Monday, January 25, 2010

Why Has NYPD Disarmed 'Hero Detective'?

"Department officials are concerned that if Cowan lost consciousness, he would be unable to safeguard his firearm and consigned him to its 'no carry' list."

With that as the criterion, no one alive should be carrying a gun--including Mike Bloomberg's bodyguards. Not to mention anyone on or retired from the force and still carrying who suffers from a heart condition, high blood pressure, obesity... [More]
Today's Gun Rights Examiner column looks at Furious Mike's enforcers eating one of their own.

Also find out about a knife fight in New Hampshire and get the latest from my fellow GREs.

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This Day in History: January 25

I begin to be very apprehensive that the Season will entirely pass away, before any thing material will be done for the defence of Hudson's River. [More]

Sunday, January 24, 2010

An Attorney's Perspective on Austin Gun Show Dispute

Attorney Paul Velte has sent out an email to his Peaceable Texans for Firearms Rights list that's being circulated among gun owners regarding his investigation into the matter. It's based on his "review of the law and speaking to the promoter and an individual that had his private collection confiscated Saturday."

Some of the highlights... [More]
Today's Gun Rights Examiner column provides the highlights, as well as links to relevant nuisance abatement statutes.

Also get the latest from my fellow GREs.

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This Day in History: January 24

If the Coats should not be cut out before this reaches you, instead of the usual Regimental Coat, I would recommend a garment of the pattern of the Sailors Sea Jacket, this sets close to the body and by buttoning double over the breast, adds much to the Warmth of the Soldier. [More]

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Can This Democrat Be Trusted?

Party-Switching Congressman Faces GOP Distrust in Alabama [More]
Absolutely not. If he was worth a damn, we'd know exactly where he stands.

GOA lists him as "NR," too.

Of course, the title assumes we can trust Republicans...

We're the Only Ones Totally Devastated Enough

This one decision, and others in the past, have totally devastated both mentally and financially the honorable men and women who have dedicated their lives to work here. [More]
Over a 5% pay cut and reduction in dental benefits, you see...we're that fragile. Hey, you don't expect us government workers to make personal adjustments for what the government has done to the private sector, do you?

But we'll get you, my pretty:
Have fun in your nice Lompoc parks. I just pray that while you’re there, one of our local scumbags doesn’t ruin your day by committing a crime against you or your family.
Because good luck being "permitted" to have the means of defense in Lompoc. That's something reserved for us "Only Ones." Defy us on that and you just might find yourself praying you'd encountered a "local scumbag" instead...and yes, we would take you down in front of your family.

Not that Mitt Baldwin here would guarantee your safety if you gave him everything he's demanding, mind you...

[Via Steven L]

We're the "Only Ones" On Solid Legal Footing Enough

An Amtrak police officer has sued the national rail corporation, claiming it's liable for an incident in which a woman was able to grab his gun and shoot him in the foot. [More]
Because they wouldn't buy him a new holster.

All aboard...the gravy train.

Next stop, "Onlyoneville"...

[Via Michael R]

We're the Only Ones "Yahoo, Mountain Dew!" Enough

Student: ‘Beating So Bad Thought I Was Going To Die’ [More]
Because that bottle of Mountain Dew in his coat could have been a gun, and if we allowed that, why, we wouldn't be "Only Ones," now would we?

Besides, if we let him get away with this, why, people might start possessing stuff like, I don't know, candy, and then where would we be?

Hey, we worked that kid over real good though, didn't we...?

[Via FFFW and Texas Shooter]

We're the Only Ones "Sweet Happens" Enough

"Sweet happens," a police source glibly said of the boondoggle. [More]
Ha ha. They had candy. We assaulted them and threw them in our dungeon filled with scary miscreants. For almost a week. But we're glib. About our "boondoggle."

That's because the arrogant son of a bitch who joked about it knows he and his fellow Furious Mike "Only Ones" can commit any violation on a citizen they feel like and their anonymity will be protected.

Just like we don't know the names of the incompetent thugs who kidnapped and took two citizens who committed no crime hostage. In what universe is that not an act of domestic terrorism? But these are extra special terrorists--they're part of Liberty-Lynchin' Patrick's "Lift a finger and die" squad.

