Space Force Sergeant Sentenced to 54 Years and a Rare 10th Circuit 2A Win
By Edgar Antillón – Guns For Everyone National
When it comes to the Second Amendment, two recent stories illustrate the high stakes of freedom, responsibility, and how court rulings shape our future. On one hand, we have the tragic case of a Space Force sergeant sentenced to 54 years in prison for a shooting over a car. On the other, the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals delivered a rare pro-2A decision by halting New Mexico’s seven-day waiting period for firearm purchases.
Both cases matter to gun owners across the country—but especially here in Colorado, where Guns For Everyone National (GFEN) works every day to educate, certify, and fight for lawful self-defense.
Who We Are: GFEN’s Mission
Before diving into the stories, let’s recap what GFEN does and why.
- Instructor Certification: We train and certify firearms instructors nationwide.
- Competitions: We run firearms competitions, including the Concealed Carry Cup, which doubles as a qualification path for Colorado concealed handgun permits under C.R.S. 18-12-203 (1)(h)(I).
- Free Classes: We are proud to offer free concealed carry classes for law-abiding citizens, making self-defense training accessible to everyone.
- Legal Fights: We sue sheriff’s offices when they overstep, and we raise funds through our legal defense fund to protect the rights of students and instructors.
“Freedom is uncomfortable. Freedom is dangerous. Freedom means standing up for rights you may not personally use, because if your neighbor isn’t free—you aren’t free either.”
GFEN is not just a training organization—it’s a movement for responsibility and freedom.
Case #1: The Space Force Sergeant and 54 Years in Prison
On July 5, 2023, Orest Schur, a U.S. Space Force technical sergeant, woke up to the sound of his Hyundai Elantra’s alarm. Instead of calling the police, Schur grabbed his pistol, chased down two teenagers he thought were stealing the car, and opened fire. He fired 11 shots, striking both teens.
- One 14-year-old was killed with gunshots to his back and hand.
- A 13-year-old driver was wounded but survived.
- Forensic evidence showed no shots were fired at Schur.
In August 2025, Schur was sentenced to 54 years in prison for second-degree murder and attempted murder.
Why the Law Didn’t Support Him
Colorado law is clear:
- C.R.S. 18-1-706 allows “reasonable and appropriate physical force” to defend property.
- But deadly force is only allowed when defending life—your own or someone else’s—under C.R.S. 18-1-704.
In this case, Schur wasn’t defending his life. The teens were fleeing, unarmed, and running away when he fired.
“If you feel like you need a gun to defend your stuff outside, you’ve already lost the fight.”
Edgar Antillón hammered the point home: there is no car worth 54 years in prison.
The Cost of “Stuff Over Life”
It’s easy to say, “The kids shouldn’t have been stealing.” And that’s true—they were breaking the law. But accountability for theft doesn’t justify deadly force against people running away.
Antillón laid it out plainly:
- Now, someone else is raising Schur’s kids.
- Someone else is sleeping in his bed.
- And Schur’s entire life is traded—for a Hyundai Elantra.
This wasn’t self-defense. It was ego, poor judgment, and misplaced priorities.
The Lesson for Gun Owners
For every gun owner, especially concealed carry students, the takeaway is simple:
- Defend life, not property.
- Don’t let emotion push you into a gunfight you don’t need.
- Freedom means discipline.
As Antillón put it, even if Texas laws seem more permissive, no state truly protects you if you start a gunfight over a car.
Case #2: A Rare 10th Circuit 2A Victory
While Colorado was reeling from the Schur case, the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals handed gun owners a rare win.
In August 2025, a three-judge panel blocked New Mexico’s seven-day waiting period for firearm purchases, ruling that it likely violates the Second Amendment.
This shocked many in the firearms community because:
- The 10th Circuit (covering Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming, Utah, Kansas, and Oklahoma) is historically hostile to gun-rights cases.
- Most 2A advocates see it as a weak path to the Supreme Court.
Yet here we are: a major circuit court saying waiting periods may not pass constitutional muster.
Why It Matters for Colorado
Colorado passed its own three-day waiting period in 2023, which is still in effect. The New Mexico case could have created momentum to halt Colorado’s law as well.
But there’s a catch: thanks to a Supreme Court ruling on birthright citizenship, nationwide injunctions are no longer the norm. Victories apply narrowly. That means Colorado’s law still stands—for now.
Freedom Beyond Politics
Antillón cautioned gun owners against blind party loyalty. He noted that restrictions on injunctions came from the Trump administration, and Trump also supported:
- Bump stock bans
- Red flag laws
- Other anti-gun policies
“This isn’t about left or right. It’s about freedom. Supporting policies you like on one issue often backfires on gun rights in the long run.”
In other words, the fight for the Second Amendment isn’t partisan—it’s about principles.
The Bigger Picture: Freedom Comes With Responsibility
Both stories connect around one theme: responsibility.
- In Aurora, responsibility meant choosing not to escalate a property crime into a tragedy.
- In New Mexico, responsibility means defending constitutional rights even when politics make it uncomfortable.
Antillón reminded viewers that GFEN is fighting these battles daily, from suing Colorado sheriffs who misinterpret permit laws to teaching free CCW classes across the country. But ultimately, individuals must advocate for themselves.
Too many citizens, he warned, fold at the first “no” from government officials instead of standing up and demanding accountability.
Call to Action: Join the Fight for Freedom
If these stories prove anything, it’s that freedom isn’t free—and neither is defending it. GFEN depends on donations, participation, and advocacy from regular people who refuse to hand over their rights without a fight.
Here’s how you can help:
- Take a Free Concealed Carry Class: See upcoming classes.
- Support the Legal Fund: Donate here. Every dollar helps us fight lawsuits against abusive sheriffs.
- Get Involved: Share this article, talk to your neighbors, and learn how to advocate for yourself at the local level.
Final Word
Freedom is messy. It’s uncomfortable. It means defending rights even when you don’t personally benefit, and it means having the discipline to walk away when your ego tempts you into a fight.
The Space Force sergeant who lost his life to a prison sentence shows what happens when freedom and responsibility part ways. The 10th Circuit’s decision on New Mexico’s waiting period shows what’s possible when courts remember that rights don’t vanish with politics.
At Guns For Everyone National, we’ll celebrate the small wins, fight the big battles, and keep teaching ordinary Americans how to be responsible, principled defenders of freedom.