Grants Pawn Shop Fined $60,000

Above, Commissioner Windhorst and yours truly in Grants last Monday. 

Gov. "Malevolent Michelle" Lujan Grisham releases inmates from prisons and jails into the general populace, so it stands to reason that a town's gun stores should be considered essential. Grants, New Mexico, has a nearby prison facilities. The federal Dept. of Homeland Security's guidelines state gun stores should be considered essential.

That doesn't apply to Grants, New Mexico in Cibola County.

Cibola County Commissioner Robert Scott Windhorst posted the following:

Diane and Paul Rowe, owners of Papa's Pawn, were served a civil penalty for $60,000.00 by State Police without any investigation! This is shamefull! Because they own a gunshop MLG is making them an example of what happens when you cross her! Paul is a disabled Vet trying to support his family and provide an essential service as the Governor releases more inmates every day onto the law abiding public!

From the Santa Fe New Mexican:

She [Rowe] was part of a small resistance by owners of stores that have remained open or opened Monday in Grants after the city's mayor, Martin "Modey" Hicks, ordered city employees back to work and encouraged businesses there to reopen in defiance of public health restrictions shutting them down. 

Hicks was ordered Thursday by the New Mexico Supreme Court to comply with the health orders and submit a written response to the court. 

Also Thursday, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced businesses considered nonessential under a previous public health order would be able to reopen Friday by offering delivery or curbside pickup. 

But Rowe said that does not apply to Cibola County, where her pawn and gun shop is located. 

It also did not apply to McKinley and San Juan counties. The three areas are COVID-19 hot spots in New Mexico, and Lujan Grisham said during a Thursday address that she would not lift restrictions in those areas because of the explosion of virus cases there. 

The Republican Party of New Mexico decried the substantial fine in a statement Friday as "a violation of Rowe's civil rights and constitutional rights and another unjust action against businesses trying to survive."

To read more, go here.

The Rowes should start a Go Fund Me page to raise funds for their defense.

************************************************************************

UPDATE (5/2/20):

A Go Fund Me page has been started. Go here.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham Is Following Her Master

A memorandum from Michael Bloomberg's Everytown Law has come to light.

From NRA-ILA:

DATE:	April 7, 2020
TO:	USF & NRA Members and Friends
FROM:	Marion P. Hammer
	USF Executive Director
	NRA Past President

Bloomberg's Everytown Law can't run from their anti-gun, anti-Constitution memorandum.  

The memorandum urges governors and mayors to essentially ignore the Department of Homeland Security and our nation's President and to be confident about banning gun sales. It falls way short of providing legal justification for this clear infringement of Second Amendment rights.  

Click here to read the memorandum: https://everytownresearch.org/documents/2020/03/memorandum.pdf/ 

It appears that Gov. "Malevolent Michelle" Lujan Grisham is following the order from her master and cash benefactor since New Mexico is one of three states that have ordered gun stores to close and continue to ignore the Dept. of Homeland Security.

NM Governor Extends Emergency Stay-At-Home Order; Closes Liquor Stores

Well, she went and did it. People are hopping mad.

New Mexico Governor "Malevolent Michelle" Lujan Grisham extended the emergency stay-at-home order from the former date of April 10 to April 30 today.

KRQE reported:

SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) – Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has extended the emergency ‘stay-at-home’ order Monday to combat the spread of COVID-19. Additional businesses deemed non-essential in the new order include automobile dealerships, payday lenders and liquor stores and according to the governor’s office, they must close. However, the order states that new and used automobile dealers may sell cars through the internet or other audiovisual means. 

The order goes into effect April 7 at 8 a.m. and through at least April 30. The governor still encourages social distancing. In the original public health order, New Mexicans are instructed to stay at home except for emergency or essential outings and non-essential businesses that had been ordered to close in-person operations must remain closed.

If grocers can remain open, why can't liquor stores? How is closing down liquor stores going to make everyone safer? Are grocery stores who have beer, wine and liquor departments in them still allowed to sell beer, wine and liquor? The Flying J here in Jamestown has a walk-in beer cooler and they also sell hard liquor at the cashier. Will this order stop them from selling any of those products?

How are people able to pay their bills and buy food and necessities if they cannot get loans? I had a conversation with my banker in California today and he told me that people are getting desperate and are breaking into ATMs and burglaries are on the rise.

I can somewhat understand extending the current emergency order, but adding these businesses to the Governor's "non-essential" list is ridiculous. And, she still is ignoring the Department of Homeland Security's position that gun stores are essential.

