Tuesday, September 19, 2006

Yes, Let the Rationalization Begin

At a meeting of the House Judiciary Committee on an NRA-backed bill to restrict the release of crime gun trace data (H.R. 5005), [Debbie] Wasserman Schultz offered an amendment to the pro-gun bill to outlaw gun possession by individuals convicted of misdemeanor sex crimes against minors. What constitutes such a crime varies from state to state, but includes enticing a minor over the Internet, sexual exploitation of a minor, and criminal sexual abuse. Not to mention more serious sex crimes against children that are pleaded down to misdemeanors. Her amendment was quickly accepted by H.R. 5005's sponsor, Lamar Smith (R-TX), with no debate. So for those who ask, "Where do even pro-gun legislators draw the line?," the answer, apparently, is child sex offenders.

This is just a clever little bomb thrown under the bus by a committed subversive. But it's guaranteed to embarrass, and is therefore a formidable publicity ploy--after all, how could anyone be for armed sex offenders?

Also caught in this net could be a teenager one year older than their under-the-age-of-consent boyfriend or girlfriend, and their behavior wouldn't even need to include sex. For that, the antis rationalize a lifetime ban.

This is the problem when we allow anyone not institutionalized to be classified a "prohibited person," and it's where NRA management's logic of compromise proves paradoxical.

If you can't be trusted with a gun, you can't be trusted without a custodian.

If you're unfit to live in a free society, you're unfit to live free.

Making Hay from Random Gun Crime

The other day, on a quiet suburban Toronto street, someone hacked a man to death with a machete. It's possible you missed the story, because it got barely a mention in the local media.

Machetes are not top of mind with the public. Nobody is demanding stricter controls on machete sales. On the other side, nobody is defending responsible machete owners from meddlesome bureaucrats.

Margaret Wente admits she personally hates guns, but she is at least intellectually honest enough to admit "tougher gun laws don't seem to make a difference," and that the arguments of the antis are not founded in logic.

Zombies Attack Switzerland!

A women's magazine has collected 17,400 signatures in a bid to rid Swiss households of more than two million weapons.

The petition comes amid discussions in parliament over whether to scrap the country's militia army tradition requiring guns and ammunition to be kept at home.

Staff at Annabelle handed over the signatures to a parliamentary committee in Bern on Tuesday.

The petition, "No weapons at home", is calling for a ban on shotguns at home, for army rifles to be kept in military storage instead of at home and for people not to be able to hold on to army guns after their period of service expires. It is also campaigning for a national weapons register to be created as soon as possible.

If I would suggest banning anything, it would be this subversive rag for pampered, self-indulgent cows from your home.

Their home page says all you need to know about them:

We Are What Obsesses Us

We Are What We Read

We Are What We Say

We Are What We Listen To

We Are What We Rent

We Are Actually Zombies


All this under the graphic banner of "Zeitgeist".

Crocodile Tears Dundee

Zoning permits were approved for the store, which also sells firearms, because it was classified as a sporting goods store, which is permitted by the East Dundee zoning codes. Firearm regulations are not specifically listed in the village's zoning codes...

Village Trustee Michael Ruffulo says he was caught by surprise that the sporting goods store was selling firearms. He said after permits were issued for the store, a picture of a gun was placed in the store's window, causing many residents to call the village hall to complain.

"It was a bit unsettling for everyone. It is along the bike path, where you have families that shouldn't have to see that," Ruffulo said.
Hide your eyes!

Oh my GOD, it was horrible!

This Day in History: September 19

In the early morning hours of this day in 1777, British General John Burgoyne launches a three-column attack against General Horatio Gates and his American forces in the First Battle of Saratoga, also known as the Battle of Freeman’s Farm.