A Suggestion for UK Pubs

Now that you've instituted glass control, here's one more way you can ensure the safety of your subjects:

Do they play pool over there? How about darts... oh, I bet that they have switched over to the plastic ones now...gariders

"We've Come to Expect"

We’ve come to expect many things from Michael Moore, the deliriously anti-gun millionaire posing as populist who brought us such absurd and irresponsible works as “Bowling for Columbine,” “Stupid White Men,” “Dude, Where’s My Country?” and “Fahrenheit 9/11.” We’ve come to expect patronizing arrogance, blatant anti-Americanism, and flagrant lies.

One thing I haven't come to expect is for NRA to follow its own Bylaws any more than I expect politicians to abide by the Constitution. Four years ago, I gave them ample evidence along with a demand to expel Moore from the Association, following the bylaws to the letter, notarized and sent via certified mail.

At that point, the Secretary was to refer my complaint to the Ethics Committee, which would arrive at a disposition. The Secretary was then to "promptly notify all parties of the findings and actions."


Note the wording doesn't make this optional. It doesn't say the Secretary can just ignore it because NRA management doesn't want to do it. "Shall," as in "shall not be infringed," is a specific mandate that could not be more clear.

So why is it I never heard a thing back from NRA about this, and why have I come to expect that I never will?

This Day in History: June 3

On this day in 1780, the reviled former royal governor of Massachusetts, Thomas Hutchinson, who served from 1771 to 1774, dies in Brompton, England.

From the Land of "Braveheart"

Glass Control. [More]

Aye.

Brazil Nuts

“People here fear the police and their guns more than they do the (drug) dealers,” Rocinha, Brazil, slum dweller Denise do Espirito Santo told The Washington Post about the national referendum to ban private gun ownership.

"Brazil Nuts," my Rights Watch column for the June 2006 issue of GUNS Magazine, is now online.

I'll See Your 25 and Raise You 30

As parliament considers an amendment to tighten gun control laws, the head of Cape Town's Red Cross Children's Hospital, Sebastian van As, has called for the gun-licensing age to be increased to 25 years to reduce the alarming number of children killed or maimed by gunfire.

Yeah, that'll work, van Ass.

GUNS Magazine, June 1956

First I'll show Tim how to clean his rifle. Then we'll do some target shooting. Next we'll go out in the desert and I'll show him the proper way to carry his .22. Then we'll do a little hunting. A gun must be treated like a woman-with respect, love and lots of caution.--Robert Ryan

When was the last time you heard a major Hollywood star speak about guns and kids like this for the record? Yet this was a monthly feature 50 years ago, with actors and politicians endearing themselves to their fans and constituents as they disclosed their affinity for guns and the shooting sports.

It's too bad the people from that era weren't also in touch with the deeper implications of gun ownership, but it was a different time and no one was prescient. Pity. We can only wonder if things would be different had some back then sounded an alarm, but in truth, without the attacks of our time, such voices would (and did) not carry far.

The June 1956 issue of GUNS Magazine is now online.

Also in this issue:

• How to Become a Gun Engraver
• Why Bullets Kill
• Better Arms for the Better Half
• and much more, including the classic ads of the period.

This Day in History: June 2

On this day in 1774, the British Parliament renews the Quartering Act, allowing Redcoats to stay in private American homes if necessary. The Quartering Act, in conjunction with the Massachusetts Government Act, the Administration of Justice Act and the Boston Port Act, were known as the Coercive Acts.

Beyond Insanity

When it came time for city leaders to take the microphone, their solution was less than reassuring: a gun buyback program by which, in theory, people will be handing over guns responsible for the wave of shootings.

In the insane world of the Boston Globe, guns are responsible for shootings, not people.

The new tack of the antis is to admit the "buybacks" don't work (duh), but to justify them anyway by lauding how they galvanize the Eloi to work together with the Morlocks in a Kumbaya partnership.

We're the Only Ones...Yes, I Always Take a Magazine With Me When I Fly...

