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.
Why New York’s Gun Laws Fail Responsible Americans By Gregory Kielma Owner & Lead Instructor, Tactical K Training Parrish, Florida 02/11/26 New York’s gun laws are often praised by politicians as “the model” for the rest of the country. But anyone who understands firearms, safety, and the realities of lawful gun ownership can see the truth: these laws don’t make people safer. They make ordinary, responsible Americans vulnerable to prosecution, confusion, and danger. From my perspective as a firearms instructor, New York’s approach isn’t just misguided, it’s fundamentally broken. Let's Take a LOOK 1. The Laws Are Designed for Confusion, Not Clarity A responsible gun owner should be able to read the law, understand it, and comply with it. New York makes that nearly impossible. The rules change depending on: • Where you are standing • What county you’re in • Whether you’re in a “sensitive location” • Whether a judge feels like issuing a permit • Whether the state decides your training is “good enough” this month This isn’t public safety. It’s a legal trap. When a state’s laws are so convoluted that even attorneys struggle to interpret them, the average traveler or gun owner doesn’t stand a chance. And that’s exactly how New York likes it. 2. The State Treats Law Abiding Citizens Like Criminals New York’s laws don’t target violent offenders—they target the people who follow the rules. We’ve seen countless cases where: • Travelers legally transporting firearms under federal law are arrested anyway • People with no criminal history are charged for simple paperwork mistakes • Visitors who declare firearms at airports (as required by federal law) are handcuffed on the spot Meanwhile, the individuals actually committing violent crimes aren’t walking into airports declaring their guns. They’re not applying for permits. They’re not taking safety classes. They’re not following any law. New York’s system punishes the compliant and ignores the criminal. 3. The Permit System Is Arbitrary and Politicized A constitutional right should never depend on whether a local official “feels” you deserve it. Yet in New York, that’s exactly how it works. Even after the Supreme Court’s Bruen decision, the state continues to drag its feet, invent new restrictions, and create new hoops for citizens to jump through. The message is clear: they’re not interested in safety—they’re interested in control. When a right becomes a privilege granted by the government, it stops being a right at all. 4. The Laws Ignore Reality and Endanger the Public New York lawmakers operate from a fantasy where: • Criminals obey gun free zones • More restrictions equal more safety • A piece of paper stops violence • A permit holder is somehow a threat But in the real world—the world I train people for—violence doesn’t wait for permission slips. Criminals don’t care about signage. And the only people disarmed by these laws are the ones who were never a threat to begin with. By stripping responsible citizens of the ability to defend themselves, New York creates victims, not safety. 5. The State Refuses to Respect Federal Protections Federal law—specifically the Firearm Owners’ Protection Act—was designed to protect travelers transporting firearms legally. New York routinely ignores it. This creates a dangerous precedent: • A state can nullify federal protections • A traveler can be arrested for following federal rules • A constitutional right can vanish at a state line No American should have to fear arrest simply for traveling with legally owned property. 6. The Laws Create a False Sense of Security Politicians love to point to strict gun laws as proof they’re “doing something.” But the data doesn’t support the idea that New York’s approach reduces violent crime. What these laws actually do is: • Give the public a false sense of safety • Allow politicians to claim victory without solving real problems • Divert attention from the actual causes of violence Safety comes from education, responsibility, and accountability—not from punishing the people who already follow the rules. Kielma’s Parting Shot New York’s gun laws aren’t just bad policy—they’re dangerous policy. They criminalize responsible Americans, ignore constitutional protections, and leave good people defenseless while doing nothing to deter violent criminals. As an instructor, I see every day how much effort responsible gun owners put into safety, training, and compliance. These are not the people New York should be targeting. Yet they are the ones paying the price. Until New York stops treating the Second Amendment as optional, its laws will continue to fail the very citizens they claim to protect. Gregg Kielma
