Tuesday, October 31, 2006

CRPA's Line in the Sand


There is none.

Yeah, I know--Phil Angelides will really really ban guns.

And yeah, I know, Arnold did refuse to sign some gun bills.

All of those bills collectively did not have the significance of his signing into law the ban on .50 caliber rifles, or his approving a law that disarms citizens who have not been convicted of any crime--but have merely been accused by someone with a motive to hurt them.



And here's the thing. He warned us.

He told us "Gun control should be stiffer," that he supported the Brady Bill, favored the "assault weapons" ban and "closing the loophole of the gun shows." He endorsed "trigger lock laws," and pledged to sign legislation requiring gun owners to pass a state-defined test in order to purchase a handgun, requiring load indicators or magazine safety disconnects on semiauto handguns manufactured after 2006, and banning .50 caliber rifles.

Some of us (OK, me) watched in frustration as warnings went unheeded and most major gun groups stayed silent during the recall that resulted in Arnold's elevation to power, one even claiming that he was secretly pro-gun and had given some groups money. "Good size chunks" of it.

The truth is, Californians have no candidate who is pro-rkba who has a chance of winning. To suggest otherwise, to endorse a known gungrabber, is an insult to gun owners.

Why not just tell us the truth?

I wouldn't have a problem with CRPA telling its members that Angelides will be more active and hostile against us than Arnold, and to weigh that fact in their decision making. That would be an honest assessment, and if people chose to vote defensively, that would at least be an informed choice.

But to endorse him?

The best we can hope for this election is to put Tom McClintock within a heartbeat of the post, and I wonder how many of you California gun owners reading this have sent a contribution to his campaign. I have. He really needs it. That's the endorsement message we should be hearing from our "leaders."

But it looks like CRPA will end up having it both ways. Their "recommended" candidate can ban the guns, and their lawyer can provide the escort service to turn 'em in.

[Thanks to Dave L for sending me the brochure, and to John S for sending me a picture of the endorsement page.]

Consider it Considered

The Clarke County School District is considering allowing high school security supervisors to carry guns on campus.
How magnanimous of them.

If a school shooter shows up, which member of the Board of Education Policy Committee is prepared to let him know he's not on the "approved" list?

[Via Cousin G]

A Leopard Never Changes Its Spots

Americans will not even talk about the possibility of gun control, despite the high number of killings, writes Michael Gawenda.
Demonstrably false, absurdly so. Michael Gawenda is still a liar.

[Via Cousin G]

A Spooky Halloween Tale

The Spread of small arms creates a serious global problem and requires an equally urgent response because the lives and future of children are at stake. These weapons have extinguished more young lives than they have protected.” Carol Bellamy, Executive Director, UNICEF
Tonight, of course, is Halloween. If any young goblins show up on your doorstep trick or treating for UNICEF, patiently explain that you don't contribute to organizations that endanger children and enable genocide by leading in the demand for global citizen disarmament. Go ahead and give them a piece of candy if you're inclined to observe tonight's tradition, but don't forget that every coin the UN gets is a piece of metal that can be used to forge chains.

This Day in History: October 31

On this day in 1776, in his first speech before British Parliament since the leaders of the American Revolution came together to sign of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, King George III acknowledges that all was not going well for Britain in the war with the United States.

Monday, October 30, 2006

Talking Points

From NRA-ILA Grassroots Alert...ELECTION DAY- WHAT (MORE!) CAN I DO?:
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Please submit at least one letter to the editor of your local newspaper in support of a pro-gun candidate between now and Election Day. Consult your paper's deadlines, as some papers stop accepting political letters to the editor on a certain date prior to the election. You can find media contact information by visiting our homepage--www.NRAILA.org -- and clicking the "Take Action" icon, and then the "Write The Media" link. Your goal in writing should be to ensure that pro-gun candidates are receiving positive media in these final days leading up to November 7.
That's a great idea, ILA--I'd love to write a letter in support of Bill Brown for Sheriff.

I just need some "talking points". What exactly has he done for us again...?

Is Canada's Gun Lobby an Offshoot of the NRA?

And so we have the same misinformation being dished out here as in the United States: for example, that gun control doesn't work.
That's not the message I get from MY NRA...

Wayne just doesn't think we enforce it enough:
"Walk down to Town Hall and tell your prosecuting attorneys that from now on, no plea bargains, no reduced charges, no dropped cases."
Is that an unpermitted gun in your pocket, or are you just glad to be here?

[Via Cousin G and HZ]

We're the Only Ones Saddled Up Enough

Looks like our Union (thug) friend gets his kicks pulling his gun on his friends. I'd hate to be his enemy.

Anyone care to venture a guess what would happen to the first citizen/subject to jokingly pull a loaded gun on Huff? Do you think Huff would write it off as "common horseplay?"
The Subversive tells us of a gunslinging cowboy who would be sheriff. Maybe he missed the Carnival because he was at the rodeo?

[More from "The Only Ones" files...]

We're the Only Ones Limping Enough

A mandatory round of firearms training was ordered for all Morris County Sheriff's officers yesterday after a second officer in three days accidentally shot himself in the leg, Sheriff Edward Rochford said.
These guys might have made it to the Carnival if they hadn't insisted on walking...

[More from "The Only Ones" files...]

[Via Wm H]

This Day in History: October 30

On this day in 1775, the Continental Congress appoints seven members to serve on an administrative naval committee tasked with the acquisition, outfitting and manning of a naval fleet to be used in defense against the British. Almost two weeks earlier, on October 13, 1775, Congress had authorized the construction and arming of vessels for the country’s first navy.

Sunday, October 29, 2006

Carnival of "The Only Ones"


Hurry, hurry, hurry...

Welcome to the festival. This one was put together on short notice, so participation's kind of scant--still, we have a few outstanding attractions, so let's head on down the Midway and take a look at them...

A Keyboard and a .45 showcases "We're the 'Only Ones' Who Can Not Tell Black From White!"
The eye witnesses to the suspect escaping from the crash were police officers who described the man as a young black man in a hoodie with a .22 pistol. It appears that the suspect somehow morphed into a young white man, wearing a blue sweatshirt and carrying an assault rifle.
A Friend of Freedom doesn't have a blog, but wanted to set up a table here at the Carnival to call our attention to a sideshow that could be called "We're the Only Ones Stung Enough":
Two Chicago cops were arrested Wednesday in an FBI sting for allegedly stealing $31,000 from self-storage lockers they thought were rented by a drug dealer.
Likewise, Cousin G wanted in on the act, so he's standing by the Big Tent handing out flyers titled "We're the Only Ones Presenting Opportunities Enough":
The Money Quote: "Investigators said Parkey's guns were in a gun safe but that the safe was not locked."
Cousin G also directs us to a follow-up to this story, something that could be called "We're the Only Ones Sheltered by the Media Enough":
The veteran officer - the Sun is not naming him yet - was suspended from duty with pay on Thursday.


