Shameless Plug: Are You Connected?

The fact is, if you're a gun owner and you're not on the Internet, you are not informed, no matter how strong your opinions. You simply can't be.

I don't need to tell you that, because obviously you're reading this on your monitor. But not all subscribers to gun magazines have made the transition.

"Are You Connected" is my Rights Watch column for the November issue of GUNS Magazine, on sale now at well-connected newsstands throughout the Republic.

Also in this issue: My review of Matthew Bracken's thrilling liberty page-turner, "Enemies Foreign and Domestic." It's a good one and you should order your own copy.

BONUS: See page 68 of this issue to find out how you can win the ADCO Diamond Double 12-Gauge, 2 3/4" Side-by-Side, exposed hammer coach gun.

Sentry Gun

Texican Tattler links us to a Sentry Gun project.

The video had me laughing.

Another Editorial Sheet-Soaker

If concealed gun permit holders can't deal with this scrutiny, they should turn in their weapons

The way the Ohio law is written, Al-Jazeera reporters qualify as people who can demand CHL lists.

Oh well--submit for public licensure, expect public records. That collar isn't starting to chafe, is it?

As for the rhetorical question: Why should concealed gun permit holders fear the bad guys at all?

That assumes we're in agreement as to just who "the bad guys" are. The ones I fear are those who presume authority to issue licenses for sovereign individuals to exercise unalienable rights.

Pontificating Intellectual Moron Alert

Meet Jeff Mankoff, "a sixth-year Ph.D. student in the [Yale]History Department."

Jeff uses hyperbole to disinform and subvert.

Yes, Jefferson was against "sanctimonious" expressions of reverence for the Constitution. Who isn't against hypocrisy and false piety, at least among people who should be taken seriously?

But the prescription Mankoff implies is nothing short of unchecked legislative tyranny.

I guess he doesn't realize that when that happens, academics who aren't among the power-seizing revolutionaries are often among the first groups rounded up.

You'd think a history major would know that.

[KABA]

Liar, Liar

BRAIN-SCANNING techniques that test whether people are telling the truth could soon be sufficiently reliable to be used to interrogate criminals...The technique works by monitoring activity in the frontal lobes of the brain, which have to work harder than normal when giving answers that are not truthful. Rugen Gur, a colleague of Dr Langleben, said: “A lie is always more complicated than the truth. You think a bit more and fMRI picks that up.”

Well, I certainly see no potential for abuse here.

Wonder what would happen to the results if on every answer--even those you were telling the truth on--you'd do a math problem in your head before speaking?

Just When They Were Doing So Well...

Bill St. Clair tells us a condition of joining Handgun Club of America is pledging that you will "observe all firearm laws."

Heaven Forbid! More Trouble in Paradise

In "Trouble in Paradise," I wrote about how R-Ranch in the Sequoias is developing a set of "gun safety" rules. I posted an update in "A Gathering Storm."

Because I had not heard back, I wrote the entire Board. Responses from two (and unverified information I have says three are for a total ban) confirm my worst fears:

From one director:

This year (as part of the contention on the Ranch) one of the members had a 'concealed' automatic weapon (which he did not have a permit to carry). This disturbed some of our employees and they reported it to Management. This member was very vocal and noted that he has always carried a gun on the trail rides. Furthermore, it was his right and privilege to carry his weapon(s) at all times, anywhere on the Ranch and his interpretation of the law is that anyone over 18 has that right as well. You can imagine the can of worms that this opened. We've had people suggest that anyone over 18 should be able to wear holstered guns around the ranch. Heaven forbid!

[I've learned he was wearing a semiauto tucked into his belt because he didn't have his holster with him--the sheriff's deputy told him that was considered legally concealed but declined to make an arrest.]

From the president:

The mission as it started out was to prevent the open and unrestrained carrying of weapons on the ranch especially where children or others are frequently present. I do not believe it will benefit any of us at this point, to jump to any premature conclusions. The main point is everyone that comes to the ranch needs to be secure that they are safe and that no set of people can either intentionally or by accident compromise the safety of others.

Well, it's not my mission. And talk about intentionally compromising the safety of others...

Here's the ownership setup at R-Ranch. It's similar to joint ownership of common areas in a condominium:

This is not a time share. At R-Ranch no one person or family owns an individual lot. By subdividing ownership rather than land, owners enjoy the entire ranch whenever they wish and as often as they wish, without the constraints of timesharing. There are 2,500 shares, with undivided interest, buyers receive a grant deed at close of escrow.

The Ranch is surrounded by millions of acres of Sequoia National Forest, where open carry is legal--basically, the restrictions are you can't discharge a firearm "within 150 yards of a campground, trail, road, recreation area or across a body of water.}

Exempt from CA edicts against carrying loaded weapons in a public place are persons "carrying a firearm while at home or at his place of business, including temporary residences and campsites."

The bottom line: If the Board can enact a ban against carrying on Ranch property--complete with legal penalties, i.e., calling in the law to arrest violaters and/or via legally enforceable fines/property use restrictions, they are in effect implementing gun control backed by the force of law.

If they get away with it, every homeowner's association in the state of California will have a blueprint for enacting Wilmette-style gun bans and ignoring California's state preemption of firearms laws.

HCA Update

I caused a bit of discussion when I urged people to check out the Handgun Club of America.

