Where There's Smoke, There's Government

The US Senate has backed a bill giving the government far-reaching new powers to try to curb smoking among Americans...

President Barack Obama hailed the passage of the bill [More]

No doubt just what the Founders intended as a delegated federal power.

And kapo Phillip Morris certainly sounds a lot like Bill Ruger, no?

But hey, don't worry, everyone.

Barry will still be able to afford his.

I'm no defender of cigarettes. I smoked them for many years. I quit 19 years ago when my wife told me we were expecting our first child--figured I owed the kid a father.

That said, everyone by now in this country knows there are risks, right? And the supposed benefits of "regulation" need to be weighed against the very real costs of government giving itself more power over our lives and choices.

And full disclosure, I'm having a cigar tonight after dinner.

How Homeland Security Says We Should Respond to Active Shooters

Yes, the DHS "flip book" titled "Active Shooter-How to Respond" certainly looks authoritative, although I don't quite get what the shuffling silhouette zombies on the front are supposed to represent. Why don't we flip through it and see? [More]

Today's Gun Rights Examiner column questions whether a government brochure explores all options.

Also learn about a party in an Ohio park and spitting back at the City of Cleveland, as well as access the latest from my fellow GREs.

Tell a friend?

This Day in History: June 12

On June 12, 1777, Maj. General Arthur St. Clair assumed command of the 2,546 Continental troops at Ticonderoga as Gates departed. [More]

Reaction to Shooting from CSGV

AAAGHH!!! HELP!!!! GUNNNNS!!!!!

Oh, wait, they also said this:

What we are seeing play out in tragedies across our country is the mixing of the insurrectionist idea with increasingly weaker gun laws. [More]

You want to talk about a not so "loosely-knit political movement" (or a "loosely-wrapped" one is more like it) let's look at the effort to stifle speech away from areas the left doesn't want discussed--from out-and-out endorsement of expanding "hate speech" edicts, to the evil deception of associating anyone advocating the Second Amendment as guarantee against tyranny with homicidal racists.

We all recognize this for the anti-Liberty manipulation that it is, right?

[Via Jack A]

We're the Only Ones Not Full of Beans Enough

Polk County Sheriff's Department officials said Wednesday a shot intended to be non-lethal that was fired at a man during a standoff situation turned out to not be a beanbag round. [More]

Oops.

Well, heck, if this could happen to a trained "Only One," imagine how dangerous it would be for you and me to be armed...

[Via Joe T]

We're the Only Ones Who are a Driving Force Enough

A rookie police officer who drove an SUV over a sunbather on the beach last month received seven days' suspension as part of his discipline for the accident.[More]

Good grief.

Aren't you glad our intrepid "Only One" was out there patrolling for beer drinkers? Why, one of those scofflaws might have gotten into his car and run over someone!

Oh well--at least this one noticed.

[Via John G]

We're the Only Ones Balking Enough

A Town Council debate over banning Tasers in the resort was met with some resistance by council members eager to have one for their own protection at home or work. [More]

What? It will be binding on us too?

Y'know what, you wannabe commissars? Criminals don't care about your stupid damn rules, and neither do a growing number of fed up Americans who are sick and tired of fools like you presuming to define their adult choices for them.

Some of us could not care less about your insulting "large sums of money" exceptions--although it does tell us something about your shallow values, that you deem a well-heeled rope-selling "capitalist" of more value than...who, exactly?

And who is this Lloyd Martin character, a freaking NRA member who says "he doesn't want stun guns sold on the Boardwalk"?

Then we have this epitome of "Only One" arrogance:

Police Chief Bernadette DiPino, who initially brought the issue before the council last month, said Taser use has been studied in depth by Maryland law enforcement agencies and it's judged to be a safe alternative to deadly force.

DiPino wants to ban sales and possession of electronic stun guns because, like a handgun, "it's more likely to be turned on you when you carry it than it is to be utilized to defend yourself."

In other words, it's OK if she uses it, but you're just not competent and trustworthy enough.

You ever notice those who make these stupid takeaway claims never give live demonstrations where they show people how it's done?

[Via Rick P]

Holocaust Museum Shooting Must Not be Exploited to Erode Liberty

Gun owners are going to be seeing a lot more calls for gun control, for "hate speech" control, for denying rights without due process...we're going to see many more attempts to paint us in the most negative of ways. [More]

Today's Gun Rights Examiner looks at the mob mentality being inflamed by the enemies of freedom. Their lies need to be exposed to all who will listen.

Also read about two bills advancing in Oregon and get the latest from my fellow GREs.

Please share this with your friends.

This Day in History: June 11

If the Ships that went out are intended for Delaware Bay, the Troops at Brunswic and Amboy will either follow immediately by Sea or wait till they hear of their arrival in the Bay and then make a sudden march to meet them. The Flag upon the Tree was seen yesterday, but if you will hoist it about half way up the Body, it will be more distinct. [More]

Holocaust Museum: Shooting in DC 'Gun Free Zone'

There's been a gunfight at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington., D.C.

I'm including the Google News link for search terms 'holocaust museum shooting'. It should update with new report links as they become available. [More]

I posted a second Gun Rights Examiner column today to cover this breaking story. You can return to this column throughout the day to check the news link, and if anything significant becomes known, I'll be making updates.

