This Day in History: December 27

I recollected that her eye excelled in brightness, that of any other animal, and that she has no eye-lids. She may therefore be esteemed an emblem of vigilance. She never begins an attack, nor, when once engaged, ever surrenders: She is therefore an emblem of magnanimity and true courage. As if anxious to prevent all pretensions of quarreling with her, the weapons with which nature has furnished her, she conceals in the roof of her mouth, so that, to those who are unacquainted with her, she appears to be a most defenseless animal; and even when those weapons are shown and extended for her defense, they appear weak and contemptible; but their wounds however small, are decisive and fatal. Conscious of this, she never wounds 'till she has generously given notice, even to her enemy, and cautioned him against the danger of treading on her. [More]

A Wanted Man and 'A True Success Story'

What's the solution? That's huge. All I can address here is a small piece of it.

It does not involve disarming you and me. [More]

Today's Gun Rights Examiner column...

Tell a friend?

A Free-Market Solution

Private Assassins Target Gangs In Guatemala...

In Guatemala, people have had enough of corrupt police and brutal extortions by gangs. They've turned to vigilantism. Lynch mobs and death squads are now commonplace. [More]

The shape of things to come...? Is there a lesson here about what naturally occurs when otherwise peaceable people are not allowed to live their lives, have no means of peaceable redress, and some undefined line in the sand is finally crossed?

[Via Greg L]

Blood from a Turnip

More taxes are coming our way. You may not recognize them because, transparency and honesty be damned, many of them will come disguised as fees, assessments, and whatever euphemisms can be pulled from a government thesaurus to obscure the truth. [More]

Yeah, kick us while we're down and demand even more to enable your ceaseless tyranny and boundless incompetence.

Y'know, this could actually be a good thing in a "Squeeze, Baby, Squeeze" kind'a way...

[Via Avg Joe]

About That Virginia Tech Gun Ban

Roy offered to arrange for armed security for Giovanni before a meeting she had with Cho, according to an e-mail. [More]

So--when it serves their purposes, they're not completely anti-gun.

And naturally, Larry Hincker didn't want us to find about about this.

[Via Jeffersonian]

Truly Amazing

Carolina Camera: The Sling Shot Man [More]

See, the good thing is, he didn't have one of those deadly "assault slingshots"...

And yes, the control freaks actually are that anal retentive.

[Via Mike H]

A Yuletide Lesson

A man dressed as Santa who had been having marital problems opened fire at a Christmas party, leaving more than three people dead in a home that then caught fire... [More]

Basically, the lesson is this: If someone attacks you, the police can't save you.

They'll even hold other government-employed rescuers back out of predominant concern for their safety. And note I'm not presuming to second-guess a situation I have no first-hand knowledge of and say they made a wrong call on that--I'm simply stating a reported conclusion.

If you're not prepared to protect yourself and those you love, don't expect anyone else to be.

[Via Mama Liberty]

We're the Only Ones Diagnosed Enough

In a survey of a random sample of U.S. emergency physicians, virtually all said they believed that law enforcement officers use excessive force to arrest and detain suspects. [More]

Put another way, just under 10 out of 10 doctors equate "Only Ones" with violent criminals...?

I guess it doesn't occur to some cops that we'd like to go home at the end of their shift, too?

[Via Avg Joe]

We're the Only Ones "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" Enough

D.C. police said they have uncovered possible misdeeds by four officers in connection with a program that collects toys for needy children, and Police Chief Cathy L. Lanier said any officer "found to have taken toys" will be prosecuted. [More]

But Cathy still thinks police are the "Only Ones" who can be trusted to keep and bear arms...

I'd say "Unbelievable" about this story, but in truth, very little surprises me any more.

[Via DaKid]

This Day in History: December 26

Lord Dunmore's letters to General Howe, which very fortunately fell into my hands, and were enclosed by me to Congress, will let you pretty fully into his diabolical schemes. If, my dear Sir, that man is not crushed before spring, he will become the most formidable enemy America has; his strength will increase as a snow ball by rolling; and faster, if some expedient cannot be hit upon to convince the slaves and servants of the impotency of his designs. You will see by his letters, what pains he is taking to invite a reinforcement at all events there, and to transplant the war to the southern colonies. I do not think, that forcing his Lordship on shipboard is sufficient; nothing less than depriving him of life or liberty will secure peace to Virginia, as motives of resentment actuate his conduct, to a degree equal to the total destruction of the colony. [More]

Merry Christmas

What in the world are you doing here?

It's Christmas!

Get off the computer and go be with the ones you love.

If there is no one you love, go fix that. Get off the computer and go do something loving for someone.

Who Will Guard the Guards?

In other words, the trappings of state authority are all it takes to elicit trust? That seems a heck of a way to observe an unalienable individual right that's specifically posted off-limits to government infringement in "the supreme law of the land," don't you think? [More]

Today's Gun Rights Examiner column...

Tell a friend?

And while you're at it, tell them I'm going to have some good news about the column I'll talk about next week.

We're the Only Ones Taking [Hic] You for a Ride Enough

A trooper was fired yesterday by the Maryland State Police after he was arrested on charges of kidnapping a man in his marked cruiser at a fast-food drive-through, then leading Baltimore County police on a drunken high-speed chase. [More]

So what's with the charges?