Everybody understands why these goons and their political masters want to keep us disarmed, right?

[Via John H]

This Day in History: January 23

Your want of Whiskey I cannot remedy, we are in the same situation here, and nothing effectual can be done, until the arrival of the Committee of Congress, whom we expect every day. [More]

What are Costs of SHOT Show Sting?

Hey, it gets Lanny Breuer's name in the papers, it must be worth every dime. No? [More]
Today's second Gun Rights Examiner column performs a cost/benefit analysis.

It costs us, it benefits Lanny.

Also get the latest from my fellow GREs.

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Eric Holder Seeks to Dismiss Gun Rights for Montanans--and Us All

"The first import of this response is that the legal game is now on." [More]
Today's Gun Rights Examiner column notes the game is on. Except it isn't a game.

Also get the latest from my fellow GREs.

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Friday, January 22, 2010

Cutting Edge...

...political activism. [More]

Just Giving Them What They Want...

...in the City of Brotherly Love [More]

Being Heard

McHenry County Sportsman's Association shows us some folks who left the couch and went through crappy weather to make their voices heard. [More]

Per Les K:
Had a town hall meeting tonight. Voters here are no longer willing to accept the stock "I'm an NRA member" answer when it comes to the 2nd Amendment.

County Sheriff was on board, as were a few other candidates.

The big message tonight was that it begins with each individual striving for excellence, but, to quote Ben Franklin, "We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately." when it comes to advancing our rights here in Illinois.
As far as I'm concerned, if there's any hanging to be done, let's do it to those who would hang us for claiming our rights.

For the Sake of Conformity

This is clearly an effort to conform to the requirement of Article IX(2) of the OAS Firearms Convention. [More]
And what could be more in the interest of a government that's main purpose is "to secure the Blessings of Liberty" than conforming their "shall not be infringed" instructions with standards set by these guys...

Anybody get the feeling that while the Bradys misdirect everybody with a bad report card, the noose tightening is happening little-by-little off the radar...?

[Via Michael R]

A Growing Movement

Bay area open carry. [More]

[Via Dave Licht]

About That Donation...

As an aside to my Scott Brown GRE column, I noted:
One last note, tangentially related to all this: Thanks to a heads-up find by "LaRue Tactical" over at AR15.com, we learn the proprietors at Atlantic Research Marketing Systems, makers of firearms accessories and gun sights, donated $1,000 to Coakley in a previous campaign. Those of you attending the SHOT Show, going on right now in Las Vegas, might want to stop by their booth and ask them why.
Well, someone did, and they inform me:
[He] wanted to try to make a clarification to a possible misconception that some people apparently held.

He admitted that he was aware of the issue of the donation to Coakly's campaign, and confirmed that donation(s) were in fact made, but wanted to emphasize that it was made some time back in the past, for her political campaign as Attorney General, not her recent Senate campaign.
Ain't no "misconception." I clearly stated: "donated $1,000 to Coakley in a previous campaign" and it's not like she hadn't already been previously endorsed by the Brady Campaign/Million Mom March.

If that's what they're telling people, they're clouding the issue. More Dan Cooper/HS Precision supplier support for gungrabbers BS, if you ask me.

They're free to support who they want, of course.

So am I.

This kind of stuff does make me wonder why we should give a damn about suppliers getting in trouble...

The Pragmatic Approach

I'm looking forward to finding the time to watch this.

[Via David Hamel]

Ohio Restaurant Carry Recap

Ohioans for Concealed Carry asks us to spread their alert. It includes links to their testimony.

Click here

A Federal Response

Daniel White tells us the feds have responded to Montana concerning their Firearms Freedom Act lawsuit. [More]

Wading through the legalese, it essentially boils down to two words, the first one starting with an "F," and I don't mean "firearms" or "freedom."

I was going to say something on it but I've been busy following the SHOT Show bust, so I'll have to rip Daniel off in tomorrow's column.

