GUNS Magazine, June 1957

And Mr. Juan Q. Citizen is likewise loco if he doesn't take similar precautions when he sticks his neck into potentially dangerous situations. Changing a tire on a deserted stretch of road, or tooling the old bus into the family driveway at night, or getting out of bed to see whether it's a man or a mouse, can all qualify as potentially dangerous situations. In all such cases, the gun should be in hand or handy-not in the rear trunk of the car along with the jack, nor yet in the glove compartment, not in the bureau drawer, but where you can reach it.

Time was, if you didn't have a gun for emergencies, it was considered "loco."

The June 1957 issue of GUNS Magazine is now on line.

Also in this issue:

• Alaska--Where Guns Go to College
• Which Bullet--And Why
• Shotgun Myths Make Misses
• Sammy Davis, Jr.--"My Favorite Gun"
  
• And much more, including the classic period ads.

Armorbearers

The Armorbearers share an individual and collective desire to lay down their lives for the life of another, namely Pastor Pfleger.

Christ came to lay down His life for us, not the other way around. So is this arrangement Christ-like or antichrist-like?

This sounds more and more like a Jim Jones-style cult.

I wonder if any of them are armed...?

Here's another thing that's bugging me about Snuffy: He wants to go after John Riggio. You'll note he's not assembling his mob around the houses of known gangbangers and threatening to snuff them out. Surely with all his contacts at the CPD, not to mention his parishioners who live in the neighborhood, he knows who they are and where they live...

Pop Goes "Big Weasel"

The founder of an anti-gun group will be arraigned June 21 on weapons charges, following his arrest Thursday for allegedly selling firearms to federal undercover officers, a spokesperson for the District Attorney's Office said today.

Hector "Big Weasel" Marroquin, 51 -- who founded the one-time city-funded group "No Guns" in 1996, purportedly to work against gang and gun violence in the inner city -- is charged with the sale of an assault rifle, a machine gun, two pistols and two silencers...It is his second weapons-related arrest in as many years. [More]

All this and apparent gang affiliations, too. Wonderful people, these anti-gun "activists".

At least he didn't threaten to snuff anybody out.

Levy on C-SPAN

For those persons interested in the Second Amendment, gun control, and the DC gun ban, I'll be discussing those subjects this Saturday morning, June 2, on C-SPAN's Washington Journal from 8:45-9:15 a.m.

Bob Levy
Senior Fellow in Constitutional Studies
Cato Institute

[Via Dan Gifford]

Ontario Suggests Banning Handguns May Cause Decline in Gun Crime

Personally, I think wishing real hard or maybe some magic incantations would be a lot more effective.

Survival Enterprises Interview

From ChareltonHest:

I just spoke Mr. Kurt Wilson of Survival Enterprises. He has alerted me that he will be interviewed by Don Harkins & Ingri Cassel of the Idaho Observer through the Republic Broadcasting Network(RBN). He will discuss the ATF and his case, and their will be call-in time.

Info:

1.) The program time:
http://libertypost.org/cgi-bin/readart.cgi?ArtNum=189660&Disp=1#C1
2.) Kurt's case:
http://www.survival-enterprises.com/summary.html

Please spread the word.

We're the Only Ones Dredging Up the Past Enough

Niagara regional police dive members searched the Grand River in Kitchener yesterday for signs of an officer's missing handgun and equipment...

Police have been looking for the semi-automatic handgun since it went missing Thursday across the street from Kitchener-Waterloo Collegiate.

"Went missing."

All by its own self, no doubt. At least they didn't say it ran away.

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

This Day in History: June 2

For a long time past, this colony has, by a corrupt administration in Great Britain and here, been deprived of the exercise of those powers of Government, without which a people can be neither rich, happy or secure. The whole continent saw the blow pending, which if not warded oh, must inevitably have subverted the freedom and happiness of each colony; the principles of self defence, roused in the breasts of freemen by the dread of impending slavery, caused to be collected the wisdom of America, in a Congress composed of men, who through time must in every land of freedom be revered among the most faithful assertors of the essential rights of human nature.

Open Letter to Americans United for Separation of Church and State

To: americansunited@au.org I see you're trying to get the IRS to revoke an evangelist's 501(c)(3) status for his statement that a vote for Mitt Romney is a vote for Satan. One comment is all it takes for you guys to go ballistic? Have I got a case for you. Can we rely on your consistency to do something about Snuffy Pfleger? See:

• Snuff Out Mike Pfleger
• "Snuffed Out"
• Hey, Look Who Showed Up
• "Thousands Of Guns Taken Off The Streets" (which has the added bonus of public funds and manpower being expended on church projects)
• or simply use the search term "pfleger" at The War on Guns.

I'd say these links provide way more evidence of tax exemption abuse than a fundamentalist preacher decrying Mormonism to his congregation, wouldn't you? Can I count on your prompt investigation and follow-through with the IRS on this? Awaiting your response, David Codrea [WoG visitors--if you agree, feel free to send an email of your own.]

"The Gang" at Reds

From Ryan Horsley:

Red's Trading Post is pleased to announce the JPFO's decision to premiere their latest documentary The Gang in Twin Falls Idaho. The Gang exposes the abuses of the BATFE, this truly is a movie they do not want you to see.

This will be shown FREE OF CHARGE and Red's Trading Post will also be raffling off a Ruger 10/22 Rifle and other prizes to those who attend.

Where:
Lamphouse Theater
223 5th Ave South

When:
June 13th and 14th at 7pm

For more information on The Gang visit the website at:
http://www.thegangmovie.com/
For more information on the JPFO: Jews for Preservation of Firearm Ownership visit their website at:
http://www.jpfo.org

Related to this, I completely missed Ryan's May 22 JPFO interview. Go give it a listen--good stuff I wasn't aware of, and I've been following this pretty closely.

We're the Only Ones Extraordinarily Blundering Enough

A police marksman is under investigation after accidentally shooting a colleague in an extraordinary blunder.

The victim, a civilian employee, was seriously injured in the accident at a lecture room at the HQ of Thames Valley Police near Oxford.

He was apparently being shown the workings of a police Glock pistol when it went off, blasting him in the torso.