Their website now addresses some of the concerns raised in that thread. They have added a page addressing their stand on the Second Amendment, a page of related quotes, and a thoughtful analysis on why rights aren't subject to licensing.

It appears these folks get it.

"The Only Reason You Have a Handgun is to Shoot Someone"

More anti-defense lunacy from north of the border.

No, it's not the only reason. But it certainly is one of them.

Toronto Mayor David Miller's solution?

"We know what works but we need the money to support it. We need the federal government to commit much more strongly to job training and funding actual employment for young people. That will require significant resources."

Spend money on government programs! What else would you expect from a bureaucrat and tyrant who wants to rule people and ensure that they're disarmed?

Is this where I launch into "Gee, Officer Krupke"?

I also like how the vacuous reporterette helps perpetuate hysteria using "straight news" catchphrases like "killings caused by firearms..."

And here I thought killings were caused by killers.

Excuse Me While I Whip This Out

I want my Twinkie.

What Would YOU Use on a T-Rex?

Comment poster Sean reminded me of something when, in response to The 2005 Hardyville Freedom Festival, he nominated "Jurassic Park 2 as the most asinine, corrupt, and contradictory movie [he's] ever seen."

In his musings about how totally ineffectual armed men were portrayed as being, he reminded me of a discussion that took place over a couple issues of my favorite gun magazine.

Andy Breglia shared his thoughts on which ammunition would be most effective against a T-Rex.

His conclusion: "[T]he .30-06 is a true do-all cartridge and, when loaded with the appropriate bullets, will take anything that walks on, or used to walk on, this planet."

The editor was skeptical, and countered "I believe the minimum T-Rex blaster would be an M2 .50 Browning Machine Gun mounted on something faster than a rex. Something with so little brain would take a lot of bleeding out or would need to have its pelvis shot to doll rags and fall before sinking his teeth or weight on you."

Breglia came back with "More Rex Whacks" in a later issue, leading the editor to speculate that "[a] brain shot would have that thing doin' the dead chicken dance all over you."

In fact, as evidenced by Mike the Headless Chicken, it might not even kill the thing.

I think it's an interesting discussion and would like to hear more opinions on this.

Which gun/ammo would be the best to use to effect a quick T-Rex kill, and why?

And we should probably eliminate long-range sniping, as that assumes the thing doesn't know you're there and is stationary. For the purposes of this exercise, let's assume it's a dynamic situation where you and the Rex are both aware of each other and facing off to kill or be killed.

They Never EVER Stop

Kevin gives a gungrabbing bedwetter electroshock therapy.

It won't cure the guy, but it sure is fun to watch it being administered.

Denver Argues to Become Constitution-Free Zone

[T]he Colorado Supreme Court...[will]hear arguments on the city of Denver's right to adopt stricter gun laws than the rest of the state. Assistant City Attorney David Broadwell will base his argument on the city's home-rule authority.

So Broadwell's arguing they can overturn the entire Bill of Rights if they want to?

Lord of War: "Anti-Gun Diatribe"

"War" is a film in which the story takes a backseat to the subject, the characters on-screen serving primarily as agents by which to deliver an anti-gun diatribe.

And of course the solution is to sign the UN small arms treaty.

Guns in the Workplace: An Enuretic's View

Someone who didn't know the basics of gun safety accidentally kills himself.

The conclusion? Obviously, guns don't belong in the workplace, and are more of a danger than a defense.

So why not ban guns in police stations?

Oh, because it's been well established that LEOs are better trained than us mere mortals.

So it's not like the answer just might be providing workplace defense training, is it?

Isn't Running From Predators What PREY Does?

"The scariest part is that you're removing the duty to retreat. That's really there to preserve life."

Unless by retreating instead of acting, you give the advantage to your attacker.

That's the problem with these dolts--they think one size fits all. They don't want people to consider that, just perhaps, the person on scene has a better grasp of what they neeed to do to preserve their safety than the MMM herd of inane cud-chewers. Not a one is qualified to offer tactical defense instruction, but the media presents them as authorities.

Freedom Films

Go vote in The 2005 Hardyville Freedom Film Festival.

I do have one beef--"The Iron Giant" is blatantly anti-hunting. Oh, shoot, I have other beefs--I don't see "The Scarlet Pimpernel." I don't see "Brazil."

I know what I don't see: I don't see the ability to cast write-in votes.

I also respectfully suggest one more category: Made for TV films. We shouldn't overlook this all-pervasive and important medium. After all, it probably has more daily influence on most Americans' lives than any other.

With that in mind, I nominate "Vanishing Point."

Oh, and I don't see a category for documentaries...Oh well, if it gets people thinking about liberty and maybe going out and renting something they haven't seen before...

I'll shut up now. This is still worthwhile and fun, despite my grousing.

[Via End the War on Freedom]

OK, You Can Stay

Just days since they were being urged, sometimes at gunpoint, to leave their homes, the hardy band of residents who sat tight in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina are now being encouraged to stay put and help to restart the city.

In a remarkable U-turn, the authorities - who had previously reviled, goaded and even threatened force against the few hundred remaining "holdouts" - are hailing them as examples of the indomitable spirit needed to rebuild the "Big Easy".

What the "authorities" won't tell us is what part citizens being armed played in this decision.

To Build a Fire

Apparently, you can start a fire with a soda can and a chocolate bar. I couldn't find anything debunking this on urban legends sites, and Tracker Trail seems pretty authoritative and credible.

