by Let’s be clear about one thing. We are the battle of our lives – a war even – for the hearts and minds of the ordinary American. It is not just enough to get all the gun owners on our side. We need middle America: the soccer mom who is apprehensive about the safety of her kids, the father who wants to protect his family, the gay couple who has one slur and one threat too many, everyone.
So when you have a well-known firearms trainer like James Yeager of Tactical Response say what he did, it doesn’t help. Below is an edited version of Yeager’s original video. If I understand correctly, Yeager took down the original video and substituted a somewhat less inflammatory version.
The controversy over this video and his original comments where he stated he was going to “start killing people” comments have caused the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security to suspend his concealed carry permit.
In the video below from New Channel 5 out of Nashville, TN, you can hear his original comments.
NewsChannel5.com | Nashville News, Weather
From the News Channel 5 story:
“I’m not (expletive) putting up with this. I’m not letting my country be ruled by a dictator. I’m not letting anybody take my guns! If it goes one inch further, I’m going to start killing people,” he said in the video.
Yeager’s company, Tactical Response, is headquartered in Sandy, Tennessee and trains civilians in weapons and tactical skills. Yeager’s biography stated that he worked as a police officer for the Sandy Police Department as well as the Benton County Sheriff’s Office before starting his company. His certifications list him as a qualified instructor in dozens of firearms and weapons training classes, including being a Department of Safety Certified Firearms Instructor.
According to a spokesperson for the Tennessee Highway Patrol, however, Yeager is not a currently not a Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security certified instructor, nor is Tactical Response a department certified school.
A later story from the station has the statement from the Department on his carry permit suspension.
“The number one priority for our department is to ensure the public’s
safety. Mr. Yeager’s comments were irresponsible, dangerous, and
deserved our immediate attention. Due to our concern, as well as that of
law enforcement, his handgun permit was suspended immediately. We have
notified Mr. Yeager about the suspension today via e-mail. He will
receive an official notification of his suspension through the mail,”
Commissioner Bill Gibbons said.
Look, I can understand being mad. None of us like the idea of any new gun control laws much less one’s that may be the result of an Executive Order from President Obama. That said, you don’t spout off on YouTube for the whole damn world to see and especially the gun prohibitionists. It is just plain stupid and doesn’t help the cause of gun rights.
Unfortunately, the mainstream media has the story now. You can be sure that Yeager’s little tirade will be trotted out by the gun prohibitionists again and again.
Gee thanks, James. You are one dumb stupid fucking son of a bitch.