Friday, February 13, 2009
A Crossville Gun Ban
I've been given permission to post the following, about a proposed municipal gun ban in Tennessee. It is presented unedited except for deleting email addresses and boilerplate, the thread running from newest to oldest. There is also a file attachment from the Crossville City Manager that you can download from here.
re: Crossville Proposal to Ban Concealed Carry
Wed 2/11/09 11:46 PM
Councilman Kerley,
Thank you for the reply, and for your efforts to stand against this bill.
I find it curious that members of government always seem to be for restrictions of rights for members of the public, most often 2d Amendment rights, even when FBI reports and many other research projects prove, repeatedly, that gun control laws do not work and have never worked. In America, anyway; I confess that such laws worked well for Lenin, Stalin, Hitler and the Nazi Party, Krushchev, and the like.
Ask the council if they are aware of how many have been killed as a result of government-mandated gun control ( http://www.jpfo.org/filegen-a-m/deathgc.htm#chart ) and ask the council if they are assuming liability for the personal safety of each and every citizen when the police are not available (http://www.jpfo.org/filegen-a-m/dial911anddie.htm ). Ask them if they are capable of providing individual bodyguards for me at no cost if and when I visit the area, and if not, ask who the hell they think they are to place the value of their lives above mine and my family. Ask them just how much liability insurance they are willing to carry, both business and personal. And then, ask them what they are so afraid of.
I wonder about their reasons; it always seems that government wants to restrict our 2A right in government - owned by the public - areas, and one might speculate as to why they feel it necessary to disarm the public – perhaps they have some nefarious plans in mind?
As you requested, I am passing this on to several prominent forums, church leaders, multiple business contacts, potential visitors from elsewhere, and to many other residents, including a large group of former, active, and retired service personnel. If the ordnance passes, Crossville will lose my money, and will suffer the impact of whatever bad advertising I can generate. I for one am determined that any encroachment on my rights will result in a lessened cash flow for Crossville’s economy and a negative effect on the city’s reputation, if these invidious assaults on my / our rights continue.
Thank you again!
William Shires
From: jesse kerley RE: Crossville Proposal to Ban Concealed Carry
Wednesday, February 11, 2009 6:22 PM
thanks for your email. i made a motion last night in the City Council meeting to abolish the ordinance and it did not receive a second. you need to inform every that JH Graham, Carl Duer, and Earl Dean are for passing a gun ordinance.
Subject: Crossville Proposal to Ban Concealed Carry
Date: Mon, 9 Feb 2009 22:29:54 -0600
Mayor Graham
Crossville, Tennessee
February 09, 2009
Sir:
I’m writing to voice my concerns over Crossville’s proposed ban on concealed carry on city-owned property.
My first question is “Where does this stop?” After all, the streets and sidewalks are “city-owned”, are they not?
On average, I visit Crossville twice a month for one reason or another, sometimes more often, and while there, I spend money. I’ve been doing this for 15 years. During all that time, I’ve carried a concealed weapon for protection, and to date, not once have I yielded to justified anger at government any of the many violations of my inalienable rights, nor have I gone berserk and attempted to rob, threaten, or otherwise forcibly mandate what other people should do. Sad to say, but that is exactly what your city government is attempting to do; forcibly, at uniformed gunpoint, strip law-abiding citizens of their rights.
I am of the generation where kids carried rifles back and forth to school on bikes, and as they grew older, in cars and trucks. You know, that generation where kids grew up understanding firearms, and where we did not have school shootings? I’ve been using firearms since I was 8 years old, and have been carrying a personal weapon for nigh on 40 years. In all that time, I recall few cases of law-abiding citizens using firearms inappropriately, yet I am aware of many cases where law enforcement officers have and continue to do just that. You probably aren’t aware of this salient trait, which is why I bring it to your attention. I don’t mean to imply that the Crossville Police Department is less than professional, but historical records show that one never knows. Yet you wish to abrogate my rights?
If your staff advises you that my assertions are incorrect, may I suggest you review The Only Ones files? After the first 10 or so pages, you may see my point.
Please remember that I have a choice as to where I invest and spend money. If I can not visit Crossville without fear of harassment or arrest for exercising my inalienable rights, then I won’t. Visit or invest / spend money.
You may have seen the quotes I’ve included below. Perhaps not. I find in many cases that advice given by staff is only what they think you want to ( or should ) hear.
