Click to enlargeI just got this and have not yet listened.
I do note some in comments endorse taking it out on the proprietors. I can't join that call because I don't know the facts. Here's the thing--it's not our livelihood at stake and based on all the talk and no action I observe from most in the internet "pro-gun" community, my bet is very few would come forward to help them fight this. It's a bit like watching the other barnyard critters complain about the Little Red Hen's bread not being up to snuff.
I'd venture unless a big outfit like NRA's Civil Rights Defense Fund comes to their rescue, and attorneys get involved who can convince Texas state authorities to issue some counter order or get an injunction from the courts, it's hardly any more fair to beat them up--with what we know at this time--than it is for us to condemn a gun owner for accepting a plea.
Hopefully there is something in the works. I'll need to listen to the segments, and again tomorrow, and perhaps I'll revise my assessment--perhaps not.
And no, I don't know which hour it's in or how soon it begins. Here's the main access page.
UPDATE: I'm listening to this segment now: http://podcast.gcnlive.com/podcast/alex/0118104.mp3
"Darwin" sounds like he's doing what he can and is going to fight this. His is a family business, so we're not talking unlimited resources here. It looks like Alex Jones will be going there at the next show in 3 1/2 weeks. Be nice if there was a game plan by then for supporting gun owners to show up and make a media/protest event of this.
It also sounds like the previous proprietor was caught on some stings and the feds are taking those out on the new guys.
As I listen, my sense is these are people we should be getting behind and supporting, not judging.
It starts on this one: http://podcast.gcnlive.com/podcast/alex/0118104.mp3
ReplyDelete"Darwin bedeker" joins the show at about 2/3 of the way through http://gcnlive.com/Archives2010/jan10/AlexJones/0118103.mp3
ReplyDeleteDD
I disagree that we shouldn't take it out on the owners, if they are complying with an UNLAWFUL DEMAND. Any federal or local agents caught breaking the law should be forcibly resisted.
ReplyDeleteZach, how many unconstitutional laws have you forcibly resisted in your life?
ReplyDeleteGood interview. He gives the names of the "law" enforcement officers that were present.
ReplyDeleteZach,
ReplyDeleteResisting arrest even if the arrest is unlawful cannot be justified under Texas law unless the arresting officer uses an excessive amount of force before the person arrested uses any forcible resistance. See Chapter 9 Texas Penal Code.
Right out there on the street, the gun show operator really doesn't have an option.
What the Austin PD & the BATFE did appears to be totally unconstitutional and a clear violation of Texas law. Unfortunately, the only recourse the show operator has is a civil suit and possibly finding a sympathetic DA or County Attorney who will take his case and prosecute the LEOs who perpetrated this travesty of justice.
[W-III]
Zach, how many unconstitutional laws have you forcibly resisted in your life?- DAVID
ReplyDeleteCan I answer that? Ok, here goes, I have resisted them all and forcibly resisted about four. They were the fools who thought I wouldn't.
For WWW, that is why I say when one is being abused by authority, in today's age he has not much to lose by killing that authority.
Also, it is time to make them understand that we no longer trust the legal system to do the right thing and therefore we have been left with no choice but to stop them at the point of abuse. However, in this instance, he has a choice. He can just ignore them and let them pursue it in court. There must be a thousand lawyers in Texas who would love a chance to take a shot at the state or county or city for such an egregious act of law-breaking by the authorities and would be willing to do it on a coningency basis.
oh yeah, if the arrest is unlawful there is a case to be made that any force employed in that arrest is "excessive" since it is the criminal using it.
ReplyDeleteI know it doesn't often work that way, but that is our fault because we let them get away with it. I forget the man's name, but it is on videotape that he was assaulted for no cause by a DPS officer. The officer was transferred because he could no longer safely live in the area after the man he assaulted got 20 years in Huntsville for dumping the cowardly sonofabitch on his ass. He then proceeded to go away from this chickenshit and was shot in the back multiple times by said chickenshit. This will not be long tolerated. Were it me, they could never let me out. Because I would kill him. Since I have seen so much of it in the last few decades, I don't think I could come up with a reason to wait.
David, None.
ReplyDeleteBut I'm quick to point out that the "authorities" don't even have color of law in this instance. Not even an unconstitutional local ordinance. So I still blame the owners. As was pointed out in the podcast, if the police say we have to wash their cars, even if there is no law, should we do it?
It's cold and lonely on the other side of "the law", even if "the law" is damned illegal itself and anyone worth their salt knows it.
ReplyDeleteJust ask Wayne Fincher, David Olofson, and the other fellow who put some machine guns back together for his state militia.
I'll be listening to what Darwin has to say later today and will be looking to see what I can do to help and support him.
Damn right we need to support Darwin! They're trying out this BS in my home state of Texas, and what's needed is not chest thumping and keyboard pounding, but flesh and blood and boots on the ground, period. I'll be at the next gun show and I'm going to see if I can make everyone there aware of what's up. And I'm going to find out what I can do.
ReplyDeleteI just sent an Open Records Request to APD:
ReplyDeleteDear Sir,
This is a request under the Open Records Act, Chapter 552 of the Texas Government Code of Texas. Please also provide any and all documents, notes correspondence, summaries, worksheets, memoranda, and/or assignment sheets e-mails and video or audio recordings reviewed, produced, generated, used, and/or compiled regarding the Austin Police Department’s collaboration with the Bureau of Arms Tobacco and Alcohol in demanding, requesting, discussing and/or advising the Texas Gun Show and HEB to bar or prevent or end private gun sales except via Federally Licensed Dealers, during the gun show scheduled for January 16 and 17, 2010 and held at the Crockett Center in Austin, Texas. Please also provide any video or audio recordings of the meetings held between APD, ATF and/or HEB and the operator of the Texas Gun Show.
It is our expectation that these items will be provided within the time-frame mandated by the above-referenced Texas statute. Please let me know the cost of copying.
Jerri Lynn Ward, J.D.
The Austin Ron Paulers are up in arms!
Alex Jones is interviewing the owner and Aaron Zeller, Larry Pratt and the owner of the show right now: http://www.gcnlive.com/
Ms. Ward, I just quoted from your comment on my new GRE piece about the Austin PD press release:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.examiner.com/x-1417-Gun-Rights-Examiner~y2010m1d19-Austin-Police-statement-on-banning-private-sales-at-Texas-Gun-Shows