That All Depends on the Meaning of the Word "Pistol"

This is from a BATFU letter that Sebastian has posted concerning the Palm Pistol.

The second thing I notice is, the developer can rely on current definition and invest the farm, and then have the invention reclassified and lose it all. How is this allowed to not only happen, but be apparent SOP?

The first thing, of course, is that a redefinition is underway. I've been looking around for the referenced notice of proposed rulemaking and come up dry--probably because I don't know how to navigate the federal labyrinth.

Anybody know what it is, and where we can read it? And maybe have input during an open public comment period?

UPDATE: Matthew Carmel, the recipient of the ATF letter, sent me an email after I posted this informing me the "Proposed change to definition published 70 FR 17624, 17626 (April 7, 2005) will have no effect on the Palm Pistol."

I had wondered about that and if there was a newer proposal, because the ATF letter is dated 2008, and says that "the submitted item could be affected."

Mr. Carmel tells me that's because "The 2005 proposed change has not yet been implemented, and may never be. Opportunity for public comment is long gone."

The Power of Signs

"Only Ones" exempted, of course.

Maybe the armed robber couldn't read. He probably won't go through the state-mandated waiting period or pay any background check fees, either. Heck, I'll bet he didn't even have the sign-required carry permit--hardly anybody in LA County/Redondo Beach does.

But perhaps they lucked out and he left the required thumbprint...

I'm glad everyone was OK--that store is about a mile from where I used to live and I've been to it many times.

School Shooting in Finland

At least nine people have been killed and two others seriously wounded in a shooting spree at a vocational college in Finland, police and officials say.

I'm noticing a recurring theme in most news accounts--pointing out Finland's relatively less restrictive gun laws and widespread gun ownership compared to much of Europe.

What I'm not seeing is any acknowledgement that, once more, the damage had been done by the time police arrived.

I'm searching around for Finnish laws to see if campuses there are mandated "gun-free," but in any case, I'm pretty sure shooting people is illegal.

The purported reptile (some reports at this time say he survived) can be seen here.

Timing is Everything

Report of gun threat brings police to school

And if someone with evil intent had brought one, the police would have been just in the nick of time to do what, exactly?

A Subtle Distinction

A store clerk fatally shot a man in an attempted robbery Monday afternoon at 27th Street and Prospect Avenue, police said.

There's a difference between giving them what they want and giving them what they deserve.

An Enumerated Power

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama said reducing Jacksonville’s murder rate and protecting the St. Johns River would be priorities for him in the White House.

I was worried for a second that he might be biting off more than he can chew, lawfully delegated authority-wise, but thank goodness, there it is, Article II, Section 5:


[Via John G]

Tree People

I want you to know that, trees, that we care!

...Bring me to this rock, that has the most incredible life...

First the Zargonian sympathizers and now this. Click the title link and shake your head in disbelief. You can't make this stuff up.

Lunatic emotion-based demands for social change: where have gun owners seen that before?

Here's an appropriate response.

Speaking as someone who loaded up, unloaded and stacked two truckloads of logs over the weekend for the firepit, let me say the only pain I'm feeling is my achin' back and arms, which hadn't yet recovered from cleaning up after last week's windstorm that knocked over one tree in my yard and split off a huge, thick branch from another.

[Via Carl S]

Bubbles

Don't float in a bubble. I guarantee it will burst sooner or later.

Mike H bursts a few bubbles.

Qualified Immunity

Decisions by the Secretary pursuant to the authority of this Act are non-reviewable and committed to agency discretion, and may not be reviewed by any court of law or any administrative agency.

Hey, whose money do you think it is, anyway? Besides, what could go wrong?

And why limit such edicts to this department, or this narrowly-defined scope of authority?

[Via Ron W]

The Battle of Athens

Sunday's incident was the latest in a string of shootings in Athens over the summer. So far this year, there have been 14 shootings in the area, said Steve Whitmore, a sheriff's department spokesman. Eleven shootings reported since June left eight people dead.

Not that the sheriff's department actually gives a damn...

This Day in History: September 23

On September 23, 1775, a group of patriots living in the northern section of the Town gathered in Cow Neck – modern day Port Washington – and declared their allegiance to the revolutionary cause by formally seceding from the Town of Hempstead which was heavily populated by Loyalists to England.

Shameless Plug: Chi-Town’s Pell-Mell Gun Laws

Not surprisingly, when you consider the Chicago political establishment, anti-gun Mayor Richard Daley, who never saw a private citizen’s gun he didn’t want to ban, supports Mell’s proposal. Apparently Mr. Daley’s theory is, the only ones who can be trusted with firearms in Chicago are members of law enforcement, his personal security detail, and fellow politicians — at least ones he’s allied with.

"Chi-Town’s Pell-Mell Gun Laws" is my Rights Watch column for the November 2008 issue of GUNS Magazine, on sale now at helter-skelter newstands throughout the Republic.

Also in this issue is my review of David E. Young's "The Founders' View of the Right to Keep and Bear Arms."

The Race for the Presidency

Race is arguably the biggest issue in this election, and it’s one that nobody’s talking about.

Except maybe racist democrat activists who are talking race war if they don't get their way. Or racist democrat activists fixated on "white privilege."

Or racist democrat activists who wonder if Obama is black enough?

Or racist democrat activists who point out he's not?

Or The Lightworker himself, who makes sure the talking points are crystal clear?

Or maybe your own network?

What the hell are you talking about, Jack Cafferty? Everybody's been talking about it, except maybe the other side of the aisle. You racist democrat activist "Authorized Journalists" have had to reach so hard to find examples, you're reduced to inventing conspiracy theories and highlighting code words invented by racist democrat activist politicians.

We get the message: If you don't vote for Obama, you're a racist. Like it's impossible to oppose him for any other reason.

And let's not even talk about the 90% support he gets from...like I said, let's not talk about that, because it's obviously all issue oriented, and to do so would be "offensive" and "naive."

Here's the thing: If Obama loses, I believe race will be the deciding factor. But here's the other thing--it won't be for the reasons all the racist democrat activists will be pointing fingers and raging over. It will be because a substantial enough margin of voters from their own party--possibly a third of white democrats--won't vote for a black guy.

Beloved Hollywood Stars Safe from Evil Gun Threat

Three people hoping to attend The 60th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards were detained on Sunday (21Sep08), after police found a rifle inside their car at a checkpoint near the show.

Three people were detained by authorities when an aerosol rifle, similar to a BB gun, was found in the trunk of the car.

I'm familiar with "air rifle" and "CO2 guns," but I really can't recall ever hearing the term "aerosol rifle." Is it a term hobbyists use and I'm just out of that loop? Or is it more "Authorized Journalism"?

All I know is, another Skip Coolzip opportunity for television history has come and gone.

Those elites sure are protected, aren't they?

Pandering on Guns?

Mark Warner, who should know better, puts politics ahead of D.C. home rule.