I mean, you let him just write an apology and do some "community organizing" after his last three drunken adventures...

And everybody caught that "Only Ones Bill of Rights" referral, didn't you?

Good grief.

[Via Rick P]

We're the Only Ones Puppicidal Enough

The dog ran out, and down Peeple's driveway toward the officers, at which point they shot it three times. Even the police concede the dog never attacked. They shot it as it was running toward them. [More]

I don't know what it is about "Only Ones" and dogs, but I'm starting to think that no certification in dog behaviors and handling ought to be submissable evidence as proof of negligence after stuff like this goes down.

[Via Thomas C]

Self Defense...

...it isn't just for NorteAmericanos...[More]

I'm glad the store owner wasn't charged, but am cynical enough to wonder what that cost him...

[Via Joe G]

We're the Only Ones Spared Enough

Judge Robert Neary conceded that former Orange County sheriff's Lt. Lloyd Kurth violated the public's trust by stealing a rifle from the evidence room he once supervised.

But when it came time to sentence Kurth Monday in Orange County Court, Neary decided that Kurth's crime was offset by the loss of his law-enforcement career and the public humiliation endured by the 42-year-old Goshen native. [More]

Lord knows Messrs. Fincher and Olofson endured no comparable suffering, and thus deserved their prison terms...?

After the trial, Neary dismissed more charges revolving around Kurth's alleged theft of two handguns. He convicted Kurth of stealing a hunting rifle.

Sheriff Carl DuBois said Tuesday that the public never got the complete picture of Kurth's misdeeds.

"This wasn't just one, isolated incident," DuBois said.

Still, he's already suffered as only an "Only One" can, right, Judge Neary?

[Via Declan]

10-20-Life?

Florida threatens criminals with up to life in prison if they use a gun, but few suspects in Orange County get such tough mandatory penalties even as the campaign to end gun violence enters its 10th year, the Orlando Sentinel has found. [More]

Now hold the phone--I'm all for throwing the book at any animal using force and weapons to threaten, harm or kill victims. But "use a gun" is a far cry from some loser hiding under his mother's bed during a drug raid...

The police state receives major sustenance from the War on (some) Drugs. As does violent crime from both sides of "the thin blue line." That's a separate issue, but I'll repeat something I've long maintained:

Anyone who can't be trusted with a gun can't be trusted without a custodian.

Still, I'm sittin' here wondering how that guy got 23 days and Wayne Fincher got six-and-a-half years...

[Via Bruce Mills]

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

Authorities seized a small cache of weapons and ammunition from the New Jersey home of New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress...

The Post, citing anonymous law enforcement sources, said a 9-mm handgun, a rifle and ammunition for three other guns — a .380, a .45 and a .40, the same caliber of gun Burress accidentally shot himself with — were seized during the execution of a search warrant at Burress' home in Totowa. [More]

OK, at least we've established an "Authorized Journalist" benchmark of sorts.

A "cache" is larger than a "spate." I haven't figured out yet how either compare with an "arsenal."

[Via W-3]

"All I Want is World Peace"*

A reigning Mexican beauty queen from the drug-plagued state of Sinaloa was arrested with suspected gang members in a truck filled guns and ammunition, police said Tuesday. [More]

This can't be the whole story.

It doesn't say a word about those damned American gun shows...

One of the tough lessons we should learn when young is that physical beauty doesn't necessarily mean the mind isn't corrupted. Fortunately, in my case...

...:)

* From story comment poster sd74

[Via Brian F]

We're the Only Ones Jamming Traffic Enough

A former Utah state trooper suspected in a series of fatal rush-hour shootings near Dallas had an addiction to painkillers and a warrant had been issued for his arrest in connection with a recent robbery, according to Texas and Utah authorities. [More]

I guess if he had his certification revoked, he didn't qualify for nationwide "Only One" concealed carry...?

[Via Chris T, Zachary G, Joe G]

Better Things to Do

"What happens when all these people die out?" asks the president of Darien-based Friends of Animals. "Haven't their children discovered video games and better things to do than mutilate a deer?" [More]

Well, I suppose we could teach them to mutilate Zargonians...

[Via Skip]

We're the Only Ones Snowed In Enough

That leaves many drivers, including Seattle police, pretty much on their own until nature does to the snow what the sand can't: melt it.

The city's patrol cars are rear-wheel drive. And even with tire chains, officers are avoiding hills and responding on foot, according to a West Precinct officer. [More]

We all get what that means, right?

That political pustule Greg "Spiderhole" Nickels not only is fighting to illegally disarm people, but his city's policy hampers the "Only Ones" he trusts with guns from responding to violent crime.

How much more absurd and dangerous do things need to get?

This Day in History: December 24

By order of his Excellency General Washington, a Board of General Officers sat yesterday in Cambridge, and unanimously recommended the following Rations to be delivered in the manner hereby directed -- Viz: Corn'd Beef and Pork, four days in a week. Salt Fish one day, and fresh Beef two days. As Milk cannot be procured during the Winter Season, the Men are to have one pound and a half of Beef, or eighteen Ounces of Pork pr. day. Half pint of Rice, or a pint of Indian Meal pr Week -- One Quart of Spruce Beer pr day, or nine Gallons of Molasses to one hundred Men pr week. Six pounds of Candles to one hundred Men pr week, for guards. Six Ounces of Butter, or nine Ounces of Hogs-Lard pr week. Three pints of Pease, or Beans pr man pr week, or Vegetables equivalent, allowing Six Shillings pr Bushel for Beans, or Pease -- two and eight pence pr Bushel for Onions -- One and four pence pr Bushel for Potatoes and Turnips -- One pound of Flour pr man each day -- Hard Bread to be dealt out one day in a week, in lieu of Flour. [More]

Violence is No Game

But surely I'm not suggesting anyone's life is worth mere merchandise, or the contents of a cash register?

