Davey Defense LLC

Category: Blog Post

  • Standing Firm – The Second Amendment Belongs to Everyone

    Standing Firm – The Second Amendment Belongs to Everyone

    By John Davey – no spin, no sugarcoating.

    St. Paul’s talk about flipping on “local gun restrictions” the second state preemption lifts is exactly the kind of overreach the Constitution forbids. The right to keep and bear arms is not granted by government – it is recognized and protected by the Constitution, and it shall not be infringed. Politicians don’t get to decide when, where, or how peaceable citizens may exercise a fundamental right.

    Equal rights mean exactly that

    The Second Amendment doesn’t care about your skin color, creed, religion, gender, or who you love. Black, white, brown, Asian. Gay, straight, trans. Male, female. Every peaceable person holds the same natural right to keep and bear arms for self-defense and to resist tyranny. Chip away at that right for one group – you’ve chipped it away for all.

    What this means for our community

    Local bans on commonly owned firearms, parts, or accessories are unconstitutional, unworkable, and unfair to the very people who follow the law. These measures don’t touch criminals – they burden responsible citizens. We won’t pretend otherwise.

    Our lane at Davey Defense

    We train shooters to be safe, skillful, and responsible. We also make sure our students understand their rights – what they are, why they matter, and how to exercise them lawfully. Stay alert. Know your rights. Don’t let unconstitutional overreach convince you otherwise.

    Signed,
    John Davey – Owner / Lead Instructor
    Davey Defense LLC

    Published: September 4, 2025

  • If your carry gun is just a Gucci toy, you’re not serious about survival

    By John Davey — straight talk, no sugarcoating.

    Here’s the truth, and it’s going to sting for some of you.

    Guns are not toys. They are not ornaments. They are not something you dress up with glitter and Gucci parts so you can show off online. A firearm is a life-saving tool, period. And if you don’t treat it that way, then you don’t really understand what carrying one means.

    I’ve seen it over and over again — people bragging about “Gucci builds,” tricked-out range toys they’d never actually carry when life’s on the line. Let me make it clear: when it comes to defending your life or your family, good enough isn’t good enough. The right tool for the job is the only tool worth having. If you can’t afford it today, wait. Save. Borrow. Do what it takes. Because you only get one shot when your life is on the line.

    What’s your life worth? What’s your family’s life worth? If the answer is “cheap on sale at the counter,” then you need to rethink your priorities. Tools meant to save lives aren’t where you cut corners. Period.

    Say what you want, but this is the truth. And truth doesn’t care about feelings. It cares about outcomes.

    If that makes some of you uncomfortable, so be it. Maybe you needed to be uncomfortable. Because the cold reality is this: someday, when the chips are down, you’ll either have the right tool in your hands — or you won’t. And you’ll only get one chance to find out which side of that line you’re on.

  • The Hard Truth

    The Hard Truth I Wish I’d Learned Earlier in My Firearms Journey

    Looking back on my years as a shooter and instructor, there’s one lesson I wish I had learned much earlier: just because you shoot a lot doesn’t mean you’re training. For years, I thought volume alone equaled progress. I’d head to the range, run rounds down the barrel, make some noise, and assume I was improving. The truth is, without intentional practice, I wasn’t building skills—I was just repeating habits. Sometimes, I was even reinforcing bad ones. The difference between “shooting” and “training” is focus. Training is purposeful. It’s guided by fundamentals, by repetition done correctly, and by pushing yourself beyond comfort with intent. Shooting without structure may be fun, but it won’t prepare you when skill and clarity matter most. If I had spent more time, earlier in my journey, with quality instructors who could guide and correct me, my skill level today would be sharper. That isn’t regret—it’s recognition. Because like anything in life, what we practice becomes permanent. Whether we practice the right way or the wrong way, repetition writes it into muscle memory. The lesson? Don’t confuse motion with progress. Don’t confuse noise with improvement. Seek out training. Seek out guidance. Don’t just shoot—train with purpose. That’s a lesson I carry with me now, both in firearms and in life. And it’s one I’ll pass down every chance I get.

  • Misconception

    The Greatest Misconception About Responsible Gun Owners

    One of the biggest misconceptions I see from the general public about responsible gun owners is that we all fit into the same neat little box. According to the stereotype, every one of us is a conservative, older, white male. Nothing could be further from the truth.

    Responsible gun owners come in every shape, size, creed, and color. We represent every economic background, every walk of life. Some are young, some are old. Some grew up in families that hunted and shot regularly, others discovered firearms later in life. To lump us all into a single category is not only wrong — it ignores the diversity of real people who take firearms ownership seriously.

    The second major misconception is this: that if people carry guns in public, society will descend into chaos. We’re told that blood will run in the streets, that every traffic jam will end in a shootout, that road rage incidents will explode. It’s fearmongering. It’s false. And history proves it.

    As a student of history, I know that none of those things happen simply because law-abiding citizens carry firearms. The presence of a firearm doesn’t suddenly turn a responsible person into a criminal. The idea that carrying a gun in public inevitably leads to violence is a myth pushed by those who benefit from fear and division.

