Wednesday, January 09, 2008

BREAKING NEWS: CA APPEALS COURT RULES UNANIMOUSLY IN FAVOR OF SAF LAWSUIT

In a unanimous decision today, the California Court of Appeals ruled that the City of San Francisco’s handgun ban is illegal under state law, upholding a lawsuit filed by the Second Amendment Foundation and several other groups...

SAF was joined in the lawsuit by the National Rifle Association, Law Enforcement Alliance of America, California Association of Firearms Retailers and several private citizens.

Click on title link for complete press release.

Click here for Appeals Court decision.

UPDATE: Here's NRA's press release. Notice how SAF credited NRA, as they always do, even though the courtesy is never ever ever ever ever ever reciprocated?

We're the Only Ones Getting Our Percentage Enough

What's particularly interesting is the authors' section on bargaining and the law. They estimate that roughly 3 percent of all tricks performed by prostitutes who aren't working with pimps are freebies given to police to avoid arrest. In fact, prostitutes get officially arrested only once per 450 tricks or so, leading the authors to conclude that "a prostitute is more likely to have sex with a police officer than to get officially arrested by one."
Blown away in the Windy City.

Gauleiter Daley's finest. "The Only Ones" Snuffy and Jesse tell us are trustworthy enough to be armed. And in this case, don't forget the ironically named Beavers.

Lives Not Worth Protecting--At Least Legally

A 30-year-old woman found dead in some Daytona Beach woods may be the latest victim of a serial killer already blamed for the deaths of several women in the same area.

I have a question for the "just give them what they want" advocates: What if this is what they want?

We talked about this a while back. But the victims are part of the criminal underclass, prostitutes, drug users, so they're prohibited by law from possessing the means of defense. And most "enforce existing gun law" gun owners are OK with that.

120 Pounds of Pure Tough

UPDATE NOTE: Ken Blumreich was misquoted by the reporters. See his clarification comment here, and my clarification post here.
She was an experienced hiker and accomplished martial arts student described by her self-defense instructor as "120 pounds of pure tough."

"I've seen her take down men twice her size," said Ken Blumreich.
No you haven't, Ken, not in a real fight, against a man whose intent is to kill. Those don't take place on mats, wearing protective gear, and with a sensei enforcing rules of engagement, including when to break off. And I don't know of too many dojos where full contact between men and women is allowed--or too may insurance carriers that would underwrite such an operation.

Look at the specs on the alleged assailant: He's 60 years old, 5/10", 160 lbs., bad teeth...doesn't sound like the most formidable of opponents, does he?

She was less than half his age, in the prime of health and strength and endurance...

We touched on this here. Life just isn't like the movies, where dashing heroines employ their fighting skills to dispatch multiple hulking killers with skill, and most of all, style. The simple fact is, except for extremely rare anomalies, a woman stands no chance against a man in a mortal physical confrontation.

I truly don't mean to disparage martial arts--they have their place in the toolkit. But ultimately, when confronted by a man intent on doing her vicious harm, a woman needs the ability to respond with lethal force, meaning she needs training, she needs the mindset, and she needs an equalizer.

A Victory in Chambersburg

Greg Rotz says he did nothing illegal when he brought his openly carried firearm to a voting precinct on election night in November.

According to state law, he's right. That's why after a very short hearing Tuesday afternoon, a judge decided Rotz's permit should be returned.

Two questions:

Since when do rogue sheriffs get to make up their own laws with no personal consequences for when they're caught doing it?

Why hasn't the name of the fascist constable been made public, and what the hell does his being comfortable have to do with our rights?

Be sure and watch the accompanying video. The reporter's last statement is worth noting: One of the reasons this came to a swift and successful conclusion is because of Internet mobilizing of gun rights activists. Fulfilling their supposed role as government watchdogs better than they do is another reason why so many "Authorized Journalists" resent and disparage the "amateurs."

[Via Seth]

An Obvious Solution

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine on Tuesday proposed requiring background checks for everyone who tries to purchase firearms at gun shows - legislation he called critical to helping prevent tragedies like the shootings at Virginia Tech.

Why didn't we think of this before? Next time there's a school shooting, just step up and inform the madman about Tim Kaine's critical new edict--that ought to stop him in his tracks! Providing he isn't one of the over 99.3% of criminals who obtained their firearm from a source other than a gun show...

[Via SameNoKami]

We're the Only Ones Popping Our Partners Enough

The trooper shot last month while attempting a traffic stop in far East El Paso was wounded by a bullet fired from his partner's .357 handgun, officials disclosed Monday...
I guess "a bullet fired from his partner's gun" sounds better than "a bullet fired by an "Only One."

And, naturally:
The name of the trooper whose gun went off is being withheld by DPS and the Texas Rangers. Hoelscher was unable to say if the trooper will face disciplinary action.
[Via Michael S]

It's All About Control

What should be controversial in the proposed revisions to Title 24 is the requirement for what is called a "programmable communicating thermostat" or PCT. Every new home and every change to existing homes' central heating and air conditioning systems will required to be fitted with a PCT beginning next year following the issuance of the revision. Each PCT will be fitted with a "non-removable " FM receiver that will allow the power authorities to increase your air conditioning temperature setpoint or decrease your heater temperature setpoint to any value they chose.
I like the way Joseph Somsel begins this piece, parodying the intro to "The Outer Limits": We will control the horizontal...

Y'see, it's not about "gun control" per se, it's about control, and more specifically, who gets to do the controlling.

I've been warning for years that the next step after personalized guns are mandated will be to require a remote radio-controlled shutoff switch for the authorities. After all, who could possibly be against such a life-saving device--except someone up to no good?

How tough of a sell do you think that would be to our savvy and informed electorate?

[Via Les K]

We're the Only Ones Stunning Enough--Just Kidding...

A Fentress County deputy lost his job after being accused of zapping a fellow deputy and an innocent citizen with a stun gun.

Investigators say Deputy Chris Peters borrowed a stun gun from the constable and then started shocking people.

Ha ha. Good one, Chris.

Hey, as long as you're in the mood for pranks, I've got another one for you to try: Break into an armed relative's house at night and don't tell 'em it's you!

Oh, my ribs, they ache with mirth!

I do have one question though: If I go and commit criminal assault on a couple people, including an "Only One," the worst thing that'll happen is I'll lose my job?

[Via Tony G]

CeaseFire PA Director's Watch: 01/09/08


I'm starting to get worried. Maybe someone should knock on the door and see if everybody's OK in there...?

This Day in History: January 9

On January 9, 1777, Congress, without consulting Washington and without holding any hearing, passed a resolution dismissing both Morgan and Stringer from the army. Thus ended the army career of a man who never had a chance of a success. A man of high character and ability, of tireless energy under every discouragement, he made a gallant struggle against the impossible. If the medical service of this period of the war was a failure, so was every other service of the army, and the army command itself. An army of amateurs was pitted against professionals and only the costly lessons of failure could equalize them. Morgan retired a disappointed and broken man, the victim of public clamor against failures which were more chargeable to Congress than to any army service.