Tuesday, May 31, 2011

GRE Round Up for May 31

The latest from the Gun Rights Examiners:

Anthony Bouchard/Cheyenne:
Yih-Chau Chang/Oakland:
Dave Workman/Seattle:

Kurt Hofmann/St. Louis:

Mundane...

Duplicative...[Read]

We'll see.

[Via DB]

We're the Only Ones Trained Enough

Jay McDonald, president of the Ohio Fraternal Order of Police, said it is ridiculous to compare a trained police officer to a regular citizen who happens have a concealed carry permit. 

"We are required to meet a much higher level of training and re-training for how to properly handle our weapons and we are trained to know in which situations to shoot and not to shoot," McDonald said. "If they want to require the same level of training for CCW holders as I have to meet as a law enforcement officer, then we will drop our opposition."[More]
Can anybody think of one good reason why we should be required to feed this parasite?

The Safety Dance

We can dance if we want to...[Watch]

And don't you forget it.

Unbelievable how many authoritah-worshipers think they got what they asked for.  On a different continent, in a different time, we'd have called them "good Germans."

[Via Orygunner]

We're the Only Ones Until Death Do Us Part Enough

Police say Franklin Co. deputy kills ex-wife in Roanoke and wounds a state trooper on I-81 [More]
Obviously more trustworthy to be armed in public than you or me...

[Via a ton of you]

I Love You, You Love Me...

Brave teacher. [Read]

Criminal that people are forced by their government to be helpless, unable to protect the most vulnerable entrusted to their care...

I wonder if any of the guns being used outside by those who not only laugh at--but count on--such restrictions were "walked"? Or sold to them by the same "officials" who restrict the "law-abiding"?

[Via Zachary G]

THOR's Hammer

I received the following email from THOR Global Defense Group:

I just added some great new photos of the XM408 rifle to our website, you can view the link here:
Please feel free to distribute these as you need in print or on your website; contact me if you have any questions or need more information on the XM rifle
Well, you know me.  I'd seen a magazine review that only mentioned "official" use. So I sent the following reply:
Is it available to the civilian market?

And heard immediately back from them:
These are now commercially available, let me know if I can assist you with one!
Well, yeah,with the paying part would be nice...

Some day.  The last time Sweetie came home with a lottery ticket, I told her all she's gotta do is get six lousy numbers and she can't even do that right (Owww...).  So I'm counting on this ticket I bought at the NRA Annual Meeting to show her how someone who really knows what he's doing gets things done:

Memorial Day

Yesterday I stood watching a very young woman and her two very young sons crying and asking “Where is daddy” or “why, why, why” and knowing that in all likelihood these armed state enforcers are home with their families sickened and frightened me. [More]
Jesse Mathewson attended that rally we talked about the other day.

Should shaving your beard be cause for federal terrorism scrutiny?

So it should come as no surprise to see real indicators of overt malevolent intent conflated with innocent actions, such as shaving a beard, or paying in cash, or traveling an “illogical” distance to a gun-related event. [More]
This morning's Gun Rights Examiner column has a close shave with a known "hatriot" extremist and "homegrown terrorist."

Somebody ought to report him. I know when I tried to I never got a response.  Warn others against this radical by sharing the link?

This Day in History: May 31

The expedition you are appointed to command is to be directed against the hostile tribes of the six nations of Indians, with their associates and adherents. The immediate objects are the total distruction and devastation of their settlements and the capture of as many prisoners of every age and sex as possible [More]

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Project Gunwalker updates on Armed American Radio

FYI, I'll be joining Mark Walters on Armed American Radio again this evening at 8:30 pm EST to discuss the latest "Project Gunwalker" developments.

Click here for a radio station  in your area, or here to listen live via the internet.

Oath Keepers to muster in memoriam of Marine vet slain by SWAT team

I just got off the phone with Stewart Rhodes, founder and president of Oath Keepers. He and Sheriff Richard Mack will be conducting a Memorial Day muster tomorrow morning in memoriam for Jose Guerena, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran... [More]
Please spread the word to friends in the Tucson area.

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Seattle Gun Rights Examiner co-authors Chicago Sun Times op-ed

Having an editorial published in the Chicago market by a major newspaper that is traditionally hostile to the right to keep and bear arms is an achievement with untold potential--for many of the readers, it could be the first time they have been exposed to such cogent arguments, plus, as this will undoubtedly provoke pro and con feedback (that is, evidence of readership), it could encourage the paper to continue providing a forum for such viewpoints. [More]
Today's Gun Rights Examiner column showcases an ideological foray deep into enemy territory.

Friday, May 27, 2011

June is the Month...

...for Gunwalker hearings? [Read]

That fits in perfectly with those we can expect to see tossed under the bus...

GRE Round Up for May 27

Dave Workman/Seattle:
Kurt Hofmann/St. Louis:

We're the Only Ones...

Got a few of these today and no time for individual posts:

...Love You Long, Long Time, Whether You Want it or Not Enough
...Shaking Down Enough (Note our prior report)
...Who Just Want to Hold You Enough
...Mechanical Enough
...Choking You Up Enough
...Not a Follower Enough
...A Real Mommy's Boy Enough

[Via Portly Pirate, Ron W, William T, Parrothead Jeff, Smiley Starfish]

Safer Streets

Patriotism.. it's a decency thing. [Read]
Longenecker's latest...

