Can the Glock PSP Be Far Behind?

Taser International Inc.'s newest weapons for the public will come in leopard print and fit in a holster embedded with an MP3 player, the stun gun maker said Monday.

You gotta be kiddin' me. I had to double check this to make sure it wasn't some sort of joke article...

Yep, nothing like encouraging people to assume a perpetual state of Condition White* as the best means of situational preparedness for personal defense. This is just so profoundly stupid, but I guess that's what happens when products are designed based on a desire to create and exploit fads by people without a clue about how serious a self defense situation really is, or how a bit of alertness can prevent the need for confrontation in the first place.

It seems to me--just from a corporate risk management standpoint--that encouraging customers for self-defense products to be oblivious to their surroundings is something that could come back to haunt you in the form of a product liability lawsuit.

But what do I know? Maybe it'll be a fantastic success and make the company a ton of money. Just in case, I've hedged my bets, and have developed a product of my own: The WarOnGuns Handgun/Cellphone.

Hello, Jodie...?

This is just a prototype. The marketed version will come in a leopard print too, as well as other fashionable designs, and maybe even a choice of pine or lemon fresh scent...

*I'm admittedly abusing Col. Cooper's definition here, as he intended it to indicate preparedness for decisive action to take life.

Partnership Toward Progress

The new law — the product of a rare partnership between gun control advocates and the National Rifle Association...

Well, if The New York Times is for it, what's not to like?

"Progress on Guns."

Good title. It's refreshingly honest. It means this is but a move in the desired direction. There's more to come.

And we're all clear on what it means to be "progressive" nowadays in the world of politics, right...?

Banking on Disarmament

Citi Merchant Services and First Data Corp. are refusing to process any credit card transactions between federally licensed firearms retailers, distributors and manufacturers -- a move which will severely limit available inventory of firearms and ammunition to military, law enforcement and law-abiding Americans.

CitiCorp contact form

First Data Merchant Services email

Y'all know what to do.

[Via The Jeffersonian]

And Continue It Will

[A]s long as people continue to vote for the very people who wish to disarm them, the madness will continue.

Yep, that's the definition of insanity...

CeaseFire PA Director's Watch: 01/08/08

I wonder what the hold up is...?

Weeping for America

Big news it seems is Hillary Clinton's calculated tearing for the cameras, her Elena Ceauşescu becomes human moment. Naturally, she did it because she cares so much, and from the comments by the emotions-driven voter in the linked clip, it worked.

And then we have this.

Good grief.

Before piling on, Republicans might want to reconsider, especially if "Weapons of Unusual Lethality" Mitt Romney takes the lead: He turned on the waterworks for racial pandering and over war deaths .

The course we're heading--and the absolute refusal to change it (or even consider real change doable) by most in the "conservative gun owner" camp, practically guarantees that we'll all have plenty to cry about regardless of which mainstream "choice" wins. Not to mention wailing and gnashing of teeth.

This Day in History: January 8

Among the many interesting objects which will engage your attention, that of providing for the common defence will merit particular regard. To be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace.

A free people ought not only to be armed but disciplined; to which end a uniform and well digested plan is requisite: And their safety and interest require that they should promote such manufactories, as tend to render them independent on others, for essential, particularly for military supplies.

BATFU's Mouthpiece

I've been meaning to make a comment about a post at Joe Huffman's, that I found out about at Jed's.

It seems this BATFU character Tom Mangan is abusing his position to insert agenda-driven editorial comments into what should be straight news stories, and the "Authorized Journalists" are more than happy to let him get away with it. That the bureau under "Maximum Mike" hasn't reined in his shameless self promotion can only mean it serves Sullivan's purposes.

Maybe Mangan's interested in advancing in the ranks after the presidential elections, or bucking for a position over at Crime Gun Solutions/AHSA if things don't work out...?

Let's hope it's the latter. The thought of this guy getting even more power should not sit well with anyone interested in gun rights.

Carnival XV

IIA, that is.

We're the Only Ones "Kid-Friendly" Enough

A retired police officer, who once toured grade schools with a talking motorcycle, was sentenced Thursday to more than 19 years in prison for child rape and other offenses involving young relatives...

As an officer, Giles appeared with Harvey, the talking motorcycle, in a grade school program designed to make police less scary...

Hey kids, wanna rev Harvey's throttle...?

[Via KABA Newslinks]

[More from "The Only Ones" Files]

GUNS Magazine: January 1958

SOLDIERS SINCE the world was young have been "souvenir hunters," fetching home everything from dames to diamonds. Uncle Sam's wandering warriors are champs (or chumps) in the souvenir department, whether they collect by "liberation" or by purchase with cigarettes or GI chocolate rations. And the first prize in the World War II souvenir grab bag was--a foreign pistol. Judging by the number of European pocket automatics in this country today, every GI must have come home with his pockets loaded.

I'm surprised no one in the gun ban camp has gone hysterical over "The Greatest Generation Loophole"--there must be hundreds of thousands of these "weapons of war designed solely to kill people" still out there "on the street."

This isn't the only thing that's changed in 50 years, as you'll see when you click on the title link (Note: It's a big file, so if you're on dial up, be warned). The January 1958 issue of GUNS Magazine is now online.

Refuge, New York Times Style

They also appear to have forgotten that national parks and refuges are federal lands, set aside as peaceful preserves for all the species that enjoy them, including humans. Ready-to-fire guns have no place in them.

You tell 'em, New York Times.

We're the Only Ones Killing Over Drugs Enough

Police shot a woman to death and injured her 1-year-old son during a raid on the home of a man charged with a drug crime, police said Saturday

In another account, we find:

[Wilson] was killed by police as she held her baby...

[O]fficers were aware that children were inside the home because there were toys in the yard outside and on the front porch.

As long as we have the militarization of "Only Ones," the war on citizens will produce "collateral damages." For those inclined to judge the adults living in the house as having brought things on themselves, it could be just a matter of time before the contraband being sought is firearms--and think how much more incentive the invasion force will have to come in heavy and on edge when they're expecting armed-to-the-teeth occupants.

[Via Jeff R]

CeaseFire PA Director's Watch: 01/07/08

Well, the week is young...

We're the Only Ones Justified Enough

The sheriff said the decision to use SWAT team force was justified because the father was a "self-proclaimed constitutionalist" and had made threats and "comments" over the years.

Oh, so that explains it. When I originally read that "Nearly a dozen members of a police SWAT team in western Colorado punched a hole in the front door and invaded a family's home with guns drawn," I couldn't help but wonder if such a massive "Only One" response was justified because somebody's butt crack was showing...

[Via joefm]

Oops, They Did It Again

The LAPD has denied that they swooped on Britney Spears’ Beverly Hills mansion because there was a gun in the house.

