Thursday, March 19, 2020

Bay Area Closures Point to National Vulnerability on Guns and Ammo


Anybody see anything in there about the Constitutional Militia, or the right of the people to keep and bear arms?  Will there ever be a time to activate “the Militia of the several States”? Before it’s too late and some of us just say the hell with it and activate ourselves out of raw survival instinct…? [More]
There's an action item in here for a "pro-gun" president who actually means what he says about the Second Amendment. Or is "the security of a free State" not "critical" and "essential"?

I'm Not Worthy!


Via NRA/Wayne LaPierre email:
This medal is awarded neither casually nor widely. But it’s an honor you truly deserve, and I am proud to present it to you.
And it'll only cost me $250!

Sell 1,200 of those and they can pay for the wardrobe. Throw in a few more and the intern can stay cozy!

Taken By Supplies

Nobody forced us to outsource the production of essential medical supplies to China. Our leaders did that and they did it on purpose. They don't want to talk about it now at all, but they did it, and it was a crime. When the country is well enough to function normally, we're going to have to change that immediately for our own sake and for the sake of our children. We need to move essential manufacturing back to the United States. It's crazy not to. *
We also need to determine whose political palms got greased. And I'd also say, from experience, that Democrat/union demands played a big part in the decisions to move operations out of the country.

In a prior life, I was a foreman in a factory that made medical devices and we had to comply with all kinds of FDA rules. After that, I was a plant manager for a pharmaceutical facility that made both prescription and OTC products. I know what we had to go through to establish compliance with the auditors assessing us against the regs, and I really have to say I'm curious to see if political influence has ever factored into things here. Perhaps that's unfair of me, but you can't do things right without being at least a little bit savvy to what and how others do wrong...

* Fox News does not allow Blogger access. Go to https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/tucker-carlson-coronavirus-china-cold-war-adversary to read.

[Via Mack H]

The Best of His Ability

California governor warns he has 'ability' to 'do martial law' [More]
Let's see, 23,000 in the CA National Guard...

67,000 or so sworn beat officers statewide...

45,000 active gang members in L.A. alone...

I wouldn't give this odious totalitarian punk, quick to put "the help" in harm's way, very good odds.

And then I see "around a quarter of Californian adults—equivalent to around 7.3 million residents—live in a household with a gun..."

If he really wants to start things, it looks like all Gavin really has the "ability to do" is soil his pants.

There's a Reason They're Our Betters

Celebrities get virus tests, raising concerns of inequality [More]
Yes, but we need them to lecture us.

Speaking of Capitalist Pigs

Economic Meltdown? Mass Unemployment? Solution: More Immigration! [More]
I suppose this is as good a solution for dealing with the National Pork Producers Council as any...

[Via Michael G]

And I'm Proud to be an American Where at Least I Know I'm Free

Americans know how to rally against an enemy. [More]
It's just figuring out who that enemy is that's the sticking point.

Anybody else think there's too much sugar in the Kool-Aid?

The World According to Lucia

Me and you voluntarily exchanging things and going on about our business = Blood Drenched Violence. Totalitarian government dictating that business and our relationships and decisions =  Social Justice. [More]

These people truly are Orwellian.

[Via Michael G]

Bonfire of the Regulations

That’s part of a pattern in which governments are slashing many old regulations that they realize get in the way of crisis response and complicate the lives of ordinary citizens trying to work and shop under difficult conditions. [More]
Have you got a 27b/6?

[Via Michael G]

Silver Linings


The positives of the pandemic... [More]

[Via Michael G]

Just the Essentials

‘I’m an essential business’: Gun shops in Pa. packed ahead of coronavirus closures [More]
I have a related piece on the Bay Area business closures sitting in the "pending release" queue over at AmmoLand.

[Via Jim Simpson for Congress]

Bullet Points

COVID-19 Data Study: Ammunition Sales Continue to Soar in Response to Coronavirus Panic [More]
Gee, people must really overwhelmingly support "gun control," just like the Astroturfers claim.

Dangerous Curve Ahead

Analysis Of The Covid-19 Pandemic [More]
And the guard rails to keep from plummeting off the edge look none too substantial...

A Matter of Priorities

SPLC Releases Fear-Mongering 'Hate Map' Amid Coronavirus Outbreak [More]
Well, yes. What else would we expect an enemy to do but make things worse in bad times?