Meanwhile, over at the side shows, Free Constitution wins "Best of Freak Show" hands down. Forget Siamese Twins or The Two-Headed Boy, he's got an "Only One" who can be TWO PLACES AT ONCE! Meet "We're the Only Ones Sick & Fraudulent Enough":
[M]eet Retired Police Officer Charles B. Lincoln who managed to work two government jobs, while giving the effort required of one.
Dang, it, Stan. I hate it when you reveal how the trick works. Spoils the magic.


Finally, we have a Cornucopia of Carnival Coppers right here at The War on Guns:

"We're the only Ones in the Wrong Place Enough,"

"We're the Only Ones Career-Minded Enough,"

"We're the Only Ones [G]un Controlled Enough,"

and many more rides and attractions, including the original vault where we keep "The Only Ones Files."

That wraps up the guided portion of The Carnival of the Only Ones. Feel free to stroll around the Midway and enjoy the sites, the sounds, the shows.

And remember:
The purpose of this feature has never been to bash cops. The only reason I do this is to amass a credible body of evidence to present when those who would deny our right to keep and bear arms use the argument that only the police are professional and trained enough to do so safely and responsibly. And it's also used to illustrate when those of official status, rank or privilege, both in law enforcement and in some other government position, get special breaks not available to we commoners, particularly when they're involved in gun-related incidents.

This Day in History: October 29

Absolutely nothing happened.

Not really. The History Channel site I normally reference is down, and the only other reference I could find remotely related to the Founding Era tells us that Joseph Bloomfield "resigned his post [with the Continental Army] on October 29, 1778 to accept civil office."

Saturday, October 28, 2006

Reminder: 'Only Ones' Carnival Tomorrow

Get your entries in by tonight if you want to participate...

No 'Stranger to Danger'?

An elderly Orlando man was nearly the victim of a home invasion, but then took matters into his own hands...

“Having been in the military for 30-years and in situations where I was shot at, I’m no stranger to danger,” said Harold Murphy.

Murphy served in the Navy fifty years ago and has a concealed weapons permit.

Note to Mr. Murphy: I'm glad you're safe, but for God's sake, TAKE YOUR FINGER OFF THE FREAKIN' TRIGGER!

Note to WFTV 9: You just did your viewers a tremendous safety disservice with this photograph. And you don't need a "concealed weapons permit" to have a gun in the home.

UPDATE: To address a concern raised by Jason M in "Comments"...

Feel Safe Yet?

Concealed bombs and guns slipped by screeners at Newark Liberty International Airport last week.

Federal security officials told "The Star-Ledger" of Newark the screeners failed 20 or 22 tests conducted by undercover agents.
What did Mr. Franklin say?

[Via Cousin G]

"The World Was a Very Different Place"

A pensioner who held an illegal arsenal of more than 100 guns at his home has been jailed for five years...His barrister told Caernarfon Crown Court "the world was a very different place" when Hughes' interest began.
Aye, that it was.

[Via Cousin G]

What I Brought for 'Show and Tell'

A student at a U.S. college may get a reprimand instead of a grade for a speech about weapons at school that included a relative pulling out 19 guns as visual aids.

The student intended her speech at Motlow State Community College to show how easily guns can be concealed and brought on campus. During her presentation at the McMinnville campus Tuesday, a male relative revealed the 19 guns he had hidden on his body and in his backpack.
Can't have students proving their theses when they contradict official dogma, now, can we? If we allow such heresy to spread, why, who knows what frightful truths will be revealed?

[Via Cousin G]

New on the Blogroll: Florida Gun Lawyer

This a new blog, but I'm not a new blogger. Some of you may remember me as the Rangemaster from Smoke my Gun! (www.smokemygun.com). Well, I shut that site down a while ago and started to focus on my career. Now, I'm back in the blogesphere with a new angle on the same old subject: the personal and fundamental right to keep and bear arms.

Welcome back. I see you still have great taste in blogs that you read...:)

This Day in History: October 28

The new commander in chief of the British army, Major General Sir William Howe, issues a proclamation to the residents of Boston on this day in 1775. Speaking from British headquarters in Boston, Howe forbade any person from leaving the city and ordered citizens to organize into military companies in order to "contribute all in his power for the preservation of order and good government within the town of Boston."

Friday, October 27, 2006

We're the Only Ones in the Wrong Place Enough

According to eyewitnesses who attended the party at 419 E. 93rd Street last weekend, the police arrived at the wrong residence and were overly aggressive with the partying teenagers who they assumed to be in a possession of a handgun.

In the midst of the action, a shot was fired by a sergeant (whose name has not yet been released to the public). The officer, a veteran of the force, wounded 15-year-old Luke Saintil from Staten Island in his left calf.
A new twist to a story we discussed the other day...

Good grief.

[More from "The Only Ones" files...]

[Via Say Uncle]

See, We've Had it Wrong All This Time...

Assemblymember Sam Hoyt (D-Buffalo, Grand Island) and Assemblywoman Crystal D. Peoples announced today legislation they will soon introduce which will create new safety measures for gun sales and store security.
Evidently, it's "the right of the Peoples (and the Hoyts, and the Schumers and the Kennedys...) to keep and bear arms..."

How embarrassing.

Did CRPA Endorse Arnold?

Angelides noted that Arnold won the endorsement of the California Rifle and Pistol Association, the state wing of the National Rifle Association, and quickly pounced on connecting the NRA with the Governor.
Interesting, since The Hessian signed the .50 ban.

There's nothing on the CRPA site about this and I haven't located anything via search engines other than this partisan release. I'll keep looking, and I've just emailed the publisher of "The Majority Report" with a request for his source. Meanwhile, if anybody knows anything about this, or gets The Firing Line or CRPA mailers, please chime in...

Hide and Seek

COPS have vowed to hunt down gun crooks who hide deadly weapons in public.

Faced with a mandatory five-year jail term for carrying guns, crooks are instead stashing them in communal areas on estates - within easy reach of kids.
Sounds like the concept of "community guns" has made its way across the pond. And for all the hoopla, hysteria, and expense, it sounds like all the hapless bobbies have found is one BB gun ("capable of firing pellets that could blind a child"!!!)

And horrors! Who among us would ever intentionally damage a public surveillance camera?

[Via Cousin G]

We're the Only Ones Buying Back Anonymously Enough

Calgary police are investigating one of their own after allegations a cop tasked with taking weapons off the street instead bought two firearms from a citizen to sell to a gun shop...Sources say the cop, who the Sun is not naming, is a veteran officer with close to 20 years experience.
Of course they're not naming him. That would violate the public/private partnership between "The Only Ones" and those lap...uh...watchdog "authorized journalists."

