Latest news with #U.S.Military
New York Post
4 days ago
- Politics
- New York Post
Federal judge approves Colorado's age limit for firearms purchases
A federal judge upheld Colorado's restriction on firearms sales requiring buyers to be 21 or older after Rocky Mountain Gun Owners and two people looking to purchase firearms sued Democratic Gov. Jared Polis. Chief U.S. District Judge Philip A. Brimmer agreed with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit's decision that age-based requirements for purchase do not fall under the Second Amendment's right to keep and bear arms. The 10th Circuit and Brimmer agree that the issue falls under a 'safe harbor' exclusion, placing it outside the scope of the Constitution. The only exceptions to Colorado's firearm purchase age restriction are for those in the U.S. Military and for peace officers. In both cases, the person must be making the purchase while on duty and is 'serving in conformance with the policies' of their respective agency. 'Governor Polis is committed to making Colorado one of the ten safest states, and common-sense laws encourage responsible gun ownership and keep people safe. For decades in Colorado, you had to be 21 to purchase a handgun, per federal law. The requirement to be 21 was expanded to rifles and shotguns with the signing of SB23-169, and Governor Polis is glad to see the court affirm that Colorado's common sense law does not infringe on Second Amendment rights. Governor Polis is confident this law has and will help keep Coloradans and our communities safe,' Polis' Communications Director Conor Cahill said in a statement to Fox News Digital. 3 A federal judge upheld Colorado's restriction on firearms sales requiring buyers to be 21 or older. REUTERS Brimmer acknowledged that Adrian Pineda and Matthew Newkirk — the two individuals under 21 who sued Polis together with Rocky Mountain Gun Owners — are part of 'the people' as written in the Second Amendment. However, he referred to the 10th Circuit's decision, saying it had resolved the case back in 2023, according to Courthouse News Service (CNS). The decision in Colorado comes in contrast to one issued by the Supreme Court in 2022 in which justices determined that New York issued unconstitutional requirements for carrying a concealed weapon in public. Then-President Joe Biden said he was 'deeply disappointed' by the ruling in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen. He said that SCOTUS had 'chosen to strike down New York's long-established authority to protect its citizens.' 3 The only exceptions to Colorado's firearm purchase age restriction are for those in the U.S. Military and for peace officers. DmyTo – 'This ruling contradicts both common sense and the Constitution, and should deeply trouble us all,' Biden said in a statement at the time. He went on to reaffirm his commitment to reducing gun violence and making communities safer. 3 The 10th Circuit and Brimmer agree that the issue falls under a 'safe harbor' exclusion, placing it outside the scope of the Constitution. Los Angeles Times via Getty Images Brimmer is also going against a decision made by the New Orleans-based U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit, which struck down a federal restriction banning the sale of firearms to anyone below the age of 21. That court held that those aged 18 to 20 are protected under the Second Amendment, according to The Trace, an organization of journalists who report on gun violence in the U.S. 'The federal government has presented scant evidence that eighteen-to-twenty-year-olds' firearm rights during the founding-era were restricted in a similar manner to the contemporary federal handgun purchase ban,' Judge Edith H. Jones wrote in the opinion. Several states, including New York, Massachusetts, California, Florida, Illinois, Delaware and Vermont have raised the age for purchasing firearms, according to the Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund. While some states have limited the age restrictions to handgun purchases, others have applied the restriction to any kind of firearm.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Midwest Honor Flight takes off June 3
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) — Tomorrow, June 3, 85 veterans from the 3 Siouxland states and Minnesota will travel to our nation's capital. Mission 26 for Midwest Honor Flight will fly out of the Sioux Gateway Airport on Tuesday morning at about 5:30 a.m. Story continues below Top Story: Community remembers Alicia Hummel 10 years after her murder Lights & Sirens: Venue change motion for Bloomfield double homicide case pending Sports: Local IHSAA State Quarterfinal soccer scoreboard Weather: Get the latest weather forecast here Veterans will get to see the memorials built and dedicated to honor the sacrifices and services of all those who served in the U.S. Military. They will return to Hawthorn Aviation at around 9 p.m., where a welcome home ceremony will take place. Midwest Honor Flight officials say the flight is still not 100% fully funded, and are asking for donations for this mission. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Opinion - Our military is the real victim of Trump's war against DEI