You propose to ban concealed carry? You are aware that state law does not mandate concealed carry? The so-called license ( see 4 below ) not only allows for open carry, but specifically prohibits any requirement of concealment. So a ban would probably have the opposite of its’ intended effect. And, keep in mind that subordinate governments can not supersede state law.
By the way, since Crossville’s web site does not provide emails for Dr. Duer, Mr. Dean, and Mr. Wyatt, please make copies available to them for their perusal.
Thank you for your consideration.
William Shires
US Army (Ret.)
Cookeville
--------------------------
1. Most citizens just assume the police will protect them. That assumption is false. The police cannot protect everyone -- in fact the police usually have no legal duty to protect anyone. Dial 911 and Die, the book available now, proves this fact. For nearly every American state and territory, this book shows how the police owe no legal duty to protect individuals from crime. The police in most places do not even have to come when you call.
Jews For The Preservation of Firearms Ownership
2. Police Officers carry a sidearm for the protection of themselves and others. You should have a firearm for the same reason. That is what this right is all about. No one I know of has a police officer right with them all the time. I can tell you right now that when you need that officer, chances are he or she will not be able to get to you in time to help.
Sheriff Michael E. Cook, Texas, November 2002
3. It is elementary law that every statute is to be read in the light of the constitution. However broad and general its language, it cannot be interpreted as extending beyond those matters which it was within the constitutional power of the legislature to reach.
McCullough v.Virginia, 172 U.S. 102 (1898)
4. A state may not impose a charge for the enjoyment of a right granted by the federal constitution. The power to impose a license tax on the exercise of these freedoms is indeed as potent as the power of censorship which this Court has repeatedly struck down. Aa person cannot be compelled to purchase, through a license fee or a license tax, the privilege freely granted by the Constitution.
Murdock v. Pennsylvania 319 US 105 (1942)
5. It is undoubtedly true that all citizens capable of bearing arms constitute the reserved military force or reserve militia of the United States as well as the states, and, in view of this prerogative of the general government, as well as of its general powers, the states cannot, even laying the constitutional provision in question out of view, prohibit the people from keeping and bearing arms, so as to deprive the United States of their rightful resource for maintaining the public security, and disable the people from performing their duty to the general government.
Presser v. Illinois (1886)
6. When a judge acts where he or she does not have jurisdiction to act, the judge is engaged in an act or acts of treason.
US v Will, 449 US 200,216, 101 S Ct, 471, 66 LEd2nd 392, 406 (1980)
Cohens V Virginia, 19 US (6 Wheat) 264, 404, 5LEd 257 (1821)
/end/
re: Crossville Proposal to Ban Concealed Carry
Wed 2/11/09 11:46 PM
Councilman Kerley,
Thank you for the reply, and for your efforts to stand against this bill.
I find it curious that members of government always seem to be for restrictions of rights for members of the public, most often 2d Amendment rights, even when FBI reports and many other research projects prove, repeatedly, that gun control laws do not work and have never worked. In America, anyway; I confess that such laws worked well for Lenin, Stalin, Hitler and the Nazi Party, Krushchev, and the like.
Ask the council if they are aware of how many have been killed as a result of government-mandated gun control ( http://www.jpfo.org/filegen-a-m/deathgc.htm#chart ) and ask the council if they are assuming liability for the personal safety of each and every citizen when the police are not available (http://www.jpfo.org/filegen-a-m/dial911anddie.htm ). Ask them if they are capable of providing individual bodyguards for me at no cost if and when I visit the area, and if not, ask who the hell they think they are to place the value of their lives above mine and my family. Ask them just how much liability insurance they are willing to carry, both business and personal. And then, ask them what they are so afraid of.
I wonder about their reasons; it always seems that government wants to restrict our 2A right in government - owned by the public - areas, and one might speculate as to why they feel it necessary to disarm the public – perhaps they have some nefarious plans in mind?
As you requested, I am passing this on to several prominent forums, church leaders, multiple business contacts, potential visitors from elsewhere, and to many other residents, including a large group of former, active, and retired service personnel. If the ordnance passes, Crossville will lose my money, and will suffer the impact of whatever bad advertising I can generate. I for one am determined that any encroachment on my rights will result in a lessened cash flow for Crossville’s economy and a negative effect on the city’s reputation, if these invidious assaults on my / our rights continue.