[Via Cousin G]

This Day in History: October 27

On this day in 1775, King George III speaks before both houses of the British Parliament to discuss growing concern about the rebellion in America, which he viewed as a traitorous action against himself and Great Britain. He began his speech by reading a "Proclamation of Rebellion" and urged Parliament to move quickly to end the revolt and bring order to the colonies.

Thursday, October 26, 2006

The Savage Violation

America's most fiery conservative talk show host backing liberal Jerry Brown for California's attorney general?

Yes, it's true.

Michael Savage, the nation's third-most-listened-to radio host (and fourth-most-influential host, according to NewsMax's Top 25 List), confirmed that he recently donated $5,600 – the maximum allowable – to Brown's campaign. [More]

No, it's not all "true". While "conservative" is a relative term based on what it is you're trying to "conserve," the implication in the US is that it refers to someone who believes in the founding principles of the Constitution.

I've long shaken my head in wonder at anyone who could be bamboozled into thinking this bloviating loudmouth is sincere about anything other than self-promotion. I never did see any depth in the guy, but then, what did Mr. Mencken tell us about the American public?

We've seen what Jerry Brown thinks of gun rights. He's basing a large part of his campaign running commercials against them. By donating money to his campaign, Savage has provided aid and comfort to the enemy. He has revealed himself to be the enemy.

Anyone wasting time or money following this obnoxious carnival barker is chasing a sterile queen bee. If you've ever bought one of his books, congratulations. You just helped finance the further enslavement of ourselves and our posterity.

Je Suis Contre les Milices...

"I am against militias, I am against the private ownership of firearms, and I’m trying to make you think about that. If you are assaulted by an armed burglar, he’ll use his weapon more effectively than you anyway so you’re risking your life. If the criminal is not armed and you are and you shoot, your life will be ruined, because killing someone over a theft is not in line with the republican values that are mine. The private ownership of firearms is dangerous. I understand your exasperation for having been burglarized two times, I understand the fear that your wife and daughter may have but the answer is in the efficiency of the police and the efficiency of the judiciary process, the answer is not in having guns at home."

Nicolas SARKOZY
French Conservative presidential frontrunner
On RTL radio
September 22, 2006
[Link and translation via Dan Gifford]

[FlashBunny graphic for t-shirts and bumper stickers copied from LibertyOutlet.com]

"Enforce Exisiting Tyrannical Edicts"

The National Rifle Association says cities should enforce existing gun laws.

"You can have press conferences all day," says Wayne LaPierre, NRA executive vice president. "Until you provide 100% enforcement of the existing laws, (criminals are) going to laugh at you, and ... go about their business."
This is what "100% enforcement of the existing laws" looks like.


When are NRA members going to realize they're being used?

[Via Cousin G]

Shaun Kranish Defense Fund

Goal: $3500 by October 31st, 2006.
Current Funds: $2500
Remaining: $1000
This is the guy we all shook our heads over a year ago, because he was arrested over a fanny pack. Looks like he's got a new legal challenge and could use some financial assistance.

[Via V/R]

This Day in History: October 26

On this day in 1774, the First Continental Congress sends a respectful petition to King George III to inform his majesty that if it had not been for the acts of oppression forced upon the colonies by the British Parliament, the American people would be standing behind British rule.

And a lot of good it did.

Tyrants don't care about respectful petitions.

Tyrants, like their smaller scale criminal counterparts, care about "or else."

Wednesday, October 25, 2006

Carnival of The Only Ones



I had no idea or intent to dominate today's postings with "Only Ones" tales--it just kind'a happened based on random tips. The thought struck: Why not have an Only Ones Carnival?

Just to clarify: The purpose of this feature has never been to bash cops. The only reason I do this is to amass a credible body of evidence to present when those who would deny our right to keep and bear arms use the argument that only the police are professional and trained enough to do so safely and responsibly (the concept owes its origins to Lee Paige, the DEA agent who shot his own foot while lecturing a classroom on gun safety and his superior qualifications). And it's also used to illustrate when those of official status, rank or privilege, both in law enforcement and in some other government position, get special breaks not available to we commoners, particularly when they're involved in gun-related incidents.

The Carnival of the Only Ones will be held this Sunday, meaning I need all submissions in by Saturday night. It's open to anyone who has a freedom-related blog. Rules are as follows:

The title must have the words "Only Ones", and somewhere in the body of the post, a link to the following url should appear:
http://www.google.com/search?q=%22only+ones%22+site:waronguns.blogspot.com&hl=en&lr=lang_en&safe=off&start=0&sa=N

That's basically it, except for one more caveat: I reserve the right to reject any and all submissions. I don't want to send anyone to a site that's going to place spyware on their computers or subject them to pornography, spam sites, etc.

So if you're interested in participating, post an "Only Ones" feature on your blog and then send me the link by Saturday night. Send all submissions to dcodrea AT hotmail DOT com and use "ONLY ONES CARNIVAL" as your email subject.

If this generates enough interest, I may make it a regular feature here at WarOnGuns.

We're the Only Ones Career-Minded Enough

David Kozicki is a hypocrite. I worked with Dave for 20 years at OPD. I can tell you he was not an advocate of gun control when he was working the streets. It seems that once he was promoted to higher rank and nested under the wing of Mayor Jerry "Moonbeam" Brown he has become an advocate of gun control. Want to bet that if Mayor JB gets elected to Attorney General, Dave K will be appointed chief of DOJ Investigators?

This stinks to high holy heaven!!!
Interesting comment to an earlier post--I have no reason to doubt its authenticity. It sure sounds about right...

[More from "The Only Ones" files...]

We're the Only Ones [G]un Controlled Enough

The Durban Metro Police have been given about two months to tighten firearm and ammunition controls, act against criminal elements within the force and take other corrective action.

The directive has come from the Independent Complaints Directorate (ICD) which investigated the Durban Metro Police Service after reports raised concerns about missing firearms earlier in 2006.
Missing firearms and "Only Ones"...I wonder what that could possibly signify...?

[Via Cousin G]

We're the Only Ones Late to the Party Enough

A police sergeant investigating reports of a gunfight accidentally shot a New Brighton teen-ager in the leg when somebody reportedly bumped his arm at an Upper East Side party early yesterday morning...Police have not yet released the name of the sergeant who fired the shot...
You don't need to know his name. All you need to know is he's an "Only One."

[Via Declan]

This Day in History: October 25

On this day in 1774, the First Continental Congress sends a respectful petition to King George III to inform his majesty that if it had not been for the acts of oppression forced upon the colonies by the British Parliament, the American people would be standing behind British rule.

Tuesday, October 24, 2006

We're the Only Ones Collegial Enough

The bullet that killed policeman Dexter Yarde came from the gun of a colleague, concluded ballistic expert Inspector John Annel.

Good thing it was the bullet that killed him and not his fellow "Only One"!