It's tough for me to argue against that pandering charge for some of the politicos, but in fairness to Warner, his lead is substantial enough that he doesn't need to. It would be nice if it turns out not to be just "politics," and the bill actually gets passed in the senate and signed into law by the president. What I fear is this will give some democrats in close races enough cover with gun-owning constituents to get them elected without any actual change happening--kind of a no-risk "pro-gun" show vote they can make with a nod and a wink from party leadership, then once victory is in the bag they can be counted on for further treachery.

As for "home rule," I still note none of the antis raise it when things go their way...

We're the Only Ones Cheating Enough

A dozen Ohio Highway Patrol officers, including 11 of 40 at the patrol's Canton post, were fired Monday, resulting in a significant loss of manpower that could benefit drunken drivers and speeding motorists.

Three sergeants and eight troopers at the post along with a Wooster-based trooper were dismissed, after investigations found that they cheated on a written alcohol detection device certification test or knew about the cheating and failed to stop it.

11 of 40? Thanks goodness there were only "a few bad apples." I can't imagine what a significant number of rotten "Only Ones" complicit in messing up citizen's lives with cheating and lies would be like.

Oh, that's right. It would be like the Canton post of the Ohio Highway Patrol.

Meanwhile, Over in Bloomberg Paradise...

Two thugs armed with a bat savagely beat a Boston radio show host in a Bronx vestibule early this morning - striking him on the head eight times before stealing his phone, wallet and gold chain, authorities said.

Why didn't he just give them what they wanted?

Oh...he did.

"Founders' View" Update

I asked David E. Young for an update on how his efforts are going to spread the word on his latest book. Here's his reply:

David,

Last Saturday, the National Rifle Association Board of Directors passed a resolution commending and expressing gratitude to the attorneys who prepared briefs and the scholars whose research was successfully used by the attorneys to protect every American's constitutional right to keep and bear arms in the Heller case. I was one of the sixty-six individuals named in the NRA resolution.

While I do not travel all that much, it seemed appropriate to attended the NRA President's Reception on Friday evening and the Board of Directors meeting last Saturday for this event in Arlington. There was a veritable sea of pro-rights people present including Heller attorney Alan Gura, David Hardy, David Kopel, Stephen Halbrook, NRA President Sigler, Board member Robert Viden, James Schaller, and many, many others. Approximately half of those being honored attended the events.

On Friday while going to the reception, I noticed Sebastian from Snowflakes in Hell lounging in a hallway overstuffed chair.

On Saturday prior to the Board meeting, I had an opportunity to show Sebastian my copies of "The Origin of the Second Amendment" and "The Founders' View of the Right to Bear Arms." These copies have all the Emerson, Parker, and Heller case citations (over 180 total) highlighted and tagged. He took a picture with his cellphone camera, and also one of the reception the previous evening.

It was pretty uncomfortable in the suit because I have only worn one about three times in my life and the temperature was quite warm. Decided it would be appropriate for this occasion to dress up a little, though.

My next venture out from Ontonagon, Michigan will be to Phoenix, Arizona next weekend September 26, 27, and 28 for the 2008 Gun Rights Policy Conference sponsored by the Second Amendment Foundation. I will have a book signing table for The Founders' View of the Right to Bear Arms there. Hope to see lots of pro-rights people and answer lots of questions.

Take care,

Dave Young

My review of Founders' View is published in the November 2008 issue of GUNS Magazine, which ought to be at newsstands now. Here's the gist of it:

Both "Founders" and "Origin" are important books for anyone who wants to understand why the Founders wrote the Second Amendment and what they meant by it.

Canadian Gun Rights Up in Smoke?

Jack Layton was accused of softening his support for the decriminalization of marijuana after two well-known pot activists resigned from running for his party in British Columbia...

Before Layton began speaking a handful of protesters showed up at the rally carrying signs protesting his proposed ban on handguns.

The security detail asked them to leave the room and then asked a reporter who wanted to speak to them to take them outside for an interview.

The officers allowed the protesters to stay when many more reporters came over to speak with them.

David Hamel, a member of the National Firearms Association who said he was there to represent only himself, said he feared that a ban on handguns would only be the start of an all-out ban on firearms.

While I discourage getting stupid, I never thought pot should be illegal.

That said, I can see where a politician who wants to trick people into giving up their best means of defense (along with, what, another $175 million for [ahem] smoke and mirrors?) would want them to get as stupid as possible.

Kudos to Mr. Hamel for being a voice of unaltered consciousness. If only more Canadians would follow his lead...

Preserving "Our Culture"

One of the main reasons expressed to oppose independent migrants is that they will supposedly overrun the country and destroy "our culture".

Kent McManigal continues developing a thought.

I'm saying this as politely as I can: I remain unconvinced.

Nine Principles

7. Police, at all times, should maintain a relationship with the public that gives reality to the historic tradition that the police are the public and the public are the police; the police being only members of the public who are paid to give full-time attention to duties which are incumbent on every citizen in the interests of community welfare and existence.

Not "Only One" members...?

[Via Jeffersonian]

This Day in History: September 22

The undernamed Prisoners, try'd by a General Court Martial for "Mutiny, Riot and Disobedience of orders," are severally guilty of the Crimes, wherewith they are accused, and the Court upon due Consideration of the Evidence, do adjudge that the prisoner Joseph Scales receive thirty-nine Lashes upon his bare back and be drum'd out of the Army, and that the prisoners, John Gillard...do each of them receive Twenty Lashes upon his bare back and be drum'd out of the army -- The Prisoners Lawrence Blake, Samuel Bodin, John Besom...be fin'd Twenty Shillings lawful money each.

Joseph Foster, Joseph Laurence and Joseph Tessenden, being recommended by the Court Martial, as proper objects of mercy, The Commander in Chief is pleased to remit their fine, and to order the sentence upon all the others, to be put in Execution at Guard mounting, to morrow morning -- Those upon Prospect-hill to receive their punishment there; the rest at the main Guard.

Dr. Phil Follow-Up

“Oh, I hate the idea,” Carol says. She has a 7-year-old who’s been asking questions. “He asked me, ‘If I do something wrong, are they going to pull guns out on me?’ What do you tell a child like that?”

You tell him "No, of course not." And then you take him to the range, teach him about guns and how to shoot them, explain how you and daddy will protect him and that other good grownups can too.

Good Lord, Carol, assuming you let him, he's supposed to be a man one day. It's your job to teach him how. What kind of hysterical mommy's boy weakling do you want your son to be?

Dr. Phil actually did better than I was prepared to give him credit for:

You know, I have to say, and I’m not sure where I come down on this, but I can say, if something happened, if I was in a classroom or somewhere else, and somebody came in shooting, boy, I’d sure wish I had a gun.

Well then you are sure. Why not say so?

As for Linda Bridges of the teacher's union, no surprises there.

You know, we hire nurses to do medical procedures at schools. We hire teachers to teach. We should hire security guards or police to do law enforcement functions.

Self defense becomes "law enforcement," an exclusive province of the state.

Sometimes, you can judge a book by its cover.

Almost There, Matt

The common declaration that no one "needs" a handgun infuriates me even more. I can't deny it – it's true. No one needs a handgun, short of the obvious exceptions of police officers, military personnel, and a few select other professionals. I'll grant that right now.

