Gregory Kielma • August 6, 2024
Billionaires Laura and John Arnold – through Arnold Ventures, a Houston-based for-profit corporation are Anti Gun and funding Flawed Research
Laura and John Arnold
Billionaire Backing Biased Anti-Gun Research
“In this world, you get what you pay for,” said Kurt Vonnegut in Cat’s Cradle, his fourth novel. And when billionaire philanthropists are involved, Mr. Vonnegut is more than right. Nowadays, billionaires get exactly what they pay for.
An investigation by the Second Amendment Foundation’s Investigative Journalism Project reveals how a former Enron trader and his wife are quietly paying millions of dollars every year to colleges, universities, think tanks and other groups for biased anti-gun research, which is then cited as gospel by the corporate media and used as propaganda by anyone who wants to infringe upon law-abiding Americans’ Second Amendment rights.
Billionaires Laura and John Arnold – through Arnold Ventures, a Houston-based for-profit corporation the couple founded to “proactively achieve social change” and their nonprofit, the Laura and John Arnold Foundation – are quietly bankrolling research that promotes and supports their radical anti-gun views. Their Foundation has more than $3.5 billion in assets.
Despite their predilection to work in secret, the couple’s actions have not gone unnoticed.
“Arnold Ventures is the gun control backer most Americans have never heard of. They quietly work behind the scenes, unlike Michael Bloomberg. However, their influence on trying to shape gun control policy rivals that of the biggest backers of antigun efforts. They regularly donate money to think tanks and academia to propel biased research into the policy arena. Arnold Venture’s philanthropic outreach sounds well-intentioned, but they’re serving up snake oil when they peddle firearms as a disease,” Mark Oliva, public affairs director for the National Shooting Sports Foundation, said last week.
The Arnolds’ massive financial clout creates an unholy alliance between grantor and grantee. Their paid researchers publish findings that support the couple’s views, or they risk the cash spigot being turned off and the loss of millions of dollars to their organization.
When it comes to their donations, it is clear who determines where the money goes.
“Laura and John established the Laura and John Arnold Foundation in 2010. They believe philanthropy should be transformational and should seek through innovation to solve persistent problems in society. As co-founders, Laura and John actively engage in the organization’s overall direction and daily execution,” the group’s website states.
John Arnold started as a trader for Enron, according to Influence Watch. He quit before the company imploded and was never accused of wrongdoing. In addition to gun control, the couple supports health care reform, criminal justice reform, prison reform and several nonprofit media groups.
The RAND Corporation is a major recipient of the Arnolds’ funding. RAND now maintains a gun-policy page. Much of their research is sponsored by the Arnolds.
According to the Laura and John Arnold Foundation’s 2022 IRS form 990, the couple paid RAND at total of $2.8 million, of which $1.7 million was for anti-gun research, including:
• $1,261,269 “to conduct research on how to reduce gun violence.”
• $99,000 “to support the first national conference on gun violence prevention research.”
• $89,000 “to support a convening relating to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in the Bruen case.”
• $283,546 “to provide objective information about firearm violence and how state laws reduce or exacerbate this violence.”
That same year, the couple paid more than $1.8 million for anti-gun research from other groups, including:
• $28,040 to the National Opinion Research Center “to support the NORC expert panel on reducing gun violence and improving data infrastructure.”
• $219,122 to the University of California at Berkeley “to evaluate the advance peace gun violence reduction program.”
• $1,065,933 to Princeton University “to develop a research infrastructure that helps cities better understand and respond to waves of gun violence.”
• $475,093 to the University of Maryland “to support the center for study and practice of violence reduction.”
In total, the Foundation donated more than $185 million, according to their 2022 IRS Form 990.
Arnold Ventures public relations director, Angela Landers, declined to be interviewed for this story, arrange an interview with the Arnolds or discuss the gun-control research they funded. Instead, Landers chose to send a written statement, which is unedited and reprinted in its entirety:
“Philanthropy can play a unique role in supporting research regarding the impact of many public policies, including those related to gun violence. In this instance, Arnold Ventures partnered with RAND Corp., a nonpartisan and widely respected research institution, to conduct scientific research that offers the public and policymakers a factual basis for developing fair and effective gun policies in the interest of public safety. Sound research is an important part of building evidence-based solutions,” Landers said in her statement.
RAND’s Response
While there were infrequent gun-related projects over the years, the RAND Corporation as a whole did not research “gun violence” until 2016, when there was a mass-shooting near their California office, according to Andrew R. Morral, PhD, a senior behavioral scientist at RAND and the Greenwald Family Chair in Gun Policy.
“A lot of our staff were rattled by it, as were RAND trustees and friends of RAND,” Morral told the Second Amendment Foundation last week. “They contacted our president and asked what we were going to do about it.”
