Gregory Kielma • June 18, 2023
Armed self-defense Good Read Tale a look
Pro-gun groups on the right have for years promoted the right to armed self-defense and warned of pervasive threats. Experts and critics say the recent shootings of innocent people are the consequence.
Ringing the wrong doorbell, pulling into the wrong driveway, accidentally getting in the wrong car: Mundane, everyday mistakes ended in the shootings of several young people – and the death of one of them – last month when the men on the receiving end of the errors reached for their firearms and decided to shoot.
The shootings captured public attention nationwide, breaking through the unfortunate white noise of pervasive gun violence for their brazenness and similarities. They have reignited the fight over so-called “stand your ground” laws expanding the legal protections around self-defense. And critics, too, have pointed to the incidents as the natural end result of a society flooded with firearms.
But experts and gun control advocates say the shootings are a symptom of a much broader cause: the proliferation of rhetoric on the pro-gun right and among conservatives in general about persistent, pervasive threats, danger and crime, and also of guns as the only means of personal safety against the criminals that lurk around every corner.
“For seven years, all of us here today have been engaged in an epic struggle against the corrupt forces and communist maniacs – and they’re all over the place – that are absolutely trying to destroy our country,” former President Donald Trump said this month in a speech at the National Rifle Association’s annual meeting. “They want to take away your guns while throwing open the jailhouse doors and releasing bloodthirsty criminals into your communities.”
Wayne LaPierre, the embattled chief executive officer of the pro-gun organization, expressed similar sentiments.
“You don’t need the government to tell you the sky is blue, water’s wet or that you have the God-given right to self-defense,” he said.
‘This Could Happen to Anybody’
In Kansas City, Missouri, Ralph Yarl, a Black teenager, rang the wrong doorbell on April 13 while trying to pick up his siblings from a friend’s house. The octogenarian homeowner inside the house shot Yarl in the head in what he said was self-defense, in an action prosecutors say had a “racial component.” Two days later in upstate New York, a car full of young people pulled into the wrong driveway while looking for another friend’s house. The homeowner shot at the car from the porch. Twenty-year-old Kaylin Gillis died. And just days after that, a man shot two teenage cheerleaders in Elgin, Texas, after one of them tried to get into his car by accident, thinking it was her ride. She realized her mistake, exited the car and tried to apologize. But the man opened fire. Yarl’s shooting made headlines in part because it highlighted issues relating to race, and public attention quickly turned to the other shootings in the days after. Though the U.S. experiences gun violence at the highest rate of any developed nation, the shootings broke through the news cycle in part because they easily inspired empathy.
Gun Control and Gun Rights Cartoons
“This could happen to anybody. I mean, there was a racial factor involved in at least one of these. But beyond that, it's just like, this could happen to me or this could happen to my kid,” says Michael Lawlor, an associate professor of criminal justice at the University of New Haven and a former member of the Connecticut House of Representatives. Lawlor, a Democrat, also served as the state’s undersecretary for criminal justice policy.
Focus turned, then, on Missouri’s “stand your ground” law, which is like a law of the same name that is in place in Texas. Gun rights advocates have pushed for years to enact the measures, which expand protections around the use of force when acting in self-defense. Under the law, a person has the right to use deadly force when acting in self-defense anywhere they have a legal right to be, and without first retreating – in other words, using force does not have to be a last resort. The laws burst onto the public debate stage in 2012, when Florida police noted it as the reason they refused to arrest George Zimmerman, who fatally shot Trayvon Martin, a Black unarmed teenager. Zimmerman was later charged and then acquitted.
New York has a similar, albeit more limited, law called the “castle doctrine” that allows for use of force by a person defending their own home – or castle, so to speak. And the passage of “stand your ground” laws has happened in concert with a focused emphasis by the pro-gun right on crime, threats, and self-defense. While promoting firearms as a tool for self-defense is not a new idea, the expansion of laws allowing for use of deadly force may contribute to a climate where gun owners are more ready to do so, says Matthew Lacombe, an associate professor of political science at Case Western University who specializes in gun politics, the NRA and political ideology.