You were doing pretty well there until you got to that part, Matt Gurney.

Do a bit more learning and thinking about why that may not always be so, and you may well turn out to be that "articulate spokesmen" you're hoping for.

A Professor of Constitutional Law

Yeah, so is The Lightworker. No wonder we're in the mess we're in.

[D]espite our best efforts, more people will die.

Yeah, there's only one side to that equation, right, Mary Cheh? What secret knowledge are you holding back from us that makes you so authoritatively certain more lives won't be saved?

We'll see how well her ideal liberal academic framework of carry prohibitions, magazine capacity limits, microstamping, theft reporting requirements and other predator-favoring nonsense holds up when things fall apart and people get desperate.

I can just see Mary confronting the opportunistic and warning: "STAND BACK! I HAVE A LAW DEGREE!"

Oh, and as an aside: Kathie McLay, would you please put that sign down? Some would say you're making us look bad.

A Brother in Need

"Not getting on this island was not an option," David Culpepper said. "We have a brother in need."

Damn straight. And what a great name.

I love seeing this spirit. It feel like America.

We're the Only Ones Wacky Enough

A judge in Las Vegas has dismissed a firearms charge against US comedian Jerry Lewis.

I'm delighted charges were dismissed. I don't even mind that his rep apparently lied about the gun and they let him off anyway.

I just want to make sure that this isn't because celebrities are "Only Ones," and that you and I will be given the same break.

YouTube Bans "Assault Videos"

YouTube is to ban footage showing weapons being used to intimidate people on its website in the UK.

I'll bet that's not true.

I'll bet you'll still see footage of state enforcers using weapons to keep civilians in line with their rulers' wishes. See, it's the difference between "assault videos" and "patrol videos."

YouTube said it was necessary to reflect "local laws and sensitivities"...

Ahh...kind of like The Lightworker's one Second Amendment for urban areas, another for rural...? That is, of course, until "local laws and sensitivities" can be preempted with centralized rule...

They said Bill Clinton was the first black president. Perhaps Barack Obama will be our first British one.

[Via David Hamel]

Feds Remind Wyoming Just Who the Boss Is

A federal appeals court in Denver, CO, has ruled against Wyoming in a lawsuit over a state law that seeks to allow people convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence to regain their gun rights, according to The Billings Gazette and Associated Press...

The Wyoming Attorney General’s Office has said that Wyoming courts expunged 63 misdemeanor convictions from 2005 through last October 2007. Only one person with an expunged record had gone on to receive a state-issued concealed weapons permit as of last October...

The ATF said that conviction records weren’t truly expunged if they were kept on the books for any purpose.

Here's BATFU all worried about technicalities again, and willing to see you die in the name of procedure.

Anybody have info on the 10th Circuit Appeals Court panel judges involved, or the district Judge Alan Johnson, who initially ruled against the state? Like who appointed them? I'll need to look around when I get some time, but for now can't help noticing one of the Wyoming District Court's three missions is:

To represent the District of Wyoming in a manner that will instill trust in the Judiciary.

Oops. Flubbed that one up, Alan.

And there's one other question I don't hear too many raising, so would appreciate any and all who wish to add their voice in asking:

Why aren't the Brady Campaign and anti-gun politicians who have been going nuts over DC been consistent in their demands for "home rule"? You'd almost think that's just a convenient ploy to gin up outrage with, that they really don't give a damn about it unless it serves their purposes...

[Via Jeffersonian]

This Day in History: September 21

The Committee of Accounts produced an accol from the Committee of Berks County amounting to two thousand and seventy pounds, nine shillings, advanced and paid for the riffle companies and Col. [William] Thompson.

Ordered, That this be referred back to the Committee, who are to examine and pay the accot.

Ordered, that the President write to Genl Washington and request him to order Col. [William] Thompson immediately to send to the Congress an account of the expenditure of 5,000 dollars paid him by order of the Congress on the 29th July, being in advance for the service of a Battalion of Rifflemen under his command.

We're the Only Ones Treating You Like Animals Enough

They treated us like animals. They were not there to protect and serve, they were there to search and destroy.

I guess I have to disagree here. If they'd treated you like animals, you'd be left laying in a pool of your own blood for hours--just like your dogs.

But they did treat you like terror hostages. Which is what you were.

Which makes Prince George's (Md.) County head "Only One" Michael Jackson a terrorist.

[Via Brian F]

Surprise!

Surprise weapons ban targets bow, blow-gun use

The Blow-Gun Menace must be destroyed! I wonder if it distinguishes between "assault blow guns" and "patrol blow guns"?

Here's the agenda.

Here's the ordinance.

These are the folks with nothing better to do. They really couldn't think of a safety workaround that doesn't involve a ban?

Somehow, none of this surprises me.

How Many Women Gang-Raped by Blacks Does it Take to Screw in a Lightbulb?

I thought the political left said we couldn't joke about this kind of stuff--that it was taboo, that there is nothing funny about rape, that racial jokes are hate speech...but I guess it's OK now, because they're not only doing it, but defending it--hell, they say they're proud of it. And we all kow how funny and insightful America's beloved comedienne, Sandra Bernhard is.

Personally, I don't think her act is anything but pure hatred coming from a person with mental issues, "her large heart, her generous talent, and her big mouth" notwithstanding . She ain't "part of who" I am.

But she does help define part of who I'm not.

Unlike the left, I think women should be able to send aggressors fleeing.

And unlike the left, I think peaceable people of all races should be able to as well.

And religions.

And "persuasions."

But what would I know, being a right wing knuckledragger?

Where's the outrage from NOW? Or from race hustlers Jesse and Al? As part of my CUM ULLA SELLA IN PUGNO TABERNA philosophy, I'd like to see the left eat one of their own over this. Or be exposed for the hypocrites they are when the target is a conservative woman.

Ask the Expert

"It would be a disgrace and a humiliation if Barack Obama does not win"...

Ah, gee, Woody Allen, weren't you the guy who was bangin' your girlfriend's adoptive daughter and then ran away with her? And a judge called your conduct with another of her daughters, then seven, "grossly inappropriate"?

I guess you would know something about disgrace and humiliation.

A Dedication

The dedication page of my new book reads: To the man I had to shoot to save my life.

Susan Callaway shares a fascinating story about a first step on a journey.

Compare her mindset to those of doughy Oprah-watchers, Obama supplicants and sneering urban sophisticates who fear and disparage guns. What would have obviously happened to one of them?

Some of us will be familiar with her experience--the realization of threat, the tunnel vision, the decision not to freeze but to act, the after-incident shakes...

That emphasizes the training, awareness and mindset she has come to understand and now teaches others.

She mentions a booklet at the end--I hope she doesn't think I'm being pushy by bringing this up, but I've been privileged to see it and have encouraged her to develop it into a standalone that people outside of her classes can benefit from.

We're the Only Ones Imminently Threatened Enough

A Phoenix man who held an armed burglar at gunpoint in his home was shot several times by a responding officer, police said Thursday...