Not at all.

What I am suggesting is anyone depraved enough to threaten the life of another human being over something so trivial is a deranged monster capable of anything. What I'm suggesting is that human beings confronted with such monsters should not have their choice to defend their precious and irreplaceable lives taken away from them by others. [More]

Here's today's Gun Rights Examiner column.

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Lies, Damned Lies and Statistics

Some machine-gun shoots in Texas let children attend... [More]

...which "Authorized Journalist" Anna M. Tinsley weaves into a convoluted tapestry of misdirection and non sequiturs to derive this foregone conclusion:

Remove guns from your home.

If we were to stay on topic and relevant, of course, we'd need to take all the shoots in the country that allow supervised children to participate and then factor in the number of child fatalities. Who wants to bet against common youth team sports being significantly more dangerous?

Someone competent with statistics help me out here and refine a credible data set criteria. The way Anna has things skewed, her conclusions depend more on gangbangers-per-morgue than anything else.

[Via Fired Brass from She Draws Him Like a Gun]

Expected to Survive

An armed man attempting to rob a Chandler jewelry store Saturday died of a gunshot wound resulting from a gun battle between the robber and store workers, police said.

The store owner was shot in the face during the gun battle, but he is expected to survive... [More]

Sure beats the alternative, doesn't it?

This reminds me of another man I had the privilege of meeting several years ago at a Westside Los Angeles NRA Members Council meeting. If you haven't heard of Lance Thomas, now's the time to make up for that.

[Via Chris K]

Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms is a Convenience Store

ATF ran pawn shop in KCK to catch drug, gun violators [More]

Convenient for BATFU, that is...

[Via Glocked and Loaded]

Desperately Seeking Susan

Will you shoot me because my skin is black like presidential-elect Obama? And, if you pull the trigger will you look me in my eyes to see Susan as a project team member who is black or a black woman who happens to be a project team member? And, when my blood is pouring out of my body will you watch to see what color it is? [More]

Good grief, lady. Got issues much?

And aren't you glad her vote cancels out yours?

[Via HZ]

Captain Beefhead

Mayor Richard Daley said today that Chicago will host a "gun conference" next month to look for ways to beef up gun laws and get guns off the streets. [More]

Gun control? For Chicago?

What a novel idea! I'm surprised they haven't tried it already, what with their "murder capital" status and all...

Hey wait a minute...wasn't a virtual total ban--with the exception of "Only Ones"-- in effect at the time...?

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

[Via Mike H]

We're the Only Ones Exporting Enough

A veteran Los Angeles police officer who runs a security firm in Central America is being investigated by federal officials for allegedly smuggling guns and ammunition. [More]

No wonder the "Only Ones" want to close down those damned American gun shows.

Not that they offer any real competition...

[Via W-3]

Put a Hold on Holder

From Mike Vanderboegh:

Of course this comes as no surprise to anyone, but of all the people BHO seeks to surround himself with in DC, Eric Holder as the nominee for Attorney General has to be the most offensive stench in the nostrils of free men and women.

From Jeff Knox:

Eric Holder, Barack Obama’s nominee for Attorney General, is a totally unacceptable choice and needs to be strongly opposed by the Second Amendment community and all lovers of liberty.

Write your senator on this and demand to know where they stand. If they blow you off with boilerplate weasel words, write them again, more strongly.

I don't care if your senator is Dianne Feinstein or Hillary Clinton. Don't use that as an excuse to do nothing. Write them anyway and get your friends to do it and make it a roar that will at least give them pause.

Here's a perfect opportunity to prove the value of the pragmatic position. Denying obama a key nominee right out of the starting gate is important tactically, and important psychologically -- both to encourage our side and cause uncertainty for theirs. What will it tell us if it's blown, as so much has been, due to apathy?

I understand a key guy to work on is George Voinovich. He's been no friend, so it's time to remind this guy what happened to Mike DeWine.

I also see our old friend Richard Lugar is another holdback.

No excuses. Just take a few minutes and do this.

More Guns than You Think

But less common isn't always what you get. Those official gun ownership numbers actually compare apples and oranges. That's because Europeans own an awful lot of guns outside the law. [More]

J.D. Tuccille argues we're not getting the total picture on European gun ownership.

I have concerns about some of the posited conclusions, though.

I'd need to see more proof that the Europeans who "own...guns outside the law" are defiant peaceable citizens who keep protection on the QT.

My instinct and stuff I've read to date indicates we may not be talking so much traditional Nigel and Pierre as much as newer arrivals with less affinity for promoting peace through strength in their host cultures. And again, my instinct is to assume a goodly number of these gun possessors are also members of a predatory underworld class.

