The popularity of any given mass movement can frequently be directly proportionate to how inoffensive and, well, pointless it is. The “Wear Orange” campaign, spearheaded by the various heads of Michael Bloomberg’s anti-gun hydra, is evidence of this principle. In order to mark “National Gun Violence Awareness Day” on June 2, some people plan to wear orange.

This may be pointless, but participating is an easy way of scoring points for being “socially conscious.” That’s why a host of stars including Julianne Moore, Russell Simmons and Michael Stipe will be participating, along with shows of support from MTV and HBO. “We’re often presented with a false choice in the guns debate: That you have to ‘pick a side,’” Stipe said. “But every American opposes gun violence …” It’s a shame that quite a few presumably well-meaning celebrities are caught up in a thinly veiled anti-gun stunt orchestrated by Bloomberg and friends.

Texas is on track to finally pass licensed open carry. Lawmakers met Thursday and removed a stipulation that barred police from stopping citizens and asking for their license, removing what seems to be the final barrier to sending the legislation to Gov. Greg Abbott, who has pledged to sign it. It appears that a campus carry bill will also reach Gov. Abbott’s desk before the legislative session ends Monday.

The eyes of the nation have been upon Texas’ 2015 legislative session. Though gun-friendly, Texas is one of the last remaining states to ban open carry. The struggle over Second Amendment rights in Texas has been a major priority for pro-freedom forces as well as anti-gun billionaire Michael Bloomberg, who will no doubt declare some victory in defeat.

However, restoring the rights of 27 million Texans (second in population only to California) can only be viewed as a massive victory for firearm freedom.

Unable to pass any significant restrictive gun-control legislation over the past several years, some gun-banners in the U.S. Congress are becoming frustrated. The result: lawmakers introducing ridiculous bills aimed at law-abiding gun owners, while completely ignoring criminals.

U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., is an excellent example. Misleadingly titled the Firearm Risk Protection Act, Maloney’s newly introduced legislation would require gun owners to purchase liability insurance coverage before being allowed to purchase a firearm. Gun owners without insurance would face a $10,000 fine.

Of course, such a law would do nothing to curtail crime. Criminals, who don’t even acquire their guns through legal means, certainly wouldn’t take out an insurance policy on their illegal guns. Instead, such a law would be an expensive nuisance for law-abiding gun owners—likely exactly what Maloney had planned.

A measure seeking to deregulate the carry of concealed firearms for self-defense in Maine has cleared a major hurdle, passing the State Senate on Thursday by a 21-14 vote.

LD 652, sponsored by Republican Sen. Eric Brakey, would eliminate Maine’s requirement that an individual obtain a permit from Maine State Police or local officials before carrying a concealed firearm. “If someone plans to commit a crime with a firearm, they have little incentive to seek a permit before committing their crime,” Brakey told the Maine Sun Journal. “This policy only impacts those who seek to remain law-abiding citizens. By erecting barriers to the legal right to bear arms, you disarm the very people who enhance public safety and empower those intent on doing crimes.”

The measure would not negate the state’s Right-to-Carry permit system, so permits would still be available those who want to get one.

Kenneth Sykes of Louisville, Tenn., was taking an afternoon nap when he awoke to the sounds of his kids screaming in terror.

“Then my son and daughter run in, they say some guy is trying to come in, he is running on the side of the house now,” Sykes said. So he grabbed his gun and headed outside, where he was met by 31-year-old Corey Gill.

Sykes pointed his gun at Gill, ordered him not to move and held him at gunpoint until police arrived. Gill was later charged with burglary and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Sykes was just grateful no one was hurt. “If I would have been in the living room, up and moving around, it would have been a different phone call. We wouldn’t have been calling 911, we would’ve been calling EMS or the coroner.”