Guest Editorial: "Kill All They Send..."

[Foreword: This may make some uncomfortable, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. And after all, it's just a hypothetical "ping," but one I believe should be transmitted far and wide.]

"Kill All They Send..."
The Modest Proposal of "Homer Simpson's Dumber Brother" for Gun Confiscation & A Modest Counter-Proposal

By Mike Vanderboegh
Pinson, AL

"Violence, naked force, has settled more issues in history than has any other factor, and the contrary opinion is wishful thinking at its worst. Nations and peoples who forget this basic truth have always paid for it with their lives and freedoms." — Robert Heinlein

"Hell, let's just start shooting the bastards. Let's get this crap over with while I'm still young enough to march in the victory parade down Pennsylvania Avenue." -- An American gun owner, overheard in a Birmingham, Alabama, gun store, 27 April 2007.

Career Foreign Service Officer and former Ambassador Daniel H. Simpson, now slumming in retirement as a member of the Toledo Blade & Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's editorial board, has a modest proposal entitled "The Disarming of America." Unlike Jonathan Swift's "A Modest Proposal" for the Irish poor to alleviate their hunger by eating their children, I think Ambassador Dan is really serious about his. A snippet:

"The disarmament process would begin after the initial three-month amnesty. Special squads of police would be formed and trained to carry out the work. Then, on a random basis to permit no advance warning, city blocks and stretches of suburban and rural areas would be cordoned off and searches carried out in every business, dwelling, and empty building. All firearms would be seized. The owners of weapons found in the searches would be prosecuted: $1,000 and one year in prison for each firearm.

Clearly, since such sweeps could not take place all across the country at the same time. But fairly quickly there would begin to be gun-swept, gun-free areas where there should be no firearms. If there were, those carrying them would be subject to quick confiscation and prosecution. On the streets it would be a question of stop-and-search of anyone, even grandma with her walker, with the same penalties for 'carrying.'" -- The Toledo Blade, Wednesday, April 25, 2007

"In Timor Veritas"?

Not surprisingly the gun rights community has evinced more than a little anger at this brazen proposal for their disarmament and enslavement. David Codrea, whose War On Guns blogspot I greatly admire, has referred to Ambassador Dan as "Homer Simpson's Dumber Brother." Certainly Dan Simpson, if he is serious, has got to be one stupid human being not to anticipate the unintended consequences of his declaration, which plays into the worst fears and direst predictions of American gun rights advocates since the 1968 Gun Control Act. Yet, since the DC gun law was struck down by the Federal Appeals Court, the hoplophobes have become more open in their demands: we hear less about "reasonable restrictions" and much more about repealing the Second Amendment. Heck, even here in Alabama we've had a proposal (House Bill 600) to register every semi-automatic rifle, pistol and shotgun in private hands in the state. Of course it doesn't have a snowball's chance of being passed, but. . . then why introduce it?

The Romans used to say "In vino veritas", or, "In wine there is truth." But these folks are not, as near as we can tell, drunk. Perhaps what we are dealing with is "In timor veritas"-- In fear there is truth. Cops have been known to inadvertently scare suspects so much that they blurted out their own unintended confessions and perhaps that is what is going on here. The gun grabbers are nervous. The Virginia Tech massacre was supposed to strengthen their legislative hand, yet it is the gunnies who seem the stronger for it now. We didn't react the old timorous NRA way as they expected us to. Those of us who share the traditional American values of the Founder's republic-- faith, responsibility, opportunity and armed defense of liberty-- have finally been pushed to the point that they've made us fighting mad. We've been pushed to the point where it is WE who are beginning to push back. And with their calls for the repeal of the 2nd Amendment, the gun control crowd is risking not just a push but a punch in the nose.

They look at the massacre and see the need for more regulation, registration and confiscation. We look at the dead innocents, deliberately disarmed and made easy targets in a carefully crafted, firearm-free environment, and blame their big liberal lies and unintended idiocies for the body count. "Gun Free School Zone" is a lie every bit as much as "Arbeit Macht Frei" and every bit as deadly. We see these bright young kids and talented professors who were killed without a hope of self defense, who were killed, indeed, by liberalism itself, and we blame the butchers with immaculate hands who cleared the way for the killer and made it all possible. Yet it is WE, the law-abiding and self-reliant, who are blamed by THEM, the servile toadies of collectivism. Our rising anger is in fact a measure of how close we are coming to a final break in this country between our two competing visions of America. Indeed, if Homer Simpson's dumber brother is serious, the opening shots of this impending civil war cannot be that far away.

One Ping Only (Please Deposit 50 Cents)

Captain Ramius: "Re-verify our range to target... one ping only."
Capt. Vasili Borodin: "Captain, I - I - I just..."
Captain Ramius: "Give me a ping, Vasili. One ping only, please."
Capt. Vasili Borodin: "Aye, Captain."
"The Hunt for Red October," 1990

But let us assume that, for the sake of argument and illustration, Ambassador Dan's proposal is serious. Let us assume that he is presenting us with a fictional fascist future backdrop that we may play like a video game. Let us believe for the moment in the literal word of former Foreign Service Officer Daniel H. Simpson's proposal yet conjure up our own modest fictional counter-proposal. Like Captain Ramius in "The Hunt for Red October," Ambassador Dan has given us a ping. Let us then give him one ping back. These pings (his and ours) may be warnings, threats of imminent attack, pleas for understanding, or attempts at communication across the gulf of a vast, dense ocean which prevents any other way of determining real meaning. But in any case let us play a game, starting with the scenario he has given us:

"The disarmament process would begin after the initial three-month amnesty. Special squads of police would be formed and trained to carry out the work. Then, on a random basis to permit no advance warning, city blocks and stretches of suburban and rural areas would be cordoned off and searches carried out in every business, dwelling, and empty building."

Our modest counter-proposal posits the following:

1. Like the American Revolution, one third of populace will side with the King, one third with the opposition and one third will blow with the wind and take what comes. Of the resistant third, less than a third of those will risk anything to give form to their beliefs, thus only about ten or so percent of the population, roughly 30 million citizens, will actively support the folks who will engage Dan's "special squads". (You know the Nazis called their special squads "Einsatzgruppen.") In the Revolution, the active combatants, Continentals and militia, only amounted to 3% of the population. That would be about 10 million anti-confiscation guerrillas. Alternatively, we could use 10% of American gun owners as a good rule of thumb, and that would be just 8.5 million. But let's make it even tougher on ourselves. Let us say for the sake of argument that as a result of liberal media propaganda and the cumulative deleterious effect of liberal government schools, just one percent of American gun owners would fall into the "cold dead hands" category: that's a mere 850 thousand. These would be the hard core-- the men and women who know how to kill at range, and who, with their scoped .30-06 deer rifles can out-range and out-shoot the M16 rifles and 9mm submachine guns of Dan's American Einsatzgruppen.

2. Unlike the American Revolution, the civil war will reflect the coarsening of the rules of war and will look more like Iraq or Bosnia. The war would certainly extend to those whose direct and support it-- civilian or not-- as they are primary targets, far more so than the foot soldiers of Ambassador Dan's Einsatzgruppen. Bill Clinton extended our own rules of war in the Kosovo intervention to include the news media and other propagandists as legitimate targets. Under these rules, Ambassador Dan and his anti-gun ilk would all be dead men. But, this is just a hypothetical word representation of a video game of Simpson's fictional fascist future, so they need not be afraid just yet.