"Lock Down" the Best Schools Can Do

Schools were locked down in the western Oklahoma towns of Sweetwater and Reydon today after a maintenance man saw a man with a shotgun near a campus.

What's the worry? The kids all have books...

The overwhelming public denial of the only proven deterrent to school shootings is pathological. If an individual denied reality so strenuously, they would be diagnosed as delusional.

Killer Gun Makes Good It's Escape

Gun went off by accident as friends were drinking...

That's when the gun went off...
All by its own self. Nowhere does anyone imply the gun was fired by a human operator. And now:
The gun was not recovered.

When asked where the gun was, Rodriguez said he could not recall what happened to the handgun after the shot was fired, police said.
Obviously aware of the consequences of its deed, the murderous gun has decided to go into hiding and lay low for a while.

If this doesn't prove guns kill, I don't know what will...

"No Effect"

HALF a billion dollars spent buying back hundreds of thousands of guns after the Port Arthur massacre had no effect on the homicide rate, says a study published in an influential British journal.
Government takes hard-earned property through force and fraud, and then squanders it on further harassment and oppression of its subjects.

Hopefully some day, more people will figure that out, and accord the tyrant wannabe seeking personal power to provide state "solutions" the same reception they would a rapist announcing his arrival and intent.

[Via Cousin G]

This Day in History: October 24

On this day in 1775, Virginia’s last royal governor, Lord John Murray Dunmore, orders a British naval fleet of six ships to sail up the James River and into Hampton Creek to attack Patriot troops and destroy the town of Norfolk, Virginia. British Captain Matthew Squire led the six ships into Hampton Creek and began bombarding the town with artillery and cannon fire, while a second contingent of British troops sailed ashore to begin engaging the Patriots.

Monday, October 23, 2006

Bill Brown Update

No "incompetence" issue. The issue is honesty and "transparency", which I believe is the term Brown is promising to bring to the Sheriff's Department.

The "story" is that Brown has gotten the NRA PAC endorsement and I've personally held that bright orange mailer touting Brown'’s 'A'” rating (meaning pro-gun stance). Brown either embraces the endorsement or runs from it, which is it?

We all know what a political powerhouse that NRA is; AND THEY DO NOT GIVE ENDORSEMENTS TO ANTI-GUN POLITICIANS.

Brown had to seek out the NRA endorsement to get it and now you and his other supporters are running from it and hiding it from the majority of voters. When is it going to be on his website? Or is it?

See reader comments at The Santa Barbara Independent, particularly the exchange between anti-gunner Dian Davis and Brown apologist Misleading Anderson supporters watch, who tries to dismiss things as "hearsay".

That's really something, when the gungrabber is the one telling the truth.

In other developments, someone at NRAHQ has been doing research on my name:



Guys, it's OK. You can come out and approach me directly. I won't bite. All I want to do is ask you a question--and, of course, get a straight answer--for the record.

The question has also been posed over at Calguns Forums. There's no answer, but there is an excuse.

Here's the thing. In the grand scheme of things, I really couldn't give a rat's behind about who Santa Barbarans elect as sheriff. This is bigger. This is about the integrity of NRA ratings--their trustworthiness as a whole. If this is the practice in one locale, how can ratings in others be trusted? If we're being asked to expend financial and political resources on a candidate, we deserve to know the truth. And it's not like the question hasn't come up before. Again and again.

This is a build-up to something I'm working on now, something bigger than a local election. More to follow in the next few days...

Related posts:

NRA's "A-Rated" Citizen Disarmament Enforcer

What Can Brown Do to You? (The Silence is Deafening)

Destroying Freedom: One Zombie Airhead at a Time

Now, Switzerland's biggest women's magazine is leading a campaign to tighten what they see as the country's archaic gun laws. They want lawmakers to create a national gun register and ban loaded weapons being kept in the home.
We've talked about these zombies before.

Any man who submits to a woman disarming him isn't much of a man.

At the risk of being accused of the horribly politically incorrect hate crime of sexism, I'll happily promote the reverse, as well: Any woman who submits to a man disarming her isn't much of a woman.

Freedom-minded men want strong partners, not burdens. I trust freedom-minded women want the same.

[Thanks to Cousin G]

"Watch This"

No, really, go and watch it now- especially if you're an American and/or a gun-owner. Then make sure that everyone you know watches it too.
Cryptic Subterranean is watching out for us from across the pond.

Dial 911 and Snitch

The Nebraska city's elected leaders and police department are urging residents who see violations to call the 9-1-1 emergency system for an immediate response...

[C]ity prosecutor Marty Conboy said he hasn't had any citations cross his desk.

"We're very grateful people in the city have taken it seriously," Conboy told a local television station. "So far, we have not seen any reports or citations. And as near as I can tell, there have not been any arrests."
What, the petty tyrant wannabe isn't developed enough to be a full-fledged conman?

This is just so wrong, and on so many levels. But it ought to make clear the true purposes of those who would ban, those who would control...and, of course, it highlights the danger of the evil, pathetic snitches among us who can't attain significance in their lives by any other means.

I'm surprised this can't be challenged on the grounds of malfeasance. We'll see if someone dies because emergency resources are tied up--it certainly ought to deflate the perennial argument that more taxes are needed to provide them.

John Schaefer sent me this, along with a link to an earlier story detailing a similar outrage, and giving us an insight into a deviant mind that can't leave others alone and free to make their own choices:
A business owner who left an ashtray sitting out in his shop has been fined $6,000 by New York City's health inspector, who was enforcing the city's tough, new anti-smoking law...Promoted by Mayor Michael Bloomberg, an ex-smoker, the law is aimed at protecting workers.
There's no one more self righteous than a reformed whore.

"Blog of the Week"

While you are at The War on Guns, be sure to read the comments sections, this site attracts some very insightful commentary.

A Keyboard and a .45 has some kind words for us. That includes you who add your viewpoints to these posts. If a man is known by the company he keeps, I'm certainly hanging together with some quality people (as opposed to Mr. Franklin's warning).

Thanks, JR. We get our share of kicks in the head--the occasional "at-a-boy" is appreciated.

This Day in History: October 23

On this day in 1777, a British Royal Navy fleet of ships, trying to open up supply lines along the Delaware River and the occupying British army in Philadelphia, is bombarded by American cannon fire and artillery from Fort Mifflin, Pennsylvania.

Sunday, October 22, 2006

We're the Only Ones Better Than the Only Ones

A popular city police officer died Saturday, four days after being struck by a sport utility vehicle driven by a federal judge who is a cousin of former President Bush, New Haven's mayor said....

No charges have been filed.

New Haven police chief Francisco Ortiz said a long investigation will be required to determine what happened, but police did not feel it was necessary to test Walker for drugs or alcohol.

We're "The Exclusive Ones"!

Book 'em, Danno!