Thank you again!
William Shires
From: jesse kerley RE: Crossville Proposal to Ban Concealed Carry
Wednesday, February 11, 2009 6:22 PM
thanks for your email. i made a motion last night in the City Council meeting to abolish the ordinance and it did not receive a second. you need to inform every that JH Graham, Carl Duer, and Earl Dean are for passing a gun ordinance.
Subject: Crossville Proposal to Ban Concealed Carry
Date: Mon, 9 Feb 2009 22:29:54 -0600
Mayor Graham
Crossville, Tennessee
February 09, 2009
Sir:
I’m writing to voice my concerns over Crossville’s proposed ban on concealed carry on city-owned property.
My first question is “Where does this stop?” After all, the streets and sidewalks are “city-owned”, are they not?
On average, I visit Crossville twice a month for one reason or another, sometimes more often, and while there, I spend money. I’ve been doing this for 15 years. During all that time, I’ve carried a concealed weapon for protection, and to date, not once have I yielded to justified anger at government any of the many violations of my inalienable rights, nor have I gone berserk and attempted to rob, threaten, or otherwise forcibly mandate what other people should do. Sad to say, but that is exactly what your city government is attempting to do; forcibly, at uniformed gunpoint, strip law-abiding citizens of their rights.
I am of the generation where kids carried rifles back and forth to school on bikes, and as they grew older, in cars and trucks. You know, that generation where kids grew up understanding firearms, and where we did not have school shootings? I’ve been using firearms since I was 8 years old, and have been carrying a personal weapon for nigh on 40 years. In all that time, I recall few cases of law-abiding citizens using firearms inappropriately, yet I am aware of many cases where law enforcement officers have and continue to do just that. You probably aren’t aware of this salient trait, which is why I bring it to your attention. I don’t mean to imply that the Crossville Police Department is less than professional, but historical records show that one never knows. Yet you wish to abrogate my rights?
If your staff advises you that my assertions are incorrect, may I suggest you review The Only Ones files? After the first 10 or so pages, you may see my point.
Please remember that I have a choice as to where I invest and spend money. If I can not visit Crossville without fear of harassment or arrest for exercising my inalienable rights, then I won’t. Visit or invest / spend money.
You may have seen the quotes I’ve included below. Perhaps not. I find in many cases that advice given by staff is only what they think you want to ( or should ) hear.
You propose to ban concealed carry? You are aware that state law does not mandate concealed carry? The so-called license ( see 4 below ) not only allows for open carry, but specifically prohibits any requirement of concealment. So a ban would probably have the opposite of its’ intended effect. And, keep in mind that subordinate governments can not supersede state law.
By the way, since Crossville’s web site does not provide emails for Dr. Duer, Mr. Dean, and Mr. Wyatt, please make copies available to them for their perusal.
Thank you for your consideration.
William Shires
US Army (Ret.)
Cookeville
--------------------------
1. Most citizens just assume the police will protect them. That assumption is false. The police cannot protect everyone -- in fact the police usually have no legal duty to protect anyone. Dial 911 and Die, the book available now, proves this fact. For nearly every American state and territory, this book shows how the police owe no legal duty to protect individuals from crime. The police in most places do not even have to come when you call.
Jews For The Preservation of Firearms Ownership
2. Police Officers carry a sidearm for the protection of themselves and others. You should have a firearm for the same reason. That is what this right is all about. No one I know of has a police officer right with them all the time. I can tell you right now that when you need that officer, chances are he or she will not be able to get to you in time to help.
Sheriff Michael E. Cook, Texas, November 2002
3. It is elementary law that every statute is to be read in the light of the constitution. However broad and general its language, it cannot be interpreted as extending beyond those matters which it was within the constitutional power of the legislature to reach.
McCullough v.Virginia, 172 U.S. 102 (1898)
4. A state may not impose a charge for the enjoyment of a right granted by the federal constitution. The power to impose a license tax on the exercise of these freedoms is indeed as potent as the power of censorship which this Court has repeatedly struck down. Aa person cannot be compelled to purchase, through a license fee or a license tax, the privilege freely granted by the Constitution.
