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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?
The homie Mark Choppa got raided by the ATF.
— Kerry Slone(Stilettos&Shotguns) (@thereal_SnS) November 24, 2024
Mark has been a strong advocate for the 2nd Amendment and responsible gun ownership in the Black community in Baltimore you years.
You don’t hate the ATF enough.
🧵 pic.twitter.com/rxcm9rJNy3
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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