Today, I went to Lowe's market and liquor store in Gallup and the floor of the liquor store was marked every six feet for people to stand while waiting to advance to the cashier. It's a good thing that I picked up beer and wine today.

We have ourselves a little dictator.

To read more, go here.

New Mexico's Stay-At-Home Order

Just in case anyone in New Mexico is wondering about the state's stay-at-home order, KRQE has posted all the information one needs to know with FAQs.

It is a mandatory order, not a "suggestion".

They begin with:

On March 23, 2020, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and the New Mexico Department of Health announced a new public health emergency order, closing all businesses and non-profit entities to help minimize the spread of COVID-19 in New Mexico. The “Stay-at-Home” order went into effect at 8 a.m. Tuesday, March 24 and will remain in place through the end of April, unless otherwise amended.

 The post has a list of what is considered "essential" businesses in the state. Contrary to what the Department of Homeland Security said, gun stores aren't considered "essential" under New Mexico's order.

To read it all, go here.

Forbes: Is Bass Pro An Essential Business Because It Sells Guns?

Above, Bass Pro Shops Fontana, California store. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Department of Homeland Security considers gun stores to be "essential businesses".

Unfortunately, some states haven't received the memo or are just plain ignoring it.

Forbes takes a look at Bass Pro Shops who, by the way sells guns. So, does this make them "essential". Bass Pro Shops is a sister store to Cabela's, who also sells guns.

They wrote:

There’s a debate raging across the nation about whether gun stores are an essential business during the coronavirus pandemic, which would make them immune from shelter-in-place orders that have forced thousands of retailers to close their doors. At the center of it all is Bass Pro Shops. 

While the federal government says gun stores can stay open, many states and towns disagree. That has left businesses grappling with a patchwork of government policies to decipher for themselves where they can or can’t stay open. Bass Pro Shops—a popular hunting and fishing chain owned by billionaire John Morris—has fought to stay open wherever it can. Based on its interpretation of a tangle of rules, it has kept about two thirds of its 150 U.S. stores open, according to its website. 

In states like Massachusetts, New York and New Mexico, where there is a ban on gun retailers, Bass Pro stores have gone dark. Meanwhile, at stores in Tennessee, South Carolina and Wisconsin, it is continuing to run “Spring Madness Sale” ads on shoes, binoculars and crossbows. In other states, it has remained open in one town and not in another. That case-by-case approach has caused frustration and confusion at headquarters, as well as among store workers and customers.

To read more, go here. 

NRA-ILA: "COZVID-19 Threatens Health of...Second Amendment"

Since the Department of Homeland Security placed gun stores in the "essential" category, there shouldn't be any states forcing them to remain closed. Yet some still are, such as New Mexico.

The NRA-ILA posted an article yesterday that the "COZVID-19 [coronavirus] Threatens Health of...Second Amendment".

They begin it with:

Our nation continues to struggle with the widespread impact of the COVID-19 virus. By now, everyone should be aware of the new “social distancing” paradigm, where we are all encouraged to avoid large groups of people, and maintain at least six feet of distance between each other when we do interact. Regular washing of our hands—which we should have been doing already—is now the norm, and anyone caught coughing or sneezing outside of the confines of their own elbow is at risk of being labeled a pariah. 

Welcome to the new “normal,” at least for a while. 

As we’ve mentioned before, though, Americans are a resilient bunch.  We’ll get through this as we’ve made it through other calamities, even if this one seems a bit different. 

That said, even with most legislatures having shut down operations, or severely limiting what they are doing in order to focus on responding to this viral threat, there are still those who would seek to exploit the situation and work to undermine the Second Amendment. 

These uncertain times have led to many realizing that there could be occasions when they and their loved ones might need protection, and the government simply cannot respond in time.  While it has always been true that police are often delayed when responding to an emergency situation, today’s reaction times may be even more dramatically reduced, as local government services are extended by the circumstances of today. 

In order to ensure the security of their loved ones, law-abiding citizens are turning more and more to the Second Amendment. Gun stores have had their shelves stripped of stock, and the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) has been overwhelmed over the past few weeks. 

We said recently that the Second Amendment is a constant in times of crisis, and that remains the case.

To read more, go here. 

Despite DHS, New Mexico Gun Shops Not "Essential"

Above, the Albuquerque Cabela's firearms department. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Despite the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) statement that gun stores should be considered "essential" and be allowed to remain open, that hasn't made Governor "Malevolent Michelle" Lujan Grisham to allow them to reopen. This situation is causing some confusion in New Mexico.