RAND set aside some internal funds because the work was not yet sponsored and investigated, Morral explained. In 2018, they released their first tranche of research.
“Arnold Ventures picked it up and has funded us since then,” he said.
Today, Arnold Ventures is RAND’s largest sponsor of gun-control research. Together with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the two groups pay RAND more than $1.5 million annually, Morral said. Federal grants from the National Institute of Health and the National Institute of Justice provide additional “gun-violence” research funding.
None of RAND’s estimated 1,900 employees are researching gun-control full time, Morral said. Although he estimated between six to eight staffers are studying gun-control topics “as part of their research portfolios.”
Morral denied that Arnold Ventures or any other donor interfered with their research.
“We are very careful to not allow that to happen,” he said. “We haven’t experienced any pressure and we have not been asked to share our findings with Arnold Ventures or any other sponsor. We aren’t held accountable for producing results in a certain direction. Our donors, generally, are interested in us being neutral and objective, which is part of the reason they came to RAND.”
Still, Morral acknowledged that their sponsors can use their research however they see fit.
“We realize it’s used for advocacy, of course. We’re producing scientific results. We can’t control how they’re used. People will use that in a variety of ways. Our results are used by both advocates for more restrictive gun laws as well as advocates for less restrictive gun laws.”
Morral said RAND takes no position on the right to keep and bear arms. “We don’t have policy positions on that or on gun laws or anything else,” he said. “We don’t advocate. We don’t do any advocacy.”
However, it is RAND’s opinion and Morral’s that “gun-violence” constitutes a public health crisis.
“I certainly think there’s a crisis in terms of the number of people dying and being injured each year,” he said. “The numbers are high enough to call that a crisis.”
RAND, Morral said, stands by the validity of their gun-violence research, “subject to the limitations reported in our reports. All research has limitations, and we try to be upfront about that,” he said.
RAND’s position on two frequent gun-control targets is clear, concise and published on its website.
• Concealed-carry laws increase homicides rates: “Evidence shows that concealed carry laws – when states implement more permissive concealed carry laws, there’s a small increase in homicide rates. Our own research has found evidence of that – some suggestive evidence,” Morral said.
• Stand-your-ground laws increase homicide rates: “The current evidence is that when states implement stand-your-ground laws, firearm homicide rates increase,” he said.
RAND researchers published a report last Wednesday, which was funded by Arnold Ventures and a National Institute of Health grant, titled “State Policies Regulating Firearms and Changes in Firearm Mortality.”
Morral was one of the scientists involved in the project.
The objective was to estimate the effects state firearm policies have on gun-related deaths. The researchers examined six policies: “background checks, minimum age, waiting periods, child access, concealed carry, and stand-your-ground laws.”
The findings were mixed. Child-access prevention laws can reduce gun deaths by 6%, and stand-your-ground laws can increase firearm deaths by 6%, the authors claimed.
“Our finding that most of these individual state-level firearm policies have relatively modest and uncertain effect sizes reflects that each firearm policy is a small component of a complex system shaping firearm violence. However, we found that combinations of the studied policies were reliably associated with substantial shifts in firearm mortality,” the authors noted.
All of the authors – Terry L. Schell, PhD; Rosanna Smart, PhD; Matthew Cefalu, PhD; Beth Ann Griffin, PhD and Morral – work for RAND at either its Santa Monica, California, or Arlington, Virginia, offices.
All of the authors except Morral disclosed conflicts of interest: “Dr Schell reported receiving grants from Arnold Ventures and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism during the conduct of the study. Dr Smart reported receiving grants from Arnold Ventures and the National Institutes of Health during the conduct of the study. Dr Cefalu reported receiving grants from Arnold Ventures during the conduct of the study. Dr Griffin reported receiving grants from Arnold Ventures during the conduct of the study. No other disclosures were reported.”
The authors claimed that neither Arnold Ventures not the NIH exercised any control of their work.
“The funders had no role in the design and conduct of the study; collection, management, analysis, and interpretation of the data; preparation, review, or approval of the manuscript; and decision to submit the manuscript for publication,” the report states.
RAND’s NIH Grant of $790,100 was awarded Sept. 25, 2020, and is ongoing.
“Don’t Get Mad About Guns …”
Three months ago, the Trace – the propaganda arm of former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s anti-gun empire – announced they were creating a Gun Violence Data Hub, which would “help journalists access data on one of America’s most critical – and opaque – public health crises.”
“The Data Hub is a multiyear project to increase the accessibility and use of accurate data on gun violence in journalism. Its team of editors, reporters and researchers will proactively collect and clean datasets for public distribution, write and share tip sheets, and serve as a resource desk to other newsrooms, assisting journalists in their pursuit of data-informed reporting,” the Trace reported.
Arnold Ventures was one of the Data Hub’s top sponsors.
