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Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Clarksville gun shop fights to get Federal Firearms License back
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — A veteran-owned gun shop has been struggling to stay afloat after losing its Federal Firearms License in 2023. A policy announced by President Joe Biden in June 2021 established 'zero tolerance for rogue gun dealers that willfully violate the law.' Under this policy, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives was to revoke the licenses of dealers the first time that they violated federal law by willfully: transferring a firearm to a prohibited person failing to run a required background check falsifying records, such as a firearms transaction form failing to respond to an ATF tracing request refusing to allow the ATF to conduct an inspection in violation of the law In April, the Trump administration repealed the policy implemented by Biden. The Tactical Edge, located on Fort Campbell Boulevard in Clarksville, has been in business for 13 years. At the end of 2022, shop owners William Boswell and Robert Snyder told News 2 that the ATF found 10 minor clerical errors among the nearly 2,500 forms the shop had filed. MNPD: Wanted man dead after exchanging gunfire with officers on Division Street Bridge Snyder said they had made similar mistakes in the past and were always able to fix things without getting their FFL revoked. They decided to hire Nashville-based attorney John Harris to help them try to get a stay but to no avail. '[We] just financially couldn't afford to fight it anymore,' Snyder said. 'The government's got unlimited money. They can have an attorney in there every single day. We just can't do that. It cost us almost $100,000 in legal fees.' On top of that, Boswell and Snyder had to shut down their manufacturing facility, which is where they made the majority of their revenue. The duo said their business has been hanging on by a thread ever since. '[We've just] been trying to do our best with [selling] accessories, gear — stuff like that,' Boswell said. 'We have Fort Campbell right here, so we have a lot of gear and stuff that cater to the soldiers on post. Without the FFL, it has significantly cut down our ability to have an income here.' In late April, Rep. Mark Green (R-Tennessee) sent a letter to Attorney General Pamela Bondi requesting a review of all revoked FFLs for gun dealers and gun store owners during the Biden administration. 'While I am grateful the Trump administration has ended this egregious and predatory enforcement, there are still hundreds of firearm dealers who had their FFLs unjustly revoked,' Green's letter said. 'I implore you to consider issuing an expedient review of all federal firearms licenses revoked under the Biden administration. In many cases, the Biden ATF revoked the FFLs of gun shops with little to no due process. It is time to make this right.' As for Boswell and Snyder, they said they're hoping federal officials follow through with Green's request and that they get their FFL back. Even then, they admit it would be difficult to get back to where they once were. READ MORE | Latest headlines from Clarksville and Montgomery County 'We were growing as a company for a long time, and then basically you have to stop in your track,' Snyder said. 'It would take us probably 10 years to get back to where we were at.' News 2 reached out to the ATF for comment. The agency responded with the following statement. 'ATF is finalizing a new national policy to promote consistent, effective, and equitable responses to violations of the Gun Control Act of 1968 (GCA), as amended, 18 U.S.C. Chapter 44. When assessing which enforcement actions to take, ATF will be guided by this new policy to consider the nature of the violations, their impact on public safety, ATF's ability to reduce violent crime and respect for the rule of law. Any pending administrative actions against FFLs related to previous policies will be reevaluated using the new policy before a decision is reached on what actions, if any, to take in the case.' Public Affairs Division, Office of Public & Governmental Affairs, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Guns.com Outpacing Competition Heading Towards Seventh Consecutive Year of Growth
Millions of Gun Owners Choose the Leading Online Retailer As Sales Top 10% Year Over Year BURNSVILLE, Minn., April 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- the fastest-growing online firearm retailer, continues to outpace the competition, with sales reaching 10% growth year over year. The innovative company aims for a seventh consecutive year of double-digit growth rate in sales since launching its online retail operations in 2018. More than a million new consumers shopped for the first time on in 2024 on top of a strong base of loyal gun buyers. "The customer experience on has become a benchmark, and we are proud to be the best online shopping destination in the firearm industry," says Greg Minkler, Co-CEO and CMO of "In less than seven years, we have become one of the nation's leading online retailers for firearms, suppressors, ammo, optics, and more. While other long-time industry sites have seen new gun sales drop more than 20%, we are helping local gun stores grow their businesses. The majority of our sales are fulfilled by nearly 2,000 local brick and mortar firearm dealers, as our platform continues to succeed in supporting America's retail storefronts." leading technology provides the best online shopping experience the Second Amendment community