The victim, aged in his 50s, was left writhing in agony with blood pouring from the wound.

Cryptic Subterranean brings us more outstanding professionalism from our old mates, the Thames Valley Only Ones.

"Snuffed Out"

Hannity and Colmes cover the Mike "Snuffy" Pfleger brouhaha. By the way, the above is just a graphic--you need to click on the title link to get to the actual video player.

As expected, Alan dives right in to misdirection and apologia. The difference between this and an Ann Coulter column, Alan, aside from her well-known employment of satire as a literary tool, is she's not hysterically egging on a frenzied mob with street language right in front of anyone's doorstep. And as for your cynically referencing "the great Christian tradition of forgiveness," that sure doesn't sound like what the commie priest is doing.

The double standard is palpable. If I used the same terminology and applied it to our elected Chief Executive or one of the campaigning hopefuls for that job, I'd fully expect a visit from the Secret Service. If I said it in relation to the director of an abortion clinic, or, Allah forbid, a leader in our Guest Mufti Program, I'd expect the "terrorist threat" card to be played. Still, we can expect the wayward Snuffy will get away with this, and to tell you the truth, I'd rather we played more loosely with the First Amendment than tighter.

I believe everybody is missing the point. I believe all this noise will result in nothing. Is that what we want the outcome to be?

We've already seen a jury of his peers nullify charges where his committing the deed was never in question. And we've seen the Church hierarchy abdicating any authority to rein in their maverick.

I believe the key to shutting him down, the way to truly hurt his subversive operations, is through the tax issue I raised a few days ago (and incidentally, over a year before that). And that's why, it's with no small amount of frustration that I see this issue totally ignored not only by all "authorized" media, and not only by any "pro gun" organizations, but also by any other gun blogs save a few allies.

I just got the following from an EA ("Enrolled Agent"--a tax specialist) that convinces me I'm on the right track with this:

Mike Pfleger's 990 or 990EZ would have been due May 15 if The Beloved Community, Inc. is a calendar year filer and if it received total revenues in excess of $25,000 in 2006. (I suspect you will never see the 2006 returns if the organization has gone mostly inactive, there would not be enough revenue to force filing)

I would suggest that our friends in Chicagoland pay a visit to the location where the books are kept (per the 990 you have) and demand to see the organization's public records and be furnished with photocopies of same. See IRS instructions for form 990, page 11, for details: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i990-ez.pdf

I wouldn't mind seeing that, but as I indicated previously, it looks like everything is being done under the auspices of St. Sabina, which files no return because it's a church. I think it would need to be their books examined for donations and expenditures related to affecting legislative outcomes--including use of their assets for same, such as work product and correspondence stored on computers, telephone bills, vehicle use, etc.

If you're interested in kicking Snuffy in the nuts, this is the tack to use. Focusing on his hate speech, while useful for gaining some temporary attention, does little more than visibly divide people into their respective camps.

[Video link via 45superman]

Restoring the Norm

"It really is a matter of defining things very carefully and balancing maintaining one's rights and what has become the norm of society. It's something we're really going to have to examine."

There's an easy solution for that, Post Falls City Administrator, that is, public servant Eric Keck. More people need to start exercising their right to keep and bear arms so that fewer people are "alarmed". It's not like they freak when they see an armed "Only One."

[Via ChareltonHest]

[More on Zach Doty from WarOnGuns]

"That's the Kind of Lowlife that They Are"

[Scroll down the "News" video selection panel to "Pastor accused of making threats towards gun shop"]

Mikey is the victim. Poor Mikey.

And you people are just a bunch of lowlifes.

[Via Paul Grant]

A Panel of Experts

One might think that the only thing people would be interested in hearing from "Father" Michael Pfleger is a retraction of, and an apology and explanation for, his call to "snuff out" gun shop owner John Riggio, along with unnamed pro-rights legislators. One would, apparently, be wrong. Next Wednesday, he'll be on TV, as part of a panel, in a bit of irony too bizarre for decent fiction, on reducing youth violence in Chicago.

I suspect this panel--government coercion proponents all-- couldn't find a solution with both hands and a mirror, but that won't stop ABC7 from passing them off as the best and brightest in the field.

I contacted the station via their online form:



Here's the complete text of my message:

How can you people even feign objectivity with the panel of citizen disarmament zealots you have assembled? How do you have the absolute gall to present this under auspices of "news," as opposed to agenda-driven statist propaganda? And who will violence-stopping Mike Pfleger recommend snuffing out this time? You want real news, try asking him how he operates a tax-deductible 501 (c)(3) while engaging in legislative advocacy. But that would require two things you obviously don't possess based on the insultingly biased composition of your panel of "experts": objectivity and an interest in the truth.

If you agree that ABC7 is engaging in propaganda vs news, please go to their comments page and protest their selection of panelists. Why is it they can't seem to find even one participant who can demonstrate the only solution to preventing violence is if potential victims have the means to discourage it?

Please do this, spread the word, and encourage others to follow suit. It would be nice if fellow gun bloggers and pro-2A forums joined in too.

Fair is Fair

A leading pro-abortion group, Catholics for Free Choice, is attacking Priests for Life, a top pro-life organization, and claiming that it is violating its status as a nonprofit entity by posting videos of pro-life Sen. Sam Brownback on its web site.

So posting a video on a website is all it takes for the left to demand repeal of tax emempt status?

So why can Mike Pfleger run an anti-gun legislation campaign on his?

We're the Only Ones Savage Enough

[Use BugMeNot to bypass site registration.]

The DirecTV installers were struggling.

They'd been fiddling with the satellite TV system for two hours at Julie and Steven Pyle's home in Savage. The installers called DirecTV at one point, saying they were being "held hostage" on the job.

Then things really went haywire.

A DirecTV dispatcher called the police, who showed up at the Pyle house with guns drawn. Savage police forced Julie Pyle to the ground in her driveway and handcuffed her, even after the DirecTV installers told officers there'd been a mistake, the Pyles say.

"But they were all pumped up..."

Well, DirecTV says it beats cable. I didn't realize they could also arrange to have the same thing done to their customers.