Maybe I'll have a race with the boys this afternoon--although more than an hour polishing some damn can seems a bit of an investment--especially with the undone chores around this joint.

I'm not sure how useful this info will turn out to be. I can't recall ever being in a situation where I had a Coke and a candy bar (why does that remind me of a priest joke?) but not the means to make a fire--at least not in the wilderness.

[Thanks to Jim Peel.]

The Counter is Closed

Pity. Good site.

Perhaps Countertop will return some day. He offers us some hope:

"I expect that after a break I will return, refreshed and re-energized. When that time will be, I do not know."

It's not exactly like gun blogging is a profitable venture. The only reason I do it is to force myself to keep on top of issues and to write a little every day. I don't know if that will ever pay off enough to allow me to do it full time--I did get two checks in today's mail for articles sold, along with an impersonal form rejection letter that couldn't even say why my submission wasn't wanted. That's better than most days--two steps forward and only one step back.

We Don't Need No Stinkin' Posse Comitatus Act

"President Bush's push to give the military a bigger role in responding to major disasters like Hurricane Katrina could lead to a loosening of legal limits on the use of federal troops on U.S. soil."

Repeat after me: "Vote Freedom First"!

Now If I Could Just Find a Good Recipe For a Fetus Smoothie...

"A British newspaper said that a Chinese cosmetics company was using skin harvested from the corpses of executed convicts to develop beauty products for sale in Europe."

And remember, if you commit a felony in China--say, bringing in an unauthorized shipment of Bibles or the like, "conservative" justices Scalia and Thomas think your Second Amendment-recognized right should be terminated in the US.

[Story found via Hellblazer.]

Catching the Idiots

A reader writes to GUNS Magazine to take me to task over my May Rights Watch column.

Kevin Makes a Difference

Good job!

It's OK, He's a Cop

"Haymarket's acting police chief, Sgt. Gregory Breeden, got his gun back yesterday.

"Breeden had lost his right to carry a weapon two weeks ago after his wife accused him of breaking down their kitchen door with an ax and was granted a temporary restraining order. "

Who among us hasn't taken an ax (Stipulation, Your Honor--it was a sledgehammer) to a door from time to time?

The point here isn't to judge the guy's actions, though. We all know how restraining orders can be used as tools of vengeance, and how our rkba can be denied without any finding of guilt.

The point here is, if the guy wasn't a cop with connections, what do you think the chances for this outcome would have been?

GUNS Magazine: "The Black Arrow" Review

We hear the Second Amendment is the ultimate guarantor of liberty, but how many of us take those abstract words and comprehend their ultimate consequences? If the time comes when Americans must again take up arms against tyranny, how many will be able to set aside a lifetime of conditioning and initiate force against those in power?

This is the world of The Black Arrow, the first novel by syndicated columnist Vin Suprynowicz.

My review from the Sept. 2005 issue of GUNS is now online. Click here to read it.

It's For the Children

"The Dutch government plans to open an electronic file on every child at birth as a tool to spot and protect the troubled kids of the future.

"Beginning Jan. 1, 2007, all citizens will be tracked from cradle to grave in a single database — including health, education, family and police records — the health ministry said Tuesday."

Yeah, it's being done to everyone now so they can "protect the troubled kids of the future."

Right.

[Thanks to John Schaefer]

Cross-Dressing Robbers Killed During Shootout

Tell me this isn't a movie script waiting to happen.

LA Gun Sales Surge

Maybe some of these buyers will be curious enough to learn about the threat to their being able to own guns--and motivated enough to join with those trying to do something about that.

Nope, I Won't Be Seeing "The Lord of War"

"But nine out of 10 war victims are killed by guns. It's the AK-47 that's a weapon of mass destruction."

Yeah, this moron will be getting my money real quick.

High Praise for "The Black Arrow"...

...and a not-so-gentle verdict on Laissez Faire Books and their decision not to stock it.

"Don't Blame US"

"Canadians shouldn't blame their southern neighbour for the spike in gun-related violence in Toronto, says the U.S. ambassador in Ottawa."

Yeah--David Wilkins says we're doing everything we can.

First off, the bad guys are buying their guns illegally, he says, in violation of Canadian and US gun laws.

And because we've established that these laws are useless at stopping evil people from getting guns, but plenty good at harassing citizens, we've imported a BATFU field office. Plus we're going to bring in technology that costs a lot of money--but doesn't really tell us anything except who the last person in the chain of custody who obeyed the law was.

Good grief.

Bradys Celebrate Treason...

...at the French Embassy, naturally.

I remember posting on this earlier, and being surprised that humor columist Dave Barry was on the attendance list. I don't have time to look that up right now 'cause I'm on the road and doing a quick post...

Will get this blog back to normal day after tomorrow...

HCA Replies

Josh Manheimer of Handgun Club of America has commented on the concerns I posted. Others who vouch for the effort and Mr. Manheimer as being solidly pro-2A have also chimed in.

See their comments at the end of the linked piece.

I Can Post From the Hotel...

...so I'll be doing so as I can.

Wal-Mart Halts LA Gun Sales...

...and some folks feeling vulnerable right now aren't very happy about it.

"A Wal-Mart spokeswoman, Karen Burk, attributed the company's decision to pull guns from the shelves to 'some very fluid circumstances and changing situations...'"

What, fluid as in there's water all over the place and looters and rapists are running around victimizing people?

