With Democratic leaders in the U.S. Senate threatening to do anything within their power to stop the confirmation of Judge Neil Gorsuch to the U.S. Supreme Court, the National Rifle Association is going on the offense.

NRA’s Institute for Legislative Action has announced a $1 million ad buy in four states—Indiana, North Dakota, Montana and Missouri—urging U.S. senators in those states to oppose a filibuster and vote to confirm Gorsuch. The ads specifically target Democrat U.S. Senators Joe Donnelly of Indiana, Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota, Jon Tester of Montana and Claire McCaskill of Missouri.

“Right now, we don’t have a majority on the Supreme Court in support of our basic right to keep a gun in our home for self-protection,” said Chris W. Cox, NRA-ILA executive director. “Judge Neil Gorsuch would strongly defend our constitutional rights, including the Second Amendment. It's critical that the U.S. Senate swiftly confirm Judge Gorsuch.”

The U.S. Senate vote on Gorsuch’s confirmation is set for April 7.

On Wednesday, PennLive.com published a column, penned by gun-hating extremist Bob Quarteroni, vilifying suppressors. (That’s the same guy who once wrote that our gun laws “are idiotic,” in large part “because the National Rifle Association is full of evil people.”) The condescending, irrational results were predictable: 

-- NRA is backing current efforts to deregulate suppressors “because they are afraid the poor dears out hunting are hurting their ears with the loud bang-bangs they have to put up with. Seriously.” 

-- “… shots muffled by silencers would make it harder for potential victims to know that carnage was headed their way …” 

-- NRA possesses “a blind, unhinged devotion to their twisted interpretation of the Second Amendment,” and “never worry about the consequences of the hell they unleash on the public …” 

Quarteroni’s unhinged rant against the sensible use of suppressors might be enough to make gun owners grateful, for once, for the hearing loss that plagues us.

On Tuesday, nearly 40 Republican lawmakers unveiled a measure that could make Wisconsin the next constitutional carry state. 

The measure would allow non-prohibited persons to carry concealed handguns without having to register or pay fees to the government, would end Wisconsin’s ban on Tasers, and would establish a license allowing parents taking children to and from school to have a firearm in their vehicle. (While federal law allows licensed gun owners this right, it is illegal under current state law.) 

According to Rep. Mary Felzkowski, the bill would eliminate ambiguities and “gotcha” clauses in current law “which have tripped people up.” NRA spokeswoman Amy Hunter described one: “… while they’re carrying openly, if they put a coat on or if they need to put their firearm in their purse, [they] instantly become a criminal.” 

One opponent, Sen. Minority Leader Jennifer Shilling, said, “Allowing anyone to carry a loaded, concealed firearm in public without any safety training or a simple background check is completely irresponsible.” She of course did not elaborate on how—if such laws are so irresponsible—the state has managed to have “permitless” open carry for years without incident.

The day started off normally enough with a student headed off to school. Hours later, the student was suspended and sent home for “threatening to shoot and kill other students.” The criminal: 5-year-old Caitlin Miller. Her crime: Picking up a gun-shaped playground stick during an imaginary game of “King of Queen.” 

Caitlin was the guard protecting the royals, and she made a shooting motion toward the mock intruders. That action caused Hoke County (N.C.) School officials to fear that the 5-year-old girl posed a threat to other students. 

“Hoke County Schools will not tolerate assaults, threats or harassment from any student,” school officials told WTVD-TV. In return, Caitlin’s outraged mother has demanded an apology from the school. Caitlin returned to school after her one-day suspension. 

The real question: Should the school be held responsible for leaving dangerous “weapons” laying around a playground within a gun-free zone?

A retired Texas police officer was working in his yard last Saturday evening when he saw another man approaching—a man that was wearing a ski mask and holding a machete.

The Harris County Sheriff’s Office told KTRK-TV in Houston that the masked man was the ex-HPD officer’s 20-year-old neighbor. And when the officer asked if he was OK, the neighbor holding the blade replied, “Yes. I’m here to kill you.” As he raised the knife overhead and charged, the officer shot the man in the abdomen. 

The neighbor, who reportedly has a history of mental illness, was taken to the hospital by LifeFlight and is expected to survive. Investigators say that he will be charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The 58-year-old man, who retired from the Houston Police Department in 2004, was not injured.