According to the Santa Fe New Mexican:

Confusion reigns at New Mexico gun stores, where owners say Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s emergency public health order to limit the spread of the new coronavirus has left many wondering whether they’re allowed to stay open or in what capacity. 

Although the public health order instituted last week unambiguously states all businesses not identified as essential were supposed to have closed by 8 a.m. Tuesday — and gun stores were not on the list — some have defied the edict. 

Gun stores in New Mexico are interpreting the governor’s order liberally. 

Some closed a day late or have resorted to online sales, restricting the number of people in the building or selling merchandise from the parking lot, according to Zach Fort, president of the New Mexico Shooting Association, an independent state affiliate of the National Rifle Association.

There have been reports that the New Mexico State Police, allegedly under the governor's orders, have gone to gun shops and ordered them to be closed.

To read more, go here.

DHS Says Firearms Retailers, Manufacturers Essential Businesses

Thanks to the fine folks at Ammoland.com, a Department of Homeland Security notice has been posted declaring that firearms retailers and manufacturers are "essential businesses".

They posted:

USA – -(AmmoLand.com)- Under the Trump Administration's guidance, the Department of Homeland Security has declared firearms manufacturers and retailers “essential businesses,” possibly driving a spike through the heart of various state and local “emergency powers” declarations that had classified gun stores to be “non-essential” during the current Coronavirus panic, and had ordered them closed. 

The reference to gun shops is found in a document released Saturday titled “Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce,” in the section dealing with “Law Enforcement, Public Safety, and Other First Responders.” 

The document released by DHS simply says that “Workers supporting the operation of firearm or ammunition product manufacturers, retailers, importers, distributors, and shooting ranges” are considered essential.

As the article also states:

Editor Note: Readers, please share this article with your state, local and federal representatives, police departments and sheriffs as well local firearms retailers to make them aware of the new guidance so we can get our local business back to work and fellow Americans the products they need to remain safe.

Yes, this should especially be sent to the governor of New Mexico.

To read more, go here.

Illegal Immigrations Costs

$116 BILLION SPENT ON ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION AND THEY ARE BICKERING OVER $5 BILLION TO PROTECT THE HOMELAND?!

Protect and take care of our citizens, first!

DHS Preparing To Arrest Leaders of Sanctuary Cities

Well, it is about time that the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice got the wheels in motion to deal with sanctuary cities and sanctuary states.

The Washington Times reported:

Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen confirmed Tuesday that her department has asked federal prosecutors to see if they can lodge criminal charges against sanctuary cities that refuse to cooperate with federal deportation efforts. 

“The Department of Justice is reviewing what avenues may be available,” Ms. Nielsen told the Senate Judiciary Committee. 

Her confirmation came after California’s new sanctuary law went into effect Jan. 1, severely restricting cooperation the state or any of its localities could offer. 

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Tom Homan says those policies put his officers and local communities at more risk because they have to arrest illegal immigrants out in the community.

I'd love to see Gov. Jerry Brown and mayors and city council members tossed in jail.

To read more, go here. 

Passport Renewal: The Time Is Now!

So you're planning a trip to another country during next six to eight months from now and your current passport is about to expire. Or, it may not expire for another year. You may wonder, When is the best time to renew my passport?

According to Condé Nast Traveler, the best time is NOW!

They wrote:

The main reason? Processing times are shorter between September and December, with a big rush of passport renewals coming in January and clogging up the system. But the more important reason to renew your passport ASAP is that the Real ID Act kicks in January 22, 2018, meaning driver's licenses from a number of states will no longer work as forms of ID at the airport. (You can see if your state's licenses are complaint or not on the Department of Homeland Security's website.)

According to this, now is the time to get off your butt and get your passport renewal done.

To read more, go here. 

Airport Security May Get Worse This Summer

Here we go again!

It looks like the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) may make going through airport security even more of a hassle than it already is this summer.

Travel + Leisure reported:

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is testing new security measures that would require passengers to remove even more items from carry-ons to go through airport checkpoints. 

Travelers are already required to take out liquids and laptops before passing through to their gates. They might soon be required to take out every electronic device larger than a cell phone, including cameras, game consoles, and iPads as well as any food items, The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday.

The TSA is currently conducting tests at smaller airports.

To read more, go here.

Mexico Border Wall Ordered Built By Trump

President Donald J. Trump is acting in such breakneck speed that it has Washington-watchers' heads spinning (or exploding).

Reuters reported:

President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed directives to build a wall along the U.S. border with Mexico and crack down on U.S. cities that shield illegal immigrants, proceeding quickly on sweeping and divisive plans to curb immigration and boost national security. 