To be clear, Arnold Ventures has radical anti-gun views. The group believes “firearm violence” constitutes a public health crisis. “Gun violence,” it claims, has become the leading cause of death of “young people,” not children, the group states on its website. By referring to young people rather than children, they can include 18- to 20-year-olds in their data set to make the numbers work.
Arnold Ventures wants to bridge the gap in anti-gun research, which they say was created by the 1996 Dickey Amendment, which prohibits the federal government from conducting anti-gun research.
Don’t Get Mad About Guns — Get Funding for Research, the group offers on its website.
“It isn’t enough to get mad about gun violence,” Asheley Van Ness, Arnold Ventures former director of criminal justice, wrote in The Houston Chronicle.“Change starts with adequate funding for research, or else policymakers may end up spending time and money on programs that simply don’t work.”
In 2018, to streamline its funding efforts, Arnold Ventures launched the National Collaborative on Gun Violence Research (NCGVR). Its mission is to “fund and disseminate nonpartisan, scientific research that offers the public and policymakers a factual basis for developing fair and effective gun policies.”
“At Arnold Ventures, we use our resources to confront some of the most pressing problems facing our nation,” Arnold Ventures President and CEO Kelli Rhee stated on the group’s website. “Five years ago, we, like many others, recognized that our understanding of gun violence was suffering from a severe lack of investment in research, and we joined together with our partners to try and fill some of the gap. While more investment from both public and private entities is undoubtedly needed, the National Collaborative on Gun Violence Research has made significant progress in building the gun policy evidence base.”
Since 2022, the NCGVR has issued more than 50 grants, including “13 dissertation research projects and seven post-doctoral research fellowships, as well as awards for large new studies on domestic gun violence, officer-involved shootings, harms to firearm owners associated with gun laws, gun suicides, gun policy analysis and urban gun violence.”
Arnold Ventures chose RAND to administer the NCGVR, and RAND put Morral in charge. Today, Morral co-leads the NCGVR, which he says brings RAND “a couple hundred-thousand dollars per year.”
“It was an opportunity to improve research in the field,” Morral told the Second Amendment Foundation. “It was something that seemed like an interesting project to work to elevate. There wasn’t much research going on, and it was an area we were trying to make some headway in with our own funding. We recognized there was a gap in knowledge about gun policy that wasn’t being studied.”
Takeaways
There is certainly nothing unlawful about a well-heeled couple sponsoring gun-control research or research of any kind. The Arnolds are free to spend their millions as they see fit. However, since their largesse can negatively impact the civil rights of millions of law-abiding Americans, the Arnolds should be prepared to answer for their philanthropy.
The couple has created a pipeline of sorts, cash goes in one end and anti-gun propaganda comes out the other.
The risks they’ve created are dire.
“When a cable TV news actor cites some farcical statistic about guns or gun owners, it’s important to understand how that number made it onto the teleprompter,” said Second Amendment Foundation founder and Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb. “It starts with donor dollars sent to researchers at left-leaning colleges, universities or other groups, who publish reports that mirror their donors’ views, which are then regurgitated by the corporate media. It’s a factory-like process. We don’t have anything like that. We don’t need it. We simply rely upon the truth.”
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What a Good Concealed Carry Gun Should Look and Feel Like: My Perspective By Gregg Kielma-Tactical K Training and Firearms 2/17/2026 Choosing a concealed carry firearm isn’t about trends, brand loyalty, or what someone on the internet says is “the best.” It’s about selecting a tool that fits your body, your training level, and your defensive needs. After years of teaching responsible gun owners, I’ve learned that the right concealed carry gun shares a few unmistakable qualities—both in how it looks and how it feels in the hand. It Should Look Purpose Built, Not Flashy A good, concealed carry gun isn’t a showpiece. It’s a defensive tool. From my perspective, the ideal CCW firearm has: • Clean, snag free lines that won’t catch on clothing during the draw. • A modest profile—not oversized, not underpowered, just balanced for daily carry. • Durable, no nonsense finishes that hold up to sweat, humidity, and constant holster contact. • Simple, intuitive controls that don’t require fine motor skills under stress. A carry gun should visually communicate reliability. Nothing about it should look fragile, overly complicated, or designed for anything other than personal protection. It Should Feel Like an Extension of Your Hand The “feel” of a concealed carry gun is where most people make or break their choice. A proper CCW firearm should: • Seat naturally in your grip without forcing your wrist into awkward angles. • Offer enough grip texture to stay secure under stress, but not so aggressive that it tears up clothing or skin. • Balance well—not nose heavy, not top heavy, just stable and predictable. • Provide a trigger you can manage consistently, with a clean break and a reset you can feel. If the gun feels like you’re fighting it, it’s the wrong gun. A carry firearm should disappear into your hand and allow you to focus on the fundamentals, not the ergonomics. It Should Shoot Better Than Its Size Suggests Small guns are harder to shoot well. That’s reality. A good, concealed carry gun overcomes that by offering: • Manageable recoil that doesn’t punish the shooter. • Sights you can actually see, not tiny nubs that disappear in low light. • Predictable accuracy—not match grade, but consistent and confidence building. • A controllable frame that allows fast follow up shots without wrestling the gun. If a