Then why the need for "At least six police cars, an ambulance, a fire engine and even a police helicopter..."?

Maybe her butt crack was showing?

[Via Sebastian, who has more]

This Day in History: January 7

Royal Governor to East Florida, Patrick Tonyn, wrote to Lord Germain that the estates of Sir James Wright (Royal Governor of Georgia and South Carolina) and others had been seized in Georgia. A Battery was also being built at Tybee Island, GA.

Rasmussen Reports Ron Tied for Third in NH

And Faux News won't include him in tonight's debate why again...?

We know this is immoral. I'm wondering if it's legal...

Britney's Got a Gun?

The News of the World can reveal that K-Fed, 29, panicked on Thursday night after realising the fallen pop princess kept the handgun—a Beretta 92FS—in the master bedroom where she was holding the kids, Jayden James, one, and Sean Preston, two.

But wait a minute: didn't Britney sign HCI's "Open Letter to the NRA"? Isn't she "on the list"?

Perhaps it's just you and me who aren't emotionally stable enough to be trusted with a gun?

We're the Only Ones Practically Joking Enough

Police believe that a practical joke led to the shooting of a 23-year-old Ste. Genevieve police officer Tuesday.

The rookie officer allegedly faked a break-in around 9:45 p.m. at his brother-in-law's home in Festus, said Festus Police Chief Tim Lewis.

"He didn't tell the family he was coming and decided to sneak in the back door," Lewis said. "The resident asked him to call out who he was, and he didn't, and he shot him."

Ha ha. Good one!

I'm certainly glad jokers like this are "The Only Ones" who have the mature judgment to go among us armed.

Misery Loves Company?

In the past few months, a number of families whose children were killed or injured in the massacre have begun to come forward and speak out for gun law reform.

Look, I'm sorry your loved ones are dead. But Virgina Tech was a "No Guns" zone, and proposals to change that so the peaceable can defend themselves, were publicly ridiculed by their spokesman. And we saw how efficient the same law enforcement you demand disarm us was at preventing death there: 31 of the 33 fatalities occurred after the police had responded to the initial shooting report.

And it's not like we don't have yet more confirmation that GUNS DEPLOYED BY MORAL INDIVIDUALS SAVE LIVES!!!

Your grief is no claim on my rights. How dare you demand my rights, and my ability to protect my loved ones, be forfeited? How dare you demand those of us with the willingness and ability to emerge as victors be reduced to mere powerless mourners? How dare you demand, under armed force of law, that we suffer the rest of our lives trying to suppress and deny the horrible guilt of knowing we abdicated a sacred responsibility?

More Guns Less Crime

Six years after new rules made it much easier to get a license to carry concealed weapons, the number of Michiganders legally packing heat has increased more than six-fold.

But dire predictions about increased violence and bloodshed have largely gone unfulfilled, according to law enforcement officials and, to the extent they can be measured, crime statistics.

Who could have imagined?

And I just love this character Kenneth Levin:

In a letter to the Free Press in July 2001, he referred to the "inevitable first victim of road or workplace rage as a result of this law."

Last month, Levin said he suspected "it probably hasn't turned out as bad as I thought. I don't think I was wrong, but my worst fears weren't realized."

You were clearly wrong, dead wrong, demonstrably wrong, couldn't have been more wrong, out there bare-ass naked in the town square* wrong, but you don't "think" you were wrong? That's OK, Kenneth. Just squeeze your eyes shut real tight, put your hands over your ears and chant "LALALALA!" real loud and maybe the truth will go away.

How do you spell "zealot"?

[* Stolen shamelessly from Stieger]

On Blocking Paul

In “Paul Campaign: Make Lemons Out of Lemonade,” David Codrea of The War on Guns protests Fox News’ decision to refuse to invite Paul to its New Hampshire GOP debate taking place tomorrow night.

Many thanks to Nicholas Stix for his insights. And he's not even a Paul supporter.

45Superman also has something to say. I do hope he's a regular stop for you, as his is one of the more principled voices out there.

NH GOP Nixes Fox

“While we understand that FOX News continues to move forward it is with regret, the New Hampshire Republican Party hereby withdraws as a partner in this forum.”

Good for them. That was the proper thing to do.

It'd be nice to see the rest of the candidates show courage of leadership and refuse to participate in an unfair forum.

If you have a moment, please leave these folks a comment thanking them for taking this principled stand.

[Thanks to all who sent me this info]

What Would You Ask the GOP Presidential Candidates?

FOX News wants to know what you would ask the Republican presidential candidates when they debate in Myrtle Beach, S.C., on Thursday, Jan 10.

Please e-mail your question to debate@foxnews.com. Include your name, town, state and contact number for verification.

Please keep your question sharp, brief and to the point. And let us know which candidate you'd like us to ask.

Here's my question, and no, I didn't give them my contact info because the intent of this is just to send a protest:


Feel free to use the email link to send your own.

CeaseFire PA Director's Watch: 01/06/08

Well, it's Sunday morning. They're probably all in church. You know, those places that host "gun buybacks," where the ministers advise their flocks to "snuff out" people with different ideologies...

This Day in History: January 6

The Battle of Jersey was a battle during the American War of Independence and was technically the last battle fought in the British Islands (coming after the Battle of Culloden in 1745). It was the last attempt by France to invade Jersey militarily.

"Your Comment is Awaiting Moderation"

After posting this, I posted this in Fox News site comments:

Note the number and the time.

This is where it's currently at:

And it's not because I left a link: first of all, it's their system that makes it active, plus others have left links in their posts (for instance, see Comment #18). And I didn't violate any standards by using bad words, insults...

I think it's safe to say they don't care for what I'm proposing. It's not in their interests.

Think about that for a moment, and ask yourself if this seems like the actions of honest and ethical journalists whose interests are to bring unbiased information to the electorate, you know, as in "We report, you decide."

UPDATE: It's finally made it--looks like my comment poster Bob in Sea Tac was right, and it was a matter of them being overwhelmed.

Paul Campaign: Make Lemons Out of Lemonade

We talked about this in passing here.

Now it looks like Ron Paul will be allowed to participate in the ABC debates.

"Fair and Balanced" and "conservative" Faux News will not allow him to appear, even though he finished in Iowa far ahead of Sean Hannity darling Rudy Giuliani, who is invited, and is polling far ahead of Fred Thompson, also an invitee, in New Hampshire.

You shouldn't need to be a Paul supporter to be outraged by this manipulation of the electorate by corporate media special interests. There are two things his supporters are encouraging us to do:

Leave a comment for the Faux propagandists at their "You Decide '08" page, and visit the "Protest Fox" webpage and learn how to send an email or two.