3. The war would not end until one vision of America or the other won. It would be war to the knife and knife to the hilt. The 850,000 traditional Americans would be determined to take as many of the Einsatzgruppen, their commanders and controllers with them as possible. And it would be far greater than a one-to-one ratio. The fanaticism that the liberals have always imputed to us, would in the event, become real and deadly. If Ambassador Dan's future fascists do win, it will be a Pyrrhic victory that would, for destruction and casualties, dwarf all of America's wars put together. Which, if you think of it, is a funny way to have a "safe" society.


"Kill all they send..."

Viet Minh Sergeant: "Do we take prisoners?"
Lt. Col. Nguyen Huu An: "No. Kill all they send... and they will stop coming." -- The Opening Scene of "We Were Soldiers"

What would be the casualties? God alone knows, but they would be horrific. How would the government prosecute such a policy with their own police and military honeycombed with potential "traitors"? Poorly, I suspect. How many of those soldiers and policemen that Ambassador Dan is counting on to disarm us would, in the event, turn their weapons on the "National Command Authority"? More than enough to make success for his future fascists problematic. And not even during the previous civil war of 1861-1865 did an American army attempt operations with armed opponents astride and within its own logistical tail. And it would be a WAR, make no mistake, not the sanitary "police action" of the scenario of Homer's dumber brother. And how would the big bad boys of the ATF and FBI fare against committed freedom fighters? Even well-paid federal police bureaucrats just want to live until retirement. How long do you think they would last when team after team of them are shot down like dogs in the street, garroted in their sleep, poisoned in their mess halls, or found with their throats slit in guardposts, restrooms and bordellos? We will kill all you send, Ambassador Dan, until they stop coming.

"Bzzzzt. Boink. Beep. Game over. Please deposit 50 cents."

So, thus ends the intellectual, hypothetical exercise posed by this mandarin class former Foreign Service professional turned newspaper expositor of tyrannical schemes. Let us disclaim that no treasonous, gun-grabbing editorialists were harmed in the crafting of this fictional counter-proposal. But of course, if he's SERIOUS. . . . ;-)

Gun Shop Attitudes

"Couldn't I pay one of you guys to be my second?" I asked, sounding like a character out of a Russian novel.

"We're busy," he snapped, flipping through a catalog.

We've already had one post discussing this today. This suggests it's not localized to California.

Our personal contact with a public that may not know much about us is where many people will form perceptions of what "the gun culture" is like. Me, I don't put up with rude clerks.

[Via HZ]

An Only Ones Conundrum

"Now what?" asks correspondent Declan:

Death Penalty Bill Urged

Citing the shootings of three state troopers within 24 hours in Delaware County, Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno urged Gov. Eliot Spitzer on Wednesday to focus on a new state death penalty law...

"What is more important than protecting the lives of law enforcement officers?" Bruno said.

Well, that depends, Senator. I've always thought citizens should have equal protection, but perhaps that's just me.

And how will your proposed law deal with this?

N.Y. Trooper Killed by Friendly Fire, Officials Believe

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

We're the Only Ones Strip-Searching Enough

A Houston police officer faces up to a year in jail if convicted on charges of official oppression in an illegal strip-search of a woman...

"He didn't give her any reason other than his supposed authority as a police officer"...

I guess you can force women to strip if you're "The Only One" strapped...

[Via JR]

Mad Hatter 's Campus Round-Up Returns

Jeremy has been on hiatus. Now that he's back, he's returned to one of the more valuable pursuits an RKBA blog can follow: monitoring attitudes at our nation's institutes of higher learning. He's providing a unique information gathering service for us, and I hope everyone appreciates that.

Everybody's got him bookmarked, right? Share these links far and wide:

RKBA Round-Up #7

RKBA Round-Up 7.5

Campus RKBA Round-Up #8

A 2 Valuable "Only Ones" 3-fer

Jay from 2Valuable sends us the following links:

We're the Only Ones Protecting Residents Enough:

Federal officials say MacKinnon, along with former Chief Assistant Prosecutor Gary Theunick and ex-Rose City Police Chief Maxwell Garnett obtained the weapons illegally and failed to pay taxes on them. The men say they bought the equipment to protect residents.

Jay thinks these are OK guys getting a bad rap, and tells me:

I’ve been to Rose City and surrounding areas several times. The “gun culture” there is very comforting. It isn’t like the Detroit area. Everyone has guns and no one thinks twice about it being “bad.” Most of the LEO’s I’ve met up in northern Michigan are very supportive of the 2A and expect citizens to exercise their rights. I don’t know the chief or the prosecutors personally. I do know the chief was very helpful in making sure his citizens could get CPLs without hassle.

I respect his opinion and don't dismiss it. However, and there always seems to be a "however," my litmus test is what these men would have done in their official capacities had one of us been found in possession of "illegal" guns, and our stated motive was "to protect residents." If they would have left us unmolested, then I would view this differently.

We're the Only Ones Embarrassing Enough

Four metro Detroit police officers face an array of felony charges ranging from attempted murder and assault to sexual perversion in separate criminal cases making today an embarassment for law enforcement, Wayne County prosecutors said.

What's so embarrassing? I mean, it's not like Detroit hasn't been aware of their out-of-control "Only Ones" problem--for years.

We're the Only Ones "Sexy Time" Enough

Suspended Detroit police Sgt. Roosevelt Tidwell is charged with more than a dozen felonies related to allegations that he forced several couples to perform sex acts to avoid tickets and other punishments.

More details on "Randy Rosy," who also has a starring role in the "Embarrassing" link.

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

Not Quite There--But Closer Than Most Democrats

Richard Stallings realizes guns weren't to blame for Virginia Tech, pledges support of the Second Amendment, and then calls for implementing...uh...the NRA position.

[Via Ryan Horsley]

New Rules

Dave Licht sent me an email and agreed I could share it.

Hi David -

I hope you are well.

Are you aware of a new rule that requires ALL guns being shipped into california to be individually pre authorized by the state? Apparently dealers (starting May?) have to call the doj and get a number before each gun is shipped into the state.

Can you say "no more gunbroker.com transactions in california"? Can you say "no more buying guns out of state and avoiding the california sales taxes"? Can you see the end of private transactions in california?

I just sold a pistol (via private party transfer) in kalifornia and dealing with the ffl / gun store was a complete insult. The dealer (that was required to officiate the sale) took an hour to complete the transaction (despite my arriving with the completed paperwork) and the idiot told me if I did not like it not to come back! (Buy my stuff but don't bother me to make just $25 doing your transaction)

When I go to gun stores I see mostly (seemingly unemployed) lookers taking up the counter space and bar stools for hours at a time and buying nothing. I find it hard to believe gun stores can afford to insult anybody let alone people that may buy something......anything.

This is the gun business in kalifornia - take it or leave it, pay more for it, grovel to do it and be thankful for getting it. The state may be F**K'D up and need changing but when the gun dealers become willing, obedient unapologetic stooges for the state they don't deserve the business. This state lap dog mentality may be acceptable to people who buy one gun every 5 years or so but not to people buying 6 a month. The gun business should leave california and private gun buyers and sellers should say enough is way to much and defy the laws en mass.