student can’t keep rounds on target under stress, the gun isn’t helping them—it’s hindering them. It Must Fit the Mission A concealed carry gun should match the owner’s lifestyle and training commitment. That means: • It conceals well in your actual clothing, not just in theory. • It works with a quality holster, not a bargain-bin afterthought. • It’s a gun you’re willing to train with regularly, not one that hurts to shoot or feels intimidating. • It’s reliable with defensive ammunition, not just range ammo. A firearm that doesn’t fit your daily life won’t get carried. And a gun that isn’t carried can’t protect you. Kielma’s Parting Shot: A good concealed carry gun doesn’t need to impress anyone. It needs to be safe, reliable, and suited to the person who carries it. When a firearm looks clean, feels natural, and performs consistently, it becomes a trustworthy defensive tool—not a burden. That’s the standard I teach, and it’s the standard every responsible gun owner deserves to follow. Gregg Kielma
Bloody 'trans' rampage at boys' hockey game brought to an end by 'Good Samaritan' Joseph MacKinnon February 17, 2026 This is why Rhode Island firearms laws are bad. Could a well-armed citizen might have been stopped the rampage sooner? The dead shooter, who police indicate went by a female name, appears to have rationalized 'trans' rampages. A week after a trans-identifying man went on a rampage in Western Canada, killing six children and two adults, another man who masqueraded as a woman allegedly took aim at innocents — this time at a local skating rink in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Families, students, and supporters flocked to the Dennis M. Lynch Arena on Monday afternoon to watch a boys' high school hockey game between the Blackstone Valley School and Coventry-Johnson co-op teams. Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien noted that "what should have been a joyful occasion" was "instead marked by violence and fear." A man dressed as a woman and believed to have been in the possession of multiple weapons fatally shot two people and left another three victims in critical condition. At least two of the victims are reportedly children. Sign up for the Blaze newsletter Coventry Public Schools revealed on Monday evening that all of its students present at the incident "have been accounted for and are safe." Providence Country Day School and St. Raphael Academy also indicated their students were safe. Arena footage shows players rushing off the ice and fans taking cover as roughly 13 gunshots ring out. The Providence Journal noted that 11 seconds after the first series of shots, a final shot can be heard. Police responding to a report of an active shooter around 2:30 p.m. were on the scene within a minute and a half; however, the blood-letting had apparently already come to an end. Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves indicated that "a Good Samaritan stepped in and interjected in this scene, and that's probably what led to a swift end of this tragic event." The "Good Samaritan" who was unarmed, apparently tried to "subdue" the shooter, who police said died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) expressed gratitude for the first responders "who rushed to assist, as well as the good Samaritan who confronted and tried to disarm the shooter." Goncalves identified the shooter as Robert Dorgan, 56, and indicated that "he does go by the name of Roberta, also uses the last name of Esposito." The chief noted further that while his motive is presently unclear, "this was a targeted event" and "looked like it was a family dispute." A distraught woman who did not provide her name told WCVB-TV while exiting the PPD station that her father was the shooter. "He shot my family, and he's dead now," said the unidentified woman, adding that the shooter "has mental health issues." Court records reviewed by WPRI-TV reportedly show that Dorgan complained in 2020 to the North Providence Police Department that in the wake of his sex-rejection surgery, his father-in-law was trying to kick him out of the family house where Dorgan had lived for seven years. While the father-in-law was initially charged with intimidation of witnesses and victims of crimes and obstruction of the judicial system, the charges were later dismissed. The same year, Dorgan accused his mother of assaulting him and acting in a "violent, threatening, or tumultuous manner." Although his mother was charged with simple assault and battery and disorderly conduct, the case was similarly dismissed. Around the time of Dorgan's dispute with his father-in-law and mother, Dorgan's then-wife, Rhonda Dorgan, filed for divorce. While she initially cited "gender reassignment surgery, narcissistic + personality disorder traits" as the grounds for the divorce, WPRI indicates his ex-wife replaced those reasons with "irreconcilable differences, which have caused the immediate breakdown of the marriage." An apparently Rhode Island-based user on X who went by "Roberta Dorgano" posted on May 9, 2019, "Transwoman, 6 kids: wife — not thrilled." In a recent post, the user who the New York Post suggested was Robert Dorgan, noted, "I have a beloved RHONDA." In response to a Feb. 14 assertion by actor Kevin Sorbo that trans-identifying Rep. Sarah McBride (D-Del.) "is a man," the X user wrote, "Keep bashing us. but do not wonder why we Go BERSERK." Dorgan appears to be the latest addition to a growing list of recent trans-identifying mass shooters and would-be mass shooters. • A trans-identifying man murdered six kids and two adults in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, on Feb. 10. • A trans-identifying man shot up a Catholic church full of children in Minneapolis on Aug. 27, 2025, killing two children and injuring 30. • A male-identifying woman planned to shoot up an elementary school and a high school in Maryland in April 2024 but was stopped in time by police — then later convicted. • A trans-identifying teen stalked the halls of a school in Perry, Iowa, on Jan. 4, 2024, ultimately murdering a child and an adult and wounding several others. • A trans-identifying woman stormed into a Presbyterian school in Nashville on March 27, 2023, murdering three children and three adults.