These are both good actions, and I will do them this weekend, but it's also time for some real creative and outside the box thinking from the Paul campaign team--immediate action. If negotiations are unsuccessful at getting their candidate in at the last minute, they should do three things--they should be starting on them now:

1. Use a portion of that $20M they've raised to buy a 1-minute ad for Ron to be aired immediately before the debate--if not on Fox, then on their competitor CNN. The content of the ad should be to call attention to his exclusion, to provide an overview of his message, and to direct viewers to #2,

2. Have Ron live on the Internet at the same time as the debate, answering all questions posed to the candidates on the Fox program. This could actually work to his advantage, as there'd be no distractions from other candidates, no questions intentionally leaving him out, and no misrepresentations of his positions or statements by the other candidates. It could also draw a significant portion of the audience away from Fox.

3. Publicize the hell out of this. Issue press releases to get it into the news. Use the unprecedented Internet network Paul supporters have established.

I have no real hopes that this will be done as I have no real influence with the Paul campaign. But I think if he did this, the wave of publicity and curiosity and potential for getting his message out could be tremendous. But if they're going to do it, they need to do it NOW, because the debate is tomorrow.

If you agree, contact the Paul campaign and tell them so. If they want to make this happen, nobody's going to go to bed tonight.

CeaseFire PA Director's Watch: 01/05/08

Well, it's Saturday. They're probably sleeping in.

NRA-ILA Responds on Sullivan

All of us who wrote got the same letter (thanks to everyone who forwarded theirs), and Armed and Safe presents it and pretty well sums everything up, so I won't duplicate that here.

It's what I expected when I said they didn't want to give an unequivocal "yes" or "no" answer. Their world is too labyrinthine for directness, and they're counting on being a force of influence on pending legislation. As such, they'll do nothing to alienate or jeopardize access, which, for lobbyists, is everything.

And this way, if and when "Maximum Mike" is confirmed, they will not have been among his assailants, providing additional capital.

If nothing else, it's masterful political judo, turning this to their advantage. And here's the other thing: While the rest of us are making noise, they're in there quietly behind the scenes working on legislation that should provide relief for some of the more egregious determinations of dealer noncompliance, such as abbreviations on forms...

And while the rest of us want nothing less than elimination of BATFU, well, really, if that's going to happen, how? Who's leading the effort, how much support and resources do they have, how many sponsors in the legislature...? Truth is, no one has assembled that army, let alone taken the first step to make it happen.

So, what, have I given up? Can I now expect comments about selling out, or asking who got to me?

No, not at all to the first, probably to the second. I'm just laying out the way things are--if we refuse to see them because they piss us off, well, nobody ever won anything through self-imposed blindness. And those of you who decry the NRA's position without anticipating and understanding the rationale for defending it will not be well served.

This Day in History: January 5

During the chilly late afternoon of January 5, 1781, Virginia Governor Thomas Jefferson stood helpless at his vantage point in Manchester as he watched warehouses and workshops in Richmond burn. Traitorous General Benedict Arnold, who hadn’t received a satisfactory response to his demand for the surrender of the one-year-old capital of Virginia, was torching the town.

It helps to recall the traitor Arnold when the other side trots out some former military man to use as a prop, as if that should trump reason. Bravery is admirable, but it does not excuse bad motives.

Batman vs The Riddler

When the man with the bat tried to attack the driver, investigators said, the second driver pulled out a gun and shot the first driver twice...

The shooter – whose identity has also not been released – had a license to carry a concealed weapon and investigators said he acted in self-defense and will not immediately face charges.

You know, "riddled with bullets..."?

Ahh, forget it.

Still, riddle me this, Caped Anti-Gun Crusaders: Would you prefer if the man being attacked had been unarmed and bludgeoned to death?

[Via Tony G]

If I Were a Carpenter...

...I'd be hammering back at Carpentersville.

Tony G shows us there's no shortage of little wooden heads supporting the destruction of guns.

World of Paulcraft

Apparently, sometime around 8:30 PM EST on Tuesday, a throng of Alliance members took to the streets of Ironforge in a surprisingly well-orchestrated in-game demonstration designed to drum up support for (very real life) Republican dark horse presidential candidate and Internet darling Ron Paul.

Pretty cool, but he'll need to get out of the virtual world and into the real one. it is encouraging that he's doing double-digits in a state where agricultural subsidies and cheap migrant labor are factors favoring Huckabee and McCain. I don't know what to make of Rudy's poor showing, since he blew Iowa off, but Paul getting more than three times Giuliani's support at least shows us Big City Republicans and the Heartland aren't much of a match.

What's clear is, the networks keeping Ron Paul from the televised debates are abusing the public facilities they rely on for their private profits to advance their special interest political agenda. After Iowa, how do you keep Paul out and leave Giuliani in? Especially now that their own quoted "double digit" criteria has been met in the only "real" poll taken to date. These damned elitist "Authorized Journalist" gatekeepers are supposed to report stories, not engineer their outcomes.

[Via Thirdpower]

Marko...

Polo?

Fighting for Liberty identifies the "Only One" from yesterday's post.

Spiffmo

Regular WarOnGuns readers will remember Tomato 7.

Ben has pulled up stakes and reincarnated his blog as Spiffmo.

Check it out.

Granting Rights?

I just received the following email, in response to "'Privileges' Watch," my current Rights Watch column in GUNS Magazine:

David, I appreciate your time and effort in support of 2nd Amendment.

However, you make a statement in the article that I believe is incorrect and I thought I'd bring it to your attention. 4th para. into the article, "The Bill of Rights grants no rights. To believe that it does reverses the proper role...."

Please read the Sixth Amendment below:
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district where in the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defense.

Also, the Ninth Amendment states:
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

Anyway, my red flag goes up when I hear or read sweeping general statements like that. The Bill of Rights does include the granting of certain rights, at least one is clearly stated in the 6th Amendment.

Be well,

ER

It's an interesting perspective, and I'm not trying to be stiff-necked, but I don't believe I'm wrong in this. The Sixth Amendment is not granting a right, it is acknowledging one codified in English Common Law and predating the Constitution, as do discussions of judicial powers and jury trials in the Federalist Papers. I guess we could also bring up differences between civil/legal rights and natural ones, and the dangerous blurring of what "rights" are, particularly with politicians bandying about terms like "Patients' Bill of Rights", etc., in an attempt to pander for votes and defraud people out of real ones...

But I'm starting to digress. I will cede that a right to trial by jury is meaningless in the absence of government, and that at one point, a body of men decided that a jury trial was a right to which government would yield. But that decision was also made about everything else we consider "unalienable" as well, and we see them being alienated all the time.