has come to expect. Gun owners value the ease and usability of finding the precise gun they want thanks to the hundreds of thousands of listings from a network of local gun stores nationwide and top manufacturers. Exceptional customer service helps gun owners through each transaction, from understanding regulations to handling paperwork and ensuring a smooth transfer experience at the customer's FFL of choice. "Our success is largely due to our incredible partnerships with local FFL dealers and manufacturers big and small," says Marketing Director Jennifer Simunek. "Our partnerships have more than doubled in the past year, which brings our customers an unparalleled shopping experience and unmatched value. For example, we're currently running a first-of-its-kind exclusive offer with FN America to give gun owners an extra $100 towards a new FN gun when they sell any gun through our We Buy Guns program. You can't find a deal like that anywhere else." The innovative We Buy Guns online system guides gun owners through simple steps to submit their guns in minutes. Once submitted, the expert appraisal team will review the request and provide an offer within one business day. When they accept an offer, gun owners can decide to receive their payment in cash or earn more with a gift card—and get up to a $50 bonus gift card on top of the $100 coupon towards a new FN. Now through May 31, gun owners who sell any firearm to through their popular We Buy Guns program will automatically get $100 off select new FN firearms. This first-of-a-kind promotion is perfect for gun owners looking to trade up and refresh their arsenal. Customers who sell one or more firearms to between April 1 and May 31, 2025, will receive a single-use promotional code for $100 off a new-condition FN firearm. The promotional offer is in addition to what a customer will earn from their firearm sale and is valid for 30 days from the customer's sale date. must receive the customer's gun by May 31, 2025. Experience the best, most innovative shopping experience in the firearms industry at Learn more about selling your firearm and get $100 towards a new FN firearm by visiting About is the ultimate destination for gun owners, revolutionizing the online firearms retail experience since 2011. With an unwavering commitment to innovation, efficiency, and exceptional customer satisfaction, they empower and equip people to exercise their Second Amendment rights. With a growing network of over 2,000 local brick-and-mortar dealers, explore an extensive collection of over 30,000 new and Certified Used firearms. Stock up on a range of suppressors, ammo, gear, and more. Stay informed with industry news, in-depth product reviews, and exclusive content from top manufacturers. Experience why stands unrivaled as the premier online marketplace for firearms and suppressors. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Straits Times
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
UK, French troops drill for urban combat using Ukraine insights
French soldiers taking part in an urban combat exercise with the British army at a military camp in Sissonne, northeastern France, on April 22. PHOTO: AFP British soldiers driving a Challenger armour and repair recovery vehicle during urban combat exercises in northeastern France on April 22. PHOTO: AFP French soldiers taking part in urban combat exercises with the British army at a military camp in in Sissonne, in northeastern France on April 22. PHOTO: AFP SISSONNE, France - Members of the French Foreign Legion (FFL) and British soldiers have started a joint military exercise in northeastern France, applying urban warfare lessons from the conflict in Ukraine, an AFP reporter said. A French officer, perched on a British armoured vehicle camouflaged with branches in the small town of Jeoffrecourt, translated commands for armoured infantry troops from Britain. The FFL and the Royal Welsh First Battalion were part of a team trying to capture this town of 5,000 residents on April 23 during a two-week training exercise. The exercises come as French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer are spearheading European efforts to send what they call a 'reassurance force' to Ukraine after any end to the war sparked by Russia's 2022 invasion. 'We look at what is happening in theatres of operation and new modes of action to integrate them,' said Lieutenant-Colonel Romain, an FFL training officer who gave only his first name under French military policy. A member of his 13th Demi-Brigade toggled a joystick from a basement where a video feed showed footage from the drone he controlled as it flew above the streets. With just four radios, four laptops and a white sheet serving as a makeshift projection screen, the setup was spartan but for good reason, said the brigade's commanding officer, Colonel Benjamin Brunet. 'We drill to change position every six hours,' Col Brunet said, a lesson gleaned from Ukraine, where adversaries quickly spot the electromagnetic radiation emitted from command posts to destroy them. For Captain Ed, a British intelligence officer who also could give only his first name, France and Britain have a proven track record of working together because they 'share a similar mindset and values'. 'Since 2018, the French and British have been together in Estonia' as part of a mission set up by Nato on its eastern flank, the captain said. 'We are training and we are ready to go anywhere in the world,' he said. AFP A British armoured vehicle firing blank ammunition, as soldiers take part in urban combat exercises in northeastern France on April 22. PHOTO: AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Epoch Times