"Republican Bill Crozier says if he's elected he would put thick, used textbooks under every desk for students to use as self-defense...
I share Publicola's sentiments on this ridiculous proposal. I prefer the "bandukwale sir" method, myself, although I realize others with far more influence among gun owners than I will ever have advocate differently...

Incidentally, you can see a video of the book test here.

To Bandukwale Sir With Love

Gauri Shankar Singh...says he has received death threats from criminals.

'Time and again they have warned of eliminating me if I do not bow before them. I am a teacher; I teach children to fight against injustice,' Singh told IANS.

Criminals killed his brother a few years ago over a land dispute.

'I approached the administration to provide me security but they ignored my request. Since then I have been forced to carry a gun'...

Local police officials have no knowledge that Singh carries a gun to the school.
Brave man. I hope "The Only Ones" leave him the hell alone. And for Krishna's sake, nobody tell Wayne.

We're the Only Ones Lying and Thuggish Enough

Six former or current Milwaukee police officers were charged Thursday in the beating of Frank Jude Jr. - the latest development in the largest prosecution of police here in some 40 years.

The charges bring to eight the number of officers now accused in the beating outside a drunken off-duty police party in Bay View two years ago. Of those, three have agreed to plead guilty...

Former officer Joseph Stromei was charged with and agreed to plead guilty to obstruction of justice after he admitted he had been lying to investigators until a week ago...

Boyle was surprised, however, by the number of officers who now admit they lied.

"The feds have to get around this," Boyle said. "There is a lot of lying under oath that appears to have gone on."
But...but...but I thought "The Only Ones" were...uhh...more trustworthy then ordinary people like you and me.

[Thanks to K- Romulus]

We're the Only Ones Who Need Your Help Enough


Polk County Sheriff's Office detectives are trying to find an agency-issued handgun that was stolen from a deputy's home.
Well, as we've just seen, they're "The Only Ones" trustworthy enough to "decide who gets guns."

Looks like somebody just got one from them...

Doing the MATH: Who Do You Trust?

Healey Doesn't Trust Local Law Enforcement to Have a Say in Who Gets Guns...

[N]ow she thinks gun lobbyists, not the police, should decide who gets guns."
There you have it, straight from the who...uh...horse's mouth.

According to this Official Gungrabberette Press Release, only "The Only Ones" "should decide who gets guns."

Thanks, MATH geniuses, for so artfully concealing your true agenda.

This Day in History: October 22

After years of poor health, Peyton Randolph, former president of the Continental Congress, dies on this day in 1775 at the age of 54.

Saturday, October 21, 2006

Americans Favour Stricter Gun Laws

Many adults in the United States would like to enact tougher regulations for firearms, according to a two recent public opinion polls. In a survey by TNS released by the Washington Post and ABC News, 61 per cent of respondents favour stricter gun control laws in their country.

Thank goodness we live in that "democracy" the Founders envisioned.

Now ask 'em something they know about, like the latest skank du jour...

Cooked County

WHEREAS, concern exists that military-style assault weapons are designed and manufactured for the sole purpose of killing a large number of people in a short period of time; and

WHEREAS, many children and adults are killed or injured by military-style assault weapons;

WHEREAS, the result of an advisory referendum would constitute the opinion of the residents of Cook County on whether other types of military-style assault weapons should be banned in Cook County the State of Illinois;

WHEREAS, it is deemed to be in the public interest to submit this question of public policy to the voters of Cook County...
What are ya gonna do? Parasitic charlatans like Larry Suffredin wouldn't exist and thrive without the majority of their voting constituents wanting them in power.

And as long as the fraud of "democracy" is perpetuated, things will stay that way.

[Thanks to HZ]

Second Amendment Carnival VI

Free Constitution gives us a sampling of recent 2A blogging.

Campus RKBA Roundup #4

This week's edition of the Campus RKBA roundup showed a pretty good balance, with some surprising favor towards the Right to Keep and Bear Arms.

The Mad Hatter gives us insight on what the next generation is thinking...

Blogger Problems

Been trying to post since 7:30. Will get to it now. Those of you who sent me links, I didn't forget you, just couldn't do anything about it.

Blogger is aware and has their techs working on it, but they say to expect things to be slow for the rest of the day due to servers being down.

This Day in History: October 21

The Continental Congress of the United States elects former congressman Henry Laurens minister to Holland on this day in 1779. Laurens’ first and most crucial duty as the new minister was to negotiate an alliance with Holland, which he did in 1780.

Friday, October 20, 2006

We're the Only...So THAT's Where it Went...

Undercover detectives making a drug bust in Reno and Sparks seized more than seven ounces of crystal methamphetamine. They also recovered a sawed-off shotgun, a rifle and five handguns, including one stolen from the Sparks Police Department.
But...but...but I'm sure they reported the theft, which is supposed to stop this kind of thing from happening...

[More from "The Only Ones" files...]

Trick AND Treat!

The former Williamson County Commissioner accused of pointing a gun at a trick-or-treater won't spend any time in jail...

Eades pointed a rifle at an eight-year-old trick-or-treater last Halloween.
Hey, what do you want to bet if one of us non-officials pulls the same trick this Halloween, we'll get treated to probation and a clean record?

I'll Take "Despicable Tyrant Wannabes" for $400, Alex

Who is Kathy Ryg?

Well, with her in power, your rights will be in "Jeopardy"...

[Thanks to HZ]

More Proof that Your Property is Ours

The Los Angeles City Council has approved an ordinance requiring gun owners to report lost or stolen weapons in a bid to prevent gun sales to criminals.
Right, criminalize the victims, that makes sense.

Hey, who do you report it to if the gun thieves are The Only Ones?

On a side note, why is it if I didn't know this story came from the Chi-com People's Daily, I'd swear it was just more of the same from our own home-grown "authorized journalists"?

Alphas and Omega

For example, here is a new British and American study conducted in part by the NIH that has shown that to a startlingly high degree, not only is violent behavior correlated to a poor diet but also that by improving the diet with supplements can reduce and even eliminate violent, anti-social tendencies in prisoner populations. They have found that one of the key supplements to be Omega-3 essential fatty acids.

Robert Rose may be on to something, but I'd need to see more to be convinced that there's enough cause and effect to matter. I don't include fish oil in my diet, and I don't go around hurting people.

To be fair, I'd have to read the whole study, which I haven't done, and understand it, which is probably beyond me. I can absolutely buy that diet has an effect on behavior--that makes intuitive sense. But only one of many.

Still, all in all, this is interesting.

A Cameo Appearance

My Kid Sister has some of her inventory and photography featured in Victoriana Magazine.

This Day in History: October

On this day in 1774, the First Continental Congress creates the Continental Association, which calls for a complete ban on all trade between America and Great Britain of all goods, wares or merchandise.