How Long Do You Shoot? Kielma advises, until the threat is over. No more no less. Be the reasonable person. The consequences can be devastating. Police live by different rules, just ask Polk County Florida Sherrif Grady Judge. This response is from an avid reader of my blog. My Question: What would you do? Please comment below! A few years ago a couple of teens tried to rob a drug store in broad daylight. The pharmacist/store owner .. an elderly man…. pulled out his own gun and shot one of the intruders. The other ran off. In the store with him were 2 women. He took after the runner. Thinking about the 2 women and their safety before he went out the door he put another bullet in the one fallen…. killing him. He was not in anyway trained in such situations… he was running on adrenaline and fear. Making sure that the one on the floor was not a threat anymore to him or the 2 women. That elderly pharmacist was sentenced to life in prison. The weird thing is a few months later a guy went on a killing spree. He shot/killed some family members… Shot another guy and stole his truck. Doing all this while video posting on Facebook. The law finally caught up with him. The pickup was put out of service. The guy stepped out of the truck and was shooting at the police while walking towards them. ( This was all recorded from a police helicopter. ) The police shot and killed him. After he fell to the ground 3 lawmen emptied their pistols into him from about 30 feet. With a camera/body cam rolling… the one in front turned and looked into the camera and said… “ We had to make sure he was dead. “ That was law enforcement that did that… Men who are supposed to be trained in handling a situation like that. … “ Just to make sure. “… ( Just like what the pharmacist did. ) They were deemed heroes. From an Anonymous reader.
Why Many Virginia Democrats Oppose Firearms and the Second Amendment By Gregg Kielma-Tactical K Training and Firearms 2/16/2026 Virginia has a long, proud history of firearm ownership. It’s a state built on rural traditions, personal responsibility, and a deep respect for individual liberty. Yet in recent years, Virginia Democrats have increasingly pushed for strict gun laws, sweeping bans, and policies that many lawful gun owners see as direct attacks on the Second Amendment. Understanding why this political group takes such a strong stance helps responsible gun owners stay informed, engaged, and prepared to defend their rights through education and civic involvement. 1. A Different Interpretation of the Second Amendment Many Virginia Democrats view the Second Amendment through a narrow, “collective rights” lens. They argue that: • The phrase “well regulated militia” limits firearm ownership to state controlled forces • The Founders did not intend broad private ownership • Modern firearms exceed what the Founders could have imagined This interpretation leads them to believe the government should have wide authority to regulate, restrict, or even ban certain firearms. Responsible gun owners, of course, see the Second Amendment as an individual right — a safeguard against tyranny and a tool for personal protection. 2. Urban Political Influence Virginia’s political power has shifted toward Northern Virginia — dense, urban, and culturally disconnected from the state’s rural traditions. In these areas: • Fewer people grow up around firearms • Gun ownership is uncommon • Gun violence is more visible • Firearms are often associated with crime rather than responsibility This creates a cultural divide. For many urban Democrats, firearms are symbols of danger, not tools of safety. That perception drives their policy positions. 3. A Belief That More Laws Equal More Safety Virginia Democrats often argue that strict gun laws will reduce violence. This belief fuels support for: • “Assault weapon” bans • Magazine capacity limits • Red flag laws • Waiting periods • Expanded background checks • Licensing and registration systems To them, these measures are “common sense.” To responsible gun owners, they are burdensome, ineffective, and aimed at the wrong people. Criminals do not follow laws. Law abiding citizens do. 4. Trust in Government Over Individual Responsibility Many Democrats believe public safety should be handled primarily by government institutions — police, social programs, and community initiatives — rather than by armed citizens. This worldview includes ideas such as: • Ordinary citizens shouldn’t need firearms for protection • More guns in public increase risk • Social programs, not self defense tools, reduce violence For those of us who train responsible gun owners, this mindset ignores a simple truth: When seconds count, help is minutes away. 5. Emotional and Symbolic Politics Firearms have become symbolic in modern politics. For many Democrats, guns are tied to: • Mass shootings • Domestic violence • Suicide • Crime in urban areas Because of this emotional association, firearms become a political target — even when proposed laws don’t address the root causes of violence. This leads to policies driven by emotion rather than data, and rhetoric that paints lawful gun owners as part of the problem instead of part of the solution. 6. A Push Toward Centralized Control Many Virginia Democrats support federal style control over firearms, including: • Statewide registries • Mandatory licensing • Universal permitting • Bans on certain firearms or accessories To gun owners, these measures feel like stepping stones toward confiscation. To Democrats, they represent “standardization.” The tension between these two views fuels much of the current political conflict. Why This Matters for Responsible Gun Owners Understanding the motivations behind Virginia Democrats’ opposition to firearms helps us respond with: • Education • Advocacy • Community engagement • Clear communication • A strong emphasis on safety and responsibility Kielma's Parting Shot My work at Tactical K Training and Firearms — teaching avoidance, de escalation, legal understanding, and safe firearm handling — is exactly what responsible gun culture looks like. When citizens are trained, informed, and safety focused, it becomes much harder for opponents of the Second Amendment to argue that ordinary people shouldn’t have access to firearms. Gregg Kielma