“The NRA narrative that you might use guns for armed self-defense is not new. What is newer is liberalization of particularly state-level laws pertaining to how, when and why you can use lethal force to defend yourself,” Lacombe says.
The men who perpetrated the recent shootings will likely not be covered under such laws, Lacombe notes. But in a wider context, “it's probably the case that the general shift legally has encouraged more and more people to think about self-defense in these terms, encouraged more people to buy guns specifically for self-defense purposes, and in some ways emboldened them in terms of what they see as a reasonable use of them,” he says. The NRA Institute for Legislative Action, which has championed the laws, did not respond to a request for comment about the recent shootings and self-defense laws.
Politicians and advocates for more restrictive gun control laws have pointed the finger at “stand your ground” laws for such an embodiment.
“I think we now have a shoot-first, ask-later policy in this state – or at least that is what people have interpreted it to be,” Missouri state Rep. Maggie Nurrenbern, a Democrat, was quoted by The Kansas City Star as saying in the wake of Yarl’s shooting. Nurrenbern introduced a measure in the legislature earlier this year to limit the state’s law, but the bill went nowhere. The context around the laws, including a focus on firearms as a means for self-defense as opposed to other uses, Lacombe says, is critical for understanding what effect they may have on society.
“It's not just the laws, it's also the sort of marketing campaigns and rhetoric surrounding the laws, which I think have increasingly turned the gun-rights space into one focused on armed self-defense specifically, as opposed to other uses of guns,” Lacombe says.
Part of that context also includes a pervasive narrative pushed by pro-gun advocates and the NRA that has intertwined gun rights and core values like freedom, making expansive gun rights a core part of the conservative ideology – even identity. “Owning a gun isn't just having an object that you might use for recreation or self-defense, but it's more of a sort of symbol of who you are and what you stand for. And part of that relates to self-sufficiency,” Lacombe says of the narrative. “We think of self-sufficiency as being politically coded – you know, ‘I don't need handouts’ – but it's also in recent years come to even involve notions of protection.”
Fear and Freedom
Republicans have in recent years emphasized crime and threats in their electoral messaging around – a threat they say is posed by an “invasion” of illegal immigration, the threat posed by criminals emboldened by Democrats’ soft-on-crime policies, the threat of eroding rights and norms.
“The sinister forces trying to kill America have done everything they can to stop me, to silence you, and to turn this nation into a socialist dumping ground for criminals, junkies, Marxists, thugs, radicals and dangerous refugees that no other country wants,” Trump told the crowd at the Conservative Political Action Conference earlier this year. “If those opposing us succeed, our once-beautiful USA will be a failed country that no one will even recognize – a lawless, open-borders, crime-ridden, filthy, communist nightmare.”
Trump is considered the current front-runner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. His comments echo narratives threaded through many right-leaning news and commentary shows and other forms of media, as well as the electoral strategies of other candidates.
Fear is an old and effective political motivator, experts say, and that motivation was also on display at the NRA’s annual meeting earlier this month, with speeches replete with warnings about self-defense, crime and protecting freedoms from those who want to take it away by force.
“Threat is a pretty powerful motivator, so associating support for gun rights with addressing different types of threats is something that historically has worked pretty well for the NRA,” Lacombe says.
Lawlor, the criminal justice professor, and former state legislator, describes fear and threat as a “political business model” that shifts and changes in topic over the years but remains a pervasive strategy.
“In 2004, the presidential election was all about gay marriage. Right now, it’s all about drag queens. A couple of cycles ago, it was all about immigrant caravans. There is always something that can be that thing that everyone should fear,” Lawlor says. “And so, we're back to crime now. That's where we are now – that you should be scared that someone's going to steal your car or break into your house.”
