Weekly Spotlight 11/3/23 – 11/9/23
Manhunt in Maine Highlights Importance of Self-Defense
The entire nation was horrified by the recent shooting that took place in Lewiston, Maine, when a mentally ill Army reservist opened fire at a bowling alley and a restaurant, killing 18 people and injuring 13 others. The innocent people who were killed were simply enjoying a fun night out when the perpetrator opened fire. We grieve for those whose lives were taken, who were injured, and for the families who lost loved ones in this tragic event.
Unlike past instances of mass shootings, a two-day manhunt for the killer ensued, leaving many Mainers on edge for fear that he might re-emerge at their home or business. During the search, it was reported that many gun owners in the community got their firearms ready to defend themselves in the event they came into contact with the suspect. A landlord in nearby Lisbon told The Washington Post that one of their tenants guarded their property through the night. “He was locked and loaded, covering our butts,” the landlord said.
The shelter-in-place order that had been in effect in Lewiston and surrounding communities was lifted before the killer was found dead from an apparent suicide. During that window of time, scores of Mainers went to local gun stores to arm themselves, either for the first time or to stock up on ammunition. According to the Portland Press Herald, some stores had wait times of 90 minutes or more just to get in the door. “I think a lot of people are trying to get themselves in a good state of mind, and a little bit of added protection,” one customer said.
These stories provide a glimpse into the importance of self-defense and the rights of responsibly armed Americans. As newly minted Speaker of the House Mike Johnson recently noted, “At the end of the day, the problem is the human heart. It’s not guns. It’s not the weapons… We have to protect the right of the citizens to protect themselves.” Evil exists. That will not change any time soon, which is why it’s incumbent upon law-abiding Americans to stand up for their rights to defend themselves.
The USCCA-FSL Action Fund is here to support everyday American gun owners who have stepped up to be their family’s first line of defense. We want to equip them to be their own strongest advocates against efforts to diminish their right to protect, and we’re providing a platform to do just that. Whether you live in a community that’s been impacted by tragedy or not, it has never been more urgent to make your voice heard.
Learn more about USCCA-FSL Action Fund’s mission.
OTHER NEWS YOU MAY HAVE MISSED
- Washington Examiner: California Law Barring Guns At County Fairs Blocked By Federal Judge
A federal judge blocked California’s law prohibiting gun shows at county fairs, saying the ban infringed on the rights of sellers and potential buyers at gun shops. The decision came from U.S. District Judge Mark Holcomb on Monday and repealed a law that went into effect in January 2022. Authored by Democratic state Sen. Dave Min, the law bans “any firearm, firearm precursor part, or ammunition” on property within the Orange County Fair. A second law took effect this year and expanded the ban to county fairgrounds on state-owned land.
Since the Nebraska Legislature this year limited cities’ authority to regulate concealed handguns more strictly than the state does, Omaha and Lincoln have restricted people from carrying concealed handguns on some city land. Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert, a Republican, and Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird, a Democrat, issued executive orders this summer asserting that their cities would not allow guns on most city-owned properties, citing an exception in Legislative Bill 77.
- KTLA 5 (California): Gun Sales Up Among Jewish And Israeli Communities, Store Owners Say
As the war between Israel and Hamas rages, local gun shop owners say concerns fueled by the bloody conflict have led to a surge in sales in Southern California, with many Jewish people arming themselves for the first time. Jewish himself, Charles Jasper, Director of Aegis Private Security which also provides gun training, told KTLA’s Jennifer McGraw that his business has doubled since the war began. “The idea that people can go door-to-door, terrorists can go door-to-door with impunity and not face hard resistance is something difficult to process, especially as an American,” he said.
How voters want to regulate firearms may determine who comes out on top of Virginia’s state elections next month. That’s one takeaway from a pair of polls released over the past few days. A Washington Post/George Mason University poll found that 83 percent of Virginians listed gun policy as important to their vote, making it the fourth highest rated issue. Meanwhile, a Christopher Newport University (CNU) poll found guns were tied for the fourth most important issue, with nine percent of voters saying it was their top issue.