[Via Michael G]

In the NICS of Time?

Never been delayed before and I just got delayed until April 15th is this because of covid 19 or something else [More]
I speculated on that possibility:
We see that the Trump administration in general and the Department of Justice in particular “reportedly has been preparing a plan that would let hundreds of thousands of federal employees work remotely.” It’s legitimate to ask if that will affect the folks responsible for NICS approvals and if the three business day approval rule would still apply if it does.
But this is the first I've seen of anyone claiming it's happening.

At this point, I have no idea if there is really anything to this that affects all NICS transfers nationwide, if it's localized, or if it's even happening.  I suppose we could ask:

[More]
I'll update this if I hear anything back.  If you hear anything, please educate us in "comments."

UPDATE from Harrison Shooter Supply:
EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY ATF/FBI NICS background check if you get delayed on a purchase it is now a 3 WEEK DELAY!!!!!! This is not us it is a new mandate from NICS edited to add "or the state of Kansas" not sure who.
[Via evverest]

UPDATE from Gateway Pundit:
“'As the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) Section works through the impact of the COVID-19 operationally, we are working to maintain our services. We are aware that states may be considering options to protect the health and safety of their employees, which may include a reduction in office availability or even closure to some offices,' the FBI office said in a statement."
[Via Andy M]

TANGENTIALLY RELATED UPDATE from Buckeye Firearms Association:
Coronavirus: Some Ohio Sheriffs suspending Concealed Handgun License applications and renewals
Will they suspend arresting us for noncompliance?

And in Illinois...
Not only is the ISP overwhelmed, so is the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).
[Via Jeffersonian]

UPDATE from Appalachian Armory:
We have been notified by ATF/FBI that any background check that comes back delayed is no longer a 3 day wait but instead will be a possible 28 day wait. If you have a handgun license or are immediately approved then this will not apply. Here is what they sent out:
NICS Experiences Unprecedented Volume IncreaseFFLs Must Consider Closures, Reduced Staff Effects on Three Business Day DelaysAs our nation continues to navigate its response to the COVID-19, we recognize the firearm industry, like many other industries, is being impacted. NSSF® is aware of delays within the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check (NICS) System. We want you to know the FBI is on the job and working diligently to address the dramatic response and increase in background checks experienced over the past few days. Just yesterday, Monday, March 16, 2020, the NICS staff experienced over a 300% increase compared to this same time period in 2019. As we’ve seen in the past with other national events, our citizens often seek to exercise their Second Amendment rights during times of uncertainty. Therefore transparent communication remains a top priority.
According to NICS, there are delays in the system due to an astronomical volume of transactions over the last several days. While much of the NICS System is automated and yields an immediate “proceed” or “deny” determination, transactions that result in a delayed status require the work of NICS examiners to investigate whether the transaction should be approved or not. With daily volumes roughly double that of last year, the NICS team is unable to begin investigations on all delays within three business days, creating a backlog in the delayed checks.
Some states offices and agencies are considering options to protect the health and safety of their employees, which may include a reduction in staff or a temporary closure. If you operate in one of these areas and if you receive a delayed response from the NICS, please note the Brady transfer date provided to you by the FBI could be extended beyond the normal three business days. The three business day timeframe does not begin until relevant state offices are open for business. Additionally, because of the dramatic increase in volume, it is important to recognize FBI staff may not be able to begin their research on delayed transactions as they normally would. Therefore, you may want to consider waiting on a definitive response from the NICS before opting to proceed with a sale on any delayed transaction. We are operating during exceptional and uncertain times, so you may wish to consider implementing temporary changes in order to safeguard yourself and your business. However, please note that when state offices are closed it does not constitute a “business day” for purposes of calculating the “three business days” period before an FFL may transfer a firearm to a non-licensee as mandated by the Brady Act.
The NICS Section is working overtime to get through the backlog and we appreciate their hard work and open communication. NSSF will continue to communicate with NICS and our members to ensure operations move forward as smoothly as possible during this period.
[Via Ed Stone]

The Legal Way

In a nutshell: there is no legal way that Governor Gordon or any other government official at the state, county or municipal level can take any action that would curtail your right to own, carry, transport or use a firearm after an emergency declaration. [More]
Noting "the supreme Law of the Land," there is no legal way any governor anywhere can infringe on the right of the people to keep and bear arms.

Like that stops them.

[Via Felix B]