The Next Steps Toward Aug. 28

Get ahold of gun shops and ranges in your area. To find them all, go to YellowPages.com or a similar online resource.

Enter "gun" in the "Business Name or Category" dialog box, and your City and State or ZIP Code in the box to the right. Click "Find" and that will take you to a page with gun businesses in your area.

If you have time, search for them online and see if they have a website with an email address or contact form. If they do, send them the following message (feel free to modify):

On August 28, the Brady Campaign is teaming up with Jesse Jackson for a nationwide protest against what they call "illegal guns," meaning guns they've succeeded in banning or are working on banning. We're forming a counter-protest by encouraging gun owners across America to buy a box of ammo, or components, targets, etc., on that day. We're asking gun stores and ranges across the country to participate and enjoy additional business and goodwill created by this campaign, and are asking you to show your support by either offering some sort of discount or a door prize to customers who come in on that day.

This campaign is being conducted on the internet and we are trying to make it grow so it catches the attention of the national media. For further information, please go to:

http://waronguns.blogspot.com/2007/08/bradys-call-for-national-protest-on-aug.html.

Please let us know that you will join other gun stores and ranges across the nation and support this. We'd like to let people know to shop at your store on August 28.

If you can't find an email address, just call the store or range and ask to speak to the manager, and tell him about this using the above "script." (Instead of giving him the long url, just tell him he can find out more by visiting "The War on Guns" and he can find it by typing those words into any search engine.

Better than that, personally visit the store or range and give the manager copies of the following two flyers:

• Gun Store Appeal--to request their participation

• Gun Store Flyer--to notify their customers

Again, feel free to modify these any way you like.

Blogonomicon also had a great idea:

[M]aybe writing letters to the editor of the local paper would help bring attention to it...

and this was echoed by JR who said:

I will be writing the local media outlets after we get more, and informing them of the event. The more dealers we have involved, the bigger the story. The bigger the story, the more coverage we can get by the media.

We only have a week to get this in place, so please, everyone, keep up the effort. At the very least, please make a point of sending emails to your gun-owning friends--and continue to get this information out on other websites, blogs and forums.

RELATED POSTS:
Bradys Call for National Protest on Aug. 28
More on the August 28 Ammo Buy Proposal
Red's and Others to Offer Aug. 28 Ammo Discounts

Pirates for Gun Control

Many are said to be run by criminal gangs who use them as a front to sell drugs. Police raids have found drugs, guns and ammunition among piles of CDs...Pirate DJs have been involved in the world of gangs and drug dealers when coded text messages are read over the airwaves. But they see themselves as social entrepreneurs, who have an influence over communities that authority figures lack.

Police will not attend the event but are supporting the campaign, which is backed by the Home Office, the Greater London Authority and Mothers Against Guns.

They're not even pretending any more. The UK citizen disarmament cabal is openly teaming with the underworld.

We're the Only Ones Catty Enough

A New York judge has criticized the state police for playing a game of "cat and mouse" over a request for public records and ruled it had no legitimate reason to delete certain information from the documents in a police brutality case.

What is it about thugs wanting to keep their activities secret?

[Via Declan]

Fincher District Court Docket Updates

Click on title link to access the updated docket for Wayne Fincher.

And to repeat information we've posted here before:

To support Wayne and your Second Amendment rights please send checks to:

The Wayne Fincher Defense Fund
P.O. Box 215
Elkins Arkansas 72727

You may write Wayne at the following address:

Hollis Wayne Fincher
07863-010
P.O. Box 9000
Forrest City, Arkansas 72336

PLEASE NOTE: You must include the number below his name anytime you send anything. If you do not, it will be rejected.

If you want to send money (money orders only) the address is as follows:

Federal Bureau of Prisons
Hollis Wayne Fincher
07863-010
P.O. Box 474701
Des Monies, IA 50947-0001

All money must be sent to the above address. The Forrest City facility does not accept money.

If you wish to send items, books, pictures, etc., please adhere to the following rules:

Inmates are allowed up to 25 pictures, 5 magazines, 5 paperback books. NOTE: Inmates are allowed to receive magazines, soft cover books, greeting cards and photos (NO POLAROIDS). All hard cover books and newspapers must come directly from a publisher (BOOK STORE, ETC.). Please note that any photos, magazines or books that show any form of nudity will be rejected by mail room staff (Wayne would not accept them anyway).