As for the Ninth Amendment, I believe the fact that it states rights are "retained by the people" speaks for itself as predating the article, and goes to the core of why some warned against including a Bill of Rights in the first place--so that what was enumerated wouldn't be construed as all that there was.

It's an interesting question, and I'd be interested in hearing more thoughts on this.

CeaseFire PA Director's Watch: 01/04/08

Do I hear "38"?

Britney Spears is On the List

Police were called to Britney Spears' home Thursday night in a custodial dispute that lasted nearly three hours before an intoxicated Spears reportedly turned over her children to ex-husband Kevin Federline.

She can't or won't control herself, but wants to impose controls on us.

This Day in History: January 4

It is not in the pages of History perhaps to furnish a case like ours. To maintain a post within musket shot of the Enemy for six months together [without powder] and at the same time to disband one Army and recruit another within that distance of twenty odd British regiments, is more than probably ever was attempted: But if we succeed as well in the latter, as we have hitherto in the former, I shall think it the most fortunate event of my whole Life.

We're the Only Ones Armed and Confused Enough

Authorities admitted today that they arrested the wrong man in a police shooting at an East Germantown rowhouse early New Year's Day that left three bystanders - one of them a 9-year-old boy - as well as the gunman wounded...

The 9-year-old was grazed by an officer's bullet, police said.

What's especially rich is the real perp seems to be an employee of the anti-gun "Authorized Journalists" at the Inquirer. And naturally, we know everybody's names except for the "Only One" who shot the kid.

[Via Tony G]

The Eve of Destruction

The board voted to save the gun, donated from an estate, until the village attorney determines what the parameters are for giving the gun to the VFW.

The thought of the used guns, mostly pistols, getting in the wrong hands generated weeks of debate among village trustees. Originally, the board voted to sell the guns to a federally licensed dealer for $3,000; but after Otto Engineering President Tom Roeser offered to donate $3,000 in exchange for the destruction of the guns, the board obliged.

I can't help but wonder why anyone would donate anything to this pack of ingrates. And I understand this Tom Roeser character is a real piece of work.

What Councillor Ian Macdonald Believes

"I don’t believe that a gun should be necessary for anyone, never mind someone under 18."

I know there can be a sense of frustration that anti-defense bigots like this will probably never face the consequences for the evil they do.

Let's focus instead on making ourselves invulnerable.

That's the goal.

Dodge City, Indiana

A customer at a grocery store stopped an armed robbery by pulling his own gun and holding the suspect at gunpoint until police arrived, authorities said.

Now see, if he'd been unarmed, we wouldn't have to tolerate this cowboy mentality recklessness. After all, we have a right to feel safe, don't we?

We're the Only Ones Screening Enough

Police in Ottawa say all bars and nightclubs should be screening patrons for weapons...

Police say it's not uncommon for people to bring guns into bars...

Let's see, we're talking Canada, so how many laws are already being broken?

Yep, sounds like what they need is another law, forcing bars to install costly equipment and pay screeners. I know they say "all," but after the lobbying is done, I wonder if there will be size threshold, to provide relief to smaller corner bars, and if any consideration will be given to the clientele a bar attracts, or if, in the name of equality, Mom and Pop's neighborhood pub on the corner will be forced to install the same controls as Club Gangsta. Then, of course, we know bars pay their personnel so well and only employ those of highest ethical standards, so there's no way any would be corrupt or disgruntled enough to let patrons bribe them. And, of course, we can't forget the bathroom window loophole...

Great idea, there, Canadian "Only Ones"! Let us know when you've made things safe enough at known drug dealer/gangster hangouts to go club hopping again.

Painted in a Corner in SA

[A] number of security companies are contracting with clients to provide an armed reaction service although the company does not legally own firearms.

"It would appear that their reaction officers are being issued with paintball guns in order to defend themselves and their clients."

With the sorry history of South Africa and gun control, color me unsurprised it's devolved to this.

When Pork Chop Bones are Outlawed...

...only outlaws will have pork chop bones.

I wonder if it was one of those assault pork chop bones?

Helping the District

"I wanted to argue the case and thought I could help the District."

I can't think of a better way than by having you clear out your desk.

Here's hoping Peter Nickles' move is one of ego, as opposed to a sound legal decision.

[Via Peter G, and also Jeff S, who sent a link to the WaPo take on this and advises to check out the reader comments.]

CeaseFire PA Director's Watch: 01/03/08

I don't get it. I'm sure they know about this.

Why won't they update their page...?

This Day in History: January 3

Washington and his officers rally them, and more troops arrive and Washington himself leads them towards the British. Washington is only 30 yards from the British lines when he orders his men to fire. Both sides do fire, and Washington disappears in the smoke. When the smoke clears Washington is unharmed but Mawhood's regulars have broken. Washington orders a charge. The British troops retreat, some scattering into the woods, others turning for Cornwallis or New Brunswick. Washington also leads the pursuit, calling "Its a fine fox hunt, boys!"

A Small "L" Libertarian...

...urges us to consider the "pragmatically libertarian" reasons for putting aside our no compromise RKBA ideology and supporting Bloomberg for President.

Well...start considering.

BATFU Ignoring Congress

From Ryan Horsley:

"For 2 year in a row now the Appropriations committee has included language regarding the ATF shutting down dealers for minor paperwork violations."

He still urges us to contact our senators to block confirmation of "Maximum Mike".

And I still note deafening silence from our leaders in Fairfax, who came up with the excuse that their contact form was broken--as if that's the only way they'd ever hear about this. It should be clear to all by now that the reason they haven't weighed in is because they don't want to. I guess if that's the game we're going to play, it's time to tell them to quit stalling and give an unequivocal answer.

I also hear nothing but crickets from the Saxby Chambliss camp. For a while there, someone was hitting my site via the search term "Charlie Harman," and Ryan even made the unprecedented good faith effort of removing his post when the senator's aide told him it was "a misunderstanding" with a promise to revisit the issue. I'd say it's time to turn the lights on again.

Summing it Up

Say Uncle gives an overview.

UPDATE: Instapundit noticing ought to upset those who wish for people to stop looking.

Maybe I Should Follow Suit...

I like guns and, if I could own one, I would.

I'd like to be able to defend myself from gun-wielding nutters like you. You know, pop a cap in yo' ass. [More]

Now I'm in for it. Let's see, if I was going to follow the example of our brave and loyal opposition, now that a "death threat" of sorts has been made, I'd have to close down this blog and erase my tracks.

Wasn't that his rationale...? Still, I wonder why he hasn't shared links to the threats he claims he received...?

This is even more specific than threatening to "snuff out" somebody, and look at all the brouhaha that caused. It's not like anyone can claim they don't know what "pop a cap in yo' ass" means...

