Negotiate Rights Away

Senior Democrats have reached agreement with the National Rifle Association on what could be the first federal gun-control legislation since 1994, a measure to strengthen significantly the national system that checks the backgrounds of gun buyers.

I certainly don't recall authorizing NRA to negotiate on my behalf in this matter. Anybody else?

The sensitive talks began in April, days after a mentally ill gunman killed 32 students and teachers at Virginia Tech University.

"Sensitive talks"? Does that mean public policy determination meetings--with agreements that will bind those of us neither aware of them nor in attendance--were held and not open for scrutiny or input?

The political left wants to convince everyone via their "authorized journalist" co-conspirators that NRA was instrumental in exploiting the Virginia Tech tragedy.

They apparently have been--but not in the way they've been accused. Kind of a cynical game having the Bradys bitch and moan about having their water carried for them by their supposed opponents.

In fact, "days after" the VT incident, Wayne LaPierre was blogging on everybody to cool it and "Stop Exploiting Tragedy":

We've been debating gun control in this country for decades now. What does it hurt to pause for a few days in the midst of a tragedy to let the families of the victims grieve in peace, without being turned into a poster child either for gun rights or gun control? The answer, frankly, is it doesn't hurt anyone.

What it hurts, Wayne, is people who are being prosecuted right now, every day, for perceived infractions of citizen disarmament laws. Businesses are being closed down. Patriots with health problems are all but forgotten in jail. And people's lives are being endangered every day, right now, and will continue to be, until these unconstitutional infringements are repealed, not strengthened.

Someone's right to grieve may not exact a requirement that puts the rest of us at risk. And if we're going to stop the train every time there's a new outrage--one only made possible by these stupid and evil "existing gun laws" you seem so keen on enforcing--we will never get anywhere. Why does that suggest an agenda?

Have you had enough time, Wayne? Or does NRA under your reign still advocate that places like Virginia Tech should be Second Amendment-Free/Seung-Hui Cho Empowerment Zones?

Another Cryptic Only Ones Twofer

We're the Only Ones Meeting Our Match Enough

At that point the other man got out of his car and pulled a gun on Treptow, whose wife and two children were also in the car with him. With no opportunity to move quickly away from the gunman who was now only feet away, Treptow fired his own weapon three times, scoring hits in both legs and grazing his arm.

Turns out that Mr. Road Rage, who was apparently not injured badly as he has been released from hospital, is an undercover police officer.

It speaks volumes that Treptow was not immediately charged.

We're the Only Ones Going Off All By Ourselves Enough

The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office says Deputy Jonathan Lopes was asleep at home when he was startled awake by a sudden noise.

The fourty-nine-year-old deputy grabbed for his firearm and it discharged. The bullet struck Lopes in the leg.

I guess that's a bit more extreme than racking the slide to scare off an intruder, but it worked...

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

When Guns are Outlawed We'll Find a Way

In a society where individuals don't trust the authorities to protect their interests, people are taking the law into their own hands with homemade firearms.

Oh, goodness. Why wouldn't people in the Phillipines trust the authorities?

[Via Joe W]

This Day in History: June 10

Two days ago, We saw a very wonderfull Phoenomenon in this City -- a field Day, on which three Battallions of Soldiers were reviewed, making full two thousand Men. Battallion Men, Light Infantry, Grenadiers, Rifle Men, Light Horse, Artillery Men, with a fine train, all in Uniforms, going thro the manual Exercise and the Maneuvres, with remarkable Dexterity. All this has been accomplished in this City, since the 19th. of April. So sudden a formation of an Army never took Place any where.

Distrust and Verify

The nation’s most respected Sportsmen association has endorsed Senator Emmett Hanger on his re-election campaign and for the June 12th primary this coming Tuesday...

The NRA Political Victory Fund has publicly endorsed Hanger and is encouraging all its members to vote June 12 to return Hanger to the Virginia Senate.

Why? What does Hanger really believe about gun ownership and use rights?

From his website:

Gun Rights

As a rural legislator, I have long been a leading advocate for the protection of 2nd Amendment rights.

From consistently opposing legislation intended to chip away at gun owner rights, to patroning key legislation to afford statewide protection of this constitutional right, I am regarded as a leader in the Senate on this issue.

I am proud of my A+ rating from the National Rifle Association and have a clear record of consistency on this issue over the years. I also am pleased to be a Republican co-chair of the Sportsman Caucus in the General Assembly.

I don't see much in terms of specifics here. And the problem is, what with the Sheriff Bill Brown 'A' rating endorsement fiasco-- and NRA's refusal to address numerous, oftentimes multiple sustained efforts by members (for months) to find out how that happened and what's to prevent it from happening again-- the Association has created conditions where its credibility on political endorsements is-- and should be-- questioned.

Candidly, why should we trust people who have let us down? Do we accept their endorsement on blind faith, or do we maybe peel back a few layers and examine things a bit more closely?

We might ask why, for instance, the Virginia Gun Owners Coalition gave Hanger a "C minus".

We might ask why he ignored a 2003 Virginia Citizens Defense League survey altogether. We might also ask why Hanger's independent (libertarian) challenger in the November 2007 election Arin Sime, issued a press release stating "that he agrees with the VCDL’s position stating that SB827 would greatly burden gun sellers and is a step in the wrong direction for second amendment rights."

And what about Hanger's Republican challenger for the June 12 primary, Scott Sayre? Apparently, gun rights aren't important enough to list on his "Issues" page (interesting he posted a Virginia Tech memorial black ribbon logo--I wonder what his solution for preventing future massacres would be?). A Google search for the terms "Scott Sayre" + gun doesn't give us much insight, either, although there is a link to a VCDL post, indicating that as of a few weeks ago, he had not returned their questionnaire. It doesn't look like he's all that interested. But he is, according to a support blog, "an avid turkey hunter," for what it's worth.

And what about Democrat candidate David Cox? Perhaps it's not fair to make assumptions based on the fact that he's an Episcopal priest, but I just can't find anything about his position, or even how to ask him--searching for his name doesn't result in any readily-accessible campaign website or blog.

Look, I don't mean to malign Sen. Hanger--I really don't know that much about him, and what I do see is vague. He may be a fine politician and the best hope for Virginia gun owners. But what I know--from bitter experience--is not to automatically accept NRA ratings as the final word. And since Mr. Sime looks very good on RKBA, there ought to be a more credible way to determine who will best serve the interests of Virginia gun owners.

There is. I developed this political questionnaire some years back. It would be interesting to see if any of these candidates would respond, and if so, how:

1. Do you believe that the Constitution is the "supreme law of the land," that the Bill of Rights acknowledges the birthrights of all Americans, and that the Second Amendment was intended to protect the right of the people to keep and bear arms from being infringed?