I am just ranting but a gun collector can not compete living in kalifornia with collectors living in other states and gun dealers are becoming unworthy of the business.

Thanks

Dave Licht

We're the Only Ones Politically Connected Enough

Imagine that you accidentally carried a bag containing firearms in the Senate building. You just forgot they were there. What do you suppose would happen? I'll bet good money that you- just a plain old citizen- won't get treatment like this.

What's the cricket equivalent of a home run? Because Cryptic Subterranean just hit another one.

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

And WE Are the Suspects

"The Justice Department and a Northeastern Democrat have formed a rare alliance intended to restrict gun sales to terror suspects."

The key word here is not terrorist but suspect. Bear that in mind.

Cryptic Subterranean illustrates how the slippery slope always leads downward.

This Day in History: April 28

The address now reported from the committee of the whole house appears to me unfounded, rash and sanguinary, and most unjust to draw the sword against America; but before administration are suffered to plunge this nation in the horrors of a civil war, before they are permitted to force Englishmen to sheath their swords in the bowels of their fellow subjects, I hope this house will seriously weigh the original ground and cause of this unhappy dispute, and, in time, reflect whether justice is on our side.

From “[T]he speech of John Wilkes, esquire, lord mayor of London, in the House of Commons…”

Check Out the Western Rifle Shooters Association

Another gun group?

Why?

Because the competent American shooter is an endangered species, headed on a fast track to extinction.

Practical rifle and pistol shooting, free from geegaws and the “equipment race”, is a dying art.

There are tens of millions of centerfire rifles in the United States. How many of their owners know how to use those tools to a fraction of their potential?

Answer – not many.

The Western Rifle Shooters Association is dedicated to fixing those problems, one shooter at a time.

I don't know much more about these folks than what you'll find on their site, but the premise looks interesting.

I've asked their reps to check in from time to time today to answer any questions, so if you have one, leave it in the "Comments" section below.

Homer Simpson's Dumber Brother

The disarmament process would begin after the initial three-month amnesty. Special squads of police would be formed and trained to carry out the work. Then, on a random basis to permit no advance warning, city blocks and stretches of suburban and rural areas would be cordoned off and searches carried out in every business, dwelling, and empty building. All firearms would be seized. The owners of weapons found in the searches would be prosecuted: $1,000 and one year in prison for each firearm.

Clearly, since such sweeps could not take place all across the country at the same time. But fairly quickly there would begin to be gun-swept, gun-free areas where there should be no firearms. If there were, those carrying them would be subject to quick confiscation and prosecution. On the streets it would be a question of stop-and-search of anyone, even grandma with her walker, with the same penalties for "carrying." [More]

Oh, but he's not "a crazed liberal zealot"-- he carried a .357 Magnum to protect his own precious hide when he worked at the embassy in Beirut. Leave it to a career government diplomat and editorial board member to propose something so monumentally incompetent as starting a civil war in America.

Dan Simpson, as is typical of your kind, you don't have the guts to do your own dirty work--you want someone else to put their ass on the line, someone else to die carrying out your traitorous wishes.

How many men like me, who will defy your insane and treasonous fantasies, are you willing to have killed, Dan? How much blood will be enough to satiate such evil and foolish desires?

You, Dan, disgust me, as a man and as an American. But thanks for showing everyone the unmasked Police State Amerika intent that you and those like you have in mind for the Republic. Your words do far more to demonstrate your genocidal totalitarian bent than anything I could ever write.

[Via Mike Battaglia]

UPDATE: dsimpson@post-gazette.com

The Case of Martin Baschab

Who is Martin Baschab? In his own words:

I've known Hollis Wayne Fincher since the early 90's. I first spoke with Wayne when he appeared as a guest on the Tim Brooker talk radio program. Wayne and I became close friends over the years as I would attend Militia Musters, picnics, etc.

I arrived at my apartment on Kantz Street in Fayetteville Arkansas November 8th 2006 there were already agents inside my apartment. An agent immediately ran up stuck a machine gun in my face, I was cuffed hands behind back and put in the back of a Fayetteville police car as they continued searching my apt. After 30 minutes they opened the door took the cuffs off and stated I was not being arrested . Took me to the bedroom sat me on the bed as ask why I did not like Washington DC. I said "corruption". Asked me if I had a stamp for the four Sten submachineguns I replied "no". Took my picture walked out carrying my Stens, The Silver Bullet and The Militia of Wahington County Handbook. Since that day Agent Wade Vittow has wanted me to plead guilty to a felony with no jail time. I Martin Baschab do not make deals with cheats, murderers, robbers, manstealers , rapists, all the things the BATFE was and is to this day. I do not want the federal government reformed, I want it abolished because government cheats. Obey God , serve man, oppose Tyranny, yours in Freedom.

Here's the text from a certified letter with an "offer of voluntary surrender" Mr. Baschab sent the US Attorney in February:

Without acknowledging the jurisdiction of any court at this time, I am aware of certain policing tactics that place people in harm’s way. Rather than risk a fatal “accident”, I wish to make it a part of the record that I would prefer to do a voluntary surrender and if provided the date and time, I will be there to take care of whatever matters are necessary.

Bashing down doors, cruelty to animals, and any other form of excessive force is simply not required, nor necessary. It is my contention that I can prove that I am innocent, wherefore I look forward to doing so.

He also sent the following via certified mail to the Grand Jury Foreman in February:

Re: USDC Case # FA-06-44...

Please be informed that exculpatory evidence has been withheld from the Grand Jury in the above referenced case. I now have the exculpatory evidence in support of my offer of proof that I am innocent in the above referenced case. Absent the exculpatory evidence, the record in this matter is falsified by omission.

The Grand Jury has a duty to properly investigate and bring the real criminals to justice regardless of the type of clothing they wear or the titles they bear, since no one is above the law in this country, not former President Richard Nixon, nor former Louisiana Governor Edwin Edwards, nor former Texas Attorney General Dan Morales.

To be fair to all concerned it may be appropriate to have the U.S. Attorney testify before the Grand Jury under penalty of perjury as to certain facts and their relationship to the exculpatory evidence which has been withheld from the Grand Jury so that the U.S. Attorney would be properly prosecuted for perjury if he / she makes false statements or fails to provide the Grand Jury with all of the evidence including the exculpatory evidence.

I have witnesses, evidence, and testimony in an offer of proof that those parties responsible for withholding exculpatory evidence or acting as Grand Jury embracery agents are in violation of the law and must be indicted and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

Federal Grand Juries across the country have been lied to by U.S. Attorneys and their assistants in order to harass certain innocent people. The members of this Grand Jury may find it appropriate to balance their investigations by also investigating the corruption of the American system of justice by U.S. Attorneys, said corruption having been reported upon by Bill Moushey in his Pittsburgh Post-Gazette report “Win at all costs”, available at: www.post-gazette.com/win/ and made a part hereof by reference.

Please set a hearing for me to present the exculpatory evidence to the Grand Jury and send me notice within ten (10) days as to the date, time, and place, whereby my exculpatory evidence will be made a permanent part of the record and the parties responsible for withholding the exculpatory evidence from the Grand Jury may be properly indicted.

If I do not hear from you within ten (10) days, I will be forced to assume that an embracery agent has impaired this mail, wherefore additional investigations will be required.