In Response to Today's GRE

Just got this via email in response to today's GRE:
Your latest article was spot on. We got hosed by the Brady's and MAIG because they were using a form emailer to send in comments to the OMB. Apparently the OMB doesn't care about automated emails, they just count the pro and anti tally. That's how the anti-gunners beat us. 


John Richardson of the blog No Lawyers Only Guns and Money and I were upset that we got one upped. So we worked together to fight fire with fire. I managed to figure out how to set up an automated email system of our own. It took some work but now we have it up and running on his blog. You simply fill out your name, email, city and state (optional), and there is a pre-filled note stating opposition to the plan. You hit submit, and the website emailmeform.com sends the email to oira_submission@omb.eop.gov on your behalf with your name, email, and city and state if you provided it, along with the pre-filled note and any changes or additional comments you want. 

The website I used to create the form mailer is http://www.emailmeform.com/ They have all sorts of different forms for websites, if you want to check it out. It is free for up to 5 forms. You create the form and tell the form what to do with the submission, and then it spits out a html code you can copy and paste to any website. 

We're trying to spread the word as quick and as wide as we can. If you wouldn't mind posting a link to http://onlygunsandmoney.blogspot.com/2011/05/easy-way-to-comment-on-atfs-power-grab.html   or I attached the html code so you can post it yourself on your websites. Either way this is a simple way for our side to drum up support against this plan. 

Also, this will work in the future for these comment periods. Since the OMB doesn't care what you say, only that you are pro or anti, we can use this form mailer for other issues or comment periods. 
It can't be made any easier. Just fricking do it.

Meanwhile, Across the Pond in Sarah Brady Paradise...

Shirt Race starter pistol confiscated by police...now Government legislation means this year’s event will start with an airhorn...[More]
Compressed air...hmmm...

I note they don't recount any problems from back when a shotgun was used.

[Via Steve T]

Will gun owner apathy enable ATF’s ‘emergency’ long gun registration scheme?

“Profiles in apathy.” You know, inaction by gun owners that enables “gun control," derails valiant efforts and disheartens those who continually find themselves carrying an inordinate share of the burden? [More]
Today's Gun Rights Examiner commentary presents the simplest of tasks, and notes how even this is too much for too many.

This Day in History: May 27

Headquarters, Reading, May 27, 1779
Major General Putnam about to take command of one of the Wings of the Grand Army, before he leaves the troops who have served under him the winter past, thinks it his duty to signify to them his entire approbation of their regular and soldier like conduct, and wishes them a successful and glorious campaign.” [Read]

Thursday, May 26, 2011

A Difference of Opinion

Per Rand Paul:
Amendment 363 clarifies that the authority to obtain info under the USA PATRIOT Act does not include authority to obtain certain firearm records.
Per Chris Cox via NRA-ILA email:
Thank you for asking about the National Rifle Association's position on a motion to table amendment # 363 to the PATRIOT Act.

The NRA takes a back seat to no one when it comes to protecting gun owners' rights against government abuse. Over the past three decades, we've fought successfully to block unnecessary and intrusive compilation of firearms-related records by several federal agencies, and will continue to protect the privacy of our members and all American gun owners.

While well-intentioned, the language of this amendment as currently drafted raises potential problems for gun owners, in that it encourages the government to use provisions in current law that allow access to firearms records without reasonable cause, warrant, or judicial oversight of any kind.

Based on these concerns and the fact that the NRA does not ordinarily take positions on procedural votes, we have no position on a motion to table amendment # 363.

UPDATE:

Just received this further explanation from NRA-ILA:
As often happens with complex issues, NRA's position on Sen. Rand Paul's defeated PATRIOT Act amendment is being mis-reported by those who either don't understand the facts, or prefer their own version of "facts."


This amendment was rejected by 85 Senators, which included many of the strongest Second Amendment supporters in the U.S. Senate. Unfortunately, Senator Paul chose not to approach us on this issue before moving ahead. His amendment, which only received 10 votes, was poorly drafted and could have resulted in more problems for gun owners than it attempted to fix. For this reason, the NRA did not take a position on the amendment.


To be more specific about the amendment and its problems, the amendment would have prohibited use of PATRIOT Act legal authority for any "investigation or procurement of firearms records which is not authorized under [the Gun Control Act]." There have been no reports of the current PATRIOT Act being abused with respect to firearms records, however supporters suggested a far-fetched scenario in which every firearms sales record in the country--tens or hundreds of millions of documents dating back to 1968--could be sought. Again, we nor anyone else is aware of any case in which this authority has been used to abuse gun owners. (In fact, published reports indicate that few of these orders are ever sought for any reason.)


In particular, the amendment appeared to be aimed at so-called "section 215 letters"--orders from the FBI requiring the disclosure of "tangible things" such as records and documents.


Under the current PATRIOT Act, an application for this type of order with respect to firearms sales records has to be approved no lower than the director or deputy director of the FBI, or the Executive Assistant Director for National Security. The application is made to a federal judge based on "a statement of facts showing that there are reasonable grounds to believe that the tangible things sought are relevant to an authorized investigation ... to obtain foreign intelligence information not concerning a United States person or to protect against international terrorism or clandestine intelligence activities." The judge has the power to modify the order and must direct the use of "minimization procedures" to protect the privacy of Americans.


If the Paul amendment were adopted, the FBI would have used other ways to access whatever firearms records it might need for intelligence or anti-terrorism investigations. This is especially troublesome for gun owners.