What Is a Straw Firearm Purchase? From the Perspective of Gregg Kielma, FFL at Tactical K Training & Firearms 02/06/2026 As a firearms instructor, I spend a great deal of time teaching responsible gun ownership. Most people who walk into a gun shop or a training class genuinely want to do things the right way. But there’s one topic that still causes confusion—and sometimes lands otherwise well-meaning people in serious legal trouble. That topic is the straw purchase. A straw purchase isn’t complicated, but the consequences absolutely are. Understanding it is part of being a responsible, ethical gun owner. Please treat the ATF 4473 like your tax return, be truthful. If you don't, the consequences can be devastating. Please do not put me or my business in a poor situation. "Don't lie for the other guy" Let's Take a LOOK What a Straw Purchase Really Is A straw purchase happens when one person buys a firearm on behalf of someone else—especially someone who cannot legally buy or possess a firearm. It doesn’t matter if the buyer is legally allowed to own a gun. It doesn’t matter if the person they’re buying it for is a friend, a family member, or “just helping someone out.” If the intent is to acquire a firearm for another individual, it becomes a straw purchase. The key issue is the ATF Form 4473. When you buy a firearm from a licensed dealer, you must answer a very specific question: “Are you the actual transferee/buyer of the firearm?” If you are purchasing the gun for someone else, the truthful answer is no. If you check yes anyway, you’ve just committed a federal felony. Why Straw Purchases Are Illegal The law exists for one reason: to prevent firearms from being funneled to people who shouldn’t have them. That includes: • Convicted felons • Individuals with domestic violence convictions • People prohibited due to mental health adjudications • Drug traffickers • Individuals under restraining orders • Anyone attempting to avoid background checks When someone uses a “clean” buyer to get a gun, they’re bypassing the safeguards designed to keep firearms out of dangerous hands. That’s why federal prosecutors take these cases seriously. The Consequences Are No Joke A straw purchase can lead to: • Up to 15 years in federal prison • Massive fines • Permanent loss of firearm rights • Federal felony record And here’s the part many people don’t realize: Even if the person you bought the gun for never commits a crime with it, the act of lying on the 4473 is enough to be charged. I’ve seen cases where someone thought they were “just helping” a boyfriend, girlfriend, or friend who didn’t want to deal with the background check. That one decision changed their life forever. Gifts vs. Straw Purchases People often ask me: “Gregg, what about buying a gun as a gift?” A legitimate gift is perfectly legal. The difference is intent. • Legal: You buy a firearm with your own money, for yourself, and later decide to gift it. • Legal: You buy a firearm as a genuine gift, with no reimbursement, and the recipient is legally allowed to own it. • Illegal: Someone gives you money and tells you what to buy. • Illegal: You buy a gun because someone else cannot pass a background check. If money changes hands, or if the other person is directing the purchase, it’s no longer a gift—it’s a straw purchase. Why This Matters to Me as an Instructor My mission at Tactical K Training and Firearms is simple: Educate, empower, and protect responsible gun owners. That means teaching more than marksmanship. It means teaching the law, ethics, and the responsibilities that come with firearm ownership. A firearm is a tool that demands maturity and integrity. Straw purchases undermine both. When you understand the law, you protect yourself, your family, and your community. You also help ensure that firearms remain in the hands of responsible citizens—not criminals. Kielma’s Parting Shot: MY Final Thoughts A straw purchase isn’t a loophole. It’s a felony. And it’s one of the fastest ways for a good person to end up in serious legal trouble. If you’re ever unsure about a firearm transaction, ask questions. Seek guidance. Talk to a qualified instructor or a knowledgeable dealer. Responsible ownership starts with informed decisions.
Lake County Florida Man Pleads Guilty to Firearms Trafficking Thursday, January 29, 2026 U.S. Attorney's Office, Middle District of Florida Ocala, Florida – Fernando Munguia, Jr. (24, Leesburg) has pleaded guilty to nine counts of making a materially false statement in connection with the acquisition of a firearm and nine counts of causing a federal firearm licensee (FFL) to maintain false information in its official records. Munguia faces up to 10 years in federal prison for each false statement count and up to five years’ imprisonment for each count of causing an FFL to maintain false information in its official records. As part of his plea, Munguia has agreed to forfeit the nine firearms related to these offenses. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement. According to court records, between January 1 and December 31, 2023, Munguia illegally straw-purchased multiple firearms. During the purchases, Munguia indicated on the mandatory background paperwork that he was the actual transferee/buyer of the firearms. Those statements were false since Munguia was being paid to purchase the firearms on behalf of someone else. Nine of the firearms purchased by Munguia—along with other guns—subsequently were intercepted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection on May 27, 2023, when another individual attempted to transport them from Eagle Pass, Texas across the United States’ border and into Mexico. Authorities intercepted Munguia’s firearms less than a month after he had purchased them. Court Exhibit The firearms and ammunition seized at the U.S. border on May 27, 2023. A subsequent records check by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives showed that between January and November 2023, Munguia had purchased 44 firearms for a total of $23,334.25—an amount representing approximately two-thirds of his reported annual income. The records also showed that his purchases frequently involved multiple, identical firearms of the same model and caliber. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Homeland Security Investigations, and U.S. Custom and Border Protection. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Hannah Nowalk Watson. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. Updated January 29, 2026