Below is the letter from US Attorney Robert C. Balfe:

April 23, 2007...

RE: United States v. Martin Baschab...

This office has received an investigative report from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms which indicates that you have been involved in violation of Possession of Machine Guns, in violation of Title 18 U.S.C. § 922(o). We have reviewed this report and have determined that there is sufficient evidence to warrant the initiation of criminal charges against you.

Ordinarily, this office would proceed by presenting the evidence to a Federal Grand Jury, and would ask that body to return an Indictment against you. If an Indictment were returned, you would then be required to appear in court pursuant to an arrest warrant or summons.

In an attempt to expedite proceedings, we are writing to advise you as to the status of this mailer and to suggest that you retain an attorney to represent you. If you are unable to afford an attorney, you may contact Debbie Maddox, Courtroom Deputy for U.S. Magistrate Judge James R. Marschewski, (479) 709-5445, and ask for the appointment of an attorney. After you have obtained an attorney, we request that your attorney contact the undersigned to discuss disposition of this case.

We will forego proceeding with this matter until the close of business May 4, 2007. If we have not been contacted by your attorney before that date, we will proceed to present this matter to a Grand Jury as soon as possible thereafter.

WarOnGuns will continue to watch this case for developments. I know some of you will question these legal tactics, including why he admitted anything to the agents. I still don't understand why he was not arrested and jailed on the spot following the raid. But one thing is clear: there are some folks in Arkansas who are defying Second Amendment infringements, and they will not bend. At the same time, the federal government is proceeding to prosecute them. As we've seen from the Fincher case, the courts refuse to allow a defense that challenges the law or invokes the Constitution, so any prosecutions will be based on a "yes" or "no" case of possession, which means redress from the judicial system simply will not be allowed to happen. I can't help but wonder when something's going to snap.

You can learn more about this case by contacting Mr. Baschab directly at:
carl_1martinATsbcglobal.net

I'm sending him a link to this post, so perhaps he'll be able to address any questions in the "Comments" section, below.

We're the Only Ones Rubbed the Wrong Way Enough

San Mateo County Sheriff Greg Munks and his undersheriff were swept up in Las Vegas prostitution sting over the weekend while at a massage parlor suspected of being a brothel, authorities said Tuesday...

He denied any wrongdoing, however, as did Undersheriff Carlos Bolanos...

"I believed I was going to a legitimate business," the sheriff said...

We thought the red lights were for decoration.

Let's see if this passes a simple smell test:

Honey? Would you mind if I went to a Nevada massage parlor run out of a private home with no signage?

[Via M. Terry]

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

The Blame Game

Last week after tragedy struck Virginia Tech and a gunman took 32 innocent lives, the media portrayed legal businesses as complicit in the murders.

Julia A. Seymour of the Business & Media Institute shows us how our old friends the "authorized journalists" abuse their privileges as supposed reporters of fact to promote an agenda. That's no surprise to those of us who follow such things, but nonetheless, this is an important report, and deserves widespread attention.

[Via Scot Christenson, Director of Communications--Sign up for The Balance Sheet, the free weekly newsletter of the Business & Media Institute http://www.businessandmedia.org/email/email.asp]

A Tale Told by an Idiot

A bill removing words such as idiot, lunatic and insane from the pages of the Ohio Revised Code got final approval from the Senate today...

The section includes this sentence: "No idiot, or insane person, shall be entitled to the privileges of an elector."

But that's OK, Ohioans. You can still vote for them.

[Via jastpeel]

The Bill Brown Runaround

From Larry Rankin via email to NRAHQ:

Just so you know Ed Worley has been contacted about this issue many times, by many people in and out of Santa Barbara. Ed has not responded to one person! Many have called his office three times. Also your Fairfax office has been contacted by many of the same people, because Ed has not returned their calls. NRA's response...call Ed. I have a friend who called Ed at least three time and ended up calling Fairfax--he would not take "call Sacramento" as an answer. After going through four or five people, he found someone that listened and even said they will contact me. He gave them all of my information. I was wise enough not to hold my breath! That was well over three weeks ago.

Sounds like the same thing that happened to me when I first began writing about this. I called NRA HQ, was referred to Sacramento and they referred me to NRA's "Media Office." They're counting on not enough members giving a damn about giving undeserved "A" ratings and endorsements, and I suspect they're probably right--which essentially gives them a green light to continue the practice.

[More on Sheriff Bill Brown]

Spitting on the Memory

[Foreword: Mike Vanderboegh has written an open letter.]

To: Rep. John Rogers
re: HB600 & spitting on the memory of the Deacons for Defense & Justice

Dear Rep. Rogers,

I note with interest that you are a co-sponsor of Patricia Todd's HB 600, requiring, among other things, the registration of all semi-automatic firearms in the state of Alabama. Now I know that this bill has about as much chance of passage as the Devil handing out Perrier-filled side-by-side refrigerators with ice makers to the denizens of Hell.

Still, for the purpose of satisfying my curiosity if nothing else, can you possibly explain to me why YOU have signed onto this unconstitutional folly? I mean, Todd, I understand. She's a white liberal and therefore, as a typical representative of her species, quite clueless. But you're African American. Are you so unfamiliar with your own history? Have you never heard of the Deacons for Defense and Justice? What do you suppose they would say about registering the firearms they used to defend MLK, James Farmer and others against the Klan with the Klan-dominated government at the time?

Do you suppose that what you now understand as "benign government" will always remain on your side? To think so would be in spite of all logic and human experience.

The Founders understood that you should never pass a law that you weren't willing to see enforced by your own worst enemy. And private firearms registration is ALWAYS the precursor to confiscation, which is, in turn, the predicate for oppression and genocide.

So tell me, why on earth did you sign onto this bill? I'd like to know. And I'll bet there is another bunch of brave Americans who would like to know too. Somewhere, those Deacons for Defense and Justice who have crossed over to their reward are frowning at the spittle with which you have encrusted their sacrifice and struggle. What a great way to treat a precious inheritance. Shame on you.

Mike Vanderboegh
PO Box 926
Pinson, AL 35126

A Beautiful Thing

"Well, I would love it if they could take all the guns away. Unfortunately, you can't do that so you hope that good people in the world have them to protect the people who can't protect themselves," he says.

"Certainly, I haven't used a gun anywhere other than on a movie set and I'd like to see if we could take them all away. It would be a beautiful thing."

Of course it would be, Pokey Poke. Then apes with sticks could rule the planet.

Correspondent Red Dot brought up the Pokester's troubled past with an instructor at Front Sight, and was told "all the troubles Pokey Poke had experienced were while a juvenile and thus sealed and inapplicable. And the 'internet rumors' were wrong."

Not according to the Suffolk County Clerk's Office for Criminal Business:

Has Mr. Wahlberg's record been expunged?

The answer was "No, it is public record."

Was defendant Wahlberg sentenced as a juvenile or as an adult?

"He was tried as an adult."

I guess I'm going to need to start digging around again, and see if anything has changed since I spoke with them six years ago.

