2A NEWSLETTER WEEK OF JULY 12TH

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Biden’s “Big Boy Press Conference”

On Thursday, the Biden Administration orchestrated a high-stakes "Big Boy Press Conference" for President Joe Biden, perhaps in an attempt to divert attention from his recent string of gaffes. Unfortunately, the event did little to inspire confidence in his leadership, instead highlighting both his cognitive decline and flawed policy thinking.

The most glaring mistake of the night was Biden's confusion between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Trump. "Look," Biden blustered, "I wouldn’t have picked Vice President Trump to be vice president if I think she’s not qualified to be president." The assembled press corps, usually supportive, responded with audible shock.

This was not Biden's only name-related error. Earlier, at a NATO event, he mistakenly referred to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as "President Putin," eliciting horrified gasps from the audience. Such mistakes are becoming all too common for Biden, raising serious questions about his mental fitness.

Beyond these name-based gaffes, Biden's responses to critical questions were rambling and incoherent. When asked about lifting restrictions on Ukraine’s use of American weapons to strike inside Russia, he responded with a meandering, nonsensical answer:

“If he had the capacity to strike Moscow, strike the Kremlin, would that make sense? It wouldn’t. The question is what is the best use of the weaponry he has? I got him more long-range capacity, as well as defensive capacity. I’m following the advice of my commander-in-chief, the chief of staff of the military as well as the secretary of defense, and my intelligence people, and we’re making a day-to-day basis on how far they should go in. That’s a logical thing to do.”

Such wandering, empty rhetoric in response to life-and-death questions is deeply troubling. While Putin continues to target Kyiv, why should Moscow remain off-limits?

On the topic of Israel's justified counterattack against Hamas, Biden’s comments were equally problematic. He mused about regretting not being able to "convince the Israelis to do" certain things in retrospect, suggesting a desire for Israel to capitulate to Hamas. He further criticized Israel for being "less than cooperative" in getting aid into Gaza, ignoring the fact that Hamas is the real obstacle to aid distribution.

Biden also falsely claimed that Hamas' popularity in the West Bank is declining when in reality, it enjoys 71% approval. These statements reflect not just cognitive confusion but also deeply flawed and dangerous policy positions.

Biden’s performance at the press conference underscores a grim reality: his cognitive decline is matched by a lack of coherent policy thinking. This combination is why the world seems increasingly unstable under his watch. From Ukraine to Israel, Biden’s failures are evident and alarming.

With Biden's position looking shaky, names like California Governor Gavin Newsom and Vice President Kamala Harris are being floated as potential replacements. However, for Second Amendment supporters, the idea of either stepping in is deeply concerning given their strong anti-gun records.

As Governor of California, Gavin Newsom has enforced some of the toughest gun control laws in the country. His administration has pushed for mandatory background checks for ammunition purchases, banned high-capacity magazines, and required microstamping technology for new firearms. These policies have been criticized for infringing on the rights of law-abiding gun owners without significantly reducing gun violence.

Kamala Harris also has a long history of pushing for strict gun control. During her time as a Senator and as California’s Attorney General, she supported universal background checks, a ban on assault weapons, and closing the so-called "gun show loophole." Her record raises concerns among gun rights advocates about what her leadership might mean for the Second Amendment.

A recent example of California's aggressive gun control stance is our own legal battle. After a lengthy fight with the state, we were forced to spend millions just to defend against what we argued were baseless charges. This case highlights how far they will go to enforce strict gun laws, often placing enormous financial burdens on businesses operating within legal boundaries.Strong, decisive leadership is essential for safeguarding our freedoms and ensuring national security. Biden’s recent performance highlights the urgent need for competent and clear-headed governance. The stakes are too high for anything less.

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Supreme Court Justice Sotomayor's Bodyguards Shoot Would-Be Carjacker Outside Her Home

Two Deputy US Marshals defended Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor's home against an armed carjacker in Washington, DC. This incident underscores the irony of Justice Sotomayor's staunch anti-gun stance, highlighting the necessity of armed protection even for those who oppose the Second Amendment.

On the early morning of July 5, Kentrell Flowers, approached one of the Marshals' vehicles parked outside Sotomayor's residence and pulled a gun on the federal agents. The marshals quickly responded, drawing their weapons and firing multiple shots at Flowers. Despite his injuries, Flowers survived and was arrested, then treated at a local hospital for non-life-threatening wounds.

Justice Sotomayor, appointed by President Obama, was not at home during the attempted carjacking. Metropolitan Police detectives are currently investigating the shooting and have recovered a semi-automatic handgun from the scene.

"The Deputy US Marshals involved in the shooting incident were part of the unit protecting the residences of U.S. Supreme Court justices," stated the US Marshals office. The suspect faces charges of armed carjacking, carrying a pistol without a license, and possession of a large capacity magazine.

This incident is just one in a string of high-profile carjackings targeting federal agents and VIPs in the nation's capital. Last year, Secret Service agents assigned to President Biden’s granddaughter, Naomi, also fired upon individuals attempting to break into an unmarked Secret Service car. In January, former Trump administration official Mike Gill was tragically killed by a carjacker while seated in his vehicle on K Street.