We swore an oath to protect this country and uphold its Constitution. That commitment didn't end when we hung up our boots. But these days, we're left wondering whether our sacrifices, and those of countless others, are valued. Memorial Day is a time to honor those who served and sacrificed for this country. But as veterans who dedicated our lives to defending the freedoms we all cherish, this year feels different. It feels heavier. That's because the very values we fought for — freedom, equality, opportunity — are being rolled back by the same government that once relied on our service. From eliminating diversity and inclusion programs to restricting the teaching of hard but necessary truths, these changes are heartbreaking. They don't reflect the military we were proud to be part of. And they certainly don't honor the full legacy of those who wore the uniform. Serving has taught us many things, namely that this oath of protecting and serving our country does not expire. 'Liberty and justice for all' is ingrained in our lives, but with the Trump administration seeking to erase the historic contributions of women and people of color who have bravely sacrificed their lives for our nation, we pose the question: for whom does 'for all' actually entail? Despite baseless and false attacks stating otherwise, the fundamental American values of diversity, equity and inclusion or DEI are not divisive — they are the very foundation of a stronger, more unified military and nation. DEI ensures that every service member, regardless of race, gender, disability or background, has an equal opportunity to serve and succeed. DEI programs have helped dismantle barriers for women in combat roles, addressed disparities in healthcare access for veterans of color, and ensured accommodations for disabled service members so they can continue to thrive. Without these values, the Trump administration is not just erasing history — it is endangering our future by building a force that is less capable, less inclusive and less prepared to meet the diverse challenges. As two veterans, we are patriotic as they come, and know firsthand the bravery and dedication to servitude to our country. Yet our life's dedication now reads as 'content not found' on government websites. Where's the consistency in that? In 1948, the U.S. Military was the first federal agency to desegregate, paving the way for us to join in defiance of the societal limits placed on us as minorities. While this was a moment of pride for us both, it was also an early signal of the pressures we would face: proving that we could do a 'white man's job.' We continued to fight, not just for our place in the ranks but for the right to be seen as equal to our male and white counterparts, despite the systemic barriers that continue to surround us. The issue of gender and racial equality within the military is certainly not a new one. And despite the strides we have made, it is far from resolved. To describe our jobs as dangerous would be an understatement: flying through typhoons and treating soldiers with post-traumatic stress disorders returning from Vietnam, all while struggling to process our own mental health trauma from war, was not for the faint of heart. Our military journeys have been shaped as much by our daring professions as by facing systems that have tried to silence or ignore us. Black Americans make up 19 percent of active-duty military enlistments, and women make up roughly 17 percent; and I cannot imagine these numbers will increase, given the pervasive attempts to erase our identities. We gave our lives to the military, and yet, upon reflection, we realize how hollow the American dream still feels. We are speaking up because just as it is our duty to protect this country, its values and its promise of equality, it's time for the country to fight for us in return. Our service may have ended, but the fight for equity and recognition continues. Nearly 3.5 million veterans report having a disability, and current attacks on DEI disproportionately harm them. The Department of Defense's recent purge of DEI content from military websites has resulted in the erasure of historical minority contributions to the military, sending a harmful message to disabled veterans, particularly those from minority backgrounds, by diminishing their contributions and experiences. People like us stand as a testament to what diversity, equity and inclusion can do for this country. When we provide a space for everyone to contribute, we make this nation stronger. But when those who have served are overlooked, we are left with a fractured system that fails to live up to its promises. That's why we cannot afford to let things stay the way they are. As veterans, as citizens, as people who have sacrificed, we must demand change. We must ensure that the rights and privileges we fought for are not only upheld but expanded. And that starts with supporting the rights of veterans, supporting DEI initiatives, and ensuring that every American, no matter who they are, has a seat at the table. Sylvia Andersh-Gonzalez is a U.S. Air Force veteran, medical professional, career military spouse, daughter of immigrants and current cancer patient, with experience serving in five VA hospitals. Ed Anderson is a Vietnam-era U.S. Air Force veteran, retired science educator and Georgia lead organizer for Common Defense, with a distinguished career in military meteorology, broadcast journalism as the first African American TV meteorologist at WXIA-TV, and public service. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
26-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Our military is the real victim of Trump's war against DEI
