts to tell the state attorney general that microstamping is viable. NIST has a problem with this, though. The report to Congress states that there are large-scale independent (blind) studies and the existing studies are too limited to demonstrate microstamping viability. That’s caused the forensic science organization to voice concerns about inconsistent test performance in those limited studies.

Practical problems

The NIST study also examined the obvious questions of what happens if a criminal replaces the firing pin or obliterates the laser-engraved code. After all, criminals already obliterate serial numbers stamped into firearm’s frame.

“No realistic mechanical mitigation strategy currently exists to address these modifications, and critics argue this vulnerability undermines the technology’s effectiveness as a crime-solving tool,” the report states. The NIST report also recognizes that microstamping critics view any requirement as a “de facto ban” on firearms that don’t have it. If that’s unbelievable, just look at the states banning the sale of certain semiautomatic handguns with a cruciform trigger bar. California’s Unsafe Handgun Roster slashed the available handguns by 50%.

There you have it. There’s a yawning gap of evidence that shows microstamping works. There’s significant evidence that the failure rates are entirely too high to have any value to criminal investigators.

It might be time for gun control politicians to put as much effort into actually locking up criminals as they do trying to show their gun control schemes work. Problem is … they won’t and they don’t.

Republished with permission from NSSF.

AK-47 - a history of practical design that still matters

SHummel — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 10:00:00 +0000

by Ryan Hodges, AmmoLand

Firearms that have reshaped history share a common trait — they solved a problem. Whether it was the need for a more powerful cartridge, faster production, increased reliability, or easier field maintenance, these guns aimed to be the pinnacle of their design. Among them, one rifle stands out as the most widespread, recognizable, and culturally significant: the AK-47.

But how did this rifle transform 20th-century warfare, and why does it remain relevant today?

A rifle born from war

The story of the AK-47 begins with two pivotal moments in World War II. The first was the introduction of the first truly successful “assault rifle,” the Sturmgewehr 44 (StG 44). Before its development, German infantry carried a mix of bolt-action rifles and submachine guns — each effective in its role, but neither ideal for modern combat. Full-power rifles offered range and velocity but were slow and often overpowered for typical engagement distances. Submachine guns gave mobility and fire rate but lacked accuracy and range. The German solution combined an intermediate cartridge (7.92×33mm Kurz) with a select-fire rifle, allowing controllable automatic fire at practical range.

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The Germans produced the StG 44, and the Soviets captured examples during and after the war. These rifles showed them the potential of the intermediate-cartridge concept, prompting development of their own version.

The second key moment occurred on the Soviet side. Mikhail Kalashnikov, a young tank commander, was wounded during the German invasion in 1941. During recovery, he focused on improving the small arms issued to Soviet troops. Kalashnikov was part of a broader Soviet design system, but he distinguished himself by prioritizing function over refinement. He aimed for a rifle that was simple, reliable, easy to manufacture, and chambered in an intermediate cartridge.

The Soviet-designed 7.62x39mm cartridge, first used in the SKS carbine and RPD light machine gun, proved ideal. It balanced recoil, range, and reliability in a select-fire platform. After years of development and trials against competing designs, Kalashnikov’s rifle was selected.

Officially introduced in 1947 as the Avtomat Kalashnikova, it simply became known as the AK-47.

Built to work

The qualities that set the AK-47 apart then are the same that drive its global dominance today. Kalashnikov’s philosophy emphasized simplicity and durability. Using a long-stroke gas piston with generous internal clearances, the AK-47 runs reliably under extreme conditions. Dirt, debris, fouling, water, or mud — where finely machined rifles might fail, the AK continues to function. It does not rely on ideal conditions or meticulous maintenance. When maintenance is needed, the rifle field-strips into just eight core components. Soldiers can do this without tools, and even an inexperienced user can learn quickly. The AK demands little from its operator — and that’s exactly why it works.

Early production models of the AK-47 had milled receivers. Later evolutions, like the AKM and AK-74, switched to stamped receivers. This change lowered cost and simplified mass production without sacrificing reliability.

Cold War icon

World War II gave birth to the AK-47, but the Cold War elevated it to global prominence. The Soviet Union and its allies saw widespread armament as essential. The AK-47 proved ideal. Millions were produced and distributed to communist allies, including China, North Korea, and Warsaw Pact nations. The Soviets shared manufacturing specifications, allowing these countries to produce their own variants. Its simple design let even nations with limited industrial capacity manufacture AK-pattern rifles, fueling massive proliferation.

The Vietnam War further cemented the AK-47’s reputation. U.S. forces carried the M16 rifle, which initially struggled in the harsh jungle. It required consistent cleaning and maintenance. In contrast, AK-47s kept functioning with minimal upkeep. That contrast reinforced the AK’s legendary reliability.

Global spread and symbolism

In later decades, the AK continued to spread. During the Soviet-Afghan War, both sides used the rifle. After the Soviet Union collapsed, massive stockpiles of arms — many of which were AKs — were lost, sold, or redistributed. These rifles flowed into Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia, adopted by militaries, militias, and insurgent groups. Over time, the AK-47 became more than a weapon — it became a symbol of revolution, even appearing on Mozambique’s national flag.

Perfectly imperfect

The AK-47 remains one of the most relevant firearm designs in the world. Modern platforms like the AR-15 excel in accuracy, modularity, and ergonomics, but the AK’s core principles endure. With over 100 million rifles and variants produced, it still sees active use worldwide.

