"I'm the ARA"

I've been curious about the financing for our good friends at American Hunters and Shooters Association. It's not like they have a large membership base, and somebody's bankrolling them.

One of the resources I use to check nonprofits is Guidestar. They were useful in checking the IRS filings of the ROOT program for my latest GUNS Magazine article, and a while back some of you may remember this shot across the bow of Freedom States Alliance, just to convince them that two can play their little "outing" game.

What I found when I looked up AHSA was the American Rifle Association Foundation, and opening up their 2006 Form 990 shows the name of their organization is American Hunters and Shooters Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) Public Charity. Why they are listed under a different name is anybody's guess, but here is their "mission":

TO SUPPORT, PROMOTE, AND PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF THE PEOPLE OF THE U.S.A. TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS FOR ALL LAWFUL PURPOSES.

Right.

Bottom line for the foundation: gross receipts just under $250K, and all the principles (Rosenthal, Vince, Shoenke, Hickok) say they work 5 hours or less per week for no compensation. But bear in mind this is the foundation, because Part VI, "Other Information," asks if they are related to any other organization, to which they check "Yes," and type in "See Statement 2."

The name of that organization is American Hunters and Shooters Association, Inc., and they, too, are "exempt," but to date no 990 has been posted (unless, as with the foundation, it is listed under another name?).

I leave it to people skilled in such matters to see what conclusions can be drawn--for instance, why is there no Form 990 for AHSA-proper? Do they take in under $25K annually, and are not required to file a form? Is the foundation all there is? Do they rely almost entirely on free publicity from a supportive media? Or hasn't their filing been posted yet?

Beats me. I'm hoping more people looking into this will help bring the information to light. As I understand it, someone ought to be able to just write them and and ask?

UPDATE: While we're at it, here's Freedom States Alliance. $408K in, practically nothing out. Doesn't say much, does it? Particularly about any money being spent. Who pays for "Gun Guys"? Oh, I see--they need an extension...

A Really Wrong Turn

A U.S. soldier being held by Mexican authorities said he accidentally drove across the border with guns, knives and ammunition while looking for a place to park.

Congratulations, Spc. Torres.

"The Vote Freedom First President" and his fawning cronies say a foreign conviction should put you on their prohibited persons list.

Aren't you glad you risked your life overseas to defend American "freedom"?

Hey, if you're not with us, you're against us!

The Lords' Will

The family of a man who was shot dead by Sussex Police while naked and unarmed can sue the force for unlawful killing, Law Lords have ruled.

"Law Lords"? Good grief.

But at least the family gets a consolation prize.

I note the "Only One" who panicked and murdered an unarmed man escaped prosecution and incarceration.

The Lords' will, no doubt.

No Choice

The RCMP says if the government allows an amnesty on rifle and shotgun ownership to expire, police will have no choice but to fine or jail unregistered long-gun owners.

In other words, you're leaving gun owners no choice but to obey or resist, Sgt. Strong?

"Terribly Offensive"

We talked with Larry Hincker from Virginia Tech about the visit. He says "Free speech is a hallmark of university life. Still, I find it terribly offensive to learn that the gun-seller of the weapons used in the Virginia Tech campus murders would set foot on this campus."

Hincker went on to say he thinks it's incredibly insensitive to the families of the victims.

No, Hincker.

What's terribly offensive is you, murderer enabler.

What's incredibly insensitive is that you continue to endanger other human beings with your bloody-handed incompetence.

"A Simple Yet Effective Tool"

Who? BATFU "Special Agent in Charge" James Cavanaugh?

UPDATE: Mike Vanderboegh made up a poster just for this occasion, but adaptable for so many others!

We're the Only Ones With Judgment Enough

For the first time in its history, a weapon was fired inside a courtroom at the Gatineau courthouse yesterday.

But the man who inadvertently pulled the trigger was the Quebec court judge presiding over the case.

Because everyone knows the best way to find out if a gun works is to squeeze the trigger. And the police couldn't figure out how to unload/unjam it? That's quite a chain of incompetency the Quebec "Only Ones" have going for them there.

No wonder they're against guns. People typically fear that which they're ignorant of.

And lest we miss the larger point, it doesn't seem to occur to anyone that they have created a society where goblins feel secure enough in the defenselessness of their victims to dare conducting home invasions with an air pistol.

