MRI Busters?

An incident recently occurred at an outpatient imaging center in western New York State, in which a firearm spontaneously discharged in a 1.5-T MR imaging environment with active shielding. To our knowledge, this is the first documented case of such an occurrence. The event confirms previously reported theoretic risks of a firearm discharging in an MR imaging environment [1]. In this report, we examine the incident in detail from the official police and ballistic reports

I saw this over at SayUncle a few days ago and I just now remembered it.

Yeah, I guess, but I'd still like to see the results duplicated on Mythbusters before I totally buy into it. I mean, it's not like we haven't seen "Only Ones" and negligent discharges before...again and again and again...

I guess the way you submit stuff for testing is to join their message boards--no time here, but someone else feel free. Tell me you wouldn't watch that show...

We're the Only Ones Careless and Careless Enough

An RCMP officer will be sentenced in February for careless use of her 9-mm pistol after shots were fired inside her home during a domestic dispute.

"Shots" plural?

As in multiple deliberate actions?

I wonder if that behavior would be classified as "careless" if a non-"Only One" had done it?

And the "No, Duh!" Award Goes to...

Gun Dealer Suspects Illegal Arms Trade Widespread

Ya think?

You want "gun violence"? Keep making them illegal and you'll get more "gun violence" than you know what to do with.

Yeah, You're Right. It's the Culture's Fault

A teenager who was shot dead by her former boyfriend was the victim of Britain's gun culture, a coroner said yesterday.

Individual choice obviously had nothing to do with any of this.

A Blunder Down Under?

A review of gun laws a decade after the Port Arthur massacre has found all states and territories have breached the national firearms agreement.

Now hold on just a dang minute here...

We were told a week ago that Australian gun laws are responsible for reducing all kinds of mean and nasty things in the past 15 years...

Now we're told those laws weren't enforced. Pretty darn near universally, it seems.

My head hurts.

"Not Guilty." But We'll Just Hold on to this Gun...

[Use BugMeNot to bypass site registration]

FARMER Padraig Nally, who was last week acquitted of the manslaughter of a Traveller is now hoping to get his shotgun back.

The single-barrel hunting piece, once owned by his late father, Patrick, dates from the 1930s and was used by both Patrick and later Padraig, to shoot vermin on the farm.

It was also the weapon Padraig Nally used to shoot John Ward on his farm at Funshinagh, Cross, on October 14, 2004...

Mr Nally has indicated he is worried about retaliation, a fear shared by the Garda authorities who have been in touch with him about security.

Just so we're clear: He defends himself at his own home and is arrested and tried. Even after being acquitted, with a credible likelihood of revenge against him acknowledged by the "authorities," they still won't return his property so he can defend himself.

This is the outrageous state some would reduce us all to--if we let them.

Oh, did I mention? Other accounts reveal Ward went by the aka "Frog," that he had over 80 prior criminal convictions, four outstanding arrest warrants, 11 children...

Green Party: Stupid or Evil?

A gun lobby group says licensing firearms is ineffective in controlling a black market.

The Green Party is calling for tougher gun control legislation after more than 500 military-style semi-automatic and automatic weapons, pistols and machine guns were confiscated on Wednesday from 55 properties located between North Auckland and Canterbury.

Oh, I don't know--we've seen how effective licensing cars has been at stopping the stolen car market in its tracks...uh, wait a minute...

[A] restricted firearm sold on the black market is worth 10 times its normal value.

Imagine how prices would soar were guns totally outlawed for civilians, as these subversive 10-year-old girls really want. Think of the violence and turf wars and dynamic entries and police state expansion we'd see then, and how many people desperate for some means of protection, would become persecuted "criminals."

"The Green Party"...why do they remind me of "smart herbivores"?

Fascist busybodies...

This Day in History: December 21

On this day in 1761, Revolutionary War hero and faithful Patriot Robert Barnwell is born in Beaufort, South Carolina. Beaufort enthusiastically participated in each stage of his country’s revolutionary coming-of-age.

I think History.Com made a mistake here, and it should read "Barnwell enthusiastically..."

"pH Factor" Reaching Point of No Return

Celebrity bad-girl Paris Hilton and social networking website Bebo were the hottest topics on Google in 2006, the superstar online search engine revealed.

Just in case you were wondering why Western "culture" is in the sorry mess it is...

NRA Sides With McCain on "Gun Show Loophole"

Here's what NRA tells politicians seeking their favor:

The NRA does not oppose an expansion of instant checks to firearms sales by non-dealers at gun shows, as long as such checks are made readily available and conducted in a non-bureaucratic and speedy manner (within 24 hours) to account for the unique and temporary nature of these events.”

Compare that position with the one they tell the rubes.

Or perhaps I should have titled this: "NRA Sides With Miller Court on Firearm Restrictions":

In the same candidate survey, NRA expressed their opposition to gun bans, but made a point of stating that they do not oppose current restrictions on full automatic firearms, short barreled shotguns, and certain destructive devices.