Loosening the Gag

Kurt has more on that abomination-striker we talked about yesterday. [More]

SHOT Show Bust Leaves More Questions than Answers

Unfortunately, the story seems to have had its day in the sun--for the immediate present. The most recent update from a Google News search is from two days ago. And as we've seen time and again here, it's not exactly like the "Authorized Journalists" have a great track record of bringing us unbiased and complete information regarding matters of concern to gun owners. And so far, the SHOT Show and National Shooting Sports Foundation websites are silent on the matter, as is NRA.

So we're left really with questions, not answers, and it's likely to remain that way until something breaks loose--possibly a statement from lawyers for the defendants. [More]
Today's Gun Rights Examiner column asks some questions no one else is asking.

Also get the latest from my fellow GREs.

Tell a friend?

And if you missed them, here is:

Part one

Part two

This Day in History: January 22

An Officer of Genl. Glovers Brigade arrived here Yesterday and informs me that he left twelve Waggons load of Cloathing at that place, which he had under his charge from Boston with directions to bring it on to this Army. He alledges in excuse for leaving it, that the Waggons would not come any further, but it does not appear that he took any pains to procure others. [More]

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Oh..."Abomination" Singular

In a 5-4 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court today struck down large portions of the abomination known as...McCain-Feingold... [More]
I'll bet we'd take a lot of influence money out of politics without the Seventeenth Amendment in play...and we'd be able to hold our local legislator's feet to the fire a lot more readily, not to mention diminish the urban socialist domination...

What is the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act?

Earlier today, we looked at the arrest of company executives and employees attending the SHOT Show in Las Vegas for violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA).

The what?

The Department of Justice has posted a "Lay-Person's Guide" on its website. Now would be a good time to review some of the highlights... [More]
I put out a second Gun Rights Examiner column to provide a resource for understanding what it is these folks were arrested for.

People are looking at this. No doubt we'll learn plenty more in the coming days.

Meanwhile, Across the Pond in Sarah Brady Paradise...

Restaurant refuses to give diner toothpick 'as they are too dangerous' [More]
Cheerio, then...

[Via Paul I]

We're the Only Ones Just Kidding Enough

Answer truthfully, the TSA worker informed her, and everything will be OK.

Solomon, 5-foot-3 and traveling alone, looked up at the man in the black shirt and fought back tears.

Put yourself in her place and count out 20 seconds. Her heart pounded. She started to sweat. She panicked at having to explain something she couldn't.

Now picture her expression as the TSA employee started to smile.

Just kidding, he said. He waved the baggie. It was his. [More]
Ah yes--the same mentality that pulls the wings off flies.

He has authoritah! You must obey him! Your emotions are his to toy with!

Why shouldn't they be? He's empowered to abuse you with no repercussions. What do you expect--respect?

Thing is, and with many such tales, we know the citizen's name--we don't know who the pig--and that's what he is--is. And we're not going to find out.
Davis said privacy law prevents her from identifying the TSA employee. The law prevents her from disclosing what sort of discipline he might have received.
Pity that. It means when people have finally had enough, they're liable to take it out on the parties who only abetted things through complicity and silence, as opposed to the "Only Ones" actually responsible for generating deserved hatred.

[Via Brian F]

Captain Eho

people eho are dumb shouldnt have guns. end of story [More]
Tripped on your own irony there, didn't you, sport?

And people who are smart don't expect anyone to read comments on year-old posts.

In Case You Missed It...

...here's my Trigger Sports LIVE! interview from yesterday.

My segment starts around 31 minutes into it.

We're working on my name...:)

Lacking Political Astuteness

Guilty.

See "comments."

If nothing else, it does illustrate the gulf between approaches.

We're the Only Ones Holding Things Up Enough

The former Minneapolis police officer suspected in an Apple Valley bank robbery and other holdups in Dakota County has been charged in Hennepin County with five robberies in south Minneapolis. [More]
Yep, one of the "Only Ones" we can trust with guns, all right.

If I make a "Few Bad Apples Valley" joke, will I be accused of denigrating?

[Via FFFW]

We're the Only Ones In Check Enough

And not only was the defendant in Wednesday's bench trial a former Chicago police officer, but prosecutors say she attempted to deposit the bad check in her account at the Chicago Patrolmen's Federal Credit Union. [More]
Every version of this AP release I've found says she's "been on the force since 199."

