Thursday, June 12, 2008

We're the Only Ones Apologized To Enough

Pickerington High School’s Scott Reeves apologized in front of 14 police officers after the Ohio Fraternal Order of Police organized a campaign against him for daring to vouch for the character of a man who mistook raiding cops for armed robbers during the raid.
And when "The Only Ones" demand an apology, smart citizens comply!

Why do I immediately think of this?

[Via Chris Horton]

We're the Only Ones Who Fail to See the Humor Enough

A British man who was so amused with BBC1’s "Have I Got News for You" that he fell off his couch in a fit of laughter was not so happy when it got him arrested and pepper sprayed.
That'll teach him to react to government programming with the response it was designed to elicit! Condition the rats to react to stimuli one way, and when it becomes automatic, switch reward to punishment--that's so deviously ingenious it's elegant!

The UK has created the perfect paradox, and have "The Only Ones" to make sure it's implemented.

Cryptic Subterranean has more.

[Via Plug Nickel Times]

A Commentary on the Times

Voice your support for Winnebago Co.'s CCW Resolution here!

On the one hand, it's for permits. On the other hand, what have they got now?

Do what you think is right.

[Via Less]

We're the Only Ones Dumb Enough

A Federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit by a man who was barred from the New London police force because he scored too high on an intelligence test.
Good grief. I am dumbfounded.

Perhaps if "The Only Ones" are too bright, they might start questioning things...?

[Via Cigar Rollers]

A New Kinda Cool

Two new directives signed by President Bush establish sweeping authority for federal executive departments and agencies to establish a coordinated "framework" to collect and retain biometric data on U.S. citizens identified as "known and suspected terrorists," without requiring public or congressional disclosure of the procedures.
That includes all you "Homegrown Terrorists" out there.

Hey, when did this start authorizing self-delegation of powers by the executive? Isn't that a bit like this?


Good thing this was done by our friend the "Vote Freedom First President." I'd shudder to think what Thulsa/The Lightworker could do with such self-appointed powers.

What was that statement that so horrified all us non-democrats when made by Paul Begala during the Clinton administration? Oh, yeah:
Stroke of the pen. Law of the land. Kinda cool.
[Via JT McAdams]

On the Avenue...First Avenue...

In April, the Toledo-based Ohio Coalition Against Gun Violence testified against the bill. Executive Director Toby Hoover told us on Wednesday: "It's a message again that you can go ahead and use deadly force and I think that's the wrong message. That shouldn't be your first avenue."
Yeah. Toby would rather see this happen.

Here, Toby. You need one of these.

Maybe you could put your logo on them and sell them as a fundraiser.

On the One Hand...

Republican presidential nominee-in-waiting John McCain praised New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg during a visit to the Big Apple and hinted that Bloomberg could be considered as a possible running mate.
On the one hand, I've long been suspect of Newsmax as a credible source for anything, and "conservative" Richard Mellon Scaife changing his tune on Hillary was nothing short of bipolar.

On the other hand, McCain straddling both sides of the fence is nothing new.

I'm going to start referring to him as "The Award-Winning John McCain."

Oh, That Brother

...the Kenyan with American nationality...
That's pretty funny.

This Day in History: June 12

WHEREAS the infatuated multitudes, who have long suffered themselves to be conducted by certain well known Incendiaries and Traitors, in a fatal progression of crimes, against the constitutional authority of the state, have at length proceeded to avowed rebellion; and the good effects which were expected arise from the patience and lenity of the King's government, have been often frustated, and are now rendered hopeless, by the influence of the same evil counsels; it only remains for those who are entrusted with supreme rule, as well for the punishment of the guilty, as the protection of the well-affected, to prove they do not bear the sword in vain.

You would do well to read this and ask yourself what parallels can be drawn with contemporary attitudes...

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Off for a While...

...back later. I may or may not blog again today.

Concise

Exclusive to David Codrea's War on Guns Blogspot
by Mike Vanderboegh
10 June 2008

(Author's note: David has recently taken me to task, not without reason, for being too long winded. Therefore, I have written the mini-essay below just for War on Guns.)

"Tell me," I was once asked, "What do you think about gun control? Give me the short answer." To which I replied, "If you try to take our firearms we will kill you."

The End

[Ouch! DC]

Yeah, Right

Can you imagine being suicidal and then saying "I'm not going to do this after all because I was checked out by local authorities instead of NICS"?

And, of course, the criminal population, surprisingly the one with fewer options and more stress and depression, bypasses the system completely.

Good grief--they couldn't even do a study for Milwaukee proper because "the city does not have a federally licensed gun shop." So naturally, the mayor is all for local checks.

This is just more smoke and mirrors aimed at eliminating private sales and establishing a database of gun owners. I don't have time this morning to dig deeper into it--maybe I can get back to this story soon--and hopefully, John Lott is preparing something to expose this as the agenda-driven foolishness it sounds like.

We're the Only Ones Winning Our Job Back

A Houston police supervisor fired in the fallout after roughly 30 guns went missing from the property room won his job back Tuesday, arguing he had little control over widespread security failures though top HPD officials knew about the problems and did nothing.
On the bright side, if they ended up in Mexico, the resultant photo op could give "Only Ones" on both sides of the border a wonderful opportunity to state their case for more federal grant money...

Following the Pesos

At least 80 percent of all of the weapons used by drug traffickers in Mexico to kill one another as well as police and soldiers come from the U.S., Mexican officials say. They've repeatedly asked the U.S. government for more help in stopping the flow of weapons from Texas and other border states into Mexico.
What are they gonna say?

On the one hand, the government is posting pictures of what they identify as M16s (as opposed to AR-15s)and grenade launchers--hardly stuff that is picked up as a straw purchase or through a "gun show loophole"...

See, if they tell us the stuff all comes from us, there's money in it for those "Mexican officials" and our alphabet agencies...reason enough to be suspect, particularly considering the rampant corruption among all concerned.

But yeah, of course stuff does cross the border--both ways. Some of us have been pointing that out. Mention the solution to that and watch governments on both sides of the border scream blue bloody murder and worse--racism.

That they even brought up the seizure of one "FN Herstal 5.7 mm pistol chambered to fire a bullet that can penetrate body armor" shows me this is pure hysteria designed to gin up a we must do something sentiment among the uninformed.

If we really wanted to secure the border, we could do it in a matter of days. That we haven't says there are too many powerful people making too much money at this con--they know they have to make it look like they're doing something, so they might as well kill two birds with one stone--we know both candidates are set on closing that "loophole," and we're really just another "mass shooting" or two away from giving a democrat majority the juice they need to get the assault weapon chupacabra breathing again.

