Was There Ever Any Doubt?

In what marks the end of one of the most high-profile police-involved shooting trials in New York City, a judge has acquitted three NYPD detectives of all charges in the shooting death of 23-year-old Sean Bell on Friday. Bell was gunned down in a hail of 50 bullets outside a Queens strip club on what would have been his wedding day in November 2006...

Investigators found no gun at the scene.

Well, the weather's getting warmer. Y'all might need those "Hercules Teams," Mr. Mayor...

Scraping Off the Guano

That's right. A US Marshal was making threats against a good, honest man for not...

...ahhh, you'll just have to read the rest of that sentence for yourself. But there is truth in it.

Truth vs. Evil shares some observations about WoG's first (and only to date--I'll have to remedy that) Bite-Me-Gram recipient.

When's the Next Shuttle Mission?

I think they ought to test Existing Thing's hypothesis.

You'll Pull Us Through, Sonny Boy*

Is the gun bill still loaded? Gov. Sonny Perdue said he has not decided. He could pull the trigger on the controversial gun bill that passed the legislature earlier this month.

The bill lets you carry your gun into restaurants that serve alcohol, or onto public transport, if you have a concealed weapons permit.

But Sonny, I thought you were one of us...

I mean, you shoot sporting clays, for goodness sake...

If that doesn't make you pro-Second Amendment, I don't know what does...

I know we can count on you, A+rated "Vote Freedom First" Sonny!



Why would there even be a doubt?

*

Bravo, Mr. Thompson!

It took courage to do this, plus you have a very effective presence and ability to articulate the case.

Well done. Especially considering the way the AP "Authorized Journalist" stacked her report against you.

A Better Judgment

Guns are bad. Guns kill.

Oh, look. Little boys making noise.

One question, Phil, Jacob and Brian: When the time comes, how do you children propose sharing this?

In the Lap of Freedom

It may hold our financial records, innermost thoughts and pictures of our loved ones - but there's nothing private about a laptop computer at the nation's borders, a federal appeals court ruled Monday.

No, of course not. And if they really want it, there's nothing private about them within our borders, either.

Just who do you think is calling the shots here?

[Via End the War on Freedom]

Proof That Bloomberg's Not "Anti-Gun"

Machine Gun-Toting Officers To Patrol NYC Subway...

"It's going to make me feel safer, much safer, yes it will."

Now hold on just a dang minute here.

I thought the purpose of these "bullet hoses" was to kill as many people as quickly as possible. How the hell are you going to deploy them in a crowded subway station, or sardine-packed subway car, with requisite precision and without massive "friendly fire collateral damage"?

And what's with names like "Hercules teams"? Kind of a comic book action hero mindset there, don't you think? In an elite "we have huge balls" 'roid rage kind of way. Just what we need more of for New York "Only Ones."

$151 million from Homeland Security? Bender's outfit? I thought I felt the "Vote Freedom First President's" touch on this.

I know "they hate us because we're free" and all, but I'm starting to wonder just how much "freer" the government intends to make us.

What with Bloomberg's and Ray Kelly's demonstrable love of high tech firepower, I don't suppose trusting the true "first responders" is an option...?

The Security and Prosperity Partnership

[A] Mexican press attaché was caught on camera pocketing several White House BlackBerries during a recent meeting in New Orleans...

Sources said Quintero Curiel made it all the way to the airport before Secret Service officers caught up with him. He initially denied taking the devices, but after agents showed him the DVD, Quintero Curiel said it was purely accidental, gave them back, claimed diplomatic immunity and left New Orleans with the Mexican delegation.

Yeah, the problem with Mexican crime is the Second Amendment.

ABC said it, I believe it, that settles it.

Gun Stories

From Second Amendment Foundation via email:

A new website is looking for stories that show what experiences shaped what people believe about guns and gun rights. Some of the stories may end up as part of a feature documentary or a TV series in the early stages of development.

Terrific idea if done properly.

But this one also includes Tales from the Antis.

So as SAF says in their email alert:

Gunstories.org has stories from all points of view -- pro, anti, and everything in between. Let's make sure our stories get heard.

Someone to Watch Over Me

The criminal that can hurt you on the streets near your home.. What is your advice to people about preventing armed criminals near us? I was robbed at gunpoint in Hermosa beach the night before the shooting in El Segundo theather. I was walking at a reasonable hour when a lot of people were out and around. I personally think that we really need to have armed officers not just driving around but walking around the area just to keep them out!

Why does this remind me of John Prine's classic song, "Dear Abby"? Probably just the tone of utter helplessness, the abdication of responsibility and personal choice...

Feel free to advise police state market demand facilitator "Blessed Assurance" if you think it'll make a blessed bit of difference.

We're the Only Ones Mentoring Enough

An off-duty 65-year-old Baltimore police officer was shot and killed by another officer Thursday morning after he left a strip club wearing brass knuckles during a brawl and drew a handgun, police said...

"Officer Stamp was a mentor to some and a friend to many," Bealefeld said.

I'm sure he was, and there will be no shortage of younger officers following his example.

Gee, I thought "metal knuckles" were illegal in Maryland. Oh, they are--with proper "Only One" exceptions, of course. I have mixed feelings about them--on the one hand, using them in a "fair fight" seems cowardly, on the other hand, I don't believe in fair fights--if someone attacks me, I will have tried to disengage if possible, so anything goes.

Still, I've never seen a drunken bar brawl that didn't involve poor individual choices by all parties involved, starting with the decison to frequent such a place, or not notice what it's like and get the hell out. Add an aggressive disposition and a bit of alcohol, bring in a few sexy young thangs to stir up male rivalries and...