    The truth is simple: responsible gun owners are among the safest, most law-abiding members of society. We train, we prepare, and we carry because we value life — our own and the lives of others. We don’t carry to cause trouble. We carry to make sure we get home at the end of the day.

  • Another Shooting in Minneapolis: My Thoughts

    Another Shooting in Minneapolis: My Thoughts

    This morning I heard the news — another shooting in Minneapolis. First a mass shooting last night, and then word of an active shooter at a Catholic school. It hit me like a gut punch. I’m sick to my stomach. It doesn’t have to be this way.

    What I can’t wrap my head around is how we, as a so-called civilized nation, tolerate this level of criminal behavior. We act like we’re helpless, like there’s nothing that can be done. Meanwhile, our politicians and “leaders” keep peddling the same old line: more laws, more restrictions, more rules for the good guys. But the truth is, we already have the ultimate law on the books: it’s illegal to murder people. And yet here we are.

    The sad reality is that evil exists. Guns aren’t the problem — people with evil intent are. A firearm is just a tool. We don’t blame the hammer when it’s misused. We don’t outlaw fire extinguishers because someone sprayed one in a hallway. But somehow, the narrative always lands back on guns.

    Here’s my plain answer. We stop tragedies like this by:

    • Allowing teachers and staff the legal right to carry on school grounds if they choose.
    • Trusting law-abiding citizens to defend themselves and others, instead of treating them as the threat.
    • Actually enforcing the laws we already have instead of slapping wrists and letting criminals walk.

    And prevention? It starts with accountability. It starts with taking warning signs seriously. It starts with not ignoring criminal behavior until it escalates into murder.

    I know some people won’t like hearing this. But I refuse to sugarcoat it. This morning’s news makes me sick, but it also reinforces what I’ve been saying for years: freedom means responsibility. And pretending otherwise costs lives.

    That’s all I’ve got right now. I just needed to put it into words.

    John Davey

  • Carrying a Gun vs. Living the Lifestyle

    Carrying a Gun vs. Living the Lifestyle

    By John Davey — a straight talk on responsibility, consistency, and mindset.

    Plenty of people carry a gun. Fewer truly live the lifestyle.

    What’s the difference? Mentality.

    Carrying a firearm isn’t about strapping on steel like it’s another pocketknife or wallet. It’s waking up every day with discipline and awareness – choosing a tool that carries life-and-death responsibility and acting accordingly.

    The Habits That Define the Lifestyle

    • Safety first, always. My standard never changes: you leave my range with the same number of holes you came with. That mindset travels with you – range, store, home, everywhere.
    • Consistency beats intensity. One flashy training day doesn’t prepare you. Steady reps do. Build muscle memory by doing it right until you can’t get it wrong.
    • Humility over ego. Overconfidence gets people hurt. The most dangerous shooters I see aren’t new; they’re the ones who “already know.” Be coachable.
    • Skills over stuff. Gear matters, but mindset and fundamentals matter more. When gear fails – and it can – skills keep you safe.

    The Core: Responsibility

    The gun is a tool. The foundation is responsibility – the decision to be safe, disciplined, and prepared for yourself, your family, and everyone around you.

    That’s what separates someone who just carries from someone who actually lives the lifestyle.

  • Carrying a Firearm Is a Lifestyle, Not a Hobby

    Carrying a Firearm Is a Lifestyle, Not a Hobby

    25 August 2025

    Shooting can be a hobby. Carrying a firearm isn’t. Carrying is a conscious, daily decision with real weight behind it—more mindset than pastime. If you choose it, you’re choosing a way of living, not a weekend activity.

    A hobby is something you pick up and put down. A lifestyle changes how you think, how you move, where you go, what you wear, and what you’re willing to walk away from. If you’re carrying, you don’t visit the places you avoided when you were unarmed and suddenly call it “training.” You keep avoiding them. Same wisdom, deeper responsibility.

    Training matters. A permit class checks a legal box; real training builds the habits you’ll rely on when stress shows up. The goal is simple: make safety automatic, decisions thoughtful, and your draw so boringly consistent you don’t have to think about the mechanics when thinking time is scarce.

    Mindset matters. Honesty beats ego on the range and in life. Be honest about what you know and what you don’t. Be honest about whether you’re mentally ready to defend yourself or your family. If you’re not there yet, don’t carry – train, learn, decide. There’s no shame in waiting until you can live with the responsibility you’re taking on.

    Respect and caution are non-negotiable. A firearm is just a tool until you tell it to work. Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on target and you’re ready to fire. That one rule, lived every day, keeps good people out of bad headlines.

    Gear doesn’t make the lifestyle – discipline does. Simple, reliable tools beat flashy gadgets every time. Batteries die. Fads fade. Solid fundamentals and proven equipment win when it counts.

    When you train with me, you’re not a transaction – you’re part of the family. My measure of success isn’t round counts or certificates; it’s whether you leave safer, steadier, and more prepared to make good decisions under pressure.

    If you carry, carry on purpose. Make it a lifestyle worth living. Responsible, quiet, disciplined, and ready.