That's just plain pathetic.

Gun Virgins

Although my clients clearly had a "blast" with their first shooting experience, they didn't have more fun than I did, proudly explaining America's fine tradition of empowering the individual with firearms and standing up to "authorities" who were in reality elitist snobs bent on convincing them they were unworthy underlings.

This is a fun read and parallels my experiences every time I have introduced a new person to shooting. It truly is the single best way to begin changing perceptions.

[Via KABA Newslinks]

Creating a First Impression

It would also be nice for him to examine why it is that British tourists have such an unrealistic view of America as a violent place that they are shocked at how safe they feel when visiting. Does the media, including BBC, bear any responsibility for conveying such a misleading impression?

Oh, I don't know, what do you think?

[Via Thaddeus Fendon]

A Matter of Ceremony

A charge of carrying a dangerous weapon was dismissed against a Sikh man arrested in Kern County with a ceremonial dagger in his possession.

Good.

If we have equal protection under the law combined with "no laws respecting establishment of religion," I'm sure I can do the same, right?

[Via Maureen]

Meanwhile, Back in Boss Daley's Paradise...

Five people were found dead Wednesday afternoon in a house on Chicago's South Side, police said.

The spate...uh...spike continues, despite the city's best efforts to keep you and me disarmed. This sounds like a job for Snuffy Pfleger.

Fact of the matter is, there are some on the South Side who can't be trusted with water. So I guess the only way to deal with that equitably is to lower the boom on...I mean, bar for all of us.

[Via HZ]

Defending the Indefensible

In a move that can only be described as deranged Linfield College has instituted a policy that "prohibits weapons on college property, in any vehicle on college property, or at any college-sponsored event on or off campus." [Emphasis added.]

Oregon Firearms Federation has done such a superlative job dissecting this, I have little else to say--except maybe tell Campus Safety Director Mike Dresell what you think of his defending the indefensible (literally): mailto:mdressel@linfield.edu%20

[Via Jeffersonian]

Propaganda: It's as Easy as ABC

"It's virtually impossible to buy a firearm in Mexico as a private citizen, so this country is where they come," said Newell.

And as we all know, in Mexico, it is virtually impossible to break any laws, so naturally, firearms laws would fall into that category.
It's not like a lack of border security that permits millions of foreign nationals to cross illegally is going to be able to stop guns. Funny--that isn't even mentioned. And forget the War on Drugs that makes it all profitable.

No, the solution, according to the ambitious BATFU careerist, is to infringe on the right of citizens to purchase firearms. While throwing M60 machine guns into the mix of "lenient American gun laws," taking a page right out of Josh Sugarmann's playbook.


And bringing up the hysteria over ballistic vest/car door-piercing firepower, as if any hunting rifle won't do that. And demonizing firearms with intent, as in "Mata Policia."

And, of course, blaming it all on "the Second Amendment."

Charlie Gibson. Now there's an unbiased chronicler.

And as we all know:


Way to cheerlead, ABC News! No wonder "More Americans get their subversive propaganda from you than any other source!"

[Via George S]

Texicans

Pound for pound, for sheer orneriness, in 1835-1836 Texicans set a new standard. As usual in showdowns between free men and dictators, it started over gun control.

Mike Vanderboegh gives a history lesson we would do well to learn, especially since history has a habit of repeating itself.

This Day in History: April 24

[Affidavit] No. 5.Lexington, April 24, 1775.

I, John Robins, being of lawful Age, do Testifye and say, that on the Nineteenth Instant, the Company under the Command of Captain John Parker, being drawn up (sometime before sun Rise) on the Green or Common, and I being in the front Rank, there suddenly appear'd a Number of the Kings Troops, about a Thousand, as I thought, at the distance of about 60 or 70 yards from us Huzzaing, and on a quick pace towards us, with three Officers in their front on Horse Back, and on full Gallop towards us, the foremost of which cryed, throw down your Arms ye Villains, ye Rebels! upon which said Company Dispersing, the foremost of the three Officers order'd their Men, saying, fire, by God, fire! at which Moment we received a very heavy and close fire from them, at which Instant, being wounded, I fell, and several of our men were shot Dead by me. Captain Parker's men I believe had not then fired a Gun, and further the Deponent saith not.

John Robins.