Who's from Minnesota?

I got an email in response to this from the Northlands NewsCenter News Manager:

Hi David,

I am interested in your view point on this legislation. Can you let me know from a proponents stand-point, the value of the legislation. Will you also let me know if you'd be interested in sharing your thoughts on a follow-up report on this pending legislation?

Well, why the heck not? My response:

Sure, Barbara,

The assertion by the representative of Project Minnesota is offensive on its face, assuming citizens are bloodthirsty and looking for excuses to commit murder. Her terminology "shoot first" is a press release invention of the Brady Campaign, and it is meant to scare, rather than inform. It's wrong, mean and arrogant to believe that the law abiding are champing at the bit to have the law changed so they can commit mayhem.

In fact, similar "Castle Doctrine/Stand Your Ground" laws have been enacted in many states to date, such as Florida in 2005, and now expanding, while others have had versions recognized either by prior statute or case law. When such reforms are proposed, as with states that have enacted laws providing for concealed carry, we have been confronted with dire predictions of "Dodge City" and blood in the streets over fender-benders.

These never seem to come to pass the way predicted, though, because good people don't turn suddenly bad in the presence of tools. And the side that never seems to be discussed is the observable and demonstrable fact that guns in private hands save lives. Most of the time without a shot ever being fired.

Reporter Wallace could have looked at the legislation in question and seen for herself the circumstances when deadly force is authorized. Look at Subd. 2, and you tell me if you think Deputy Chief Breyer's couch-sleeping drunk scenario seems like a qualified exemption.

This bill will not exempt anyone from criminal charges or civil liability unless the specific standards are met. By further eliminating a duty to retreat, we won't be second-guessing (and further victimizing) the person whose life is being threatened to make the best decision their judgment tells them is appropriate under the circumstances--especially considering the decision must be made in a split instant and under extreme stress. Fleeing or fighting is built into the species, but there is no one-size-fits-all correct decision for everyone under every situation. There are times when a physically superior assailant can outrun you, or you don't dare turn your back, or the safety of others may be involved.

I hope this helps clarify things. As for a follow-up report, sure, I've done interviews, but I'm not from Minnesota--I present things to a national audience, both in my monthly GUNS Magazine "Rights Watch" column, and via my blog, The War on Guns. If you need a local for TV face time, let me know if you'd like me to help find a knowledgeable contact in your area.

If you need to speak further, you can either reply here or give me a call (XXX)XXX-XXXX.

I appreciate your willingness to investigate further, and hope you make sure your viewers know another viewpoint exists.

David Codrea

Her reply:

Thanks for the information David. I had hoped you were from the area but I'm sure we can find like-minded citizens in our area. I hope we can follow this story later this week when the "Protect Minnesota" group lobbies at the state capital in St. Paul. If you know anyone from this area who can represent your viewpoint, or who plans to be in St. Paul on the other side of the issue, I would appreciate the information. Thanks for watching our web site, which is, I assume, where you got Ms Wallace's story.

So much for testing my face-made-for-radio theory. But here's the thing--they're gonna be back, and they're interested in hearing about this from someone who is knowledgeable.

Do we know anybody with credibility in that neck of the woods? Or should I just forward this to NRA and put their state lobbyist in touch with her?

Newcomers

More than 100 irate Las Vegas newcomers crowded into a meeting room at the Aliante Public Library on the evening of Feb. 13, jeering, heckling and throwing things at elected officials and Clark County staff invited to explain plans – 24 years in the works – to build a 900-acre shooting park in the empty desert north of town.

Got that? "Irate newcomers."

Heartland Institute put out an interesting article about how people are fleeing more repressive states, and this map is pretty instructive.


Idiots foul their own nests and then seek refuge in places that haven't, and then try to impose the same crap that messed things up in the first place. It's because they just don't really want to live without controls--or allow you to do so either. And coming from an entitlement mindframe, they expect you to adapt to them.

Damn goobacks.

LA Times on "Maximum Mike"

The nominees, many of whom have been awaiting Senate confirmation for months, are being treated like "political pawns," Bush said earlier this month.

Michael J. Sullivan, the president's choice to head the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, is one of them.

That's one hell of an unfounded assumption to jump to, particularly since The Times had access to Ryan's blog.

It's nice to see him get some ink and attention, but the tone of this makes "Maximum Mike" the victim, and totally ignores the intimidation and vendetta that are the hallmarks of BATFU.

Ryan, my advice would be to write a letter to the editor and tell your side: summarize your experience, how the Red's infractions have been no threat to public safety, how the standards you're judged by are often undocumented and arbitrary, the pettiness and harassment you have undergone, and the human side of the impact this has had on you. Oh, and to better your chances, keep it under their suggested limit of 150 words...

We're the Only Ones Standing Our Ground Enough

A man from rural Hammond, Wis., was shot dead late Saturday by St. Croix County sheriff's deputies, who said he pointed a shotgun at them.

What, you mean they weren't looking for an excuse to kill someone? They stood their ground and had no duty to retreat?

Why do you think it is that "Only Ones" have such obvious superior judgment and morality over us mere citizens?

Thrilla in Manila

The Philippine National Police will implement a one-week gun ban to "prevent movement of firearms," amid mounting calls for the ouster of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, PNP Chief Avelino Razon announced Monday.

Don't worry--I'm sure it won't be a total ban...

Just Another Excuse

"We think it's just another way for people to shoot people and have an excuse to shoot them."

Look, Joan Peterson, I really can't help if you and your fellow Project Minnesotaites have such low regard for your own morality and self control that you need to project your deficiencies onto others.

As for you, Deputy Chief John Breyer, that's all I need is some "Only One" telling me when it's appropriate to use force. And I'm sure a drunk on the couch in the wrong house is a damn near universal experience we all can relate to.

And as for the third member of this unholy triune, LeAnn Wallace, the Northland's News Center, I guess it would have been too much work to maybe actually tell your viewers what the legislation really provides for, as opposed to what Joan Peterson and Chief Breyer say it does, or maybe even to talk to a proponent of the bill to get their take on it, and maybe give your viewers some balance in what is being presented as a straight news story, but in typical "Authorized Journalist" fashion is merely just another free advertisement for the citizen disarmament lobby...?

WRSA Practical Pistol Course

Brookings, OR - March 15-16

...this year's first WRSA event, designed to make sure you have a solid grasp of the fundamentals in using your handgun for its designed purpose.

That sounds like a heck of a weekend, doesn't it?

Click on the title link for information on what will be covered and how you can attend.

This Day in History: February 25

"And following the name was the fascination of the flag. The Reverend Slaughter happened to come across a February 25, 1776, copy of the London 'Morning Chronicle,' and in it he saw, as he called it, 'a remarkable article in these words': 'The Americans have a flag with a snake with 13 rattles on it, in the attitude to strike, and with the motto, "Don't tread on me." It is a rule in heraldry that the worthy properties of an animal on a crest should alone be considered. The rattlesnake is an emblem of America, being found in no other part of the world. The eye excels in brightness. It has no eye-lids, and is therefore an emblem of vigilance. She never begins an attack, and never surrenders, and is therefore an emblem of magnanimity. She never wounds until she has given warning. Her weapons are not displayed until drawn for defence. Her power of fascination resembles America - those who look steadily on her are involuntarily drawn towards, and having once approached, never leave her. She is beautiful in youth, and her beauty increases with age. Her tongue is forked as lightning.'"