Hmmm...first trolls warn me I'll be sued if I don't drop an ongoing investigation and erase all records of it. That didn't work, and now a[nother?] troll is upping the ante in comments to the post where I say I won't back down.

And this is being done in "support" of a CeaseFire PA director, an organization that purportedly exists solely to reduce "gun violence"? What did the one [other?] troll say? Oh, yeah, "Why is it so few Americans do irony?"
I don't know, pal. Why don't you tell me?

Good thing I'm not the type to let my imagination run wild. Otherwise, I might think there's some connection, aside from the fact that people--regardless of the issue or which "side" they consider themselves to be on--who make anonymous threats share the trait of employing despicable and cowardly tactics. Which should surprise no one.

There's one other thing that could come up, so I'll just head it off before it does. Some may claim I posted the comment myself, or had a friend do it for me. Yeah, but there are a couple things that could make such a move dangerous to me: If the threatened litigation occurs, depositions with penalties for perjury will be made, and it's even conceivable that computer forensics experts will be retained. I'd imagine a lie would be pretty easy to expose and the consequences would be severe.

As for reporting this to the "authorities," I would if I seriously thought it would not be an overreaction to something I can handle myself. That said, there is nothing to stop any of you from reporting this link to whatever agency you see fit, and if so, I'll cooperate fully with any investigation. And those are people you don't lie to unless you're prepared to go to jail. Again, I don't believe the snotty "pop a cap in yo' ass" comment rises to the level of a credible threat that would merit that, but I can't stop anyone who disagrees with me from doing what they think is right.
My bottom line: After exploiting it to show the mindset of our "ideological opponents," I laugh stuff like this off and press on. And I simply don't believe anyone who says this is the reason he took his blogs and profiles down and erased all records of them. I don't believe that for a minute.

It Came from Outer Space

Sebastian has the out-of-this-world details about yet another director of CeaseFire PA.

Look, I don't have a problem in the world with speculations that life may exist elsewhere, including the intelligent variety. I just don't happen to believe that--if it does--any culture that has mastered the unimaginable technologies to navigate the vastness of time and space would settle on cud-chewing herbivores as "the most intelligent and wise."

CeaseFire PA Director's Watch

Well, in fairness, the day is still young. I bet they'll get right on this and proudly acknowledge their new affiliation real soon. Maybe by tomorrow this reminder will go away, and we can get about the business of asking them "Why?" instead of "Why not?"

Les is More

An Illinois custom gun manufacturer opened the new year at the same old place in Illinois as construction continues on a new facility across the river in LeClaire.

Les Baer Custom of Hillsdale, Ill., announced in May it wanted to move out of Illinois and received approval of a development and site plan agreement in LeClaire...

Baer decided to move his company when a bill arose in the Illinois General Assembly banning large-capacity gun magazine clips.

Good for him. nice job, idiots in the legislature, driving a source of jobs and revenue away. Chasing out prosperity is certainly a proven way of reducing the conditions that lead to crime, and increasing your coffers to fight it.

For the timid manufacturers who are still in denial and waiting, it's not like the powers that be don't want to destroy you. And you can bank on their regrouping to try again.

Why We Don't Need Guns

This pretty much nails it.

This Day in History: January 2

This flag consisted of thirteen stripes red and white, with the cross of St. George and St. Andrew on a blue field in the canton or union. This preceded the Declaration of Independence and indicated that the colonies had not wholly broken from the mother country. This flag was first unfurled by Washington, January 2, 1776.

On Overreacting

Today's post about the Palm Beach Butt Crack Patrol reminded me of something my oldest son and I caught yesterday while flipping channels during Twilight Zone marathon commercials: another "To Catch a Predator" with Chris Hansen.

My concerns about the blurring between "Only Ones" and "Authorized Journalists" notwithstanding, we do generally find the show good for a few laughs at the loser idiot scumbags, and yesterday was no exception. But they've started doing something I don't remember from earlier shows: Now, in addition to the bellowing horde of weapons-ready tacklers, they've started having some guy in a ghillie suit emerge from the bushes to make first contact.

For some reason, it struck us as really funny, maybe because we weren't expecting it, and our first reaction was to wonder why Chewbacca was making a cameo on Dateline NBC. Then we started laughing and extrapolating fantasy scenarios about other ways to scare the hell out of people, for instance, jumping out of the bushes roaring like a monster while wearing a team mascot costume, or as the Mugato from Star Trek...

But that was just stupid boys having stupid fun, and the larger point was not lost: Here's Chris Hansen confronting these guys alone but for a hidden camera crew that emerges at the finale, possibly unwisely for being unarmed, and then the amount of force present to make the arrest just really stands out starkly against that.

Maybe I'm the one overreacting here, but I remember a time when these kinds of deployments were reserved for murderers, bank robbers, desperados...

Ah well. It's all just entertainment anyway, right?

CeaseFire PA Director's Watch

No biggie--it's a holiday. Probably tomorrow, right?

We're the Only Ones in Full Force Enough

"No one goes to the mall and wants to see the crack of someone's butt."

Probably true in general. But for God's sake, Palm Beach "Only Ones" needed "20 deputies, two canine units and a police helicopter" to deal with it?

Are they truly that afraid? And is that the kind of mentality we want running around confronting people while armed to the teeth with "weapons of war"?

[Via Mack]

Biggest Story of 2007

A comment that I think deserves wider attention was added last night to an older post.

[Via Waste Waste Waste]

This Day in History: January 1

A Bit of Lag Time, Perhaps?

Metro Philadelphia, Nov, 29, 2007:

...Riley, a sociologist and new member of CeaseFire PA’s board of directors.

The statewide gun-control group, arguably Pennsylvania’s most visible and expansive, added four new board members yesterday.

Ceasefire PA's Board of Directors page, as of today:


Huh. Notice anything missing?

Considering they've had over a month now, and with all that computer expertise in their corner, I think they'd at least be able to update a webpage to include their new directors.

Wonder what the holdup is? I'd think anyone fortunate enough to align themselves with a distinguished member of academia would lose no time publicly capitalizing on that. Surely they're proud of it?

Oh well, I'm sure they'll take care of the oversight and advertise their new affiliation soon into the New Year after everybody's back from the holidays, don't you think? In the mean time, just to make sure they don't forget, perhaps the following daily reminder might be helpful?

Bring it On

My advice to Mr Codrea would be to drop the matter now before it gets seriously out of hand. He and his buddies would also be well advised to figure out how to erase their tracks on Google too.

Drop the matter?

I'm just getting warmed up. You ain't seen nothin' yet. And unlike with you, "anonymous," that's not a veiled threat, it's a promise. And I keep the ones I make.

Erase my tracks? Why would I want to do that? I'm pleased with the truths I've brought to light thus far. And I intend to keep excavating.