[Via 45superman]

This Day in History: April 27

The Riotous Behaviour of some Soldiers of the Continental Army, Yesterday, and the Evening before, has filled the General, with much Regret, and concern; and lays him under the disagreeable necessity of declaring, that if the like behaviour should be practiced again, the Authors will be brought to the severest punishment if taken, or treated as a common Enemy, if they dare to resist -- Men are not to carve out Remedies for themselves -- If they are injured in any respect, there are legal Modes to obtain relief; and just Complaints will always be attended to, and redressed. It should be the pride of a Soldier, to conduct himself in such a manner, as to obtain the Applause, and not the reproach of a people, he is sent to defend; and it should be the business, as it is the duty of an Officer to inculcate and enforce this doctrine.

Guest Editorial: Diligence Awards

[Foreword: Andy Barniskis' emails are invariably well-reasoned, instructive , challenging and engaging. He has given me permission to post the following.]

Diligence Awards
Andy Barniskis

House Bill 1029: This legislation would allow individuals with a valid Pennsylvania license to carry a firearm to purchase additional guns without the cumbersome, expensive and redundant requirements of subsequent background checks through the Pennsylvania Instant Check System (PICS).

Correspondent writes:

What can you really have against this? Opposing it sure makes you sound pretty anti-gun, yourself.

Andy responds:

I'll start with the practical and then move up to the philosophical.

Carry permits are fundamentally a means of establishing a gun OWNER registration system, which in my opinion is more dangerous than the firearms registration systems everyone [rightly] gets so hot and bothered about. Why worry if some percentage of your GUNS are registered, if YOU are registered as the type who owns guns? Do you suspect being a "registered owner" might supply "reasonable cause" for an otherwise random search, someday in the future?

Thanks to some of our Real Gunnie, reciprocity-maven compatriots here in Pennsylvania, we are already on the way to having a centralized, computerized, 24/7, JBT-accessible registration of CCW holders (which will record your name FOREVER, even if you give up your CCW tomorrow) instead of the decentralized, 67- county system of the past. As bad as the county-level system may have been, it at least provided some hope that 67 bureaucracies, most of them rural, would lose or confuse some records, and possibly destroy outdated records. We could hope that if freedom ever broke out and we got Vermont/Alaska Carry, at least some of those counties would destroy all of their past records. Wishful thinking, maybe, but not impossible. The centralized system is going to be hardwired to the FBI, BATF, and possibly even accessible by (e.g.) the Southern Poverty Law Center, if they can dream up a use for it. (And don't tell me "Oh, but that will be ILLEGAL. . .") Tell me ANYONE's record is EVER going to cease to exist!

But hang on, I'm still not addressing the specific issue.

This legislation will create an implied (initially) and required (later) legal linkage between the CCW system and the IBC systems. As I'm writing this, the NRA and Rep. McCarthy are conspiring to make YOUR medical and mental health records -- and how will those be defined in the future? -- readily accessible to NICS/PICS. Meaning they will logically become linked to the PA CCW granting system. So, when Sister Mary Katherine tells someone in her eighth grade class that a trip to the principal's office for acting out in class will go on their "permanent record," she may be telling more truth than she'll ever know.

Maybe I'm sensitive to it, because the last big lawsuit I filed against a public official, was against my county sheriff for trying to make a "doctors note," attesting to mental health, a part of the application requirements for a CCW. It was illegal under PA law, and I don't think I have to itemize all the ways it could have been (and probably was) abused before my suit put a stop to it. Now, I'm supposed to cheer because the same thing that I fought and won against at the county level, is going to be imposed on us via a 24/7 electronic system at the state/national level that WILL eventually be linked to NICS/PICS?

And by "pro-gun" people?

Moving on to the tactical/political level: I have never made a secret that for me the gold standard of individual gun rights is that we should not have to seek permission from The State to acquire, own, or carry a gun. Unfortunately, I'd say the majority of firearms hobbyists I encounter seem to regard holding a CCW as imbuing them with some special status as a "Real Gunnie," and (referring to outside Pennsylvania) the harder it is to get a CCW, the more CCW holders seem to hold themselves in high regard. As I mentioned in an earlier post, I recently listened to a national radio talk show, and the STRONGEST advocates for restricted access to carrying firearms were self- identified "certified firearms instructors!" These people, sad to say, are one of the strongest constituencies IN OPPOSITION to fundamental rights, and yet to a man they regard themselves as "pro-gun" -- they want you to have a gun, as long as you satisfy THEIR criteria for it.

Now, add to the mix that this legislation grants additional benefits for those holding a CCW; they can walk into a gun shop, flash their CCW, and wave off the background check, to the admiration of the kids and counter-loungers; "Gosh Elmer, that feller must have a LICENSE to do that! He must be a real Gun Guy, you betcha!"

Think that feller is going to be much of a constituent for losing his self esteem, via the abolition of CCWs, should the day come when the rest of us make that possible? It's hard to call legislation that serves hobbyists' convenience "anti-gun," but I'd suggest it is appropriate to call it "anti-rights" in its practical effects on the masses and their attitudes.

And last, I must wax poetic, with a true story that is nonetheless also allegorical:

My uncle was captured at Corregidor in 1942. Eventually he was taken to Japan, where he spent almost the entire war as a slave laborer in the Mitsubishi Shipyards, building ships (well, A ship) for the Japs.

The Japs would give "diligence awards" of extra food, cigarettes, and privileges to prisoners who did good work. According to my uncle, many was the time they beat the hell out of fellow prisoners who earned or accepted diligence awards. I once asked "How badly?" and he just grimaced and shook his head.

For most of the time they had no idea how the war was going. According to the Japs, Japan was winning. They never heard of the Battle of Midway or any of the island landings. The first positive hint they had was, the first time they saw a B-29 fly overhead at high altitude, probably in late 1943.

But they resisted. When the one ship they completed was launched, it rested in the harbor for a few minutes, then promptly sank. Welders like my uncle had laid cold welding rods and other debris in joints and welded over them. Under the first stresses the welds snapped, and the ship sank. They EXPECTED to be executed, en masse, but they weren't. The Japs had used Jap civilian labor on the ship, too, and with their bizarre sense of "honor," they could not punish the prisoners without punishing their countrymen the same way.

Nevertheless by war's end only eight of the 350+ men he had been captured with were left alive. Standing 6 feet tall, my uncle weighed less than 100 pounds when liberated. I've never asked him this -- I've never had to -- but with hindsight, wouldn't it have been better to accept "diligence awards," so that maybe a handful more would have survived? In the big picture, what difference would it have made if they had helped the Japs launch another cargo ship or two?

The idea of course was unthinkable, even during those long months when it appeared possible that the Japs WERE winning -- just as it appears now the anti-freedom forces in our own country have won, hands down, on some issues.

You of course see the analogy I'm making: I WILL not believe the war for true gun RIGHTS -- not privileges -- is lost. While the fight goes on, I WILL not countenance the acceptance -- much less the SEEKING -- of "diligence awards" from our enemies, in the form of special privileges granted in return for willing acceptance of our present state of subjugation.

--Andy

Freedom: It's for the Dogs

Claire Wolfe shows us how a humble doggie knows what many of us have seemingly forgotten.

What does that have to do with eliminating BATFU?

Follow the link and find out.

Magic Marker Challenge Prof Speaks

Speaking of college professors, M. Terry points me to some video clips related to a story we posted on the other day.

Sure is great the way diversity and tolerance are encouraged in our institutions of higher learning, ain't it? I mean, our kids are free to be Leninists or Trotskyites, or even jihadists.

