“It must be legal,” she said. “The police are here taking stuff, too.”

Things are gonna get real interesting in the next few days and weeks.

Some people are gonna be real glad they have guns.

It's Time to Renew!

Why does going through the firearm permitting process in South Africa remind me of a scene from Terry Gilliam's "Brazil"?

If Only We Got Rid of Weapons...

...people couldn't possibly kill themselves.

Just ask this poor wretch who submitted to the bend-'n-spread-'em at the Superdome.

There are more than 10,000 people in the arena.

Officials had earlier reported two deaths at the Superdome, and now, they report that someone died Tuesday after plunging from an upper level of the stadium. They say the person probably jumped.

That's a rate of 30 deaths per 100,000--every 3 days--in a disarmed, guarded 24/7 populace where the State provides for all?

If those are the odds for being a protected refugee, how bad can taking care of yourself be?

The Louisiana Superdome of Shame

I posted about National Guardsmen disarming Superdome refugees on Sunday, relying on hastily transcribed notes. Here's confirmation and commentary from, of all places, Pravda:

Watching news coverage of the refugees trying to enter the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans for safety from the approaching force-five Hurricane Katrina, I was incredulous how the people attempting to enter the stadium were being treated by the national guard troops and local police. The people were made to stand for hours outside in the awful Louisiana climate while they were admitted one or two adults at a time so they could be searched "for firearms and alcohol."

... The lamp of freedom has been blown out by force-five bureaucrats, their sycophants and their head-embedded media enablers who will insure that it will never get re-ignited. For our own good, of course.

Shameless Plug: The Bear Necessities

“I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you.”—Timothy Treadwell, setting up his video camera inches from a grizzly bear

“Grunt. Snort. Crunch. Snap. Munch. Gulp.”—Grizzly, loosely translated as “I love you, too.”

"The Bear Necessities" is my October Rights Watch column for GUNS Magazine, on sale now at indispensable newsstands throughout the Republic.

A Gathering Storm?

I just received the following response to my "Trouble in Paradise" concerns:

"All of the current rules for guns at the ranch are not inforceable due to the fact that they are all just word of mouth. Nothing has ever been written down and passed by the board. We are not trying to take away your gun rights. Our primary concern is the safety of all of the owners. I intend to get a concessus of all the owners present at the meeting to see what the majority considers fair. Since you have such a strong interest I hope that you will be present for the meeting 12 noon on 24 Sept. 05 at the Dance hall."

My reply:

I don’t know if I can make the meeting or not due to other obligations that weekend, but don’t think that should be the only forum for evaluating the proposed criteria. If we’re talking about at the Range, there are many professional references to consult for establishing protocols. If we’re talking about on Ranch property in general, things get problematic.

I’d like to see what it is you will be proposing, and also would appreciate a summary of your credentials for establishing “gun safety rules.” I’d also like to know what the incident was that makes people feel a need to address this, and what evidence you have that a set of rules you propose will eliminate the risk of a recurrence.

Will you send these to me?

We shall see...

The Answer to "Gun Crime" in the US...

...is a candlelight vigil.

Quick--somebody tell the Canadians they've got it wrong...

The Answer to "Gun Crime" in Canada...

...is apparently "a single, loud voice."

Why didn't we think of that here?

Oh, and closed-door meetings away from the prying disarmed victim pool...I mean, public.

"It's about time somebody put the feds on the spot. Where have they been? Who are they, even?"

My God, does this fool realize what some of us would give to be able to say that in the US (at least those of us not calling on them to "enforce existing gun laws")?

"Thus, the progressive dream team shapes up, a made-in-Toronto crime-busting squad that combines tough enforcement with all the increased social spending that senior governments and the private sector can afford."

Surely they have some money left over after that $2 Billion gun registry "boondoggle"?

Kaine Caught Stealing NRA's Thunder

"'It's no surprise that Tim Kaine is attempting to hide his anti-gun past from gun owners,' said Chris W. Cox, the NRA's chief lobbyist, in an interview. He challenged Kaine's assertion that he was a leader in bringing Project Exile to Richmond."

Translation: "How dare you claim credit for our gun control legislation."

O Canada

The Canadian national gun registry doesn't stop "gun violence."

It is a "$2-billion boondoggle."

They should "shut down their useless registry and put the money into actual police officers fighting crime."

But they won't.

Don't believe me, believe The Edmonton Sun.

This is a good real-world lesson to throw back at domestic antis who claim registries here will prevent violent crime.

If somebody wants to know which Americans own guns, the answer ought to be: assume all of us--and conduct yourself accordingly.

"Everyone Certainly is Appreciative"

That's a quote from the Fox News reporter on scene at the Superdome in New Orleans, thanking two National Guard privates for confiscating, among other things, a fork, plastic disposable razors, allen and ratchet wrenches, pocket knives, scissors, combs, and nail clippers, from refugees seeking shelter from Hurricane Katrina.

People must undergo bag and body checks for "contraband." If you have prescriptions, you must have ID to match. And of course, no weapons are allowed.

When asked why a fingernail file was confiscated, one of the privates replied "Fingernail files have a point on them. We just think it will be safer."

Ah yes. The militia is now the National Guard, right?

Back to Geraldo Rivera, who is relieved.

"I'm glad for all the people seeking shelter, that's all they've got."

Geraldo, of course, insisted on carrying a gun to protect his own precious hide when on assignment in Afghanistan.

Make no mistake--this is the way things will go down in every future major emergency. And no doubt everyone will certainly be appreciative.

