The Kim Monson Show – July 15, 2024

On July 15, 2024, Ricky Rarick, Nephi Cole, Roger Mangan, and Joe Arbuckle joined the show. Military veteran and federal agency trainer analyzed the catastrophic breakdown in Secret Service protection at the Butler, Pennsylvania rally, explaining how advance teams failed to secure lines of sight and rooftops Discussed the proposed 6 Explained the new Matching of Undamaged Roof Surfacing Endorsement that allows homeowners to replace entire. Secret Service Security Breakdown Start listening at 16:41 – Hour 1 Ricky Rarick, a 23-year military veteran who trained federal agencies including the Secret Service and helped set up presidential rallies, provided expert analysis of the catastrophic security failures at the Butler, Pennsylvania rally. Rarick explained that Secret Service advance teams typically arrive weeks ahead to coordinate security, work with local law enforcement, and identify every potential line of sight to the protectee. The shooter positioned himself on a building just 140 yards from President Trump with an unobstructed view of the stage. Rarick emphasized that in his experience, every such line of sight would be obscured using large flags on cranes, bleachers, or curtains. He noted the counter-sniper teams appeared understaffed with only two teams present, when more coverage was clearly needed for an outdoor venue of this size. Rarick rejected claims that local police bore responsibility, explaining that Secret Service takes over every aspect of security planning. He suggested the failure stemmed from complacency after decades without a major incident, combined with insufficient advance team diligence in clearing buildings and securing rooftops within a thousand yards of the venue. “For them saying it, if that is in fact what they’re claiming, that it’s a local police responsibility is pretty much hogwash because the Secret Service comes in and takes over every aspect of it.” Ricky Rarick, Security Expert and Military Veteran Colorado Gun Rights Under Siege Start listening at 34:56 – Hour 1 Nephi Cole, Director of Government Relations and State Affairs for the National Shooting Sports Foundation, detailed multiple threats to Second Amendment rights facing Coloradans. A referendum placing a 6.5% excise tax on firearms and ammunition will appear on the November ballot, effectively creating what Cole called a poll tax on constitutional rights that disproportionately burdens lower-income individuals seeking self-defense options. Cole celebrated the defeat of HB 24-1292, Colorado’s proposed assault weapons ban that would have prohibited 50-70% of the most popular firearms in America. Both primary sponsors of the legislation lost their Democratic primary races, signaling that even left-leaning voters believe gun control efforts have gone too far. The NSSF and allied organizations prioritized defeating this bill as a firewall against similar legislation spreading to other states. The discussion also addressed Colorado’s sensitive spaces law, which restricts concealed carry in various locations. Cole posed a compelling test: if a location has never warranted security investment beyond a sign prohibiting firearms, it cannot legitimately be called a sensitive space. True sensitive spaces require metal detectors, active security, and real protection rather than symbolic prohibitions that only disarm law-abiding citizens. “If the only thing you have protecting your quote-unquote sensitive space is a sign, well, then it’s not really a sensitive space. It’s just a term you’re using to ban guns.”