"We fire upon people when we believe there is a danger to ourselves or others," Thompson said. "So what exactly the officer was thinking, I would say yeah, that for him to fire he would have believed there was a danger, there was an imminent threat right there."

And we all know an armed citizen should always be considered "an imminent threat."

This is why we can't allow guns on campuses. This is why we cannot allow concealed carry. This is why we cannot allow open carry. Because how is a poor "Only One" to know?

If you think about it, this is why we cannot allow guns in the home, which not only is the scene for most domestic violence, but unlike alcohol-serving establishments where guns can be prohibited, it may contain both!

Dustin's Gun Blog has more.

Following Lynch Mobs on the Right

Still, it's really a wondrous, and repugnant, sight to behold the Bush-following lynch mobs on the Right melodramatically defend the Virtues of Privacy and the Rule of Law. These, of course, are the same authoritarians who have cheered on every last expansion of the Lawless Surveillance State of the last eight years -- put their fists in the air with glee as the Federal Government seized the power to listen to innocent Americans' telephone calls; read our emails; obtain our banking, credit card, and library records; and create vast data bases of every call we make and receive and every prescription we fill and every instance of travel and other vast categories of information that remain largely unknown -- all without warrants or oversight of any kind and often in clear violation of the law.

Here's another angle on a controversy that erupted here the other day. And yes, criminal privacy violations are wrong. I'd like to see more of us demand that it stop and that violators be held accountable.

Here's the train I can't hop on:

As despicable as I personally find the Palin hacking to be, it pales in comparison to the Bush crimes, because when someone runs for President or Vice President, they voluntarily cede vast amounts of their personal privacy, which is why they're required to disclose things like their medical records, tax returns, assocational history, and other financial documents...

The key word is "voluntarily." They don't have to run for office. The hacking was wrong.

I don't think it qualifies to be a part of a "lynch mob" if one's position is consistent, and there are numerous examples where I've strayed from the topic of guns to protest citizen surveillance and other intrusive police state actions.

A while back, a couple of you in "comments" asked why I don't branch from guns and cover more Liberty-oriented topics. In fact, I do, and you can find plenty of examples--heck, just yesterday we had a doozy. But I'm careful what I emphasize lest it drag me into a long and time-consuming debate. It's tough enough to get some of us to agree on the best way to proceed in protecting RKBA. I've actually had people chew me out and tell me where to go because they had always agreed with me before, and now felt betrayed that I was such an idiot when I touched the nerve of one of their other cherished beliefs.

And then I get the other kind, who'll complain if I wander from the reservation that they thought this site was supposed to be about guns.

To me, the keystone issue is guns, because unless we can defend ourselves and our ideas...

Like the saying goes, it's not about guns, it's about freedom. And what I do here and in my magazine columns is my niche.

So that's where I'll continue to focus, although occasionally I will pick up on whatever the hell else it pleases me to address. People who object to that can form a line and I'll give them every cent of their money back.

[Via Mama Liberty]

This Day in History: September 20

[A]t the Distance of about two Miles, the Enemy began to canonade, but did Us no Damage, We approached half a Mile nearer and then landed without Opposition in a close deep Swamp which extends to very near the Fort, here we formed and marched in the best Order we could towards the Fort to Reconnoitre, Major Hobby of Waterbery’s with a Detachment flanked the left Wing, and was Something advanced before the main Body when he was attacked in crossing a deep Muddy Brook by a Party of Indians from whom he received a heavy Fire, but our Men pushing on they soon gave Way and left us the Ground; in this Rencountre we had a Serjeant, a Corporal & three Privates killed and one missing, Eight Privates wounded, three of which died the ensuing night, Major Hobby shot thro’ the Thigh, Capt. Mead thro’ the Shoulder & Lieut. Brown in the Hand, these Gentlemen are all out of Danger—Night coming on & the Swamp almost impassible we drew our Men together & cast up a small Intrenchment to defend Ourselves in Case of an Attack in the Night.

A Heat Seeking Device for Deer

I don't know how I missed this one, but Carolyn "Barrel Shroud" McCarthy introduces Assemblywoman Patricia Edington who is vying against Roger Ebert for Anti-Gun Ignoramus of the Month.

[Via "Joe"]

This Will Be on the Test

Gun control. She opposes it. Gibson observed that a majority of Americans support a ban on semiautomatic assault weapons. She praised the tradition of gun ownership in Alaska, mentioning protection, hunting, and sport. With machine guns?

Good grief, Roger Ebert. If you're truly that ignorant, you have no business giving anybody else a test.

You know what you can do with those two thumbs up, don't you?

We're the Only Ones Resentful Enough

Serious crime is up but arrests are down in Chicago, and some police officers say they are working the streets less aggressively out of resentment toward their new chief and fear of being second-guessed by him.

Meanwhile, you can't protect yourself without risking a world of hurt, because they're still the "Only Ones."

Forget it Jake, it's Chi-Town.

Canada Needs Laws to Make Breaking Laws Illegal

A Winnipeg man caught selling submachine-guns to an undercover police informant was sentenced yesterday to seven years, four months in prison.

Andrew David Janz, 36, pleaded guilty earlier this month to one count each of conspiracy to import firearms, conspiracy to traffic in weapons, possession of goods obtained by crime, and possession of a firearm while prohibited.

Y'know, if Canada would just pass another gun law, stuff like this wouldn't happen.

Senate Action Needed for DC Gun Bill

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives opted to pass Representative Childers' D.C. gun ban repeal instead of the anti-gun bill sponsored by Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton -- which would have allowed D.C. to continue enacting gun control.

The bill now goes to the Senate, but unless there is a ton of pressure put on Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), the bill will languish in committee...

Thankfully, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) is spearheading an effort to get a vote on the House-passed bill. She is asking her fellow Senators to cosponsor a letter which she will then deliver to Sen. Reid...

ACTION: Please contact your two Senators and ask them to cosign the Hutchison letter to Senator Reid.

So contact your senators right now, because GOA is asking for this to happen by today.

[Via Carl S]

UPDATE:

Some analysts think Reid may also oppose bringing the issue to a vote at this time because it would force Democratic nominee Sen. Barack Obama to go on the record on a hot button issue weeks before the election.

The US Open

In a comment on a post on War on Guns I have been challenged by David Codrea to comment on my vision of ridding the world of "borders", and why I think it is necessary.

I wouldn't call it a "challenge" so much as an invitation to explain reasoning. Be that as it may, I'm still not persuaded that opening borders to any and everyone would result in anything but disaster and misery.

This is a topic that generates much heat. Let us all endeavor to seek the light.

Curses! Foiled Again!

A federal judge decided Tuesday that Jim’s Gun Jobbery of Fayetteville and the Jim’s store in Wilmington can keep their licenses to sell firearms...

Jim’s never willfully violated the law, Howard said.

Repeated violations can show someone is willfully breaking the law, Howard said, but he decided that Jim’s did not cross that threshold.

"Willful violations" are the same thing they went after Red's for, so hopefully this ruling from another district will at least noticed by their judge. That and BATFU losing 76 guns they were tasked with accounting for.

What "threshold" does that cross? And when the hell is someone in authority going to shut them down?