2. If so, should these rights be proactively protected from infringement by all levels of government, including city, county and state? How?

3. Who are the Constitutional militia?

4. Please give some examples of gun control laws you consider do not infringe on the right of the people to keep and bear arms. Please share as many as you can think of.

5. Please give some examples of gun control laws you consider unconstitutional.

6. Does the right to bear arms include the right for any peaceable citizen to carry them concealed without a permit, as in Vermont?

7. Do you believe that Americans have a right to own, use and carry weapons of military pattern?

8. Do you support or oppose registration of weapons? Why?

9. Do you support or oppose licensing requirements to own or carry firearms? Why?

10. What specific gun laws will you work to get repealed?

11. If elected, will you back your words of support for firearms rights up with consistent actions? How?

13. If brief clarification is requested for any of your answers, will you provide it?

I'll send a link to this post to both campaigns, and report back on any responses or lack thereof...meanwhile, if anyone has knowledge to share about any of these candidates, feel free to educate us in the "Comments" section to this post.

UPDATE:

Let Us Reason Together

"Was it upsetting to have nobody call me from the archdiocese? Yeah," Pfleger said. "I mean, why not call me? Why not ask me?"

You mean like you did with "John R-I-G-G-I-O," Snuffy?

"My message is, 'We're going to keep putting pressure on gun shop owners and legislators until we have common sense gun laws,'" Pfleger said.

And he's going to continue using his 501(c)(3) corporation to do it.

Taking Steps Across the Border

Attorney General Alberto Gonzales said Friday that Washington is taking steps to address Mexican concerns the U.S. is not doing enough to stop illegal weapons from being smuggled across the border and into the hands of brutal drug gangs.

Oh, look--the Bush Administration is finally getting serious about border security!

[Via Skip]

We're the Only Ones Administratively Competent Enough

A 51-year-old Kissimmee woman was thrown in jail for nine days all because of a case of mistaken identity. She went to the police station to get fingerprinted for a new job and that's when her troubles started...

Carrasquillo spent nine days in the county jail before someone at the Kissimmee Police Department checked the identity of the New York suspect and realized they didn't match.

This reminds me of something that happened to my family several years ago. Our car was stolen in the middle of the night. We filed the appropriate police and insurance reports. After a few weeks, it was all but certain we'd never see the car again, so we went and bought a new one. It was an economy model and we didn't want monthly payments, so we bought it outright from our savings and the insurance settlement check. That afternoon we got a call from the cops--they found our car. Three blocks away. Essentially undamaged. With three parking violation tickets on it's windshield from the same police department investigating the theft.

You wouldn't believe the time and convolutions we had to go through to get those tickets rescinded, because that involved yet a third department. Naturally, the insurance company wanted its money back. And now we had three cars while only needing two, and a much smaller savings account.

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

We're the Only Ones Not Provoked Enough

Security video from the Jefferson Tap and Grille appears to show an off-duty Chicago police officer holding a pistol in one hand and using his other to sweep a ball into the corner pocket of a pool table, interrupting four businessmen's game and starting an ugly, physical confrontation...

Over the next few minutes, five other officers join in the fray, grabbing and striking, and throwing the businessmen to the floor and against walls, the videotape shows. The businessmen do not appear to hit back or retaliate.

But "[t]he officers' attorneys said they believe the video indicates the alleged victims in the case -- the four businessmen -- were the actual instigators." And they're not below playing the sympathy card, one of them is distraught because his father died--NINE MONTHS AGO. Just what we need--an emo powderkeg with a gun and a badge.

These are the goons Snuffy Pfleger wants to give a monopoly of power to. Ditto Boss Daley: did you see the video I linked to the other day, and catch catch what that squinting wormtongue said? It starts 13 minutes and 11 seconds into the "report":

We have to get the conscience of every adult to say "it's wrong to have a gun."

Unless, of course, you're a Chicago "Only One."

[Via HZ]

We're the Only Ones Carjacking Enough

[L]aw enforcement intentionally caused an accident and stole a car, along with Defendant’s and Ms. Volerio-Perez’s personal effects – all to effectuate an administrative seizure that could have been done with flashing lights and sirens. In reading the facts of this case, one cannot help but be shocked and outraged by the manner in which the DEA agents chose to effectuate an administrative seizure.

But it just happened to some drug-running lowlifes, right? No need to worry "The Only Ones" would ever do this to gun owners.

Besides, the Ninth Circuit maintains you have no individual right to own them anyway.

[Via Jeffrey H]

This Day in History: June 9

In Congress, Friday, June 9, 1775. Resolved that no obedience being due to the Act of Parliament for altering the charter of the Colony of Massachusetts-Bay, nor to a governor or lieutenant governor...

Click on the image to enlarge it.

BREAKING NEWS: BATFU ATTEMPTS DEATH BLOW TO RED'S CASE

Per Ryan Horsley:

Just to let you know the ATF has filed for a Summary Judgment.

Stay tuned. We're about to see what this Judge Lodge is made of.

Hide or Seek?

As reporters we pay attention to context and we are limited in time and space. Jim had 70 lines to write his story. I have 24 hours in my day.

Manya Brachear, aka The Seeker ("on a quest for Truth--with a capital T"), comes up with some excuses on why The Chicago Tribune didn't think a priest inciting a mob to "snuff out" a gun store owner was newsworthy enough to even mention.

Other readers of the blog have raised an interesting issue about the church's involvement in political activism. It certainly doesn't take place only at St. Sabina. Certainly fodder for another discussion in weeks to come.

Thing about news, Manya, and being an "authorized journalist" one would think you'd know this, is that it's considered news because it's timely, hence the disinterest exemplified in the old saying "yesterday's news." The time to discuss this is not "in weeks to come"--it is now.

You've already laid the groundwork for the "Billy's mom let's him do it" excuse, but I think I've presented enough evidence to show those getting a pass on this are cut from the same cloth as Snuffy Pfleger. Funny, how when more traditional evangelicals open their yaps, the political left suddenly gets all indignant and watchdoggy and everything.

So you have no intention of reporting on the St Sabina/tax abuse angle, do you, "Truth" Seeker? You probably don't get enough lines, and besides, there are only 24 hours in your day.

Feel free to add comments to the article this post's title links to--but be careful and "keep the comments here civilized, reasoned and polite. If the discussion devolves into name calling, comments will be closed."

See, if the truth hurts, we'd rather hide than seek.

