This Day in History: September 13

The ungrateful despotism and inordinate lust of domination, which marked the unnatural designs of the British king and his venal parliament, to enslave [tile? the?] people of America, reduced you to the necessity of either asserting your rights by arms, or ingloriously passing under the yoke. You nobly preferred war.

We all got that, right?

From Congress to their constituents?

"Read twice and unanimously agreed to"?

And who did Congress assume without question could "assert... [their] rights by arms"?

Their "Friends and Fellow-Citizens!"

Is the "debate" over yet? Because if it's not, the only possible explanation would be a deliberate campaign of lies to con the weak and foolish.

If Olson is "Frontrunner," What Place Will Gun Owners Take?

Translation: The "Vote Freeedom First" president has a grand opportunity to replace a gungrabber.

So is "frontrunner" Ted Olson the 2A pitbull some would have us believe?

He argued against the Supreme Court hearing the Emerson case. OK, I can hear the apologists now: since the 5th Circuit had already ruled in favor of an individual interpretation, why risk it?

Olson also asked the Supreme Court not to intervene in the Haney case. More smart politics, right? We'd never win a machine gun case?

Olson argued against "restoring" a gun owner's rights in the Bean case--a man convicted in Mexico of something that's not a crime in the US--having a small amount of ammunition in his vehicle. As I noted on more than one occasion, it would be equivalent to one of former Olson boss John Ashcroft's fellow Pentecostals being convicted of having an unauthorized Bible in China, being classified a "felon" as a result, and losing their gun rights here for it.

Being lead counsel for gun manufacturers sued by DC may count for something, but lawyers represent clients all the time--that proves nothing in terms of convictions.

And being a key supporter of a notorious gungrabber doesn't help establish confidence that we're dealing with a man who puts fidelity to Constitutional principles first.

Is it really so damn hard to find someone who does?

Tales of Wells Fargo

As Frisco police launch a formal investigation after a bank customer was detained based on a teller's suspicions, the customer has now hired a lawyer.

"Detained." Because "assaulted" is such an ugly word.

This wouldn't have happened if Jim Hardie had been there. And TV show notwithstanding, Wells Fargo once had the fortitude to be the hub of Gold Rush mining camps, to provide a civilization lifeline to outposts and settlements by manning stagecoaches through the wilderness, to deliver express mail by rider.

But bank employees are conditioned to be such excitable little dears nowadays. That's the problem with a helpless mindset, and in this case, a customer could have been killed.

WoG correspondent Tony G who sent me this story speculates "I wonder what would have happened if he had a CHL and his weapon on him."

Good point.

We're the Only Ones Self-Incriminating Enough

In a piece for the Portland Tribune, reporter Nick Bundick exposes the forum postings of David B. Thompson, which range from musings on the joy of tasering people to outright bragging about brutally beating a prisoner and then charging him for attacking him.

And just remember, evil politicians and judges, their armed enforcers, their media co-conspirators and their citizen pawns want to put you and your loved ones into this environment and at the mercy of such sociopaths if they catch you disobeying one of their citizen disarmament edicts.

[More from "The Only Ones" Files]

This Day in History: September 12

September 12, 1779 French forces under the command of Admiral Charles Henri D'Estaing land at Beaulieu, a plantation south of Savannah.

I'll Contact You, Tom

There are some gun rights advocates I hear from whenever they read about a citizen using a gun to thwart a criminal.

They love those stories. Some especially love it when the good guy has a concealed firearm permit. Such accounts prove that just about everyone who isn't a criminal should carry a gun, they tell me.

But none have contacted me about the arrest of concealed weapons permit holder Albert H. Rudolph III, who police say pulled a .45-caliber semi-automatic out of his shirt at Patrick's, a downtown Sarasota restaurant.

So for you, one anecdote about alleged misuse is enough to render everyone else who didn't behave irresponsibly defenseless? Because as we've seen time and again, only the authorities and their enforcers possess sufficient powers and abilities far beyond those of mortal men to be trusted with a gun?

I've just provided you a link to thousands of examples of abuses by government authorities you so obviously hold in such esteem, Tom. And here's the thing--I don't even make an effort to look for these stories--and in fact, I don't comment on but a fraction of them since I could literally be doing nothing else. Just do a news search on the term "gun" every day and you'll be virtually tripping all over them.

You, in turn, give us one example, and suggest policy change affecting everyone to be the desired outcome. Fess up, Tom--don't you "especially love it when the good guy has a concealed firearm permit" and then abuses it? So why is it this is the first time you've had occasion to rant on the subject and you couldn't resist jumping on it? Could it be because it's so rare you've never had the opportunity to exploit it before--or is it just that you objective "authorized journalists" (another category I literally have to wade through every day) aren't doing your job and finding these stories for your readers?

If a fair-minded person were to look at the preponderance of problems reported by your own profession, Tom, which group do you think it would say poses the greatest danger to the public: the authorities you think are so much more trustworthy with guns than "ordinary" citizens, or concealed permit holders?