The AK prioritizes reliability and ease of manufacturing over precision. It wasn’t designed to be perfect — it was designed to work, and to keep working under harsh conditions. That mindset still shapes modern firearms, especially military and defensive rifles where durability and simplicity are benchmarks. The AK-47 didn’t just change how rifles were used — it changed how they were built.

For the modern shooter, the AK-47 is both a historical artifact and a practical tool. Its unmistakable profile, mechanical simplicity, and legendary reliability make it one of the most recognizable and widely used rifles ever created. Even today, it’s what many people picture when they think of a rifle. The AK-47 didn’t become the most widespread rifle because it was the most advanced — it did so because it was the most practical. Decades later, that practicality is exactly why it still matters.

Republished with permission from AmmoLand.

South Carolina store clerk wins slow race to self-defense

SHummel — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 10:00:00 +0000

by Rob Morse, SlowFacts

A store clerk in Florence, South Carolina was being robbed at gunpoint when his actions saved lives. The story is rare because you or I will probably never be in that situation. The story is ordinary because we’ve seen so many stories like this happen time after time. This is what happened earlier this month, and this is what we can learn.

We know a few facts from the news reports. The armed robbery took place on a weekday night. The robber walked into the smoke shop at about 10:15 p.m. He was armed and carrying a handgun in his hand. He was wearing a mask over his face. The robber threatened to shoot the store clerk. The robber demanded cash from the cash register. Thus far, the robber, Raheem Raykwain Brantley, 23, thought he was in control of what happened that night. He was right — until the clerk changed everything.

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The robber was stuffing cash into a bag when the store clerk “grabbed a gun” and shot the attacker several times. The attacker ran from the store. The store clerk remained at the scene. The clerk called 911 and asked for help. Police found the robber behind the store. A handgun was next to the robber when the police found him. The robber was dead when police arrived.

The defender had a lot to do before the first shot was fired. To start, the defender recognized that he had a dangerous job. This was the third vape shop robbed in Florence, South Carolina in the last 48 months. There are over a million violent crimes each year. The defender decided that he should go armed at work. When the robber walked into the vape shop, the clerk was mentally prepared. He recognized an immediate, unavoidable, and lethal threat to his life or the life of innocent customers. The defender knew when to act and he knew what to do.

The defender had the right to use lethal force, but he had the wisdom to avoid a gunfight. Bullets go both ways in a gunfight. The store clerk waited his turn so that he would be involved in a defensive shooting where bullets were going one way.

It won’t surprise you that the robber had a criminal history. It looks like the dead robber’s brother was also a criminal involved with illegal firearms and armed robbery. It looks like the defender lied to police as his brother was wanted by police. It looks like the robber was a runaway from the Carolina Youth Development Center in North Charleston.

There are other facts that are not available from the news reports. We know what we’d like to do even if we don’t know what the defender was forced to do in this case. It is best practice to have the gun on your body. Please consider how you would feel if the other store clerk behind the counter was being robbed at gunpoint while you were disarmed because you were restocking the shelves. It is best practice to have the firearm on your body and concealed.

You will do much better in your physical defense and in your legal defense if you think about what to do and when to do it. Shoot your firearm frequently enough so you recognize your opportunity to defend yourself. You save a half second on presenting your firearm if you slowly lower your arm and put it on your gun while half your body is hidden behind the stack of junk food. Criminals have put their gun or knife on the counter when they needed to hold the sack while they grabbed money from the cash drawer. That is called a clue.. if you’re wise enough to take the hint. YES, you can shoot a robber who put his firearm on the counter while he was robbing you.

The more you study the smarter you act. The only reason you would use lethal force on your attacker is because he posed a lethal threat. You shoot your attacker because that is the safest thing to do. Keep shooting until the threat is gone. That means they are either incapable of hurting you and other innocent parties, or they have run away and you don’t have a target that needs to be shot.

Call police. Have the address posted where you can read it because your brain will have a hard time answering questions. It is easier to read than to think.
Give the police a copy of the surveillance video.
Call your lawyer. Your lawyer get the original video.
Talk to your lawyer and have him provide your official statement to the police.
Have a safety plan with the other employees about how to respond to a robbery or accident.

Note that the robber practiced being a criminal. He hung around with other people who practiced being criminals. That means you have to practice too. Practice being a defender.

It is a shame that the robber died. It would be even worse if the armed robber injured one of his innocent victims.

Rob Morse writes about gun rights at his SlowFacts blog and hosts the Self Defense Gun Stories Podcast and co-hosts the Polite Society podcast.

WATCH: Vivek Ramaswamy speech at BFA 2026 Patriot Fest

SHummel — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 09:00:00 +0000

2026 Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, endorsed by Buckeye Firearms Association-PAC, speaks during BFA's inaugural Patriot Fest on Aug. 22, 2026, at The Makoy in Hilliard, Ohio. Introducing Ramaswamy is his wife, Apoorva Ramaswamy.

Watch: Ramaswamy calls raffle winner of his donated SIG MCX-SPEAR LT 5.56 at BFA Patriot Fest

SHummel — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 00:54:57 +0000

Watch Ohio's next governor, Vivek Ramaswamy, announce the winner of the SIG Sauer MCX-SPEAR LT 5.56 he donated for the Buckeye Firearms Association's inaugural Patriot Fest at the Makoy in Hilliard on Aug. 22.

The rifle, valued at $2,600, was won by Newton Hughes, who went up on stage, where the pair held the rifle over their heads in Charlton Heston "from my cold, dead hands" style. In the background is BFA legal counsel Sean Maloney.

2Apic.twitter.com/LsuqCjvhgc

— Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) August 26, 2026