We're the Only One Playing Criminal Enough

A police officer shot dead during a training exercise was playing the role of a criminal fleeing in a car when he was killed by a colleague.
Because, obviously, these people are "The Only Ones" competent to handle firearms...

[Via Michael G]

We're the Only Ones Ramming Enough

"You better run," the officer yells in the first video released, using a slur, "because I'm fixin' to kill you."
Yep, there's nothin' wrong with you that these "Only Ones" can't fix--permanently.

[Via SameNoKami]

Olofson Ordered to Prison

A Wisconsin man convicted in federal court of transferring a machine gun has been denied a request to stay out of prison while he fights the conviction.
Just in time for Independence Day.

Developing...

This Day in History: June 11

On June 11, offended by his manner, the townspeople seized Jones. Midshipman James Moore, commander of the Margaretta, and some of his officers escaped through the windows in the church and returned safely to their ship. They then threatened to bombard the town unless Jones was surrendered from the town. Meanwhile, a group of 40 volunteers organized a pursuit, led by Jeremiah O'Brien and Benjamin Foster, and captured the Unity;

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

A Twisted Imagination

Imagine a bullet fired from a semiautomatic pistol, moving through the night darkness faster than the speed of sound—more than 1,200 feet per second or four football fields end to end. Now imagine that bullet slamming into the body of a child like a brick through a picture window.

I-ma-gin-na-a-a-tion...

We've explored your kind of diseased imagination before, Marian Wright Edelman, and it always,without exception, proves to be a nightmare.

That's why you need to avoid a critical examination of real-world results, and rely on emotion and misleading your readers to set up your thesis.

Let's examine some of your dishonest technique:

First, you present the readers with the "Leave it to Beaver" empathy ploy--your initial examples are exclusively confined to young children, as opposed to unsympathetic adolescent and young adult gangbangers with violent criminal histories.

While I was unsuccessful at finding news accounts of the child in Chicago who you say accidentally shot himself, it cannot go unchallenged that handguns are banned in that city--at least ones not registered in 1982 and every year thereafter (unless you're an alderman). Do you think it's safe to make some assumptions about the household involved, particularly one that would leave a loaded gun in reach of a 5-year-old?

And what makes me think two men "playing with a gun" in the Bronx indicates compliance with the myriad of NYC "gun control" edicts? Ditto, news for the Grand Rapids child is also impossible to verify without more information, but it should be noted your topic is "Child and Teen Deaths," so throwing injuries into the mix seems like padding--kind of like mixing "accidents" involving young children, which are rare, with shootings resulting from intent, including those involving young adults. And likewise, without fleshing it out, we can't know the circumstances of the Durham shooting.

But funny-- a little bit of poking around makes me wonder why you didn't share more of the Long Island story with your readers. You didn't think it relevant to tell them the boy's father attacked two men with a machete, or that 15 fighting dogs with open bite wounds were taken from the property?

Somehow it's not relevant to bring that to your readers' attention?

So when you ask "Is any child in America safe from gun violence?" you don't think it fair to examine if the circumstances you avoid discussing to make your case are representative of the general population?

You don't think that's unethical journalism, Marian?

And you don't think you represent the type of political advocacy that enables and ensures more, not less violence of all kinds?

You've already proven that we can't interpret what you say without peeling back the surface and examining what you haven't said. So when you go blathering about "common sense gun safety measures," why would anyone not believe you're holding back on critical facts necessary to make an informed evaluation?

Intentionally distorting reality? That's more twisted than your imagination, Marian.

We've seen the results of your kind of "thinking," Marian. And we see where it has the potential to lead us.

Why are some of us not surprised your delusions will lead to nothing but more misery?

An Open Letter to the Gun Control Crowd

Mike Vanderboegh shares some thoughts on the upcoming power shift.

Giving Them What They Want

Over many torturous hours, she had been repeatedly raped, sodomized and forced to perform oral sex, a prosecutor told a jury on Thursday. The accused, Robert A. Williams, 31, had doused the woman’s face and body with boiling water and bleach, forced her to swallow handfuls of pills and to chase them with beer, sealed her mouth with glue, and bound her wrists and legs with shoelaces, cords and duct tape, said the prosecutor, Ann P. Prunty. And now, Ms. Prunty said, he was asking the woman to gouge out her own eyes with a pair of scissors.
Fortunately for the victim, she lived in Bloomberg Paradise. Otherwise, her assialant might have taken her gun away and used it against her.

She did the right thing by obeying the law and giving him what he wanted, don't you agree?

We're the Only Ones Not Under Siege Enough

"The city in fact is not under siege," Paysinger told reporters at an afternoon news conference.
He's right, you know. A siege is when the enemies are outside your gates.

I'd tend to view the Bloods, the Crips, the Sureños, the Asian gangs, and the 18th Street Gang as competing occupying barbarian armies.

And sorry if you think you might need to take steps to protect yourself on the street during the latest "blip"...the answer is "No." In LA, we reserve that privilege for "The Only Ones."

And here's a cheery thought:
And it is everywhere. According to the Department of Justice, today America has at least 30,000 gangs, with 800,000 members, in 2,500 communities across the United States. (Gang experts at the University of Southern California claim the number of American jurisdictions with gang problems has reached 4,000.) Federal, state and local law enforcement across the country agree that street gangs connected to or mimicking the L.A. model have become a national epidemic.

All enabled and made possible by the very government policies we as a nation seem inclined to provide more of, which I guess is what they mean by "Hope" and "Change."

Gosh, I hope I'm not sounding overly alarmist. I mean, what could possibly go wrong?

God Didn't Make the Little Green Apples...

...and Marines don't train in Indianapolis
in the summertime...
So they're just training for the Middle East, right? It would be tinfoil hat ridiculous to speculate on training for domestic deployments, wouldn't it?

I look at America's urban areas as tinderboxes ready to erupt. I look at the drive to disarm as many people in the cities as they can, I factor in things like rising energy costs and potential blackouts, the prospects of a long, hot summer, talk of food supply disruptions, anger, crime, racism, gang members in the tens of thousands, and even unexpected developments in the presidential race...and I'd be surprised if there aren't those in government assessing the same factors, plus ones we don't know about. In this environment, there are untold catalysts that could trigger a very bad sequence of events.