I Got Your Name Right Here

This past week the newspaper was served with a grand jury subpoena from the U.S. attorney's office demanding that we turn over all records pertaining to those postings, including "full name, date of birth, physical address, gender, ZIP code, password prompts, security questions, telephone numbers and other identifiers ... the IP address," et (kitchen sink) cetera. [More]

Under the circumstances, I did the only thing I could.

I went to the column in question and left this comment:

Now that I know the Fed Gestapo have subpoenaed records to identify commenters, please add my name to their list.

My hope is we can restore the Republic and one day give them, personally, and those who issued their orders the opportunity to see if the Nuremberg defense works.

What kind of Nazi weasels are these g-men?

Just tell me who to send the Bite-Me-Gram to...

[Via Plug Nickel Times]

We're the Only Ones Old School Enough

School Gunman Was Ex-Cop, Police Say [More]

And he retired from NYPD in good standing...

Meaning he was eligible to take advantage of HR-218's nationwide "Only One"status...?

And you're not?

[Via William T]

We're the Only Ones Repeatedly Going to the Dogs Enough

Puppycide Roundup [More]

What is it with "Only Ones" and dogs today?

[Via M.R. Jarrell]

We're the Only Ones Going to the Dogs Enough Redux

When the Bullocks returned home from a family member's funeral on Friday, they found blood and three bullets on their front porch – along with a note to call the Blue Ash Police Department about their dog. [More]

Why would you reach for a cornered dog? And a Chihuahua mix?

Sounds like the situation was handled in typical "Only One" fashion...that is, escalating the situation to one of out-of-control hysteria.

If they were my kids, I wouldn't be telling them Jack ran away.

[Via Brian F]

We're the Only Ones Going to the Dogs Enough

"The civilian was nowhere in the officer's line when he fired the shots," she said, and officers have the right to shoot vicious dogs. [More]

"Nowhere in the officer's line" ? So that explains how the "civilian" got hit!

Newsflash, Monique Martin--the person firing a gun is responsible for ricochets, too. At least I know non-"Only Ones" are.

And as for "vicious dogs," did they actually...uh...bite anybody?

None of this is to defend idiot owners who let their animals run loose. But the scenario of "several shots" at close range with a shotgun, where the target is repeatedly missed and a bystander is hit does not exactly give the judgment exhibited unquestioned credibility. Excuse-making aside, assessing the greater public danger ought to be based on results.

Funny how actual Memphis animal control officers are prohibited from using firearms--I guess they are required by law to defer to the people who escalate things into lead flying in all directions.

[Via M.R. Jarrell]

How Far Can You Go in Resisting Tyranny?

I received a link to a very interesting video a few days ago. It took me a little time to get around to watching it due to summer activities, but when I finally did, I was very glad I took the time. [More]

Kent McManigal links us to two videos. I started watching the first one and it looks real interesting. I'll need to find time over the next day to watch them both completely.

UPDATE: Saw the first one. Sorry, I don't view Bill Ayers as a freedom fighter.

A Bad Time

Despite a Democratic Congress and President, it's been a bad time for common sense measures to curb gun violence. [More]

To paraphrase something I once heard Jim Houck say, go visit Dachau and then come back and tell us about "common sense" gun control.

Yeah, hold a house party to ban my semi-autos. I'll be complying with that real quick.

Stupid leftist cud-chewing dilettante has no clue what "a bad time" really looks like.

On a positive note, quite a few commentators appear not to be falling for it, and the ones who are are all ineffectual losers.

[Via Ed M]

We're the Only Ones "Why, Grandma! What Big Screams You Have!" Enough

They say the officer who taserer [sic] her and took her to be booked for resisting arrest was completely justified.

However, Winkfein says that’s a lie, and the video appears to back her up. [More]

I don't suppose ratcheting tensions down a notch is ever an option when it's a question of instant obedience to "Only One" commands?

I'm sure there will be some who will say she's lucky he didn't just shoot her.

[Via Avg Joe]

Ann Omdahl's Big "But" is Downright Scary

While waiting for my son to come out of oral surgery yesterday, I was looking through the May 4, 2009 issue of Newsweek. I found this on page 16, Letters, "Back Talk," in reference to a previous article titled "Obama Gets Gun Shy" [More]:

Heavens! How many guns and ammunition will help chest thumpers feel safe? My family hunts and feels no need for assault weapons. People with all those guns do not make me feel safe! They are downright scary.

Ann Omdahl, East Grand Forks, MINN

How many times have we seen "I'm a gun owner/hunter BUT..." as the preface to advocating citizen disarmament? Just another example of antis trying to claim the reasonability high ground via a deceptive playbook talking point.

Build a Survival Arsenal You can be Proud Of

Some time ago I wrote The Poor Man's Survival Arsenal and The Poor Man's Survival Arsenal Revisited, both articles detailed a bare bones set of firearms – this basic set of firearms would cover everything from foraging to self defense, yet be low cost.

This post expands on the concept of building an arsenal while considering different budgets and needs. [More]

I'm sure there could be no end to the personal preferences debate. Still, this is useful to get people thinking and to get a dialog going, which is what M.D. Creekmore is looking for.

Go on over and share your thoughts.