JPFO Creates Red's Resource Page

We want to make sure that we help Red's in every way possible against this thuggish organization. We've created a page at www.jpfo.org/redstradingpost.htm where you can find all the links, alerts, and documents relating to this case. Don't forget to visit Red's blog regularly too -- there's plenty of activity, so it's updated regularly.

Have you written a letter to the judge yet? If not, why not?

We're the Only Ones Elastic Enough

The boy was using a rubber band gun and his father said the kid did nothing wrong, but police said they take it as a serious threat and the 11-year-old is facing felony charges...

He also confirmed that the gun was black, but that it looked more like a stick than a gun.

Besides...he was just pretending to be an "Only One."

This lets me segue into a tangentially related post I was going to do independently until rubber bands and law enforcement became a news nexus. Perhaps dismissal of charges will not be so swift to come should the horrible act of civil disobedience I'm pondering be a catalyst for a response.

Y'see, my oldest boy's braces just came off. One of the things he had to do was put rubber bands on his teeth as well. I'd never really noticed the fine print on the package before:

Caution: U.S. Federal Law restricts this device to sale by or on the order of an orthopedic [orthodontic--see Comments] professional.

The restricted contraband in question is that tiny latex circle in the top of the picture, which our all-knowing Federal Overlords have deemed us mere tax cows too untrustworthy to possess without their sanction. If we defy them, why I imagine the penalties could be quite severe. We might get our groins kicked--assuming they stormtroop in to the right address. It might even be worse--we could be killed and have our property seized--who knows? I mean, we're dealing with people who would close down a family business over forms being filed chronologically rather than alphabetically. We're dealing with people who would gun down an old lady and lie about it and plant false evidence. We're dealing with people who would shoot a mother in the head while she's holding her baby, or burn down citizens and their children in a private church.

So who's in for some civil disobedience? Who wants to buy a rubber band? All I'm asking is a penny.

[Rubber band gun link via Jeffrey H, who bears no culpability for the rest of my post]

We're the Only Ones Unable to Testify Enough

A prosecutor dropped charges against a woman who was arrested for staring at and making faces at a police dog. After all, the prosecutor reasoned, the four-legged witness can't testify.

Something about the proper relationship between government and governed comes to mind.. I'm sure the Founders intended for humans to be subservient to animals.

This report is from yesterday, June 7. I don't know if the charges were dropped then or the day before. Whichever it turns out to be, we ought to make that "National Stare at a Police Dog Day."

[Via Jeffrey H]

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

Activists Boycott Santa Barbara FONRA Over Brown

From Larry Rankin:

This is a letter I sent out and we used while calling many sponsors that donated to the Santa Barbara Friends of NRA last year. We are boycotting the dinner...the NRA needs to understand that when they hurt us, we can hurt them back. I am a life member of the NRA, I fostered and built the foundation for the very first Friends of NRA dinner in Santa Barbara and I realize many will say that the Friends of NRA is different than ILA...they need to understand that the NRA, is the NRA, is the NRA and that they are accountable for their actions, or lack of!

We are requesting that you do not donate or be a sponsor or attend the Friends of the NRA banquet this year. The reason is that the NRA helped get Sheriff Bill Brown elected. They knew that he was anti gun because I personally contacted them well before election day, as did David Codrea, who is a writer for, "The War on Guns." The NRA did not bother to return either one of our calls. We know that the reason is that they deliberately got him elected knowing that he wasn't the most pro- gun candidate.

Many people have called the NRA in Sacramento and Fairfax, VA, from Santa Barbara area about this issue and they have not returned anyone's calls. Sheriff Bill Brown has not renewed the majority of CCW holders in Santa Barbara County since becoming Sheriff. We want to make a statement with the NRA that the Santa Barbara community of gun owners and 2nd Amendment patriots can make a difference, with our votes and our dollars. If people go to the Friends of the NRA dinner, the NRA will feel that they do not have to be accountable.

We have stopped a very high percentage of sponsors and members from going to the NRA dinner by making these calls and letting them know the truth. They will see the lowest count, in Santa Barbara's NRA dinner history. We will give you a count after the dinner June 2nd, 2007.

Update: The dinner took place as scheduled on June 2nd, 2007. They had 90 people that paid to show up at the Friends of NRA fundraiser. Many called in to say they could not come or were no-shows. Seventy (70) people did show and a few came in and purchased tickets at the door. They had around 25 free tickets which they gave out and figured they had a total of around 100. The Elk's Club had a minimum of 125 dinners. They had no real bidding in the auction. Sam Neeley, the auctioneer, made a speech about the sheriff and how many were unhappy with what is was doing (not about the NRA helping cause the problem) and the people should support the NRA and not stay away from these events by boycotting them because it only hurts you. This of course is self-serving for him because he did not make much money on the auction.

The NRA had a check written to them at the end of the event for $2,800. Anyone that knows about fundraisers know that is like breaking even.

It was said that many were really ticked off at me for starting the boycott and because they found out we had called many past patriots of the function. I will say, I am proud of what I did and I understand many of them can not see out of the box. I will stand behind my action with my head up high! I will boycott the event next year if the NRA does not call and do what they should have done many months ago. That will not be, "I am sorry", it will be a lot more involved. Keeping that under hat for how. As of today, June 7, 2007, we have not been contacted by the NRA and we know they are well aware of what they have done to us. They even checked out the posting on "The War on Guns" website.

I want to thank each and every one of you that supported us on this very important issue!

With warmest appreciation,

Larry R. Rankin

Y'know That "Loophole"...?

"More proof that American gun shows are the source...

Take a close look. This could be us in a few decades.

[Via Joe W]

UPDATE: Per Joe W, "You should note that the prices for bullets and guns at that Israeli market aren't very cheap. 8 shekels a bullet is like 1.70. Also, the 1000 Jordanian Dinars for an AK makes it cost 1400USD. The grenade prices are VERY reasonable, though.

"I hear in Israel that the M16 is used by terrorists a lot, my guess more than the AK. They can just go rob the IDF armory rather than running it across the border to Egypt. There's also various inside jobs that can occur, too. "

Mommy Dearest

I had my video camera with me and at this time, and notified one of the organizers “Laura” that I intended to film the meeting. This is when the nasty, rude, and spiteful nature of this woman became apparent. She hissed at me “You will not film this meeting. We won’t allow it so please keep your camera turned off”. She repeated the statement a few more times perhaps thinking that I have a difficulty grasping our native language. She then turned from me and walked away, then hesitated, turned around and addressed all of us as a group saying “And don’t touch any of the food either, this table (pointing to the food and drink table) is not for you”.

Lovely. If my Mom was ever like this, I'd have asked Dad to get her on meds. To think there are a million of these creatures...but thank goodness we know their numbers aren't anywhere near that.