This would result in United States Attorneys simply demanding the same records through grand jury subpoenas, which require no judicial approval before issuance. Fighting a subpoena after the fact can be very costly and carries legal risks of its own, including possible charges for obstruction of justice.


Even worse, the government would have used the Gun Control Act's provision that allows the Attorney General to "inspect or examine the inventory and records of [a licensee] without ... reasonable cause or warrant" during a criminal investigation. That means by simply characterizing its activities as a "criminal investigation," it would enter a licensee's premises and demand these records without "reasonable cause or warrant"--in other words, without judicial oversight of any kind, and without any of the procedural limits imposed by the PATRIOT Act.


Therefore, given all of these potential problems for gun owners, the NRA could not support this poorly drafted amendment.

GRE Round Up for May 26

Chang:

Workman
Hofmann

A Publicity Stunt

Cleveland Law Director Robert Triozzi said the case was 'more of a publicity stunt than a legal maneuver' and concluded that none of the city's ordinances conflicted with state law. [More]
Yo, Triozzi,

That's some "publicity stunt," isn't it, genius?

Remind me if I ever need a lawyer to retain someone who's, you know...competent.

And not an oath-breaking, Constitution-hating left-wing parasite.

You and Jackson. No wonder Cleve-burg's such a pathetic urban joke, and the kindest thing anyone can say about it is "At least we're not Detroit."

You know what you guys need to do to fix things?

Ban transfats and smoking and drive even more business out!

Uh...I Mean...

Frank...thought Moses would be "great" for the "entry-level position." [More]
Yes, it actually says that.

On the Rise

Looting. [Read]

Don't worry, Tim Dolan will protect you!

For Law Enforcement/Military Use Only

For a freakin' backpack?

A correspondent contacted me the other day about this:
 The lady on the other end told him it was an ATF requirement!

That didn't sound right, so I chased it down with U.S. Cavalry's PR guy, who told me she was mistaken, it was a requirement imposed by CamelBak, whose PR guy elected not to reply.

Funny thing: I noted Botach Tactical had no such requirement yesterday, but someone scrambled and added the caveat.

So I guess the bottom line is, CamelBak doesn't trust you with a backpack. Me, I'd remember that when they offer to trade what they do trust us with for dollars.

Stupid name for one anyway: "Urban Assault Concealment Pack."

Unless they're going to deploy it like Ruth Buzzi.

It's the "Patriotic" Thing to Do!

And if we tell you, we've got to kill you.  Or at least detain you indefinitely without trial or telling you what the charges are. [Read]


[Via Ron W]

EXTRA! EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT!

Here's the breaking scoop from Fox.

Here's an old report nobody noticed.

And here's the source.

Drudge has been pretty much useless on Gunwalker, too, as well as the gun issue in general.

We're the Only Ones Running Enough

Four federal agencies are probing an alleged gun-running scheme involving Lake County Sheriff's Department personnel. [More]
I guess they don't want any competition...?

[Via HZ]

State-Sponsored Terrorism

School administration came up with a mock scenario of an armed intruder entering the building, and contacted the Stephenson County Sheriff’s Office, which actively participated in the drill. [More]
The terrorists responsible for this should be waterboarded to find out who their leaders are--and then a Predator with Hellfires ought to be deployed to take out their command center.

Or at the very least, put them on that "no guns terror watchlist."

[Via Zachary G]

We're the Only One...More for the Road Enough!

An internal affairs investigation after Hamilton's crash "revealed a culture within the SWAT unit, if not the department, that seemingly condones the consumption of alcohol while on-call and/or driving a city of Austin issued vehicle," Frasier wrote. [More]
Probably just a few fermented apples.

Hey, they just want to be able to stagger home at the end of their shift...

[Via Lane]

Messin' with Texas

The Cliffs of Insanity explains. [Read]

No Longer Applicable

[T]he Constitution is archaic and boring and lots of it no longer applies anymore. [More]
Then it's the law of the jungle?

Let us know if it's the position of the political left that there are no longer any constraints.

OK?

[Via Michael G from NewsBusters]

Civil rights group opposes Brady Center on concealed carry

CORE's interest in this case stems from the fact that the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms for self defense is an important civil right that was denied to African Americans under the antebellum Slave Codes, the Black Codes passed just after the Civil War, and under the Jim Crow regimes that persisted into the twentieth century. [More]
Today's Gun Rights Examiner column wonders what size sheets we should buy for Brady Center Klan enablers.  Do you think we also need to get them waterproof mattress pads..?

This Day in History: May 26

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

GRE Round Up for May 25

Quick links tonight--we had storms, a tornado watch and a power outage, and a good part of the yard is now a pond. Fortunately it appears area damage is minimal and no injuries are being reported on the news.


Kurt Hofmann 
Dave Workman 

Tell ATF to Fight Assault Rifle Smuggling to Mexico!

We have been telling them that, you idiot. [Read]

We've even asked you fanatics to put your hatred, mistrust and zealotry aside and join us in this basic matter of truth and justice.

That you won't should tell everyone all they need to know about you, and how serious you are at "fighting gun crime," as opposed to just disarming everyone without a badge for your own collectivist purposes.

"The Brady Campaign to Ignore the Project Gunwalker Scandal" indeed.

[Via Kevin Starrett]

The Safer Streets Newsletter and Commentary

Longenecker's latest...[Read]

When are 'pro-gun Democrats' going to demand Gunwalker hearings?

