Preaching to the Choir

I just read a comment over at Blogonomicon that I see time and again on forums, in comments, and in emails I receive:

You're preaching to the choir.

The following is from "You Say You Want a Revolution?," published several years back in GUNS AND AMMO:

If only this assumption was true. We would be invincible!

The choir is comprised of the volunteers up there doing the work, singing. These are the people who learn the music and the words and the programs. They take significant time out from their demanding professional and personal lives to practice, to learn and to perform. And they’ll do it again next week, and the next.

The overwhelming majority of gun owners are, at best, spectators. They may occasionally attend a service, they may even put a couple dollars in the plate when it’s passed, but to actually put forth time, effort and financial support on a continued basis, to do real work and make real sacrifices, is something they typically find reasons for not doing.

I have no way of knowing if the comment poster who was the catalyst for this rant is in "the choir" or not, and don't mean to imply otherwise. It's just that I see this comment tossed around cavalierly by others, and think it important to point out the reality, that most who claim membership are giving themselves more credit than they're due.

Please Accept Our Self-Promoting Condolences

Last Friday's tragedy at the Citigroup Center was a sad reminder of what can happen when an armed person becomes overwhelmed with rage.

The tragedy and outrage is, none of his victims had the ability to defend themselves, and these miserable traitors are doing their utmost to impose this contemptible helplessness on the rest of us.

I note the Bradys never issued a sympathy statement to the families of Peyton Strickland, Kathryn Johnston or Sean Bell. Apparently, "gun violence" perpetrated by "The Only Ones" is A-OK with them.

Stuff your opportunistic and exploitive crocodile tears, Jennifer Bishop. I'll bet you'd be real useful in a life-or-death confrontation against a violent attacker. And try not to slip in all that blood you're dancing in.

The Ammunition Loophole

Criminal offenders bought handgun ammunition from nine stores in Monmouth and Ocean counties, according to testimony heard Tuesday by a state panel investigating the link between bullet sales and street violence...

Then they violated 18 USC § 922(g), which states in part:

It shall be unlawful for any person...to ship or transport in interstate or foreign commerce, or possess in or affecting commerce, any firearm or ammunition; or to receive any firearm or ammunition which has been shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce.

I'm just sayin'...but apparently that's not good enough:

Other witnesses suggested making it illegal for criminal offenders to buy ammunition, requiring special identification cards for ammunition buyers, and equipping vendors with computers to log purchases.

Yeah, make it more illegal--and put additional burdens on the rest of us. That always works.

Taking Aim

WHAS 11 Louisville has done a surprisingly encouraging report on teaching kids gun safety--including how to shoot--and it all takes place at Barry Laws' new OpenRange facility on Crestwood.

This Day in History: December 13

On this day in 1776, American General Charles Lee leaves his army, riding in search of female sociability at Widow White’s Tavern in Basking Ridge, New Jersey.