Naked Shoplifter give us the prequel to The Million Mom Show. And that one guest stars Judas, too!

Cardinal Pflogs Pfleger

The cardinal said in his statement: “Publicly delivering a threat against anyone’s life betrays the civil order and is morally outrageous, especially if this threat came from a priest.”

Better watch out, Cardinal George--he might threaten to snuff you.

And rather than be contrite, the renegade Snuffy Pfleger is predictably stiff-necked and defiant:

I thought things were getting better.

Not if Americans United for Separation of (Evangelical Churches) and State ever get off their hypocritical leftist duffs and apply the same standard to St. Sabina as they do to fundamentalist churches, Snuffster old boy.

[Via Armed and Safe]

We're the Only Ones Crotchety Enough

Annapolis police raided the wrong apartment Wednesday night, using flash grenades and kicking a resident in the groin before they realized their mistake, police and the family said.

And the place they wanted to raid was empty.

Since when did they start teaching kicking someone in the nads at the Academy?

My favorite line: "We don't know how the mistake was made..."

Yeah, it would appear "Only One" intelligence certainly was lacking. And "confidential information," too.

I also love how the mouthpiece says "the incident was regrettable." Somehow, it's rare that the perpetrators are the ones with the real regrets, because even if the department is sued, the settlement will come from the population being terrorized.

[Via TH and Cryptic Subterranean]

What McAuliffe Said

Nuts!

Everybody welcome Mike H to the blogosphere.

Is Red's Being Set Up With Attempted Straw Purchase?

I then asked what kind of gun she was looking for. She quickly stated "Beretta" as she paced back and forth between the revolvers and semi-autos. She then said "...or what do you carry?" indicating the firearm on my hip. "It is a Smith & Wesson M&P 40 caliber." I stated. "I would probably take one of those." she quickly stated, as she then looked at the gentleman near the end of the store.

He then came up to speak with her, they began to audibly whisper, in which she stated "I don't think I would pass a background check." Then they both quickly looked up as if to see if I was paying attention. I then moved down the counter out of earshot, seeming disinterested in the sale because at this point I have a really bad feeling in my gut.
They then moved down the counter in my direction, where she said "I don't think I have my drivers license." He then stated "I will go out to the car and check to see if it is in there."

No, Ryan, I don't think you're being paranoid at all. Matter of fact, the timing is so convenient, I'd bet these conspirators were working under BATFU's direction.

[More on the persecution of Red's Trading Post from WarOnGuns]

Red's in the News

According to the May 23 audit, Red's has not been filing its gun sales in an appropriate order. Agents also claim Red's did not seek proof that a resident alien buying a gun lived 90 days continuously in Idaho before the sale. ATF also claims Red's left out a mailing address from a box on the gun sales form in 34 applications.

Oh, the humanity!

[More on the persecution of Red's Trading Post from WarOnGuns]

This Day in History: June 8

On petition of John Bayard, Joseph Deane, and William Erskine, Being presented to Congress, and read,||

Resolved, That the Secret Committee be directed to sell ||the petitioners|| 550 lb. of powder, and 400 lb. of swivel and grape shot, for the use of their privateer Hancock, and also 750 lb. ||of powder|| before applied for.

No that's how government ought to work. Notice they didn't then send thugs out to make sure their records were kept alphabetically instead of chronologically...?

A Red's Letter Day

As I mentioned in a post comment yesterday, it's time to add our voices to those of Ryan Horsley in defending Red's Trading Post against persecution by BATFU.

WarOnGuns visitors: you know I never ask anything for myself, and you also know I never ask anything of you I have not already committed to. Please support this effort. Please write a letter to the judge ruling on Ryan's case.

Here are some basic guidelines:

Address your letter to:

Hon. Edward J. Lodge
Federal Building & U.S. Courthouse, MSC 039
550 W. Fort St., Room 400
Boise, ID 83724-0039

Please keep your letter respectful. The intent is to help Ryan, not anger the judge. Under no circumstances imply anything that could even loosely be perceived as threatening--if you do, you will be hurting Ryan, not helping him.

Please keep your letter brief. The shorter the letter, the greater the likelihood it will be read--or at least skimmed over. Keep it under a 500 word maximum, and fewer is better. If you need talking points, there are plenty of stories on this blog (Type "Red's" into the "Search Blog" box in the top left corner), but don't try to cover them all--pick a few main points and stick with them.

Here is my letter--excluding salutation and closing, it is 432 words. It is going into the mail as soon as I'm done posting this.

June 7, 2007

Hon. Edward J. Lodge
Federal Building & U.S. Courthouse, MSC 039
550 W. Fort St., Room 400
Boise, ID 83724-0039

In re: RED’S TRADING POST, INC. v. RICHARD VAN LOAN

Dear Judge Lodge,

It is apparent from recent actions by representatives of BATFE that they are attempting to do an end run around your recent injunction by cherry-picking minor infractions in their unmasked desire to close down a lawful gun store. As you found, ATF’s conduct in terms of “double counting,” and their calculated exclusion of mentioning audits where no violations were found, shows the agency is itself incapable of achieving the perfection they demand of those they hold power over.

DIO Van Loan’s assertion that he is the sole authority and determiner of what “justice so requires” is an affront to our system of open government with clear standards applicable to all, and most importantly, with checks and balances to prevent abuse. The concept is chilling, presumes authority over the rulings of your court, and allows for what we are seeing now: an apparent vendetta against Mr. Horsley for daring to exercise his First Amendment rights by telling the public of his experiences.

The infractions themselves are meritless reasons for shutting down a family business. We have no public safety issue here, no blatant and willful acts of defiance. Alphabetical vs chronological filings—the information is still there. “Y” and “N” instead of “Yes” and “No” on occasional forms—who in their right mind would maintain the meaning is unclear? Incomplete addresses? Complete information was maintained and on premises. Even the transaction with the resident alien showed a good faith attempt to establish proper compliance, and in fact, this was not a prohibited person and no harm was done.

I half expect Director Van Loan and his staff to write Ryan up for parting his hair on the wrong side, or for wearing the wrong color shirt on Tuesday. I don’t mean to sound facetious, your Honor, but I have worked for many years ensuring compliance with stringent government regulations across a wide variety of industries—from defense contracting, to pharmaceutical and medical device production, to medical practice management—and have never seen anything this intentionally petty and calculating, with but one goal in mind: destruction of the “insolent” who refuse to grovel, rather than public safety.