[Via Michael S and "Mr. X"]

Ein Volk, Ein Reich, Ein Straße

When it comes to securing the homeland, who better to help you sleep at night than various characters from the popular children’s show, “Sesame Street" ... ?!?

And Elmo's new armband looks so cute...

Oh, look--they even have a new theme song!

[Via Zachary G]

Making a Federal Case Out of It

The Bush administration's top attorney in Idaho is bringing charges against a North Idaho woman for refusing to pay for a Diet Coke and then pouring it out on a counter at a cafeteria at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Boise.

And "they" hate us because, you know, we're free...

[Via Avg Joe]

We're the Only Ones Picking Up After You Enough

With the help of the department's armorer Ronald L'Ecuyer and Capt. Mark Louney, residents will be able to make an appointment for a Fitchburg police officer to securely pick up an infrequently used weapon in a home with no questions asked.

Because if you'd surrender them to us, you're obviously too incompetent to bring them over all by yourself...

Why am I wondering what that old vampire legend about them not being able to cross a threshold without being invited in has to do with the "Only Ones"--when that is demonstrably untrue?

[Via Nathaniel G]

We're the Only Ones Mighty White of Us Enough

An Austin police officer who was fired in 2006 — but later reinstated — for beating up a mentally ill man at an East Austin bus stop has sued the city and former Acting Police Chief Cathy Ellison, claiming that the initial discipline was unfairly harsh because he is white.

Yeah, it obviously had nothing to do with that "Only Ones"-style wake-up call you clubbed into a guy who committed the heinous crime of falling asleep on a bus bench.

This Day in History: September 19

The British government halts the practice of using flintstones as ballast in ships sailing to America. Admiral Graves is ordered to search all incoming ships, dump all flintstone ballast in deep water, and confiscate all flints suitable for use in firearms.

Will Dr. Phil "Get Real" on Armed Teachers?

Friday - September 19, 2008

School Controversies

Dr. Phil takes on controversial issues that could affect your child’s safety at school. First up, how would you feel if you knew your child’s teacher was carrying a concealed weapon? One small Texas school district will allow gun-toting teachers. Dr. Phil hears from moms on both sides of this debate, as well as the president of the Texas Federation of Teachers.

The Texas Federation of Teachers? You mean the ones who "overwhelmingly endorse Obama"?

And how informed and experienced at public speaking and debate are the "moms on both sides of the debate"?

Oh well, I'm sure congenial, reassuring, rational and wise Dr. Phil will be a fair and unbiased mediator.

Won't he?

Check your local listings if you want to either watch or record this.

[Via Carolyn S]

[Graphic obtained from Google image search--originator credit unknown]

Shoot for Life

Tennessee Firearms Association, Inc.

"American by birth, TENNESSEAN by the grace of God"

Albert McCall & Congressman Marsha Blackburn would like to invite all red blooded Americans to a night of good ole fun in God's Country.

Activities include:

Target shooting * BBQ Supper

Hay Ride * Karaoke

Horseshoes * Face Painting

"Shoot for Life"

So all you fellers grab your gal and bring your youngins if you got 'em!

Where: C.S. Hawkins Park Times: 5:30-8:30
Auburntown, TN BBQ @ 7
When: September 22nd Cost: $5 to Shoot
No Charge for meal

For more information call-615-257-1473

*ALL PROCEEDS WILL GO TO MARCH OF DIMES*

I typically don't do local announcements, but this one illustrates a concept more gun owners would do well to adopt--doing something that benefits people in your community under the banner of a regional gun club.

Years ago, a buddy in CA organized a blood drive on behalf of our NRA Members' Council. Maybe you could adopt a local womens' shelter and treat their kids to Christmas toys. You get the idea.

We're demonized enough. Why not show people the real face of their activist gun owner neighbors?

[Via Carl S]

Hacking Away at Privacy

The Secret Service contacted The Associated Press on Wednesday and asked for copies of the leaked e-mails, which circulated widely on the Internet. The AP did not comply.

Then if you know they're withholding evidence to a crime, start preparing search and arrest warrants. Protection of sources does not extend to that.

I am so sick and tired of the subversive "Authorized Journalists" at the AP, and if political operatives are allowed to hack into private email accounts and then make their contents public, we are no longer free. This cannot be tolerated. They need to be outed and punished.

What should be telling is how many on left wing forums are gloating over this, which just proves their fundamental indecency and what to expect when such as they get power. Typical lying hypocrites, they talk "right to privacy" only when it suits their agenda, and accuse RKBA activists of only caring about the Second Amendment to the exclusion of all other freedoms.

I would be just as outraged if someone did this to Joe Biden. Or to you or me.

Attack of the Subversive Fudds

There are differences of opinion on whether Obama's stance on gun ownership actually supports gun owners.

No there aren't, his tyranical hostility is a matter of documented fact--although liars would certainly like to create the impression that it all boils down to opinion.

That the media won't look into AHSA beyond their claims that they are "a gun rights group" goes beyond shallowness, laziness and ignorance. Many of then have been told about the group's true nature, yet continue to act as shills--which tells us all we need to know about their agenda and integrity.

And "Republicans for Obama" tells us everything we need to know about the dangers of making the "Big Tent" so inclusive that Constitutional fidelity is pushed out of the center ring.

We're the Only Ones Fanning the Flames Enough

Two off-duty NYPD officers have been arrested on assault charges in connection with a confrontation with a firefighter outside a Long Beach bar Saturday night.

New York "Only Ones" again. You know the drill...

[Via OrangeNeckInNY]

We're the Only Ones Hitting on You Enough

A federal appeals court Wednesday reinstated a jury verdict against two former police detectives who were convicted of moonlighting as gangsters and carrying out a series of hits for the mob.

New York "Only Ones." You know, the guys you can't "lift a finger" against. Or else.

[Via OrangeNeckInNY]

The Crazy Spectrum

From my brief visit, I discern three phases of gun-nuttery: people who think guns are fun (for hunting, target practice, or just as sexy pieces of machinery), people who fear crime and think guns will make them safe, and people who think owning a gun proves their love of God, country, and freedom. The crazy spectrum seems to run from low to high as you pass from fun-loving gun fans to the God and freedom brand.

Sane and rational Angela Valdez said it.

I believe it.

That settles it.

Doesn't it?

Hell, why am I asking you? We're both obviously out of our minds.

We're the Only Ones Permitted Enough

Lebanese Defense Ministry orders a ban on gun permits except for weapons carried by diplomats' bodyguards, cabinet ministers and lawmakers.

Ah, I get it: "Only Ones."

Y'know, if you guys start selling Italian roast beef sandwiches and open a few Polish delis, you'll be just like Chicago.

What the Idea Really is

The idea is to get as many guns off the street as possible.

Great in-depth, unbiased straight news reporting there, "Authorized Journalist" John McNeill.

But this is the only time I've ever seen guns on the street, which makes me wonder what the idea really is...along with why Kalamazoo authorities are acting like a bunch of damned Chinese communists.

Boxer Locked Up for Keeping Gun

Oh, wait a minute...I was hoping it was Barbara.