I'd be surprised if the one thing that doesn't scare the rulers more than anything is what will happen if they actually shoot any rioters--less than lethal tools won't stop armed mobs, and if multiple rioters are shot and killed, I believe rioting will spread to other cities...Or perhaps I am hopelessly naive, and there are some who would benefit from that...

That's the kind of thing that can lead to martial law--and I doubt Katrina-style disarmament bans will be covered under those circumstances.

Here's hoping this is just baseless hysteria, conspiracy kookiness, a misreading of signals, and that we can all look forward to a summer of love as our Hope prepares us for Change.

[Via Cornet Joyce II]

First Person Shooter

Property owner Billy Jackson shot and killed two men who he said were trying to rob him.
And in spite of the fact that the police said it was self-defense, Mr. Jackson would do well to zip it and let a lawyer do his talking for him.

Honest people have a tendency to be open and candid because that's just the code for living life and dealing with others. I hope for his sake this is not used against him, because I see several things here (that I won't point out) that could be more than problematic.

If you ever need to defend yourself, get a lawyer and let him be the one to tell your story. I hope this man does not end up injured because he does not know this.

[Via Matt L]

Red's Looking Forward

Horsley said...he looks forward to being open by Aug. 1, in time for hunting season.

This Day in History: June 10

As companies sprang up throughout the province, the Northampton Committee of Correspondence urged all freemen to “provide themselves immediately with all necessary arms and ammunition, and muster as often as possible to make themselves expert in the military art.”75

75. PA. EVENING POST, June 10, 1775, at 242.

The quote is good. But the review as a whole has some problems...

Monday, June 09, 2008

Breaking News: Twin Falls URA to Buy Red's Property

The Twin Falls Urban Renewal Agency agreed today to pay $200,000 for downtown property where Red's Trading Post at 215 Shoshone St. S...

The closing is expected around July 15, according to a copy of the contract.

Don't jump to conclusions. While the terms of the settled agreement are still pending public announcement, do not assume this means the business of Red's Trading Post will close.

The plan is for a better and more modern facility, and the downtime will be used to effect the move.

Stay tuned.

Nine Meals from Anarchy

...how Britain is facing a very real food crisis
And when it happens, who do you think is going to eat?

Like Spike

And a comment like 'A guy like that should shut his face' - come on Clint, come on. He sounds like an angry old man right there."

Yeah, he doesn't sound young and rational, like the kind of cool head who would say "Shoot [Charlton Heston] with a .44 bulldog."

And "plantation"? Society rewards you with extraordinary wealth and fame, and all the doors that opens, but you're still a victim of discrimination?

Sometimes, Spike, race has nothing to do with it. Jerks come in all colors.

GUNS Magazine: June 1958

Well, that's not exactly what we've come to regard as safe gun handling being demonstrated on the cover there, is it? We've come a long way in half a century, but most of it has not been in the right direction.

There's plenty in this issue, including a look at "West Point's 'Library' of Guns," "Tommy Gun" marksmanship, Elmer Keith hunting lions, the story of "Pistol Pete" Eaton, and more, including the classic period gun ads.

But here's what really stands out:
No corrupt politician ever worked more cynically, or more successfully, to put over a deal that would perpetuate his power. "He knew, of course," a retired policeman told this writer, "that his own boys would keep on getting gats without papers." But he went about enlisting unthinking "reformers" to bat for his bill through press and pulpit.
"Sullivan Law: This Law Makes Crime Safe," is a must-read, and gives us an invaluable analysis and perspective on the background, effects and implications of this evil, unAmerican edict that provided the model for urban citizen disarmament.

We're the Only Ones Depressurizing Enough

Senior UN ambassadors travelling from the Democratic Republic of Congo to Rwanda had to abandon their plane after a security guard accidentally shot a hole in the aircraft, it emerged today.
Boss! De plane! De plane!

Not just "Only Ones," but UN "Only Ones.

And on top of that, they expected free fuel? And they're going to complain they had to pay for it? I guess when you're a career kleptocrat, you're just not equipped to deal with someone you can't force into surrendering their property.

We're the Only Ones Who Can Do It in the City of Chicago

"I said you can't do it in church,'' Keating said. "You can't do it anywhere in the city of Chicago.''
But we can, schmuck! Ha Ha! Any damn where we please!

And even though we observed you were not a threat, you're going to learn the hard way the difference between a mere citizen and "The Only Ones."

Simpatico


The image of the gauche American, wearing a ten gallon hat, sitting on the Champs Elysee, unable to comprehend a thing - is what your organisation represents to many of us.

My goodness--an English/Canadian and the French think poorly of us!


More insufferable snottiness from a subject with a totally unearned sense of sophistication and intelligence.

Thanks, Ian Carruthers, and I mean that--smug, hate-filled nonsense like what you spout is tremendously valuable for unifying often contentious gun owners. As a token of gratitude, I'd like to send you one of these.

[Via ChareltonHest]

The Return of Snuffy

He'll be back.

Funny how saying how he's going to snuff out a fellow human being isn't grounds for suspension, but badmouthing a democrat is. But don't think of it as a punishment, even though I don't know what the hell else you'd call a grown man getting a "time out."

The key statement is in the video, where the woman says 75% of the congregation would follow Snuffy to a new church--which means they're not followers and believers of the religion anyway, but of the man.

Maybe they'll move to Guyana...?

And Snuffy's not-so-cryptic comment about not knowing what the future will bring reinforces just who's telling who to watch their step, and it ain't the intimidated Cardinal George.

[Via Armed and Safe]

We're the Only Ones Scaring Off the Competition Enough

A New York City police officer was arrested on a menacing charge Friday, several hours after he barreled through a security checkpoint at Hofstra University while off duty and pointed his service pistol at a man who had accompanied his former girlfriend to a Manhattan nightclub...
Because he's "The Only One" for her. Gee, I wonder why she left him.

And remember, this is New York--if you lift a finger...

[Via Plug Nickel Times]

George Saxton, New American

But others applauded the initiative. George Saxton of Capitol Hill was pulled over in his black Ford Focus after dropping off his niece near the checkpoint. He said those who are complaining about the initiative probably have something to hide.
Congratulations, George. That's just the response we've been waiting to hear.

You won't mind if we do a cavity search on you and your niece, now, will you? Lotta drugs in the Trinidad area--and now that we know you have nothing "to hide," we're sure you won't be one of "those who are complaining."

[Via Jeffersonian]

To Fight Another Day

The lawyer for Georgia's largest independent gun dealer said this week that his client trusted a New York jury would find that he had done nothing to put guns into the hands of New York City criminals—until the presiding judge announced that the jury would deliver a recommendation, rather than a verdict.