Finally, I consider "ownership" both a legal and a moral term. Just because one is in possession of stolen property, which much of the black market in guns is based on, does not make him an "owner."

I'd love to believe there's a growing underground, as opposed to underworld, of gallant allies living in defiance of tyranny. I wish I could find some compelling evidence of that.

Signs of the Times

Two suspected gang members have landed on the naughty list – and in jail – after police say they posed for a picture with Santa Claus while flashing their gang signs. [More]

Then they must not be allowed to do it on the Internet either.

I wonder if "Homegrown Terrorists" are included, and if a ban on this can be far behind:

I suppose I could remove two fingers...

Incidentally, I read where one of the "threeper" detractors made the "gang sign" connection and considered it an indictment. Of course, those who actually know what they're talking about have known that from the beginning.

Think of it as a freedom "gang sign".

Russ Howard: An Open Letter to Remington's Tommy Millner

I was a long-time customer of Remington, but I won't be again until you dump H-S Precision. [More]

Mindful Musings reminds us of some unfinished business.

After speaking with Tommy Millner, I offered the opinion:

As a personal note, I was impressed by his accessibility and candor. We've got a guy caught up in a situation not of his making trying to do the right thing, and my recommendation is to trust that he will.

At this point, we need to see what HS-Precision does next.

We saw what HS-Precision did next. They posted a tepid non-apology for a few days and then removed it from their site.

Now Russ Howard thinks it's time for Remington and other gun companies that do business with them to do more, and to let us know about it.

This Day in History: December 23

King George III issues a royal proclamation closing the American colonies to all commerce and trade, to take effect in March of 1776. Also in December, Congress is informed that France may offer support in the war against Britain.

Meanwhile, Across the Pond in Sarah Brady Paradise

Under the regulations, bailiffs for private firms would for the first time be given permission to restrain or pin down householders. They would also be able to force their way into homes to seize property to pay off debts, such as unpaid credit card bills and loans. [More]

Now that shouldn't be necessary. If you lot just left your doors unlocked, they wouldn't need to force their way in...

[Via Whose Paranoid]

Caveat Emptor, Particularly if Unarmed

I discussed two incidents last week over at The War on Guns, one in Arizona and one in Georgia, where rules at malls prohibit citizens from bearing arms. That's something we need to be aware of during this time of last-minute holiday shopping, as area malls and many stores have the same rule. [More]

Today's Gun Rights Examiner column...

Tell a friend?

The Silence of the Lambs

Eric Manson says he never uses a gun when he robs a bank. He says he doesn't need one. [More]

And they just quietly comply.

I don't understand how this is possible.

Not taking risks for a crappy job has nothing to do with it. It's not the job that's being threatened.

I wonder what percentage of bank tellers support gun control...

"We are Here to Encourage Normalcy"

The Trident now has a metal barricade at the foot of the slope leading up to the hotel. Guests pass a sandbagged bunker with three armed police, a bag screening and a metal detector before entering the lobby, where more commandos are stationed. [More]

Yep, I'd say they've managed to create a new social norm.

Just don't let anybody see an armed citizen--then all kinds of frenzy will break loose.

A Future Murder Weapon

"There is no doubt in my mind that there was a future murder weapon in this group of illegal guns. That's a life saved and that's the goal of the police commissioner and my administration," Rice said [More].

Because we all know lives are never saved by having a gun.

Why do Nassau County "Only Ones" carry them again?

And if you don't turn them in, they'll figure out an excuse to come take them.

Gun of Choice

When it comes to killing, semi-automatic handguns appear to be the weapon of choice in Chicago. [More]

Nice unbiased lead there, "Authorized Journalist" Frank Main. I guess we can't talk about "When it comes to self defense," because you and the politicians you service pretty much make sure the equation can't include that.

Funny thing about weapons of choice, though. Depending on which anti's doing the yacking, they keep changing...

What is the Riddle of Steele?

Society should draw lines. What do you need an assault weapon for, if you're going hunting? That's overkill. But I don't think that means you go to a total ban for those who want to use gun for skeet shooting or hunting or things like that But what's the point of passing gun laws if we're not going to enforce them? If you want to talk about gun control, that's where you need to start. We've got 300 gun laws on the books right now. At the end of the day, it's about how we enforce the law. [More]

So why the hell would anyone consider this ignorant fraud for GOP Chair? Have they learned nothing?

I'll look at the other candidates over the next day or so. Ken Blackwell seems to understand the issue.

Anybody who has knowledge about the others, please chime in.

The Gun Went Off

Gun Went Off When Man Showed It To 2 Others...

When he was showing it to two other men, the gun went off. [More]

All by its own self, no doubt.

I hate it when that happens, don't you?

[Via Mama Liberty]

Two from Mike

Guard Duty

Taxing Your Way to Civil War

Go read. I'll still be here.

But If and When

Gun carriers don’t always pose threat...[More]

But if and when they do, why would anyone want to be defenseless?

I do wish people would stop using permits as the foundation for their argument, though. I never met a fellow human being I thought had the moral authority to give me permission to protect myself.

[Via The Bitter Clinger]

Casting Doubt on the Accuser

When I've written about radar-activated speed cameras in the past, I've objected to the robotic menaces primarily on the grounds that they were fallible revenue machines for the state rather than legitimate means of protecting life and limb. It never occurred to me that the dumb electronic brutes were also handy tools for wreaking revenge on enemies and authority figures. [More]

"Brilliant" is right, but unfortunately it creates victims.