Never mind.

Mixed Messages

Barack Obama thinks that there should be more regulations on guns, so people would be less likely to get guns, which means fewer crimes.

Wait a minute...I thought AHSA was out there telling everybody Obama was all gun friendly and everything...?

We Earned the Fees in the Gun Case

Enforcement of our nation's civil rights laws depends on attracting qualified lawyers to fight government agencies with endless resources on behalf of ordinary people who cannot afford legal services...

And if we are such lousy lawyers, how did we manage to beat the city's militia of lawyers, including three of the biggest of the "megafirms" in town?

They did what they set out to do. They won. Pay up.

Emperor of the North

Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty wants a handgun ban for Canada

Wouldn't it be easier and more beneficial just to ban Dalton McGuinty?

The Nice Thing in Their View

The nice thing in their view is that absolutely no warrants are needed. To gain public acceptance, the surveillance program is being initially sold as an aid for police looking to solve Amber Alert cases and locate stolen cars."

See? It's "for the children."

Capitalists...I mean, public/private partnership fascists selling rope again I see... but hey--if you're not doing anything wrong, what have you got to hide?

And remember--"they" hate us because we're free.

[Via Ron W]

Eye in the Sky

A single satellite can visit one spot on Earth once or twice every day. BASIC's additional satellites will allow multiple passes over the same sites, alerting U.S. government users to potential trouble, humanitarian crises or natural disasters such as floods.

Aside from affecting its ability to conduct military operations, those are Pentagon concerns? And what else?

Mr. Parsons?

I am the eye in the sky
Looking at you
I can read your mind
I am the maker of rules
Dealing with fools
I can cheat you blind
And I dont need to see any more
To know that
I can read your mind, I can read your mind

I worked for over 16 years in the satellite navigation and communications defense contracting industry, so I'm not disparaging their necessity in a comprehensive national defense strategy. They're amazing and we should be glad we've got 'em. I just want to make sure they're pointed at the right people for the right reasons.

I also think our reliance on high tech solutions cannot allow us to ignore the hard, dirty, dangerous and vital realities that only on-the-ground assets can discover--assuming they want to.

[Via Plug Nickel Times]

This Day in History: September 18

...That we should not wear our Swords. The Day before their meeting (Monday) I had been inform’d that the lower Class of Townspeople took umbrage at our wearing them, and therefore represented to the sub-Committee that we had been permited at Philadelphia to wear them as soon as we had given our Paroles, and that I suppos’d the permission general as well as our Paroles, & both equally binding, & therefore requested we might not be insulted by being oblig’d to surrender them here, merely to gratify the Populace; I also inform’d them it was customary for Officers (& Volunteers, being Gentlemen,) on their Paroles to be allow’d to wear their Swords...

You can read how Major Christopher French got himself into this situation here.

Do as We Say

The ATF lost 76 weapons and hundreds of laptops over five years, the Justice Department reported Wednesday, blaming carelessness and sloppy record-keeping.

Thirty-five of the missing handguns, rifles, Tasers and other weapons were stolen, as were 50 laptops, the internal audit found. Two of the stolen weapons were used in crimes.

Here's the report.

And BATFU goons are trying to shut down gun dealers for form discrepancies and a "not properly bound" book?

[Via Brian F and Mr. X]

Post-Heller Junk Science

The recent Supreme Court decision concerning the Washington, D.C. handgun ban, District of Columbia v. Heller, is a big win for American gun owners because simply banning firearms is no longer an option.

Now that an individual right to arms has been confirmed by the Supreme Court, firearm prohibitionists can only accomplish their goal of civilian disarmament by regulating the Second Amendment out of existence.

Paul Gallant and Joanne D. Eisen tell us about some of the agenda-driven "research" being promulgated to scare the public into supporting citizen disarmament.

Loaded for "Bear"?

Just hours after a Brady Center report highlighted the NRA’s repeated and false denials that its bill to gut DC’s gun laws would allow assault rifles on the streets of Washington, the gun lobby has revised the bill to prevent the carrying of assault weapons on DC’s streets.

What's up with that?

I know it's tough divining truth out of Brady claims, but is there any here? Is this a give up "bear" in order to pass "keep" compromise? Heller leaves no other options? Or is this more hysteria-ginning?

Illumination on just what is going on here will be appreciated.

I suspect it's all sound and fury signifying nothing anyway...

Elitist and Wealthy

Palin is not only a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association, but is also a close ally of Safari Club International. These radical groups don't represent rank-and-file hunters, but instead lobby on behalf of their elitist, wealthy members...

Well, I knew I was "elitist," that is, I believe rational people are superior, but I'm still working on the "wealthy" part...

Zargonian sympathizers sure get worked up, don't they?

Possibly Michael Markarian can tell us what type of "rank-and-file hunt[ing] he does support. He takes comments--why not ask him?

We're the Only Ones Protecting Enough

An off-duty Chicago police officer shot a suspect who stabbed a man, apparently at random, outside an Orem restaurant, police say.

Kudos to him. Well and bravely done.

Let's work toward the day when LEO's are not the "Only Ones" from Chicago who can do that for themselves and others without fearing criminal consequences.

[Via MacEntyre]

We're the Only Ones Driving Enough

Bus drivers seek better security

If pepper spray falls short, union officials say, they’d consider guns

I'm sorry, I shouldn't be amused--I just read "pepper spray" and "By Linda Spice" and I think it set a tone for me.

Yes, of course I believe bus drivers have a right to self defense--as do bus riders. But I hardly think spraying a powerful irritant in an enclosed bus is the brightest of ideas, particularly if there are any elderly or people with respiratory problems on board.

I actually hope they go with the guns--not only to give us another great example of hypocrisy in action, but I really would like to see someone make the argument that Milwaukee bus drivers are the "Only Ones" trained, competent and trustworthy enough to bear arms.

[Via Brian F]

The Second Storm

The few hundred holdouts on Texas' ravaged Bolivar Peninsula will be required to leave in the next few days, and officials said Tuesday they are ready to use emergency powers to empty the barrier island scraped clean by Hurricane Ike.

They survived the first storm. Here comes the second.

"I don't want to do it," he said. "I'm doing it because it's in their best interests."

What's in another sovereign human being's "bests interests" ain't your call, judge. How leaving their homes and being placed in a government "shelter" (disarmed of course) is the preferable alternative seems debatable.

What's going to happen if someone still refuses, and is prepared to die--and kill--to defy you, judge?

What happens next will be a lesson to us all. Because it will show what we can expect if it's ever our turn.

[Via Stephen S]

UPDATE: Per "Comments," they're ready to impose "martial law." Which means we'll get to see if troops enforce disarmament.

Foreign Enemies

Matthew Bracken is back. Click on the title link for a sample from the forthcoming conclusion to his trilogy.

Here are my reviews of his first* and second books.

Matt tells me he's about 2/3 of the way through and he's shooting for an early 2009 release.

Good stuff. Can't wait.

And, of course I'll keep you posted.

[Via Matthew Maynard]

* Yeah, I know about "dosmetic." I emailed the site admin some time ago and never got a reply.