The Republican president is also expected to take steps in the coming days to limit legal immigration, including executive orders restricting refugees and blocking the issuing of visas to people from several Muslim-majority Middle Eastern and North African countries including Syria, Sudan, Somalia, Iraq, Iran, Libya and Yemen. 

Trump signed two executive orders at the Department of Homeland Security, one ordering construction of a wall along the roughly 2,000-mile (3,200-kilometer) U.S.-Mexico border and the other moving to strip federal grant money from "sanctuary" states and cities, often governed by Democrats, that harbor illegal immigrants. 

In cities such as San Francisco local officials, often Democrats, refuse to cooperate with federal authorities on actions against illegal immigrants. 

"The American people are no longer going to have to be forced to subsidize this disregard for our laws," White House spokesman Sean Spicer said.

Democrats are screaming bloody murder over this and other Trump actions. But the beauty of ordering the building of the wall at the U.S.-Mexico border is: he doesn't need approval from Congress. They already passed a law in 2006 that authorized the construction of the wall.

To read more, go here. 

The TSA Screwed Up Again!

Above, the Los Angeles International Airport control tower in the background. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The TSA screwed up again! Now we have to show up at the airport at least 2 hours before the departure time.

Japan Today reported:

NEW YORK —Fliers will likely face massive security lines at airports across the country this summer, with airlines already warning passengers to arrive at least two hours early or risk missing their flight. 

The Transportation Security Administration had anticipated that its expedited screening program, called PreCheck, would speed up lines and require fewer agents to screen passengers. But the agency has failed to enroll enough travelers, leaving TSA with too few screeners to quickly handle a growing number of fliers. 

The TSA tried to make up for that shortfall by randomly placing passengers into the express lanes. But it recently had to scale that back for fear dangerous passengers were being let through. That’s when the lines started growing, up to 90 minutes in some cases.

Thanks to the TSA, my suitcase didn't arrive in Japan last year with my flight. I was told by Singapore Airlines that the TSA held it in Los Angeles for some unknown reason. Although not their fault, as a goodwill P.R. gesture, they gave me an envelope containing ¥12,000 at the airport.

Now the TSA is making things worse for passengers with their hare-brained planning.

To read more, go here.

Homeland Security Is Targeting Conservative Dissent

On the eve of Tax Day Tea Parties in America, the Department of Homeland Security issued a "report" tarring conservative groups with the "right-wing extremist" label. The Dept. of Homeland Security sent out a warning entitled, “Right-wing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment.”

The Washington Times reports:

The Department of Homeland Security is warning law enforcement officials about a rise in "rightwing extremist activity," saying the economic recession, the election of America's first black president and the return of a few disgruntled war veterans could swell the ranks of white-power militias.

A footnote attached to the report by the Homeland Security Office of Intelligence and Analysis defines "rightwing extremism in the United States" as including not just racist or hate groups, but also groups that reject federal authority in favor of state or local authority.

"It may include groups and individuals that are dedicated to a single-issue, such as opposition to abortion or immigration," the warning says.

It appears that Saul Alinsky's Rules For Radicals has its tentacles in the Homeland Security department. The tactics include:

1. Pick the target. 2. Freeze it. 3. Personalize it. 4. Polarize (demonize) it.

This is to put a chilling effect and stifle dissent against the Obama Administration's policies. Unless there's dissent, we will soon have a real dictatorship in Washington.

To read the full article, go here.

Reuters adds:

MIAMI (Reuters) - Right-wing extremists in the United States are gaining new recruits by exploiting fears about the economy and the election of the first black U.S. president, the Department of Homeland Security warned in a report to law enforcement officials.

The April 7 report, which Reuters and other news media obtained Tuesday, said such fears were driving a resurgence in "recruitment and radicalization activity" by white supremacist groups, antigovernment extremists and militia movements. It did not identify any by name.

DHS had no specific information about pending violence and said threats had so far been "largely rhetorical."

But it warned that home foreclosures, unemployment and other consequences of the economic recession "could create a fertile recruiting environment for right-wing extremists."

"To the extent that these factors persist, right-wing extremism is likely to grow in strength," DHS said.

No, it is not fears of the economy or the election of a black president that is fueling "the right," it is the power grabs and the socialist policies of the Obama Administration and the left-wing Democrats in congress that have people riled up.

You can tell the DHS has this skewed wrong if they cannot correctly identify what is irking people. Who wrote this piece of crap anyway? Someone (like Judicial Watch) should obtain information on who the author is.

To read the full Reuters story, go here.

To access the actual DHS document, go here.