  • A Victory for Gun Owners in Minnesota

    A Victory for Gun Owners in Minnesota

    A Victory for Gun Owners in Minnesota

    In a major win for the Second Amendment and responsible gun owners across the state, the Minnesota Supreme Court has officially ruled that privately made firearms do not need serial numbers under state law — unless federal law requires one.

    The case, State v. Logan Vagle, challenged an aggressive legal tactic used by prosecutors to charge citizens with felonies for possessing homemade firearms without serial numbers — even when those firearms were perfectly legal under federal law.

    That strategy just got shut down.

    ⚖️ What the Court Said

    “Minnesota has not adopted its own independent firearm serialization law… our laws do not require that privately made firearms be serialized.”

    Let’s be clear — this ruling clarifies the law and slams the door on years of overreach by prosecutors, the state AG, and anti-gun legal clinics who pushed a false narrative.

    If you build a firearm for personal use, and there’s no federal law requiring a serial number, you’re not in violation of Minnesota law.

    🔍 What This Means for You

    • If you’ve built a firearm at home (like an 80% lower), this case confirms your rights.
    • Charges filed against people for unserialized, homemade firearms may now be subject to dismissal or appeal.
    • Law-abiding gun owners in Minnesota now have strong legal footing to stand on — and one less thing to worry about.

    📎 Read the Full Ruling

    You can read the entire opinion here:
    👉 MN Supreme Court Opinion – State v. Vagle (PDF)

    💬 Final Thoughts from Davey Defense

    For years, Minnesota gun owners have dealt with confusion and fear over home-built firearms — largely thanks to bad interpretations of the law. This ruling restores clarity, confidence, and constitutional common sense.

    Stay trained. Stay ready.
    – Davey Defense

  • Understanding Minnesota’s Firearm Carry Laws for 18–20-Year-Olds

    Understanding Minnesota’s Firearm Carry Laws for 18–20-Year-Olds

    Updated: June 2025

    Author: Davey Defense

    What Changed in Minnesota?

    Due to a federal court ruling in 2023 (Worth v. Harrington), Minnesota was forced to stop enforcing its ban on issuing permits to carry to adults aged 18 to 20. This ruling aligned with the Second Amendment and declared that a complete ban on young adults carrying firearms in public was unconstitutional.

    The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) responded by updating permit training and issuing guidance for sheriffs and instructors statewide. As of now:

    • Adults age 18–20 can apply for a Minnesota Permit to Carry.
    • The same training and qualification requirements apply.
    • Sheriffs must accept and process these applications like any other.

    BCA Guidance and Official Policy

    While Minnesota law has not yet been formally rewritten by the legislature, the BCA has issued instructions to local permit offices making clear that age-based restrictions must no longer be enforced as a matter of constitutional compliance.

    This change is not a loophole — it’s the result of a federal court’s interpretation of the Second Amendment, and it carries full legal authority.

    Important Notes for 18–20-Year-Old Applicants

    • You must still complete a certified Minnesota Permit to Carry training course.
    • Your application must be submitted to the sheriff in the county where you reside.
    • If any sheriff refuses your application based solely on age, you have grounds to challenge that denial.

    💬 Final Thoughts

    Young adults in Minnesota now have a recognized constitutional right to carry — just like older adults. As always, responsible firearm ownership and training are key.

    Questions? Contact Davey Defense for certified carry permit training and legal updates.

    Sources: Federal Court Decision in Worth v. Harrington (2023), MN BCA Firearms Division, June 2025

  • Minnesota Gun Storage Law Faces Sheriff Opposition

    Minnesota Sheriffs Push Back on Proposed State Gun Storage Law

    Date: June 2025

    Several county sheriffs across Greater Minnesota are publicly opposing a proposed mandatory firearm storage law expected to be reintroduced in the 2026 legislative session. While the bill stalled earlier this year, it’s gaining traction again with support from metro-area DFL lawmakers.

    🔒 What the Proposed Law Would Do

    • Require all firearms to be stored locked and unloaded when not in use.
    • Make violations a gross misdemeanor if a child gains access or the gun is used in a crime.
    • Backed by supporters as a way to reduce accidental shootings and teen suicides.

    🚔 Sheriffs Respond

    Sheriffs from multiple counties, including Meeker County (Sheriff Brian Cruze) and Clay County (Sheriff Mark Empting), voiced strong objections during a June 8 press roundtable hosted by the Minnesota Sheriffs’ Association in Alexandria.

    “We will not support laws that punish rural families who store their guns in a way that makes sense for them.”

    They argue that the law:

    • Threatens the right to armed self-defense inside the home.
    • Is unenforceable without infringing on personal privacy.
    • Criminalizes responsible gun owners instead of targeting criminals.

    🏛️ Political Implications

    This bill is shaping up to be a major issue heading into the 2026 state elections, potentially dividing urban legislators and rural law enforcement. Supporters say it mirrors gun storage laws in places like California and Oregon — though similar laws have faced legal challenges in federal courts.

    Source: Minnesota Sheriffs’ Association, June 2025