Ohio Man Indicted for Firearms Offenses Wednesday, February 4, 2026 U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Massachusetts AR-style pistol loaded with 100 rounds of ammunition; a loaded rifle with 100 rounds of ammunition; and two additional loaded pistols recovered BOSTON – An Ohio man has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Massachusetts in connection with multiple sales of firearms transported from Ohio to Massachusetts. Ruben Joel Sanchez Jr., 31, of Youngstown, Ohio, was indicted on one count of engaging in the business of dealing in firearms without a license and two counts of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. Sanchez was arrested on Jan. 8, 2026, and remains in federal custody. According to the charging documents, beginning at least as early as June 2025 through January 2026, Sanchez engaged in the business of unlawful trafficking in firearms. Specifically, in June 2025, Sanchez, who is not licensed to deal in firearms, allegedly sold three firearms to an individual in exchange for $4,000. It is further alleged that, on Jan. 8, 2026, Sanchez was recorded and observed selling four additional firearms to the same individual in return for $8,500. Sanchez was arrested at the scene where an AR-style pistol equipped with a loaded, 100-round drum; a rifle equipped with a loaded, 100-round drum; a loaded pistol equipped with an extended magazine; and an additional loaded pistol were allegedly recovered. The charge of felon in possession of firearms and ammunition provides for a sentence of up to 15 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of unlawful trafficking in firearms provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Thomas Greco, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Julissa Walsh of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case. The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Updated February 4, 2026
Montgomery Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Firearms and Machinegun Charges Thursday, February 5, 2026 U.S. Attorney's Office, Middle District of Alabama MONTGOMERY, Ala. – On February 4, 2026, Ladarius Lamar Knight, 25, of Montgomery, Alabama, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and to the unlawful possession of a machinegun, announced Acting United States Attorney Kevin Davidson. According to court records, on January 7, 2025, units with the Montgomery Police Department and Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) were on Zelda Road in Montgomery when they heard gunshots coming from a nearby gas station. Responding officers observed three individuals fleeing the area. ALEA troopers pursued one of the suspects into a fast-food restaurant across the street from the gas station. The suspect, later identified as Knight, was found hiding in the restaurant’s back storage area and was taken into custody. Troopers recovered a handgun Knight was attempting to conceal inside a box. Further examination revealed that the handgun was equipped with a machinegun conversion device, commonly referred to as a “switch.” When installed, such a device enables the firearm to fire continuously with a single pull of the trigger, resulting in an extremely high rate of fire that allows the weapon to discharge an entire magazine in a matter of seconds . Knight has prior felony convictions and is legally prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date. At sentencing, Knight faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. There is no parole in the federal system. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), including its Metro Area Crime Suppression (MACS) Unit; and the Montgomery Police Department investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorneys John J. Geer, III and Christine Levi are prosecuting the case. Updated February 5, 2026
Two Individuals Charged in Scheme to “Straw Purchase” Firearms Friday, February 6, 2026 U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Alabama HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – A federal grand jury has indicted two individuals in a scheme to “straw purchase” firearms, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona. A three-count indictment filed in U.S. District Court charges Habonisun Mynez Chaverst, 28, of Center Point, Alabama, and Keonna Daniella Cephus, 38, of Birmingham, Alabama, with conspiracy to straw purchase firearms and submit false ATF forms 4473. Cephus was also charged with making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm. According to the indictment, between October 2024 and November 2024, Chaverst partnered with co-defendant Cephus to purchase six firearms from a Federal Firearms Licensee. Cephus, the straw purchaser, falsified documents by specifically stating that she was the actual buyer when in fact she was buying the firearms for Chaverst. On two separate occasions in November 2024, Cephus purchased two .40 caliber Glock 22 pistols, two .40 caliber Glock 23 pistols, and two 9mm Glock 17 pistols from Hoover Tactical Firearms. Cephus used money provided by Chaverst to purchase the firearms. The ATF investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carson R. Gilbert is prosecuting the case. An indictment contains only charges. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Updated February 6, 2026