3D Printed Guns: What Are They and Are They’re Legal By Gregg Kielma, Owner & Lead Instructor, Tactical K Training and Firearms 02/16/2026 As a Firearms Instructor, Gunsmith and, First Aid Fundamentals Instructor, I’ve watched technology reshape our industry in ways most people never imagined. One of the biggest shifts has been the rise of 3D printed firearms. They generate curiosity, concern, and plenty of misinformation. My goal here is simple: give responsible gun owners a clear, factual understanding of what 3D printed guns are — and what the law actually says about them. What Exactly Is a 3D Printed Gun? A 3D printed gun is a firearm — or firearm component — produced using a consumer or industrial 3D printer. These weapons fall under the broader category of Privately Made Firearms (PMFs), meaning they’re built by individuals rather than licensed manufacturers. PMFs can include pistols, rifles, receivers, and even components like frames or conversion devices. Not all PMFs are illegal, and not all require serial numbers, depending on how they’re made and the laws of your state. Federal Law: What’s Allowed and What Isn’t At the federal level, the rules are more nuanced than most people think: ✔ You can legally make your own firearm for personal use There is no federal law banning the creation or possession of a 3D printed gun, as long as you are legally allowed to own a firearm and the weapon complies with federal requirements. ✔ But the firearm must be detectable Under the Undetectable Firearms Act, all firearms — including 3D printed ones — must contain enough metal to be visible to security screening equipment. ✔ And certain components now fall under ATF regulation A 2022 ATF rule treats many unfinished frames, receivers, and parts kits as firearms, meaning they may require serialization and background checks. State Laws: Where Things Get Complicated This is where responsible gun owners need to pay close attention. States vary widely. States where manufacturing 3D printed guns is explicitly illegal: • Delaware • Hawaii • Rhode Island • Washington States where possessing an unserialized 3D printed firearm is illegal: • Connecticut • New York • Oregon States considering or expanding restrictions Recent legislation in states like Colorado and Washington aims to criminalize not just the guns themselves, but also the digital files used to print them — a major shift that affects hobbyists, makers, and gun owners alike. Digital Files: The New Legal Battleground One of the most controversial areas isn’t the gun — it’s the code. Several states have introduced bills targeting the distribution or possession of 3D printable firearm files. Courts have upheld some of these restrictions, such as New Jersey’s limits on who can access printable gun files. This is a rapidly evolving area of law, and it’s one every responsible gun owner should monitor closely. My Perspective As a Firearms Instructor, Gunsmith and, First Aid Fundamentals Instructor At Tactical K Training and Firearms, I emphasize responsibility, legality, and safety above all else. Technology will continue to evolve, and 3D printing isn’t going away. But neither are the legal obligations that come with firearm ownership. Here’s what I tell my students: • Know your state laws — they may differ drastically from federal rules. • Stay updated — legislation around 3D printed guns is changing fast. • When in doubt, ask — ignorance of the law is never a defense. • Focus on safety and traceability — a firearm you can’t legally possess or transport is a liability, not a tool. Kielma’s Parting Shot 3D printed guns can be legal — but only under the right conditions. Federal law allows personal manufacture, but state laws may prohibit it entirely or restrict possession of unserialized firearms. And the legal fight over digital files is intensifying. As responsible gun owners, our job is to stay informed, stay compliant, and stay safe. Gregg Kielma
Glock: Why Does That "Cutout" Exists Gregg Kielma-Tactical K Training and Firearms 2/16/2026 The open cutout at the rear of the magazine well on many Glock frames is a deliberate design feature. Its purpose is simple: Let's Take a LOOK That hollow opening is there because (contrary to popular opinion) Gaston Glock really did try to make a pistol that was intended to be held in a human hand. It is a dead-air space meant to add girth and more ergonomic curves to the grip of the pistol to make it more comfortable for a person to hold. A pistol grip serves two purposes: to give the user an interface to hold the pistol, and to serve as the receptacle for the ammunition magazine. But in most designs, the magazine is usually much smaller than the outside dimensions of the grip. And if the grip were designed to accommodate only the magazine alone, it would be a squarish, box-like container that the also box-like magazine would simply slip into. And a bare, boxy magazine is not an especially ergonomic and comfortable thing to hold onto. So Gaston Glock added some extra material to the back of the grip behind the wall of the magazine well to fill up the user's hand a bit and give them something curvier to wrap their palm around. More Reasons: 1. To help strip out a stuck magazine If a magazine becomes jammed — usually from a double‑feed or debris — the shooter can hook a finger into that cutout and manually rip the mag out. This isn’t new; early Gen 1, Gen 2, and some Gen 3 Glocks had it for exactly this reason. 