America--that's why I love her!

Second Amendment Obsolete? Abolish it and Watch What Happens

Mike Vanderboegh has written an open letter in reply to a sheltered professor's ill-reasoned rant.

My Dear Jeffery,

You really ought not extrapolate from your own cowardice and impute your own weeniehood to the self-reliant citizens you seek to disarm. If you truly believe the 2nd Amendment is obsolete, then I suggest you and your friends abolish it and watch what happens. And do it quickly please, while I'm still young enough to fight in the civil war you start.

Just because you would cave to any government diktat does not mean we would. Indeed, I can just about guarantee that at least 10% of us gunowners are "cold dead hands" types, which means you'll have to kill upwards of 8.5 million of us to accomplish your goal. Remember, we're the ones with the guns, and we will not go gently into that good collectivist night.

Aren't you the least bit concerned that folks who are willing to die for their country might be willing to kill for it too? Certainly we would intend to sell ourselves as dearly as possible. And do you think that we would fail to include the people who urged the policy upon such an oppressive government? There are no free lunches, Jeffery. So please, be careful what you wish for, you may get it. But hey, if you feel lucky, go ahead and abolish the 2nd Amendment. You'll find out just how "obsolete" the Founders' concept of the citizen militia really is.

Mike Vanderboegh
PO Box 926
Pinson, AL 35126

Disclaimer: No weenie college professors were actually harmed in the creation of this email.

Gun Bans Don't Work

School massacres occur regardless of the law.

And sometimes they occur because of it.

Jennifer Freeman gives us another Liberty Belles exclusive.

Gun-Free Talk

[H]as the NRA changed it's position on "gun-free" schools? It seem incongruous to call for their end and, in the same breath, to urge support of an organization that has stood beside the antis in supporting legislation to create victim disarmament zones.

Good question, Alan! Great one, actually.

And the reply?

I don't agree with the NRA on everything, but I do know they are vital to our gun rights. I don't know what their policy is on gun free school zones.

Well, you do now, Mr. Gresham. Alan even gave you source references.

So can we count on your voice joining with those of us calling on NRA to end their inexplicably anti-human position?

Jerry Adler Wets Pants for Newsweek

Many ordinary citizens now have 9-millimeters for protection as well, which means, inevitably, that they get used to settle arguments between spouses or friends.

Right, and we know they're never used to save lives, right, Jerry? They're just too dangerous for "ordinary citizens," and we're so stupid and out of control, why, we'd just use them to "settle arguments." It's not like we possess anywhere near the awesome intellect, judgment and morality of, say, "The Only Ones" who do.

Being an "authorized journalist" and all, you'd tell us if there was another side to the story--wouldn't you? Because otherwise, that would make you just another lying shill for Brady Campaign propaganda who has cast all journalistic ethics to the side in favor of cushy writing gigs for a national magazine. I want to believe better of you, Jer.

Regardless, it's nice to see the 9mm has regained the crown for "weapon of choice." A while back, I was getting worried...

Anybody else notice--while the title is "Story of a Gun," the window tab says "The Weapon: A Day in the Life of a 9mm"?

"The Life"? I guess these must be those self-activating guns we're always hearing about on the news that just go off and kill and kill and kill again?

[Via HZ]

Johnston Home Invasion Officers Indicted

A grand jury has indicted three current and former police officers in the November shooting death of an elderly Atlanta woman during a police raid.

We've talked about the Kathryn Johnston outrage before here on WarOnGuns. It would be nice to think that justice will be done, but I'm suspending judgment. Besides, nothing will bring that poor soul back to life.

If I were optimistic, I'd hope this would be a catalyst for the American people to rethink when no-knock dynamic entries are truly justified--like, say, at Virginia Tech. You'll notice when it's just a little old lady, no one in body armor is hiding behind trees.

This Day in History: April 26

"Sybil Ludington rode horseback over this road the night of April 26, 1777 to call out Col. Ludington's regiment to repel the British at Danbury, Connecticut."

"Run Rights Rally"?

Black lawmakers are demanding a police investigation of a banner held at Tuesday's run rights rally in the state Capitol.

Zoinks! Did they pass out Scooby Snacks?

Notes to our side:

• It's "hanged."
• The Tree of Liberty has nothing to do with lynching, and it's certainly not "just a figure of speech."

Notes to Rep. Cruz:

• You truly are dangerously incompetent.
  
• I can't really disagree with Mr. Jefferson's "manure" analogy.

It May Not Be Enough?

Damon Wells and his home appear no longer safe.

The .40-caliber handgun that Wells carries legally for defense may not be enough to protect the 25-year-old man and his home in the Mount Pleasant neighborhood.

I should say, not, "reporter" Gabriel Baird. Don't you read your own newspaper?

Police took a .40-caliber Smith and Wesson firearm from Wells as evidence, the police report shows.

So now the poor guy's got a vengeful mob of thug apologists terrorizing him, and no way to protect himself.

It sounds like we as a society ought to miss young "Ace Boogie" as much as we will "Boonie."

A Chicago Story

Tom Mayhew sent me this picture of a different time altogether. This was Chicago! There were cops in the picture encouraging this--it was their idea!! And it was given favorable press in a California newspaper!!!

Today, tellers give up the cash just based on a note, without ever seeing a weapon. That's because so many banks are "No Gun Zones," and because so many among us have forgotten--or never knew--the responsibilities of free men and the way things are supposed to be.

"Good Citizens"

Holmgren said, "We're not saying that we want citizens to go out there and arm themselves and take the law into their own hands. We want citizens to be good witnesses, to be good report-takers and to identify suspects."

Defending yourself and your property is "taking the law into your own hands"?

We want citizens to be good Eloi.

Congratulations, Holmgren, you've left me with nothing to add.

[Via Cryptic Subterranean]

Department of Destroying History

Go over to Armed and Safe and read about the latest bit of BATFU stupidity and arrogance.

You just gotta shake your head and work for the day when these parasites will starve.

Good catch, Kurt. Good comments.

We're the Only Ones With the Right Hands Enough

Thieves broke into a Utah County Sheriff's vehicle early Tuesday morning in Lehi and stole two very dangerous assault weapons that authorities fear could be used in other crimes.

"We're very worried because we don't want any weapon getting into the hands of anybody in the public because, you are looking at a sawed off shotgun and an assault rifle," said Utah County Public Information Officer Dennis Harris as he looked at the damaged vehicle.

Left unsaid is why "peace officers" need what the antis continually describe as "weapons of war" and "killing machines." I woupldn't be surprised to find a "bullet hose" or two in there somewhere. But did you catch what Harris said? That's "anybody in the public," not just the thieves they provided this grand no-mental-health-or-criminal-background-check-required opportunity to.

Why?

In the right hands police said these weapons protect the public, but in the wrong hands they present a major threat.

And we all know "the right hands" are "Only Ones" hands.

[Via 45superman]

A Pro-Gun Neocon

By eliminating pistol purchase permits and allowing only those of us with a CCW to purchase a handgun, there will be no more guns sold legally to those with a history of mental problems who have not yet committed their first crime. And it should be some consolation to the gun control crowd that it takes about 90 days to obtain a CCW in North Carolina.

Good Lord. This is what Mike S. Adams considers a "rebuttal" to an anti-gun editorial?