“I like to dub it as the 'fake jury,'” said New York attorney John F. Renzulli, about an advisory jury suggested by the trial judge...

Lawyers for New York City argued this week that by giving up so close to trial, Renzulli and [Jay] Wallace also gave up their right to appeal. Renzulli responded that, “in no uncertain terms, that's not even close to correct.”

It's obscene that such maneuverings and technicalities would even need to be considered in an American court, which like all government, only exists in principle to secure the blessings of liberty. That the courts are used instead as state organs of repression makes things very dangerous, indeed--when you take away official recourse for justice, men will look to other channels.

Then you get Orwellian statements from creatures like Kenneth W. Taber about obeying the law, especially considering the "shall not be infringed" proscription in "the supreme law of the land"...

It's supposed stewards have usurped the law, twisted to their own ends, presumed to be its masters rather than its champions...

Anyway, Jay Wallace still needs help. This truly is a David and Goliath story. If you are appalled by the unfairness he's up against, and think no man should have to face that alone, go here and do something about it.

[Via Chris Horton]

This Day in History: June 9


Sunday, June 08, 2008

Selfish Gun Owner Murders Bear

While this happened in our neighbor to the north, it does definitively illustrate why we can't loosen the rules in our National Parks!

Why not join with "the voices of experience," that is, government pensioners, in wishing this man had died instead?

Hey, "The green blood still runs deep."

What are these people, Vulcans? Anyway, that's obviously more important than someone else's red blood.

Lightworker

Many spiritually advanced people I know (not coweringly religious, mind you, but deeply spiritual) identify Obama as a Lightworker, that rare kind of attuned being who has the ability to lead us not merely to new foreign policies or health care plans or whatnot, but who can actually help usher in a new way of being on the planet, of relating and connecting and engaging with this bizarre earthly experiment.

I'm not quite clear on this: What's the difference between a Lightworker and a Daywalker?

I've said before:

Obama is not a political phenomenon. He's a mystical one. And that ought to scare the hell out of us.
Isn't it telling how those who are overtly hostile to traditional religion embrace their new demigod with the fervor of Luciferian theosophist zealots?

[Via SIH]

We're the Only Ones Conniving Enough

"We will investigate if the leaders of the prison were conniving in this," Paulo Gomes, a state prosecutor, told reporters.
I guess "a plasma TV, a DVD player, $172,000 in cash, gym equipment, two refrigerators and a couple of guns" could conceivably get into a prisoner's cell without "Only One" cognizance...we're not quite sure how, but give us enough mon...uh...time, and we'll figure something out...

And bear in mind, the people who can't even keep guns out of cellblocks tried to ban them in the nation as a whole.

[Via Zachary G]

Competing Interests

In a recent speech to the National Rifle Assn., McCain portrayed himself as a strong supporter of the 2nd Amendment. But his past statements show that he thinks that some NRA positions "actually threaten the interests of law enforcement," said Dennis Henigan, legal director of the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence. "He was conspicuously silent on those when he spoke to the gun lobby."

We don't really want to look too closely at that, and what it implies, do we?

It might compete with our interests in reassuring ourselves via rationalizations.

The March of Folly

I guess the irony is lost on these people...

Meanwhile, Over in Sarah Brady Paradise...

A man who police said "was tired of life" drove into a crowd of pedestrians Sunday and then went on a stabbing rampage in Tokyo's top electronics and video game district, killing seven people and wounding 10, authorities said...

A witness told NHK the suspect dropped the knife after police threatened to shoot him.
So I guess he wasn't really all that "tired of life" after all.

Funny how someone with a gun is what it takes to stop these things, isn't it?

[Via SameNoKami, James Bond and AvgJoe]

Coming Out of the Gun Safe

Called "open carry" by its supporters, the movement has attracted grandparents, graduate students and lifelong gun enthusiasts like the Jensens...

...Police acknowledge the practice is legal, but some say it makes their lives tougher.
Yeah, jobs can be tough. That's why they're called jobs.

Considering the source, this article was surprisingly balance, but I actually found some of the comments more interesting than the article--in terms of revealing ignorant leftist hatred and bigotry against gun owners.

So much for tolerance and diversity.

As I wrote before:
I also belong to a group that is forced by social prejudices to keep a low profile--often times to hide my choices and practices lest I suffer disapproval and ultimately, life-threatening persecution by the state.

I am a gun owner and I live a gun owner life style.

I don't know if I was born with a tendency to be this way, or if it was an acquired disposition. All I know is, I don't see why I should be forced to change. Truth be known, I like owning guns, and am happy with who I am. I hope I suffer no repercussions by "coming out of the safe," but I just can't hide the truth any longer.

We gun owners have been living and working among you. Our kids go to school with yours. We may be your doctor, or minister, or your child's teacher. We may even work in city administration, or the courts, or on the police force. And we are sick of being abused for simply being who we are, all because of hoplophobic prejudice and fear. We don't see any reason why we should have to put up with it any more.
You'd think the gunbashers would grok that.

[Via Plug Nickel Times and Jeffersonian]

We're the Only Ones Dictatorial Enough

Two weeks after a shooting at Seattle's Northwest Folklife Festival, Mayor Greg Nickels reportedly plans to announce restrictions Monday on concealed weapons on city property.

Nickels' office declined to offer any details about the executive order. A news conference was scheduled at the Police Department with Nickels, Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske and state legislators...

Essentially, my understanding is that Mayor Nickels is going to announce an (executive order) pertaining to prohibiting weapons on city property...

...Executive orders are directives to city departments. They do not require City Council approval. They typically don't apply to the general public, but to the policies and actions of city employees, agencies and properties.

Any attempt by a city or county to ban guns outright in public parks -- unless it exempted holders of permits to carry concealed weapons -- would be illegal under state law, which pre-empts local governments from enacting gun laws that are stricter than state codes...
What's with these big city mayors passing illegal laws--that is, ignoring laws they don't like to impose edicts they intend to enforce against We the People? We saw it recently in Philadelphia and we saw it earlier in San Francisco, where they demonstrated they're "The Only Ones" who can break the law with impunity. If anyone else even rhetorically suggests it and they make real clear how strongly they disapprove.

[Via Rick R]

This Day in History: June 8

Lord Dunmore flees the Governor's Palace to the ship Fowey docked at Yorktown.