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

[Via geedub17]

We're the Only Ones Kinderphotoing Enough

Who doesn't think it's strange that an adult male with a badge and a gun would take pictures – would stalk for hours – (my) 5-year-old daughter?"

Good thing the cops kept his camera (but gave him back his gun...)!

And it's better thing this didn't happen in New York, where "lifting a finger" can be lethal.

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

[Via Jeff]

This Day in History: June 1

That all men are born equally free and independent, and have certain inherent and natural rights, of which they cannot, by any compact, deprive or divest their posterity; among which are, the enjoyment of life and liberty, with the means of acquiring and possessing property, and pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety.

Look Who Else Showed Up

So--is the Cardinal gonna strap 'em on and finally do something about this rebellious embarrassment to the Church (and to humanity) or not?

Hey, Look Who Showed Up

I wonder if the IRS looked at this particular computer, how much political activism-related work product and correspondence they'd find?

Shameless Plug: Grabbers All

So we need to vote Republican, right?

Yeah, if you agree with Rudy Giuliani that we need federal licensing and testing to own a gun, and that semiautos should be banned...

Or take John McCain—please!

...The third “big” name among GOP contenders is former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney...

"Grabbers All" is my Rights Watch column for the July 2007 issue of GUNS Magazine, on sale now at gripping newsstands throughout the Republic. (I actually liked my working title, "Heil to the Chief!" but then again, no one ever accused me of being tactful and delicate.)

Also, a psychologist wrote a nice letter about my Frank Melton article in the Crossfire section (pg 6).

BONUS: See pg 92 to find out how you can win a Vega Diamond Double Elite over & under 20-gauge shotgun, imported from Turkey by ADCO Sales.

The Pfleger Cover-Up Begins

Vince Clark, a spokesman for Pfleger, told Cybercast News Service Wednesday that the pastor wasn't aware of the violent connotation of "snuff" and didn't mean to threaten bodily harm. (Listen to Pfleger's comments)

"I've never heard that compared before with the word murder," Clark said. "He [Pfleger] was never aware of that. If that was the case he would never have used that language."

Right, Vince. The guy lives in da hood, throws out street slang like "the Benjamins," and no one has any idea what snuffing someone out means. And for gun owners to protest this lunatic's rantings "is uncalled for."

As for that Church hierarchy we're hoping will do something about this:

James Accurso, a spokesman for the Chicago Archdiocese...told Cybercast News Service that the church had no plans to take disciplinary action against Pfleger.

No, of course not. They're afraid of him, afraid he'll make a big stink, leave the priesthood and take his congregation with him. They have abdicated all authority for St. Sabina. It's no longer God's house, it's Mike Pfleger's. The rogue is calling the shots.

OK, what about the "authorized journalists," like our pals at The Trib? Nope, nothing there about this controversy, and that's no surprise to those of us who have been paying attention. Yuri Orlov gave us the reporter's reaction yesterday in a comment to a related post:

"Thank you for writing. If you read my story, you saw that I included very little of what was said at this rally. I was assigned to cover this story and assigned a certain amount of space for it. I did not include Father Pfleger's comments because I did not find them germane to the subject. I also will say it did not strike me as a threat of imminent violence. It sounded like a typical rally speech."

Well, we can see how much help we can count on there.

And what about the tax exempt issue reported by WarOnGuns? Forget coverage by any major media. And if you look at the links to that post, not many gun bloggers consider it meriting a mention, either, although I am grateful to KABA for posting it, as well as you few others.

Ah well. We do what we can.

MORE:
Armed and Safe (45superman has done a great job spreading the word and posting to forums. Many thanks, Kurt.)

We're the Only Ones Knee-Capping Daddy's Little Girl Enough

An off-duty New Haven police officer shot and wounded his 18-year-old daughter, apparently mistaking her for an intruder after she sneaked out of their Stratford home and re-entered through the basement.

Cryptic Subterranean has some threat assessment advice for us non-"Only Ones."

We need it, because unlike Cappy Pappy, (or would that be Coppy Poppy?) we would probably be charged.

Idaho Rifle Clinic

Western Rifle Shooters Association is having an intermediate rifle clinic on July 7/8 in Kooskia, ID.

Follow the title link to learn more, including what you'll need, what you'll learn, where you'll stay, how much it will cost, etc., and please pass the info on to your gun owner friends.

Nebraska Gun Owner Action Alert

From JoeMerchant24:

We need help here in Nebraska.

LB97 passed this morning, expanding the number of gun-free zones.

We need to get all of you to call Governor Dave Heineman at 402-471-2244 and politely ask him NOT TO SIGN LB97!!!!

There are so few days left in the session, we can pocket veto this.

There are talking points to be made to the guv at joemerchant24.blogspot.com

Thanks;
JM24

He has several posts explaining more. Please pass this info on to your friends in Nebraska and ask them to make the calls and spread the word.

MORE:

John Lott
The War on Guns

I couldn't readily find if NRA or GOA have action alerts out to their members to ask the governor to veto this bill, but due to time constraints only gave their respective sites a cursory once-over. If anyone can shed some light on this, please enter a "Comment," below.

This Day in History: May 31

Whereas by an Address presented to his Majesty by both Houses of Parliament in February last, the American Colonies are declared to be in a State of actual Rebelion, we conceive that all Laws and Commissions confirmed by, or derived from the Authority of the King or Parliament, are annulled and vacated, and the former civil Constitution of these Colinies for the present wholly suspended...

That the several Militia Companies in this county do provide themselves with proper Arms and Accoutrements, and hold themselves in Readiness to execute the commands and Directions of the Provincial Congress, and of this committee.

Snuff Poster

Sorry, couldn't resist.

And yeah, I know turning someone in to the feds is not conducive to "freedom." I'd have titled this "Heh," to indicate it's a joke, but I never was very trendy.

Still, if you don't want to get hit in the teeth with a stool, it's a pretty good idea not to start bar fights.

Welcome, Chicago Tribune

There will always be a place here at The War on Guns for "authorized journalists."

So-- are you going to report on this Mike Pfleger business, or what?

(My money's on "or what.")