A U.S. air marshal removed himself from a Southwest Airlines flight set to depart Midway Airport on Thursday after he accidentally dropped a clip of bullets on the floor of the plane, revealing his undercover role to fellow passengers, airline officials said.

Well at least his gun didn't go off all by its own self, thank goodness...

[Thanks to HZ]

[More from "The Only Ones" files...]

Government in Action

A former Idaho Falls prosecutor could spend up to five years in prison after being sentenced Tuesday for stealing weapons from the city of Idaho Falls to sell them.

That Lord Acton, him plenty smart fella.

Shameless Plug: Doh!

The shameful truth is, most of our countrymen—and a good number of gun owners—are ignorant of basic rights that—in another era—would have provoked rebellion should any have been haughty enough to “approach that jewel.”

"Doh!" is my Rights Watch column in the July issue of GUNS Magazine, on sale now at informed newsstands throughout the Republic.

BONUS:See page 92 to find out how you can win a pair of Navy Arms 1873 "Gunfighter Series" revolvers.

Defining Success

Federal, state and city officials have credited the Project Exile program, which has proved to be a success in Virginia...

Yes, Virgina has proven to be quite a success story.

Or by "success," do they mean at raking in federal largesse...?

You Get to Choose Between This Rock and This Hard Place

Chief U.S. District Court Judge Vaughn Walker last week refused to overturn a federal government-imposed closing date for Trader Sports Inc., which was found to have repeatedly violated federal gun-sales laws. He gave CEO Anthony Cucchiara until Friday to either surrender his sales license or seek a stay with the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeal.

The Ninth Circuit? Oh, the ones who say there is no individual right to keep and bear arms. Gee, thanks, Judge.

I don't suppose you'd consider just throwing Cucchiara in dat briar patch?

And Best of All, WE Come to YOU

The British Columbia government has launched a month-long campaign to get gun owners to turn in any unwanted weapons without fear of prosecution...

Solicitor General John Les cautions gun owners not to take their weapons to their local police station.

"No, absolutely not. If you show up at the police station with a gun, probably some unpleasant things will happen."

He said people who want to turn in guns should call police, who will come and pick them up.

"Unpleasant things"?

Well, yeah, after all, the police are the only ones who should be armed in public without provoking a violent response.

So much for the "new" government.

I wonder--if they come to your door to provide this "service," are they expecting a tip, and would it be about what you'd give the pizza guy?

This Day in History: June 1

On this day in 1779, the court-martial of Benedict Arnold convenes in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After a relatively clean record in the early days of the American Revolution, Arnold was charged with malfeasance, misusing government wagons, the illegal buying and selling of goods and favoritism toward British Loyalists. Although his notorious betrayal was still many months away, Arnold's resentment over this order and perceived mistreatment by the American Army would fuel his traitorous decision to assist the British.

We're the Only Ones...Hey, Nice Ti...

A Martin County deputy who was fired after using his squad car camera to tape women now wants his job back.

The sheriff's office fired deputy Jack Munsey in January after an investigation found that Munsey broke the rules by using the camera for unofficial purposes, spending on-duty time on off-duty activities and for improper conduct.

An investigation revealed that Munsey used his dashboard-mounted video camera to zoom in on and record bikini-clad girls, including one showering at a public beach.

Go get 'em, Jack. If these guys deserve a place at the public trough, there's no reason why you're not good enough to elbow your way in and join 'em.

This certainly makes me a lot more receptive to the idea of "security" cameras mounted in public areas...

[Thanks to Jason M]

UPDATE: Nicki has more.

Well No, Duh!

This save-yourselves approach comes after government agencies were overwhelmed by pleas for help after last year's storms and strongly criticized as not responding swiftly or thoroughly enough to the public need.

It's official.

It must be, it's coming from the government:

We can't protect you. You're responsible for taking care of yourself.

What a novel concept!

Darwin. Paging Mr. Darwin...

Graham is a part-time security guard who brought his gun to the game and passed it around to everyone and pretended to shoot at each other with the gun...

Sounds like a pretty compelling reason to disarm you and me, doesn't it?

Is That A Flare Gun In Your Pocket...

...or are you just glad to see us?