Why Being Nice Matters. A True Story by-Gregg Kielma A small town sat tucked between two quiet rivers, the kind of place where everyone waved from their porch and news traveled faster than the wind. In that town lived a man named Paul, known for one simple thing—he was nice. Not loud, not flashy, not the center of attention. Just consistently, quietly kind. Every morning, he held the door for strangers at the café. He helped Mr. Hanghouer carry his groceries without being asked. He checked on the mechanic’s dog when the shop got busy. Nothing heroic. Nothing grand. Just small acts that most people barely noticed. One summer, a storm rolled through the town, knocking out power and flooding the roads. People were stuck, hot, and frustrated. But something unexpected happened. Folks began showing up at Paul’s house—not because he had air conditioning or supplies, but because they remembered how he made them feel. Safe. Seen. Valued. Neighbors brought blankets, food, lanterns, and tools. They worked together, fixing what they could and comforting each other through what they couldn’t. And when someone asked why everyone had gathered there, the answer was simple: “Because Paul's always been good to us.” The storm passed, the lights came back on, and life returned to normal. But the town never forgot that moment. They realized kindness isn’t just polite—it’s powerful. It builds bridges long before you need to cross them. It turns strangers into allies. It makes a community stronger than any storm. And Paul? He just kept being nice. Not for praise, not for reward, but because he understood something many people overlook: Being nice matters because you never know when a small act of kindness becomes the reason someone else finds hope again. Gregg Kielma
What’s Going On With Glock — From My Perspective as a Firearms Instructor/Gunsmith By Gregg Kielma-Tactical K Training and Firearms As someone who’s spent years teaching responsible gun ownership and watching this industry evolve from the inside, I can tell you this: Glock is in the middle of one of the biggest transitions we’ve seen from them in decades. And it’s not chaos — it’s strategy. A Company That Rarely Changes Is Changing Fast Glock has always been known for slow, deliberate evolution. They don’t chase trends. They don’t flood the market with gimmicks. They build tools that work, and they stick to that formula. But right now, they’re shifting gears. With the rollout of the Gen 6 pistols — the G17, G19, and G45 — Glock is signaling that they’re ready to modernize in ways they’ve resisted for years. Optics-ready slides, improved ergonomics, ambidextrous controls, and a flat-faced trigger aren’t just upgrades; they’re acknowledgments that the market has changed and Glock intends to stay on top. A Strategic Realignment, Not a Retreat There’s been a lot of chatter — especially online — about Glock discontinuing certain full-size commercial models or shifting production priorities. From where I stand, this isn’t a sign of trouble. It’s a sign of tightening focus. Glock is trimming the fat, consolidating SKUs, and putting their energy into the platforms that define their future. When a company as conservative as Glock starts making bold moves, it’s because they’ve run the numbers and know exactly where the market is heading. The Gen 6 Line Is Their Statement Piece I’ve handled enough firearms to know when a company is phoning it in — and this isn’t that. The Gen 6 pistols feel like Glock finally listened to years of user feedback without compromising the reliability they’re known for. Early reviews and hands-on impressions back that up: • Better ergonomics • Cleaner trigger • Optics-ready from the factory • Compatibility with existing holsters and magazines • Same price point as Gen 5 MOS models That last point matters. Glock isn’t trying to cash-grab. They’re trying to future-proof. From My Instructor’s Viewpoint At Tactical K Training and Firearms, I see what students gravitate toward, what they shoot well with, and what they trust. Glock has always been a top choice because of its simplicity and reliability. With the Gen 6 updates, they’re making the platform even more accessible for new shooters while giving experienced shooters the refinements they’ve been asking for. This is Glock doubling down on what works — not reinventing themselves but sharpening the edges. K ielma’s Parting Shot: Where I Think Glock Is Heading If you ask me, Glock is positioning itself for the next decade of civilian and law enforcement use. They’re modernizing without abandoning their identity. They’re tightening their product line to strengthen their core offerings. And they’re doing it at a pace that’s fast for Glock but measured for everyone else. In short: Glock isn’t in trouble — they’re evolving. And from where I stand, that’s good for the industry and great for the shooters, like me, who rely on them.
