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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.
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.