[Via M. Terry]

Militia HQ Fire Declared Arson

Someone purposely set a fire that destroyed the office area of the Washington County Militia last week, County Fire Marshal John Jenkins said Tuesday.

Jenkins would not comment on what evidence led him to suspect arson at the structure southeast of Fayetteville. No other information will be released, he said.

Well, that was no surprise.

In a tangentially-related matter, Wayne Fincher's daughter has the following request:

Do you know where i can get a copy of the congressional hearings on the national firearms of 1934? Or the subcommittee hearings of the national firearms act of 1934? I'm trying to find a copy of it for my dad and I can't seem to find a copy of it.

They may only exist in an archive--information will be appreciated.

[Via Martin B and Connie F]

A Heavy Price

That lesson is this: if a suicide bomber walks into a crowded market in Iraq and blows himself up along with 32 innocent bystanders, it is terrorism. If the same thing happens in America, it is not. Americans — and by extension anyone in the country — enjoy a constitutional right to bear arms. However anachronistic this may seem to outsiders given that the days of frontiersmen and citizens’ militias are long past, there still remains a powerful lobby, funded by the weaponry manufacturers themselves, that defends what it claims is a fundamental right.

The Saudi Arabians lecture us on anachronisms. They say we'd be safer if we'd only disarm.

And no, a mass shooting is definitely terrorism, and some of us believe that hasn't gone unnoticed. My friend Russ Howard even has an ongoing bet that the next terror attack will exploit the very "gun free zones" this "editorialist" wants us to expand nationwide--anybody care to take him up on it?

[Via Bounty Hunter, via Little Green Footballs]

This Day in History: April 25

[Affidavit] No. 1.Lexington, April 25, 1775.

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.

We're the Only Ones Insulted Enough

Three female minority police officers claim they were insulted with the same language radio host Don Imus used. But they said the abuse came from fellow officers.

Would that make them "The Ho-nly Ones"?

"The System Failed"

One of Ms. Cleland's chief concerns, however, is what happens after the initial sale.

The same gun that she sells to a customer can be resold virtually without scrutiny and without a trace in five minutes, five days, or five years.

A private individual also can sell a handgun at the ever-popular gun shows around the state without paperwork or scrutiny. Federal firearms license holders and dealers at the same shows, however, do have to fill out the forms.

"It's a loophole. We do all this paperwork, but to me that is the big loophole. We're regulated to the teeth, but then we have this huge gray area where people just go out and sell them without keeping any records," Mrs. Cleland said. "It makes it look like we're controlling guns, but we're not. That's what we're dealing with, with the Virginia Tech thing. It's not the gun issue but that the system failed."

I'll give you the benefit of the doubt here, Mrs. Cleland, that your statement was taken out of context, or you didn't mean what it sounds like you're saying.

Because if I thought for a minute you're endorsing for what it sounds like you're calling for, I'd be making some recommendations to my friends about where to shop...

[Via Nathan F]

Oppose the McCarthy/Dingell/NRA Gun Control Axis

On Friday, The Washington Post reported on the strange coalition. "With the Virginia Tech shootings resurrecting calls for tighter gun controls," the Post said, "the National Rifle Association has begun negotiations with senior Democrats over legislation to bolster the national background-check system."

Rep. John Dingell (D-MI), who was once on the NRA Board of Directors but resigned when he supported and voted for the Clinton semi-auto ban in 1994, is reported to be "leading talks with the powerful gun lobby in hopes of producing a deal [soon]," Democratic aides and lawmakers told the newspaper.

Rep. McCarthy admitted to the Post that her "crusades" for more gun control have made her voice "toxic" in gun circles. "So Dingell is handling negotiations with the NRA," the newspaper reported. "Dingell is also in talks with Sens. Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah) and Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), House Minority Leader John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) and Rep. F. James Sensenbrenner (Wis.), the senior Republican on the House Judiciary Committee."

I was on my way out the door on Friday when I first heard about the "mental health background check" proposal. All I really had time to post was this:

Four days after the fact--when the whole country is furiously debating the impact of the Virginia tech shootings on the Second Amendment--there's still no leadership from our self-proclaimed leaders? All we get are plausibly deniable signals sent through seconds that they'd endorse an expansion of NICS if only there were some way to work around privacy protections?

It's hard to argue with the general public about background checks, particularly where mental health questions are involved. Deep-rooted prejudice and an inclination to discriminate is tough to overcome, and people are skeptical when you tell them the mentally ill are no more inclined toward violence than the general population.

Likewise, most of our countrymen are oblivious to the concept of enumerated Constitutional powers for the federal government. Perhaps National Rifle Control, Inc./The LaPierre Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence would be kind enough to show us the section of this document that authorizes their bright new idea for applying prior restraint.

So what am I arguing? Crazy people and psychopaths should be able to walk into the hardware store and walk out with a grenade launcher? Look, I've said this before, many times: Anyone who can't be trusted with a gun can't be trusted without a custodian.

Here's something else I've pointed out numerous times: If we are to believe official reports, the single biggest act of mass murder in our nation's history was committed with mail room tools. The second largest death toll was created with gardening chemicals. The third utilized about a buck's worth of gasoline.

And here's another concern that has been left unsaid in this bill, but you can bet your guns (and you will be if this thing passes) that those behind it will be back with Phase 2. After all, if it makes sense to keep people with questionable mental health backgrounds from buying guns, wouldn't it make even more sense to remove existing guns from their homes? And how will the government know who has guns, unless NICS has the capability to keep records if only the political will existed to do so?

And why stop with your mental health, or make allowances that we all have periods of tragedy and trauma in our lives that tax--and sometimes overcome--our ability to cope? How about if your spouse is being treated for depression, or your child has been diagnosed with "ADHD" by a school with a government grant money incentive to get him on Ritalin? How can we possibly allow dangerous guns to be brought into such households, and it follows, how can we allow existing guns to remain?

Also, will there be an "Only Ones" loophole? That may be a way to help stifle enthusiasm for this bill--start insisting on an amendment that gores their ox.

Unfortunately, this is the kind of cynical posturing I've come to expect from current NRA management. I don't know if a campaign to call or write them will make any difference--perhaps it will if you include a copy of a donation check made out to GOA.

The other thing to do is contact the Republicans named in the GOA release. I agree with activist Andy Barniskis, who suggests adding the following text to GOA's pre-written letter:

[Insert after 1st paragraph] I DO NOT AGREE WITH NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION, WHICH HAS GIVEN ITS APPROVAL TO THIS TERRIBLE LEGISLATION.

[Insert as last paragraph] PLEASE DON'T BELIEVE THAT SUPPORT BY THE NRA WILL PROVIDE SUFFICIENT COVER FOR YOU IF YOU VOTE FOR THIS LEGISLATION. GUN OWNERS WILL NOT FORGET HOW YOU VOTE.

The Common Denominator

I scanned the above from the April 17 edition of The Daily Breeze, a newspaper in Southern California's South Bay. It summarizes school shootings over the past 40+ years.

Something about it strikes me as more than coincidental. It's as if all of these random acts in different locales spanning decades had some common thread, some shared factor, but I can't quite put my finger on it.