Firearm Suppressors: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly By Gregg Kielma-Tactical K Training and Firearms My Thoughts; The Good-The Bad and The Ugly Kielma says, "Let's Take a LOOK Suppressors — or “silencers,” as Hollywood insists on calling them — are one of the most misunderstood pieces of firearms equipment in America. Depending on who you ask, they’re either tactical magic wands or tools of villains. The truth, as usual, sits somewhere in the middle. As an instructor who spends his days teaching responsible gun owners how to stay safe, legal, and effective, I look at suppressors through a practical lens: what they help with, what they don’t, and what every shooter needs to understand before deciding if one belongs in their kit. The Good: What Suppressors Actually Do Well 1. Hearing Protection That Matters A suppressor doesn’t make a firearm “quiet.” It makes it safer. Even with a suppressor, most centerfire firearms still exceed safe hearing thresholds — but the reduction is enough to prevent permanent damage in many situations. For home-defense scenarios, where you won’t have time to put on ear pro, that matters. 2. Better Control and Faster Follow Up Shots By reducing recoil impulse and muzzle blast, suppressors help shooters maintain control. For new shooters, that means confidence. For experienced shooters, that means tighter strings and faster, more accurate follow ups. 3. Reduced Signature A suppressor cuts down on muzzle flash and blast — not to hide anything, but to help you maintain vision and awareness, especially in low light environments. It’s a tool for control, not concealment. The Bad: What Suppressors Don’t Do 1. They Don’t Make Guns Silent Despite the movies, there’s no “pfft” sound. A suppressed 9mm pistol still sounds like a loud nail gun. A suppressed rifle still cracks because of supersonic ammo. If someone buys a suppressor expecting Hollywood results, they’re setting themselves up for disappointment. 2. They Add Weight and Length A suppressor changes the balance of your firearm. On a rifle, that extra length can affect maneuverability. On a pistol, it can make holstering impossible without specialized gear. 3. They Require Maintenance Carbon buildup is real. Some suppressors need to be disassembled and cleaned; others need careful handling to avoid seizing. Neglecting a suppressor is no different than neglecting a firearm — it will eventually fail you. The Ugly: The Legal and Practical Realities 1. The NFA Process Suppressors are legal in most states, but the federal process is slow, expensive, and bureaucratic. You’re looking at: • A background check • A long wait • Registration with the federal government For many people, the process is more intimidating than the device itself. 2. Misconceptions Create Problems Because suppressors are misunderstood, owners sometimes face judgment or misinformation from people who assume the worst. Part of responsible ownership is being prepared to educate others — calmly, factually, and without feeding into Hollywood myths. 3. Not Always Ideal for Defense While suppressors help with hearing and control, they also add bulk. In tight spaces, that can be a disadvantage. Like any tool, they’re not universally perfect — they’re situational. Kielma’s Parting Shot Suppressors are neither miracle devices nor sinister tools. They’re simply equipment — equipment that can make shooting safer, more controlled, and more enjoyable when used responsibly. As with any firearm accessory, the key is education. Understand what a suppressor does, what it doesn’t, and how it fits into your personal training, environment, and goals. Responsible gun owners don’t chase trends. We make informed decisions. And suppressors, when chosen for the right reasons, can be a smart, practical addition to a well-rounded firearm setup.
Are Democrats Trying to Stop Online Ammo Sales? By Gregory Kielma-Tactical K Training and Firearms As a firearms instructor and someone who works every day to promote responsible, law-abiding gun ownership, I pay close attention to legislation that affects my students and my community. One trend I’ve noticed is a growing push among many Democratic lawmakers to restrict or even eliminate online ammunition sales. From my perspective, this isn’t happening by accident—it’s part of a broader pattern of policies aimed at making firearm ownership more difficult, not for criminals, but for the very people who follow the law. Why Online Ammo Sales Matter to Law Abiding Citizens For millions of responsible gun owners, online ammunition sales are: • A legal, convenient way to purchase ammo • Often more affordable than local options • Essential for training, competition, and maintaining proficiency • A lifeline for rural areas with limited retail availability Cutting off online sales doesn’t stop criminals—they don’t buy ammo legally. It only burdens the people who already comply with the law. What Some Democratic Lawmakers Are Proposing Several Democratic-sponsored bills in recent years and months have attempted to: • Ban online ammunition sales entirely • Require all ammo purchases to be face to face • Force buyers to undergo background checks for every ammo purchase • Create federal tracking or licensing systems for ammunition Supporters claim these measures would reduce crime. But as someone who trains real people in real world safety, I see the opposite: these proposals target the wrong group. Criminals don’t order ammo online with their credit cards and home addresses. Law abiding citizens do. The Real Impact of These Proposals If these restrictions were passed, the people affected would be: • New gun owners trying to train safely • Competitive shooters • Hunters • Everyday citizens who want to stay proficient • Small businesses and instructors like me who rely on consistent access to ammunition Meanwhile, criminals would continue to obtain ammunition the same way they obtain illegal firearms—through theft, the black market, or straw purchases. Kielma’s Parting Shot My mission at Tactical K Training and Firearms is simple : teach people how to be safe, responsible, and legally informed. When lawmakers propose policies that punish responsible citizens instead of criminals, I believe it’s important to call attention to it. Stopping online ammo sales doesn’t make America safer. It just makes it harder for good people to exercise constitutional rights and maintain the skills that keep themselves and their families safe. Gregg Kielma