Snuff Out Mike Pfleger

By now, you've probably heard of the recording of "moral authority" "Father" Michael Pfleger calling for John "R-i-g-g-i-o", the owner of a Chuck's Gun Shop (along with "legislators" who don't support citizen disarmament) to be "snuffed out."

Well like the good father says, "it's all about the Benjamins," which I guess is proof he understands street slang, and he understands what "snuff out" means among his (can you call a gaggle or a pack a "flock"?)

So what about the Benjamins, Mike? And why shouldn't your ability to apparently exploit tax laws the rest of us are forced to obey be snuffed out?

What am I talking about? Well, Mike's "church," St. Sabina, is a 501(c)(3) corporation.


That means, as a church, it's exempt from filing taxes, and contributions are tax deductible. But that also means, in order to qualify for this exemption, certain conditions must be adhered to. Per IRS Publication 557, Tax-Exempt Status for Your Organization, Chapter 3. Section 501(c)(3), "Application for Recognition of Exemption":

The organization will not, as a substantial part of its activities, attempt to influence legislation (unless it elects to come under the provisions allowing certain lobbying expenditures)...

When we look at the section on "Lobbying Expenditures," it says:

In general, if a substantial part of the activities of your organization consists of carrying on propaganda or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, your organization’s exemption from federal income tax will be denied.

Father Mike's monomaniacal "crusade" against people being able to protect themselves was evidenced not only by his appearance at the rally, not only in his pledge to continue harassing lawful businesses and the citizens who operate and patronize them, and not only by a history of disarmament advocacy (Google search terms "Michael Pfleger" gun).

All one really needs to do is look at the St. Sabina webpage:


He certainly doesn't make much effort to separate "Gun Legislation to Support in Illinois" from the rest of the church's mission, does he?

And what legislation would that be? Why don't we take a look:


What are those 501(c)(3) restrictions again?

But wait--there's more. We also see a link for "The Beloved Community, Inc." which a little searching also reveals to be a 501 (c)(3) for which contributions are tax deductible:


It might not be out of line to ask why they're listed as the "bullet" (hah!) for:

Save Our Children - STOP Gangs - Killing - Guns - Drugs - What Can I Do? Download the flier and Stop sign

especially since they answered "NO" on their 2005 Form 990, Part III, "Statement About Activities," question 1:

During the year, has the organization attempted to influence national, state or local legislation, including any attempt to influence public opinion on a legislative matter or referendum?

(I could present a picture of the form in question here, but that would violate the terms of use for the information source--but the IRS will know where to find it.)

But it probably doesn't matter anyway--because the links to the information and fliers are dead (but curiously, went to St. Sabina webpages anyway, not to the "Beloved Community" site.)

Fortunately, we have one of my favorite resources, The Wayback Machine, that archived the page in question. From it, you can download their flier:



You can print out their sign:


You can "Call legislators and tell them to pass common sense gun laws..." (How very compliant with 501(c)(3) restrictions!)

You can call the anonymous hotline (paid for with tax deductible contributions?)!

And you can even get "REWARDS!"

We will offer rewards to people who call in to our anonymous hotline 773-483-HELP (4357) and give us information that leads to finding and getting guns out of our community.

Hmm. I wonder if the funds for those were taken from tax deductible donations to the church, and how much was paid out?

These are just rhetorical questions I'm asking, mind you. I personally could never sic the IRS on anyone, as I view the entire agency to be a usurpation and a betrayal of the intent of the Founders. My purpose in posting this was merely to point out some questions that deserve to be answered.

Of course, were someone from the government to use this information and "snuff out" Mike Pfleger's ability to apparently circumvent rules the rest of us must follow, well...

This Day in History: May 30

Mr [Thomas] Willing, one of the delegates for Pensylvania, informed the Congress, that a gentleman was just arrived from London, who had brought with him a paper, which he says he recd from Lord North, and which was written, at the desire of his Lordship, by Mr. Gray Cooper, Under-Secy of the Treasury; and he understood it to be his Lordship's desire that it shod be communicated to the Congress.

Jesse's Law

"Futures not funerals!" Jackson exhorted the crowd. "Sons not guns!"

...Jackson and Revs. James Meeks and Michael Pfleger encouraged the crowd to push for stricter gun laws. They vowed that the rally was just the beginning and that civil disobedience was possible.

So Jesse is now the final arbiter of which laws should be enforced and which should be ignored?

Who does he think he is--Gavin Newsom?

[Via HZ]

How Total Gun Control Works

A PRISON employee smuggled a loaded gun into a jail...

See that? When the government controls everything, we can have all cash transactions, no background or mental health checks, no paper trail...

Maybe we've been going about this the wrong way...

Dances With Jackals

Kevin Costner is urging U.S. lawmakers to come up with a series of strict new gun legislation - even if it limits his own shooting time...Costner feels that legislators should get tough with firearms owners, who refuse to accept their practices could harm others.

Another big "but" gun owner. Come and get 'em, Kevin. Oh, that's right--you're only a hero when the cameras are rolling. You want others to take all the risks and do your dirty work for you.

Punk.

WarOnGuns Poll: Financial Support

Here are the results of last week's poll (click on image to enlarge):



Because I got a late start this week due to the long Memorial Day weekend, I'm going to postpone introducing a new poll until next Sunday.

Catch-22

Advocates for the mentally ill are questioning Houston police officers' use of stun guns on suspects with mental problems, many of whom were unarmed and then never charged with a crime.

So that's why we need to create a registry that identifies who the nutjobs are so we can keep them from buying guns--because otherwise, they might not want to be shocked, and might take steps to prevent it.

But wait a minute--that would be a rational response. And to try and prevent rational responses would be irrational...

My head hurts. Who exactly are the crazy people here again?

A So-Called Gun Nut

A legislator who has been pushing to legalize the carrying of guns in state parks says he now wants to block the mentally ill from buying weapons.

"Right now, you can get out of a mental institution in the morning and buy a gun that afternoon," said Rep. Frank Niceley, R-Strawberry Plains. "I'm a so-called gun nut, and I think that's just wrong."

But you want 'em out buying gasoline, fertilizer and box cutters, Frank? Nicely done, Frank. You appear to be another gun rights supporter with a big "but."