But there I go being "judgmental" again.

See, this is why they need to pass laws making sure you and I can't carry in bars. If a trained heroic professional can't handle it, what chance do I have, immature and moral weakling that I am...?

And if I know I can't trust myself, I sure as hell can't admit that I might trust you.

[Via Carlton R]

This Day in History: April 25

We, Solomon Brown, Jonathan Loring, and Elijah Sanderson, all of lawful Age, and of Lexington, in the County of Middlesex, and Collony of the Massachusett Bay, in New England, do testifie and declare, that on the evening of the Eighteenth of April, Instant, being on the Road between Concord and Lexington, and all of us mounted on Horses, we were, about ten of the Clock, suddenly surprized by nine Persons, whom we took to be Regular Officers, who Rode up to us, mounted and armed, each having a Pistol in His Hand, and after Putting Pistols to our Breasts, and seizing the Bridles of our Horses, they swore, that if we stirred another step, we should be all Dead Men, upon which we surrendered our selves. They Detained us until Two o'Clock the next morning, in which time they searched and greatly abused us; having first enquired about the Magazine at Concord, whether any Guards were posted there, and whether the bridges were up, and said four or five Regiments of Regulars would be in Possession of the stores soon; they then brought us back to Lexington, eat the Horses Bridles and Girts, turned them Loose, and then Left us.

"I'm the ARA"

I've been curious about the financing for our good friends at American Hunters and Shooters Association. It's not like they have a large membership base, and somebody's bankrolling them.

One of the resources I use to check nonprofits is Guidestar. They were useful in checking the IRS filings of the ROOT program for my latest GUNS Magazine article, and a while back some of you may remember this shot across the bow of Freedom States Alliance, just to convince them that two can play their little "outing" game.

What I found when I looked up AHSA was the American Rifle Association Foundation, and opening up their 2006 Form 990 shows the name of their organization is American Hunters and Shooters Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) Public Charity. Why they are listed under a different name is anybody's guess, but here is their "mission":

TO SUPPORT, PROMOTE, AND PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF THE PEOPLE OF THE U.S.A. TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS FOR ALL LAWFUL PURPOSES.

Right.

Bottom line for the foundation: gross receipts just under $250K, and all the principles (Rosenthal, Vince, Shoenke, Hickok) say they work 5 hours or less per week for no compensation. But bear in mind this is the foundation, because Part VI, "Other Information," asks if they are related to any other organization, to which they check "Yes," and type in "See Statement 2."

The name of that organization is American Hunters and Shooters Association, Inc., and they, too, are "exempt," but to date no 990 has been posted (unless, as with the foundation, it is listed under another name?).

I leave it to people skilled in such matters to see what conclusions can be drawn--for instance, why is there no Form 990 for AHSA-proper? Do they take in under $25K annually, and are not required to file a form? Is the foundation all there is? Do they rely almost entirely on free publicity from a supportive media? Or hasn't their filing been posted yet?

Beats me. I'm hoping more people looking into this will help bring the information to light. As I understand it, someone ought to be able to just write them and and ask?

UPDATE: While we're at it, here's Freedom States Alliance. $408K in, practically nothing out. Doesn't say much, does it? Particularly about any money being spent. Who pays for "Gun Guys"? Oh, I see--they need an extension...

A Really Wrong Turn

A U.S. soldier being held by Mexican authorities said he accidentally drove across the border with guns, knives and ammunition while looking for a place to park.

Congratulations, Spc. Torres.

"The Vote Freedom First President" and his fawning cronies say a foreign conviction should put you on their prohibited persons list.

Aren't you glad you risked your life overseas to defend American "freedom"?

Hey, if you're not with us, you're against us!

The Lords' Will

The family of a man who was shot dead by Sussex Police while naked and unarmed can sue the force for unlawful killing, Law Lords have ruled.

"Law Lords"? Good grief.

But at least the family gets a consolation prize.

I note the "Only One" who panicked and murdered an unarmed man escaped prosecution and incarceration.

The Lords' will, no doubt.

No Choice

The RCMP says if the government allows an amnesty on rifle and shotgun ownership to expire, police will have no choice but to fine or jail unregistered long-gun owners.

In other words, you're leaving gun owners no choice but to obey or resist, Sgt. Strong?

"Terribly Offensive"

We talked with Larry Hincker from Virginia Tech about the visit. He says "Free speech is a hallmark of university life. Still, I find it terribly offensive to learn that the gun-seller of the weapons used in the Virginia Tech campus murders would set foot on this campus."

Hincker went on to say he thinks it's incredibly insensitive to the families of the victims.

No, Hincker.

What's terribly offensive is you, murderer enabler.

What's incredibly insensitive is that you continue to endanger other human beings with your bloody-handed incompetence.

"A Simple Yet Effective Tool"

Who? BATFU "Special Agent in Charge" James Cavanaugh?

UPDATE: Mike Vanderboegh made up a poster just for this occasion, but adaptable for so many others!

We're the Only Ones With Judgment Enough

For the first time in its history, a weapon was fired inside a courtroom at the Gatineau courthouse yesterday.

But the man who inadvertently pulled the trigger was the Quebec court judge presiding over the case.

Because everyone knows the best way to find out if a gun works is to squeeze the trigger. And the police couldn't figure out how to unload/unjam it? That's quite a chain of incompetency the Quebec "Only Ones" have going for them there.

No wonder they're against guns. People typically fear that which they're ignorant of.

And lest we miss the larger point, it doesn't seem to occur to anyone that they have created a society where goblins feel secure enough in the defenselessness of their victims to dare conducting home invasions with an air pistol.

That's just plain pathetic.