Saturday, June 07, 2008

We're the Only Ones Knee-Capping Enough

A routine trip to serve a juvenile warrant ended with an innocent teenager shot by an officer.
Funny thing--if "The Only One" felt justified to shoot because of aggressive dogs, and he didn't shoot the dogs but shot the kid instead, and the dogs didn't end up needing to be shot after all because they didn't attack, is there anything we can infer...?

And why don't we know his name...?

[Via Tony G]

An Illinois Trifecta

From ICarry Gun Owners Association:
1) The meeting in Rockford this Tuesday, June 10th at 5:30 at the Memorial Hall building is coming up!!! We absolutely, positively need as m any bodies and voices there as possible. If you are in driving range and can be here, we really, really, really truly need you. This is not a drill, this is for real. This meeting may determine the future of concealed carry for the entire state!!!

2) I need to find some Chicago citizens -- people who live IN city limits. You don't have to do much or spend any money -- just contact me. It's very important. With your help, the other citizens of Chicago could own pistols again!!!

3) An online petition has been created: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/ConcealedcarryInWinnebagoCountyI/
Please take 2 seconds to sign this petition for concealed carry in Illinois!!!
[Via HZ]

The Road to Damascus

Cleveland Plain Dealer columnist Philip Morris is reporting that State Rep. Michael DeBose, a Cleveland Democrat who has a solid history of anti-gun votes in the Ohio legislature, has changed his mind in the wake of a violent robbery attempt near his home.
Yeah, you needed it to happen to you to make it real. Right.

I'll believe in a change of heart when I see him come out in favor of protecting militia suitable rifles. Until then, I suspect this is CYA excuse-making to mask the obvious hypocrisy of a gungrabber wanting to carry a gun.

What damage has been done in the atmosphere this creature helped create? And how does he propose to atone and make restitution?

I just don't buy that him wanting to protect his sorry hind quarters is reason for me to think I've got a brand new pal.

Still, I think we ought to use every opportunity to rub this in the antis' faces.

[Via Jeffersonian]

An Appealing Prospect, But...

Jackson County Sheriff Mike Winters has filed an appeal in an attempt to protect the personal information of concealed handgun licensees in his county.
Fine and good, and way to go, thanks, Sheriff, but come on, OFF- at least address this plan...

Come on, guys, get guerilla...

[Via Jeffersonian]

We're the Only Ones Well She Was Just 17 if You Know What I Mean Enough

Police said Jeffrey P. Geskie of Hurley engaged in a sex act with a 17-year-old girl Monday night in High Falls in exchange for his not filing criminal charges against her.
An oral deposition, "Only Ones" style, no doubt...

[Via Declan]

"They Left Him for Dead"

A day after former Hartford Deputy Mayor Nick Carbone was brutally attacked during his routine walk to breakfast in the city's Frog Hollow neighborhood, he lay in intensive care Tuesday at Hartford Hospital waiting to learn whether he needs emergency brain surgery...

He was found bloodied and bruised about 9:15 a.m. Monday in a stone path used as a short cut from Laurel Street to Capitol, his son said. His wallet had been stolen...

"They left him for dead"...

Correspondent 1894C fills in some details the "Authorized Journalists" won't bring you:
Sadly I bring you this story of a well intentioned liberal that spent decades creating a culture of government entitlement and dependency, and was beaten half to death by products of the society he helped create.

Note that this man could never have defended himself against multiple attackers all younger and stronger than he. He could not run away. He could not simply "give them what they want" he did not fight at all. He could not avoid a bad area, or dangerous time of day, he was walking the street in broad daylight on Sunday morning. In short there was only one thing Mr. Carbone could have had in his possession that may have been useful to him to prevent grievous personal injury, a firearm, along with the skill and will to use it to protect his life.

Then consider this from the article: "Carmen Rodriguez, a community activist who serves on Hartford's firearms review board with Carbone, said the city must ask itself some serious questions if an older man can't walk to breakfast without being attacked."

Yes, let's ask those questions; namely how can an elderly man protect himself from multiple assailants that intend to do him terrible harm?

Mr. Carbone promulgated a welfare society that created these predators, he served on Hartford's firearms review board that infringes on peaceable citizens inalienable right to self defense. His assault is a terrible, tragic, and all too predictable consequence of decades of policy not just an aberrant act of random violence.
And lest you think this assessment of Hartford's sociological development a mite harsh, consider this assessment from someone in the know:
In an unusual display of public anger, Hartford's police chief Wednesday gave vent to his feelings about the recent violence afflicting his city and the lack of decency among residents.
Chief Roberts does something cool that I've not seen before--he blogs. And furthermore, he provides for comments. I'd say that's as good a place as any to engage him on his views on concealed carry.

The Fault Line

The University of Akron basketball player charged in an off-campus shooting with police has been expelled by the university.
No doubt about it--it's the gun's fault.

If only there were no guns, stuff like this would never happen, and another young life full of hope and promise would not have been ruined.

Damn guns.

We're the Only Ones Automatic Enough

Before deputies arrived, they were informed that Agt. Queen was in the residence with an automatic weapon refusing to come out.
I wonder if it was stamped: "RESTRICTED FOR GOVERNMENT OR LAW ENFORCEMENT USE ONLY"?

[Via RCB and Carl S]

68

Angilo Freeland's civil rights weren't violated, the Department of Justice has concluded, 20 months after the fugitive died in a 68-bullet barrage fired by law enforcement officers tracking the man sought in the killing of Polk sheriff's Deputy Matt Williams.
Not to mourn what sounds like a truly bad guy, but there is a Heather Fong air to all of this.

Two images are evoked unbidden:

The death scene from "Bonnie and Clyde"...

...and Rodney Dangerfield punchlining "I can't take 67 more of those."

[Via AvgJoe]

This Day in History: June 7


Friday, June 06, 2008

The Alderman Loophole

Armed and Safe has the latest, including a copy of the ordinance.

If writing the law to suit yourself isn't naked tyranny, I don't know what is.

I hesitate to say any more, because I just submitted a column on this to GUNS Magazine, so go read what 45superman has to say--he covers it well and then some, including alerting us to another "Only Ones" exemption proposal.

If I were an Illinois gun owner, I would be pressing organizations claiming to represent me to file a freedom of information demand for copies of all correspondence from Chicago gun owners who told the city they were in the same predicament as Richard Mell. Conveniently I notice he mentioned he was called, so perhaps phone logs could be included at as well. You could do it in a way to protect their identities, and use it to validate that the city has been "inundated" and the new law will benefit "thousands."