Either a person is a danger to himself and others--in which case, he needs to be in custodial care--or he isn't--in which case, he poses no danger.

Gun Detectors?

Mr Obara said the crackdown on illegal firearms would be spread to other parts of Garissa and Tana River districts especially now that the officers were equipped with gun detecting gadgets with a range of one kilometre.

The United States-made equipment resembles a police walkie talkie is barely a week old in the country.

A metal detector scanning wand that works when swept inches away I could believe. But "a range of one kilometre" and through cars? I'm not sure if this is ignorant reporting or intentional misinformation to throw some uncertainty into the opposing factions. Of course, I wouldn't be surprised to see something like this developed and in use some day.

We're the Only Ones Losing It Enough

Somewhere, somebody is illegally holding a loaded, semi-automatic handgun and 45 bullets that are the rightful property of the Waterloo regional police. Somewhere, and it might be on the streets of Toronto, Hamilton, Montreal or here in Waterloo Region, ordinary people face a greater threat of being shot or traumatized by violence because this stolen weapon is in the wrong hands.

This has been the situation since last Thursday when somebody took the gun and ammunition of a plainclothes officer after the officer left them unattended on a Kitchener sidewalk.

I don't understand it. Every time I leave my guns on the sidewalk, this never happens.

Thank goodness the "authorized journalists" saw fit not to name the unfortunate "Only One." I imagine the poor guy must have gone through enough already!

Good Grief!

Good grief! Is Ackermann suggesting that we should be armed all of the time in order to be prepared to deal with a person who has gone berserk?

Not at all. We should also be prepared for a host of other, more common threats. And yeah, pretty much "all the time," unless you have some magic way of determining when and where everything is safe.

You need that pointed out?

Good grief.

When You're in Wisconsin...

...be sure and avoid Badger Ammo like the plague.

Owner Mick Beatovic evidently favors throwing private sellers under the bus. How very humanitarian. I mean, there's no financial incentive to do that, is there Mick?

The Gang

A former minor tax collection department is now a billion-dollar agency.

This groundbreaking documentary exposes how this agency harasses, oppresses, intimidates, and terrifies small businesses and decent citizens.

STAND UP TO THE BATFE -- SIT DOWN AND ORDER THE GANG TODAY!

JPFO's new documentary is now available. Click on the title link to find out more and to order your own copy.

This Day in History: May 29

We most sincerely condole with you on the arrival of that day, in the course of which, the sun could not shine on a single freeman in all your extensive dominion. Be assured, that your unmerited degradation has engaged the most unfeigned pity of your sister colonies; and we flatter ourselves you will not, by tamely bearing the yoke, suffer that pity to be supplanted by contempt.

Oh, I Don't Know, Let's See...

Sen. Russ Karpisek says he’s a gun-loving redneck.

And he gets a lot of business at his meat market from hunters.

“I’m not intending to anger the NRA,” the Wilber senator said, “but why on earth would you need a concealed weapon in a hospital?”

Yeah--it's not like the friends of shot up gang members ever drop by for a visit.

Meathead. Why don't you take your "Wilber Wiener" and...

[Via JoeMerchant24]

Kaine Shows True Colors

In a move to capitalize on the VT shooting Gov. Tim Kaine of VA is looking for restrictions on how much ammo a citizen my have. He is “troubled” that a citizen could “stockpile” ammo without the police knowing about it.

Surprise, surprise.

Time to Disarm Authorized Journalists?

The editor of The Baltimore Examiner was arrested and charged with threatening his next-door neighbors with a shotgun, police said Thursday.

No! Not The Baltimore Examiner that editorialized:

Now, there’s a generation of young people who simply reach for the gun when they feel they’ve been slighted.

Not The Baltimore Examiner that admitted:

In 2002 the entire Dawson family — Carnell and Angela and their five children — were murdered in their city home for standing up to drug dealers in their neighborhood. And the state’s highest court ruled earlier this month that relatives could not sue the city for failing to protect the family, who placed 109 calls to 911 or 311 between Jan. 1, 2000, and Oct. 16, 2002, about illegal activity in their neighborhood.

While the crime was horrible, police must not be held criminally liable for failing to prevent murders.

"Authorized journalists" certainly have no problem advocating you and I can't be trusted with a gun. I wonder how much of that is projection--because they know they can't trust themselves?

The Numbers Racket

In San Francisco, there are 41,614 registered semiautomatic pistols and 14,886 revolvers, Lenore Anderson, director of the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice, told The Examiner on Thursday.

And how many are there that aren't registered, Lenore?

You have no idea, do you, you fraud.

We're the Only Ones Hambriento Enough

A 4-year-old child found a gun while out to dinner with his family at Azteca Mexican Restaurant last Saturday night...The restaurant manager confirms a police officer called and said he had left his bag at the restaurant...

I guess there will be no charges because the "authorized journalists" whose primary function is to act as a watchdog over government don't have the resources to find out who he is.

Besides:

A representative from the Tacoma Police Department says it is not a violation of policy to forget a weapon...

Not if you're an "Only One" it isn't.

[Via Paul Grant]

Thompson and Paul Leading GOP Straw Poll

It wasn't that way yesterday. No doubt the yellow stripers in the middle will dismiss this as "spamming," instead of showing how motivated gun owners are against the Big Tent Sale charlatans.

I'm a Paul man myself, but Thompson is looking pretty good on the gun issue. Those two as a team could reignite the fire in activist bellies that establishment darlings Romney, Giuliani and McCain are doing their best to douse.

[Via Joe McCutcheon]

Expert Opinions

Samaha is turning into an advocate for gun safety, though. He did not know much about the subject before his 18-year-old daughter, Reema, became a victim, but now, he said he’s becoming somewhat of an expert.

"Expert." In a month-and-a-half. How the ignorant can cheapen a word...

If Virginia Tech students had legal permits to carry firearms on campus, the panel agreed it probably wouldn’t have mattered. If anything, they said, it would have made things worse.

And you can believe it because they said so. No doubt they're experts.