Funny thing about threats--unless you carry them out if your demands aren't met, they just come off as fear-driven bluffs, as laughable as the impotent creature making them.

I'm supposed to fear and then heed someone so cowardly he needs to threaten anonymously from the shadows?

I'd say someone is getting desperate and scared. And it's not me.

Breaching the Wall

Two-thirds of the guns gathered Saturday were dropped off at Shiloh Baptist Church on 9th Street in Northwest, one of the three locations where the department held the collections, according to police.

So apparently the great "wall of separation" between church and state we hear so much about doesn't apply to ideologies like all-powerful government worship...?

Hot Topic

Gun control is expected to become a hot topic for the US presidential election as the Supreme Court prepares to rule on a controversial handgun ban in the nation's capital.

Why not heat it up even more? The leading Democrat presidential candidates ought to be questioned on what they think the outcome of Heller should be, and their answer--or refusal to give an unequivocal one, ought to be publicized to "sportsmen".

I wouldn't expect this to cause much change within the GOP--even Rudy has made statements in support of Heller. This would be particularly damaging to the Dems, as they've been making noises recently to try and camouflage their tyrannical ambitions in re guns. This would be a way to approach the Democrat "sportsman" with proof that their candidate is so extreme they don't believe in a right to own guns at all--even at home.

It probably wouldn't make that big of a difference, but in politics, every percentage point counts toward tipping the scale, and who knows what damage could be engineered by loudly pointing out to duck hunters how their candidate is ducking an issue close to their hearts? Besides which, it would really be comical watching Paul Helmke and Peter Hamm try to spin it after their "judicial activism" tirades.

Bottom line: if it can hurt Hillary and Obama, why not?

We're the Only Ones Worth Protecting Enough

A man shot dead by police at a village near Sevenoaks in Kent had been reported wielding an Uzi-type sub-machine gun, the police watchdog said on
Sunday.

Wait a minute--are you saying "gun control" in the UK doesn't stop criminals from getting guns?

Unarmed Kent Police officers went to Stansted village on Saturday morning in response to a call that a man was threatening a member of the public, the Independent Police Complaints Commission said.

So if a member of the public's life is being threatened, someone who is prohibited by law from protecting himself, that's not important enough to send someone 'round capable of giving him the protection he's denied?

Two armed response units joined the officers and challenged the man, who was white and aged around 40.

But once "The Only Ones" feel threatened, the means of defense are made available?

Police then shot the man two times and he died at the scene.

And the only thing that will stop an armed threat is another man on the scene who is also armed?

He is not thought to have held a firearms licence or to have been a member of a registered gun club.

I repeat my first question...

Michael Bloomberg for President?

Buoyed by the still unsettled field, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg is growing increasingly enchanted with the idea of an independent presidential bid, and his aides are aggressively laying the groundwork for him to run.

That might not turn out as badly as it sounds.

He'd peel "moderate" votes away from the leading Republican and Democrat pretenders, and make an independent run by Ron Paul much more winnable. Plus, his cowardice in taking a stand on the Iraq war means the anti-war crowd would have nowhere else to turn.

Appropriate Use Policy

I don't know why, but somehow, reviewing a few highlights of Bucknell University's computer resources policy seemed like it might be--what's the word?--appropriate...

The use of Bucknell resources is a privilege, not a right, and is granted under the conditions of appropriate usage as stated in this policy. By using Bucknell's network, computing facilities, resources, and accounts, users agree to the guidelines contained herein.

General Guidelines
...Do not be destructive or malicious...

Appropriate Use
Use consistent with the educational mission of Bucknell University.
Use for purposes of, or in support of, education and research.
Use related to administrative and other support activities of the University...

Community Responsibilities
Do not use university resources (including, for example, e-mail, web pages, or newsgroups) to defame, harass, intimidate or threaten any other person(s), or to promote bigotry or discrimination...
Do not publish, post, transmit, or otherwise make available content that is copyrighted, obscene, or legally objectionable...

Ethical Use
...Do not forge, maliciously disguise or misrepresent your personal identity. This policy does not prohibit users from engaging in anonymous communications, providing that such communications do not otherwise violate the Appropriate Usage Policy...

Enforcement of the Appropriate Usage Policy
To insure adherence to the Appropriate Usage Policy and to protect the integrity of Bucknell's computing resources, ISR reserves the right to monitor the network and computers attached to it. In addition, ISR shall have the authority to examine files and account information, and to test passwords, to protect the security of Bucknell's network, computing resources and its users.

Reporting AUP Violations
Reports of problems or violations should be made on the Abuse Report Form.

This Day in History: December 31

On December 31, the American forces assaulted Quebec, with 600 men led by Arnold from the North and 300 men led by Montgomery from the South. The British were waiting between successive barriers. The Americans broke through the first line, but were stopped by the second. Arnold was wounded in the leg and carried from the battle field. Montgomery was killed by a bullet to the head, and the American assault failed. Six hundred men were captured and 60 died in the attempt to take Quebec.

Awareness, Mary Ann Lindley Style

There are alternatives. The one that was pounded into me, and which I still use every time I am approaching a vast parking garage, heading toward a car-filled parking lot, walking alone as dark descends, or sometimes just in a large crowd, is awareness...We were trained in physical maneuvers, some of the less-refined martial arts moves that could help us fight if necessary before we could flee. Quick kicks or punches to the throat, groin and eyes are what most attackers wouldn't expect. [More]

Yes, awareness/preparedness are all part of Col. Cooper's basics. But that's not enough.I'm sure all those Ted Bundy victims you mentioned were quite aware of what was happening to them.

You stupid little girl: I know someone very well who is 6'3" and weighs 230 lbs. He has years of martial arts experience as a young man, starting with Korean Tae Kwan Do, heavy involvement with Okinawan Ishin Ryu, including tournament competition, judo, and even a college course in hand-to-hand combat taught by the late Joe Begala, the man who wrote the Navy/Marine aviator training manual used in WWII and who was "the winningest wrestling coach" in the nation. Plus he's been in a few real fights and knows what it's like to be struck, kicked, kneed and grappled full force, and to bleed.

He's even the subject of some Herman Munster ribbing from his family, like over the time he yanked up too hard on the parking brake and ripped it out of the car floor, or lifted the end of the van enough so it could be freed from a snow-filled pothole.

He would never call any of this to anyone's attention to make them think how "bad" he was: quite the contrary. Since you brought up the Clint Eastwood quote, let me offer another: "A man's gotta know his limitations."

Not being aware of that is the same as being oblivious.

There are plenty of guys he knows who could mop the floor with him--and many of them little guys, like any of his teachers, or men who have never taken a day of martial arts training in their lives and are simply tougher, faster, stronger... The only chance he'd stand, and he freely admits this, is if he had a weapon to overcome their physical advantage.