Murdock v. Pennsylvania 319 US 105 (1942)
5. It is undoubtedly true that all citizens capable of bearing arms constitute the reserved military force or reserve militia of the United States as well as the states, and, in view of this prerogative of the general government, as well as of its general powers, the states cannot, even laying the constitutional provision in question out of view, prohibit the people from keeping and bearing arms, so as to deprive the United States of their rightful resource for maintaining the public security, and disable the people from performing their duty to the general government.
Presser v. Illinois (1886)
6. When a judge acts where he or she does not have jurisdiction to act, the judge is engaged in an act or acts of treason.
US v Will, 449 US 200,216, 101 S Ct, 471, 66 LEd2nd 392, 406 (1980)
Cohens V Virginia, 19 US (6 Wheat) 264, 404, 5LEd 257 (1821)
/end/
We're the Only Ones Youth-Oriented Enough
A 27-year-old Chicago police officer has been charged with possessing child pornography...[More]Some "Only Ones" are always kidding around...
[Via The Bitter Clinger]
Houses of the Holy
I always figured going to church was voluntary, and my attendance there was between me and God.Some Arkansas lawmakers are trying to change the state's gun laws to expand the places where concealed-carry permit holders can take their handguns.
One proposal, to allow concealed guns in churches and other places of worship, is headed to the House Judiciary Committee this week. [More]
Kurt talked about this in his Examiner column today.
[Via Ed M]
Psychos for Pstripping Psitizens of Psidearms
Kazmierczak, a former NIU student, was going to graduate school at the University of Illinois in Champaign at the time of the killings. During his time at NIU, he wrote a paper called "No Crazies With Guns," in which he used the April 2007 massacre at Virginia Tech to analyze whether mentally ill people should have access to guns. [More]He's not the first mass killer to advocate disarming the victim pool.
Hey, they may be nuts, but they're not crazy...
[Via RuffRidr]
We're the Only Ones "Keep the Tip" Enough
A federal judge has sentenced a former North Providence police officer to five months in prison for warning a drug dealer he was being investigated. [More]Say, I've got a swell idea: let's ensure the drug trade is so lucrative that even the "Only Ones" hired to combat it can be lured into its rewards...
[Via Ed M]
Wisconsin Cheesy
It's less than a week until the Constitution gets another court hearing. To recap what happened, in August 2008 Brad Krause was arrested at gunpoint in West Allis, Wisconsin while planting trees in his yard. The reason: he lawfully possessed a holstered weapon. [More]Note the idiot neighbor.
Yeah, only "Only Ones" should be able to carry a gun in WI.
[Via Jeffersonian]
We're the Only Ones Impulsive Enough
A Lomita sheriff's lieutenant has pleaded no contest to two misdemeanor charges stemming from his shoplifting arrest at a Torrance home improvement store, prosecutors said Wednesday...
Lum, 51, must attend 20 impulse-control counseling sessions before he returns to Torrance Superior Court for sentencing on Aug. 10, Thompson-Bell said. [More]
"Impulse control."
Good grief. How about the guy has no ethics or integrity? How about he's a corrupt and evil parasite that the state has been inflicting on the citizens for a dozen years?
What do you think Lum's impulse control would have been like had one of us non "Only Ones" fled from him and then scuffled? And do you think we'd have been offered a deal?
[Via Minstrel]
Comparative Results
Is There a Relationship between Guns and Freedom? [More]I'll need to find a chance to read this in my copious free time...
I see Howard Nemerov is a co-author.
[Via Steven L]
Jacob Doesn't Like Me
And I so wanted his respect.
Because his game plan has worked out so well in New York and all... [More]
Because his game plan has worked out so well in New York and all... [More]
NRA Members for Obama
Click to enlargeFour members? "$0.00" raised?
That's some impressive grassroots effort you've put together there, "Matt.. but apparently you didn't get (or chose not to pass on) the memo about those "foreign battlefield" weapons you're flat-out lying about believing we have a right to own. [More]
[Via John Hardin]
UPDATE: I've been told something about this site from someone in the know, and I don't think I'm going to say any more and spoil it...other than to say "Nice job."
Amnesty
To provide an amnesty period during which veterans and their family members can register certain firearms in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record, and for other purposes. [More]The NRA is for it.
I'm not. Two reasons:
1. Rights are unalienable and inherent to the condition of being human. I don't recognize the power of any government body to grant any class of citizens rights at all, or privileges and immunities not available to all. Matter of fact, to do so seems decidedly unconstitutional. There should be no "Only Ones," veterans, their heirs or otherwise.
