ATF Raid on Mark Choppa: A Chilling Attack on 2A Rights

in News

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In the early hours of a quiet morning last month, Mark Choppa (aka Mark Manley), a Second Amendment advocate, educator, and community activist, found his home under siege by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).

What should have been an ordinary day began with tactical agents surrounding his home, flashbang grenades detonating, and rifles aimed at his family — including his children.

Who is Mark Choppa?

Mark Choppa isn’t just any gun rights advocate. He’s a dedicated mentor and community leader who spends his days teaching firearm safety, conflict resolution, and de-escalation strategies in Baltimore schools.

He also coaches girls’ flag football and runs workshops educating urban communities about responsible gun ownership. For Mark, the Second Amendment isn’t just about owning firearms; it’s about safety, education, and empowering underserved communities.

The Raid: What Happened?

At 4 AM, Mark and his wife were already awake, preparing for their day as educators in Baltimore’s public school system. Mark noticed agents crawling across his lawn and attempting to breach his home.

Despite Mark announcing his presence and cooperating with authorities, the ATF still threw a flashbang grenade into the living room, disorienting his wife.

As Mark brought his children to safety, he witnessed agents pointing rifles at his two daughters — a 13-year-old and a 17-year-old — even though they had complied with commands. Mark described this moment as unforgivable and traumatic for his family.

Why Was Mark Targeted?

According to Mark, the raid stemmed from an anonymous tip claiming he possessed illegal firearms, including machine guns.

“They were looking for illegal firearms. They were looking for machine guns. And it was said that somebody had said these things about me, that I had illegal firearms,” Choppa said.

However, Mark insists all his firearms are legally owned, Maryland-compliant, and registered. Despite this compliance, the ATF moved forward with extreme force, bypassing any investigation or due diligence.

Notably, no firearms were confiscated during the raid, and Mark hasn’t been charged with any crimes. The only item seized was a cell phone.

A Pattern of Harassment

This isn’t Mark’s first encounter with government interference. His community events — designed to teach firearm safety and self-defense — have faced repeated shutdowns.

Authorities have threatened property owners with hefty fines and legal consequences for hosting Mark’s events, despite his full compliance with local laws.

“The government has been shutting down my two-way events,” he told Jeff Charles in a recent interview. “They’ve been shutting down my workshops, and the only thing they can say is because they received a complaint.

Mark believes his advocacy has made him a target. His mission to normalize responsible firearm ownership in urban communities directly challenges the prevailing anti-gun narrative often imposed on underserved neighborhoods.

“I want to normalize educated Black firearm owners in the inner city,” he said. “I want to put emphasis on self-defense laws and teach our youth how to be responsible.”

The Bigger Picture

Mark’s story isn’t unique. Across the country, federal agencies have shown a troubling pattern of overreach when it comes to lawful gun owners, especially those in marginalized communities.

What happened to Mark is a stark reminder of the dangers posed by unchecked federal power.

Moving Forward

Despite the trauma and harassment, Mark remains undeterred. He’s currently planning to open a community center focused on youth programs, self-defense training, and firearm education.

His goal is clear: to empower his community through knowledge and responsibility.

How You Can Help

Mark is calling on supporters to help fund his legal defense. Federal agencies have vast resources, and fighting them in court is costly. You can support Mark by visiting his Instagram (@markchoppa) or subscribing to his YouTube channel (Mark Choppa TV).

Final Thoughts

Mark Choppa’s story isn’t just about a raid — it’s about the constitutional rights of every American. His resilience in the face of adversity serves as a powerful reminder of why the Second Amendment exists in the first place.

Learn more about Choppa’s story HERE.

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About the author: Larry Z Welcome to “Inside GunsAmerica: Where Values Meet Excellence”, an exclusive deep dive into one of the leading online platforms dedicated to the promotion and protection of the Second Amendment.

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  • Kane January 8, 2025, 10:41 pm

    Once again a needless raid seems to confirm that the anti-Federalists had a legit point fearing too much power in a centralized government.

  • Raymundo Borrego January 3, 2025, 11:38 am

    This why I vote Republican and own guns. Our government is under Woke Ideology and is weaponized against law abiding citizens and LGO’s AKA Legal Gun Owners instead of criminals with guns.

  • TexasPatriot January 3, 2025, 7:28 am

    ATF doesn’t need a new director. They need to be abolished and their over zealous agents sent to the unemployment line.