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Epoch Times
Oregon Lawmakers, Courts Weigh Strict New Gun Laws
The battle over firearm safety regulations versus gun rights is raging in Oregon. The fate of Ballot Measure 114, which has been tied up in litigation since voters approved it in 2022, now resides with the Oregon Supreme Court. The measure is widely deemed to contain the strictest gun laws in the nation. Democrat lawmakers, who hold the majority in both legislative chambers, are not waiting for a ruling. Instead, they are advancing three firearms safety bills. The bill would increase the length of time a 'permit agent' has to issue or deny permits, and increase fees to apply for or renew a permit from $65 to $150. Related Stories 2/10/2023 9/19/2023 'We're very eager to have it [Measure 114] put in place,' said Liz McKenna of 'It's time to see what it can do.' Testifying in opposition, Republican state Rep. Alek Skarlatos criticized the proposed $150 permit fee and $110 renewal fee as discriminatory toward low-income individuals, who he claimed are more likely to use firearms for self-defense. 'A $300 rifle is now $450, plus the $48 background check fee,' he said. The bill also extends the time for the state to issue a permit to a qualified applicant from 30 to 60 days from receipt of the application. Though he has supported 'most gun violence measures in the past decade,' Democrat Rep. Paul Evans bucked his party by calling HB 3075 'an attack on disadvantaged Oregonians' in his April newsletter. State Licensing for Dealers Bill 3076 would direct the Oregon Department of Justice to create a state licensing program for gun dealers, with license application and renewal fees as much as $1,500 annually and potential increases of 20 percent each year. Oregon firearm dealers are currently licensed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) and require a Federal Firearms License (FFL), with no additional licensing requirements. Under HB 3076, a valid FFL from the ATF would no longer be sufficient to operate a gun store in the state. Shops of all sizes and home-based FFLs would be required to install a digital video surveillance system that records at any time a customer is on the premises. Gun transfers would have to be captured on video with a three-year storage requirement. All FFL employees who handle firearms or ammunition would be required to first pass a state-certified training course that hasn't been developed yet and follow that training with annual refreshers. 'HB 3076, as amended, creates absurd and draconian new restrictions on gun dealers in an effort to shut down as many firearms businesses as possible,' the Oregon Firearms Federation told The Epoch Times. 'However, the new rules also apply to home-based FFLs and will apply at gun shows, where the requirements will be impossible to comply with.' Oregon House Republicans criticized both bills, saying they restrict the rights of law-abiding citizens to bear arms while doing nothing to reduce crime and uphold public safety. 'These bills are an attack on the constitutional right to bear arms,' House Minority Leader Rep. Christine Drazan said in an April 8 statement to the media. 'The only thing these bills do is punish law-abiding gun owners and small businesses that are in full compliance with federal law.' Evans again broke with his party in saying that he is 'adamantly opposed' to all of Oregon's pending gun legislation. 'The fervor advancing these measures has caused me to earnestly reconsider my party affiliation,' he wrote in his newsletter. Both House bills contain an 'emergency declaration.' This clause ensures that the bills would go into effect as soon as the governor signs them, rather than waiting until January of the following year. Meanwhile, in the Senate ... Introduced by Democrat Sen. Floyd Prozanski, It would also ban rapid-fire devices like bump stocks, binary triggers, and rapid-fire activators, and would allow local governments to ban firearms in public buildings, Prozanski explained in an April 9 'The first part of the law is designed to help prevent suicides or domestic violence,' by requiring a wait time for people with 'high emotions,' Prozanski said. 'It would give them time to rethink their position before carrying out suicide or domestic violence.' Evans described the requirement for a three-day waiting period after passing a background check a 'theft of liberty.' 'Who would support a three-day waiting period for the purchase of an automobile, the delivery of alcohol or a gummy, or for an appointment providing reproductive care?' Testifying in support of the bill on March 27, Jess Marks, executive director for the gun safety advocacy group 'While there has been this huge shift in the technology and the types of firearms available, there have been almost no changes in how this new technology is regulated,' Marks testified. Tracking Measure 114 Voters approved Ballot Measure 114, requiring a permit to purchase a gun, with a 50.75 percent margin. The measure remains on hold pending Under the measure, prospective buyers must pass a criminal background check and complete a gun safety course to obtain a permit to purchase a firearm. They must also prove they are not a danger to themselves or others. If it stands, the measure overrides the 'Charleston Loophole,' a law that currently allows firearm transfers to proceed if a background check takes more than three days. Additionally, it restricts magazines that are 'capable of holding or being modified