"If you open fire in a school, you will be eliminated," said Frederick Rappina, a Fairfax County police officer with the youth services division, and a Robinson Secondary school resource officer.

Frederick must be an expert if he can do this while hiding behind a tree.

Lauren Glendenning has proven herself to be an expert "authorized journalist." Why, if one didn't know better, and most don't, they'd perceive this hit job to be a straight news story.

Extra Special Bonus Expert: Read the story through and you'll find a guest appearance by expert turncoat "Judas" Bob Ricker.

[Via 45superman]

SF Stormtroopers

"Just because you legally possess a gun in the sanctity of your locked home doesn't mean that we're not going to walk into that home and check to see if you're being responsible and safe in the way that you conduct your affairs," Harris said.

Cryptic Subterranean has further commentary on the communist parasite dictatorship of San Francisco.

Sad thing is, most of their slaves would ridicule this post.

We're the Only Ones Not Clicking it Enough

I know--you're not required to wear a seat belt on private property. The reason I included this post is, the other day I drove by one of those "Click it or Ticket" billboards warning us if we did not employ state-approved personal safety devices, enforcers would take us hostage and kill us if we resisted. Simultaneously, a radio spot was playing with the same message, and at the end of it, an announcer said something to the effect of "Brought to you by the US Department of Transportation."

And that got me to thinkin': Where the hell is the Constitutional authority for fedgov to be spending money on this? And why is it me and everyone I personally know will labor for the rest of our lives and not be able to sustain the cost of this boondoggle via the extorted fruits of our labors, and this is but one obscure little tentacle...

Republicans have been traditionally supported by the conservative-minded under certain assumptions: smaller government, less taxes, protective of sovereignty, supportive of gun ownership, those kinds of things...

I look at the current crop of traitors leading the pack and I look at "The Only One" currently behind the wheel and fear the sell-out is damn near complete.

[Via WmH]

This Day in History: May 25

Follow title link to learn more.

Oh, Look: Rudy's Our Pal Now

I take back everything I ever said.

[Via Dan Gifford]

Why is NRA Ignoring Santa Barbara Gun Owners?

I've been compiling "testimonials" from Santa Barbara area gun owners concerning their attempts to contact NRA about their A rating and endorsement of anti-gun Sheriff Bill Brown. Note that in some cases, I do not have permission to use full names, but I would be able to produce evidence via emails should I ever be required to do so--plus many of them were copied to NRA reps, and phone records of calls exist.

This will be a long post, but I think you'll get the gist pretty quickly. Also note that I have not edited the original emails for spelling or grammar.

From Larry Rankin:

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 there calls. NRA's response...call Ed. I have a Friend who call Ed a 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.

To be very honest, I do believe the NRA would like this to go a way by not addressing the issue! The only way this will go away at this point...is NOT with just an apology and we will not support Sheriff Bill Brown with an "A" as we did to help him get into office! They were warned by me and by David Codrea about this before he was elected!

Now NRA head quarters needs to call me and I can set up a game plan with them. This needs to be on a conference call, with the group, "Santa Barbara CCW United". Any thing less will not be accessible!

From BL:

R: Ed Worley _ I called and left a message - result: NADA! I called Virginia, was told to call Sacramento, I replied that was useless and the woman in Vir said, "We don't know about that," or words to that effect. What a load of crap.

From Gerhard Paul:

David, i was a paid voting member of the NRA but decided not to renew my membership because of the very same problems we are having now regarding Ed Worley! This is not new from the NRA in regards to giving "A" rating that should be "F".

You can use my name. Gerhard Paul former paid voting member of NRA

From JS:

My confidence in the ability of the NRA to defend the Second Amendment has been sagging for years , while my support of Gun Owners of America has increased . My vote for Sheriff Brown was based strictly upon the NRA recommendation and went against the advice of more informed local citizens!

One can only wonder how the NRA ever came up with its recommendation !! ??

From Jim Berkley:

Larry Rankin forwarded me your request for experiences calling the NRA to report Brown’s “anti” policies.

I was a holder of a CCW permit for 6 years prior to Brown’s election. I received an orange card from the NRA before the election endorsing Brown.

Although nothing changed re my “need” for a permit, Brown did not renew my CCW permit when I came up for renewal in Feb. I met with Brown and he stated allegiance to the NRA and the 2nd amendment, but that he didn’t want people carrying guns. Not sure how you reconcile those two ideas but he didn’t seem to have any trouble with it.

I called the NRA in Fairfax and told them what the situation was. I was told to call the Sacramento office which I did. A receptionist answered the phone and I told her that we had a new Sheriff, Mr Brown, and that he had been endorsed by the NRA and duly elected. The purpose of my call was to notify them that something had gone terribly wrong because he was actively denying existing permit holders and when I got together with him he made it clear that he did not want people carrying guns.

She said that the lobbyist, Ed Worley, would be very interested to hear this and took my number and said he would call back.

Two weeks passed without a return call, so I called the Sacrament office again. I left a message on Worley’s voice mail and also one on Steve Hellsley’s e-mail. Both messages were very nice and basically said you guys need to know what this man is up to so it doesn’t happen again.

It has been over a month since I left those messages.

Hope this helps – feel free to email me or call if you have any questions or need further info.

From RD:

I don’t know why the NRA does not support its members.

They do not return calls and the only people you can find at the NRA is those who will take your money!

From TB:

I wish to add my voice of protest to the NRA's policy of giving high pro-gun ratings to political candidates that have not proved themselves worth of our support.

I can understand how this could happen if a candidate falseifies his response to the NRA questionnaire. But there is no excuse for the NRA's maintaining their support and not informing the voters that the candidate misstated his positions and changing their rating to a a far lower grade.

Sincerely

TB
NRA member

From KD:

David - I recently dissolved my association with both the NRA and FNRA committee. My reason for doing so was the NRA's lack of response to my repeated requests for a return call to discuss Sheriff Brown's position on concealed carry in Santa Barbara County. I can no longer support an organization which, in the light of clear evidence, will not step up and recognize its mistake in endorsing Sheriff Brown. I will neither renew my NRA membership, nor will I assit in FNRA fund raising, until the NRA publicly decries Sheriff Brown's tactics and reassigns an "F" rating, as is
appropriate.

