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In a closely watched and reported-on case by the Second Amendment Foundation’s (SAF) Investigative Journalism Project editor Lee Williams, Patrick “Tate” Adamiak today has been issued a pardon by President Donald Trump. Adamiak was wrongfully arrested, charged and convicted of illegally possessing a toy machinegun after Biden-era Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) agents stormed his house.

Four years ago, Adamiak was arrested and charged with illegally possessing two destructive devices, two inert RPGs that had holes drilled into their receivers and were stripped of internal parts. He was convicted in 2023 and sentenced to more than 20 years in prison after ATF’s “expert” added parts from real RPGs until they would fire a single subcaliber 7.62 x 39mm round. As a result, he classified the RPGs as destructive devices even though the same inert RPGs are still legally sold today without an FFL or any other paperwork. At the time of his arrest, Adamiak was an active-duty Navy E-6 and had been accepted to attend BUD/S (Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training).

“This is the day Tate and his family have fought for since his conviction 2023,” Williams said. “We have reported on this case on an almost weekly basis since his conviction and covered every angle of the story. In no way, shape or form did Tate deserve to be arrested, much less convicted for owning what are considered merely toy firearms. We are extremely thankful the administration saw an opportunity to right a wrong and are grateful Tate is now headed home to be with his family.”

Since first learning about Adamiak’s case, Williams has written more than 60 articles on the lack of evidence, the “expert” testimony presented at his trial and how officials in the Biden-era ATF railroaded an innocent young man to gain a conviction.

“Tate Adamiak endured every gun owner’s worst nightmare for more than four years,” said SAF Executive Director Adam Kraut. “Despite the tenacity of Matthew Larosiere’s representation of Tate during his prosecution and subsequent appeal, the judicial system failed to yield a just decision. Thanks to the tremendous investigative reporting by Lee, this case was brought to the forefront of people’s minds on a continuous basis. While Tate shouldn’t have endured what happened to him in the first place, we are thrilled he has finally received the pardon he deserves.” Read more

Safari Club International (SCI) and the Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation (Sportsmen’s) urged the U.S. Supreme Court to protect semi-automatic firearms commonly used in hunting under the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. These organizations submitted an amicus brief asking the Supreme Court to strike bans enacted by Cook County, Illinois, and the State of Connecticut, on use of these rifles by hunters, sportsmen, and recreational shooters.

In the brief, SCI and Sportsmen’s highlight their longstanding commitment to protecting hunting access and defending Second Amendment rights in connection with lawful hunting. Firearms are central to America’s hunting heritage, serve as essential tools for lawful hunting and wildlife management, and generate significant conservation funding nationwide.

The brief explains that semi-automatic rifles are protected “arms” and cannot be banned when commonly used for lawful purposes, including hunting. For more than a century, hunters have used semi-automatic rifles and continue to use these firearms due to their accuracy, adaptability, portability, affordability, and suitability for wildlife management and hunting.

“This case is about far more than a particular type of firearm. It is about protecting the constitutional rights of law-abiding Americans and preserving the tools hunters have safely and responsibly used for generations,” said W. Laird Hamberlin, CEO of SCI. “Semi-automatic rifles are commonly used for lawful purposes, including hunting and wildlife management. Bans on these firearms threaten our hunting heritage, undermine conservation efforts funded by hunters, and conflict with the Second Amendment’s protection of arms that are in common use.”

About Safari Club International: Safari Club International is a global leader in protecting the freedom to hunt and promoting wildlife conservation worldwide. Through advocacy, litigation, and education, SCI fights to promote the sustainable use of wildlife resources and to defend the rights of hunters. Visit www.safariclub.org today to join the mission.

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