to hold' more than 10 rounds. A Harney County, Oregon, circuit court judge ruled in November 2023 that Measure 114 violated the state constitution. In a major reversal of that ruling, a three-judge panel of the Oregon Court of Appeals found in March this year that the measure does not violate the state constitution's right to bear arms. The court On April 14, the plaintiffs, two Harney County gun owners, asked the Oregon Supreme Court to weigh in. In a 24-page The plaintiffs contend that its requirement to obtain a permit to buy a gun would turn that constitutional right 'into a privilege for the government to grant or refuse.' The state supreme court can take up to 90 days to act, Aiello explained in a social media 'At some point, the supreme court will decide to hear our case, not hear our case, or the legislature may pass HB 3075,' one of three bills introduced in the state legislature in January, he said. Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield vowed that the state would 'Oregonians voted for this, and it's time we move ahead with common-sense safety measures,' Rayfield said. The state ranks 12th in the nation for the strength of its gun laws, State law requires that guns be securely stored whenever they are not in their owner's immediate control, prohibits guns at the state capitol, and gives colleges and universities the authority to prohibit guns on their grounds. In 2023, the state enacted a prohibition on untraceable 'ghost guns' and 3D-printed guns.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
AG Pam Bondi announces Second Amendment Task Force to support gun rights
April 9 (UPI) -- The Department of Justice will have a Second Amendment Task Force tasked with protecting gun owners against governmental "overreach," Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Tuesday. "The prior administration placed an undue burden on gun owners and vendors by targeting law-abiding citizens exercising their Second Amendment rights," Bondi said Wednesday in a prepared statement. "The Department of Justice's new Second Amendment Task Force will combine department-wide policy and litigation resources to advance President [Donald] Trump's pro-gun agenda and protect gun owners from overreach," Bondi said. The task force announcement comes after the DOJ and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives on Monday repealed the Enhanced Regulator Enforcement Policy that popularly was called the "zero tolerance policy" for federal firearms license holders. The Biden administration announced the zero-tolerance policy in 2021, which placed more stringent criteria on licensed gun sellers and those who transfer them to comply with federal firearms laws. The policy required industry operations inspections and made it much easier to revoke Federal Firearms Licenses (FFL) for gun dealers, sellers and those who transfer firearms from sellers to buyers after obtaining background checks on respective gun buyers. Repealing the zero tolerance policy and establishing the Second Amendment TaskForce protects the rights of law-abiding gun owners and sellers, Bondi said. Protecting Second Amendment rights "For too long, the Second Amendment ... has been treated as a second-class right," Bondi said Tuesday in a memorandum. "No more." She said the Justice Department will "use its full might" to protect the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens after Trump made protecting Second Amendment rights a priority for his administration. The new task force is tasked with protecting the fundamental right to bear arms by developing and executing strategies to use litigation and policy to advance, protect and promote compliance with the Second Amendment. Bondi will chair the task force that will be made up of representatives from Bondi's personal staff, the offices of the deputy attorney general, associate attorney general and the solicitor general. Representatives from the Civil Division, Civil Rights Division, Criminal Division, ATF and FBI also will participate in the task force. Gun safety groups criticize Trump and Bondi Gun safety group Brady United did not comment on Bondi's task force announcement but on Monday denounced the repeal of the ATF's zero-tolerance policy. "This Biden administration policy empowered ATF to crack down on rogue gun dealers who egregiously violate federal laws, holding them accountable for dangerous and negligent practices," Brady United officials said in a news release. "The reversal of this policy is a gift to the gun industry, sending a clear signal to rogue gun dealers that they can break the law without consequences," Brady United officials said. "Gun crime will skyrocket, just like it did during President Trump's first term when homicide rates soared." Brady United President Kris Brown accused Trump and Bondi of engaging in a campaign to "cripple the ATF's enforcement capabilities." "This administration is systematically dismantling the safeguards designed to keep weapons out of dangerous hands," Brown said. "These aren't just policy changes," Brown added. "They're deliberate choices that prioritize gun industry profits over American lives." The Giffords anti-gun violence group likewise criticized the move by the Trump administration. "The special interest task force announced by the Trump administration is clearly a favor to gun industry CEOs," Giffords deputy press secretary Sabine Bredesen told UPI. "Notably, the president hasn't yet taken a single action to address the number one killer of American kids: gun crime and gun violence," Bredesen said. "That is simply unacceptable."