Was Brian Terry a Republican or Democrat? Should it matter?

Why are both of you not vocal about this, leading in the demand for testimony, for production of evidence, for cooperation with investigations, and for determining just what the hell happened and just who the hell authorized it? [More]
This morning's Gun Rights Examiner open letter to Max Baucus and Jon Tester ought to tell us everything we need to know about them if and when they respond.

Help build the needed pressure to make that happen by sharing the link?

This Day in History: May 25

Just now I have rec authentic Intelligence of the disposition of the Enemy, one of my men who left the Shawanese Towns six days ago, informs me that in Ten days from the day he came away the Wyondots, Shawanese and Mingoes with Some English, with four pieces of Cannon were to march for Fort Lawrens. [More]

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Harm, No Foul

The Justice Department announced today that it will not pursue criminal charges against three Pittsburgh Bureau of Police officers in connection with the events of Jan. 12, 2010, involving former Pittsburgh School for the Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA) student Jordan Miles. [More]
That'll teach that m..........r not to drink Mountain Dew!

Hey, they just want to go home at the end of their shift.

[Via William T]

Talking Gunrunner

That's great, Congressman. Now what are you going to actually do about it? [Read]

[Via Stephen S]

Death Squads USA

This is not supposed to happen here. [Read]

They're making it more and more improbable that a homeowner will survive. Regardless.  Meaning we have less and less to lose by resisting.

This from the sheriff who thinks it's "the height of insanity" to trust you with semiauto technology.

Meaning he wants them banned.  Meaning if they are, he'll have his men kill you if you defy it.

That's evidently the height of sanity, "Only Ones"-style.

[Via Ron W]

Making Us All Look Bad

A terminal Fudd from an unofficial NRA message board on the Philadelphia outrage*:
This is an unfortunate case. It is an example of a law abiding, legal gun owner being deliberately confrontational and uncooperative with a police officer who has lost fellow officers to people with guns, and whose responsibility it is to make sure that the unknown person walking down the street with a gun is not some nut job out to cause mayhem. The officer has to do that as safely as possible, and it's not too much to ask an unknown person to willingly submit and cooperate with police while his status is being confirmed. It really doesn't matter whether or not the officer knew the letter of the law. He was trying to protect himself and other citizens around him, and legal details would have come to light as the investigation progressed. All this gun toter has accomplished is to further alienate and pit the Philadelphia police department and district attorney against legal gun owners, and we certainly don't need that.  
 May your chains rest lightly, pal. And may your knees not cramp overmuch.  And wipe your chin.

*

The Difference Between "Liberals" and "National Socialists"

I guess there is none.

Wretched domestic enemy (and "Progressive Caucus" memberMaxine Waters explains. [Watch]

Are you sleeping, bourgeoisie?

[Via Skip]

Open challenge to new White House propaganda czar: Let’s talk ‘Gunwalker'

Yo, Lee—wanna talk “Gunwalker”? I mean, it’s obvious from this move that the Administration just doesn’t think poor in-over-his-head Scott Thomasson is up to the containment/spin effort needed to keep attention off the very real blood on its hands. [More]
Today's Gun Rights Examiner commentary welcomes the new leadership for the Reichsministerium für Volksaufklärung und Propagandaministerium, and asks him to dance.

Sarcasm aside, this shows how serious these people are about controlling public opinion.  Our tasks as activists spreading the word on "Project Gunwalker" have become even more crucial.

This Day in History: May 24

The Brigadiers and officers commanding brigades will see that there is a sufficiency of Ammunition with their brigades to issue at a moments warning and that their men's Arms and Accoutrements are in the best possible order. [More]

Monday, May 23, 2011

GRE Round Up for May 23

Here are the latest offerings from my fellow Gun Rights Examiners:

Yih-Chau Chang/Oakland:
Dave Workman/Seattle:
Kurt Hofmann/St. Louis:

New York congressman with mob ties proposed national handgun registration bill

A bill, HR 613, introduced by Congressman Anfuso, New York, in the Congress, would require everyone who owns a pistol to register it with the Director of the F.B.I. Every pistol would be registered separately, as to caliber, maker, serial number, number of cartridges held, and from whom the gun was obtained, plus "Such other information as the director may by regulation prescribe." [More]
This afternoon's Gun Rights Examiner commentary says "Fuggedaboutit."

Be a goodfella and share the link?

The Safer Streets Newsletter and Commentary

LAPD has caught one of the thugs who beat Paramedic Bryan Stow. What many gun owners are thinking is how this was permitted to happen, and permitted it was. [More]
John Longenecker observes what happens when first responders--that would be those of us under attack-- are required by law to rely on second responders--that would be the "Only Ones."

Dog Day Afternoon

"If he didn't have that gun, he would probably be dead"...[More]
That's the way those who would rather we be dog food than armed want it to be...

[Via Smiley Starfish]

Signs of the Times

Gunbusters-Anti-Gun Sign Reporting [Read]
If you have a choice, why give your business to someone who would rather see you dead than armed?

The Wrong Questions

Should private cab companies, regulated by the city, have authority to arm their drivers? Is there evidence that guns, or knowing that drivers have guns, would deter criminals? Should passengers with valid permits be allowed to carry in a cab, too? [More]
Yo, Gazette Opinion Staff: By what authority does anyone presume to dictate when and where rights they have no claim on can be exercised? And what are people supposed to do after exiting the cab?