"Wal-Mart's decision to stop gun sales also earned it praise from several customers, who said police would protect them from any trouble.

"'Why can't we get along? This is a time of crisis,' said Mike White of Kenner, La. He said people who need guns for legitimate reasons, such as hunting, would not be buying now."

Mike White, I can't believe someone as idiotic as you're coming off even exists. I suspect you know better, and you're quoting from the playbook to advance your wretched, liberty-hating agenda.

Here's why we can't all get along, Rodney, I mean, Mike. Because you won't let us.

We're perfectly willing to leave you alone to live out your beliefs. Gungrabbers, on the other hand, rely on JBTs with "obey or die" edicts to force their will on those who believe and live differently.

So we'll get along, Mike, when you and your kind stop making war on us.

Claire Has a New Book Out

I haven't read it yet. Before visiting her site tonight, I hadn't even heard of it.

But some folks have established a track record that deserves our faith.

I'll bet it's excellent, as usual. I'll have to get a copy just so I can confirm my bias...:-)

Nice to See the NSSF...

...doing the Brady Center's work for them.

Pitchfork murder, anyone?

Outta Here...

...until Friday.

I may or may not be able to check in between now and then.

"One September Day..."

The Blognomicon has a picture series appropriate for today's date that you really ought to see.

Fathers Demanding Defenseless Families

Look, I'm a father myself.

I can't imagine what I'd do if something happened to one of my boys, I love them so damn much.

But when people manifest their grief destructively, they lose their claim to sympathy. These guys mean to leave people unable to protect their families. They mean for the state to have the monopoly of power.

Anybody who would embrace that solution was probably a fool before tragedy struck.

Citizen Militia Defends NO Neighborhood

"She said she still has 42 bullets to expend before she'll be forcibly evacuated."

Looks like that idiot P. Edwin Compass III has a math problem to solve.

Three cheers for the Algiers Point Militia!

[Thanks to Cornet Joyce II]

Check Out The Handgun Club of America!

Some of the gun blogs are mentioning a new group, Handgun Club of America, and encouraging us to check it out.

I just took a cursory glance at their site, and will need to learn more before I can recommend joining.

They say they’re not a “politically-charged grou[p] like the NRA and other firearm organizations.” Instead, they say they “are, if you will, a calm, rational alternative for the 60 million households who lawfully choose to own a handgun.”

Fine. Not everyone can be an activist. There is room for recreational/educational clubs, and they can do much good in promoting an interest in shooting handguns, which can result in an interest in defending the right to own one. But claiming to be a “calm, rational alternative” implies those fighting for the right to keep and bear arms are agitated (fair enough) and irrational (hey, wait a minute...).

This raises a flag for me. An unequivocal statement of support for the Second Amendment--along with some examples to demonstrate their understanding of "shall not be infringed"--would help alleviate concerns.

Just who is behind HCA? Who are the people who want us to send them money? A register.com WHOIS lookup identifies one Josh Manheimer of J.C. Manheimer & Company as the registrant—although it’s not clear if he’s the principal behind the effort or an agent of those who are. I’ve never heard of him—either in the gun rights community or as someone of note in the field of handgun expertise. A Google search on his name turns up nothing in terms of any kind of "street cred" in the firearms community—although I do note he raised $100 for Howard Dean in 2004.

Yeah, Dean used to have an NRA "A" rating (for what that's worth), but he's on record supporting the "assault weapon" ban, the Brady Bill, and ending the "gun show loophole." He also has no problem with states ignoring the Bill of Rights--at least as far as the Second Amendment goes. Manheimer's support--if he is a principal behind HCA as opposed to a paid pr guy-- raises another flag for me.

What Manheimer is is a direct mail copywriter, a pro at crafting words so that people in his target market will want to buy the product or service he has contracted to promote.

That's great. If you want to attract people, you have to know how to do it. His advertising expertise is impressive and the HCA site reflects this.

But that's all style--I have another concern--another flag--about substance: On their “Gun Safety Rules” page, HCA tells us to:

"Store firearms and ammunition separately. When cleaning a firearm, put ammunition in a separate room or locked up out of reach.

"Stored firearms should be unloaded to prevent accidents when removing from their storage location. Ammunition, especially while cleaning a firearm, should be stored separately."

Well, sorry, but if I do that, it becomes useless for emergency defense. This seems to be the same advice we get from Andrew McKelvey’s Americans for Gun Safety, which tells us to: “Keep your ammunition as safe and inaccessible as your firearms.”

And it's the same position adopted by the Brady Center, which has initiated a Legal Action Project because they say “a majority of gun owners living with children do not store their guns locked, unloaded, and separate from ammunition.”

We see that when applied uniformly in the real world, such one-size-fits-all policies can result in nasty, brutal things--like pitchfork murders--where minors couldn’t reach a gun to save their lives.

I think HCA needs to address this.

Bottom line: HCA may turn out to be a fine organization. Mr. Manheimer may turn out to be a handgun enthusiast who has created something that will benefit gun owners. He may turn out to be a hired marketing consultant for someone else.

But until we find out who is behind HCA and whether or not they really support the Second Amendment--and how they do so--I can’t recommend giving them any money. Some sport shooters almost got burned by the American Hunting and Shooting Association until some curious folks started checking up on them.

I'll go this far in joining the other gun bloggers who recommend checking out HCA:

Yes, by all means, do so.