We swore an oath to protect this country and uphold its Constitution. That commitment didn't end when we hung up our boots. But these days, we're left wondering whether our sacrifices, and those of countless others, are valued. Memorial Day is a time to honor those who served and sacrificed for this country. But as veterans who dedicated our lives to defending the freedoms we all cherish, this year feels different. It feels heavier. That's because the very values we fought for — freedom, equality, opportunity — are being rolled back by the same government that once relied on our service. From eliminating diversity and inclusion programs to restricting the teaching of hard but necessary truths, these changes are heartbreaking. They don't reflect the military we were proud to be part of. And they certainly don't honor the full legacy of those who wore the uniform. Serving has taught us many things, namely that this oath of protecting and serving our country does not expire. 'Liberty and justice for all' is ingrained in our lives, but with the Trump administration seeking to erase the historic contributions of women and people of color who have bravely sacrificed their lives for our nation, we pose the question: for whom does 'for all' actually entail? Despite baseless and false attacks stating otherwise, the fundamental American values of diversity, equity and inclusion or DEI are not divisive — they are the very foundation of a stronger, more unified military and nation. DEI ensures that every service member, regardless of race, gender, disability or background, has an equal opportunity to serve and succeed. DEI programs have helped dismantle barriers for women in combat roles, addressed disparities in healthcare access for veterans of color, and ensured accommodations for disabled service members so they can continue to thrive. Without these values, the Trump administration is not just erasing history — it is endangering our future by building a force that is less capable, less inclusive and less prepared to meet the diverse challenges. As two veterans, we are patriotic as they come, and know firsthand the bravery and dedication to servitude to our country. Yet our life's dedication now reads as 'content not found' on government websites. Where's the consistency in that? In 1948, the U.S. Military was the first federal agency to desegregate, paving the way for us to join in defiance of the societal limits placed on us as minorities. While this was a moment of pride for us both, it was also an early signal of the pressures we would face: proving that we could do a 'white man's job.' We continued to fight, not just for our place in the ranks but for the right to be seen as equal to our male and white counterparts, despite the systemic barriers that continue to surround us. The issue of gender and racial equality within the military is certainly not a new one. And despite the strides we have made, it is far from resolved. To describe our jobs as dangerous would be an understatement: flying through typhoons and treating soldiers with post-traumatic stress disorders returning from Vietnam, all while struggling to process our own mental health trauma from war, was not for the faint of heart. Our military journeys have been shaped as much by our daring professions as by facing systems that have tried to silence or ignore us. Black Americans make up 19 percent of active-duty military enlistments, and women make up roughly 17 percent; and I cannot imagine these numbers will increase, given the pervasive attempts to erase our identities. We gave our lives to the military, and yet, upon reflection, we realize how hollow the American dream still feels. We are speaking up because just as it is our duty to protect this country, its values and its promise of equality, it's time for the country to fight for us in return. Our service may have ended, but the fight for equity and recognition continues. Nearly 3.5 million veterans report having a disability, and current attacks on DEI disproportionately harm them. The Department of Defense's recent purge of DEI content from military websites has resulted in the erasure of historical minority contributions to the military, sending a harmful message to disabled veterans, particularly those from minority backgrounds, by diminishing their contributions and experiences. People like us stand as a testament to what diversity, equity and inclusion can do for this country. When we provide a space for everyone to contribute, we make this nation stronger. But when those who have served are overlooked, we are left with a fractured system that fails to live up to its promises. That's why we cannot afford to let things stay the way they are. As veterans, as citizens, as people who have sacrificed, we must demand change. We must ensure that the rights and privileges we fought for are not only upheld but expanded. And that starts with supporting the rights of veterans, supporting DEI initiatives, and ensuring that every American, no matter who they are, has a seat at the table. Sylvia Andersh-Gonzalez is a U.S. Air Force veteran, medical professional, career military spouse, daughter of immigrants and current cancer patient, with experience serving in five VA hospitals. Ed Anderson is a Vietnam-era U.S. Air Force veteran, retired science educator and Georgia lead organizer for Common Defense, with a distinguished career in military meteorology, broadcast journalism as the first African American TV meteorologist at WXIA-TV, and public service.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Springfield VFW hosts annual Memorial Day service
SPRINGFIELD TWP., Ohio (WKBN) – All weekend, the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. Military are being honored. In Springfield Township, VFW Post 2799 held a Memorial Day service on Sunday to remember them. A crowd watched the service in the front lawn, complete with readings, a wreath laying, a salute and national anthem. After the service, those in attendance enjoyed a meal inside. 'It keeps their memories alive. We would never want to forget anybody that paid the ultimate sacrifice,' said Commander David Blakeman. The Memorial Day service has been happening at Post 2799 for decades. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
