In a powerful and unsettling segment on USCCA’s YouTube channel, hosts Kevin Michalowski and Ed Combs tackled what many gun owners are quietly, and some not-so-quietly, asking: “Are we the enemy now?” The conversation kicked off with a reference to a newly declassified report made public by former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard.
According to Gabbard, the Biden administration, or elements within it, entertained strategies labeling lawful gun owners, particularly AR-15 owners, as “potential domestic terrorists.” Michalowski and Combs didn’t mince words. “Tyrants hate rifles they can’t control,” Ed said. Kevin added that the targeting of gun owners has become a go-to political tactic for those with anti-gun agendas.
Laying the Groundwork for Bans
This report, Gabbard noted, exposed more than just political rhetoric – it revealed a quiet but intentional move to lay the groundwork for banning modern sporting rifles like the AR-15 and standard-capacity magazines. Ed and Kevin see this as part of a longer strategy that has been brewing since the Clinton-era Assault Weapons Ban in 1994, which was authored in part by then-Senator Joe Biden. But back then, there were fewer than a million AR-15s in circulation. Today, that number has exploded to over 30 million, making it the most popular rifle in America. That widespread ownership doesn’t sit well with those pushing gun control.
A Slippery Slope That’s No Longer Hypothetical
Kevin Michalowski reminded viewers that in politics, the “slippery slope” is not a fallacy – it’s a guarantee. When the government starts categorizing law-abiding citizens as potential threats, it becomes easier to justify surveillance, restrictions, and eventually, confiscation. Ed noted that while political leaders may claim these discussions are “just war-gaming ideas,” the sheer fact that gun owners are on those lists should concern everyone. “They want to know what we’re doing, why we’re doing it, and how we’re doing it,” he said.
Both hosts believe that dismissing these developments as paranoia is dangerous. While not every policy proposal becomes law, these internal strategies shape public perception and influence future regulation. And history shows that once government powers are exercised, they’re rarely rolled back.
Weaponizing Credit Card Tracking
From there, the conversation pivoted to another growing concern: financial surveillance of gun owners. Several states, including Alaska, have recently pushed legislation to block merchant category codes (MCCs) that flag gun-related purchases. These codes allow credit card companies to tag firearm and ammunition sales, creating a paper trail the government can access. Kevin summed it up bluntly: “This is just another way to make gun owners a separate class – a second-class citizen.”
Eleven states so far have banned or limited the use of these MCCs. But Michalowski and Combs emphasized that the bigger issue is normalization. The more data collected and categorized, the easier it becomes to regulate and, eventually, restrict. Even if you’re already on a government list, as many NRA or USCCA members assume they are, Ed warned against making it easier for authorities to track your behavior: “Let’s not give them another list.”
Are We Already Too Late?
It’s not uncommon to hear a sense of resignation among gun owners. Many say, “I’m already on the list, so who cares?” But both Michalowski and Combs pushed back on that defeatist mindset. They argued that accepting surveillance as a given is a form of surrender. Ed brought up his own experience getting a DNR customer number when he purchased a deer hunting license decades ago. “Now they know for sure I own at least one rifle,” he said. “Commies always play the long game.”
The long game, according to the hosts, involves chipping away at privacy and gun rights incrementally – through financial codes, redefinitions of “assault weapons,” and media narratives that portray gun ownership as suspicious behavior. If you make enough lists, they warn, eventually someone will use them.
The Political Fight Is Ongoing
“Rust and politicians,” Kevin said, “are the two biggest threats to guns.” That line resonated as a grim but accurate summary of the current climate. Ed added that the gun control fight is never over. Anti-gun lawmakers and activists are persistent, and gun owners must be just as vigilant in response.
Their call to action was clear: stay politically engaged. Join advocacy groups. Vote. Show up to state hearings. And keep educating others. They emphasized that political disengagement is a luxury gun owners can no longer afford, not when new laws and policies could change your legal standing overnight.
Mistakes at the Airport: The TSA Trap
After tackling the political landscape, Kevin and Ed shifted gears to a practical issue that often catches gun owners off guard – air travel. A recent TSA incident in Richmond, Virginia, involved a man who tried to carry a loaded revolver through airport security. The incident shut down the checkpoint and prompted a public statement from TSA.
But Ed pointed out the obvious: if it makes national news, it’s probably rare. “They’re not stopping 9/11,” he said. “These are just people who forgot where their gun was.” The pair stressed a fundamental but often overlooked rule: know where your guns are and their condition, especially when traveling.
The Inconsistency of TSA Firearm Policies
Both hosts have flown with firearms many times, and neither has had the same experience twice. “Never once,” said Ed, “have I had the exact same experience.” Some TSA agents follow official policy, others improvise. Kevin once carried a printed copy of TSA guidelines to the airport – only to be told, “That’s not what we’re doing today.”
Even when gun owners comply with the rules, unloaded firearm, locked in a hard case, ammunition packed separately, they may face unexpected hurdles. From being back-roomed by police to getting hassled over loaded magazines, inconsistency is the norm. And don’t even think about snap caps; Ed says that’s the mistake he sees most often. “Leave the snap caps at home,” he advised. “No one knows what they are, and it just confuses things.”
New York: The Most Extreme Case
Ed recounted a particularly alarming incident at LaGuardia Airport. After legally carrying his firearm into New York City under HR218 (a federal law allowing qualified retired officers to carry nationwide), he was stopped and questioned while trying to fly home. Four Port Authority officers showed up, copied his serial number, took photos of his IDs, and escorted him to a secure area. But no one cared when he arrived with the gun – only when he was trying to leave.
The experience underscored a troubling inconsistency in how gun laws and travel regulations are applied. “Why was it so important to track me on the way out, but not on the way in?” he asked. There was no answer – just bureaucratic inertia.
Cash Is Still King
To avoid triggering MCCs and flagging purchases, both Ed and Kevin now prefer to use cash when buying firearms or accessories. “I’ve used a credit card to buy a gun or two in my day,” Ed admitted, but today, he leans toward cash-only transactions. The point isn’t to avoid the law – it’s to preserve what little financial privacy remains.
This doesn’t make you a criminal, they emphasized. It makes you aware. In an era where privacy is rapidly evaporating, smart choices matter. That’s especially true when financial tracking can be weaponized to monitor or discourage lawful behavior.
A Reminder: Have a Gun, Know the Law
Ed and Kevin concluded with a reminder that no matter where you go or what you carry, knowing the law is crucial. That includes not just firearms regulations but also your rights during interactions with law enforcement and TSA agents. Have a plan, be calm, and know your rights.
They also reiterated their usual refrain: have a gun. Whether for home defense, outdoor carry, or travel, your first line of defense is possession. But possession without preparation is dangerous. So train, stay informed, and stay vigilant.
When Politics Becomes Punishment
What makes this discussion so timely is how much of today’s gun control debate isn’t about public safety, it’s about control. When Tulsi Gabbard revealed that gun owners were being profiled as domestic threats, it confirmed what many feared. The anti-gun movement, at its core, has grown from a policy initiative into a form of cultural punishment.
Gun owners, especially new ones, now face a minefield of bureaucratic traps and shifting definitions. But Michalowski and Combs offer hope: engagement, education, and perseverance still matter. “We have political power,” Kevin said. “We just have to use it.”
Mark grew up in the heart of Texas, where tornadoes and extreme weather were a part of life. His early experiences sparked a fascination with emergency preparedness and homesteading. A father of three, Mark is dedicated to teaching families how to be self-sufficient, with a focus on food storage, DIY projects, and energy independence. His writing empowers everyday people to take small steps toward greater self-reliance without feeling overwhelmed.