The Lord of War

You've probably seen the commercials for the upcoming Nicholas Cage movie about an international arms dealer.

I'll probably see it--on the one hand, Cage is cool and the guns are cool, on the other, it will probably have no shortage of "evils that guns do" messages and may come up short on otherwise helpless people defending themselves from genocidal regimes.

Lion's Gate Films has set up a forum on their website. I literally don't have time to participate in forums, particularly one where much debate will be likely--but call it to the attention of the pro-2A community in case anyone has the time and inclination to make sure the truth doesn't get buried in the hype--for instance, one thread links to The Federation of American Scientists Arms Sales Monitoring Project, which is big on international agreements for global gun control. It might not hurt to have people on "our side" pointing out that tyanny can't be resisted if the people have nothing to resist with, that 100 million victims were murdered by their own governments in the last century, and stuff like that...plus a forum on a popular movie site ought to give some great exposure to activists who like to write.

I'd do it, but honest to God, my plate is beyond full.

Still MORE Proof...

...that only sworn officers of the law can be trusted with guns.

Heaven Forbid!

"Journalists in Michigan are reportedly being told by state legislators that bills introduced this week only relate to the use of deadly force in one's home, and don't create new legal justifications for expanded use of deadly force in public. That is not accurate," whines the Brady Center's Peter Hamm.

Heaven forbid you have the means and will to protect yourself or your loved ones if attacked in public! What kind of vigilante miscreant could even think of such a thing?

"Mothers Protest Against Gun Crimes"

I don't get it.

How can there be any "gun crimes" when guns have been effectively banned?

What, you mean gun control laws don't work?

Coming Soon to a Range Near You

"The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Friday an agreement with an upstate New York gun club to keep its members from firing lead shot into nearby wetlands and water... the consent order...is part of a larger effort to educate owners and operators of outdoor shooting ranges on how to safely manage lead shot and bullets...The agency said it plans similar agreements with other shooting ranges to help keep lead from accumulating in soil and groundwater, where it poses a threat of lead poisoning to people."

Oh, boy--a new way to close down ranges! Well, is it an "order" or an "agreement"? Or is it kind of like those folks in New Orleans who "volunteered" to leave their homes and supplies, and surrender their guns after the SWAT teams showed up with M-16s and plastic cuffs?

It's nice to see the "pro-gun" Bush administration is on the same page about this as the Leonardo DiCaprio/Robert Redford-backed Natural Resources Defense Council.

Aren't you glad gun owners were seduced to "Vote Freedom First"? Because Lord knows what creative ways a Kerry administration would have used to harass gun owners.

"Treat Me With Benign Neglect" (Video)

The CNN busybody just doesn't get it. He thinks the police are "trying to talk sense" into folks when they order them to leave their property and surrender their means of self defense.

These residents show more liberty leadership than NRA management. And they don't even charge dues.

Michigan bills would allow residents to fatally shoot intruders

And your point is...?

"Rest Assured...

...NRA is monitoring this situation very closely and will address any activity by the government that unduly infringes upon the rights of lawful gun owners at the appropriate time."

Somehow I don't feel very assured.

And now is not the time to rest.

What more needs to be monitored? Confiscations are happening. They don't think that "unduly infringes"?

How could there be a more appropriate time than now?

FEMA Looting

We're from the government. We're here to help.

Sa-a-ay...nice gun you've got there...

Mexican Military Crosses Border

I guess we're supposed to be grateful, but do we really need foreign troops on US soil?

I'd like to see some questions answered:

• Are they armed?
• Do they have authority over Americans who don't want their help?
• Why have we placed ourselves in a position where we need their manpower?
• Why is it that an American citizen trying to bring a truck of relief supplies in will reportedly get turned away at gunpoint, but a Mexican soldier doing the same is hailed as a liberator?

Maybe they can help with the forced evacuations and weapons confiscations.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UPDATE: Looks like they're unarmed. Link courtesy of Texican Tattler.

UPDATE UPDATE: Gunner links to an account that says they are armed.

"Flood Survivors Expelled By Force"

"Police backed by troops have begun to use force to remove people from their homes in the city of New Orleans...Many are now going voluntarily - but others are being handcuffed and taken to evacuation centres, officials say."

I like the lapdog media's definition of going "voluntarily."

Let me get this straight--if you have prepared and stockpiled and made provisions for your own survival and defense, the government would rather disarm you and put you in an evacuation center.

Here's what reportedly happened when they did that last week, at the Superdome:

"We had three murders last night. We had a total of six rapes last night. We had the day before, I think, there were three or four murders. There were half-a-dozen rapes that night. We had one suicide last night. We had one military policeman shot."

Well, the school buses are flooded out--maybe the volunteer refugees could be transported in cattle cars.

Go Greyhound

And leave the driving to us.

Or not.

These are the incompetent kleptocrats who want to disarm us because we can't be trusted.

[Thanks to Jim Peel.]

Some Quick, Random Thoughts on the NO Gun Confiscations

• New Orleans is within the jurisdiction of the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals--the court that said in Emerson that the Second Amendment is an individual right. No idea if that will factor into this at a later date.
• I wonder if cops who participated in the looting will be excluded from the confiscation parties. No, I really don't. Looks like some goons are gonna be adding to their throwaway collections--as well as getting nice inventories to sell to their gang buddies.
• The people who were prepared to hold out and defend their homes and lives, that is, the independent and self-sufficient, will now be coerced into becoming defenseless displaced dependents.
• The operative theme here: Let us save you or we'll kill you.
• So much for the gungrabbers saying we're paranoid for thinking registration will lead to confiscation.