Hell, I'd think a quick audit of police records for how many have not renewed during the designated time period ought to give a good quick 'n dirty snapshot, once you factor in people who moved or died--but then again, maybe not, because who in their right mind would play along with this evil game?

We're the Only Ones Heil...uh...Hailing Enough

POLICE Association chief Paul Mullett says a decision by force command to give officers semi-automatic weapons is a victory for common sense.

See, when placed in the capable and trustworthy hands of "The Only Ones," these horrific weapons of war/bullet hoses/killing machines are magically transmuted into benign "patrol pistols."

We need to keep an eye out for when the semiautos are finally distributed--and start a pool to see who can come the closest to predicting when we will read an "Authorized Journalist" report about Victorian police officers with the words "the gun went off."

We're the Only Ones Working for Tips Enough

A former Indianapolis police officer has been sentenced to four months in a community corrections center for tipping off suspects in a federal drug investigation.
Four months? For an "Only One"?

Why that's outrageous!

He should have kicked a dog instead--he'd have been reinstated with pay.

[Via Shermlock Shomes]

We're the Only Ones Reinstated Enough

A judge has ruled that the Highway Patrol trooper who was fired for abusing his police dog should be reinstated with back pay.
Remember?

Congratulations, Administrative Law Judge Fred Morrison. Thanks to your ruling, NC "Only Ones" now know they can get their kicks and they'll have a pal on the bench.

This ought to be an object lesson for anyone pulled over by the NC Highway Patrol in terms of the type of conduct that is condoned by the judicial system there. It might make one think twice about consenting to be placed under control--particularly if the demeanor of the trooper indicates he intends to treat you like a dog.

Via Spiffmo, who has more.

The Grimm and Evil Show

Fred Grimm thinks agents of the state should be "The Only Ones" to possess "guns designed to kill enemy soldiers."

Talk about evil.

How nice for you, Fred. Here, put this in and go quiver in a corner, will you? There's a dear...

Warner Todd Huston took the time to do some point-by-point deconstruction of Grimm's screed.

[Via Michael G]

We're the Only Ones With Kids' Balls Enough

The kids’ balls “were always banging his cars"...

Gianquitti, a slight man who drew a disability pension for the few months in the early 1990s when he served as a Providence police officer...
...certainly brought a unique "Only Ones'" perspective to dealing with neighborhood disputes...

[Via Brian F]

Can McClintock Count on CA Grassroots?

From Tom McClintock:

This election has been watched across the country as a bellwether over the future direction of our party - and ultimately of our nation.

You can say that again.


For some reason that strikes me like getting noticed by the Eye of Sauron.

McClintock's opponent spent $4.5 million in the primary, and his campaign is still $50,000 in debt.

California gun owners--what are you doing about this? What have you done so far?

Take a look at this anemic Google blog search.

Why don't we find a hot and current McClintock thread happening here? Why no prominent mention here? Can anybody explain why this is?


Yes, McClintock has been endorsed by NRA and GOA, and that's important--but the point being, now it's time for grassroots to take those endorsements and muster troops and resources with them. His place (particularly with the democrat machine focusing on him) will not be secured by a top down pronouncement, but rather by committed personal involvement. There should be a highly visible and proactive plan for gun owner support in place, prominent promotional features, articles and event calendars on California RKBA websites, and discussion and coordination of support activities taking place in CA gun forums. There should be an ongoing coordinated effort to solicit funds, recruit campaign volunteers, encourage letters to editors (with talking points), you name it...

People won't follow if finding leadership is this difficult.

In the mean time, go here and do what you can. And if you're currently actively working on mobilizing gun owners to elect McClintock, share that with us here. Let me know what you're doing, your successes, your challenges, and how WoG can help publicize your efforts.

Let's work to change this result right now:


"Freedom and Firearms" by Tom McClintock

A Market Intervention

California would not care if you ceased to exist tomorrow, and the fact that you giddily make guns for the gun banners intent on your destruction has everyone laughing at you, not with you.
Ken Hanson takes a gun manufacturer to task.

And just to make sure the lesson is not lost, L. Neil Smith drags them to the woodshed.

So I guess this means the commemorative "Always Think Forfeiture" pistols are out...?

[Via Ron W and Seth H]

Maximum Mike Water...uh...Mortarboards Graduates

The guest speaker will be U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts and acting director for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Michael Sullivan.
I can't decide what music I want playing in the background while I read this story.

This...

or this...

This Day in History: June 6

The junction of Beaver and Broad Streets was the scene of an extraordinary incident, June 6, 1775, in honor of which a handsome plate has been erected at the northwest corner of these streets, bearing the following legend:

More on Marinus Willett

Thursday, June 05, 2008

Open Carry Arrest in WI

Part 1
and
Part 2

Bottom line as I read these--A gun owner who says he was lawfully open carrying claims he was arrested for disorderly conduct. He says his gun was stol...uh...confiscated, and now they're screwing with him instead of giving his property back.

CAVEAT: This is one of those "raw data" situations, where in the absence of information from a "news source" I'm bringing what I've got to your attention with the understanding that it came from a forum. That said, we've seen "Authorized Journalists" ignore stuff before.

My information says the man making the claim has been invited to meet with a group of activists this weekend, so further verification should be forthcoming. But because this involves a situation where other gun owners could be at risk, I felt justified to at least call this to the attention of WoG readers. Naturally, if you know anything about this, please enlighten us in "Comments," below.

We're the Only Ones Unqualified Enough

...San Francisco Police Chief Heather Fong acknowledged that she has gone years without taking the target practice required for officers who carry guns. [More]
But she's still one of "The Only Ones" allowed to carry in SF because the uniform and badge makes her more better than you and me.

[Via SayUncle]

Bill Brown: Still Elitist After All These Years

Long time WarOnGuns readers are familiar with the ongoing saga of Santa Barbara, CA Sheriff Bill Brown.

He's still up to his old tricks.

From on-the-scene correspondent Gerhard Paul:




Yeah, you're a very responsible and upstanding citizen. But not being one of my specially trained "Only Ones," or fitting one of my other arbitrary categories for super citizen status, I just don't trust you. So I've decided to make your choice on whether or not your life is worth protecting for you.

It's not.

But don't take it personally. And I hope you still think highly of me and my department, even though we will ruin your life big time if we catch you disobeying me.

And despite repeated attempts over the course of many months by several individuals to get a straight answer, hell, any answer, there's still no explanation for how and why this happened:


"He stated to me that he is an NRA member," Mr. Paul, a former eight-year CCW holder reported after his meeting with the sheriff on why his permit renewal was denied.