And as for guns and booze under the same roof? You might as well just cut to the chase and ban either firearms or alcohol, then (why not both?), because the home--you know, the place where most domestic violence situations and suicides occur--often has both present. And did you know that the suicide rate for law enforcement is about twice that of the general population, and that "Domestic violence is almost four times more likely to occur in police families"?

Don't believe me? Ask your colleagues---they're the ones filing stories on these numbers, and you guys always take pains to make sure what you're reporting is fair, balanced and accurate, right?

And incidentally: unless it had been discharged, it was a "cartridge" or a "round" that "fell to the floor," not a "bullet." Here's a resource you can consult if you're ever unsure about the difference in the future.

Liberal editorial writers. Is there anything they don't know?

We're the Only Ones Gun Running Enough

An Ekurhuleni metro police officer has been arrested for the second time in less than a year for suspected gun-running...

Constable Richard Msibi, who is in his 50s, was allegedly caught red-handed selling ammunition at the Wattville/Actonville hostel. He was in full metro police uniform at the time and was travelling in his own car.

They'd caught the guy before not only with "illegal guns" but with counterfeit money and he bribed his way out. And he's so confident his corruption will be tolerated he doesn't even bother to remove his uniform--there's respect for the law being promoted for you. Yep, sure looks like only government officials and their enforcers possess all the qualifications to be "The Only Ones," alright...

Frankly Speaking, Mayor Jackson, You're a Liar

Mayor Frank Jackson has called for the Ohio General Assembly to pass a law banning anyone under the age of 21 from possessing a firearm...

"Right now, if a young person was walking down any Ohio street brandishing an assault weapon, the police could not arrest him for that," said Mayor Jackson.

As long as you're playing the demographics card, Frank, care to narrow it down to that segment of people under 21 where the overwhelming number of "cross-fire gun battles" originate from?

No? Too politically untouchable for you?

OK, then I've got an easier task. Do you have any "young persons" in your family, mayor?

Give one of them an "assault weapon" and have them walk down the streets "brandishing an assault weapon" in the neighborhood where you're performing your latest blood dance. Don't tell the police you're doing this, because we want the experiment to reflect an influence-free outcome.

If you actually believe this latest line of crap you're getting the "authorized journalists" to parrot unchallenged for you, you should have no problem walking the walk--or letting a young loved one do it for you.

Or forget young people. Dress down to where you're not easily recognized and try it yourself--and don't tell the responding officers who you are. And don't forget to--what was the word you deliberately chose?--brandish.

If you're not willing to do this because you think there might be some life-endangering risk involved, how dare you risk the lives of young adults under 21 by coercing them into defenselessness--ultimately under force of arms?

We're the Only Ones Not Trained to Do Our Jobs Enough

"Forty percent of them (inmates) have serious mental problems and we're dealing with them from a law enforcement point of view, we're not trained to deal with them mentally." said Summit County Sheriff Drew Alexander, who neither condemned nor condoned his deputies' actions.

Why aren't you trained if that's your responsibility and you're accepting paychecks? And how much training do you need to know you're not supposed to gang up and beat a man to death?

[More from "The Only Ones" Files]

This Day in History: September 11

September 11, 1776 - A peace conference is held on Staten Island with British Admiral, Lord Richard Howe, meeting American representatives including John Adams and Benjamin Franklin. The conference fails as Howe demands the colonists revoke the Declaration of Independence.

Fashion Statement for Herbivores

The spring 2008 collection of Brandon's clothing line... featured items fashioned out of real guns that have been collected by Philadelphia sheriff's deputies, melted down and sculpted into cuffed bracelets, dangling necklaces and pendants...

"It was amazing seeing something that was used for so much violence, hurt and destruction, to watch its power being taken away," Brandon said. "This really hits so close to home."

It would hit even closer if someone with evil intent ever came after her and all she had was her stupid jewelry.

I wonder if her stuff looks anything like this?

A UK Paradox

The wall of silence shielding the identity of the hooded teenager who allegedly shot 11-year-old Rhys Jones appeared finally to be crumbling last night.

Via Sam, who asks how this could happen over there since they've banned guns.

We're the Only Ones Giving Ourselves a Hand Enough

An Albany County sheriff's deputy shot a fellow member of a drug detail in the hand while trying to kill an attacking dog Thursday.

And naturally:

The names of the officer and sheriff's deputy were not released.

[Via Declan]
[More from "The Only Ones" files...]

We're the Only Ones Having it Our Way Enough

A McDonald's employee spent a night in jail and is facing criminal charges because a police officer's burger was too salty, so salty that he says it made him sick.

He couldn't just taste it and demand another burger?

What is it about "The Only Ones" and fast food workers?

[Via Stan]

Wouldn't You BE Safer With a Gun?

Wouldn’t you feel safer with a gun?

I would and I do--because I AM safer.

Nice to see our friends across the pond are still producing men of reason.