UPDATE: I'm not sure what the NYT article was referring to--per NRA's site, there is no registration in Louisiana. Perhaps they meant those with permits for concealed handguns? Or perhaps they--or the police officials they spoke with--simply don't know what they're talking about.

Oh, Gee--What a Surprise

"Waters were receding across this flood-beaten city today as police officers began confiscating weapons, including legally registered firearms, from civilians in preparation for a mass forced evacuation of the residents still living here."

I nominate P. Edwin Compass III for Morlock of the Month.

This business of allowing private security to keep their arms strikes me as a clear abridgement of the equal protection guarantee--but then again, your life isn't as valuable as an NBC reporter's.

Expect the same thing when disaster strikes your town.

Squeeze, baby, squeeze.

[Thanks to Cornet Joyce II]

UPDATE: I'm not sure what the NYT article was referring to--per NRA's site, there is no registration in Louisiana. Perhaps they meant those with permits for concealed handguns? Or perhaps they--or the police officials they spoke with--simply don't know what they're talking about.

What, Hurricane Survivors Are Buying GUNS?

"It seems to matter little that the police have appealed for calm, and dismissed most of the reports of carjackings and armed robberies and other crimes as nothing more than rumour."

There, see? You don't need a gun. New Orleans is a model of lawfulness and order. You shouldn't believe all those nasty "rumours." The Financial Times said it, I believe it, that settles it.

Just one question: Would those be the same police that are in Aisle Three?

Yet ANOTHER Delay

Looks like the politicians up in Canada have bitten off more than the bureaucracy can chew.

Their Orwellian spinboob says the delay is to ensure the system is more "user-friendly."

Badaboom!

Looks like a leading contributor to the New Jersey political establishment just got popped on a gun charge.

That reminds me--I was gonna pick up that box set of "The Sopranos" DVDs...

"We Actually Saw the Police. They're in Aisle Three."

Amazing Facts links to a video of New Orleans cops looting Wal-Mart.

I guess if they get sent on that Vegas vacation, the hotels had better inventory their towels and ashtrays...

Funny Thing About Requiring Permission To Exercise Rights

They can get interrupted by things like weather and technical difficulties.

We're from the Government. We're Here to Help.

FEMA flies refugees to the wrong Charleston.

Your tax dollars at work.

This is like watching bad slapstick. All that's missing is the pie fight.

Bordering on Insane

I missed this story when it came out last week. I haven't seen it get much play elsewhere, either.

The Canadian border guards want to carry handguns, just like the police, and they've walked off the job to make that happen. While I'd feel more sympathy for them if they championed the right for citizens to carry as well, what they're up against provides a near-perfect example of official arrogance and stupidity. Either that, or something else.

An unnamed spokeshole for Public Security Minister Anne McLellan had this to say:

"Arrangements are made with police to ensure that when an armed presence is needed, the police can be contacted to work with the border agents to address a situation."

I can't believe anyone, even a government official, is that dumb. But why would anyone want to have unarmed border guards unless they didn't really want the border guarded?

[Hat tip to Liberty Belles]

Defending Liberty in the New World

Part Two is now posted on the Liberty Belles site.

Click here if you missed Part One.

Every Silver Lining's Got a Touch of Gray

Anti-gun pediatricians (are there any other kind?) are sounding the alarm about guns left unlocked and loaded in American homes.

Proving the pediatricians ivory tower fools is this AP story, which relates "The District may have a high number of gun related crimes, but a new report says the city has the lowest number of homes with loaded and unlocked guns."

Are congratulations in order, or what?

On Conferred Rights

Friend, attorney and Second Amendment activist Peter Mancus has turned up an interesting case in his research, Capen v. Foster, wherein it was declared:

"[I]n all cases where the constitution has conferred a political right or privilege, and where the constitution has not particularly designated the manner in which that right is to be exercised, it is clearly within the just and constitutional limits of the legislative power, to adopt any reasonable and uniform regulations, in regard to the time and mode of exercising that right, which are designed to secure and facilitate the exercise of such right, in a prompt, orderly, and convenient manner;"

"Now," Peter writes, "think in terms of the Second Amendment and how it ends, '...the right of the people to keep and bear arms, SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED.'

"My point(s): 1) The Second, by declaring that this is a right that belongs to the people which shall not be infringed, conferred a right which 'designated the manner in which that right is to be exercised,' namely, it may be exercised to the fullest, without regard to time and place and mode restrictions; and 2) Based on that, and a ton of Rules of Constitutional Construction, e.g., no word or phrase is surplusage and all words and phrases must be given full weight and read in context, etc, no legislature has any constitutionaly legitimate power to impose a prior restraint against the exercise of this right; 3) The Congress and State legislatures retain the legitimate power to punish a civil negligent or criminal abuse or misuse of this right but they cannot, per the US Supreme Court, treat 'the right of the people' and/or 'shall not be infringed' as meaningless verbiage that does not impose meaningful limits on Congress or the State legislatures; 4) The Framers put in the Bill only that which they deemed to be important--fundamental, foundational; 5) The Second guaranteess, or at least codifies, a fundamental right that has always been binding against Congress and the States, from the get go, period."