2. To assist with flush‑fit magazines When a magazine sits nearly flush with the grip, there’s less surface to grab. The cutout gives you a purchase point to pull it free if needed. This is the same principle behind modern aftermarket magwells that include side cutouts for stripping mags. 3. It’s not about speed — it’s about reliability under failure Most Glock mags drop free without issue. But Glock designed the frame so that if things go wrong, you still have a mechanical way to clear the gun. As one source put it, the cutout is essentially a built‑in contingency for magazine retention issues.
How a Bullet Works: A Straightforward Explanation Gregg Kielma-Tactical K Training and Firearms 2/16/2026 As an instructor, I’ve learned that most people who come to me for training have handled ammunition before, but very few truly understand what’s happening inside that little brass case. And honestly, once you break it down, the process is simple, predictable, and rooted in physics — which is exactly why safety and respect for the firearm matter so much. Let me walk you through how a bullet works, step by step, the way I explain it on the range and in my classes. Kielma says, Let’s Take a LOOK: 1. A Cartridge Is a Self Contained System When people say “bullet,” they often mean the whole round. The bullet is just the projectile. The complete cartridge has four parts: • Case – usually brass, holding everything together • Primer – the ignition source • Powder – the fuel • Bullet – the part that leaves the barrel Each component has a job, and none of them work alone. 2. It All Starts With the Firing Pin When you press the trigger, you’re not “firing the gun” — you’re releasing a mechanical chain of events. The firing pin strikes the primer, crushing it. That impact ignites the primer compound, which burns extremely fast and sends a jet of flame into the powder. This is the moment where everything happens in a controlled explosion. 3. Powder Burns, Pressure Builds, and Physics Take Over The powder doesn’t “explode” — it burns rapidly. That burn creates expanding gas, and because the cartridge is sealed inside the chamber, the pressure has only one direction to go: forward. That pressure pushes the bullet out of the case mouth and into the barrel’s rifling. This is where the engineering of the firearm and the ammunition really shows its value. The pressures involved are enormous, but they’re predictable and contained because the firearm is designed to handle them. 4. Rifling Gives the Bullet Stability As the bullet travels down the barrel, the rifling engraves into the jacket and forces it to spin. That spin is what stabilizes the bullet in flight, just like a well thrown football. Without rifling, accuracy would be unpredictable at best. 5. The Bullet Leaves the Barrel — and Physics Begin and Continue Once the bullet exits the muzzle, the pressure drops instantly. From that point on, the bullet is coasting through the air, guided by: • Its spin • Its shape • Gravity • Air resistance Nothing magical — just physics doing what physics does. 6. The Case Stays Behind The brass case doesn’t go downrange. It either ejects (in a semi auto) or stays in the cylinder (in a revolver). Its job is done once it contains the pressure and seals the chamber. Kielma’s Parting Shot: Why This Matters to Me as an Instructor Understanding how a bullet works isn’t just trivia. It builds confidence. It helps students appreciate why we follow safety rules, why ammunition selection matters, and why maintenance and inspection aren’t optional. When you know what’s happening inside the firearm, you handle it with the respect it deserves — and that’s the foundation of responsible gun ownership. Gregg Kielma
Another Poorly Trained Firearm Citizen Gregg Kielma-Tactical K Training and Firearms 2/15/2026 Stuart, Florida — Stray Bullets Incident A stray bullet incident in Stuart occurred on February 14, 2026, when a man’s backyard target practice went off course, sending bullets into a neighbor’s home and striking a horse WPEC. What happened According to the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, 28 year old Felipe Pascual Andres had recently purchased a firearm and was practicing shooting at his property on SE Salerno Road. During the session, three rounds left his yard and traveled into a neighboring home. • One bullet passed through the door and wall of the home, landing on a kitchen windowsill. • Another bullet struck the back porch of the residence. • A third bullet hit a horse on the property in the neck WPEC. Arrest and charges Pascual Andres was booked into the Martin County Jail for shooting into an occupied dwelling. Deputies say he faces additional charges as well WPEC. Safety concerns The incident has raised safety concerns for residents, especially in close proximity neighborhoods. Authorities are urging gun owners to take precautions when practicing, such as using target ranges, barriers, and safety protocols to prevent stray bullets. If you are in Stuart or nearby, it’s important to be aware of the risks of unsecured firearms and to follow local safety guidelines to prevent similar incidents.