This is naked bullying and vengeance under color of authority, and I pray you will not tolerate it. Director Van Loan was correct when he stated in his amended declaration that his actions were applicable “not just with respect to Red’s Trading Post, but across the firearm’s industry.” But it’s not justice he’s pursuing, Judge Lodge, it’s judicially sanctioned approval of tactics designed to ensure intimidation instead of compliance.

Please don’t let him get away with it.

Respectfully,

David Codrea
[address, phone, email]

Please join me in this. Please ask other blogs to post on this, please pass the link to this post to your friends, and ask them to write letters and forward the information to theirs.

We can stand by and do nothing and let another gun shop go under, and watch the rest get intimidated, or we can each of us invest 15 minutes and a stamp.

Will you do this, and do it right now?

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

UPDATE: I just had a "Doh!" moment. Reader JH reminds me this may be time sensitive, and suggests faxing is another useful alternative vs. snail mail. I agree--the court's fax number is (208) 334-9229

We're the Only Ones Fraudulent Enough

A former Sullivan County sheriff’s deputy pleaded guilty this morning to insurance fraud for allowing a man to crash her Jeep so the insurance company would pay.

Hey, Amanda. How nice to see you again.

[Via Declan]

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

The Rudy Show

Looks like Rudy shares more than a gun control agenda with the Million Moms. He and his minions apparently respect the First Amendment as much as they do the Second.

[Via JH]

The Million Mom Show

They hold a public meeting in a public place to promote a public policy agenda, yet insist on dictating how any recordings of that meeting shall be used.

Plus, they show how classy they are.

My kinda gals!

Special guest appearance by Judas!

[Via Naked Shoplifter]

We're the Only Ones Like a Box of Choc-lits Enough

Mr. Kubasta, who has learning disabilities and whom family members compared to the title character in the movie “Forrest Gump,” has maintained a measure of self-sufficiency by holding a job at a Home Depot store and earning a New Jersey driver’s license three years ago, at age 39...

Mr. Kubasta, 42, was shot six times by the police on Sunday after ignoring a routine traffic stop in Garfield, N.J...

With "The Only Ones" you never know what you're gonna get...

[Via Declan]

Stop the Snuf...uhh...Violence

[Select "ABC7 Special: Stop the Violence" from video menu]

We have to deal with the availability of guns. We have to change the laws...

We have to change the laws and legislation and we have to go after the legislators who are being pressured by the NRA and other organizations to keep them from changing those laws...

We've got to change the legislation--maybe we need to change the Second Amendment. Maybe we gotta go back and look at that and say "Is this really what the fathers meant when they said we have the Second Amendment?"

...We need to do sweeps of the houses...guns have to come off the streets...

We're looking for common sense laws.

Nope--no legislation politicking there, Snuffy. No wonder Americans United for Separation of Church and State are hesitant to get involved. I mean, from the 501(c)(3) St. Sabina graphic in front of your mug, it's clear you're speaking as an individual...right?

The rest of this propaganda-fest is just sickening. A bunch of hacks and bureaucrats, who have failed utterly and miserably when given countless plundered millions to pursue their socialist agenda, proposing more of the same as the solution, and blaming everyone and everything except the system they have created to foster dependency, and allow individuals to abdicate responsibility for control over their lives and freedom. Proposing to register every handgun in America owned by those of us who are not out of control, and leaving us to the tender mercies of your street constituencies won't exactly fly in the heartland, folks.

And how about that ABC7? Fair and balanced, no? Could the moderators have looked any more sympathetic and understanding? I'm sure glad they listened to my suggestions.

When Justice So Requires

Yes, the BATFE is impressed with itself, no doubt. Take a peek at this Amended Declaration (www.jpfo.org/redsdec.pdf). Part of the suit Red's filed in an effort to save the business, this declaration is the sworn statement of BATFE agent Richard Van Loan. In Section 7, he references the phrase "...when justice so requires." This isn't the first time Agent Van Loan has said that. In fact, according to Horsley, Agent Van Loan has stipulated several times that he has ultimate authority "when justice so requires".

I asked Ryan Horsley about the missing guns referred to in Van Loan's declaration. His reply:

This inspection was in 2000 the same year that I had taken over management. My parents had just fired [a former employee]* for theft, right on the heels of the firing, we were audited. They went back about 20 years in their audit. In those years after my grandfather's death (after 1986) and when my Grandmother took over there were rumored numerous thefts by employees.

We still have a surveillance video tape in the back of [a former employee]* stealing from the cash register. Anyway they initially counted 25 missing firearms that had not been properly logged out of the A&D (Acquisition/ Disposition) Book. We were able to resolve 13 of them but the other 12 we were finally forced to declare as lost and report them to the Police Department.

It is important to note that since that time, there have been no missing firearms. All of the current findings have been for perceived paperwork glitches.

I'll be blogging more about Red's later today--I have a project in mind, but I can't do it alone.

* I have taken it upon myself to delete identifying information due to potential legal implications.--DC

Nah, No Politicking Here...

No wonder we haven't received a commitment from Americans United for Separation of Church and State.

I mean, it's not like Snuffy could have just used his name as an individual and left the name of his his 501(c)(3) corporation that receives tax-deductible donations off the political affiliation. And it's not like we haven't seen him and Obama scratching each others' backs or anything...

All these churches on the left--yet the biggest supposed noncompliance the Separatists could find to complain to the IRS about was this...?

This Day in History: June 7

United Colonies change name to United States

BREAKING NEWS: BATFU ASKING TO KILL RED'S

On Wednesday June 6, 2007; the BATFE has submitted a letter to Judge Edward Lodge requesting the termination of the preliminary injunction that was granted to Red’s Trading Post on April 30th by Judge Lodge.

Per Ryan Horsley via email:

As predicted the ATF is asking for a termination of our injunction, this would prohibit us from buying or selling ANY GUNS!

This is nothing less than the premeditated assassination of a family business, the motives being vendetta and intimidation. Look at the allegations and ask yourself how any reasonable person could construe any concern to public safety.

And remember, folks, this fascist enterprise was originally conceived as a revenue agency. Seems we've wandered pretty far afield from the original treasonous rationale.

Weapon Bazaar in Gaza

More proof that the terrorists get their guns from American gun shows!!!

I told ya so...

[Via Dennis Walker]

Thugs Helping Thugs

This is who the City of Los Angeles gave $1.5 million to, for the purpose of fighting "gun crime.

High-Powered Hysteria

There were two suspects in a white sedan who apparently fired the shots. They were driving alongside the victim's car on Martin Luther King Drive. They fired at least 10 rounds, police say, into the car with a high-powered handgun.