[Via Michael G]

We're the Only Ones Waylaying Enough

The biggest, baddest gang of armed robbers wins. [Watch]

Misplaced Outrage

As near as I can tell, the objections appear to be over pat-downs. [Read]

When the hell did wanding become the norm at proms?

They truly have raised a generation of accepting inmates.

I Just Thought Up Some Great Lyrics!

Same as the old boss

What? It's been done?

[Via Plug Nickel Times]

No Turning a Blind Eye

After Altercation, Philadelphia Police Say They Won't Look the Other Way on Open-Carry Gun Owners [More]
Neither will we.

They're drawing a pretty clear line, are they not?

A Sharp Letter Opener

As the Chair of the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee in the State of New Hampshire, I am writing to you to set the record straight regarding the statement posted on your website about HB330. You have been given misinformation (I prefer not to call anyone a liar) by your state NRA-ILA representative, John Hohenwarter. I do not appreciate his unprofessional behavior, which has been contrary and harmful to NRA’s reputation.  [More]
We discussed this here.

Yikes.

Can't wait to see the response.

Why is ATF considering ‘early outs’ for experienced employees?

With senior Agents retiring as fast as they can because of the Gross Mismanagement, why would the Agency be trying to encourage even more? Recently Mr. Melson stated in a town hall mtg that he was disturbed at the high number of veteran agents leaving the agency before mandatory and was looking into how to reverse that trend. Another lie? [More]
This morning's Gun Rights Examiner commentary looks at the advantages of early retirement--for those with something to hide.

Share the link?

This Day in History: May 23

Arnold provides Clinton with intelligence so that he can formulate his plans against Washington’s Continental Army. This also provides Clinton with evidence of Arnold’s sincerity. [More]

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Informant in raw video gives Fox News explosive details about Gunwalker

  • The informant says he has been instructed not to share information between agencies (which adds corroboration to that DEA/ATF turf war mentioned above, as well as countless other reports alleging same).
  • He asserts Mexico is receiving weapons with approval of U.S. authorities.
  • He accuses “paid” U.S. and Mexican law enforcement officers of facilitating illegal transfers.
  • He corroborates that the Mexican government was intentionally not informed of these activities.
  • He discloses that military grade weapons are flowing north to the U.S. at the direction of government and military authorities in Guatemala, Nicaragua and Honduras, and through Mexico, and that this helps account for such weaponry being found at crime scenes.
  • He was “told to completely ignore” information on the death of Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry.
  • He accuses U.S. authorities of having “fingers in the cookie jar” and being more concerned with not having “egg on their faces” than interdicting weapons.
  • He indicates there were “like and similar projects” to Gunwalker. [More]
Today's Gun Rights Examiner column notes such serious criminal allegations--if borne out--ought to literally be enough to topple an administration.  Not that bulk of "Authorized Journalists" have any interest in pursuing the truth of this matter.

Which is why we must rely on interested readers to spread the word.  Will you?

Also catch tonight's Armed American Radio for a Gunwalker update.

Saturday, May 21, 2011

It's the end of the world as we know it...

Anyway, even though I'm taking the day off, some people have put some meritorious work into things that I'd be remiss not to mention and share, particularly if this will be your last chance to read them. Hopefully you will agree, and will share these links as well—while there’s still time... [More]
Today's Gun Rights Examiner commentary celebrates the rite of Spring, showcases some fine efforts, and presents my full confession to being an armed extremist on drugs.

Welcome to the Apocalypse.

Thursday, May 19, 2011

GRE Round Up for May 19

Here are the latest offerings from my fellow Gun Rights Examiners:

Yih-Chau Chang/Oakland:
Dave Workman/Seattle:
Kurt Hofmann/St. Louis:

Gottlieb to Lieberman: "Investigate ATF"

In a letter to Sen. Lieberman, CCRKBA Chairman Alan Gottlieb reminded him that press reports and documents relating to Gunrunner indicate that the ATF “abetted the movement of firearms into the illicit gun market, and ultimately to drug cartels in Mexico.” Gottlieb also expressed his surprise that Lieberman’s letter to Holder did not mention either Gunrunner or Operation Fast-and-Furious, a project handled by the Phoenix ATF field office. [More]
We discussed Lieberman's abdication of credibility in this in yesterday's GRE and shared a letter in today's.
 

Dave Workman also addressed this in his column yesterday, reported on this latest development today, and just sent me the text of Gottlieb's letter, below:
The Honorable Joseph Lieberman
Chairman
Committee on Homeland Security And Government Affairs
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510

Dear Senator Lieberman:

As you must certainly be aware, thanks largely to the efforts of your colleague, Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa, there is an on-going investigation regarding allegations that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ Project Gunrunner and Operation Fast and Furious actually abetted the movement of firearms into the illicit gun market, and ultimately to drug cartels in Mexico.

Yet, in a letter you wrote two days ago to Attorney General Eric Holder, supporting ATF plans to require federal firearms licensees to report multiple long gun sales, you skip over this serious allegation as though it did not exist. In recent weeks, I have traveled to Arizona twice on business, and both times I have discussed this case with concerned Arizona residents.