While Justice Sotomayor continues to advocate for stricter gun control, this event serves as a stark reminder of the critical role that armed protection plays in ensuring the safety of even the most ardent anti-gun figures.

It’s hard to ignore the blatant irony here. Justice Sotomayor's anti-gun rhetoric is undermined by the fact that her own safety relies on the very firearms she wants to restrict for others. When danger strikes, it’s the presence of a good guy with a gun that stops the bad guy with a gun. This incident highlights a fundamental truth: taking guns away from law-abiding citizens doesn’t make us safer—it just leaves us defenseless.

This situation should spark a serious conversation about the rights of everyday Americans to protect themselves. If high-profile figures like Justice Sotomayor need armed security to feel safe, why shouldn’t regular citizens have the same right to protect themselves? The Second Amendment guarantees our right to keep and bear arms, a crucial part of ensuring personal safety.
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Exploring the Most Gun-Friendly States for Gun Owners

At 80 Percent Arms, we understand that being a responsible gun owner involves navigating a complex landscape of state laws and regulations. The U.S. Concealed Carry Association (USCCA) has taken on the challenging task of identifying the most gun-friendly states in America, and we're here to break down what makes these states stand out for firearm enthusiasts.

What Makes a State Gun-Friendly?

Determining whether a state is gun-friendly can be subjective, but the USCCA has established 13 key criteria to evaluate states. These criteria address common questions from concealed carriers about purchasing, traveling with, and defending with a firearm. Here’s a closer look at the factors considered:

1. Permitless Carry: Allows unrestricted concealed carry for anyone who can legally possess a firearm.
2. No Permit Required for Handgun Purchases.
3. No Waiting Period for Handgun Purchases.
4. No Background Checks for Private Transfers.
5. No Handgun Registration.
6. No Magazine-Capacity Limits.
7. No Ammunition Restrictions.
8. No Red Flag Laws.
9. Vehicle Carry Permitted Without a Permit.
10. Handgun Possession on Private Property Without a Permit.
11. State Law Preemption: State law overrides local laws, preventing a patchwork of local restrictions.
12. Castle Doctrine: The right to defend oneself at home without the duty to retreat.
13. Stand Your Ground: The right to use deadly force in self-defense without the duty to retreat.

Top Gun-Friendly States

Out of all states, 29 now have constitutional carry, with 19 standing out for their minimal restrictions:

• Alabama: Permitless carry if at least 21 years old.
• Alaska: Permitless carry if at least 21 years old.
• Arizona: Permitless carry if at least 21 years old.
• Arkansas: Permitless carry if at least 18 years old.
• Georgia: Permitless carry if at least 21 years old, 18 for military members.
• Idaho: Permitless carry if at least 18 years old.
• Indiana: Permitless carry if at least 18 years old.
• Iowa: Permitless carry if at least 21 years old.
• Mississippi: Permitless carry if at least 18 years old.
• Montana: Permitless carry if at least 18 years old.
• New Hampshire: Permitless carry if at least 18 years old.
• Ohio: Permitless carry if at least 21 years old.
• South Carolina: Permitless carry if at least 18 years old.
• South Dakota: Permitless carry if at least 18 years old.
• Texas: Permitless carry if at least 21 years old.
• Utah: Permitless carry if at least 21 years old.
• Vermont: Permitless carry if at least 18 years old.
• West Virginia: Permitless carry if at least 21 years old.
• Wyoming: Permitless carry if at least 21 years old.

These states exemplify the values we hold dear—freedom, personal responsibility, and the right to self-defense.

States Nearly Meeting the Criteria

Some states are close but have minor restrictions:

• Kansas: Permitless carry if at least 21 years old; prohibits plastic-coated handgun ammunition.
• Kentucky: Permitless carry if at least 21 years old; prohibits armor-piercing ammunition.
• Louisiana: Permitless carry if at least 21 years old (effective July 4th, 2024); prohibits armor-piercing ammunition.
• Maine: Permitless carry if at least 21 years old or 18 for military members; lacks Stand Your Ground law and has a 72-hour waiting period for firearm purchases.
• Missouri: Permitless carry if at least 18 years old; prohibits exploding bullets.
• North Dakota: Permitless carry if at least 18 years old for concealed carry only.
• Oklahoma: Permitless carry if at least 21 years old; prohibits restricted bullets.
• Tennessee: Permitless carry if at least 21 years old or 18 for military members; prohibits exploding bullets.

Understanding your state's gun laws is crucial, especially if you’re traveling or considering a firearm purchase. The Concealed Carry Reciprocity Map & Gun Laws by State from the USCCA is an invaluable resource for staying informed and avoiding legal pitfalls.

At 80 Percent Arms, we believe in upholding the Second Amendment and ensuring that all Americans can exercise their right to bear arms. Whether you’re in a top-tier gun-friendly state or one with more restrictions, stay informed, stay safe, and keep fighting for your rights. The landscape of gun laws is always changing, and it’s up to us to remain vigilant and proactive in defending our freedoms.