Gangswell

Criminal gangs in the USA have swelled to an estimated 1 million members responsible for up to 80% of crimes in communities across the nation, according to a gang threat assessment compiled by federal officials. [More]

Say, I've got a swell idea...

Let's disarm you and me...

We're the Only Ones Forgive Us Our Trespasses Enough

A former Teton County Sheriff's deputy who shot a dog three times after its owner had tied it to a tree pleaded guilty Wednesday to misdemeanor trespassing..[More]

I had to dig through a lot of stuff to find the last time I talked about this.

Enter "dog" in the site search box and see for yourself.

I may have to start a category right alongside the "Only Ones" files. Well, not too close to it. We all know how that can end up.

So--what do you think? "Misdemeanor trespassing" for us, too...?

[Via Avg Joe]

Not Close Enough for Government Work?

From thedweeze:

Just heard this on Shep's show (approx 7:40PM): The Army has 'recalled' 16,000 sets of body armor. They were their usual obfuscatory selves about explaining exactly why this particular 16,000 units and what the criteria were. The reason I'm alerting you all is that in all likelihood these things will hit the surplus market late this Spring or early Summer and folks need to be aware of exactly what they're looking at.

OK, here's the story.

[B]ullet-shielding ceramic plates in the armor failed testing...

Seems like it would be a hell of a liability if they released these into the civilian market...

Questioning Rosanna Pulido for Congress?

I've been seeing a growing buzz on this candidate in the gun community. [More]

I also note that replacing Rahm Emanuel with even a nominally pro-gun candidate would be an improvement.

So I don't mean to take out my ongoing disillusionment on her--it's just that I've been wooed by "pro-gun Republicans" before. For decades. And here we are.

So when I see her 2nd Amendment page not only misspells Hale DeMar's name, but doesn't even touch on the core meaning of the right in terms of being a safeguard against tyranny, you'll excuse me if I don't wonder just how deep the well goes. Plus, I gotta tell you--stumping for Chi-Town "Only Ones" doesn't exactly put a Liberty lump in my throat.

Let her unequivocally answer a few questions and I'll be happy to consider her candidacy based on how she does:

1. Do you believe that the Constitution is the "supreme law of the land" and that the Bill of Rights acknowledges the birthrights of all Americans?

2. If so, should these rights be proactively protected from infringement by all levels of government, including city, county and state?

3. Please give some examples of gun laws you consider constitutional.

4. Please give some examples of gun laws you consider unconstitutional.

5. Does the right to bear arms include the right for any peaceable citizen to carry them concealed without a permit, as in Vermont?

6. Do you believe that Americans have a right to own, use and carry weapons of military pattern?

7. Do you support or oppose calls to “enforce existing gun laws”?

8. Do you support or oppose licensing requirements to own or carry firearms? Why?

9. What specific gun laws will you work to get repealed?

10. If elected, will you back your words of support for firearms rights up with consistent actions? How?

[Via John Richardson]

The Whine Club

Vanderboegh has some fun. Content Warning. [More]

An Evening Visit

"Before you take the sword, before you walk the way of the sword, know this", she held back slightly and the heat I felt became somehow instantly cold, lonely, vacuous. "Once taken, you can never let go. If you accept, you can never relinquish. The price is great. Your Forebears paid. This way is fraught with peril. The reward, however, is greater than gold, brighter than diamonds." [More]

Mike H sets out on a quest.

A Certain Outcome for Holder?

The Borgs at the AP tell us resistance is futile, and Eric Holder will be confirmed by the full Senate Monday evening. They say there's nothing we can do, that "the outcome is not in doubt." [More]

Today's Gun Rights Examiner column explains how and why that came about, thanks largely in part to "our side."

I still recommend you keep pestering your senators. If nothing else, we need to train ourselves never to quit.

We also have a new columnist in Austin, Howard Nemerov. Consider that three-and-a-half months ago there was nothing.

As always, I ask you to help us continue to grow by sharing GRE links with your friends, posting to forums... I hope the regulars who find value here here make that a regular practice. In any case, until someone steps forward and gives me a substantial advertising budget, I'm going to keep asking you to.

Check out the latest from other Gun Rights Examiners

• Austin Gun Rights Examiner: Brady Campaign to prevent democracy? (Part 1)
• Charlotte Gun Rights Examiner: Rev. Whitley's 'bullet' bill is not just for Durham
• Cleveland Gun Rights Examiner: What is the Tiahrt Amendment?
• Los Angeles Gun Rights Examiner: Nationwide concealed carry, Part II: More guns on the street, or more of our own authority?
• St. Louis Gun Rights Examiner: Upcoming events for shooters, gun rights activists

This Day in History: January 30

January 30, 1777

- In Jamaica, attorneys claim that American vessels and their crews captured by British warships prior to January 1, 1776, when the Trade Prohibitory Act became effective could not be detained. [More]