I wonder if some victims could be helped? I wonder if a copy of this article would be helpful in casting burden of proof doubts in cases where the driver's face isn't clearly recognizable...?

Let's Place the Blame Where it Belongs

Mexican police found nine decapitated bodies on Sunday in a city near the tourist resort of Acapulco, and at least some of the victims might have been soldiers who were battling against powerful drug gangs.

The bodies of the men, which were marked with signs of torture, were left on the side of a highway, while their heads were stuffed in a plastic bag found outside a shopping center, police in the state of Guerrero told Reuters. [More]

Damned American gun shows...

[Via Avg Joe]

Wayne Fincher Update: Case Submitted to SCOTUS

On Friday, 19 December 2008, a Writ of Certiorari was submitted to the U.S. Supreme Court in the matter of U.S. v. Hollis Wayne Fincher. The Writ asks the Court two fundamental questions...[More]

I understand there is no shortage of those not only willing to throw Fincher under the bus, but are actually resentful that he will hurt us all.

Nothing his critics propose will change the law regarding machineguns. They are the first ones who caution against even discussing it up, because the time is not right.

When such time will be right isn't even a matter of speculation, because we all know that time will be "never." We won't change federal law on this through majority rule, and the Supreme Court has created the circular room of "common use" and told us to relieve ourselves in the corner.

We can argue about the merits and the wisdom of Fincher's case until the cows come home, but that doesn't change a few inconvenient truths: He's fighting for his life. Those who want him not to are literally wanting him to roll over and give up for their sake.

The real outrrage is that the Second Amendment has been denied by those in power, and the Constitution has been ruled inadmissable in court.

For me, at this point, here's all that matters: A good man is in big trouble. My conscience demands I do what I can to help him. Besides, I'd just as soon know that the answer is an unequivocal "No," as opposed to continuing to delude myself that the path that led us to the Obama administration is the one that leads to "shall not be infringed"--or can't I make that reference without ridicule either?

[More on the Wayne Fincher case]

A Wake-Up Call?

There has been a spike in home burglaries, especially on the north side of Davidson County...

Last week alone, detectives logged more than 50 home break-ins in north precinct...

In October, thieves kicked in Tedford's back door in broad daylight...

Earlier this week, Tedford's neighbors were robbed at gunpoint and tortured in their house. [More]

You know what this area needs?

A gun buyback! No...?

Maybe this is what some people need to wake up...

[Via Edmund M]

An Hour of Wolves

Jeet makes his debut with an online liberty journal.

He does use some...uh...colorful language, so proceed with that awareness... [More]

This Day in History: December 22

December 22, 1775 at Cane Break, South Carolina - Following the truce that resulted from the Battle of Ninety-Six, a group South Carolina militia and newly raised Continentals, commanded by Col. Richard Richardson and Col. William Thompson, moved into the region between the Broad River and Saluda River. Their purpose was to break up the Loyalists that were gathering there. Richardson and Thompson was soon joined by 700 North Carolina militia commanded by Col. Thomas Polk and Col. Griffith Rutherford, and 220 Continental regulars commanded by Col. Alexander Martin. All these American forces added up to a total amount of 4,000 troops. On December 22, the Americans attacked and the Loyalists resistence quickly collapsed. Richardson's men managed to capture some Loyalist leaders, including Thomas Fletchall. There was a single Tory unit that did not disband with the initial assault, but they were soon routed by part of Richardson's command. Conclusion: American Victory [More]

Engineering the Next Civil War

If the average gun owner had to pay a $400 tax each year for each gun, it's likely that the gun owner would decide to dispose of some or all of his guns. With fewer guns in existence, the cost of the gun tax would increase the following year. Eventually, an equilibrium would occur where our country would have far fewer guns and far fewer deaths.

Y'know, for someone who claims to be an engineer, Scott Dixon is pretty much cause-and-effect impaired beyond redemption. Engage him in comments and deconstruct his foolishness if you like--when someone proposes evil, I feel no obligation to attempt civil discourse. He presumes to teach but has proven himself incapable of learning.

So here's my only rebuttal:

How about "No"? And that's non-negotiable.

Your move, Scott.

State Error Infuriates Gun Owners

Actually, it kind of amused me...

It's gratifying to see the "Authorized Journalists" are tightening up the lag time following when mere bloggers report on something...it's still reactive, but it's getting better.

100 Bottles of Beer on the Deck...100 Bottles of Beer...

Chinese crew used beer bottles to fight off pirates

The true black-hearted scurvy dogs are the ones who prohibit human beings from having proper tools for defense. Anyone think their bodyguards carry bottles?

[Via Joe G]

The Good Samaritan

Click on title link for ABC News video about this story:

Woman Sued for Rescue Effort in Car Crash
Legal Experts Say California Ruling Could Make Good Samaritans Hesitate

I've had several occasions in the past to help those in need--and on two of those occasions placed myself in harm's way to intervene. But I have to say, the way things are going, I have a personal issue with the "sheepdog" analogy floating around the RKBA camp.

I don't see myself that way, have no desire to try and act like a hero, and don't consider the protective benefits society in general gets from me taking care of Number One. If it happens as a side effect, fine and good, but that's neither my intent nor my motivator.