Frankly, Senator, I am stunned that your May 16 letter to Mr. Holder makes no mention of Project Gunrunner or Operation Fast and Furious, or the seriousness of the allegations against ATF. Surely, you must know that ATF has almost entirely shuffled its management team at the Phoenix office in recent weeks since this controversy first erupted, reassigning and replacing them. That strongly suggests the agency knows there is and was a problem, and they are now trying to clean up a mess.

It is that mess which has allegedly allowed thousands of firearms to be purchased and transported by suspected gun smugglers. The agency to which you now advocate giving more power over firearms transactions in southwest states was responsible for allowing criminal suspects to complete multiple purchases of so-called “assault rifles,” despite the concerns of those licensed dealers you would have ATF micro-manage, and over the objections of its own field agents.

Senator Lieberman, you are widely regarded by friend and foe alike as a good and decent man. That is why I am astonished that you now support a strategy that places firearms dealers and their customers under additional scrutiny of an agency that may very well be largely responsible for creating a problem you now expect it to resolve.

CBS News and Fox News, several newspapers and independent on-line journalists have been covering this controversy for months. Surely you must be aware of this.

It is not the southwest firearms dealers who need investigating, Senator, but the ATF. It is not those gun dealers who should be held accountable for the flood of illicit firearms into Mexico, but the ATF officials who not only allowed it to happen, but encouraged it. Instead of supporting this new reporting strategy, I urge you to instead exercise your considerable influence to support Senator Grassley’s investigation of the Gunrunner controversy.

Sincerely,

Alan M. Gottlieb
Chairman
Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms

CBS affiliate parrots ATF talking points, completely ignores Gunwalker

You're right in the thick of things in Texas--you're a frickin' CBS affiliate, for crying out loud--and this is the best you and your bobble-head talking point-parroting anchors can come up with? Not a word about "Project Gunwalker"? [More]

This afternoon's Gun Rights Examiner column reflects the most frustrating thing about trying to break this story out--Mike and I can work day and night uncovering new details and yet our reach isn't but a fraction of what a piece of total crap propaganda like this "TV news report" spews out to--so guess whose message gets retained?

That's why I continually pester the regulars here and at Examiner--the ones who presumably perceive enough value from the work to keep returning for more--to share the links. And I'm not going to apologize for it.

What information do you think the audience in KYTX's broadcast range is going to retain and form their opinions from?  What about where you live?

Shove It, You Lying Fraud

That's why even those of us who strongly support the Second Amendment...[More]
Clifford D. May shows everyone his big "but."

And then he tries to sell us on Peter King being "dedicated to protecting individuals' Second Amendment rights."

Anybody think smooth, worm-tongued neocons are not more insidiously subversive than outright raving "progressives"?

Gunfight in the Sunshine State...

2/3 of all Florida counties and countless municipalities have laws and regs that violate your right to bear arms. Preemption is enforceable on Oct 1st and we will need the money to fight in court. [More]

Here's more information from the Florida Open Carry Facebook group. I don't know if you have to be a FB member to view these links.

[Via Sean Carrana]

Walgreens Would Apparently Rather See You Dead Than Armed

"It's all about the almighty dollar," Kosick said. "It's a really poor system" for protecting workers, customers and expensive drugs, many of which are sought by illegal drug users and dealers. [More]
I always figured my life trumped their ignorance.  I wonder if they would sign a statement of liability if someone accedes to their demands and ends up getting killed because of it.


Screw these cowardly corporate weasels.
 
[Via Richard Nascak]

Brainnnnzzz....

What kind of brainless idiot would envision withstanding a zombie apocalypse without guns?

The kind that works for government, naturally.

Kurt explains.

DEA seizes ‘50 to 60’ AK-style firearms; ATF ‘scrambling’

...ATF is reportedly scrambling to take possession of the guns from DEA to avoid further bad publicity. [More]
Today's Gun Rights Examiner column will do what it can to not let them do that.  Avoid publicity, that is.

You can too, by sharing the link.

Also read a letter to Lieberman and take a trip to the Pacific Northwest to see nothing being done, by government workers, naturally.

This Day in History: May 19

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Grassley asks Holder to expedite answers to Gunwalker questions

"Historically, the Justice Department generally takes five to eight months to respond to QFRs,” he acknowledged. “However, because of my ongoing investigation into the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), I would appreciate receiving responses to questions on this topic much sooner." [More]
This evening's Gun Rights Examiner column presents a letter with some great follow-up questions. I'm particularly happy to see Sen. Grassley asking about walked guns turning up at crime scenes on both sides of the border.

Please share the link and spread the word.

GRE Round Up for May 18

Here are the latest offerings from my fellow Gun Rights Examiners:

Dave Workman/Seattle:
Kurt Hofmann/St. Louis:

Change of Venue

Western Rifle Shooters Association has loaded up the truck and moved to some fancy new digs with a ce-ment pond.

Take your shoes off.

Set a spell.

Update your bookmarks and blogroll.

Y'all come back now, hear?

Three Times is Enemy Action

I've been getting quite a few emails lately from people who have corresponded with me occasionally before, that share something else in common--no subject line, no explanation of what it is about, and a link to God-knows-where.

I'd chalk it up to spoofing/hijacking of email and not take it personally, except many of them also have the edresses of other RKBA activists in the "To" field.  Sure, it could just be coincidental, but at that point, it is not unreasonable to suspect direction and intent aimed at ideology.

Any emails fitting this description will not be opened.  I suggest all of you apply the same filter.