I guess that's back when she'd have been one of the "Only Ones" trustworthy enough to carry a sword...?

Forget it Jake, it's Chi-Town.

[Via FFFW and David Hamel]

Doing Things the Hardaway Redux

Liston Matthews weighs in on that offensive oaf we discussed here the other day. [More]

Green Eggs and Hamm

Howard Nemerov just made sure the Brady Bunch got served... [More]

What's Going On with SHOT Show Sting?

We're dealing with a federal law enforcement establishment that hasn't exactly earned the trust of gun owners over the years, and one that appreciates the benefits of high profile media coverage. And it's not like there isn't renewed administration emphasis on international arms trade treaties.

So forgive me if I think all these elements converging bear a bit of cynical questioning... [More]

Today's Gun Rights Examiner column urges taking the official story on the SHOT Show bust with a grain or two of salt.

Also get the latest from my fellow GREs.

Tell a friend?

This Day in History: January 21

I find, by letters from Genl. Heath, that Arms have lately arrived in several Vessels from France, I beg they may be immediately sent to the different Arsenals and put in order. We shall want a considerable number in the Spring when the Levies come into the Field, and I therefore think that advantage should be taken of this Season of the Year, when the Roads are hard, to bring part of them forward to the Magazines on this side of Delaware. [More]

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

"Despised is the Word I Hear"

Whose Paranoid shares information that even BATFU has been embarrassed by the Austin gun show fiasco, chalking things up to a limelight-grabbing ladder-climber.

Just when I thought this story couldn't get any more unbelievable... [More]

He gives further details here.

Reminder

Trigger Sports LIVE! starts at noon PST and I'll be on probably by 12:30 give or take a few...

I announced this in today's GRE.

Click here to watch.

A Bigger Picture?

Howard Nemerov says there is one in the unfolding Texas Gun Shows story. [More]

The Problem with Victory

[F]ar too many victors sow the seeds of their eventual defeat in the events following their victory. [More]
A-yup.

And that's assuming the victory is all it's being cracked up to be.

You Are My Sunstein

What could be more sanity-inducing than clandestine government conspiracies against conspiracy theorists? [More]
It's almost like...I don't know...PSYOPS or something...

[Via Todd F]

A Domestic PSYOP Contradiction

We have this (p 26 / I-3):


And then we have this (p 72 / VI-1).

These apparently contradictory statements are in here.

Brought to our attention by Secrecy News, which speculates:
Perhaps the PSYOP forces are supposed to inform the domestic population without “targeting” them.
So just who are these speculators?

You know, these guys.

I don't know about you, but I'm PSTARTING to get PSUSPICIOUS...

[Via Carl S]

We're the Only Ones Academic Enough

A bill introduced in the state Senate last week could give some university and community college professors the right to carry concealed firearms on campus. [More]
Bull.

First off, I reject the authority of any senate to "give" me any rights.

Second, why give the eggheads "Only Ones" status when the current "Only Ones" shouldn't even have "Only One" status?

Hell, in most cases, the damn college professors are part of the disarmament crowd anyway. Yeah, I'm real sure once they have their place at the table they'll be clamoring for the rest of us to be seated.

What Does Scott Brown Victory Mean for Gun Owners?

I don't want to rain on everybody's parade, but I think gun owners will be right at this point to keep their enthusiasm in check. True, we dodged a bullet, no question. But how will Senator Brown now handle our trust? [More]
Today's Gun Rights Examiner column cautions against excess jubilation, questions why a firearms accessory supplier donated to Martha Coakley, and gives a link to my interview this afternoon on Trigger Sports LIVE!

Also get the latest from my fellow GREs.

Tell a friend? Really? Will you?

This Day in History: January 20

Stressing the need of accuracy concerning the sick Washington required, January 20, 1778: "The regimental surgeions every Wednesday and Saturday are to make returns to the brigadier of all the sick in their respective regts. They or their mates are duly to attend the huts of their men and see that the sick are provided for as well as possible. The surgeons are also to keep a book in which they will enter a copy of every return they give in." [More]

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

What Can Brown Do for You?