It's too bad, but that's what people get for not taking care of themselves and criminalizing me taking care of myself. My goal is going to be to get away from danger. If that means I have to stop anyone trying to prevent me from doing that, again, that's a side effect, not my goal.

But isn't that inconsistent with all this "Three Percent" whoop-de-do, as detractors characterize it?

Not at all.

If it comes to that, it will mean I can't get away--all escape routes will have been sealed. At that point, I'll have some pretty ugly and terrifying choices to make.

So will you.

For now, we can either prepare for the possibility or we can deem it ridiculously improbable and remote, and disparage those who do.

[Via Steven K]

We're the Only Ones Through a Glass Darkly Enough

A day after he was lauded at City Hall by his City Council colleagues on one of his last days on the council, state Sen.-elect Hiram Monserrate was the center of attention for all the wrong reasons yesterday - charged with assaulting his girlfriend after accusing her of cheating, police sources said.

Karla Giraldo, 30, needed 20 stitches to close a gash by her left eye, inflicted when Monserrate broke a drinking glass and struck her in the face, Queens prosecutors said.

And typical of "Only Ones," here's how Hiram feels about guns and those of us who don't leave our women in stitches:

New York and particularly the city has some of the toughest gun restrictions in the country. I would like to emulate what we have in the city to the state. We should be the society that no one has guns. I’m a firm supporter of gun control, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure that we have the toughest laws against trafficking in illegal guns and supporting litigation against companies who bring cheap handguns into our city.

Any questions?

[Via Declan]

We're the Only Ones Crotchety Enough

NYPD: Cop 'fooling around' with gun shoots wife in groin

Love "Only Ones" style? I'm not even gonna ask.

She should have snatched it away from him.

And I do apologize for that.

[Via Declan]

This Day in History: December 21

In London, the British Parliament passes a bill calling for the confiscation of all American vessels and the impressement of their crews into service in the English Navy.

Weekend Reading: Shameless Plug for Gun Rights Examiner

I'm promoting my Gun Rights Examiner column full bore hoping to make it a success. If you missed any columns, you can access the full archive here under the "More Articles" tab.

I ask all WarOnGuns regulars to help me promote this effort by becoming regulars there as well, going to the links, reading the articles and telling a friend.

Question 46 Revisited

For those of you who weren't following this at the time, it's important information to learn.

For those of us who were, it's important information to remember.

[Via Zachary G]

We're the Only Ones Putting Some Teeth into the Law Enough

The video, shot by a local sports TV crew, shows Heaney on his stomach on the ground with Cordova and Costigan cuffing him.

The video then shows Cordova lifting up Heaney's head by his hair and slamming it into the ground. On the video, you can hear Heaney's two front teeth break off.

Protecting and serving, "Only Ones" style...

[Via MacEntyre]

We're the Only Ones Unauthorized Enough

Richmond prosecutors were unauthorized under state law to dismiss an assault charge against a city police officer after he agreed to pay his victim's medical costs, Richmond's top prosecutor acknowledged yesterday.

Why? I'm sure they'd have offered you and me the same deal.

Wouldn't they?

[Via Mack H]

I'm Having a Ridiculous Amount of Fun...

...with this.

So far, I've victimized all of my siblings.

A Uniform Approach to Fighting Gang Violence

...in Norfolk schools.

Good grief. How many ways that this is just plain stupid can you think up?

Hey, when you're already $22M in the hole and have $15K to blow on willfully violating gun owner rights, what's the cost of some school uniforms?

UPDATE: Kent McManigal raises an excellent point:

We're the Only Ones Faultless Enough

Convicted last year of intoxication manslaughter for the death of her boyfriend, the 21-year-old daughter of a state district judge is suing the truck driver she ran into during a drunken driving crash.

Here, Elizabeth Shelton--I'm getting you a subscription.

I wonder if being an "Only One's" daughter has anything to do with not only your wrist-slap, but also the way you turned out.

There's nothing more I can say that I won't regret.

[Via Avg Joe]

We're the Only Ones Quadruple Enough

A Prince George's County police lieutenant charged four times this year with driving under the influence passed out behind the wheel of a running police cruiser in one incident, had to be Tasered and pepper-sprayed in another and was at fault in a hit-and-run in a third, Laurel Police said yesterday.

We talked about this Otis of "Only Ones" yesterday, but not about these details.

"It doesn't appear that he's going to be reinstated, obviously," said Maj. Andy Ellis, a county police spokesman.

Is Andy what we'd call a master of understatement?

[Via Orygunner]

More Commies

Mike H doesn't like 'em.

Neither do I.

This Day in History: December 20

The Continental Congress orders a temporary cease-fire between the colonies of Connecticut and Pennsylvania in their dispute over conflicting land claims in the Wyoming Valley.

Because, You Know...

...they're doing such a good job...

A Champion of Gun Control

We can learn all we need to know about this "champion" from a comment he made about the Clinton gun ban:

Anti-gun Sen. Howard Metzenbaum complained that the Clinton ban didn't go far enough, saying, "until you ban them all, you might as well ban none." But, it "will be a major step in achieving the objective that we have in mind," he said.

Today's Gun Rights Examiner column...

Tell a friend?

