Democrat Judge In New Mexico Abruptly Resigns

After suspected Tren de Aragua gang member found with firearm at a residence he owns.
 
Longtime Doña Ana County Magistrate Judge Joel Cano — a Democrat and former police officer — abruptly resigned after federal agents arrested an alleged member of the violent Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang at a residence he owns.
The bombshell resignation letter, dated March 3, came just days after federal agents with Homeland Security Investigations raided a property tied to Cano and his wife, Nancy, arresting 23-year-old Cristhian Ortega-Lopez on federal gun charges, the Albuquerque Journal reported.
The Venezuelan national, who is in the U.S. illegally and has alleged ties to a ruthless transnational gang, was allegedly in possession of multiple firearms — including ones linked to disturbing images and videos on social media.
Agents recovered four firearms from the neighboring property owned by April Cano.
According to prosecutors, Ortega-Lopez admitted to having fired them. He now faces charges of being an illegal alien in possession of firearms and ammunition — a federal offense that carries up to 15 years in prison. 

Much more at:
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/04/democrat-judge-new-mexico-abruptly-resigns-after-suspected/

Israel Loosens Strict Gun Control Laws To Arm ‘As Many Citizens As Possible.’
After horrific terrorist attacks by Hamas from Gaza, Israel’s government made it slightly easier for its citizens to own firearms for self-defense.

Israel, the tiny democracy in the Middle East with terrorists along all its borders, has more stringent gun-control laws than anywhere in the United States. Unlike our Second Amendment, there is no recognition of the right to keep and bear arms.
After the horrific terrorist attack by Hamas from Gaza, Israel’s government suddenly made it slightly easier for its citizens to own firearms for self-defense.
Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir announced Sunday in Hebrew an emergency declaration that will “allow as many citizens as possible to arm themselves.” Currently, a mere 1.5 percent of the civilian population has a license to own a gun.
Emergency Gun Policy
Ben-Gvir’s emergency policies for the Firearm Licensing Department went into effect in 24 hours.
The laws that require proving “a need” to own and carry a gun have not changed. However those eligible to apply for a license under the “self-defense test” can now do the required interview on the phone instead of in person. The applicant will be approved for the license within a week under the new order.
While a citizen can still purchase only one handgun, the limit on rounds of ammunition has been increased from 50 to 100.
According to the minister, 4,000 citizens who applied for a conditional permit in 2023 but let the license expire before using it can now purchase a firearm. Another 1,800 people in the past six months who returned their guns to the government for not taking a training renewal course can get their weapons back.
Israel’s Strict Gun Control Track Record
The narrow eligibility criteria for Israelis to apply for a gun license remain the same as before the attack. You are eligible to apply only if you live or work in the settlement areas or are employed in professions that use guns — like security guards, police officers, or firefighters. Active duty military, military veterans of a certain rank, and special forces can also apply.
When applying, an individual must provide references, proof of residency for three years and meet the minimum age requirement (based on military service and residency.) Applicants must also prove a basic knowledge of Hebrew and provide a health declaration from a doctor.
The person must pass the interview, pay a licensing fee, buy the gun, and attend 4.5 hours of training at a shooting range.
Applicants can meet all these requirements but still be denied based on criminal convictions, drug use, or certain mental health conditions.
An Israeli who no longer meets all the eligibility requirements must notify the Firearm Licensing Department and deposit their firearm and license at a police station within 72 hours.
The complex application process may explain why only 140,000 of the 9 million Israelis have a permit.
Gun Rights Advocate
Ben-Gvir has been pushing for more civilian gun ownership to deal with both terrorist attacks and crime since he took office at the beginning of this year. He made it easier to get permits by adding staff to process the licenses. He expanded those qualified to apply to include more veterans and medic volunteers.
“I want more weapons on the streets so that the citizens of Israel can defend themselves,” he said in January.
By early June, the Jerusalem Post reported that new licenses jumped by 280 percent compared to the same four-month period in 2022.
Ben-Gvir said in August that his policies led to an 88 percent increase in the number of women receiving firearms licenses.
“Women that want to defend themselves and their families is a blessed thing,” said Ben-Gvir. The government’s quick announcement after the devastating attack to ease gun-control laws shows that some Israelis Israelis want to arm themselves instead of waiting for the military or police to arrive. Our God-given right to self-defense is ingrained in all of us and knows no borders.

 

https://thefederalist.com/2023/10/09/israel-loosens-strict-gun-control-laws-to-arm-as-many-citizens-as-possible/

 Gavin Newsom signs California law doubling taxes on guns, ammo: 'A small price to pay.’

Governor also inked legislation overhauling state's previous rules for carrying concealed weapons.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law Tuesday that will double the taxes on guns and ammunition, with the new revenue going to safety initiatives.
The federal government collects excise taxes on purchases of firearms and ammunition at either 10% or 11%. The new law adds another 11% excise tax, meaning that Golden State residents can indirectly pay as much as 22%.
Newsom said that he saw the tax increase as a "pretty modest investment" in gun violence prevention and believes it will help toward "reducing those costs ultimately."
"The carnage, it’s too much. We can’t normalize it, we can’t accept it," Newsom said. "This is a small price to pay."
California is now the only state in the U.S. that has a special tax on gun purchases. Newsom also signed a law Tuesday that bans people from carrying guns in nearly every public space, which overhauls the state's previous rules for carrying concealed weapons.
The tax does not apply to police officers or to businesses that sell less than $5,000 worth of guns or ammo over a three-month period. The tax is projected to generate $159 million per year, with the money going to the California Violence Intervention and Prevention Grant Program and the State Department of Education.
The California Violence Intervention and Prevention Grant Program runs initiatives that target young people in gangs and help them with life-coaching. The State Department of Education would use the money to improve security at schools and run after-school programs for at-risk students.
Another significant bill signed into law on Tuesday is SB 2, by Sen. Anthony Portantino, which will change the rules for carrying concealed weapons.
California’s new law requires permit holders to be 21, bans concealed weapons from most public places — parks, schools, government buildings, hospitals, and places where alcohol is sold, as well as at public demonstrations and gatherings.
The California Rifle and Pistol Association has already sued to block one new law Newsom signed on Tuesday that bans people from carrying guns in most public places. The law overhauls the state’s rules for concealed carry permits in light of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen.
Sen. Portantino said it is common sense to want to protect yourself with a concealed firearm, but that firearms may not be needed at a ballfield or at a restaurant.
“You as a responsible person with that permit will need to do a little work to know where it is allowed,” Portantino said.
Another new law will require that all pistols sold in the state beginning in 2028 have microstamping technology, which will leave unique markings on bullets that will make it easier to trace which weapon was used in a shooting.
The signings come just days after a Newsom-led campaign to amend the U.S. Constitution passed out of the California Legislature. The measure passed by legislators calls for a state Constitutional Convention to consider additional federal rules on firearms purchases and use, but two-thirds of states need to pass similar measures in order for the process to advance.
California has some of the lowest gun death rates in the country, ranking 43rd out of 50 states with 9 deaths for every 100,000 people, according to 2021 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But violent crimes have increased recently. The violent crime rate increased by 6.1% in 2022, according to the California Department of Justice.

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/gavin-newsom-signs-california-law-doubling-taxes-guns-ammo-small-price-pay