I think Peter is on to something. I did have one concern that I wrote back to him about and urged him to address:

Main Entry: con·fer
Pronunciation: k&n-'f&r
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): con·ferred; con·fer·ring
Etymology: Latin conferre to bring together, from com- + ferre to carry -- more at BEAR
transitive senses
1 : to bestow from or as if from a position of superiority (conferred an honorary degree on her) (knowing how to read was a gift conferred with manhood -- Murray Kempton)
2 : to give (as a property or characteristic) to someone or something (a reputation for power will confer power -- John Spanier)

This reflects all too typical judicial arrogance and/or total misunderstanding of the purpose of the Constitution, i.e., to define the delegated structure and powers of the national government, and of the nature of the Bill of Rights demanded by the anti-Federalists.

The Framers understood rights to be “unalienable,” and “endowed by our Creator.” If they are “conferred,” they are done so by “Nature’s God,” not by a government document.

The Framers understood and held “these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal,” which makes it impossible for one group to “confer” rights to another, as that, by definition, requires them to be bestowed from a position of superiority.

In fact, the view of government expressed here is exactly backward: Government is the servant. Government is conferred powers, bestowed from those in a position of superiority, i.e., the people.

So the Second Amendment does not confer to me any right to keep and bear arms—it merely articulates and recognizes that right, further stating it shall not be infringed. The limit is again on government, not on me.

So when you say: “The Second, by declaring that this is a right that belongs to the people which shall not be infringed, conferred a right which…” you are ceding this important concept to the enemy.

This is an important point and not mere quibbling over word choices. As you point out, “no word or phrase is surplusage and all words and phrases must be given full weight and read in context…”

I think your other points have much merit. I just think that this business of conferring rights also needs to be pointed out, and you shouldn’t fall into the trap of using “conferred” in your arguments, unless it is to point out the fallacy of the concept.

A Book Burning in Kanab

A high school football team posed for a fundraising calendar with weapons. The young men liked it, the coach liked it, the businesses that funded the calendar liked it, and the sheriff liked it so much he supplied the weapons.

A handful of local wimps didn't like it, so the principal caved and ordered the calendar's recall.

So much for the Founders' idea, that the militia would include young men. I guess it's better to let them reach military age ignorant of all things martial.

The recall of these calendars is nothing less than a good old fashioned Nazi book burning. So much for teaching the principles of freedom. The lesson here is the exact opposite: Ideas that make some uncomfortable must be suppressed and destroyed.

Hey, if there's no Second Amendment, why should there be a First?

This would be a great hot potato to throw the ACLU.

California Dreamin'

Perata’s snottiness explains much. It’s not about public safety — it’s about harassing gun owners and political opponents. That’s why we see endless proposals designed to infringe on the right of the people to keep and bear arms — something Attorney General Bill Lockyer denies exists.

"California Dreamin'," my September Rights Watch column for GUNS Magazine, is now online.

New Orleans: A Wakeup Call For California

"When politicians tell you that only law enforcement and police should own guns in today's 'modern society', tell them to go to hell... or New Orleans. There's no difference between either at this point in time."--Ralph Weller

What Kind of Example Are These People Setting for Our Children?

"I was standing on the front porch with a shotgun keeping an eye on things. I could hear people breaking into houses right around the corner. We knew. We knew we had to get out. There was no police presence. The people are just going crazy. There doesn't seem to be any authority at all...

"Earlier today, a man came up to me. I think he wanted the canoe. He saw I was armed and gave up.

"We happened to pass this mall and people were looting it.

"People told us the police went in there so they started shooting at the police. So the police left. They (looters) just set the place on fire. We saw it burning and we saw the fire department not even going near the place because the looters were going nuts."

The Brady Center, of course, knows better:

"Recent research has shown that most Americans feel less safe when others in the community acquire firearms: 71% of all Americans and 85% of non-gun owners came to this conclusion. Clearly, as the authors noted, 'the decision to own a firearm is more than solely a personal or a household issue - it affects others in the community as well.' The decision to allow citizens to carry firearms outside of their homes would arguably have an even more detrimental effect on feelings of safety.

"More importantly, one has to wonder what the National Rifle Association's mantra that 'an armed society is a polite society' is teaching our children. The rhetoric of the gun lobby suggests that only by carrying a weapon can one be safe in the United States. They claim that law enforcement cannot be trusted to protect society."

New Orleans Journal

Awesome and compelling commentary.

Thanks to McGath.

More "In Your FACE!" to CA Gun Owners

Mark Ridley-Thomas thinks we're not mature enough to select our own ammunition at gun stores.

Ridley-Thomas also promulgates a communist redistribution of wealth edict "that would impose a fee on ammunition to partially offset the financial costs incurred by firearm victims."

Along with then-mayor Tom Bradley, he told police to keep a low profile during the outbreak of the Los Angeles riots. Per former LAPD Assistant Chief Robert Vernon, "They listened to the politicians and those two quadrants of the city are where we had the trouble."

So he does what he can to disarm you, and then sets up conditions where you'd better be armed if you want to survive.

Let's see what Arnhole does with this one.

"Trade Your Gun for Cameras and Equipment"

Don't worry--this isn't another odious "gun buyback" program where some anti trades you merchandise gift certificates to "get guns off the street." It's an ad in the September 1955 issue of GUNS Magazine placed by the National Camera Exchange of Minneapolis, MN, which would sell you a gun as well (looks like they're out of the gun trading business--oh, that's right, the City of Minneapolis is currently harassing The Last Gunshop out of existence).