We're the Only Ones Cruella De Vil Enough

Add a two-year-old Dalmation to the ranks of dogs gunned down by police officers who considered themselve to be in "imminent danger" when the cops had no business being where they were to begin with.

I wonder if the "Only Ones" have enough to make a fur coat with yet? Ya think?

If you haven't bookmarked fellow Examiner.com J.D. Tuccille's Civil Liberties site, you're missing out on some of the most insightful commentary out there.

Not Feelin' the Love...

...over at The Liberty Sphere.

The Liberty Sphere has been totally ignored by some who have received nothing but constant attention by me via the links to their blogs.

I know how he feels. When I first started WaronGuns, I found every "gun blogger" I could, gave them a sidebar link and tried to let them know it. Most ignored me, so I said the hell with it and established the reciprocity requirement explained in my sidebar "Link Policy."

I still note most don't link to WoG, and you know what? That's fine with me. From the content, sentiment, originality and insight I see on many Wogless blogs, I'd just as soon not meet with their approval. Besides, if I was going for popularity, I'd be writing about Paris Hilton.

So keep your chin up, Mr. Lloyd-Morgan.

Some of us appreciate what you do every day.

We're the Only Ones Who Won't Be Spoken Ill of Enough

Sheriff’s deputies and county Protective Service officers arrested two men and two women in the middle of the meeting when they stood and applauded a speaker who criticized Arpaio.

At the next meeting, have someone speak in his praise, and have a few people stand up and applaud. See what happens.

Either way though, we need to understand that only "Only Ones" can express their sentiments at government meetings, which are there to "secure the blessings of Liberty." We can't have extremists thinking "governments derive their just powers" from just anyone.

[Via Lane]

Where's the Reasonable Suspicion of a Crime?

From Ed Stone:

David,

Please read this police report about an arrest of a person openly carrying a pistol for obstruction for refusing to identify himself and tell me what reasonable suspicion of a crime existing to detain this man and force him to identify himself.

This is not an incident I have previously reported to you, as it just happened. This is the same jurisdiction I wrote this letter and with which we have had other issues. Think they have it out for our members?

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f4/rmodel65/IMG_0001-1.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f4/rmodel65/IMG-6.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f4/rmodel65/IMG_0002-1.jpg

What is in the water down there?

ED

Two More Questions

Paul W. Davis had a question about Antonin Scalia's reasoning in Heller.

He has a couple more about the Wayne Fincher case:

I think the Supreme Court ought to answer the following two questions:

Do you really want to leave the United States without any in-depth defense, and a lightly armed, law-abiding citizenry unable to effectively resist an attacking force?

Are you willing to see the possibility of the United States invaded and overthrown because the body of law-abiding citizens, who wish to form lawful, unorganized militias for the sole purpose of community and national defense, cannot match the firepower of an invading army?

And here I thought our job as citizens in terms of responding to national crises was to shop...

We're the Only Ones Given a Pass Enough

DUI Arrest Is Officer's 4th This Year

...Two of the drunken driving charges against Lt. Kenneth W. Parrish were dropped by county prosecutors, one of them in a plea deal and the other when the arresting officer failed to appear for a court hearing.

Would it be so terribly wrong of me to wonder if some kind of "Only One" favoritism is being shown here...? And why the county prosecutors and the truant arresting officer aren't required to answer some tough question...under oath?

[Via Andre D]

We're the Only Ones Federal Enough

[Note: You need to select "December 17" from the "Recent Editions" drop-down menu, then scroll down to 61: "Update On Procedures For Flying While Armed."]

The new procedures do not apply to federal officers.

Hah! There's "Only Ones," and then there's "Super Only Ones."

And they're even more trustworthy!

[Via Michael S]

High Anxiety

About 11,500 troops, including chemical attack experts, will join the security detail as Obama takes the oath of office.

It's all for you, Damien!

[Via Ron W]

Transparent Government

The government has blocked Kenyan members of President-elect Barrack Obama's extended family from talking to the media.

It's a good thing I'm not the suspicious type...

[Via Skip]

Free Government Money!

A Yorktown gun-rights advocate who sued Norfolk after his arrest at Town Point Park for openly carrying a handgun will receive a $15,000 payout to settle the federal lawsuit.

We discussed this before.

I hope the citizens of Norfolk remember this when the city comes crying saying they don't have enough money.

They have enough to blow $15 grand knowingly and willfully violating citizens' rights. Plus whatever they spent getting dragged through court.

[Via Mack H]

Another Child Gun Death

A man walking his dog in Terrell on Wednesday fatally shot an armed 17-year-old robber, police said.

I guess in today's politically correct environment I don't dare say something like "Waddup, Dawg..."?

[Via Tony G]

We're the Only Ones Assaulted Enough

Both the daughter and the father were arrested for assaulting a peace officer.

Plainclothes "Only Ones" get the wrong house and assault an innocent girl, she struggles and her father tries to protect her.

Every once in a while I have no words--or the words I have are best left undocumented.

This is one such time.

Speaking of people who will do obscene things for money, that William Helfland certainly is a piece of work.

[Via Cycjec from The Agitator (be sure and read Comment #7)]

Junk Mail Folder

Y'know, if you're gonna try to scam me...


...at least spell "PayPal" correctly...