Why You Should Have a CCW License — From My Perspective Gregg Kielma-Tactical K Training and Firearms 02/13/2026 Please take a class. Learn the laws to keep you safe and legal. Let’s take a LOOK. Carrying a firearm isn’t about looking for trouble. It’s about acknowledging that trouble sometimes finds good people who never asked for it. A CCW license is one of the most responsible steps a law-abiding citizen can take to protect themselves and their family, and I say that as someone who has spent years teaching safety, judgment, and real-world decision making. • It Forces You to Take Responsibility Seriously Anyone can buy a firearm, but carrying one in public demands a higher level of discipline. A CCW license requires you to understand the law, know when you can and cannot use force, and recognize that avoidance is always the first option. That mindset alone separates responsible gun owners from reckless ones. • It Gives You Legal Protection and Clarity Florida’s laws—like every state’s—have specific requirements for carrying, using, and storing a firearm. A CCW license ensures you’re operating within the law, and it gives you legal standing that unlicensed carriers simply don’t have. When seconds count, you don’t want to be guessing what’s legal and what isn’t. • It Allows You to Carry in More Places A CCW license expands where you can legally carry, giving you more flexibility in your daily life. Whether you’re traveling, working late, or simply running errands, you have the ability to protect yourself without worrying about violating carry restrictions. • It Encourages Proper Training The best firearm owners are the ones who train regularly. A CCW license is often the first step that motivates people to seek real instruction—learning how to draw safely, make good decisions under stress, and understand the legal aftermath of a defensive encounter. Training builds confidence, and confidence reduces mistakes. • It Levels the Playing Field Criminals don’t follow laws. They don’t schedule their attacks. They don’t care who you are. A CCW license gives you the ability to defend yourself when there is no time to wait for help. You carry not because you expect danger, but because you refuse to be helpless if it comes. • It Reinforces a Culture of Responsibility Every licensed carrier who trains, follows the law, and carries with humility helps strengthen the public perception of responsible gun ownership. You become part of the solution—someone who values safety, restraint, and preparedness. Kielma’s Parting Shot: It’s About Protecting Life, Not Taking It The goal of carrying a firearm is simple: go home safe. A CCW license isn’t about being a hero. It’s about giving yourself the tools, training, and legal framework to survive the worst day of your life if it ever comes.
The Girsan Firearm: A Practical, Capable Choice for Responsible Owners Gregg Kielma-Tactical K Training and Firearms 02/11/2026 As a Firearms Instructor/Gunsmith, I evaluate every platform through a simple lens: reliability, usability, and value for the everyday gun owner. Girsan firearms consistently check those boxes. They aren’t built for hype or status — they’re built to run, and that matters far more than a name stamped on the slide. Reliable Performance at a Fair Price Girsan has earned a reputation for producing dependable firearms without inflating the cost. For many new shooters, that balance is critical. A defensive firearm must function every time, and Girsan pistols have shown solid consistency on the range, even under regular training use. Familiar, Proven Designs Many Girsan models follow well established platforms — 1911s, Beretta style pistols, and modern striker fired designs. That means: • Intuitive controls • Predictable ergonomics • Easy access to holsters, magazines, and parts For students, this familiarity shortens the learning curve and builds confidence quickly. Solid Build Quality While they’re budget friendly, Girsan firearms don’t feel cheap. Their machining, fit, and finish have steadily improved over the years. The triggers are clean, the slides track smoothly, and the overall construction holds up well to repeated training sessions. A Smart Option for New Shooters Not every student needs a $1,500 pistol. What they do need is a firearm that’s safe, reliable, and comfortable to shoot. Girsan delivers that without overwhelming a new owner’s budget. It’s a practical, no nonsense choice that lets people focus on fundamentals rather than price tags. My Perspective as an Instructor I judge a firearm by how it performs in real hands, under real conditions. Girsan pistols have proven themselves as dependable tools for training, home defense, and everyday carry. They offer honest value, solid performance, and a level of quality that surprises many shooters. For responsible gun owners looking for a capable firearm without overspending, Girsan is a brand worth considering. Gregg Kielma