Dave Workman tells us. [More]

Austin Police Statement on Banning Private Sales at Texas Gun Shows

I just received this press release from the Austin PD...

In the interest of getting the information out ASAP and making it available to as many as possible, I'm also pasting the pages here as graphics--you should be able to click to enlarge...[More]

This development warranted a second Gun Rights Examiner column. It includes a pdf of the Austin PD presser. Please share this link far and wide via forums, blogs, email lists...to anyone who is interested in this case.

Dull...uh...Dillard for Governor!

Illinois Governor - Republican

Senator Kirk Dillard - Senator Dillard was selected for endorsement from a large and very qualified field of Republican hopefuls. The decision was very difficult in light of the fact that the field included a very good friend of the law-abiding gun owner - Senator Bill Brady, along with two other candidates with solid positions on gun rights. But, in the end, the ISRA-PVF board of directors decided that Sen. Dillard had the best hope of defeating anti-gun extremist, Jim Ryan, in the Primary Election. [More]
Did someone say "highlights"?
QUESTION: "Would you sign or veto legislation banning the sale and possession of semiautomatic assault-style weapons in Illinois?"

...Kirk Dillard: "Without having more sufficient detail, including the definition of an "assault-style weapon," and for what circumstances the use of these weapons would be approved, this question is difficult to answer."
OK, then.

[Via Bruce from Illinois]

Law-Abiding Gun Owners

Kurt agrees with me. [More]

About this.

Failed Leadership?

Schoolmarm Paul gives Obama an "F". [More]

It's all misdirection, you realize. The action right now is masked, behind the scenes and off the radar. And the manipulators are biding their time.

Hard to tell if this report is meant to give cover to that, to save face, or if these clowns really are this immature and impatient...

Howard Nemerov has more.

As does Kurt Hofmann.

Coming Soon to a Republic Near You

Illinois Careens Toward Bankruptcy: Report
No federal protection for states [More]
What, you mean they're not "too big to fail"?

I certainly am comforted knowing the Illinois political machine has moved it's headquarters over to Pennsylvania Avenue.

And they've brought their economic policies with them.

After all, Chi-Town isn't a place, it's an attitude!

Why Not Just Give Them What They Want?

The victims have all been women, ranging in age from 65 to 91. [More]
And while we're told "pepper spray is flying off the shelves," we see one irresponsible zealot ignore all of Paul Helmke's manly advice:
An 81-year-old woman scared off an intruder with a gun, firing several rounds for good measure.
Hey, what the hell happened to our right to feel safe?

[Via William T]

Creating Offenses the Hardaway

HB 2422 by *Hardaway.

Firearms and Ammunition - As introduced, creates various gun show offenses, including prohibiting any person who is not a licensed firearms dealer from transferring a firearm to another person if any part of the transfer takes place at a gun show or within 1,000 feet of a gun show. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17. [More]
Hmmm...I found "securing the Blessings of Liberty" as a valid function of government. I can't seem to find "creating offenses"...

I'll keep looking. I'm sure it must be in there somewhere.

Looks like some idiot subversive legislator is trying to make what's happening in Texas legal in Tennessee...

If you'd like to create an offense of your own and tell this stupid little fascist what you think of him...

rep.ga.hardaway@capitol.tn.gov

And yeah, I know. Some will tell you we need to be polite. Apparently because they realize these creatures are so evil and corrupt that they will abuse their political power for petty revenge if you don't show proper subservience, so we don't want to make them angry...

[Via Bob P]

Two Smoking Guns

ATF Documents Link on the AR15/M16 policy at the time of the Olofson bust, and more NFRTR lies [More]
And this is key:
Given the lengths ATF went to redact the "Firearms Work Note" document, and the documents ATF has now released that fill in the redacted blanks, it is difficult to avoid the impression that ATF has been involved in an obstruction of justice.
Everybody sure they don't want to reconsider and at least try...?