What could shootings at the University of Texas and Kent State University and Cal State Fullerton and the University of Iowa and San Diego State and the University of Arkansas and the Appalachian School of Law* and the University of Arizona and Shepherd University and Virginia Tech possibly have in common?

I feel like the answer is staring me in the face, like it's something obvious. Give me some time. It may come to me.

* I couldn't find a weapons policy for the Appalachian School of Law, but note that those reports which admitted students with firearms subdued the killer (most simply said they tackled him) said they had to run to their cars to retrieve them.

What's Up, Doc?

How come you took this post off your site?


I've been beating this drum for years, mostly to myself, it seems. Your reach is much longer than mine.

So what's the deal, Prof. Lott? It's the truth and it's relevant. Hell, it's more than relevant, it's giving sanction to evil laws that are killing--and will continue to kill--real people. Don't you think gun owners/NRA members deserve to know where the most influential name in "the gun lobby" stands on this issue?

It's your blog and you can post what you want, but I don't think we can be faulted if some of us are wondering what prompted you to remove it. I hope you reconsider--adding your voice to those asking LaPierre why his self-serving blowhard anti-defense posturing is worth anyone's life seems a legitimate pursuit.

Take the Magic Marker Challenge

Winset said he gave students a disclaimer before he started his Virginia Tech re-enactment, which involved him pointing a Magic Marker at students and saying, “Pow.” He then had another student shoot him with an imaginary gun to make the point that Cho could have been stopped by another student with a firearm.

Good thing he didn't try this with an Airsoft pistol--there would have been mass intestinal evacuations from the administration.

He sounds like the type of educator students would actually learn something useful from. No wonder they had to can him.

[Via ChareltonHest]

Project Exile's Miracle in Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A bloody, bullet-filled weekend left 11 people dead across the city, where drugs and disrespect have trumped brotherly love and the murder rate is on pace to be the highest in a decade.

C'mon, criminals. NRA dares you to carry a gun.

This business of teaming up with anti-gun politicians to promote gun control sure works wonders, doesn't it?

This Day in History: April 24

To THE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY OF NEW YORK New York, April 24, 1776.

Gentn: It being necessary, that I should know the number of Troops to compose the Army here, I must request the favor of your Honble. body, to inform me, how many Regiments are raising in this Province for the Continental Service, by order of Congress, and what their state is, as to Men and Arms. From the Accounts I have had, I have reason to fear there is a great dificiency in the latter...

Just.One.Person.

Three fairly small words. One massively important concept.

Joe's Crabby Shack pegs it: You're either a sovereign individual with the imagination and courage to act independently or you're just a part of the herd. This is really what it all distills into. This is what "liberty" means, and it's why the "collective rights" revisionists are so wrong.

Go read this post and decide what you'd like to do today, tomorrow, and in the days to follow to make a difference for freedom as Just. One. Person.

New WarOnGuns Poll: Would You Carry on a "No Guns" Campus?

The new poll is over in the left margin. What would you do if you had to be on a school or college campus where guns are forbidden?

The results of last week's poll are presented below (click on image to enlarge). It was actually going neck-and-neck until some new traffic started coming to the site, so I guess that means WarOnGuns frequenters are a tad more radical than most gun activists, which gives me cause for hope.

O Happy Dagger!

Nicki has some words of disbelief over Yale University banning stage props that look like weapons from campus theatrical productions. This should make for some interesting Shakespeare, as evidenced by these "before and after" representations of his Roman tragedy, Coriolanus.










I wonder if Betty Trachtenberg realizes what an idiot this makes her look like? Probably not.

Flatlanders, by definition, are oblivious to the existence of other dimensions.

Meanwhile, Back in Romania...

I was just interviewed by Adevărul, a national Romanian newspaper (I guess they noticed my Romanian last name in the NYT article?). They wanted my perspective on the post-Virginia Tech gun debate for their readers. The reporters' deadline is Wednesday, so I ought to have something to link to later this week, along with a Google Translator page.

"Adevărul" means "the truth," so let's all have high hopes and higher expectations, the paper's history notwithstanding.

Bullet Chart

The New York Times can't seem to find room to discuss Virginia Tech's disarmament policies killing defenseless students and faculty, but they have no trouble coming up with a slick graphic showing Americans "killed by guns."

There's so much that could be said about this misleading illustration, but I'll leave that to the statisticians, and to you in the "Comments" section, who I'm sure will have no problem spotting flaws with this presentation method.

I do wonder (Not!) why, if they're focusing part of their graphic on suicide, they don't have a special breakout for a demographic with a much higher rate than the general populace...

[Via Declan]

An Only Ones in Love Trifecta

We're the Only Ones Chatty Enough

Authorities say an Ocala police veteran was charged with trying to solicit a 14-year-old girl over the Internet and sending her offensive material.

The burning question--if she'd gone out with him, would he have bought her a Happy Meal or a Big Kids Meal?

[Via Wm H]

We're the Only Ones Digital Enough

While en route to the police station, Torres began a sexually frank discussion with the woman, the charging papers state. Torres allegedly took the woman to a Federal Way weigh station and parked his patrol car. He told her he had previously had sex there with other women he had arrested and then proceeded to fondle her breasts and raped her with his finger, according to the charging papers.

I've heard of fingering a suspect, but this is ridiculous.

We're the Only Ones Getting a Grip Enough

The two women said they hesitatingly complied, and performed oral sex on their male companions for about 15 minutes, police reported...The 25-year-old said she asked to step out of the vehicle to urinate. The officer allegedly shined a flashlight on her as she did so and she said she noticed he was masturbating.

And here he was thinking he'd get off easy...

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

What's This "Our"?

"A near-death experience does focus the mind. We need to get rid of our guns."

"Our guns"? You have already made it clear you don't and won't arm yourself in your own defense. Please do not think you have any right to make that decision on my behalf for me.

John Hardin shows Tom Plate for the intellectually dishonest and immature victim and wannabe victimizer that he is.

Burned

As flames rose from the roof of the Washington County militia headquarters on Friday, witnesses reported hearing rounds of ammunition sporadically being fired...

The blaze comes just two months before the sentencing date for Hollis Wayne Fincher, who founded the militia headquarters in 1994...

Jenkins didn’t say whether Friday’s fire was related to Fincher’s arrest, but said he was looking at a number of possibilities.

“I was on the radio this morning, and we received a call from one of our regular callers, and he told me and the listening audience that the building had burned,” said Don Bright, a local resident known as a regular contributor to talk radio shows. “There’s speculation that it might be someone trying to make a point, but I don’t want to make too many projections.”

We'll keep our eye on this, of course.

Getting Out the Word About Knife Rights

That is the lesson to be learned from this. We are defenseless because we are not organized. The Antis know this and they will try to do the same here as they have done in Britain and elsewhere, take away your right to carry even a simple pocket knife, given half a chance.

Doug Ritter talks about attending the NRA Annual Meeting and updates us on his organization's progress.

Second Amendment Carnival XI

Providing the best 2nd Amendment coverage the blogosphere has to offer.

Stan posted this on Saturday, but I was away for the weekend. But you can still attend his carnival--he assures me latecomers are welcome.

This Day in History: April 23

The Provincial Congress in Massachusetts orders 13,600 American soldiers to be mobilized. Colonial volunteers from all over New England assemble and head for Boston, then establish camps around the city and begin a year long siege of British-held Boston.