Bummer. But look at the bright side--now that you know him, maybe you can sit at his table at a FONRA dinner some time...

The Only Thing

The only thing that stops me is the fact of being put in jail forever, or having to kill myself, or getting killed by an officer.

Huh.

Being stopped by an armed citizen--a teacher, an administrator, a visiting parent, a maintenance worker--wasn't even a passing consideration.

Why do you suppose that is, Wayne?

We're the Only Ones Within Appropriate Bounds Enough

A sixteen year old child was shocked with a Taser stun gun by police at a North Carolina school last week for failing to comply with orders to show an officer his I.D. badge.
Good life lesson for the kid. When an "Only One" demands your papers, show him your papers.

If he wasn't doing anything wrong, this wouldn't have happened. Anyone who doesn't automatically obey a uniformed representative of the state deserves to be hurt.

And remember: They hate us because we're free.

[Via Cigar Rollers]

This Ma-agic Moment...

From Jeffersonian:

"America, this is our moment," the 46-year-old senator and one-time community organizer said in his first appearance as the Democratic nominee-in-waiting. "This is our time. Our time to turn the page on the policies of the past." - Barack Hussein Obama, 3 June 2008
--------------
"Purging is at last at hand. Day of Doom is here! ...You, my children, are the water that will wash away all that has gone before." - Thulsa Doom, Conan the Barbarian, Universal 1982

There's gotta be a snake pit and a Tree of Woe in here somewhere...

The More You Mis...

...demeanor you get.

Look, I hope no one thinks I'm picking on poor Dennis Farina. Were it up to me, he could carry his guns all the live-long day.

It should be clear what I object to is special treatment for "Only Ones" and elites. If they're not under the same pressure we are, if they have their place at the table, there's no incentive for them to give a damn about what happens to those of us on the outside looking in.

One other thing this development tells me is his former cop status has not automatically conferred upon him an automatic license to carry, as some have speculated.

[Via Dave Licht]

It's Off

From Less:
Looks like DSA is calling off the protest this 14th...
"After careful thought, DSA management has come to the decision that it is in everyone’s best interest not to organize a counter protest or stage any activity to oppose Mr. Jackson. We feel that this is the best decision because anything we do to oppose Mr. Jackson, his organization,or his protest will simply make it a more news worthy story, giving him more media attention. This is exactly what he wants, and DSA will not oblige Mr. Jackson or his organization. The protest will take place on Saturday, and our company is closed for business on that day. If Mr.Jackson would like to stand on an empty street, in front of an empty building to address issues which do not exist, that is his prerogative. DSA feels that this foolishness is unworthy of a response."
With that being the case, I'd hang pro-freedom signs from my building so they'd be picked up by any news cameras covering this.

And with no customers to offend, I'd be inclined to maybe put a dead skunk in the dumpster (How did that get there? Must have crawled in and died...) and make the outside of my premises a very unpleasant place to congregate.

And By "Respectfully," We Mean "Screw You"

Do you get the feeling that doctors Frederick P. Rivara and Dimitri A. Christakis would just need one more partner to pose for this?


[Via Michael G]

Welcome to the Forbidden Zone

D.C. Police would set-up checkpoints in targeted areas, demand to see ID and refuse admittance to people who don't live there, work there or have a “legitimate reason” to be there.
Your papers...

And remember: They hate us because we're free.

[Via Cigar Rollers]

Remember Your "First Time"?

DJK tells us about his.

Go on over and tell him about yours.

The Clip Joint

A teacher at Meridian Middle School found a gun clip with live rounds at 8:40 a.m. Wednesday at the school...
I know use of that term for "magazine" is considered heresy in most gun circles.

I don't get too bent out of shape because no less an authority than the late Col. David Hackworth used "clip" on occasion.


I leave it to someone else to insist he was wrong.

As to the title-linked story itself, well, Wayne and I have both had our say about guns in schools and can't come to an agreement.

[Via Avg Joe]

The Company They Keep

CHICAGO -- Democratic insider Antoin "Tony" Rezko was convicted of federal corruption charges Wednesday for trading on his clout as a top advisor and fundraiser to Illinois Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich.
And, of course, he's a "former ally" of Thulsa.

Forget it Jake. It's Chi-Town.

This Day in History: June 5

Your Majestys ministers persevering in their measures and proceeding to open hostilities for enforcing them, have compelled us to arm in our own defence...

Wednesday, June 04, 2008

Welcome to Rebecca Peters' Paradise!

Unarmed victims beaten, burned to death
Firearms Control Act forbids gun ownership, results in cold-blooded murder

Great job, IANSA!

We knew you could do it!

And the potential for further success is virtually limitless...

We're the Only Ones Baiting Enough

A stolen theft decoy car being monitored by police crashed into another car as officers tried to disable it, killing the elderly driver of the second car, police said.
Say...that give me another great idea for "The Only Ones" to use to fight crime:

Bait guns! Just leave'em laying around in high crime neighborhoods...

And once we get that remote shutoff switch thingie ironed out, we can require them on all guns.

Hey, if you're not doing anything wrong, why would you object...?

I Have a Bad Feeling About This

George Lucas has created legendary film heroes like Luke Skywalker and Indiana Jones, but the US director says that in real life, his hero is Barack Obama.
What the hell is wrong with these people?

We're the Only Ones Calling Out Requests Enough

“Watch it,” the heckler yelled, but they couldn’t hear him up on the stage, even though he was in the first row. So he pulled a .38 revolver from his waistband, where it had been tucked beneath his t-shirt, and waved it in the air...

Tony smiled and reached into his pants pocket and flipped his wallet open in Bo’s direction. “FBI,” he said, though I couldn’t see what he was showing. He held the gun steady.
Ha ha! That's funny! Imagine a federal "Only One" pointing a gun at a singer as a joke to make a song request! And imagine the anti-gun Village Voice* thinking that's a cool story. Ha ha!

It's a good thing there's legislation in most places to keep ordinary people from carrying in establishments that serve alcohol, isn't it? And in the Bronx?

* I used this "Mad on the Street" interview, juxtaposed with H.G. Wells' The Time Machine, as the basis for my Jan. 2000 GUNS AND AMMO essay, "The New Eloi." Unfortunately, it's not online, and because they own the copyright, I can't post it here.

We're the Only Ones Artful Enough

Step away from the sheep, indeed.
It sounds like you would know, "Authorized Journalist" Christopher Knight.