Though crime rates vary by city, the violent crime rate in the U.S. overall has plummeted since the 1990s, when gang violence associated with an epidemic of crack cocaine fueled urban homicide rates. In fact, violent crime rates have been slashed by more than half – though polling shows that Americans believe the number has gone up, despite the data.
The result of threat-based rhetoric, Lawlor argues, can be what happened in Missouri – a senior citizen “who's watching Fox News all day with the volume all the way on max, has a gun, of course, to protect themselves, and he's been told that sooner or later, some Black guy is going to show and try and kill you or break into your house or whatever.”
‘There's a 16-year-old kid knocking on his door by mistake, and – boom, right? So this outcome is predictable,” he says.
Dennis Rader: The People Who Suffered Because Of This Bastard. Paula Dietz's Unsettling Tale of Her Marriage to Dennis Rader Gregg Kielma Says Gregg Kielma, Firearms Instructor, Safety Instructor, First Aid Fundamentals Instructor and Gunsmith: Friends, this is why I carry a firearm and teach firearm use and situational awareness. Bastards like Rader can be stopped. It should have never taken 17 years to get this bastard. Please let me show you how to stay safe. Please protect yourself and family. Paula Dietz lived with the BTK killer for 34 years without knowing who he was. Dennis Lynn Rader is an American serial killer who goes by the nickname "BTK," which stands for "bind, torture, kill." Between 1974 and 1991, he killed ten people in Wichita and Park City, Kansas, and then sent letters to the police and the media, bragging about what he had done. Rader stopped sending letters for ten years, but he started again in 2004, which led to his arrest in 2005 and his guilty plea. Paula Dietz Paula Dietz had known her husband for 34 years as a loving husband, church council president, and Cub Scout leader. Nevertheless, she was shocked to discover that he was also a serial killer. On February 25, 2005, Dietz's husband was taken into custody, shattering everything she had previously believed to be true. Authorities abruptly identified the man who had been her children's adoring father and the head of their church council as the BTK Killer, The cognitive whiplash that Dennis Rader's wife went through was undoubtedly indescribable. In 1970, she fell in love with the retired US Air Force officer, and a few months later they were married. After they settled into their Park City, Kansas, house, Dietz took care of their two kids, and Rader went to work as an electrician. Dietz had no idea that he was using his electrical skills to break into homes at night and murder innocent people while wearing a mask. Despite a trail of clues left in her husband's wake, Dietz only learned Rader's true identity when he was apprehended. Paul Dietz Love Story Paula Dietz was born in Park City, Kansas, on May 5, 1948. Most of what is known about her came to light after her husband was arrested, as she lived a relatively quiet life with her family until the BTK Killer was exposed for his crimes. Dietz, on the other hand, was raised in a religious household by devout parents. Her father worked as an engineer, and her mother as a librarian. Paula Dietz attended the National American University of Wichita after graduating from her local high school in 1966 and earned a bachelor's degree in accounting in 1970. That same year, she met Rader at church, and the two fell in love quickly. Living With The BTK Killer On the surface, Rader appeared to be a kind U.S. Air Force veteran. But Rader had grown up torturing helpless women and killing small animals, and Dietz had no idea that side of him existed. Dietz married Dennis Rader on May 22, 1971, unaware that he liked to photograph himself in women's underwear or engage in autoerotic asphyxiation. When Paula Dietz discovered she was pregnant in 1973, she was overjoyed, and on November 30, she gave birth to her and Rader's son Brian. Six weeks later, her husband committed his first murders. He broke into the home of Joseph Otero, 38, and his wife Julie on January 15, 1974, and strangled them in front of their children. He then dragged Josephine, 11, and her brother Joseph, 9, into the basement. He suffocated young Joseph before hanging her and masturbating as she died. Before fleeing, Rader took gruesome photos of the scene, which he kept in a lockbox filled with mementos from his victims, including Josephine's underwear. Over the next 17 years, Rader murdered six more women while portraying the ideal family man by day. In 1978, Dietz gave birth to her second child, a girl named Kerri. Rader enjoyed taking his kids fishing and even led his son's Cub Scout troop. Dietz was completely unaware of her husband's secret double life. The Shocking Discovery Rader was finally caught