My source says it was one of these, so if that proves true, expect great political hay (and more pfodder for Pfleger) to be made, in spite of the ammo that can perform all those miracles of destruction being reserved for "The Only Ones."

[Via HZ]

Honoring Dad

Liberty Belles say forget the tie...

Red's New Blog and a Q&A

Ryan Horsley has created a new blog to provide updates on his case.

Head on over and check it out.

Then bookmark it.

Then ask every pro-gun blogger you frequent to add Red's to their blogroll.

I had the following email exchange with Ryan about his case, and he OK'd my posting his response. It really illustrates the petty hoops BATFU is forcing him to jump through--knowing that if he trips on one, they have another "willful violation" to take to the judge so that they can close down this family business and then find another host to attach their parasitic mandibles to:

DC: Ryan, a possible tack to mention to your attorney the next time you
speak:

Other industries subject to govt regulation have clear audit expectations and clear guidelines for the auditors to follow. In your case, this seems arbitrary and capricious--especially reporting you to the judge instead of just noting on their form they want something in alpha order and making sure you put things that way.

Are their audit standards and criteria in writing, along with clearly defined penalties for violations?

If not, a strong case could conceivably be made the rules are too vague to enforce and they are singling you out on things they give others a pass on--can they demonstrate they have required the same black and white criteria from everyone else? If not, this is subjective and you're not being afforded equality under the law.

Another question: are ALL of their audit procedures, forms and checklists available to you, so you can use them to ensure compliance?

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

RH: The problem is that when the Judge wrote the injunction, he had stated: "The Court finds that the continued oversight by the ATF via the above conditions will adequately address the need to protect the public safety. However, if these terms prove to be unworkable to the parties, the Court would be willing to entertain a joint stipulation addressing procedures for oversight during the pendency of judicial review. If the parties do not submit a joint stipulation, the terms the Court has outlined herein shall be binding. The Court urges Red’s to be vigilant and meticulous in complying with these terms, as failure to do so will result in a termination of the injunction. If this occurs, the revocation of Red’s license will become effective immediately and Red’s will no longer be able to engage in any firearms activity for which a valid license is required, including selling any remaining firearms in inventory during the pendency of the judicial review."

So that is why they were digging so hard, so to shut us down entirely. The problem is that until the Court Process...anything goes. Because DIO Van Loan uses his "When justice so requires" statement, which means he makes up the rules until the Judge rules otherwise.

There are no audit procedures, there are former ATF agents that will teach seminars (for profit of course) and tell you what they will look for GENERALLY! They will constantly send you to "the books" for all of the answers, when you question where they came up with it. At this point they are not trying to win the case they are trying to bankrupt us.

They wouldn't let you have a checklist, we have asked for this before or some guidance as to what they were looking for. In fact in the 2005 audit, the Agent used the same switch the ATF advised in a recent seminar. Dealers were getting used to the "Y" or "N" and other petty traps they were using so they started using the Poster, Pamphlet and Free trigger lock violations.

Church/State Separation Group Pfollowing Up on Pfleger

Thank you for bringing this to our attention. I've forwarded your e-mail to the staffer who handles these claims with a note to follow up immediately.

Armed and Safe shows that Americans United for Separation of Church and State has all the evidence they need to apply the same standards to Snuffy Pfleger that they do to anti-Mormon evangelists--if they want to.

This is going to fade away unless the pressure gets turned up--if you would like to see Pfleger's use of his 501(c)(3) to stump for specific citizen disarmament legislation investigated, please take a moment--right now--to email americansunited@au.org and ask them if they intend to follow their stated principles, or if they only go after "traditional values" targets and leave the left-leaning ones alone.

KABA Needs Help

Bills to pay, projects to launch...

Florida Counties Suspend Due Process

Prosecutors in Palm Beach County are taking steps to join other South Florida counties in forcing people charged with violent crimes to surrender their concealed weapon licenses...Miami-Dade County prosecutors announced last week, as did Broward on Tuesday, that they are filing motions with the courts to require that people charged with felonies and violent misdemeanors give up their licenses to carry guns.

Yeah, Lord knows we've never heard of ex-lovers trying to get revenge. Besides, if they hadn't done anything, they wouldn't be in trouble, right?

We're the Only Ones Jeepers, Creepers, Where'd You Get Those Peepers Enough

The head of Charleston County's detectives has been arrested after neighbors told police he was on a roof, staring into the bedroom window of an adjoining home, authorities said...

A neighbor called police Thursday and said she saw Hammet get on the roof of his townhouse, scamper across to an adjoining townhouse and peer inside the bedroom window of a 24-year-old woman for about five minutes...

Maybe he was following up on an anonymous ti... uh, tip.

We're the Only Ones Fake Enough

"By invoking a fear of violence and the authority of a badge and uniform, he manipulated these people," prosecutor Thomas Spota said. "They had no reason to doubt his ability to follow through on his threats or challenge what they logically interpreted as the legal authority of a law enforcement officer."

I'd say once he started unzipping his pants, that was a pretty strong clue he'd exceeded any legal authority...and it seems he was a natural predator, selecting only the weak, the weak-minded and the young.

But we've all been conditioned by the state since toddlerhood to accept police as special authority figures who issue commands we had better follow, a concept reinforced by experience and/or the news just about every day of our lives.

Hopefully, "The Only Ones" Files help to break through some of that conditioning, so we can apply a more critical eye to our law enforcement interactions, and be informed and on guard to deal with situations where lines of legality and propriety are crossed.

Here's another take on this story. Yeesh!

[Via Cryptic Subterranean and Declan]

This Day in History: June 6

June 6, 1755 – Nathan Hale is born

BATFU Revenging Itself on Red's

Horsley said gun sales records are filed alphabetically. And each letter is filed chronologically.

But the ATF told him he cannot order files both ways.

"Is Adams before Anderson?" Young asked Horsley, to make the point that his files were not ordered alphabetically. "I said, 'Probably not.' She said, 'That's a violation if they aren't in perfect alphabetical order.' In the four previous audits this has never been in question."

Horsley said in a 2005, Agent Caleb Rushing actually "suggested" he arrange files "with the last transaction toward the front for quick and easy access."

Young told Horsley, Rushing was wrong.

It could not be more clear. These thugs are extracting vengeance against Red's for daring to speak out about their rights.

I've worked in industries heavily regulated by government agencies--I wrote their audit compliance procedures--and have never seen anything this intentionally petty. It's evident this is not a matter of public safety: it's a matter of gang thugs burning out a business owner for protesting their shakedown racket instead of kissing their treasonous rear ends.

This is not a matter of ensuring compliance: it's a matter of intentional, in-your-face destruction of a family's business. It's naked abuse of power under color of authority. And it's time to start treating it as such.