Constitution-Free Zones

The school officials are arguing "that the First Amendment does not apply to elementary school students" ... [More]
See, it's not like we're teaching them to be free individuals with unalienable rights, as opposed to inmates who will do what we say...

Lieberman calls for more power for ATF while abetting ‘Gunwalker’ stonewalling

Still, if Sen. Lieberman is so concerned about semi-automatic rifles wending their way from U.S. gun shops to Mexican cartels, perhaps someone ought to ask him why he’s not demanding full and open hearings into “Project Gunrunner” allegations, and insisting on getting to the bottom of ATF management stonewalling accusations—before insisting on giving them yet more power over the very area where their own employees are saying they can’t be trusted.

Oh, someone has?  And some time ago? [More]
This morning's Gun Rights Examiner column  looks at the principle-devoid poltroon that is the senior senator from Connecticut.

Share the link?

This Day in History: May 18

The cries of the distressed, of the fatherless and the Widows, come to me from all quarters. [More]

"You'd Think It Would Be a Slam Dunk, But..."

NRA PUSHES GUN CONTROL – JEOPARDIZES CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY [More]
Let the debates begin...


[Via Evan Nappen]


UPDATE: Zach in comments directs us to NRA's rebuttal.

[Note: This is one of the posts from May 12 that vanished with the Blogger crash. It looks like they are gradually restoring them to our unpublished list for reposting. I'm sorry, but any comments made before the crash have vanished.]

Meanwhile, Across the Pond in Sarah Brady Paradise...

They're terrified of girls. [Read]

[Note: This is one of the posts from May 12 that vanished with the Blogger crash. It looks like they are gradually restoring them to our unpublished list for reposting. I'm sorry, but any comments made before the crash have vanished.]

And Your Point Is?

This allows the individual to make his or her own eligibility determination...[More]
Yeah, how 'bout that?  How did you think it was supposed to work?


The fraud of the "pro-gun Democrat" continues.

Come to think of it, anybody see Baucus or Tester stepping up to the Gunwalker plate?


Don't expect them to, unless somebody stops with all the talking that gives him the illusion of being a media go-to guy leader on exposing the scandal and actually starts doing something...




My bad. I must have missed the memo where we decided it is about hunting.  Or as Wayne says when he takes the suit off, "Huntin'."

[Note: This is one of the posts from May 12 that vanished with the Blogger crash. It looks like they are gradually restoring them to our unpublished list for reposting. I'm sorry, but any comments made before the crash have vanished.]

UPDATE TO LAST NIGHT'S POST ON ATF GUNWALKER SUBPOENA RESPONSE DIRECTIVE

I have added the text of the directive. This is going to take some time to analyze and mull over, and may help shape questions to be asked and provide a roadmap for documents to be requested.

To read the directive, go here and scroll down to the 5/18 update. And share the link...?

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

BREAKING NEWS: ATF employees given directive for congressional inquiry/subpoena responses

One read of this could argue that Headquarters is trying to do the right thing, although a special directive to remind professional law enforcement employees that they must answer subpoenas completely and truthfully seems...curious.

Another read, especially in light of the news that top managers in ATF's Phoenix office have been replaced and key "Gunwalker" figures have been moved to Washington, points to all the wagons being circled, and to the extent they can be controlled, responding employees will have everything vetted by a legal damage control team answering to the very top. [More]
This evening's Gun Rights Examiner report confirms what flows downhill.

Share the link?

GRE Round Up for May 17

Here are the latest offerings from my fellow Gun Rights Examiners:

Dave Workman/Seattle:
Kurt Hofmann/St. Louis:

We're the Only Ones T.J. Hooker Enough

Wait, I misread that...

BJ hooker... [Read]

We're the Only Ones Having It Our Way Enough

A Polk County deputy was suspended in April after an investigation found he demanded driver licenses from Burger King workers and called a police officer after the restaurant incorrectly filled his wife's order. [More]
Hey, at least it wasn't a McDonalds this time.

Or a Wendy's.

No doubt just a few bad apple turnovers.

True Lies


So The Sperminator can't be trusted.

Who knew?

Safer Streets

Here's John Longenecker's latest Newsletter and Commentary. [Read]

'Four star model of sensible gun laws’ does nothing to protect lives on campus

Here’s one other reality: The Brady Campaign, which would apparently rather see adults who can be trusted with a firearm elsewhere in society dead instead of armed on college properties, disparages Utah in a most intolerant way for allowing campus carry and enacting other "pro-gun" measures. [More]
This morning's [Last Thursday's] Gun Rights Examiner commentary notes four stars from the Brady Campaign have very little practical or "sensible" effect in a Gun Free Zone active shooter situation.

[Note: This is one of the posts from May 12 that vanished with the Blogger crash. It looks like they are gradually restoring them to our unpublished list for reposting. I'm sorry, but any comments made before the crash have vanished.]

Pod People...

...but the good kind...[Read]

[Note: This is one of the posts from May 12 that vanished with the Blogger crash. It looks like they are gradually restoring them to our unpublished list for reposting. I'm sorry, but any comments made before the crash have vanished.]

Will judge’s anti-concealed carry ruling lead to Catch-22 for CA gun owners?

In other words, “may issue” has been upheld, despite the clear proscription, applicable to the states, that the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. And despite the documented cronyism and discrimination rife in California’s permit system. [More]
Today's Gun Rights Examiner report looks at yet another worthless "Republican" appointee who just did as much damage as any Democrat with a ruling that soon may mean all doors are closed to those who wish to bear arms (legally) in the Golden State.