I once played along with a 419er--the correspondence abruptly ended after my "widow" sent him a newspaper clipping jpg reporting on how David "Kwaku Afriye" Codrea was found hanged in his cell following his arrest for suspicion of Internet fraud...and the authorities were now focusing on his Ghanaian co-conspirator...

Question

From Paul W. Davis:

Is a D-10 bulldozer dangerous and unusual in the hands of an ordinary citizen, untrained in heavy equipment operations?

The answer is obvious. However, D-10 bulldozers are neither dangerous nor unusual, and very efficient, effective, and beneficial in the hands of the right person.

How does that operator get to be the "right person" if we constantly put forth that no one should have things that are "dangerous or unusual." After all, given Scalia's unusual interpretation of the Second Amendment, I would have to conclude that the following objects are "dangerous and unusual" in his hands having not demonstrated proper training and proficiency:

law books
A law degree
a pen
paper
a computer

"Dangerous and unusual" is a very loose term, that is so broad as to be construed to apply to virtually anything, if we ignore the PERSON involved, and that person's qualifications. What Scalia is saying here, is that even a TRAINED, QUALIFIED, INFANTRY MACHINE GUNNER, cannot, as a civilian handle a machine gun as a member of a non-government sponsored militia.

That kind of logic I can shovel out of the barn.

Wouldn't you just love to confront the "conservative justice" at a public forum and put that to him?

Not to Keep Harping on This, But...

A new report by the U.S. Army War College talks about the possibility of Pentagon resources and troops being used should the economic crisis lead to civil unrest, such as protests against businesses and government or runs on beleaguered banks.

This has all kinds of potential for getting interesting...

[Via Jeet]

Meanwhile, Over in Sarah al-Baradi Paradise

Sadr City, the South Bronx of Baghdad, has always been a rough neighborhood. Needless to say, carrying a gun here is considered a legal, moral right. Today, American and Iraqi troops are trying to do the once-unthinkable, and take Sadr City's weapons away...

In this part of Baghdad, the government of Nuri al-Maliki has rescinded the old "one AK-47 per household" rule; unless a weapon is registered - or belongs to a member of the security forces - it will be confiscated.

Mission accomplished?

But don't worry--it says they're going to use those search warrants we talked about...

[Via Plug Nickel Times]

This Day in History: December 19

Should the Force sailed from Boston be destined for Rhode Island I tremble for the Consequences, as the Colony in its present exhausted State cannot without Assistance defend the Island.

Tightening their Death Grip

The Los Angeles City Council approved a package of gun control laws Wednesday...

Click on the title link and read this.

Then watch the video.

They say they intend this to be the model for the nation.

Anybody think these tyrants are interested in peaceable resolution, or will ultimately be moved by anything short of pure self interest?

Look at Bratton claiming .50 cal "Only One" primacy. And talking "Godzilla." What an ass.

And Villaraigosa--guy can't even control his own di...libido as he gets cover from the watchdog press...but he wants to control you and me.

Then there's Jack Weiss. "Make our day?"

Perhaps, Jack. Some of us lived through seeing LA paralyzed, ceding entire neighborhoods to the zombie hordes--and that was in response to acts of government. And guess what, Jack--I went about my business every day armed in defiance of you frauds. Don't think I was alone.

Imagine what an act of nature or mass destruction will do to your smugness. The only good thing will be to expose you and your partners in crime for the powerless wretches you truly are when you don't have a cadre of enforcers on immediate hand to do your bidding.

Meanwhile, "our side" is left with arguing the new edicts "either conflict with or are duplicated by state law." Which means even if we "win," it's OK if it comes from Sacramento? Even though every one of us knows what an infringement is, but that can't even be argued?

And here's the real chiller--telling a man he can't run for city attorney unless he divests himself of all affiliation from NRA. Everyone gets how Nazi-caliber evil that is, right?

That's more than an in your face to all gun owners. If you think about it, it's taxation without representation.

These evil bastards will make war on us ideologically, politically, legally and physically. They won't stop until they're stopped. They won't let us alone and they won't let us live in peace.

If you're looking for a democratic solution in Los Angeles, forget it. Majority rule says "No."

So it will be interesting to see where the legal challenge goes.

If that doesn't work, then what?

Appeal to Obama's Justice Department?

[Via Maureen and JPR9]

Criminals for Gun Control

Wait a minute...he wanted you and me to turn in our guns, but when it came to his own protection he kept "a loaded handgun in a master-bedroom nightstand"?

Today's Gun Rights Examiner column...

Help me spread the word...?

"This is What Mayors Do"

What nothing?

Or in Fenty's case, give the predators an advantage?

[Via Avg Joe]

Sweet Land of Liberty

U.S. soldiers will need search warrants in Iraq

Maybe we could get another joint military/LEO operation going where they can teach civil liberties to some of our domestic "Only One" observers...

[Via Mama Liberty]

Westgate Remains Safe...

...despite shooting...

Sure it's safe. And Rule 19 proves it!

Say, you guys wouldn't want to guarantee that in writing, would you? Because I notice that even with those "seven Westgate security officers and 10 off-duty Glendale police officers," and with that "audio and video surveillance, and communications among officers" being "rock solid," you still couldn't do anything but react after the damage was done.

Maybe someone could take this card over to their security office and find out?


[Via Featherless Biped]