[Via Paul W. Davis]

This Day in History: August 20

George Washington begins to move his troops south to fight Cornwallis

Goodbye, Clarice

"Isn't it possible that we all have that bit of insanity in us?

"That's why I'm for gun control. Absolutely… I don't believe that people should have access to life-or-death situations at any emotional time in their life.

"I don't really believe that a human being who feels [things] should have the option at their fingertips." [More]

Jodie Foster takes all doubt out of what we speculated on earlier: She's not a smart person, but she plays one in the movies.

[Via Alphecca]

Inert, Expended and Discarded Tube Turned in at Gun Exchange

Police in the American state of Florida have been handed a surface-to-air missile launcher at a gun exchange.

Any bets its a 1-time-use only disposable rocket launcher, the kind with a 350 meter maximum range, about half that against moving targets, that it's not intended for surface-to-air, and is now just an inoperable tube?

Just asking. It's not like the "authorized journalists" have filled me with awe on their assumptions.

I wonder if having military ordnance could override the generally promised "no questions asked" policy? It'd sure be problematic if the Army--or whoever this was taken from--would send out investigators.

UPDATE: Here it is--



Anybody recognize it? The Orlando Sentinel says it's "designed to blow jets out of the sky."

"Willful" Disregard

"Our position is that laws are made by Congress, not bureaucratic agencies."

Unless that Congress is willfully neglecting its duties, the Judiciary is willfully ignoring the Constitution, and the "Vote Freedom First" Administration is willfully ignoring our rights.

If BATFU can redefine one word, what's to stop them or some other agency from redefining others? How does it go? Oh, yeah:

WAR IS PEACE; FREEDOM IS SLAVERY; IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH...

[More about Red's Trading Post from WarOnGuns]

Wayne Fincher Update-8/19/07

From Paul W. Davis:

I have updated the Raid page on the Militia website with the addition of the Appeals Court docket and the transcript of the July 3rd IFP hearing conducted by Judge Jimm Larry Hendren.

Relevant items on the docket are 12 through 19 as they pertain to Wayne's IFP status.

I have not yet updated the Trial docket as I have had other pressing issues. I am also slowed down somewhat due to recent surgery on my left arm.

[More about Wayne Fincher from WarOnGuns]

Judas Returns

Our old friend, the person claiming to be "Bob Ricker" has graced us with another comment post, to which I replied.

He refers us to the California Senate Committee on Public Safety analysis of AB 854, dealing with ...SHORT-TERM LOANS OF FIREARMS FROM FEDERALLY LICENSED MANUFACTURERS, DEALERS OR IMPORTERS TO CONSULTANT-EVALUATORS... and credits its passage to NRA.

Why? Well, because I was complaining about BATFU trying to be the arbiter of who is or is not an "authorized journalist," and the bill in essence does that, assigning to the California DoJ authority for deciding who qualifies to be a "consultant-evaluator."

I fear I may have played a small part in this. Some time back, I got a call from one of the editors at GUNS & AMMO, one I had not worked with during the time I wrote for them. He had assumed I was a lawyer, and wanted to know if certain proposals in the legislature would prevent his field editors from getting guns to test and write reviews on. I let him know I was not, and he wanted to know if I knew any firearm lawyers he could ask. I referred him to NRA/CRPA's attorney, Chuck Michel--even though I have some differences with them and their tactics--because he is a lawyer with in-depth knowledge of developing firearms-related bills and their legal impacts.

Perhaps that anecdote was just coincidental to this bill, but what remains is a situation where California now has "authorized gun writers," and we know from past experience that what starts there often metastasizes its way eastward.

But here's the thing, and I invite comment and analysis: If California was poised to ban all transfers without exception, does this bill represent a victory of sorts? Or would it be best to have all share equally in the pain?

By way of complete disclosure, I have a press card for the purpose of writing for a gun magazine. To date, I've never used it, although I have been approached to test some products by companies that don't realize I'm an opinionslinger, not a gunslinger.

That said, I'm of the opinion that no branch of government has any business telling free citizens which of them is authorized to be a journalist, and they certainly have no moral authority to limit which firearms anyone not in custody is free to transfer and receive from other sovereign citizens. I stipulate that my way does not produce a "political solution"--but won't hold my breath waiting for NRA's game to produce a real and lasting one either.

Does it make a difference? In practice, probably not, as I don't know of any manufacturer who would transfer a product to someone who has not established a professional reputation as an evaluator or writer. But it's the precedent of government dictating who it will recognize that concerns me.