Thursday, October 19, 2006

What Can Brown Do to You? (The Silence is Deafening)


NRA management can't say they're not aware of things. And still no word after an email from a past members' council president, 3 phone calls from me, and an open invitation to explain to us all what's going on.

A reader copied me on an email he sent to Cam Edwards, so let's see if that yields any result (after he's back from break).

Meanwhile, I can't help but note the following from Wayne's new blog:


In this matter, Mr. LaPierre, I'm afraid I trust Larry Rankin. And I'm not the only one--I just got this in my inbox:
Just wanted to say that I have known Larry Rankin for more than 12 years. Larry and I spend quite a bit of time together when we are not working. He told me about the interview with Bill Brown several weeks ago. Larry's always been a man of his word.
I suspect the "prudent" course will be charted by Fairfax: Ignore it and it will go away. Only a few people will even learn of this (they've got that right--the only places I've seen a link to the story are on Gun Law News and Fodder's blog).

And so it goes.

Life on the Bizarro World


Mal Soon Jin, a Korean woman who has lived in the United States for 20 years and run a fruit store with her husband, was minutes away from a moment that looms large for many immigrants in their quest for the American Dream: the naturalization ceremony that would make her a United States citizen.

But when she walked into the marble lobby of United States District Court in Brooklyn about 8 a.m. yesterday to take the oath, and placed her handbag on the X-ray machine’s conveyor belt, she hit a snag. A court security officer operating the machine spotted an unloaded five-shot .22-caliber silver derringer in a zippered compartment in her handbag, according to the authorities.

As a result, Ms. Jin did not attend the morning naturalization ceremony on the second floor with hundreds of other soon-to-be citizens. Instead, she was arraigned on federal gun charges in a smaller courtroom, just steps away on the second floor.

Talk about someone I want to have as a fellow citizen. She has been a productive and contributing member of society for 20 years, she knows from experience that she must not only take care of herself economically but also in terms of personal security, she is exercising her right and obligation to do that as a free and sovereign individual, and she wishes to be one of us.

So instead, this "free" society she wishes to be one with will now attempt to destroy her life.

Something's Rotten in Hackensack

One of Mayor Michael Bloomberg's personal employees was beaten by a thief who then stole the billionaire's car in New Jersey, authorities said.

The employee was driving the gray 2001 Lexus Wednesday morning in Hackensack, New Jersey, on an errand for the mayor shortly before 9 a.m. when a woman came to the window to ask for money, police said. As he declined and began to roll up the window, a man got into the passenger seat and punched him in the face, authorities said.

Uh...doesn't a 2001 Lexus have automatic safety door locks that activate whenever it's being driven?

I'm trying to think of a reason one would stop and have the window rolled down near a streetwalking woman. Come to think of it, the AP reports "a woman came to the window" as though it were an accepted fact, rather than the aide's story. But it was a man who got in the (volitionally?) unlocked car door.

Not that I'm the suspicious type, so I'll take the easy way out and repeat the irony stated by others that, had he been armed, he could have protected both himself and the car, had being armed been legal he would have faced no repercussions, and if the billionaire mayor was such a great humanitarian, his employees ought to have a few dollars to spread around to the needy when they rub elbows with the hoi polloi...

Nah, I like my first fantasy scenario better...

[Via SayUncle]

Well, I Got it Half Right

Kerry Healy is a woman.

I was probably listening to "Lola" at the time, and anticipating getting that copy of "Glen or Glenda" from Netflix....

JR has some thoughts on the matter (Healey and preemption, not my gender confusion about her)...

This Day in History: October 19--VICTORY DAY



On this day in 1781, British General Charles Cornwallis formally surrenders 8,000 British soldiers and seamen to a French and American force at Yorktown, Virginia, bringing the American Revolution to a close.

I wonder how many Americans will know this, and will celebrate it as one of the most important dates in our history? I wonder how many schools will teach this, as opposed to anti-American subversion?

If you have children, ask them when they get home from school today. If no one said anything, a note to the history teacher might be in order.

I'm almost through with 1776. If I believed in things like required reading, it would be high on my list. The sacrifices made on behalf of liberty and the near-impossible odds overcome should fill us all with awe, and should fill most of us with shame.

How evil are those those monsters who would rob us of our heritage. How contemptible are those cowards and fools who would let them.

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

NRA's "A-Rated" Citizen Disarmament Enforcer



Per Larry Rankin:

I just sent the short e-mail to the NRA, see below. Hope some of you will also e-mail them. Bill Brown says he wants a new direction...the question is which direction. Bill Brown told me that anyone in the city should not carry and that he has only given one permit to carry. That person was a federal trapper. I told him there were more wild animals in the city that were far more dangerous. The interview with him went down hill after that. Anyone in Santa Barbara County please forward this to someone you know...that believes in the right for a citizen to protect themselves and their family or friends. Thanks in advance,
www.NRAPVF.org lrr


NRA-PVF,

I received your election alert this evening in the mail and see you are endorsing Bill Brown for Sheriff...and you gave him an "A". I called Bill Brown and talked to him for some time a few weeks ago. He does not believe in citizen having the right to carry with a permit/CCW. I have seen in the past too many "A" given out by the NRA that are not deserved! I know hundreds of gun owners and NRA members in the county and I will let them know your outstanding bad judgment. You really need to talk to local people that are involved and that can ask tuff question to the folks running for office or change the questionnaire or have the simple understanding that there are other letters besides "F" and "A".
Regards, Larry R. Rankin
Past S.B.NRA President the grass roots group for two years...many years ago

Bill Brown said to me when I interviewed him on the phone, that he does not believe any citizen living in the city should have the right to carry a gun. He does believe that people out in the rural areas that really need one should have one...if they can REALLY prove to him it is needed. He has only allowed one and that was a federal trapper that could not carry a loaded weapon while traveling in is vehicle.

So he sees owning a gun not as self protection, but for hunting sports. That is the way I see it.

Bill Brown's contact number 805 757 3960


------------------------


I was ready to post this story yesterday, but felt obligated to hold on to it and do my own fact-checking. Not that I don't trust Larry Rankin--I do, completely. I've been corresponding with him for years, and have found him to be a most trustworthy and reliable colleague. But I was also curious as to why NRA would do this.

I left a voice mail on candidate Brown's campaign answering machine, explaining who I was and that I wanted to ask him some questions about his NRA endorsement. At this posting, my call has not been returned.