That's not all that's changed since this issue was printed.

Take a look back at a different time. Enjoy.

"Shoot to Kill"

That's what I'm hearing a lot of in regards to New Orleans looters.

Without getting into a debate on the many causes of the effects we are now seeing, I just want to point out one thing: A confrontation where looters or rioters are shot and killed by authorities could be the catalyst for riots in many other urban areas.

With each new report of lawlessness and violence, the potential for this seems more likely.

I hope that I'm wrong.

Good For Me, But Not For Thee

NBC News has sent private security personnel to the increasingly dicey Gulf Coast region to help keep its employees safe while covering the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

The private security officers, usually former soldiers or police, are licensed to carry firearms and are trained to keep the situation under control so that journalists can do their jobs safely.

Wait a minute...isn't NBC one of those "Publication and Media Outlets" listed as anti-gun on NRA's website?

And they've operated under the protection of armed guards before? And so have their competitors?

It seems when it comes to protecting their own elitist hindquarters, the Establishment media isn't really that anti-gun after all.

"Better Late Than Never," Indeed

An AP Katrina aftermath survival story, via Whose Paranoid:

"We had excellent plans. We had enough food for 10 days," said Peggy Hoffman, the home's executive director. "Now we'll have to equip our department heads with guns and teach them how to shoot."

An Open Plea to President Bush

I just received my "personal invitation" from the Second Amendment Foundation's Alan Gottlieb to attend the "20th annual Gun Rights Policy Conference (GRPC), which will be taking place September 23, 24 and 25, 2005 at the Los Angeles Airport Marriott in Los Angeles, California."

We're promised "Scheduled speakers this year include: myself, Joe Tartaro, Wayne LaPierre, Sandy Froman, John Lott, Massad Ayoob, Eugene Volokh, Larry Pratt, John Snyder, Joe Waldron, as well as staff from the Second Amendment Foundation, Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, National Rifle Association, National Shooting Sports Foundation, KeepAndBearArms.com, and Gun Owners of America. President George Bush has been invited as well. "

President Bush, I have never in my life begged anything from a public official.

Please attend this conference. PLEASE!

I'd pay good money to see all the nationally recognized "gun rights leaders" line up to get cavity searched for weapons--just so they can pay tribute to you for supporting their right to keep and bear arms.

Please?

Ann Coulter--Neocon Shill

"Conservative" columnist Ann Coulter disdains "...the (nonexistent) 'right to privacy.' "I know as much about the 'right to privacy' as I know about any other made-up, nonexistent right," she snickers to her readers. Yes, Ann, free people do indeed have a right to privacy. The lie you and other neocons perpetuate--that it is not specifically enumerated in the Bill of Rights so therefore doesn't exist--is an intentional bit of disinformation. In a real sense, this propaganda abets the state in its control over people's lives and freeedom. You know damn well the Constitution is not intended to enumerate all rights of free Americans, but to define the limits under which the national government can legitimately exercise power. You know damn well this was one of the concerns against adding a "Bill of Rights" to the Constitution--that people like you would construe it to mean only the rights mentioned must be recognized. And you know damn well that what you espouse would have been alien to the Framers, who wisely (in addition to Amendment IV) added:

Amendment IX The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people. Amendment X The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.

If the federal government has no authority "to deny or disparage" other rights, Ann, what makes you think you do? The argument that privacy is nowhere mentioned in the Constitution is hollow. The rebuttal ought to be "Exactly. So it follows the government has no authority to give itself privacy-invading powers that haven't been specifically delegated to it."

That's Why They Call It Global Gun "CONTROL"

Russia wants the UN to pass rules outlawing unauthorized use of Russian weapons designs. Russia hopes to piggyback this on a UN effort to limit the illegal distribution of assault rifles. It's all about money.

It's not about eliminating small arms--it's never been about that. It's about who controls, possesses and profits off them.

The do-gooder shills who get all the PR and tug at heartstrings with tales of woe are mere pawns. Their primary function--whether they realize it or not--is to keep the sheep distracted while the wolves sneak around the flank.

Pay no attention to the men behind the Iron Curtain.

A Lesson in Democracy

Nicki and Kevin can't believe how stupid some people are.

Just remember--not only are some people stupid, but their votes cancel out ours.

You don't think all this talk about spreading "democracy" has anything to do with relying on the ease with which stupid people and their opinions can be manipulated, do you?

"Gun Act Failing Dismally"

And after we filled out that 27B/6...

From the "I'm the only One Professional Enough" Files

Good thing Andy only lets Barney keep one bullet.

Youth Funds, Not Tougher Gun Rules, Needed, Cotler Says

If I may:

Dear kindly Sergeant Krupke,
You gotta understand,
It's just our bringin' up-ke
That gets us out of hand.
Our mothers all are junkies,
Our fathers all are drunks.
Golly Moses, natcherly we're punks!

Gee, Officer Krupke, we're very upset;
We never had the love that ev'ry child oughta get.
We ain't no delinquents,
We're misunderstood.
Deep down inside us there is good!

From West Side Story
Music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.
© 1956, 1957 Amberson Holdings LLC and Stephen Sondheim. Copyright renewed.
Leonard Bernstein Music Publishing Company LLC, Publisher.

“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.