Je Suis Charlie Kirk

In conjunction with attendance at the 40th annual Gun Rights Policy Conference in Salt Lake City, a friend and I went to Utah Valley University where Charlie Kirk was assassinated. It was a surreal, saddening experience. I never met Charlie, and did not know much about him. He was of a younger generation, and took his message primarily to younger people. I, on the other hand, am on the back side of three quarters of a century.

I have since learned more about him, and his love for open honest debate with those who disagree with him. I learned much about him and his faith in Jesus Christ watching his memorial service September 21, 2025.

In His time, and at His pleasure, God raises up leaders for the Faith. Sometimes these leaders become martyrs, such as Stephen, the first, as recorded in Acts 7: 58-

Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.

This same Saul went on to write most of the New Testament of the Bible, spreading the good news of Christ eventually all over the world.

The American Flag hangs over the spot where Charlie was shot.

Although Charlie's earthly body was killed here, I believe his spirit lives on in the lives of his widow Erika, the Turning Point USA organization, and many Christians. 

Visiting the nearby memorial was a somber event. It was amazing to see the flowers, flags, and notes left by folks there.

There have been many conspiracy theories advanced on the web, and I decided to see what I could piece together, myself. I spoke with a police officer who was there, and he informed me that the shot came from the roof on the right end of the far building, above and to the right of the ladder.

I walked around until I got as close as I could from where the shot was fired. It would have come from above and to the right from where I took this picture: 

Here is a Google Maps aerial view of the location. The map showed, from A, the assassin's approximate location, to B, Charlie's location-

Total distance: 417.85 ft (127.36 m), about 139 yd.

Google Map

Video I saw online indicated that Charlie was hit in the anterior right side of the neck. Based on the distance I measured on the ground, and the Google Maps measured distance, I believe that the killer was probably aiming for center of mass, and didn't hit exactly where he planned. Yet, he nevertheless martyred Charlie. 

Whether or not it was the current suspect, the conspiracy theorists can toss about indefinitely, but, whoever it was, the weapon used and the distance would have made it a relatively easy shot. The left has been chumming for monsters and in this case they brought one to the surface. 

But this incident has only steeled the resolve of those on the right to continue the fight for truth. 

As Erik Kirk said, "You have no idea . . . "  

Je suis Charlie Kirk!

 

Has true Constitutional Carry returned to Tennessee (at long last)

 In Hughes v Lee, the Chancery Court has ruled that Tennessee's prohibition on 'carrying a gun or club with intent to go armed' is unconstitutional under both the Tennessee and US Constitutions. 

See the Tennessee Firearms Association analysis HERE.

Edged weapons were removed from this prohibition about a decade ago; and now barring reversal on appeal, it would appear that we are now in a new era of Constitutional Carry, even with long guns (like about 40 other states).

Boone & Crockett would be proud!

First 30 Seconds: The Active Shooter Problem - - book review

More time = more casualties

This is an excellent book that shows the importance of the armed, almost instantaneous, counterattack to an active shooter.

The author illustrates that the counterattack must occur within 30 seconds to keep the body count in the single digits.

Unfortunately, "officialdom" is uncomfortable with the idea of armed staff on campus and usually revert to outsourcing their security to an SRO or patrol officers who will arrive later after the body count has risen to teens or twenties or more.

Legislatures (with few exceptions) also are accessories before the fact by making it either very difficult, very expensive, or IMPOSSIBLE, for schools to have armed staff.

Was I wrong about ammo?

 Prices have remained stable, in contrast with what I previously wrote. 

But, like TP, peanut butter, and other non-perishable commodities, it is a good idea to continue to stock up. Don't wait until you need them.

Ammunition! Buy Now!

NOW is probably a good time to stock up on ammo. Here's why -

Today I got an email from John Farnam of DTI (Defense Training International). He notes a possible short supply of ammunition components. You can read it here.

Several years ago, I made a post about ammo. Read it here.

How much should you buy now? You decide.

Tennessee Firearms Association Annual Meeting 2024

 It will be held in Lebanon, TN., on September. Pete Hegseth will be the keynote speaker. Here's his promotional video. (1 minute, 14 seconds)