"This is Not the Old West"

Cherry Valley Police Chief Gary Maitland disagrees with the judge's ruling.

"This is not the Old West," he said. "I'm not advocating banning handguns. But I'm not aware of any police officer who would advocate more handguns on the street. When they start taking their weapons out of their home and walking around with them strapped to their hip, bad things can happen."

Yeah, well too bad, Chief--I don't see you unstrapping your gun. Oh, but then you're one o' them there "Only Ones," with powers and abilities far beyond those of mortal men.

And I see we keep dusting off that long-discredited "Old West" lie.

Oh, and as far as Chiefy being "not aware [which seems a given] of any police officer who would advocate more handguns on the street," his lack of knowledge doesn't surprise me. But really, Gary, they're just
not
that
hard
to find ,
assuming, of course, that you're not too lazy or ignorant to look.

Good for Shaun Kranish. That's another very courageous thing he did.

Fincher Court Documents

This page has been a regular link in our posts about Wayne Fincher, and has been included in the blogroll in the left margin. Paul W. Davis has been a true champion in this, both for Mr. Fincher, and for making this information available to all of us, and deserves our gratitude.

I'd like to call your attention to two documents and recommend you set aside several minutes to read them:

Fincher Trial Testimony: This is what the jury was not allowed to hear. Note how predatory Prosecutor Plumlee attempts to appear subtle in his ridicule and contempt. He comes off like a coward attacking a bound warrior. Fincher's knowledge and ability to articulate it make it clear who the better man is, and that his are words the court could not allow an impartial and open-minded jury to hear.

Judge Hendren's Jury Instructions: After suppressing Fincher's testimony and any references to the Constitution and Second Amendment from the jury, the judge establishes the "Duty of the Jury" (Instruction 2), mandating they "apply the law, as I give it to you," and citing "Authority: 8th Circuit Model Instruction 3.02."

Thing is, the "authority" admits it is only a guideline:

These are intended to be model, not mandatory...They are not intended to be treated as the only method of properly instructing a jury.

Yet this, in the eyes of those who would rule us, is enough to override centuries of legal precedent and tradition, and the clear intent and understanding of those who established our system of justice.

I'm disappointed no one in the Fincher case had the knowledge (or perhaps the courage to buck an obviously rigged system?) to vote "Not Guilty." I'd just say I wasn't convinced and leave it at that. Besides, how can such witnesses--who would speak against a man for exercising his unalienable right to keep and bear arms and, in many cases, violate their oaths of office--be considered "credible"?

We need to do a much better job of informing our countrymen of their rights, duties and AUTHORITY as jurors. Not being a lawyer, I don't know if a challenge to the verdict based on improper jury instructions would be "granted" standing in the federal courts, but I think it's worth at least looking in to.

The Perfect Place

"I'd like to be able to say I'm shocked, but actually, we are a magnet for this kind of activity," Abraham said.

"They came to Philadelphia to sell because it's the perfect place to dump guns. It's infuriating."

First of all, this isn't supposed to be happening here. We were promised.

And why don't any of the talking heads or "authorized journalists" ever seem to address why violent crime isn't endemic in the neighborhoods where the guns are being sourced from? Why is Philadelphia the "magnet" and "the perfect place"?

Oh, right, it's that elephant again.

[Via Joseph C]

Taser Lite

The stun gun will pack a lesser jolt than the 50,000 volts of the law enforcement model, though the company won't say what the power level is. It has a range of 15 feet, half the distance of some professional units.

That's because we all know only "The Only Ones" need full power and distance. I don't know how you'd legally justify using force like this if you were only up against half a threat.

For people trying to expand their market, I guess some suit figures insulting and endangering the prospective customer base is the way to go.

This Day in History: July 20

Certain Drums in, and near Cambridge, very improperly beat the Revellie this morning before day; Although the Troops are ordered to be under Arms, half an hour before day light, it does not follow the drums are to beat at that time. The Reveille is to beat when a Centry can see clearly one thousand Yards around him, and not before.