in 2005, almost 15 years after his last murder. He sent letters to local news outlets with photos and information about his past crimes. He kept the photos, the underwear, and the IDs of the women he had killed in a lockbox at home, and Paula Dietz had never thought to open it. When the FBI searched Rader's home after he was arrested on February 25, 2005, they found these strange items. Dietz had no idea what was going on. She told police that her husband was "a good man and a great father." But after he admitted to killing 10 people and pleaded guilty on June 27, 2005, Dennis Rader's wife stopped talking to him. She never wrote him another letter, and she never went to see him in jail or to any of his court hearings. Kielma's Parting Shot: Rader you two-bit piece of shit....rot in hell you deranged bastard. Gregg Kielma
Welcome to My New Outdoor Firearms Range: A Place Built for Learning, Safety, and Confidence Gregg Kielma 03/087/2026 Opening a new firearms range isn’t just about building a place to shoot—it’s about creating an environment where people feel safe, supported, and genuinely empowered. That’s exactly what I set out to do with my outdoor range here in Parrish, Florida. Set on a quiet stretch of farm pasture, the private range offers a calm, rural backdrop that helps students focus, breathe, and learn without pressure or distraction. This space was designed with purpose. Every lane, every berm, every piece of equipment reflects my commitment to responsible firearm ownership and high quality instruction. Whether someone is touching a firearm for the first time or refining advanced skills, the range gives them room to grow at their own pace. What makes this range special isn’t just the setting—it’s the philosophy behind it. My teaching approach centers on safety, avoidance, and sound decision making. Students learn not only how to shoot, but how to think, evaluate, and stay in control. The goal is always the same: build confidence through competence. The outdoor environment also allows for more realistic, practical training. Students experience natural light, real-world conditions, and the kind of spatial awareness that simply can’t be replicated indoors. It’s a place where people can slow down, ask questions, and get hands on guidance tailored to their needs. Most importantly, this range is personal. It’s built on my belief that education saves lives, that responsible ownership matters, and that every student deserves a safe, welcoming place to learn. I’m proud to open these gates to the community and look forward to helping more people become confident, capable, and responsible firearm owners. If you’re ready to train in a supportive environment that puts safety and skill first, I’d be honored to work with you. Gregg Kielma
Florida Marijuana Laws & Firearm Ownership (2026) Gregory Kielma, Tactical K Training & Firearms 03/08/2026 As a firearms instructor in Florida, I spend a lot of time helping people understand the law—not the rumors, not the social media myths, but the real legal landscape. One of the most confusing areas today is the intersection of marijuana use and firearm ownership. Florida allows medical marijuana, and recreational legalization efforts continue to gain traction, but federal law has not caught up. That creates a legal conflict every responsible gun owner needs to understand. Florida Law vs. Federal Law: The Core Conflict Florida’s medical marijuana program is fully legal under state law. Nothing in Florida statutes prohibits a medical marijuana patient from owning or possessing a firearm. But federal law is a different story. Under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(3), anyone who is an “unlawful user of a controlled substance” is prohibited from possessing or purchasing a firearm. Marijuana—whether medical or recreational—remains illegal federally, even with recent federal discussions about rescheduling. A January 2026 legal analysis confirms that even if marijuana is moved from Schedule I to Schedule III, the federal firearm prohibition still applies unless Congress changes the law. Recent Court Rulings: Progress, But Not Final Florida saw major movement in 2025 when the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that medical marijuana patients may have a valid Second Amendment claim to own firearms. This was a significant step forward for patients’ rights. However, the ruling did not eliminate the federal prohibition. The case may still reach the Supreme Court, and until a final nationwide decision is issued, the federal ban technically remains in place. What This Means for Florida Gun Owners in 2026 1. Purchasing a Firearm Anyone buying a firearm from an FFL must complete ATF Form 4473. The form directly asks whether the buyer uses marijuana. • Answering “yes” results in a denied purchase. • Answering “no” while using marijuana is a federal felony. • The form explicitly states that marijuana is illegal federally regardless of state law. 2. Possessing a Firearm Florida law does not prohibit medical marijuana patients from possessing firearms. Federal law still technically does. In practice, §922(g)(3) is usually enforced when another crime is involved, but the risk remains. 