Open Source Defense

Open Source Defense is a Substack focused on gun rights without engaging in culture war rhetoric. It features analysis of laws, historical perspectives on gun ownership, critiques of gun control advocacy, and discussions on the societal implications of legislative actions on firearms. The content encourages a nuanced understanding of gun rights, advocating for individual liberties and critiquing broad legal interpretations and government actions.

Gun Rights and Legislation Legal Analysis and Advocacy Societal Implications of Gun Ownership Historical Perspectives on Firearms Criticisms of Gun Control Measures Individual Liberties and Government Actions Technology and Innovation in Firearms Community and Culture in Gun Ownership

The hottest Substack posts of Open Source Defense

And their main takeaways

OSD 265: What is technology controlled by a foreign adversary?

31 implied HN points • 18 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Technology Free speech Second Amendment Gun Rights First Amendment
  1. Technology controlled by a foreign adversary raises concerns about government control over app stores and websites.
  2. The debate over restricting technology based on geopolitical concerns challenges free speech principles and individual freedoms.
  3. There's a contrast between how free speech and gun rights are viewed in the US, highlighting the potential for progress in the Second Amendment space.

OSD 264: Fully ad-o-matic

38 implied HN points • 11 Mar 24
💼 Business Startups Advertising
  1. Simple rules can have significant effects - like how gun retail is limited by the requirement to ship to an FFL, hindering modern advances.
  2. Opportunities arise in niches - focusing on success even within a small niche can lead to overall growth and expansion rather than exclusion.
  3. There is a positive change happening - gun culture is starting to blend into mainstream industries, with more support and interest becoming evident.

OSD 261: Murder rates are determined by your level of zoom

63 implied HN points • 19 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Crime Statistics Gun Rights
  1. Violence in society is like bubble tea - the bubbles, not the milk. It's not evenly distributed, but lumpy.
  2. Murder rates can vary widely within the same city, with certain neighborhoods being safer than others. High-level averages can be misleading.
  3. Your personal risk of violence is heavily influenced by factors like geography, behavior, and demographics, rather than just general statistics. Adjust your level of focus accordingly.

OSD 260: Frozen in amber

49 implied HN points • 13 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Regulation Legislation Court Cases Gun Rights Innovation
  1. Proposed AI regulations could stifle innovation by imposing stringent safety measures early in development.
  2. Legal standards like the 'common use' test in gun laws can freeze technology at a specific point, hindering progress and new advancements.
  3. Existing laws may have unintentionally restricted innovation in areas like firearms, highlighting the importance of vigilantly advocating for innovation-friendly policies.
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OSD 263: AlphaGo and invisible limits

28 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
🕹 Technology AI Innovation Gun Rights Mental health
  1. Innovation can be driven by existential threats - challenges can push you to become stronger and force innovation, making threats potentially beneficial.
  2. Struggles and restrictions can lead to progress - historical examples show that adversity in gun rights led to major advancements and innovation in the gun community.
  3. Reacting positively to challenges can bring long-term benefits - while restrictions are not ideal, responding with innovation and galvanizing communities can lead to positive outcomes over time.

OSD 259: The floor is lava

38 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Criminal Justice Law enforcement Civil Liberties
  1. The prohibited persons ban in the Gun Control Act is quite strange and involves severe consequences.
  2. Larry Vickers' conviction of breaking a federal paperwork law has resulted in an ironic punishment where he can't possess firearms anymore.
  3. Federal gun law, particularly section 18 USC \/ 922(g), has broad and severe prohibitions that affect many unsuspecting individuals, causing unintended consequences.

OSD 247: ATF and the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad week

56 implied HN points • 14 Nov 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Second Amendment Gun Rights
  1. Recent legal challenges against ATF rules highlight administrative law complexities, not just gun rights.
  2. Engaging in detailed rule debates with ATF is less impactful than questioning their authority to create rules.
  3. The key to influencing government actions lies in making it politically beneficial for officials to act in the right way, or stripping away their power to act wrongly.

OSD 232: The gun control Laffer curve

73 implied HN points • 31 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gun Control Taxation Government
  1. The Laffer curve shows that increasing tax rates may eventually lead to decreased tax revenue.
  2. Gun control groups face challenges in achieving their goals due to individual incentives conflicting with group objectives.
  3. Individuals acting in their own self-interest can hinder the overall effectiveness of a movement.

OSD 234: Accidental rebels

63 implied HN points • 14 Aug 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Regulation Norms Government Relations
  1. Gun laws that are easy to break accidentally with severe punishments attract the most attention.
  2. Stigmatizing gun ownership can be done by creating laws that are easy to violate accidentally, thus deterring new gun owners.
  3. The unwritten norms and interpretations in laws and regulations play a significant role in shaping relationships and enforcement actions.

OSD 223: You know too much

56 implied HN points • 29 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gun Control Stats Legal system
  1. Bullet matching in forensics may not be as reliable as portrayed in courts.
  2. Courts can exhibit innumeracy when handling scientific evidence, impacting legal decisions.
  3. Advocating for gun control may avoid detailed technical knowledge to support pre-existing beliefs.