Another Young Skull Full of Mush With a Big Forum and a Bigger 'But'

Sez 11th-grader David Albright :

"I consider myself to be very conservative, but...I find another area of agreement in gun control. I believe the law should be stricter in regard to the possession particularly of assault-style weapons. Having stricter regulations should make it easier for police to reduce crime...It is very important for Republicans and Democrats to work together. Rather than focusing on differences and personalities, parties should try to find areas of agreement. Compromise will, of course, still be needed to get things done. Rather than putting all of their effort into their own agendas, Democrats and Republicans in Congress should work toward what is best for Americans."

"When I was a child, I spake as a child. I understood as a child, I thought as a child."

Too bad the alleged "grown-ups" at the Democrat and Chronicle , who pass along such tripe as reasoned argument worthy of adult consideration, never matured to realize it is long past the time for them to "put away childish things."

Always Low Coverage-Always

The Smallest Minority tells us how the media is handling another Wal-Mart shooting.

Another Brilliant Analogy...

...from Claire, naturally.

In the Shadow of 'Braveheart'

Publicola points us to a great site honoring William Wallace.

This guy David R. Ross appears to understand that he lives in a conquered and occupied country. I sent him the following:

As you know, Scotland is subject to virtually complete civilian disarmament imposed by its English rulers and abetted by Scottish MPs.

What is the position of your organization on the rights of freemen, including to bear arms in defense of self and country? Is it consistent with Wallace’s?

We'll see if he really gets it or not.

Some Animals Are More Equal Than Others

MEMBERS of Britain’s elite have been selected as priority cases to receive scarce pills and vaccinations at the taxpayers’ expense if the country is hit by a deadly bird flu outbreak.

Let's play the substitution word game:

MEMBERS of Britain’s elite have been selected as priority cases to receive scarce armed protection at the taxpayers’ expense if the country is hit by a deadly civil violence outbreak.

Some animals are more equal than others. Of course we knew that.

May I Have the Envelope, Please?

The August Eloi Award goes to Pete Gitlin, of Phoenix, AZ.

Runner-up honors are shared by Penny and Pete Peters of Everett, WA.

Congratulations to Pete, Penny and Pete. Your Morlock masters are so pleased with you, they will eat you last.

Unless they're hungry and you're handy.

Scarborough Fair Update: 1st Report BS

Looks like the guy shot at the Canadian anti-gun barbecue wasn't what he was reported to be.

Looks like Natalie Alcoba and the National Post have some explaining to do about how, in their zeal to promote an agenda, they got the basic facts so thoroughly wrong.

This is a useful reminder to all--me included--about assuming that, just because something appears in the media, it bears any relation to the facts.

Do You Wear That License on Your Collar?

The Toledo Free Press is reporting that although a man with a temporary emergency concealed handgun license was not charged with a crime, police have seen fit to confiscate and hold his handgun (despite an Ohio law which suggests such action by the Toledo police officers was illegal).

What the state giveth, the state can take away--and they have a voluntary registration list with which to do it.

It also allows them to dictate the rules for carrying, most importantly including where they say you may not.

What other right must we petition for permission and pay for the "privilege" of exercising?

Unfortunately, most of the activist gun owner community has been seduced into believing this is progress. They have allowed the Constitutional bright line of "shall not be infringed" to be dimmed and diffused.

Only perceived "radicals" commit the heresy of suggesting that what we have might not be the progress everyone claims it is. Those who do must be prepared to endure wrath and scorn. The illusion of the Emperor's clothes is strong--all his ministers tell us how fine they are.

As my pal Steiger says (about much more than just this issue), "We've been conned. Bare-ass naked in the public square conned."

[KABA Newslinks]

I'M the NRA

CIVIS PROELIATOR explains why he isn’t an NRA member, and has some kind words for WarOnGuns in his reasoning—particularly referencing yesterday’s post about the Rick Santorum interview.

For the record, because I’ve been accused of “NRA bashing” by more than one paid staffer, I’d like to share part of an email I sent to one a few years back. Bottom line—I don’t bash the NRA—I AM the NRA. My beef is with current association management, and the directors and members who give it carte blanche, branding anyone who dissents an enemy.

"Based on your history" is the second time you have accused me of being anti-NRA, without ever giving me one concrete example-- although I realize you regard public disagreement over policy as an "attack". I am a Life Member. I was a Golden Eagle for several years. I am a long-time Members Council activist and former officer-- for years. I single-handedly produced and distributed (and paid for out of my own pocket more times than not) the Council's newsletter-- for years. On my own initiative I created the Council's first fundraiser-- designed, produced and sold T-shirts that netted the small organization thousands of dollars. I sat outside of gun stores and ranges recruiting members, putting up with harassment from antis in passing cars. I marched with the Council at public events, again enduring no small amount of harassment. I manned the booth at events. I worked political campaigns supported by the NRA-- everything from manning phones to walking precincts.

That is my "history"--question someone else's loyalty. I have done more raw volunteer work for the organization than 99% of your members ever have or will. The fact is that institutional arrogance from employees like yourself led me to conclude that my contributions to 2A would be best achieved pursuing my own, as you put it, "agenda." The (small) part of that agenda that involves NRA is motivated by a desire to see the organization reformed. It's certainly no secret that many hard core gun activists are fed up with the Association-- or more precisely, its management. Unlike them, I don't advocate leaving it-- I advocate holding its officers accountable to a constructionist interpretation of the Second Amendment and the Association Bylaws-- something we hardly see when Wayne comes out endorsing "gun free schools", and calling on the government to "enforce existing gun laws" and the like.