3. Recreational Marijuana Efforts Florida’s push for recreational legalization continues, with a revised initiative aimed at the 2026 ballot. Even if recreational marijuana becomes legal in Florida, federal firearm restrictions would still apply unless federal law changes. My Professional Guidance as a Firearms Instructor At Tactical K Training and Firearms I teach that responsible ownership starts with understanding the law as it exists today—not how we wish it worked. Here’s my advice to students and clients: • Do not lie on Form 4473. • Understand that state legality does not override federal firearm law. • Stay informed—the legal landscape is shifting, and court decisions in the next few years may finally resolve this conflict. • If you are a medical marijuana patient, be cautious about purchasing or possessing firearms until federal law or the courts provide clear, final guidance. Kielma's Parting Shot • Florida allows medical marijuana and does not restrict firearm ownership for patients. • Federal law still prohibits marijuana users from possessing or purchasing firearms. • Court rulings in 2025–2026 show momentum toward restoring gun rights for medical marijuana patients, but nothing is final yet. • Recreational legalization efforts for 2026 do not change federal firearm rules. • Responsible gun owners should stay informed and avoid federal violations. Gregg Kielma
Domestic Violence and Firearms in Florida By Gregory Kielma, Tactical K Training & Firearms 03/08/2026 Domestic violence is one of the most dangerous and unpredictable situations a family can face. As a firearms instructor, I emphasize that responsible gun ownership is rooted in safety, legality, and prevention. Understanding how Florida and federal law treat firearms in domestic violence cases is essential for every gun owner in our state. Why Domestic Violence and Firearms Matter Domestic violence incidents are emotionally charged, fast moving, and often escalate without warning. When firearms are present, the risk of serious injury or death increases dramatically. Florida lawmakers have recognized this reality, and in recent years the state has moved toward stronger protections for victims — including clearer rules on firearm surrender when a court issues a protective injunction. Federal Law: Firearm Prohibitions in Domestic Violence Cases Under 18 U.S.C. §922(g)(8), a person is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition if they are subject to a qualifying protection order. This applies when: • The order was issued after a hearing with notice and opportunity to be heard • The protected party is an intimate partner (spouse, former spouse, co parent, or cohabitant) • The order includes language restraining threats, harassment, or violence Federal law also prohibits possession after a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence conviction. These federal restrictions apply in Florida regardless of state statutes. Florida Law Today Florida historically did not require officers to remove firearms at the scene of a domestic violence incident, nor did it have a state level prohibition for misdemeanor domestic violence convictions. Instead, Florida relied heavily on federal law and background checks to prevent prohibited persons from purchasing firearms. However, the landscape is changing. New for 2026: HB 729 — Mandatory Firearm Surrender After a Final Injunction Florida’s 2026 legislative session introduced HB 729, a major step toward strengthening victim safety. Under this bill: • When a final judgment of injunction for protection against domestic violence is issued, the respondent must surrender all firearms, ammunition, and concealed carry licenses to local law enforcement. • Law enforcement agencies must create standardized procedures for collecting, documenting, storing, and returning firearms. • Firearms may be transferred to a third party if the respondent chooses. • Firearms are returned only when the injunction is vacated or expires. • Penalties increase for repeat violations of protective injunctions. This bill was filed in response to real tragedies where abusers ignored court orders to surrender firearms, with deadly consequences. HB 729 aims to close that enforcement gap. Other Domestic Violence Reform Efforts in Florida Florida’s 2026 legislative session has seen a surge of domestic violence–related bills, reflecting rising concern statewide. Lawmakers are considering: • Electronic monitoring for high risk offenders • Enhanced penalties for violating injunctions • Address confidentiality protections for victims • Improved enforcement mechanisms for protective orders Advocates describe domestic violence in Florida as a “deadly epidemic,” and these reforms aim to reduce repeat victimization and improve early intervention. What This Means for Florida Gun Owners As responsible firearm owners, we must understand: 1. A domestic violence injunction can immediately affect firearm rights. Even temporary orders may restrict possession under federal law. 2. Final injunctions now trigger mandatory firearm surrender under HB 729. This is a major shift in Florida’s enforcement structure. 