We're the Only Ones Persuading Enough

About 40 Chicago police officers rode a bus from Chicago to Des Moines in hopes of persuading an appeals court to free a fellow police officer serving a prison sentence.

From accounts I've read, I don't have a problem with Mette's actions if they were really as described. I don't think an "Only One" should have fewer human rights. It sounds like he reacted about the way a man should to intolerable physical provocation, and that the judge is an idiot.

By the same token, I can't imagine his brother Chi-Town officers having any concern whatsoever were the situation reversed, that is, had a "civilian" punched a cop out in self defense.

[Via Joel T and David H]

UPDATE: See Chris Mallory's comments to this post for a different take.

Young to Attend GRPC

From David E. Young:

Wanted to let gun bloggers know that I will be attending the Gun Rights Policy Conference in Phoenix on September 26, 27, and 28, 2008. The Second Amendment Foundation is providing me with a book signing table. For those interested, a limited number of copies of my new definitive history of the Second Amendment, The Founders' View of the Right to Bear Arms, will be available there.

We're the Only Ones Doggone Enough Update

A Denver police report released Friday backs up a witness account that an officer chased down a yellow lab named Rocky deemed "vicious" before shooting it to death.

But it still sounds like they're trying to come up with something plausible, what with that "turned on the officer" excuse.

I wonder where a private citizen would be right now if he'd shot an "Only One" dog that had "lunged" at him?

[Via Mike H]

When We Said "Wealth Redistribution" We Meant YOUR Wealth

The Internal Revenue Service is trying to collect billions of dollars in late taxes from nearly half a million federal employees.

Documents obtained by WTOP radio through the Freedom of Information Act show the federal employees and retirees did not pay more than $3.5 billion in taxes owed last year.

And it's not just lowly employees.

Tax and spend advocates Charles Rangel and Al Franken are two of the prominent names that have surfaced recently as being perfectly willing to bleed you dry while not ponying up--what is it the collectivists call it?--"their fair share."

[Via Mike H]

This Day in History: September 17

The Enemy and we are very near Neighbours. Our advanced Works are not more than five or 600 Yards from theirs, and the main body of the two Armies scarce a Mile. We see every thing that passes, and that is all we can do, as they keep close on the two Peninsulas of Boston and Charlestown, both of which are surrounded with Ships of War, Floating Batteries, &c. and the narrow necks of Land leading into them fortified in such a manner as not to be forced without a very considerable Slaughter, if practicable at all.

The Injured Party

We don't have to wait until after the election for a race war. We're in one now.

See, I start the fight and then blame you for hitting back.

What is it with these hostile people of privilege?

A Federal Snipe Hunt

Showing a keen interest in marksmanship, obtaining sniper-related books and other training materials, spending time at shooting ranges, modifying vehicles in a nontraditional manner, and purchasing rifles and associated optics may be indicators of potential terrorist planning efforts; however, most of these indicators can be associated with legitimate purposes.

Well, thanks for that last bit.

Thing is, as I read through this report, it is just so...basic, I can't believe anyone in law enforcement doesn't already know this stuff. I guess that's why it's unclassified. If anything, the people who would be most helped by this would be the ones who want tips on what patterns and behaviors the authorities are looking for.

I do wonder about the classified stuff, though--what it talks about that they'd rather we didn't hear...

[Via Peter G]

The Scope of Our Rights

If you want a device that allows you to locate, target and kill a subject, you need look no further than DARPA's Super-Resolution Vision System (SRVS), which I looked at recently in the New Scientist technology blog.

What I'm wondering is if it will bear the warning:

"RESTRICTED FOR GOVERNMENT OR LAW ENFORCEMENT USE ONLY"

[Via Carl S]

We're the Only Ones Paternal Enough

An off-duty Chicago police officer shot his nine-year-old daughter and 12-year-old son in the head before shooting himself to death in their home on Monday. The girl also died while the boy was critically wounded.

Yeah, he was the "Only One"...

Forget it, Jake, it's Chi-Town.

Conditioned to Surrender

A man robbed a Walgreens store early Monday by passing the cashier a note and implying he had a weapon, police said.

I guess I need to avoid being judgmental on this one. After all, I don't know the sex, age or physical condition of the clerk, and it's not exactly like a crappy chain drugstore job is worth taking any risks over. Still, I can't for the life of me (!) imagine rolling over for the guy under those conditions.

After all, it's not the job he's threatening.

You see this in banks all the time, too--just a note is all it takes for tellers to cave--which they're told to do by management. I guess they figure it's not worth the risk, give him what he wants and they'll catch the guy later.

Thing is, what he wants is to threaten your life, meaning as far as you know, he will take it if you don't immediately become his slave. And, as far as you know, he'll take it anyway.

I'm not suggesting anyone take a risk they don't believe themselves capable of handling. What I am suggesting is that we train and mentally prepare ourselves to improve those capabilities so that our decisions are based on our best judgment, as opposed to a one-size-fits-all corporate policy.

We're the Only Ones Exposed Enough

For some reason, I can't get Mr. Rogers singing "Won't you be my neighbor?" out of my head, but I'll let Jed tell this one.

What an Appropriate Name

"Harmer."

You Haven't Broken Any Laws--But We'll Just Keep Those Guns

Prosecutors said Monday they won't bring criminal charges against a man who carried guns in a case into a Denver hotel during the Democratic National Convention last month.

What was he thinking, scaring Master like that?

He says he's relieved the case is closed but hasn't gotten back his guns or other personal items seized from his truck.

Why the hell not?

I think Hyatt Hotels has some 'splainin' to do. Can all Americans traveling with cased firearms expect to be snitched on if we patronize their chain instead of a competitor's?

UK Courting Disaster

Five sharia courts have been set up in London, Birmingham, Bradford and Manchester and Nuneaton, Warwickshire. The government has quietly sanctioned that their rulings are enforceable with the full power of the judicial system, through the county courts or High Court. Previously, the rulings were not binding and depended on voluntary compliance among Muslims.

Which means if you resist and defy, their trump card, if all else fails, is killing you. In the name of Allah, of course.

We're the Only Ones Choking Under Pressure Enough

A Mt. Juliet police officer has been arrested by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation in connection to an April 6 choking incident during a traffic stop along Adams Lane in Wilson County.

So if his victim wasn't resisting arrest, why the attack, unless he thought there was "Only One" way to stifle dissent...?

This Day in History: September 16

In South Carolina, William Drayton and loyalist leader Colonel Thomas Fletchall sign a treaty of neutrality in the interior community of Ninety-Six.

The Politics of Hate

I hate...

I hate...

I hate...

And that's just the first three paragraphs.

Well golly, Mary Mitchell--doesn't that make your column "hate speech"?

Not that it should surprise anyone...

From the Ivory Towers of Higher Learning

Law Prof Presidential Campaign Contributions: 95% to Obama, 5% to McCain

I trust no one is surprised that academia is cranking out brainwashed little twits like Barbie...?

Law professors. Think about what that means.

More Guns Are Not the Answer

Well, I dunno, Barbie.