We're the Only Ones Letting Our Fingers Do the Walking Enough

The FBI illegally collected more than 2,000 U.S. telephone call records between 2002 and 2006 by invoking terrorism emergencies that did not exist or simply persuading phone companies to provide records, according to internal bureau memos and interviews. FBI officials issued approvals after the fact to justify their actions. [More]
Funny. I did a "find" on this story's text and the words "indict" and "arrest" aren't there. Ah well, I'm sure that's merely "a 'good-hearted but not well-thought-out' solution"...

Still, catch a non-federal "Only One" "willfully" violating one of their edicts and Katie bar the door...

Nevada Senate Candidate Tarkanian Calls for Vigilance in Defending 2nd Amendment

Danny Tarkanian is running for the United States Senate in Nevada. The candidate has prepared a statement defining his position and observations on the right to keep and bear arms. His campaign asked me if I would present them here, and because we have been closely following that race, I agreed. What follows are his words... [More]
Today's Gun Rights Examiner column cedes the floor to allow a credible rival to Harry Reid to further define himself.

Also get the latest from my fellow GREs.

Tell a friend?

This Day in History: January 19

Monday, January 18, 2010

More About Texas Gun Shows in Austin

In re yesterday's post:

Click to enlarge

I just got this and have not yet listened.

I do note some in comments endorse taking it out on the proprietors. I can't join that call because I don't know the facts. Here's the thing--it's not our livelihood at stake and based on all the talk and no action I observe from most in the internet "pro-gun" community, my bet is very few would come forward to help them fight this. It's a bit like watching the other barnyard critters complain about the Little Red Hen's bread not being up to snuff.

I'd venture unless a big outfit like NRA's Civil Rights Defense Fund comes to their rescue, and attorneys get involved who can convince Texas state authorities to issue some counter order or get an injunction from the courts, it's hardly any more fair to beat them up--with what we know at this time--than it is for us to condemn a gun owner for accepting a plea.

Hopefully there is something in the works. I'll need to listen to the segments, and again tomorrow, and perhaps I'll revise my assessment--perhaps not.

And no, I don't know which hour it's in or how soon it begins. Here's the main access page.

UPDATE: I'm listening to this segment now: http://podcast.gcnlive.com/podcast/alex/0118104.mp3

"Darwin" sounds like he's doing what he can and is going to fight this. His is a family business, so we're not talking unlimited resources here. It looks like Alex Jones will be going there at the next show in 3 1/2 weeks. Be nice if there was a game plan by then for supporting gun owners to show up and make a media/protest event of this.

It also sounds like the previous proprietor was caught on some stings and the feds are taking those out on the new guys.

As I listen, my sense is these are people we should be getting behind and supporting, not judging.

My Trijicon Sight is Defective...

Mine has Q 5:033 inscribed:
The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His apostle and strive to make mischief in the land is only this, that they should be murdered or crucified or their hands and their feet should be cut off on opposite sides or they should be imprisoned...
I guess that last bit is if you plea bargain...?

The "Authorized Journalists" are going nuts. Here's a video from six months ago (see around 3:50 into it).

I can see the point that this could complicate Middle East operations. By the same token, a private company can put anything they like on their products.

Having worked in the defense contracting industry for over 16 years in a past life, I find it hard to believe the military procurement guys didn't know. But then again, having worked in the defense contracting industry for over 16 years, I find it perfectly believable.

An Open Letter

Vanderboegh writes one. [More]

It may surprise you, but I'd like to protest the lady's innocence. How can anyone bring more public disgrace to BATFU than their top management brings on themselves?

Ed Schultz Attacks Another Box of Freedom

What Schultz is proposing is nothing less than casus belli. [More]
Today's Gun Rights Examiner column looks at a subversive punk on a soap box.

Also see how Nevadans are rallying behind the gun rights questionnaire, learn about legislative confusion in Oregon and get the latest from my fellow GREs.

Tell a friend? You?

This Day in History: January 18

At a Brigade Court-Martial held 12th. instant whereof Lt. Colo. Harmer was President, Ensign Foster of 6th. Pennsylvania Regiment having been found guilty of challenging Captn. Cruise and behaving unbecoming the Character of an Officer and a Gentleman was sentenced to be discharged from the service...[More]