And as for "Judas Bob's" motives in calling this to my attention? Unless and until I hear him decry this bill and demand that all citizens be free to receive firearms from manufacturers, I think he just wants to start a fight within the gun community, so he can get off on it from the sidelines.

We're the Only Ones Who Can Afford Tuxedos Enough

The former acting police chief of the Village of Tuxedo Park pleaded guilty yesterday in Orange County Court to pocketing money that should have been used for new police computers.

We looked in on the front-end of this story.

Funny. I wonder why this story doesn't talk about the missing guns.

[Via Declan]

[More from "The Only Ones" Files]

BATFU to Wyoming: "You Will Be Assimilated"

The state of Wyoming says the federal agency that enforces gun laws was wrong to reject a state law that seeks to allow people convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence to regain their firearms rights in the state courts.

Now why would an agency that reports to the "Vote Freedom First" president do that?

This Day in History: August 19

August 19, 1779

American Raid on Paulus Hook (Jersey City), New Jersey

An American force consisting of 400 men and led by Henry “Light Horse Harry” Lee, who wins 1 of 8 medals awarded by Congress during the war, assaults the defensive positions of the British. Lee captures the position and the British losses are 50 killed and 158 taken prisoner while Lee’s losses are only very minor. American morale receives a major boost because of this action although Lee undergoes a court martial because several officers are jealous of his success. Lee is not only vindicated but also is praised for his actions by the court.

JPFO's Follow-up Interview with Red's Trading Post

Talkin' to America interviewed owner Ryan Horsley in May, shortly after Red's won an injunction to keep their business running ( www.jpfo.org/alert20070503.htm ). Now we follow up with another interview to learn what has happened since. The interview is available for download in MP3 format at www.jpfo.org/talkamerica.htm , with a transcript expected next week.

Red's and Others to Offer Aug. 28 Ammo Discounts

We will be offering ammunition at a discounted rate that day. Anyone buying 5 boxes or more of ammo (22 LR is excluded) will receive a copy of the JPFO Documentary The Gang.

That's great, Ryan--thank you.

And there's more:

A Keyboard and a .45 says Dallas Tactical Supplies will offer "FREE shipping and handling on all holsters purchased on August 28th. Just mention National Exercise Your Rights Day in the comments section of the online order form."

Captain of a Crew of One has recruited two Norfok, VA participants: Bob's Gun Shop ("offering 10% off on accessories and gun safes to anyone who mentions National Exercise Your Rights Day") and Shooter's Inc. ("offering free range passes to the first ten people who mention National Exercise Your Rights Day").

This is a good start--please keep the momentum going by emailing your gun-owning friends, informing your gun clubs and organizations, asking bloggers you frequent to mention this, and ESPECIALLY by contacting gun shops and shooting ranges you patronize and asking them to come on board.

Please keep me informed of any more businesses that agree to participate and I'll give them a plug. One caveat: please include contact info for that business so I can verify if needed. We don't need some mole signing up businesses for an event they're not even aware of as a way of sabotaging this.

Meanwhile, thank you to all the blogs, forums and websites that have mentioned this so far. I'd like to put together an "Honor Roll" to include everyone who takes part in this, but am actually hoping the list will grow so big that I won't be able to keep up with it.

UPDATE from KABA Newslinks Comments:

I work at Panther City Firearms in Ft Worth Texas and have the Aug 12th Fort worth Star Telegram posted in our shop. Aug 28 needs to be a nation wide message to our so called leaders in Congress. So ask for Darrell and mention this site I will discount my AR-15s,30 rd mags and ammo all day Aug 28, 9am till 6. Call me at 817-731-2065. God Bless and Happy shooting.

We're the Only Ones Breaking Down Enough

They saw a rifle in the back seat of Venable's car and Snow attempted to take it apart, Miller said. That's when the gun went off, he said.

All by its own self, no doubt.

Why the hell was this boob trying to take apart a rifle he obviously knew nothing about?

And naturally, it was the citizen who was cited.

Here's a question for all of you who aren't "Only Ones": What's the first rule of field-stripping a firearm?

That's right--point it at someone with your finger on the trigger!

And what's the first rule for when you're not certain of how an unfamiliar firearm operates?

Bingo! Pick it up and start dicking around with it.

