Sometimes it is better to be lucky than good. I got a call a few weeks ago from a fellow instructor, Michele Granache, who also runs a women’s group called Pistol Sisters. She asked if I wanted to interview Kyle Wayne Culotta’s fiancée, Sarande Diane. Um….YES!
Here’s the scoop on Mr Culotta. First, he’s an Air Force veteran. He & Diane were moving to either northern Massachusetts or southern New Hampshire from Arizona. He’s from the Grand Canyon state, she’s from the Bay State. Sarande has family and friends in central Mass. They traveled 2,500 miles without any issues. While in Gardner, Mass, doing some Door Dashing to make gas and food money. Until they made some money, they were between living in their car and staying with friends. Driving through a rotary and failing to yield, they were pulled over. The officer found out the insurance wasn’t up to date either. So he wanted the car impounded. The officer told them to take out what they needed from the car.
Being from “free America”, Kyle went to get his carry handgun, which also happened to have a magazine with more than 10 rounds in it. Which, of course, is illegal in Massachusetts, where liberty was born. And has died.
Kyle was sent to prison without bail as the judge thought he was a flight risk and a danger to society since he’s from Arizona. Things are very fuzzy as he isn’t a resident of Massachusetts. He wasn’t quite traveling through the Commonwealth. And he had some handguns and a long gun that he was going to sell to help pay for them to get up and going.
This past weekend, I got to spend some time with Sarande, getting to know her and learning more about Kyle’s case. The Gun Owners Action League is helping with the case, getting some good pro-Second Amendment attorneys to help. Kyle has been locked up since late June 2025.
The issue with all of this stems from Chapter 135, which is the wildly anti-gun law that the AGG (Anti-Gun Governor) signed in July of 2024. Governor Healey even signed an “emergency preamble” to get the law into effect earlier than 90 days after she signed it. Then gave the state 18 months (547 days) to figure out what the new training requirements will be to obtain a license to carry.
One big lesson is that before they had some Second Amendment attorneys, they had some public defenders. The offer the PD came up with was 3-4 years in prison and zero ability to buy firearms ever again.
Should you ever end up in a situation with a firearm, you are going to need an attorney who is well-versed in Second Amendment issues. Not a public defender.
There are lots of ways viewers can help. People can donate to the Give Send Go they’ve set up. You can also donate to GOAL’s website.
With 29 states with permitless carry, the states most affected by the Bruen decision are still fighting for their civil rights. I had a chance to talk to Kyle before we filmed the show. He’s a great guy, locked up due to a stupid law, and has zero criminal intent. Sarande is a sweetheart of a woman who is fighting like hell to get her man out and free again. Tune in and check out this wild story.
Favorite quotes:
- “They assumed he’s out by now. But he is not.”
- “My grandparents were dreaming of America, not Worcester.”
- “We had everything we owned in the car, including firearms.”
- “The mags are what they deemed him dangerous on.”
- “Dictators love unarmed peasants.”
About Riding Shotgun With Charlie
Riding Shotgun With Charlie isn’t about firearms. It is about having an intimate conversation with 2 people talking. You’re the fly on the rearview mirror. Many of the passengers are involved in the firearm community.
This is a more intimate conversation than a phone, radio, or Skype interview. You get to see the passengers. And you’ll see where the road and the conversation take you!
www.ridingshotgunwithcharlie.com.
The way this state is regressing it’s a wonder people aren’t fleeing is huge numbers. I’d leave if it wasn’t for my kids! Legislators are out of control in bringing these poorly thought-out bills which do absolutely nothing to stop crime with guns. Do they really think that people who want to commit crimes with guns will adhere to these ridiculous laws?
I recognize that 2A is national pre-emption, however apparently inferior jurisdictions and courts fail to recognize this simple reality. Maybe it is time for legislation explicitly claiming pre-emption would help…? Since inferior courts continue to ignore or at least twist SCOTUS rulings – they’d have no problem ignoring federal law as well.
If one is a gun enthusiast in Arizona, and needing to move east with the options, Massachusetts or New Hampshire, why in hell would one choose Massachusetts?
I am certain I am not the stupid one in this instance, because I keep asking this question and no one even addresses the question let alone answers it. I will ask it again and give my background reasoning for my thoughts. “Why have we allowed government (the courts up to the SCOTUS) to treat the Second Amendment as an INalienable Civil Right (regulated) when its purpose (individual protection [self-defense] against the evil acts of other individuals and/or the governments they create) is clearly described in the Declaration as being UNalienable (inherent in the individual and, as an Act of… Read more »