BATFU Asserts Power to Rule Wyoming

“The (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives) simply does not agree, on a policy basis, with the Wyoming Legislature's decision and has self-appointed itself the omnipotent role of deciding who should, and should not, possess firearms,” attorneys on behalf of Wyoming argued in court papers this summer.

The federal agency told the state that if its law stayed on the books, they would no longer recognize more than 10,000 Wyoming concealed weapons permits as a substitute for federal background checks for firearms purchases. Such background checks are required under the federal Brady Act.
Gee, how come all the antis aren't screaming "home rule" this time?

Rudy on Gun Lawsuits

In his own words.

I note some are priming gun owners to accept him as a lesser of two evils based on SCOTUS nomination concerns. These are generally people whom I have found have no line in the sand.

[Via Michael R]

What's Up, Doc?

They’re watching you right now.

They counted every beer you drank during last night’s Red Sox [team stats] game.
They see you sneaking out to the garage for a smoke.

They know if you’ve got a gun, and where you keep it.


Not necessarily.

You've been given a tool.

All you have to do is use it.

Incidentally--I'm all for taking ideas and running with them, but I do note one Second Amendment group has taken this form, reformatted it a bit but otherwise left the wording and order as is, and presented it as their own without attribution. That's not something I would do.

[Via Say Uncle and 1894C]

Brown Siege Over

U.S. marshals posing as supporters carried out the arrests of tax evaders Ed and Elaine Brown, officials said Friday.

The undercover officers were invited in by the Browns on Thursday evening, and before the couple realized they weren't supporters, they were already under arrest.

"Ultimately, this open-door policy that they seemed to have, which allowed the Browns to have some supporters bring them supplies, welcome followers and even host a picnic -- this proved to be their undoing," U.S. Marshal Stephen Monier said. "They invited us in. We escorted them out."

Would that the legend about vampires not being able to cross your threshold unless invited in were true--but not that it would have mattered in this case.

Even with supporters you think you know, there is always the danger of a Judas--as happened in the case of Wayne Fincher. And like Fincher, expect to see the judge strictly limit which arguments are allowed and what the jury can hear. Which means don't be surprised if "show me the law" is ruled inadmissible. Expect it.

The lesson, of course, could not be clearer. Obey or be destroyed. Or we'll get you one at a time and make examples of you.

Realistically--do we expect any other outcome? In searching for answers, the one constant seems to be a lone individual or group that overtly defies will be besieged and overcome. Whether we believe in the justness of their cause is rendered immaterial by the certain response. So while I feel great sympathy and rue that things are not the way I want them to be, I can't recommend making yourself a target by publicly defying edicts as an effective way to achieve personal freedom.

The "good" news is, it looks like "the authorities" are afraid to pull a Waco/Ruby Ridge redux--at least for now.

[Via WmH]

Insider Information

...on this.

From one in the know, a past source with demonstrated reliability, who has requested anonymity:

Never a doubt about negligent gun handling. Either the media or a police spokesperson came up with the "malfunction" or "trying to clear a round" story. Bottom line, that particular range has a no loaded weapons behind the firing line policy. The officers in question had been advised of this by other patrons (non-LEO regulars at that range) at which time they identified themselves as law enforcement and continued to load magazines and insert them into their firearms while at the counters along the wall behind the firing line. This placed them (and their loaded firearms) behind the non-LEOs at the firing line, that is why they mentioned the rules to the officers...non-LEO regulars had noticed sloppy gun handling just prior to the incident (particularly, fingers inside the trigger guard while not on target).

This Day in History: October 6

October 6, 1778

...A group of local militia, under the command of Captain Johnson occupy a two platform fort, that had placements for 6 guns, but unfortunately had none...

The British arrive and the militia was routed by the bayonet wielding British regulars. There was not much they could do to defend the town. The British had cannons and many men. The defenders of Chestnut Neck, probably numbered less then 20, with no cannons.

Commander Colins found 10 prize vessels still at Chestnut Neck. He ordered the town and all the vessels to be dismantled, set afire and scuttled. It took all night until noon on the 7th.