From Steve:

i called worleys office a few minutes ago. the lady i spoke to was very nice, but said she didn't know why he isn't returning calls. she gave me randy kozuch's number. he is director of state and local affairs. worley's boss. the first lady said to go up the chain of command. randy is supposed to call me back.

More from Steve:

I called Ed Worley Tuesday morning. I asked his secretary after stating my business in regards to the above subject, why hasn't or doesn't he return the calls people have asked him for? She said she didn't know why, but I could call HIS boss. Randy Kozuch is the Director of State and Local Affairs, and is a name I had not seen or heard of in my correspondence with Larry . Kozuch's "secretary" said he was out to lunch (approx 1100hrs-I didn't believe her) and would return my call when he came back. I left my number, and have not heard from him.

From PS:

I called the office of the NRA Manager of Governmental Affairs Executive Director Ed Worley 5-15-07 at 9:45 am PST.

I spoke with Intern Dan Reed who is a good 2nd Amendment proponent, and is law student at McGeorge Law School.

I stated that many people whom I know had called his office in the last 2 months and were upset that the NRA had given an A rating to then candidate Bill Brown for Sheriff of Santa Barbara County, CA. He said "This is about Mr. Rankin, right?". I said that many NRA members will not renew, nor will they contribute another penny to the NRA, including life members. I said that everyone whom I know who is informed about the rating, and once Sheriff not renewing Carry Concealed Weapon permits to long time holders, and not providing a questionnaire to then incumbent Sheriff Jim Anderson, is upset and will stay upset about the NRA misleading them. And that those persons will communicate loudly and clearly to all their friends, family and co workers and tell them to re-direct the funds they had given the NRA for years, to GOA, 2nd Amendment Foundation, JPFO and other actually pro-gun organizations with backbone and accountability.

Dan said that he'd been there 5 months 3 days a week and that all he could do was make notes in the call log and forward the message to Ed Worley. I said that many people of my acquaintance had called Ed already, multiple times, and that NO ONE had been called back by Ed Worley. Dan said that he had the call log, and "only a couple" of people had called, which I know personally to be untrue. The call log may not have been entered to reflect the calls, but people have told me they've called. I told Dan that people had also called Fairfax to complain, and been promised return calls, and again no one had ever been called back, in spite of repeated calls (as many as 4 from the same person within a 2 week period). Dan told me that it concerned him to hear people disgruntled and not supporting the NRA. He said again that all he could do was forward the subject and message of the call to Ed Worley. I told him to leave the NRA and get a position at an organization that had integrity.

Dan said I could also call Fairfax, which I did, immediately. I spoke with a mature sounding woman who didn't provide her name. I relayed the same story and message. She said that candidates must request a questionnaire, and that I should call the lobbyist (Ed Worley) in charge of the my area. I said that I just had, and that Ed Worley hasn't returned any of many calls from many people, and in fact has been completely uncooperative, unresponsive, irresponsible and people feel totally insulted. I then stated that the same people had called her office (the office of Chris Cox) and been promised return calls, and that calls would be made to Larry Rankin, and those people provided his phone number, and called back and been re-promised and again, no calls returned to them or calls to Larry Rankin.
She said that she'd pass on the message to Chris Cox.

From WT:

I had already decided not to donate this year as well as not contribute dues to the Golden Eagles. No one at the NRA acknowledged my letters (to three different officers) that were sent in April.

Too bad the principals stated by the NRA are not followed. For any years they have been at the forefront defending the rights of gun owners, but have apparently become an unwieldy bureaucracy.

It's evident the powers that be are hoping this will go away. Too bad.

It can't--not until the political "experts" come clean with why they misled their members on Brown's stance on their right to keep and bear arms, and come up with some way of ensuring they deserve credibility on future ratings and endorsements.

One thing is for sure--ignoring all these requests is no way to endear grassroots supporters to an organization that purports to represent their interests.

There will be a "Friends of NRA" dinner on June 2. Mr. Rankin is contacting Santa Barbara gun owners to boycott the event and sponsors not to donate to it. It's a shame it's come down to this, but it's also understandable. I'll keep an eye on this and report any developments that merit attention.

One final word: I also tried contacting NRA before my first post on this matter, and got the same runaround and lack of response as the people above. I repeat the offer I made last October:

If anyone authorized to speak for NRA wishes to post a response, I will be happy to post it in its entirety.

UPDATE:

Well, we got somebody's attention (click to enlarge)...



Come on out fellas. Talk to us.

"A Proud Product of the Memphis City Schools"

You don't say.

I'm No Dick Cheney Fan...

...but what a shamefully exploitive way for an obvious democrat to make a cheap political point. And the left accuses us of having "no sense of decency."

I call these types "gun owners with big buts," and they certainly seem to be coming out of the woodwork lately.

Peace Through the Police State

“Anyone brandishing a firearm and is not a member of the armed forces or of the police will be arrested,” Duterte said today in a statement. “And if that someone is a bodyguard of a politician, the politician will be arrested as well,” he said. “This is how we will do it, we just have to be really firm in applying the law and protecting the people.”

See, it helps that Duterte is mayor--that way, his bodyguards--the armed forces and the police--are exempted.

Hopefully There's a Middle Ground

Should everyone be armed, or should handguns be banned altogether? Hopefully, there is a middle ground that would be a step in the right direction.

There's that lie again.

No Sense of Decency

If you want to know why the gun debate is so bitter, look inside the community room of the Mason District government center. There you could find plenty of guns, but no sense of decency to bind a community.

Mary Cocco proves she's self-righteous and ignorant.

Rudy #1 With Gun Owners?

Rudy Giuliani, a supporter of gun control, still comes out on top with gun owners, a new survey has found.

The above ought to be all a gun owner concerned about his rights needs to see.

The Daily News and the Gallup organization are hardly reliable and unbiased source for gun rights-related information.

Poll results and methodology are here. Of the "2,013 adults, aged 18 and older" surveyed, the sample contained "670 gun owners." Left unsaid is whether these were registered voters, if so, whether they were high propensity voters, whether the survey participants were a representative cross section, what questions were asked, and if the gun owners were highly motivated, indicative of a level of commitment. Also, gun ownership crosses party lines, and the report admits "[i]n the Democratic primaries, gun owners seem just as inclined as non-owners to support Clinton."