3. Violating an injunction — including firearm possession — carries serious criminal penalties. 4. Firearm rights may be restored only after the injunction is lifted and all legal conditions are met. 🔹 My Perspective as an Instructor At Tactical K Training and Firearms, I teach that firearms are tools of defense — not intimidation, anger, or control. Domestic violence is never a “private matter.” It’s a public safety issue, and the law reflects that. If you or someone you know is navigating a domestic violence situation, firearms must be handled with extreme caution and full legal compliance. Safety comes first, always. Kielma’s Parting Shot Domestic violence and firearms intersect at one of the most critical points of personal safety. Florida’s evolving laws — especially HB 729 — show a clear trend toward stronger protections and clearer enforcement. As gun owners, we have a responsibility to stay informed, stay compliant, and promote a culture of safety and respect.
Why a Convicted Felon Cannot Legally Own a Firearm By Gregory Kielma, Tactical K Training and Firearms 03/08/2026 Firearm ownership in the United States is both a constitutional right and a serious personal responsibility. With that responsibility comes a clear legal framework designed to keep firearms in the hands of safe, lawful, and responsible citizens. One of the most important parts of that framework is the federal prohibition on firearm possession by individuals convicted of certain crimes—most commonly, felonies. Understanding why a convicted felon cannot legally own or possess a firearm helps every gun owner appreciate the balance between individual rights and public safety. The Legal Foundation: Federal Law Is Clear Under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1), anyone convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year in prison—what we commonly call a felony—is prohibited from: • Possessing a firearm • Purchasing a firearm • Receiving a firearm • Transporting a firearm This applies to all firearms, whether modern or antique, and includes ammunition as well. The law is strict, and violations are aggressively prosecuted. A felon found in possession of a firearm can face up to 10 years in federal prison, with even harsher penalties if the offense involves violence, drugs, or prior convictions. Why the Law Exists The purpose of this prohibition is straightforward: to reduce the risk of future violence and protect the public. Felony convictions typically involve conduct that demonstrates a disregard for the law or a threat to community safety. By restricting firearm access, federal law aims to: • Prevent repeat violent offenses • Reduce gun-related crime • Maintain safer communities • Ensure firearms remain in responsible hands This isn’t about punishing someone forever—it’s about preventing foreseeable harm. Firearm Ownership Requires Trust Owning a firearm is not just a right; it’s a privilege earned through responsible behavior. Lawful gun owners demonstrate: • Respect for the law • Safe handling and storage • Sound judgment under stress • A commitment to protecting—not endangering—others A felony conviction breaks that trust in the eyes of the law. Until that trust is restored through legal channels, firearm possession remains off-limits. Restoration of Rights: It Is Possible While federal law prohibits felons from possessing firearms, some individuals can have their rights restored through: • A full pardon • Expungement • Restoration of civil rights by the state where the conviction occurred However, this process is complex, varies by state, and must be completed before any firearm possession becomes legal. Attempting to “guess” or assume rights have been restored is dangerous—one mistake can lead to a federal felony. Anyone seeking restoration should consult a qualified attorney who specializes in firearms law. Why This Matters for Responsible Gun Owners Understanding these laws protects you as well. As a lawful gun owner, you must avoid: • Transferring a firearm to a prohibited person • Allowing a prohibited person access to your firearms • Storing firearms in a way that a prohibited person could reasonably access them Even accidental violations can carry serious consequences. Kielma’s Parting Shot: A Commitment to Safety and Responsibility At Tactical K Training and Firearms, we emphasize that responsible ownership begins with knowledge. Knowing who can—and cannot—legally possess a firearm is part of that responsibility. These laws aren’t meant to punish; they’re meant to protect. They help ensure that firearms remain tools of defense, sport, and personal empowerment—not instruments of further harm. Responsible gun owners stay informed, stay compliant, and stay committed to safety. That’s the standard we uphold, and the standard we teach. Gregg Kielma