  • Daddy December 30, 2024, 11:27 am

    This, among many other events, when people come stalking up on your house, regardless of the costume they are wearing, everyone needs to start shooting first.

  • Hondo December 30, 2024, 8:56 am

    This clown show ATF needs to be disbanded, this is an out of control agency, good thing crooked pedophile Joe and his band of flunkies are almost out the door.

  • Dusty December 29, 2024, 6:05 am

    If the ATF put this much effort into fighting actual illegal firearms in the possession of criminals, there might not be so many crimes committed with firearms . But I guess it’s much easier to go after someone that promotes gun safety and responsible gun ownership.

  • Kevin Stich December 28, 2024, 3:57 pm

    I can’t wait until the new Congress and Mr. Trump eliminate the ATF. Maybe the officials who run it can find jobs as garbage collectors.

  • TacSKS December 27, 2024, 10:41 pm

    Test

  • Dave December 27, 2024, 6:51 pm

    We all know the ATF and the FBI’s reputation of shoot first and then decide if you screwed up after you “Fix” the crime scene. Mark is lucky to be alive. These tyrannical thugs all need to be prosecuted and fired.

  • Richard December 27, 2024, 5:42 pm

    ATF needs to be the first government agency to be abolished in the Trump administration and then the IRS needs to be the next. Time to clean house and rid America of defective US unelected bureaucracy’s.

  • Ned December 27, 2024, 3:22 pm

    I have not seen where Trump has named anyone to replace Dettelbach as head of ATF. Could it be be he plans to shut ATF down?
    If not, Ted Nugent should be on top of the list.

  • Robert Mccallum December 27, 2024, 3:22 pm

    So an anonymous tip is all it takes these days and they can read your house? How the hell is that probable cause? What kind of crap bag judge gave them a warrant to search his house. Are just a system is so flawed and corrupt.

  • Big Al 45LC December 27, 2024, 2:12 pm

    The ATF is made up of and guided by Fascists, plain and simple. It’s time to cut that Agency to the bone. And ANY Agent that supports it.

  • Larry December 27, 2024, 12:27 pm

    He needs an attorney

  • Hondo December 27, 2024, 11:15 am

    This agency needs to be dissolved, they don’t work for people and frankly they’ve gone woke.

  • Peter C Nelson December 27, 2024, 10:18 am

    If he hasn’t been charged with anything, why does he need money to fund his defense? Is there something missing from the he article?

  • Lyle Knox December 27, 2024, 9:39 am

    The SAF needs to go after these goons!

  • AK December 27, 2024, 9:38 am

    Isn’t that nice.

    The ATF is color-blind.

    They tyrannize everyone equally.

    Brandon Herrera for ATF Director.

  • Vic December 27, 2024, 8:38 am

    It seems to me the government doesn’t like folks to be taught responsible gun ownership.
    Government needs chaos to be able to operate.
    Society with no crime doesn’t need law enforcement.

  • Vic December 27, 2024, 8:38 am

    It seem so to me the government doesn’t like folks to be taught responsible gun ownership.
    Government needs chaos to be able to operate.
    Society with no crime doesn’t need law enforcement.

  • Cliff December 27, 2024, 8:18 am

    This is the result of the “weaponizing” these agencies, by the FRAUDULENTLY “INSTALLED” biden administration. These COMMUNIST THUGS are given a “free pass” to do as they want. It is only a matter of time, before WE the PEOPLE begin to fight back from these “gestapo tactics”, and I am afraid, there will be bloodshed.
    Once inaugurated, President TRUMP needs to call for the reining in and fireing of these thugs, as well as call for the arrest, and PROSECUTION all those individuals, that refuse to acknowledge the GOD-GIVEN RIGHTS of the American citizens, once the DOJ is “cleaned up”, by calling for the removal of the “higher-ups” that are destroying this country. “Following their orders” can no longer be accepted as an old, tired, “excuse” for terrorizing, and ignoring the rights of the citizens of this country,

  • Tom December 27, 2024, 8:04 am

    Sure hope President Trump makes all those people “Pay” big time for this harassment to Mark & all the others they have done this to!

  • Richard Wayne December 27, 2024, 7:38 am

    The ATF is nothing but scum. The entire agency needs disbanded!!

  • ernie johnson December 27, 2024, 7:17 am

    ATF just trying to justify its existence. look at Ruby Ridge, Waco. all these happened by a corrupt agency, that was to be disbanded into other agencies.the sheriff in Waco spoke with Koresh every day but was told to stand down by ATF so they could get the glory. yet ATF still operating.

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