I hardly hold myself out to be a polling expert, but this appears to be a case "of sound and fury signifying nothing." If anyone with credentials would like to weigh in and either confirm or challenge my assumptions, or if you just want to say your piece about this, well, that's why there's a "Comments" section below.

[More on Rudy from WarOnGuns]

This Day in History: May 24

I find that the American Affairs, on this Side of the Atlantick, are in a State of disorder, very much resembling that, which is so much to be regretted on the other. Our Resources are very inadequate to the demands upon Us, which are perhaps increased unnecessarily increased, by several irregularities of Proceeding. We have, in some places, two or three Persons, who claim the Character of American Agents; Agents for commercial Affairs; and continental Agents, for they are called by all these different Appellations.

Speaking of Führers...

These powers, of course, will be inherited by Hillary...or whichever democrat this scary individual is intent on guaranteeing the presidency to.

Not that we should be surprised--by this, or by the viciousness with which the GOP establishment is going after Ron Paul.

What's in a Name?

Claire comments on "Czars."

My longstanding question remains:

How come we never call them "Führers"?

Message for Gun Dealers: STOP BEING STUPID

The owners of Keller Gun Works Inc. pleaded guilty to firearms violations stemming from the sale of a rifle to an undercover federal agent and allowing another person to complete the required paperwork, U.S. Attorney Catherine Hanaway said Tuesday.

Yes, I know, this regulation is an infringement. But for right now, it is what it is, and we're seeing far too many gun shops getting closed down because the people behind the counter think cutting corners is going to get them something besides a world of hurt. I can't believe experienced dealers with a proprietary interest in their business and their freedom acted this negligently.

It's not rocket science. There are forms that need to be properly and completely filled out, ID that needs to be produced, a check that needs to be run, records that need to be kept. There are practices to follow and behaviors to beware that everyone is well aware of--and if not, is too damned oblivious to trust anyway.

Note to gun dealers and their employees: In case you haven't noticed, BATFU is doing its best to close you down and prosecute you with criminal charges and financial penalties. They are strongly motivated, they will mess you up nine ways from Sunday, and they will enjoy the experience.

Deal courteously with all customers, but always bear in mind they may be agents, they may be informants--even long time customers and "friends"--you don't know who's got what on them, and they may be turning you over to save themselves. That's the way it works--that's why they call this sort of thing "corruption."

Don't be tempted by the prospect of a sale to cut corners. Whatever benefit you perceive just ain't worth the risk if it turns out you're being set up. And be prepared to summarily fire any employee who jeopardizes your business.

I can't believe it's me endorsing anyone to obey "gun laws," but there it is--we need to live with the reality, not in my fantasy "maybe someday" world of going down to the local hardware store and picking up an MP5.

Because We All Know You'll Be Safer When You're Defenseless

Mayors from across the state joined Gov. Ed Rendell at a rally Tuesday urging lawmakers to enact tougher gun-control laws.

Besides, as we can see from the previous post, they've got everything under control.

Urban constituencies--is there anything they don't know?

The Authorities Will Protect Us

The United States is just as vulnerable to attack as it was on 9-11, particularly now that street gangs are draining resources from law enforcement agencies working to head off future attacks, a panel of terrorism experts said Monday.

Speaking at a forum at UCLA, officials said the war on terrorism has been replaced by the war on gangs - a huge concern in Los Angeles, which has an estimated 40,000 gang members and is an attractive target for terrorists.
Sword Medical

"We are not safe, and we will not be safe for many years," Los Angeles Police Department Deputy Chief Mark Leap said at the forum sponsored by the university's School of Public Affairs.

Threats from without, threats from within. According to "the professionals' " own assessment, "WE ARE NOT SAFE."

The solution?

Enforce citizen disarmament. Prohibit people from keeping and bearing arms, and prosecute them if they do in spite of your edicts.

If the terrorists do manage to stage a large scale attack on LA, who thinks responder resources will be available to protect their neighborhoods? And as for the 40,000 gang members that those imposing the general disarmament are so concerned about creating sanctuary for, at what other time and place in history would such a force be considered anything other than an occupying army? And if terrorist hell breaks loose, does anyone think they'll be sitting idly by while the only force even marginally containing them is occupied elsewhere?

We're the Only Ones Implementing Segregation Enough

Currently the public is free to come and go at the Statehouse through 13 different doors. Beginning Jun. 4 entry will come through one of just two doors: the second floor door on the east side of the building or the first floor door on the west side.

I wonder if we'll also have separate restrooms and water fountains?

But while the building may be free from weapons carried by members of the public, some of the people who work in the building will still be armed.

"The rule allows for members of the judiciary because I believe there is a separate statute authorizing them to carry a firearm. Legislators are exempt, too, pursuant to the rule," said Brian Renner, Indiana Department of Administration.

Just like the old days! Besides, "The Only Ones' " lives are so much more valuable than yours and mine.

[Via Mike H]

Truth Laid Bare

Per Blogger links:

Per Truth Laid Bear:

I've had problems with this utility before, to the point where I've removed their code from my template and just said the hell with it. I realize this site--along with most gun blogs-- is no great shakes when it comes to site traffic and linkage compared to, say, anything having to do with Paris or Britney, but dammit, the numbers presented as representative of what we do earn shouldn't be this off. Yeah, I know, mountain out of a molehill, but when you earn very little, every little bit counts. Besides, they promise it's the "truth."

Jesse Jackson Endorses Slavery

Metropolitan areas -- where most people live -- have no use for gun peddlers, for people packing concealed weapons, for kids fighting gang wars with assault weapons. If given their choice, most citizens in cities and suburbs would simply ban handguns, ban assault weapons and ban gun shops and gun dealers. Hunters could buy their guns in the rural areas where they hunt.

Yeah, I'm sure fathers in "the community" not being there for their offspring have nothing to do with any of this, right, "Reverend"? And I'm sure all your supporters have their own bodyguards?

[Via HZ]