We're the Only Ones...Well, You Know...

Hoosick Falls Police are being close mouthed about what traffic violations were allegedly being committed by a New York State corrections officer who they arrested Saturday night on drug and weapons charges.

Harold E. Gaines, 39, of Latham, is charged with having 69 bags of marijuana on the front passenger seat...

Maybe he was driving back from Fort Sumner by way of New Matamoras...

[Via Armed and Safe]

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

Just Checking

Trial by ordeal and ritual killings persist in Liberia and are undermining efforts to improve human rights in the wake of a 1989-2003 civil war, a UN report said on Thursday.

In such trials, persons accused of crimes are subjected to ordeals, such as swallowing a poisonous brew or enduring burning or pain, to determine their innocence or guilt.

Despite a crackdown by the Liberian government and the United Nations, rights groups say the practice remains popular in Liberia, especially in rural areas where the police, army and authorities are mistrusted because of rights abuses during the civil war, which killed some 200,000 people.

I just wanted to see if yesterday's post about the UN urging Liberians to give up their guns was still valid.

We're the Only Ones Not Disciplined Enough

A New Matamoras man avoided a trial after pleading guilty Monday to being in possession of a police officer’s stolen gun.

Anthony Kennedy, 24, was set to stand trial today, accused of stealing a handgun in March from an unmarked police cruiser assigned to Sgt. Craig Brockmeier of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office...

Brockmeier was not disciplined over the incident.

No, of course not.

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

We're the Only Ones Finding Positive Meaning Enough

He said he has tried to find positive meaning in the break-in.

“If they had to come into our police department and get marijuana that means that my officers were doing their job and keeping drugs off the street,” he said.

Always look on the bri-ight side of life...

[Via Dan Gifford]

Nothing New About Pfleger Pflouting Tax Law

My posts about Mike "Snuffy" Pfleger's abuse of his church's tax status notwithstanding, this is not the first time this issue has been brought to light. Yet curiously, not only has the IRS stood by doing nothing, but this aspect of the story has been all but ignored by "conservative" news outlets and bloggers--even though a clear double standard is evidenced in two recent news stories involving evangelical churches in Florida and Kansas.

In 2003, The Washington Post reported on Pfleger inviting then Democrat presidential candidate Al Sharpton to address the St. Sabina congregation. In their account, the Chicago Sun Times revealed:

[A]rchdiocesan officials are concerned about whether having a political candidate speak from the pulpit might violate laws regarding not-for-profit organizations, such as churches.

They shouldn't have worried. It was a good day. Catholic Citizens of Illinois reported a $36,000 collection plate haul.

Sharpton wasn't the only political candidate given a spotlight. As commentator Nicholas Stix observed about Barack Obama's relationship with Pfleger's St. Sabina in 2004:

He believes, with all his heart, in the separation of church and state – except when he campaigns in black churches, in violation of that separation, and in violation of the tax code.

Then we have some revelations from the Chicago Sun Times, April 12, 2005:

Rev. Michael Pfleger of St. Sabina says his church's outlay of $2,500 to send parishioners to a dinner and $1,500 for a golf outing, both sponsored by the 17th Ward Democratic Organization, was not illegal. "The perception was that Saint Sabina is funding candidates and taking church donations to do so," Pfleger said in a letter to the Sun-Times. "Neither is true." But as BGA director Stewart notes: "You have to ask, 'Who were these events hosted by and where did the profits go?'"

Events like these are meant to raise political cash, and a church's contribution crosses the already murky divide between state and religion. It's one thing for a church group to join a street protest to encourage social change and quite another to pay for attendance at a dinner sponsored by a political group. The rules about this are clear.

The article even says "Attorney General Lisa Madigan acted promptly by sending out information to tax-exempt groups..." so continuing to ignore the law is evidently willful, as opposed to an innocent oversight.

And here's a little apparent quid pro quo as reported by The Chicago Tribune early last month:

One of those long-time supporters was Rev. Michael Pfleger, the politically active leader of St. Sabina Church. He gave Obama's campaign $1,500 between 1995 and 2001, including $200 in April 2001, about three months after Obama announced $225,000 in grants to St. Sabina programs.

Pfleger said he made those donations personally, not on behalf of the church or to win grants.

"At a time when less people vote than ever, I don't think pastors should be silent on politics," Pfleger said.

No, apparently not, and 150 times your personal contributions are not a bad return on investment, either. Somehow, that pesky "wall of separation" liberals are alway harping about when the church/state issue involves conservative values (like pro-life Catholicism?) has become as porous and unguarded as our border. And with a nod and a wink, the St. Sabina congregation is in Obama's and the Chicago Democrat Machine's pockets, Pfleger has plausible deniability, and life on the South Side goes on.

The Power of One

Jury Nullification may be the final peaceful barrier between law-abiding gun owners and a tyrannical government dependent upon disarming honorable citizens.

For jury nullification to protect gun ownership rights, and all constitutional rights of gun owners, it is necessary for jurors to learn about their authority to judge the law and its application.

The Fully Informed Jury Association (FIJA) has prepared a brochure helping us to defend our right to keep and bear arms in the courtroom. If you're not familiar with this group and the historical basis for their arguments, or even if you are, go to their website for in depth information, updates on current efforts, and more.

Per Iloilo Marguerite Jones, Executive Director:

Larry Pratt distributed these brochures to his membership when they first came out, and Liberty Belles, many other gun groups and a few Constitutional groups have distributed them as well. We are happy to send this brochure, which is included in our information packet, to anyone who requests information. Call to our 1-800-TEL-JURY information line to request an information packet, which will be mailed to anyone who calls.

Go here to download the brochure (Adobe Reader required). Or, you can go to their website and order various quantities, as well as other informative FIJA materials.

I just realized I hadn't added them to my blogroll, so that oversight has been corrected. I invite fellow gunbloggers to add them to their links as well.

And I'm sure any and all support will be welcomed.

Freezing Mr. Freeze

A federal grand jury on Monday indicted Louisiana Democratic Rep. William Jefferson on 16 charges relating to a long-running investigation into bribery, racketeering, obstruction of justice and money laundering...

Court records indicate that Jefferson was videotaped taking a $100,000 cash bribe from an FBI informant. Most of that money later turned up in a freezer in Jefferson's home.

Is it any wonder that someone who would abuse the privilege of being entrusted with government power would also subvert the ultimate check and balance against tyranny?

From Gun Owners of America:


From "On the Issues":

Gonzales Expands BATFU

Seems like exactly the opposite of what we ought to be doing...