I called NRA ILA at their "800" number. I explained who I was (also that I'm a Life Member) and that I was calling to speak to the people responsible for giving Mr. Brown an "A rating" and endorsement. The associate gave me the number for California grasssroots. I spoke to the associate there, repeated everything, and he told me all statements to the media needed to go through their office back in Fairfax, and gave me a direct number (I left my number with him anyway, and asked him to pass everything on to NRA state lobbyist Ed Worley, and asked for him to call me back). I called and spoke to a lady at the media office, explained everything a third time, and told her about Mr. Rankin's conversation with Mr. Brown and the fact that he is against private citizens bearing arms. I also told her the results of my scouting around the internet--and finding that Bill Brown supports Jerry Brown for attorney general:
Showing considerable political chops, Brown, a conservative Republican, garnered the endorsement of Democratic gubernatorial candidate Steve Westly and many key Santa Barbara progressives while managing to convince a majority of California police chiefs to endorse former Democratic governor Jerry Brown --now mayor of Oakland --in his race for Attorney General.

and that Jerry Brown is basing a large part of his campaign on attacking NRA's endorsed candidate, Chuck Poochigian, for his opposition to gun control laws.

She said she'd pass my request on to the people who could answer me, and I let her know I was holding up posting on this, and would be willing to delay it another day if someone would be willing to talk to me. No one returned my call, so here we are.

If anyone authorized to speak for NRA wishes to post a response, I will be happy to post it in its entirety. The same offer goes for the Bill Brown campaign.

In the mean time, we gun owners are presented with yet another example of NRA rating credibility erosion. I won't presume to be able to read the unstated intentions of others, but it's my opinion that silence from ILA-PVF is unacceptable--particularly if they expect us to donate to support their endorsed candidates.

If you agree with me, please pass a link to this post far and wide, and contact NRA yourself to request an explanation.

Larry Rankin just emailed me, and said "I will be surprised if I get a response. If I did or do I had already planned on forwarding it to you."

If so, you'll see it here.

Gegen Waffengewalt Versprechen

More than 2,100 Bibb County eighth-graders are scheduled to sign pledges against gun violence at Macon's City Auditorium today, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office...

Five million other youths across the country also will sign the pledge, the release stated.

Let's hope the brainwashed little droolers are wearing their bibs.

Ain't it grand, how oathbreakers are coercing kids into taking oaths? Government oathbreakers--with an interest in conditiong the populace into tamely accepting disarmament?

In the interest of being a good (and obedient!) bürger, I've taken the liberty of designing an armband the kinder can wear to these jugend rallies:

There is no "Try"

They lost their daughter to an enraged gunman five weeks ago. Now Louise and Nelson De Sousa want to try to prevent a similar tragedy from striking another family.

"No, try not. Do or do not. There is no 'try'..."

That's another way of saying the only way to stop a rampaging madman is to "use the force." And the most effective force to use when lives are at stake is the armed kind.

Either that, or you could stand up in the midst of a massacre, point at the shooter and declare that he's going to be recorded in a centralized registry...

Well, He Got it Half Right

Lieutenant Governor Kerry M . Healey yesterday called for stripping local police chiefs of the power to issue gun licenses and transferring the responsibility to a specially appointed state public safety official, a proposal that puts in her line with the agenda of the Massachusetts gun owners' lobby.

Yeah, I know, preemption, patchwork quilt, yada yada yada...

License is not liberty. There are enough gun owners to make that point clear if they wanted to badly enough.

Which they don't.

This Day in History: October 18

On this day in 1767, Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon complete their survey of the boundary between the colonies of Pennsylvania and Maryland as well as areas that would eventually become the states of Delaware and West Virginia. The Penn and Calvert families had hired Mason and Dixon, English surveyors, to settle their dispute over the boundary between their two proprietary colonies, Pennsylvania and Maryland.

Tuesday, October 17, 2006

Dundee Herbivores Claim Partial Victory

The village board decided at its meeting Monday night that no more guns can be sold in the historic downtown business district -- almost.
Because, as we've already established, guns and American history just don't mix.

Guns: The Great Domestic Abuse Enabler

Wives were threats. Girlfriends were threats. Women who talked too much were threats. And women who held public office and wouldn't shut up were the scourge of the land.
Joan Burbick is so impressed with her own ignorance, she's positively authoritative about it.

To believe her, you must believe that men who wish to see you armed and trained think it will make you easier to beat. And as for rock salt being a superior home defense weapon than maneuverable military pattern firearms, I guess the foremost experts in the world--the guys who defend the world's most famous house*--need to reassess their choices.

There's no recognition that sometimes false charges are vindictively filed, no indignation over denial of rights without establishment of guilt, no admission that, sometimes, it is the women who find themselves legally restrained and disabled for life--over incidents as trivial as tearing a pocket, or throwing down some keys.

And for the record, Ashcroft's Justice Department, through Solicitor General Ted Olson, filed a brief defending the disarmament statute:
ROBERT COTTROL: Well, the Justice Department is charged with enforcing the law, which includes defending the constitutionality of federal statutes. You have the Emerson case in the 5th circuit where the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that although the second amount is an individual right, that it is nonetheless reasonable regulation to prevent individuals who are under a restraining order because of domestic violence issues from owning guns. Dr. Emerson, who was the defendant in the case, is appealing that to the Supreme Court and it is, of course, up to the federal government to defend the statute.

The position of this Administration is that of the 5th Circuit, namely that the law is constitutional, because although this Administration supports the individual rights view of the Second Amendment, that there is an individual right to keep and bear arms, it sees the statute as reasonable regulation. So this is within the normal processes of the Justice Department defending a federal statute.

UPDATE: Oh lookee--gun ownership is also "a white male political power play."

BuzzFlash said it, I believe it, that settles it.

I think Joan the Authority has some hostility issues.

-------------------

[*I got the White House example from Ed Monk]

This Day in History: October 17

British general and playwright John Burgoyne surrenders 5,000 British and Hessian troops to American General Horatio Gates at Saratoga, New York, on this day in 1777.

Monday, October 16, 2006

East Dundee Sheep Bleat in Protest

East Dundee trustees will vote Monday on two ordinances drafted following public outcry over the sale of firearms at a downtown business.

Trustees asked staff to draft the ordinances last month after residents complained about a sign with a photo of a handgun displayed in the window of owner Mike Catinella's M-M Sporting Goods, 215 Barrington Ave., in the historic area of downtown. The sign has been removed, but talk continues about what kind of image village leaders want for the historic downtown business district.

And Lord knows firearms have no place in our nation's history!

One can only wonder what other expressions of free speech the sheep will ask the wolves to outlaw. For their own peace of [mind?], of course.

Looks like their first attempt to quash this guy's business didn't work, so they're just continuing the harassment.

Doesn't the East Dundee municipal code have anything to say about farm animals wandering untended in a business zone?

"Enforce Existing Gun Laws"

Why don't we enforce the 20,000 gun laws currently on the books across the nation?
Just like "we" did here?

I have a better idea.

Why don't we just enforce this?

You Just Might Be a Gun Felon

Federal and local law enforcement officials are once again working together to imprison gun felons for a long time.
Of course, if you believe in your unalienable rights to keep and bear arms, and don't surrender that right in defiance of edicts you consider tyrannical and unconstitutional, you just might be a gun felon.