So you take a basic intro class, and that's all your 10-week session really was, and think you're now qualified to instruct? You fool. I'm sure you'd like to give everyone your expertise on what you'd do when an enraged animal with twice your upper body strength has you on the ground, which is where most fights end up--it's not like in the movies, where everything is choreographed with perfect form, you know.

This is journalistic malpractice, and proves that a little bit of knowledge truly is a dangerous thing. Anyone who listens to an incompetent such as yourself is liable to get themselves killed.

Another UK Gun Registration Victory

A gun stolen from a British military base or smuggled by troops from Afghanistan or Iraq has been used in the attempted murder of a policewoman, The Observer can reveal.

Wow, it's a good thing the Brits keep such meticulous registration lists so stuff like this won't happen. Plus nobody keeps more meticulous inventory records than the military...

[Via Paul W. Davis]

We're the Only Ones Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon Enough

At the Iron Tiger Martial Arts school in Middletown and in Milford, N.J., New York City police Officer Trent Young taught kids self-defense.

But Middletown police say Young twisted the tenets of self-reliance to sexually abuse one teenage female student and try to abuse another.

Master Only One say "When you can snatch the pebble from my..."

[Via Declan]

This Day in History: December 30

Being appointed by Colo. Sheldon to procure Cloathing and accoutrements for the Regiment against the ensuing Campaign, you are to repair immediately to Boston as the most probable place of furnishing yourself. Upon your arrival there, you are, thro General Heath (to whom I have written) to apply to the persons purchasing Cloathing for Continental use, for as much as will be Sufficient, and as you have the measures of your Men, have it made up as expeditiously as possible. For the Articles of Boots, Saddlery &ca. you are to contract yourself, and Genl. Heath will furnish you with the Money.

Links to Yesterday's Post on Racist Anti-Gunner

I'm out the door and in a hurry this morning, so I don't have time to do the post I wanted. For now, go here to see what others are blogging about the "mystery racist."

Boy, if it's not who it looks like it is, someone is going to a lot of trouble to set up circumstantial evidence to frame him. That's why my call for an independent investigation is the only way to resolve this.

I'll have more later-- a lot more. As will these other bloggers, I'm sure.

This Day in History: December 29

December 29. 1775

In Schenectady, New York, the local Committee of Correspondence asks local magistrates to prevent the firing of guns on New Year's Day in order to conserve gun powder.

Ahh...The Founding Fathers' version of gun control...

Uganda: We're from the Government and We're Here to Help You

While the United Nations works diligently to curb the Second Amendment rights of Americans, it is turning a blind eye to abused Karamojong tribesmen fighting a brutal government to keep their only means of self-defense.

Paul Gallant sent me this link to his latest article, co-authored with Dave Kopel and Joanne D. Eisen.

"Esp. the Nigers!"

About a month or so ago, I noticed on my Technorati page that I was getting hits from a blog called "Guns Make Us Free." It was run by a blogger who called himself "NRAFourever," and it didn't take long to realize this was an anti-gun site designed to make gun owners look stupid and racist. So I did what I usually do with hate-filled people trying to call attention to themselves: I ignored it. No way was I going to link to it and give the guy any traffic.

Well now the page is down--not only that, but all record of the blog has been erased from internet archives, Google cache...and it appears this was not the only site run by this individual, and that they have all been taken down.

Why?

Perhaps it's because the racism went over the top, and the purveyor realized it could backfire and hurt him, badly, as well as damage organizations with which he is affiliated. That's my theory, and a YouTube posting that he couldn't delete shows just how bad he got.

At this point, I need to pause and cede something to political correctness--it's a shame that our culture requires it, but a charge of racism (even when fabricated, as in the case of the malignant dwarfs attacking Ron Paul) can damage or even destroy a person's reputation, so perhaps it would help if I presented the "inclusion policy" I drafted for the old GunTruths site:

We support the right of all peaceable people to keep and bear arms. Your age, race, sex, religion, political party, sexual orientation, or national origin are of no concern to us. Anyone who requires you to disarm is not your friend, and not our friend. Only when all peaceable citizens can freely exercise their inalienable right to self defense, and their right to keep and bear arms, will we attain the ultimate safeguard for our mutual protection, as individuals, as members of a community, and as citizens of the Republic. The right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness extends to all human beings, and all who support the right to keep and bear arms are welcome here, period.

I bring it up because this post is going to contain some highly offensive racist rhetoric. So with that necessary measure in self protection out of the way, let's examine the tactics used by one sick individual before we go about the task of unmasking him.

Desperate to escape, and running from the light like the shamed coward he is, he closed his YouTube account, so his profile has now been deleted. That alone should tell you all you need to know about this wretch. Here's why, in comments I extracted from his posts on this page (bolding added to highlight racial slurs):

Yea, thats rite, but I think you got the stastic rong. I heard Wayyne LaPeare say it was 2 1/2 milloin! THat's a LOT more than you said hear! So I aggree, but lets get our numbers right to show that wer'e smarter than the gun GRABERS LIBS! GO NRA GO! If any of you getto nigers come to steal m y truck, I will PWN you with my rifel!

HA HA LOL LOL YOUR RITE, the libs are STUPIDE! NOT like us, we have smarte names like NRA FOUREVER and WHITECRACKER to show what we think clear and clean! Plus, we barricaede ourself in our house with guns b/c of our fear of the world! Esp. the nigers! Its not b/c were inseckure, its b/c its our RITEs gave by JESIS! Plus we love being intimete with our guns! GO NRA GO!

Not only that, but in DORFAR and in RAWANAD aprocksomately 5.5 MILLION poeple (mostly nigers) were MURDERDE because they had LOST THEIR GUNS (I think the NRA had a chapeter their too for a while). So you should put that i n your statstics next time! The LIB media never did say anything about that! GO NRA GO!

SINK95, your RONG! And probably A LI B too. GUNS have always SHRINKED all dying except for dumb and evil (and nigers). YOU ARE VICTIM OF THE LIB MEIDEA! Get educated--listen to the speaches of Mr. Wayyne LaPErro and Mr. Charelton H., they have all the staticsts and facts you need! JOIN THE PATRIOTICS! NRA ALL THE EWAY!

IF you try, I have up to 50 guns, armed and ready. YOUR the STUPIDE one who thinks that the studeys are rong, 2.5 milion is more than 2555 or whatever you think. I red it on NRA web sight, they are relyable. Stop cusing or Jesis will not love you (in non-homasexeul way). Guns is a tool! Use it for hamer or jug emptyer, or to shoot any minorety crimanal (or Zionest UN member) stealing your parking place. GO NRA GO!