Plains man sentenced to 7 years in prison for illegal firearm possession Thursday, March 5, 2026 U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Montana MISSOULA – A Plains man who was prohibited from owning firearms was sentenced today to 84 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Tim Racicot said. Graham Anthony Bowden, 49, pleaded guilty in November 2025 to one count of prohibited person in possession of a firearm and two counts of possession of an unregistered silencer. U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy presided. The government alleged in court documents that in the fall of 2024, law enforcement officers encountered Bowden in several instances in which they either observed him to be armed with a firearm or with firearms accessories. Based in part on those incidents, a federal search warrant was obtained to search Bowden’s residence, which was a camper parked on the property of Bowden’s friend. Also on the property was a freestanding home belonging to Bowden’s friend. Agents located eight firearms belonging to Bowden, along with two silencers and assorted ammunition. Law enforcement interviewed Bowden and he admitted he owned the firearms had been meaning to register them. Bowden acknowledged he had signed paperwork related to his California convictions that prohibited him from possessing firearms but said he thought his rights had been automatically restored at some point. Bowden produced no paperwork to support that assertion. Bowden also admitted to possessing the two silencers, saying one came with a firearm he purchased and that the other was a blank. Bowden said he didn’t know suppressors were federally controlled and needed to be registered. The silencers were not registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. On January 6, 2012, Bowden was convicted of six counts of robbery in the second degree with a firearms enhancement in Orange County Superior Court of California and sentenced to 12 years in prison. He was paroled from custody in 2020. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Lowney prosecuted the case. The ATF, Plains Police Department, and Sanders County Sheriff’s Department conducted the investigation. Contact Keri Leggett Acting Public Affairs Officer keri.leggett@usdoj.gov
Convicted Felon with a Machinegun and Fentanyl Pleads Guilty Wednesday, March 4, 2026 U.S. Attorney's Office, Middle District of Georgia MACON, Ga. – A Georgia man with prior drug convictions admitted he was intending to distribute fentanyl and other drugs when officers found him illegally in possession of three firearms, including a machinegun. Rodricas Montreal Jacks, 39, of Sparta, Georgia, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon before U.S. District Judge Marc Treadwell on March 3. Jacks is facing a maximum of 15 years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for June 2. There is no parole in the federal system. “Repeat felony offenders possessing the most dangerous weapons and distributing the deadliest drugs in our communities will be held accountable at the federal level, where there is no parole,” said U.S. Attorney William R. “Will” Keyes. “We appreciate the dedication of our law enforcement partners to make our communities safer for all residents and working with us to ensure justice.” According to court documents and statements referenced in court, Jacks was on probation for a felony drug distribution conviction when he failed to comply with his community service as directed by the Court and failed two drug tests. As a result, law enforcement conducted a search of his residence on Nov. 3, 2022, and found a machinegun plus two firearms in the house, including a firearm that was stolen. Officers also located fentanyl and marijuana, which he intended to distribute, along with multiple digital scales, small plastic bags and a large amount of cash. Officers also discovered suspected crack inside his car. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. The Georgia Department of Community Supervision investigated the case with assistance from the Ocmulgee Drug Task Force and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Assistant U.S. Attorney Hannah Couch is prosecuting the case for the Government.