Also tune in to two "Project Guntalker" interviews.

Share the link?

This Day in History: May 17

The Resolution of the States General, to convoy their Trade and fit out 32 ships of War for that Purpose, has an Appearance of Decision, and I hope will...have some Tendency to bring the English to Reason. They have given one Symptom of some remaining Justice and Humanity in the late Exchange of Prisoners, which is the only Instance of any Appearance of Candor or sincerity; that I can recollect in their Conduct, since the Repeal of the Stamp Act. [More]

Project Gunboater?

The navy said the gunmen opened fire first when the marines discovered the camp, which the gang is believed to have used as a launching point for smuggling marijuana into Texas by speedboat. Marines seized more than 20 guns after the shootout, including several assault rifles.[More]

Via Facebook correspondent Marc P, who "wonder[s] how many were Gunwalker?"

That's a legitimate question, and brings up another--has ATF issued a law enforcement bulletin with all known "walked" gun serial numbers so that firearms turning up at crime scenes can be matched and accounted for?  Or does the "jeopardize ongoing investigations" card trump all--particularly when the ongoing investigation is of them?

[Note: This is one of the posts from May 12 that vanished with the Blogger crash. It looks like they are gradually restoring them to our unpublished list for reposting. I'm sorry, but any comments made before the crash have vanished.]

UPDATE: This was the genesis for yesterday's GRE.

What's in a Name?

Now that's funny.

[Note: This is one of the posts from May 12 that vanished with the Blogger crash. It looks like they are gradually restoring them to our unpublished list for reposting. I'm sorry, but any comments made before the crash have vanished.]

Monday, May 16, 2011

GRE Round Up for May 16

Here are the latest offerings from my fellow Gun Rights Examiners:

Yih-Chau Chang/Oakland:

Dave Workman/Seattle:
Kurt Hofmann/St. Louis:

The Best Defense

They're bound and determined to prove the adage true. [Read]

In the Can

Connecticut Citizens Defense League (CCDL) is now collecting canned goods at all of their meetings and events. [More]
Good idea.

When I was still living in LA, a friend at our NRA Members Council organized blood drives. Or you could adopt a highway, or do a women's shelter Christmas gift collection, or...

There are all kinds of simple ways to show people who we really are.

Thing Along with Mitch

I was under the weather this weekend and did not post--many of you sent me the story about the idiot subversive judge who said you cannot resist unlawful entry by police, and my first reaction was to see who was primarily responsible for elevating that wretched fraud to a position of power.

Turns out it was Mitch Daniels who foisted this judicial thing on us, and who offered this as his reason why: 
The governor said that from Judge David, he heard “the clearest expression of commitment to proper restraint in jurisprudence and deep respect for the boundaries of judicial decision-making. He will be a judge who interprets, rather than invents our laws.”
I'd hate to see who came in second.

Daniels has been OK on some RKBA stuff, but he's one of those "enforce existing gun laws" types rather than someone who actually understands the issue.

Vox Day has more, including:
And Daniels has thus far remained silent on the issue, when anything short of an abject apology for David's appointment combined with a demand for David's immediate resignation, and the resignation of the other two judges who sided with David, is absolutely necessary for him to remain a credible governor, let alone a president.

How can law enforcement tell if crime scene guns were ‘walked’?

"Are you telling me, Mr. Melson, that ATF has no records of the serial numbers and descriptions of the Project Gunrunner firearms that would enable any other law enforcement agency, domestic or foreign, to identify them in its own data bases as crime guns?" [More]
Today's Gun Rights Examiner report  shows how Congress--and importantly, state attorneys general--may be able to crack open a jar of slippery electric eels.

Why not send the link to your federal and state representatives--and ask them what they intend to do to ensure that information is not being deliberately withheld from those investigating violent crimes...?

Swimsuit Competition

Lucky Gunner is having a beauty contest of sorts, and it looks like I'm in the running. You can vote here for all the various categories.

Thanks and all.  If I did this to be popular, I'd be writing about Justin Bieber. But what the heck, a nod is as good as a link, and they give both.

I'm not sure who I'm going to vote for. I'm leaning toward John Richardson, because he does a good job of bridging the oft-contentious divide between Threepers and Prags and getting needed information into both camps.  Yeah, what the hell. Done.

By the way, years back, I actually did buy a can of Olde Frothingslosh, "the pale stale ale with the foam on the bottom."

This Day in History: May 16

The present situation of public affairs demands your most serious attention, and particularly the great and increasing depreciation of your currency requires the immediate, strenuous and united efforts of all true friends to their country, for preventing an extension of the mischiefs that have already flowed from that source. . . .[More]

Onward

Blogger status indicates they have restored most of the dumped posts, but not for WarOnGuns (or Sipsey Street of Armed and Safe or...)

Perhaps I simply need to learn patience, but at this point I'm cynical that I will see it again.

Here's hoping I am proven demonstrably wrong.

Friday, May 13, 2011

And Today...

Until they get this Blogger mess fixed for good, I just can't see putting any more work into this site.

If you have not yet read today's GRE, here it is. Journey with us now to the mysterious Congo, a perilous trip made all the more dangerous by a Brady Four-Star rating.

As always, your sharing that link with millions will help keep the meager bowls of gruel for feral sons Uday and Qusay filled to the brim.