If we're not all sitting at the same table, there's no incentive for those who are to invite the rest of us in from the cold. It's one of the main reasons I oppose nationwide concealed carry for cops.
You open this door and who knows what will slither in next?
2. The hell with registration.
Chi-Town Car Wash Shooting
I received the following email from a long time and reliable Chi-Town correspondent that includes some word of mouth. Because I don't want to compromise my correspondent, I am presenting portions of his email with applicable links:
Just running this one by you since it happened in my (work) town. What has struck me funny is that they are very slow in releasing pertinent information. Word is it was a 100% justifiable shooting. Apparently the owner of the carwash was taken to the business by the three "victims" with the intention of robbing the safe. Instead the owner took out a gun and opened fire. He then put the gun down and called police. What remains to be seen is if the owner is "clean" (in our terms). The only hint of a justifiable shooting is that all involved parties are accounted for but no one has been charged.
Just running this one by you since it happened in my (work) town. What has struck me funny is that they are very slow in releasing pertinent information. Word is it was a 100% justifiable shooting. Apparently the owner of the carwash was taken to the business by the three "victims" with the intention of robbing the safe. Instead the owner took out a gun and opened fire. He then put the gun down and called police. What remains to be seen is if the owner is "clean" (in our terms). The only hint of a justifiable shooting is that all involved parties are accounted for but no one has been charged.
We'll see what the official police investigation says.
Most of the details had not been released by the police yet.Anyway, now there's this new development.(The following is speculation but since the Authorized Journalists brought it up ....)
It will be interesting to see if the person that defended himself somehow (stupidly) tipped off Skokie PD that he might own other firearms at home (in Chicago) and that information made it's way to Chicago PD thereby initiating a visit from Chicago "tactical" officers. I'm hoping that instead it's a third person involved in the robbery attempt.
It also remains to be seen if the defensive shooter is "clean."
It also remains to be seen if the defensive shooter is "clean."
Obama, Ginsburg and Guns
Each of them - Mr. Ogden, Ms. Kagan and Ms. Johnsen - are committed liberals whose views on a whole range of issues are on the far left. Each of them could argue anti-gun views in our federal courts, and if any of them end up on the bench, could enshrine those views in the law books. [More]Ken Blackwell demonstrates why he would have been the best pick for RNC Chair as far as RKBA is concerned.
At the time of the Great Debate, the RNC ignored pertinent questions of substance and asked the candidates how many guns they owned. The libs then picked up that cue and portrayed the GOP as pandering to the gun lobby, which was mostly silent on the selection process.
So the con played out in front of a public that doesn't know better. And unfortunately, neither do most gun owners.
[Via David R]
We're the Only Ones Kicking Back Enough
A class-action lawsuit has been filed against two Pennsylvania judges accused of taking more than $2 million in kickbacks to send youth offenders to privately run detention centers. [More]Hey, as long as we agree that society should have a class of "Only Ones," some animals will be more equal than others--and the rest of us will be property, to dispose of or "profit" from.
J.D. Tuccille has more.
An Insurance Policy that Increases Risk
So he's got you! If you abide by the state's restrictive firearms laws and this passes, you'll either need to be able to pony up for coverage, or lose the means to defend yourself and your loved ones in your own home. If you can't afford it, too bad. [More]More subversion from the Chicago political machine. What else?
Please share this column with your friends by sending them its link.
Check out the latest from other Gun Rights Examiners: Austin: Senator Boxer’s fictions to promote ‘sensible gun control’ (Part 2) Charlotte: Students want concealed handguns on campus DC: DC taxpayers will pay for City Council’s gun ban redux Denver: Defending a Young Marine Los Angeles: How do we really get out from under the financial crisis? No, really? State Sovereignty. Milwaukee: Time to change our attitude about guns Minneapolis: The folly across the river St. Louis: Are churchgoers' lives less worth defending?
This Day in History: February 13
The inconveniency arising from drafting Drivers for the Waggons and Artillery out of the Continental Troops, induces the Commander in Chief to direct the Quarter Master General, or his Deputies, to engage Waggoners, and Drivers, for the Artillery, from the Inhabitants; and all persons so engaged, or as Artificers, are, during the time of their engagement to be deemed in actual service, and excused from duty in the Militia. [More]