Like its "war" counterpart, don't you think that might depend on the question?

Still, I'm willing to hear you out. What's your rationale?

Even if people were given a greater opportunity to defend themselves with guns, it would not stop people from being killed. Think about it: If someone kills another person in defense of their own life, their attacker is dead. A life would be saved, but one would be lost, too. It is not our job to determine whose life is more valuable.

OK, Barbie. I've thought about it. You've made your qualifications to offer advice on this more than clear.

And I think you win. Academia and law enforcement side with you: it's their job to determine whose life is more valuable. And ultimately, they're willing to kill anyone who defies the mandate foolish little girls like you have given them.

"Not Properly Bound"

I received the following email. By way of caveat, I have not personally verified this information, but my source has proven reliable in the past. I am told the principal may be willing to come forward and identify himself if they actively try to remove his license, but for now wishes to avoid the revenge this would surely prompt if he removes the mask.

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

He wishes this to be in no way connected to his name, but he'd like the story out.

He would like to be described as a Southern/Southwestern 20+ year long Type One FFL holder. Never been cited for anything ever ever ever before. Occasional gunsmith and does some trading on the gun show circuit. He's getting on in years and doesn't get out and around as much anymore. Happens with age.

BATFOO appeared on his doorstep last week unexpectedly and for the first time in 23 years requesting to look at EVERYTHING, including personal firearms. Cited him for "improper bound book" even though he has been using the "bound book" pages and binders that Brownell's has sold for years..."not good enough, not properly bound". Checked the serial numbers on everything both inventory and personal. Some of his collectors pieces pre-date mandatory serial numbering and have none, which caused an issue with the "inspector". He was also cited for "lack of significant business activity" whatever that means, and it was "implied" they are going to consider revoking his license and are planning to come back to look for further infractions "soon", whatever in hell that means.

He deals primarily in high-end collectables and high-end shotguns, so his inventory turnover isn't very high, it's quite low actually, but it is a business, not a hobby. It's a limited market. He does and has done ABSOLUTELY NO EVIL BLACK RIFLE gunsmithing or sales, NO HIGH CAP PISTOLS, "SATURDAY NIGHT SPECIALS", etc, and has never had any interest in military rifles post M1 Garands/M-14s, and didn't like M1/14s much, outside of shooting them very well in Marine Corps Military Rifle matches and in actual combat when he was in the service Korea/Vietnam, he's mostly always been a bolt rifle and bird hunting oriented High End Shotgun guy (Think Browning Citori and up to and including Holland and Holland) who perosnally likes German and Belgian pistols of the WW I era, GI early 1911s (NO-MODERN-HI-CAP/RACE-GUN STUFF), and .22 Match Pistols of the Ultra High End Bullseye-Olympic variety.

He was a competitive shooter of the Pre-IPSC/IDPA "bullseye" generation, and has no knowledge or interest of the modern stuff other than the blather that's more or less advertisements in the National Rifleman that comes in the mail each month.

Now he's a possible criminal?

Utah Gungrabbers to Bring Back Frontier Days

"The issue of restrictions on guns in terms of carrying should be left up to local control," Hatch said. "I believe in the Old West thing - there's a sign at the front of the town saying, 'Check your guns before you enter.' "

I've seen variations of this statement before and suspect much of it is movie fiction assumed to be true. I'd heard that the Earps imposed disarmament in Tombstone, but I don't know how much of that is movie lore vs actual historically-recorded law. I did find this reference to the "Dead Line" in Dodge. Brutal--shooting armed citizens on sight "if an officer was so inclined, and meant certain arrest." That's what Utah's latter day gungrabbers seem intent on emulating.

I confess ignorance here, and wonder who has done research on gun control in the Old West to know if this was a common occurrence or a rarity, and whether or not local edicts would have been backed by state or territorial law if challenged. Is there an authority on frontier gun laws?

I put the question to Clayton Cramer, who offered:

I've long been curious about this. It is clearly the case that some frontier law officers imposed such rules to deal with drunken cowboys. I don't know how common such laws were; they have left very little case law for the Wild West era. There is a bit of case law from the close of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th century--and generally, local laws completely banning carrying of guns didn't do well. For example, Lewiston, Idaho, had a ban on carrying of guns in town, struck down by the Idaho Supreme Court case In re Brickey (Ida. 1902).

State v. Rosenthal (Vt. 1903) struck down a similar Rutland ordinance. City of Salina v. Blaksley (Kan. 1905) is one of the relatively few such bans of that period that survived court challenge. You can find other examples of the period in _For the Defense of Themselves and the State_.

The Human Factor

Jones shows that the CIA is not doing its basic job, penetrating our enemies’ organizations and getting their people to work with us. One of The Human Factor’s most surprising revelations is that, despite all the hue and cry about the need for more and better human intelligence, despite the billions of dollars that have been poured into this project, we don’t have any more case officers today than we did back when. So where did all the money go? It went to create a domestic empire right here in the United States.

Well, uh, yeah...

We "Homegrown Terrorists" are basically a peaceable lot. I'm not aware of one recorded case where we've sawed anybody's head off and posted the video to the Internet.

Safety first.

Anybody who wants to go home at the end of their shift knows that.

[Via Michael G]

Why Herbivores Don't Top the Food Chain

Scientists have discovered that going veggie could be bad for your brain-with those on a meat-free diet six times more likely to suffer brain shrinkage

Yeah, but on the other hand, it gives you huge...uh...what I meant to say is this may explain Pamela Anderson...

New Research vs Old-Fashioned Know-How

“Officers often feel they are prey and that there’s nothing much they can do about it. We need to alter that mind-set.”

Yeah, taking the paranoia and the us vs. them "Only Ones" worldview out of their community relations would be an improvement.

According to Smith, about 85% of the counts in federal indictments brought against terrorists in the U.S. relate to precursor activities, such as manufacturing silencers, failing to pay tax on explosive devices, converting semi-auto to fully automatic weapons, and illegal immigration.

Now hold on just a dang minute--aside from that last part, I'm wondering who the people who ought to feel like prey are...

And research by policy wonks notwithstanding, I keep coming back to "uneducated" Muhammad and Malvo keeping an entire region of LEO's at all levels in blind, Moose-headed befuddlement for weeks. In the end, it was their own arrogance that allowed a citizen to call in their whereabouts.

[Via Carl S]

Summer in the City

CBS 2 Chicago will be tracking all reported shootings between Memorial Day and Labor Day--considered the unofficial summer season in the city. Shootings marked in red are fatal.

Maybe they should ban guns or something.

Forget it Jake, it's Chi-Town.

[Via Zachary G]

This Day in History: September 15

We are infested by Ministerial Ships and Transports—I gave your Commissary General a Narrative yesterday—beg leave to refer you to him, from the haste of this Express—Our Coasts are kept in continual Alarm, Three Ships of War with thirteen other Vessels of divers sorts were seen off Fisher’s Island and in the Sound yesterday, they have gained no provisions from the Main—have heard nothing from Montaug or any part of Long-Island—New London is in great fears, and Stonington expect another Attack...