YEA TRainer, were going to INGNORE you! GO NRA GO! Whitecrackerracist is RITE! WHITE POWER is the NRA WAY!

Among other things, he sounds quite illiterate, doesn't he? Actually, we're probably dealing with a highly educated creature, albeit one of questionable stability. And clues to his identity--the ones he's been covering his tracks over--point to a prominent member of an anti-gun group, one with academic credentials who parlays those to get his loopy views posted on "Authorized Journalist" editorial pages.

So who is this creep? That's not my story, so it's not my place to break it here, as other bloggers have done the compilation of evidence, complete with screenshots and emails. I'm not going to steal their thunder, but will link to their posts when they're ready to come forward with them. I've been in correspondence with several colleagues in recent days, and they've amassed some pretty compelling documentation.

Here's what I'm hoping to do with this: attract the attention of some civil rights groups and turn the evidence over to them so they can investigate. The principals involved will be less inclined to stonewall them, and more inclined to clean house and distance themselves from the central villain of this story. I'd also like to see involvement by the establishment media, and perhaps get some "official" reporters looking into this. And I think requesting a board of inquiry from the president of a certain university might also be in order, along with asking a certain alumni association whether this may jeopardize their mission...

Now here's an important caveat: I purposely haven't named names. Even though things appear to point to a certain individual, everyone deserves a presumption of innocence. So if it turns out that someone from the pro-gun camp is setting up circumstantial evidence to smear an ideological opponent, I want to see the perpetrator unmasked as much as anybody.

Two things should be clear to both sides in the gun debate: The racist rhetoric posted above has no place in it, and it is in the interest of both our sides to disassociate ourselves from anyone who would employ such vile tactics. That's why I invite people from "across the aisle" to join me in calling for an independent investigation, free of the "special interests" I admit as my motivation, to confirm the identity of the person behind the racist posts, regardless of whose "side" he is ultimately revealed to be on.

Dangerously Bad Form

At one point, Huckabee’s party turned toward a cluster of reporters and cameramen and, when they kicked up a pheasant, fired shotgun blasts over the group’s heads.

This, friends, is dangerously bad hunting form.

If what happened is as reported, I agree.

Besides which, I'm sick of politicians pandering to gun owners with hunting photo ops. I know Huckabee has a fair 2A record as far as establishment politicos go, but John Kerry wore me out on this tactic.

But what do I know about politics? Sadly, for many "sportsmen," it probably works.

Another Red's Trifecta

From Ryan Horsley:

The posts today are to guest posts, the first from Bill Akins of Akins Accelerator.

The other is from a customer of ours about his ATF experience.

Here is the latest story on our fight.

Have a great weekend and a happy new year. Thank you for your friendship and support this year,

Ryan

This Day in History: December 28

This they have done, and are still doing, notwithstanding the base and cruel measures fallen upon by those in power, in Britain and America, to prevent their procuring the means of defence; in which, however, they have hitherto been unsuccessful, as the Americans have, though at a great expense, been supplied with ammunition sufficient to enable them to maintain a defensive war for many months, during which time they have used every method that could be devised, to prevail with the governing powers in Britain to repeal their unjust and cruel acts, and to revive that peace and harmony which formerly subsisted between Britain and America. Petitions, addresses, &c, have been sent to them, and that repeatedly, in hopes that at last they would meet with the desired and deserved success. But alas! Britons thirst for American blood!

We're not unique. Moral people try everything in their power to resolve things peaceably, and through "the system." It's only when all means of doing this have been barred that the potential for everything going to hell becomes likely.

Just Our Luck

With the U.S. Supreme Court set to decide whether the Second Amendment gives law-abiding citizens the right to keep a handgun at home, a convicted felon in New York decided to test his luck.

The inmate, Damon Lucky, isn't law-abiding. Nor did the gun he was convicted of possessing stay in his home. Still, Lucky decided to "see how far we can ride this pony," his lawyer, Harry Batchelder Jr., said, referring to the federal judiciary's apparent willingness to examine gun control laws critically.

My argument here will not be that the Second Amendment doesn't give anything, nor will it be my often-repeated assertion that anyone who can't be trusted with a gun can't be trusted without a custodian.

My argument is that luck really has nothing to do with it--it was inevitable. Those who avoided a Second Amendment challenge all these years because they were waiting for the "just right" Goldilocks case, or wanted to avoid it altogether because of the risk of losing, practically ensured that the wrong case, with a repulsive central character, would come to the fore. The question couldn't be more basic: would you rather engage with a case you engineered, at a time and place of your choosing--or wait to be blindsided by a train wreck of a case that you have no control or influence over?

I don't see this case going anywhere, but this will certainly make it problematic for future restoration of rights cases. For instance, Josh Sugarmann recently came out with a screed against the NICS expansion bill on the grounds that:

This provision is contrary to a unanimous 2002 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that ATF's failure to act on a relief application from a felon (because of a lack of appropriations) did not constitute a denial that would entitle the applicant to judicial review.

Here's what he conveniently didn't tell you about the "felon" in question: He was Thomas Lamar Bean, who was convicted in Mexico for leaving 200 rounds of ammunition in the back seat of his car. In one of the great travesties of US "justice," the Supreme Court unanimously confirmed the Catch 22 situation that an ATF denial was a requisite for judicial review, and that an ATF action was impossible to obtain because Congress had specifically defunded the agency from addressing appeals.

The unspoken danger, aside from the outrageousness of this intentional legal paradox, is the practical effect that foreign law trumps the Bill of Rights in the eyes of the court. Spreading the gospel in China is also equivalent to a felony, or violating Sharia "law" in Saudi Arabia...

"Lucky" won't make it any easier to rectify this. And future defunding of the new bill is merely a matter of political will, and rumor has it we have elections coming up soon where none of the front runners are people of principle or Constitutional fidelity.

[Via Alphecca]

Friend Seeks Clemency For Fincher

A Fort Smith man is asking the governor and the state’s legislative delegation to consider pressing the president for clemency or a pardon for a Fayettville man convicted of possessing machine guns...

“Mr. Fincher is not a subversive, not an enemy of the state, not a violent man, nor is he a threat to any peaceful law-abiding citizen of the State of Arkansas or the United States of America,” according to the letter.

But that's not the point, is it?

[More about Wayne Fincher from WarOnGuns]

Full Page Paul Ad in NYT

This ad was written and paid for by Lawrence W. Lepard, who did the same thing with USA Today. I encourage you to read the entire thing, and then to reflect on the enthusiasm and positive reasons so many Liberty-minded Americans have for supporting Ron Paul's candidacy.

I'll be getting onto some of the negative reasons some are spreading lies about this candidate in the coming days.

[Via Jeffrey H]