What it sounds like you--or anyone else at The Los Angeles Times who preaches the mantra of the "Only Ones"-- wouldn't know is, the best way not to be intimidated around armed men is to be armed yourself.

Null and Void in Philadelphia

A judge ruled that the City of Philadelphia could not enforce new ordinances that would ban assault weapons and limit handgun purchases to one per person per month.
But he let stand the criminal stolen gun reporting exemption.

Go figure.

The Snuffy You Know vs the One You Don't

When I got the news last night about Snuffy Pfleger's Napoleonic exile, I really didn't have time to do much more than make a quick post. There are a few observations I want to make sure are in the mix.

From the story I originally linked to:
This past Sunday, Pfleger told St. Sabina's congregation that he's received more than 3,000 threatening e-mails – some calling for his death. The messages caused the church to beef up security for Sunday's services.
What--did they say bloodthirsty stuff like "Snuff out Mike P-F-L-E-G-E-R?" And death threats? You reported those for investigation, right?

And what does "beef up security" mean? Aside from the fact that you've shown the only way to opppose a threat of force is to possess sufficient deterrent force, and the display of same is often enough to repel a threat?

Meanwhile, things are getting interesting over at St. Sabina, with the congregation demanding Snuffy's reinstatement--and some going on a hunger strike. It's fairly obvious the loyalty is to the man, not to the church, which lends itself to all kinds of interesting conclusions and creates all kinds of interesting possibilities if the demands are not met.

One other revelation I found quite telling:

Over the weekend, he said that the days since his Trinity address had been the most difficult of his life, even more painful than when his foster son Jarvis was gunned down near St. Sabina on May 30, 1998.
Good grief--literally. It really is all about you, isn't it, Snuffy?

That is simply not a statement anyone who is a real father-- biological or adoptive-- could make. The levels of pain aren't even on the same scale. Or shouldn't be.

Now on to the replacement Snuffy: Here are a couple bits of information concerning temporary stand-in, Father William Vanecko. We might as well just start calling him Snuffy Lite, because:

BATFU to Nevadans: "Read the Last Two Letters of Our Acronym"

Beginning July 1, 2008, Nevada’s Carry Concealed Weapon (CCW) permits will no longer qualify as an alternative to a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check through the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). [More]
Loose translation in a nutshell:
You're not good enough.

You don't meet our traditional high standards of excellence.

You will be absorbed.

Resistance is futile.
Because everyone knows Nevada CCW holders represent a demonstrable threat to public safety, because "federalism" means the feds call the shots, and because "shall not be infringed" doesn't mention imperial mandarin Audrey Stucko not being able to issue "obey or else" proclamations to American gun owners--under the guise of "services."

Oh, and because it's less dangerous than going after violent criminals--waddya think, we're stucko on stupid?

[Via joefm]

The "Independence Day" Aliens

The environmentalcases at the Australian Broadcast Company have an online propaganda quiz for kids that compares them to pigs for living a modern lifestyle and then tells them at what age they should die to save the planet.

I'm afraid I shouldn't have survived early childhood:


"Planet Slayer."

How fitting. Because these lunatics, and that's what they are, remind me of nothing so much as the aliens from "Independence Day," particularly from the following exchange:

President Thomas Whitmore: What do you want us to do?
Captured Alien: Die. Die.
[Via Cigar Rollers]

A Good First Step

Tom McClintock claimed victory Tuesday night after a costly, bruising Republican primary and prepared to face Democratic winner Charlie Brown in a November match-up to replace retiring Rep. John Doolittle in Congress.
California 4th District gun owners: If you've been involved, now is the time to redouble your efforts--if you haven't been, why on earth not?

A Colorful Tagline

Johnston and his council colleagues are considering a beefed up graffiti ordinance that would...require property owners to remove the graffiti in a timely fashion or face fines..
Yeah, that'll stop the problem!

Just like requiring gun owners to report stolen guns under penalty of law will put a stop to gang killings. Just ask the X-Men.

As for the "program [that] puts kids convicted of tagging walls to work cleaning up their handiwork," I'd want to first make damn sure the city had appropriate liability insurance coverage and some mechanism to keep anyone claiming an on-the-job injury from suing me.

[Via Jeffersonian]

This Day in History: June 4

Patriots in Savannah spike cannon assembled to celebrate the king's birthday

Tuesday, June 03, 2008

Snuffy Snuffed

At least temporarily.

[Via Stephen S and Peter G]

A Different Perspective

Looks like someone took one of our old Citizens of America radio spots, added some pictures to it and made a slide show.

X-Men

The Mission of X-Offenders for Community empowerment is to empower ex-offenders to become change agents in mobilizing the community to address issues threatening healthy family and community life.
Uh-huh. Why do I sense a catch in here somewhere that makes this my problem?

Oh, I don't know...
"We're researching ways to target legitimate dealers who sell illegal guns under the table in stores or gun shows as well as the guy selling illegal guns out of his car trunk," says Jacobs, "because they are just as guilty of murder as the kid who uses that gun to rob a gas station. We must restrict the availability of these weapons by holding owners and dealers responsibility for missing, stolen or under-the-table guns." Illegal guns are destroying our cities," Blackburn adds, "and this is something we think both the NRA and the gun control advocates can get behind". It’s the middle ground of the debate, a perfect compromise for both sides. Look, people can walk right out of jail and get a gun with just a phone call. And as a society, we only seem interested in what happens after the gun is obtained and a violent crime is committed. What we're saying is we have to start looking at ways to prevent kids from getting their hands on a gun, not just wait to lock them up after somebody gets shot."
Sounds like you learned quite a bit during your time in the slammer there, fellas, like how to deflect responsibility to everyone but yourselves. We're responsible for you stealing our guns? We're required to report it under penalty of law while you're exempt?

How about this instead? Don't threaten people and they won't need to respond.

That sounds like a reasonable "middle ground" and "perfect compromise" to me.

My rights are not subject to anyone else's inability or unwillingness to control himself. Period.

[Sebastian touched on this a few weeks ago.]

We're the Only Ones Icing Children Enough

A number of civilians, including a child selling ice water, have been shot dead by police in the Accra suburb of Ashiaman, this morning. Several people have been injured. This followed a clash between the Ashiaman Police and "trotro" drivers. According to an Accra-based radio station, police arrested a driver who was allegedly later beaten to death in the police cells.
Mercy!

Good thing this could never happen here! America has equal protection for all, and doesn't believe in the concept of "Only Ones"...oh...wait... never mind...

But it's still a good thing that Ghanaian gun control is working so well. Of course, I'd still avoid police funerals...