[Via Stan]

What New York Needs

Mayor Michael Bloomberg once again pointed to the need for gun reform. The suspect's gun in this incident was stolen in Ohio five years ago.

Yeah, we need laws that make stealing guns illegal.

Calves was freed on parole from prison two years ago after serving time for manslaughter, robbery, and attempt to promote prison contraband. The manslaughter conviction involved the killing of a fellow prison inmate at Attica Correctional Facility, police said.

And they release this animal among a population they've disarmed.

"Officer Marchiondo and police officers like her are the reason the New York City subways are the safest in memory," Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said Friday.

So safe stuff like this happens and Officer Marchando couldn't even protect herself. Men with guns, who just happened to be on scene, needed to rescue her. Oh, and did I mention?

Police didn't immediately know who had shot Marchiondo.

"The Mayor of NY needs criminal control, not Gun Control," says Tony G, who sent me this story. I'd say New Yorkers need Bloomberg and Kelly control even more.

This Day in History: September 10

“The United States in Congress assembled highly approve the pious and laudable undertaking of Mr. Aitken, as subservient to the interest of religion, as well as an instance of the progress of arts in this country, and being satisfied from the above report of his care and accuracy in the execution of the work, they recommend this edition of the Bible to the inhabitants of the United States, and hereby authorize him to publish this recommendation in the manner he shall think proper.”

–Congressional Resolution, September 10, 1782

Lost Weekend

Business will keep me away from new blog posts until Monday morning.

Please feel free to wander about. I will be checking comments from afar to make sure no one hijacks the joint, but aside from that, I won't be getting to accumulating emails until I have time, so please don't feel ignored.

Item last--seems nobody else but Blogonomicon knows how to get picked up by a pretty girl. OK, pal, you may be younger and better looking than me 'n Stieger, but us old guys are a lot more treacherous.

It's on.

Significant Guidance--BATFU Style

http://www.atf.gov/sgd.htm



http://www.atf.gov/atf-gd.htm



Thanks a lot fellas, that was very helpful of you. You certainly do make compliance a breeze.

I guess this means you've got nothing new coming down the pike, no plans or anything anyone needs to know about? No interpretations, no policies, nothing that will affect anyone you have any regulatory power over? Or if you do, and haven't provided guidance documents, dealers affected by it will be given some sort of leeway or recourse?

No?

[More on BATFU from WaronGuns]

A Cavalcade of "Only Ones"

I received quite a few "Only Ones" tips yesterday, and because of time constraints decided to consolidate them into one post.

We're the Only Ones Hot Dogging It Enough, Part II

A suburban police officer is accused of leaving a police dog in a patrol car for more than 12 hours on a 109-degree day, killing the animal.

Looks like they finally booked him. Part I is here.

[Via Sam]

We're the Only Ones Mixing Kids and Guns Enough
[I needed to use Google cache because the submitted link isn't working right now]

Sentenced to probation for shooting two cars and holding police at bay for seven hours during a psychotic episode that ended with a trip to the mental-health ward and the discovery of child pornography on his computer, retired state trooper Stanley W. Foss III had one question for Judge John S. Kennedy.

He wanted to know if the judge would lower the felony child pornography charge to a misdemeanor "so I could keep my weapons."

Y'know, as a professional courtesy--kind'a like getting probation for crimes that would get us non-"Only Ones" either put away or put under...

[Via Hyunchback]

We're the Only Ones Distributing Enough

A former Lebanon Junction police sergeant has pleaded guilty in U.S. district court to charges that he planned to distribute OxyContin, law enforcement officials said yesterday.

I wonder how many drug arrests he participated in during his seven years in law enforcement?

[Via Hyunchback]

We're the Only Ones Losing It Enough

Lowell police are asking for the public's help in locating a missing -- and most likely unloaded -- .40-caliber Beretta after a veteran officer apparently misplaced the handgun over the weekend.

Hey, we're always glad to help out here at WarOnGuns:


[Via Brian F]

We're the Only Ones Who, When We Do Shooters, Really Do Shooters Enough

She was sitting in a lounge chair in the living room of her Oak Street home, watching television, when the round ripped through a screen on an open bathroom window, rattling off walls and doors and hitting about 4 feet over her head, showering her with pieces of plasterboard as she ducked in fear...

Shots were still being fired when an officer arrived at their home, said Police Chief James Downes.

Police say those shots came from a nearby house, at 800 Main St., where two law-enforcement officers were allegedly drinking.

And are you ready for the best part? Aside from the responding officer reaching the victims' house with weapon drawn because he wasn't sure if they were the ones doing the shooting?

Downes declined to identify the two men linked to the shooting because criminal charges have not been filed. A source said one of the men works for the Reading Police Department and the other for the Middlesex Sheriff's Office.

"They were law-enforcement officials, and their agencies were called to take administrative action," Downes said.

I love how the drunken, sociopathic hired help consider themselves to be "officials." Besides, it's not like they endangered the lives of anyone important. I wonder what kind of "administrative action" they'd have taken against non-"Only Ones"?

[Via Brian F]