[Via Ryan Horsley]

This Day in History: June 5

George Cottingen and Daniel Dunevil, both of Captain Van Wyck's Company, of Col. McDougall's Regiment, tried at the above Court Martial, for "Desertion" -- are severally found guilty of the same, and sentenced to be whipped Thirty-nine Lashes each, on their bare backs.

Speaking for Amerika

"People tend to try to make this sort of a big-city issue," said John Feinblatt, the criminal justice coordinator for New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. "But there's nobody more articulate than Chief Knight, who really speaks for small town America. Most members of law enforcement are in small towns. So he sort of speaks for America."

Bloomberg's flack said it. I believe it. That settles it.

An Idiot's Interpretation of "Common Sense"

Once more, 45superman saves me the trouble of wading into the muck.

Everybody has his site bookmarked and blogrolled for daily visits, right?

Help the UN Make Liberia Gun-Free!

In an effort to help make Liberia a gun-free nation after 14 years of civil war, the Liberia Action Network on Small Arms (LANSA), is calling on Liberians to join ongoing campaign by the UNDP Small Arms Control Programme to make Liberia a gun-free society.

Per the US Department of State:

[C]rime rates are still high, and resources for responding to emergencies of any kind are minimal. Liberia's local and national police forces are in the process of being reconstituted and still lack adequate capacity to prevent or to investigate criminal activity.

Sounds like the perfect set of conditions for heeding the UN's advice and giving up the means of defending yourself and your family, doesn't it?

Shouldn't Prescriptions be Tested for Efficacy?

DuRant encourages all pediatricians to talk with parents about safe gun storage practices. The safest practice would be to remove guns from the house, but if parents are unwilling to do that, they should lock them and store the ammunition separately, he said.

And your qualifications to make these claims, Robert? And if a physician passes your advice on to a patient and someone gets hurt because of it, will their malpractice insurance cover them?

I can think of a couple different scenarios to test out your prescription. Maybe we could start with the Tueller Drill.

We're the Only Ones Jilted Enough

Memphis Police Officer Jeremy Kyle kicked in the door of his ex-girlfriend's house...

Officer Teresita Watson told detectives that Kyle walked into her bedroom and pointed a gun at her and another man who was with her.

The other man shot Kyle in the chest, detectives said. Kyle died at the scene.

I don't get the headline, which says the jilted boyfriend shot her, but the story says the new boyfriend's gun is the only one that was fired...even though earlier it implies Kyle's gun was fired in a struggle for it.

But I also don't get sleeping around with serial lovers while the kids are upstairs...

[Via Andre Campos]

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

We're the Only Ones Virtual Enough

In making snap decisions about whether to shoot a potentially armed suspect, police officers are far less influenced by racial bias than students or community members forced to make the same decision, a large study has found...

In one experiment, participants watched a video screen as a series of 50 threatening images flashed by...

They shot at about 13 percent of the unarmed black men and roughly the same number of the unarmed white men. By contrast, the civilians shot at about 35 percent of the unarmed black men and 29 percent of unarmed white men.

I'd be interested in seeing how they came up with their test populations--and if comparable levels of experience and training were factored in. I'd also be interested in seeing how this is working out in real life.

[Via Dennis Walker]

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

Kent McManigal vs. France

This provides an instructive insight into the government-dependent mindset. Unless we can reverse course and culturally embrace principles of individual freedom and responsibility, these attitudes will be as pervasive here as they are there. Our urban areas have probably already arrived.

This Day in History: June 4

The first motion in the Continental Congress for independence was made on June 4, 1776.

Thanks for Doing the Heavy Lifting

45superman just saved me from having to spend time commenting on a Milwaukee enuretic.

Good job.

New WarOnGuns Poll: Snuffing Snuffy

I'd hoped to do a follow-up this week to the previous poll that asked how much money WarOnGuns visitors donated to pro-gun groups. This time, I was going to focus on how much time you give toward protecting the right to keep and bear arms.

We'll need to save that one for another day. Events pertaining to rogue priest Father Michael "Snuffy" Pfleger justify a more timely use of that space.

Go on over to the left margin and weigh in on what you think the most effective way to deal with him should be.

Now Why Would They Want to Do That?

Even more?

It All Depends on the Meaning of the Word "Snuff"

Piss Off the Left may have found an innocent explanation for all this.

50% Want Stronger Gun Laws

Many adults in the United States believe their country requires tougher firearm legislation, according to a poll by Opinion Research Corporation released by CNN.

CNN? Well then, it must be true.

And I'm sure the respondents are all well versed in the state of existing gun laws.

By definition, 50% of a given population will always be in the bottom half...

"Think of it as Anti-Michael Moore Movie Premiere"

No, think of it as a pro-freedom movie premiere. The antis are the ones who are against things.

Still, it's nice to see a press report on the premiere of JPFO's "The Gang" at Red's Trading Post. If you missed Ryan Horsley's comment on the WarOnGuns post, it was indeed chilling and infuriating:

Following the JPFO Alert of my interview with "Talkin to America" we were greeted by 3 ATF Agents, one of which was the Area Supervisor who traveled from Spokane, Washington to inspect us.

It appears those who erroneously believe themselves to be our masters will brook no insolence.

We're the Only Ones Illegally "Legal" Enough

A 5-year veteran of the Milwaukee police force is on suspension and accused of living under a false identity since taking the name of a dead cousin eight years ago...

Ayala-Cornejo was charged with falsely representing himself as U.S. citizen, carrying up to three years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

So if you had resisted arrest, could you claim he had no authority to detain you in the first place? Would you have been "legally" justified to counter his potentially lethal force with equivalent force of your own?

I see plenty of challenges to previous convictions in the making...

But not to worry-- a "solution" to this dilemma is being worked on as we speak.

[Mas de "Los Uniquos" archivos...]

This Day in History: June 3

As in the detached state of the Artillery, the men often suffer for want of Surgeons, it being impossible for their own regimental Surgeons to take due care of them, dispersed as they are, over the whole line -- Each Brigadier is to see that the regimental Surgeons of his brigade pay every necessary attention to the detachment of artillery annexed thereto.

IRS Warns Church Against "Political Activity"

No, not Snuffy Pfleger's. The government likes his kind of "activism"...

A New Hope?

By now, GUNS readers will have heard Washington DC’s firearm ban has been overturned. The 2-1 decision in Parker v District of Columbia by a three-judge panel of the US Court of Appeals reversed a lower court ruling and affirmed the Second Amendment protects an individual right. That sounds like a big deal, a huge deal some say, and they may be proven right.

"A New Hope?," my Rights Watch column for the June 2007 issue of GUNS Magazine is now on line.