Want a machine gun? These states might soon make buying one easier Joseph MacKinnon March 06, 2026 Lawmakers in West Virginia and Kentucky have introduced bills that would enable state police departments to procure and sell machine guns. Republican lawmakers in West Virginia and Kentucky are working on making it easier for Americans to acquire fully automatic firearms — a move that might catch on in other red states. Machine guns — defined by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives as a firearm that can fire "automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger" — are heavily regulated in the United States. While such weapons can be privately owned, Americans are greatly limited in what they can buy and must jump through numerous hoops to seal the deal. 'This is our constitutional right.' Per the Firearm Owners' Protection Act, civilians are barred from possessing a machine gun manufactured after May 19, 1986. Limited supply means a higher price — Silencer Central says that prospective buyers should expect to spend a minimum of $6,000 to $10,000. Interested American buyers at least 21 years of age, neither a felon nor a fugitive, and living in a state without a machine gun ban must pass an AFT background check, pay a one-time $200 transfer tax, and get approval from the government in order to take possession. Once those hurdles are cleared, they can take the machine gun home but fire it only on closed target ranges. In West Virginia, Republican state Sens. Chris Rose and Zack Maynard recently introduced legislation that would establish within the West Virginia State Police an office of public defense that would oversee the procurement and sale of machine guns to "qualified members of the public," namely any citizen presently eligible to purchase and possess firearms under West Virginia and federal law. The Cowboy State Daily reported that the new office would be authorized to transfer newer machine guns to state residents. Blaze News and Tactical K Training and Firearms has reached out to state Sen. Rose for clarification about whether out-of-state American citizens would be able to acquire a machine gun from the proposed authority.
DOJ Pam Bondi Scranton Man Sentenced To 12 Years For Possession Of A Machine Gun Tuesday, February 24, 2026 U.S. Attorney's Office, Middle District of Pennsylvania SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Naim Mustafa House, age 28, of Scranton, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on February 24, 2026, to 144 months’ imprisonment by United States District Judge Karoline Mehalchick for possession with intent to distribute marijuana and possession of a machine gun. According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, on July 8, 2024, Scranton Police Officers initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle that House was a passenger. House fled on foot and was found hiding under a rear porch of a residence. During a search incident to arrest, police found marijuana packed for resale on his person and inside his backpack found 30 additional grams of marijuana and a Glock 7, 9mm handgun equipped with a device to transition the firearm from a semiautomatic firearm into a fully automatic firearm. The firearm also had an extended magazine containing 10 rounds of ammunition. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Scranton Police Department investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Jenny P. Roberts prosecuted the case.
Brazilian National Unlawfully in the United States Sentenced for Selling 14 Firearms Without a License Thursday, February 26, 2026 U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Massachusetts Defendant sold AR-15 style rifles and large capacity magazines BOSTON – A Brazilian national unlawfully residing in Worcester has been sentenced to prison for selling firearms without a license. Joao Vitor Dos Santos Goncalves Pimenta, 21, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Richard G. Stearns to 27 months in prison. The defendant is subject to deportation upon completion of the imposed sentence. In August 2025, Goncalves Pimenta pleaded guilty to one count of engaging in the business of dealing firearms without a license. Between July and September 2024, Goncalves Pimenta sold 14 firearms without the required license in exchange for cash. The firearms included pistols and AR-15-style rifles and large capacity magazines. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Thomas Greco, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division; Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; and Patricia H. Hyde, Acting Field Office Director, Boston, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police and the Revere Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael J. Crowley and John Reynolds of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit prosecuted the case
