Bryan Malinowski: Arkansans Demand Answers
State Rep. Matt Duffield, Attorney Bud Cummins and Gun Owners of Arkansas' Gary Epperson weigh in on upcoming Washington hearing
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The death of Bryan Malinowski continues to make headlines — as it should.
Malinowski, the executive director of the Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport, was shot during the execution of a search by federal agents on March 19. He died on March 21.
American gun owners and Second Amendment supporters feel the weight of the implications continuing to swirl amidst the unknown actions that resulted in Malinowski’s death at the hands of federal agents.
Cummins is scheduled to testify this Wednesday at the request of Chairman Jim Jordan before the select Subcommittee on Weaponization of the Federal Government of the Committee on the Judiciary.
A release states that the hearing will “examine the overreach by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).”
The Reckoning asked Cummins why it’s important to take the Malinowski case to Capitol Hill.
Cummins responded, “First, every citizen in the United States should be aware of the circumstances that led to Bryan’s death. Most of Arkansas has heard about it but it is not a well-known story nationally.”
The Reckoning asked what is the one lesson from the Malinowski case that should most concern Arkansans, and, in fact, Americans?
“The lesson from the Malinowski case is that federal law enforcement is using totally unjustified heavy-handed tactics to investigate low-level but politically charged crime,” Cummins said. “It is difficult to imagine any explanation that could be offered to convince anyone that what happened to Bryan Malinowski was justified or unavoidable.”
In a final question we asked Cummins what can the average citizen do to make a difference in the Malinowski case?
“This is one where it sure doesn’t hurt to call your congressman and tell him you are concerned about it and want answers. It also wouldn’t hurt to call their state representative and state senator to say the same. The state legislature could consider laws to restrict the use of overly aggressive law enforcement techniques, no-knock searches, etc.”
Representative Matt Duffield of Russellville recently led a press conference at the state capitol about Malinowski’s death.
He told the Reckoning, “The more questions we ask, the less forthcoming the ATF continues to be. They cannot avoid truth and justice forever.
There are officers that were there that know the truth. I encourage them to come forward with information that can lead to the transparent truth of what happened so that justice can be served and situations like this can be avoided in the future.
A man who was never arrested or convicted of a crime now lies in an Arkansas grave thanks to the ATF. We want to know why and have no plans of stopping until we have answers. The stonewalling needs to stop.”
Gary Epperson, Gun Owners of Arkansas president, gave the Reckoning the following statement:
“Gun Owners of Arkansas appreciates Mr Bud Cummins testifying before the House Judiciary Select Subcommittee on behalf of seeking justice for the atrocity the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms committed against Bryan Malinowski and his family. This out of control Government agency is in desperate need of elimination due to their complete disregard of all Gun Owners Constitutional Rights and have shown they will use deadly force against any firearm owner with complete disregard to the safety of the innocent who they ‘think’ may have violated a ‘rule’ (not a law).
This is dangerous to a free society and our Justice system when our government can target firearm owners with actions they think but have no proof of violations in such a way it provokes the justification for the use of unnecessary deadly force.
These actions by the BATF while horrific in itself have far more serious implications by eroding the trust in our Judicial system and impacts the public's trust in law enforcement across the country who lay their lives on the line everyday.
It's almost like this current presidential administration is purposely trying to destroy every fabric of our society that we hold dear such as our Military and Law Enforcement.”
Gun Owners of Arkansas created an online petition to compel Arkansas elected officials to hold the federal government to a higher standard.
Here's the introduction to that petition:
As a result of President Joe Biden’s Community Safe Act, Arkansas gun owners and those who support the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution firmly stand united in opposition to the rules now implemented by Executive Order that ultimately led to the shooting death of Bryan Malinowski.
It is no longer safe for Arkansans to rely solely on the Second Amendment as it is written. Gun owners of Arkansas along with other citizens, by petition, request that the Arkansas State Legislature along with the Governor and other constitutional officers send a clear and concise message to the federal government that Arkansans will not fall victim to Federal Government Overreach as a result of the Communities Safe Act, its rules, and federal agencies acting on behalf of the federal government.
Arkansans have a clearly understood Right to Bear Arms. The Second Amendment of the United States Constitution firmly states:
“A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed.”
It is the duty of the Arkansas Governor, Attorney General, Legislature and all constitutional officers to remind the Biden Administration that the state of Arkansas is sovereign.
The United States Constitution Tenth Amendment guarantees the Arkansas government the power over all matters not specifically outlined in the Federal Constitution.
“The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”
Arkansas is home to remote rural areas where citizens have a right to protect themselves and their property.
Arkansans also enjoy some of the best outdoors and hunting opportunities in our nation. Those traditions are threatened by federal overreach.
Every Arkansan has a right to defend themselves and their property from actions by the federal government when it comes to the Second Amendment.
The Second Amendment does not require Arkansans to purchase a license to sell a firearm to a family member, neighbor or friend.
The Second Amendment does not require a family member who inherits a family collection of firearms to obtain a license to liquidate those firearms. Arkansans simply are not required to become a “gun dealer” to go about their everyday lives honoring the traditions that started even before Arkansas was a territory or state.
The Second Amendment does not require Arkansans to feel wary when passing down a gun to their children or grandchildren. This tradition is now threatened by Biden’s Community Safe Act.
Arkansans have a voice, a vested interest in protecting their rights as free citizens of the state of Arkansas as well as free citizens of the United States of America.
It is the duty of every member of the Government, the Arkansas Legislature, and all constitutional officers to take swift and appropriate action in this matter.
As a result of the case of Bryan Malinowski, Gun Owners of Arkansas recognizes the imminent and immediate threat to the rights of Arkansans.
You can sign the petition here.
Read some of the Reckoning's previous stories on Malinowski here:
Look on the Reckoning website for more Malinowski articles.
I wonder who is paying for Bud Cummings's trip to Washington.
Perhaps we'll see similar action regarding the police murder of Airman Roger Fortson.