Thanks, Wayne! Good job teaming up with the Brady Bunch on "Project Exile"! But you never did get back to me on exactly where in the Constitution the fedgov has been delegated the authority to involve itself in this...

And here's the thing:

If you refused to register your previously lawfully purchased semiautomatic firearm in California, you just might be a gun felon.

If you believe your children's lives are worth protecting--even in "gun free school zones," you just might be a gun felon.

Reads like a Jeff Foxworthy routine, don't it?

Feel free to leave your own in the "Comments".

Killer Guns

"It doesn't seem like Congress or the Senate recognize we've got 30,000 people a year being killed by handguns," Commissioner Johnson said. "As long as they don't take it seriously, it's never going to be resolved.

Boy, those "authorized journalists" over at the AP--they've really got the Brady Playbook down pat, don't they?

This Day in History: October 16

1775 - Portland, Maine burned by British
1781 - Washington takes Yorktown


The History Channel site I usually reference is down for maintenance.

Sunday, October 15, 2006

Fishing for a Sunday Morning Rant

In this day and age, any moron should know that all living creatures with a brain and a central nervous system feel pain. And, yes, they experience many emotions similar to those of humans...

I look forward to the day when more humans recognize that we are animals just like every other animal on this planet, and we do not corner the market on suffering...

People who say fish don't feel pain are either mentally disemboweled or morally dishonest.

Perhaps the fish would prefer being ripped apart and eaten alive by another fish, a swooping pelican, a bear...?

It seems the grievance is with Nature's God? Oh, wait, that's just a fiction, an opiate to keep the masses in check. Besides, when you're a feel-gooder, you can rationalize the food chain by visualizing anthropomorphic Disney cartoon animals and humming a few bars from "The Circle of Life"...

It's only when humans do it that it's bad.

These folks would ban fishing if it were in their power to do so. They'd also ban hunting (all you "sportsman" types take note).

Not meaning to start an off-guns-topic debate here, but how many of the letter writers worried about fish pain do you suppose would get equally worked up about the agony suffered by unborn humans as they're torn apart in the womb...?

Oh, wait, that's just a fiction too, the experts tell us. You know, the same experts who tell us guns are bad... mmkay?

Expel Phil Amicone From NRA

Unlike Congress, we mayors recognize that illegal guns are a national problem that requires a national solution because the gun laws of one state can have a drastic effect on other states.
Translation: Our government addiction promulgation policies have been so successful that our own debased constituents are wholly unsuited to the liberties and responsibilities of free men. But the resultant dependency has enhanced our power and control, so we're going to force ourselves on people who have so far escaped our grasp and aren't in the market for our "services." At gunpoint.

Mayor Amicone, a member of the National Rifle Association, spoke about his commitment to protecting his city from illegal guns while also protecting the Constitution’s Second Amendment.
Yeah--"enforce existing gun laws." Heard that one a few times before--where was it?--Waco, Ruby Ridge...

If the association had any sand, they'd expel Amicone for violation of the bylaws, specifically Article II, Purposes and Objectives, section 1:

"To protect and defend the Constitution of the United States, especially with reference to the inalienable right of the individual American citizen guaranteed by such Constitution to acquire, possess, collect, exhibit, transport, carry, transfer ownership of, and enjoy the right to use arms, in order that the people may always be in a position to exercise their legitimate individual rights of self-preservation and defense of family, person, and property, as well as to serve effectively in the appropriate militia for the common defense of the Republic and the individual liberty of its citizens;"
But they didn't even have the integrity to expel Michael Moore--and that inaction itself is a violation of their bylaws.

Come to think of it, maybe they should also expel "no guns in schools" Wayne...

"Maybe That's Just Me"

Yesterday...I saw that the billboard across from the Bayou Shadows apartment entrance was being changed to a bright orange message announcing the opening of a gun show this weekend...Seems disturbing, but maybe that's just me.

Stuart Burgess

So you want to be protected not just from guns themselves, but from the very thought of guns?

Yes, Stuart. I'd say it's definitely you.

Lady Liberty Interviews Matthew Bracken

In 2003, author Matthew Bracken published Enemies Foreign and Domestic, the first novel of a planned trilogy. With its focus on a government set-up that resulted in draconian gun control measures, it gained good reviews and much appreciation from readers. As gun control advocates have continued in their efforts to disarm the law abiding, it also seemed to offer some chilling warnings.

This year, Bracken released the second novel in the trilogy. Domestic Enemies held onto the background established in the first novel, but added to it the probable result of continued unfettered illegal immigration into the country. Once again, the reality is striking even as the story holds the reader's interest.

After reading Domestic Enemies and finding myself genuinely fearful of some of the near future it outlines, I determined to speak with Matthew Bracken and discuss just how real his fiction might - unfortunately - prove to be. Mr. Bracken kindly agreed to answer some questions, and here is the result of our recent conversation.

Related Reading:

Lady Liberty's Review of Enemies Foreign and Domestic

Lady Liberty's Review of Domestic Enemies: The Reconquista

WarOnGuns Interview with Matthew Bracken

My GUNS Magazine review of Enemies Foreign and Domestic

My review of Domestic Enemies has been submitted to the magazine, and will be on the shelves in a few months--I'm told it's the issue they'll be promoting at the SHOT Show, so that ought to help with exposure.

[Thanks to Stieger]

This Day in History: October 15

A combined force of 1,000 British regulars, Hessians, Loyalists and Indians, led by Loyalist Sir John Johnson and Mohawk Chief Joseph Brant, attempts an unsuccessful attack upon Middleburgh (or Middle Fort), New York, on this day in 1780.

Saturday, October 14, 2006

Methinks Bob Ricker Doth Protest Too Much

I'm the Executive Director of the American Hunters and Shooters Association (AHSA)and AHSA has neither fequested [sic] nor received funding from the Joyce Foundation. You need to check your facts and not just regurgitate NRA lies!
Posted by: Bob Ricker at October 13, 2006 03:26 PM
Yeah, Bob, I'm sure you're an expert at detecting regurgitated lies.

Also see: "Beware of Moles"

[Via SayUncle]

We're the Only Ones Exempt Enough

Mayor Miron wouldn't tell us if he had his gun with him during the interview today, but he says it shouldn't matter. He's experienced, he's licensed, and he says carrying his gun around town hall is perfectly legal...

[B]ecause town hall is across the street from the high school it's technically in a school zone, which could be a problem. But the town charter makes the mayor the chief law enforcement officer, so he says he would be exempt.

Talking about protecting himself and others notwithstanding, the guy lost me the minute he started waving licenses around, and judging by the comments from some of the citizens, I have no sympathy for them. But I'm exempt because I'm the Only One? I guess we'd better start calling the mayor "Your Lordship."

NOTE: I had problems viewing the story's accompanying video using Firefox, but was able to watch it using IE.