[Via RuffRidr]

The Cult of the Elite

This book, which grew out of a controversial essay published last year by The Weekly Standard, is a shrewdly argued jeremiad against the digerati effort to dethrone cultural and political gatekeepers and replace experts with the “wisdom of the crowd.”

...Whereas historians and journalists traditionally strived to deliver the best available truth possible, many bloggers revel in their own subjectivity...

This guy manages to combine two of my favorite categories, "We're the Only Ones" and "authorized journalists," into one obnoxious and elitist screed.

The purpose, Mr. Keen, of having "political gatekeepers" is to keep out those you wish to exclude. We've had enough of media bias and "historians" bent on changing the past to suit a present agenda.

Revolutions tend to get a bit messy, a lesson the elites never seem to learn as they continue to prod and provoke. The demand for a new type of information has been created because your elite stewards have done such a miserable job with the trust they were given, Mr. Keen.

If you think blogs are propaganda vehicles, you ought to take a look at some of the pamphlets produced by "rabble" from our Founding Era. And as for "informed debate becoming more difficult," I'll put this one-man-operation blog up against the mighty New York Times any day of the week when it comes to providing both broad and in-depth accurate coverage of what's really happening on the RKBA scene--even with my obvious predispositions.

Does that mean there's not a lot of amateurish junk out there in "Web 2.0"? Of course there is, but guess what--the people who take it upon themselves to get and stay informed develop pretty good instincts when it comes to divining the truth of things. And working in real time, without a net, can be a pretty unforgiving environment for anyone discovered propagating falsehoods or unreliable information. Reputation is everything, and the type of readers I get aren't too inclined to forgive someone they've caught trying to play them--because they expect the same standards they hold themselves to. And it's not like your precious gatekeepers don't put out a lot of trash for the masses.

Ultimately though, it boils down to this is "costing us a fortune," doesn't it? Hey, what can I say? The environment changes--it's been doing that since the Dawn of Time. Adapt or die out.

Keen is keen on oligarchy, that principle of rule that has produced such misery throughout the ages. He doesn't get that our system is supposed to be one of self government--he doesn't trust that we are wise or capable or competent enough to be given free choices--which is really what the struggle for liberty is all about. He evidently believes our only real purpose is to feed the beast, that is, to assume our traditional role of serfs under the benign rule of philosopher kings.

We threw that yoke off once and may be on the cusp of doing it again. And that scares the hell out of certain people like Mr. Keen--and those he speaks for--who are starting to sense the winds of change.

[Via D.W. Lawson]

Maybe it is About Hunting...

Meanwhile his BATFU continues to force gun dealers out of business in record numbers...

This Day in History: August 18

More on the August 28 Ammo Buy Proposal

In answer to some comments: Yes--you can buy reloading components. You can buy something else if you don't need ammo. Buy some targets.

Thanks to the happy few who have taken the initiative to help spread the word on this. Please inform me if I've missed anyone:

KeepAndBearArms.com
The Liberty Sphere
Rational Review News Digest
A Keyboard and a .45
Kent's Hooligan Libertarian Blog
Ohio CCW Forums
The High Road

I appreciate the mentions. That said, this is pretty pathetic, and this minimal effort is doomed not to happen if that's the extent of it.

I guess I never seem to understand the extent of gun owner non-involvement and apathy--even though I should know it better than most. This site had under 2,000 hits yesterday (and that's pretty pathetic, too, especially considering the kind of mega-traffic anything about LiLo or Paris will generate), and yet how many of you--who come here every day--have even sent an email to anyone about this, let alone asked other blogs, or gun organizations, or gun stores, or whoever, to help promote this concept?

And by the way--where are the gun stores that are signing on to this?

I must confess--when I read posts (generally anonymous ones) saying things like "From my cold dead hands" or "Molon Labe" and I know from experience that most gun owners won't even send an email, it does not fill me with hope that these will show up on the green when muster is called.

Churchill said it best:

If you will not fight for the right when you can easily win without bloodshed; if you will not fight when your victory will be sure and not too costly; you may come to the moment when you will have to fight with all the odds against you and only a small chance of survival. There may even be a worse case: you may have to fight when there is no hope of victory, because it is better to perish than to live as slaves.

Enough bitching. I hope you join me, but I'm fresh out of ideas on how to make that happen. So ultimately, the fault must lie within me. Maybe it's just because it's a trivial idea, but I keep coming back to the worry that if we can't even take small steps together, dreaming of ever taking giant strides is futile.