Anybody still believe the current crop of mercenary staffers in Fairfax is interested in "shall not be infringed"?

BATFU Gives Pokey-Poke a Passy-Pass

A while back I received an email from CDT about my "Planet of the Ape" exposé on anti-gun Mark "Pokey Poke" Wahlberg (that's also the article Larry Elder referenced in his book). The essence of the piece is that Wahlberg has been convicted of violent crimes, and his handling of any actual firearms in films could be a violation of federal law. And it also explains the origin of the nickname I've given him.

Tavares' email said in part:

I used it as research material to write a letter on the subject to the BATF tonight. I asked them for a formal response as to why Wahlberg gets a pass when others don't.

Here are the results of his inquiry:

To those who asked me to keep them informed if the BATF ever responded to my letter of complaint about convicted felon Mark Wahlberg getting a "free pass" to possess guns while making one Hollywood shoot-em-up after another: the BATF has responded.

There are only three sentences of actual content buried in a page and a half of pap. The first is a restatement of the definition of firearm in 27 CFR 478.11. The next two say:

"Because you saw this individual possessing a gun in a movie trailer, it is not known whether or not this item meets this definition. The possibility exists that it could have been a movie prop and made to function as a real weapon through the use of special effects."

In my original letter, I wrote, "Please consider this a formal complaint. I ask that you look into this situation..." BATF's response: we won't even investigate. See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.

Imagine reporting a screaming street-rape to 911 and being told, "We're not coming out, because... well, you know, it's possible that they're just role-playing and she's actually enjoying it." Same logic, after all.

I have both my letter and BATF's scanned and waiting to go on the web. I have a TIME magazine photo of Wahlberg waving a pistol in a shot from "Four Brothers." I'm waiting to obtain a vidcap of Bob Hoskins brandishing the "toon gun" from Roger Rabbit. I want to run the page under the headline, "If you can tell the difference... the BATF needs you!"

To those who might be inclined to agree that B-A-T-F-U had insufficient evidence to go after Wahlberg, just remember that a picture in the paper was one of the reasons used to stormtroop in and destroy Wayne Fincher's life. Besides, movie productions keep meticulous accounting records on props rented, armorers and trainers hired, etc. Determining the truth would be an afternoon's work for a competent investigator.

These Boots are Made for Stompin'

Kicking somebody during a fight can be more dangerous than using a sharp or blunt weapon, research shows...

Firearms injuries, which were very rare, were not considered...

"There's an important link with alcohol. Often in fights people are kicked when they fall over and one of the ways to reduce kicking is to reduce severe intoxication because fewer people would fall over.

Well, we've tried alcohol prohibition and "gun control," and those haven't worked, and besides, it appears from this "study" that guns aren't the problem anyway. So maybe we need some kind of boot control--after all, who needs pointed toes or heels over 1"?

Someone also ought to clue the good ivory tower docs into the fact that many--if not most--fights are going to end up on the ground regardless of whether or not the participants have been drinking. Real life altercations are very different from the choreographed sequences portrayed in the movies--nowhere near as pretty, nowhere near as temporary. A blow to the head or other vital area, whether with fist, elbow, foot or knee, a gouge, a bite, a stranglehold or a shove, can all have crippling or lethal consequences. No one has a right to initiate violence in this manner, and the victim has every right to stop such an attacker with lethal force.

"Fair fights" are fantasies conjured up by those who have never been assaulted and don't know how such things are done.

[Via 1894C]

We're the Only Ones Locking Down Enough

Deputy Greg Gardner accidentally discharged a bullet from the rifle he was carrying while located in an “incident staging area at the school.”

And Wayne agrees with Jim and Sarah that guys like Greg are "The Only Ones" qualified and entitled to keep and bear arms in Harris/Klebold Empowerment Zones.

[Via TheGuyFromWI]

This Day in History: December 20

On this day in 1783, Virginia cedes the vast territory it had previously claimed by right of colonial charter to the federal government of the United States. The Ohio Valley territory, which covered the area north of the Ohio River, east of the Mississippi River, and south of the Great Lakes and Canada, had been contested by Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts and Connecticut.

We're the Only Ones Superior Enough

An off-duty Detroit police sergeant who was shocked with a Taser gun in Farmington Hills last week has hired an attorney...

Reed added that Marshall was superior in rank compared to the Farmington Hills officers, and they need to learn respect for their superiors.

I'm a more exclusive "Only One" than you are...

Being a mere inferior citizen, how'd you like to have a guy with Marshall's attitude in your face? And do you think the Farmington Hills cops would have settled for tasing you if you refused to disarm?

It's important that we understand our place when in the presence of superiors, you know...

Bush Administration Declares Second Amendment a "Collective Right"

As in the NPRM, under Sec. 460.53, a space flight participant may not carry on board any explosives, firearms, knives, or other weapons.

XCOR inquired whether the FAA had the authority to impose security requirements under its statute and the U.S. Constitution. The Second Amendment to the Constitution provides that "[a] well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.'' This right is not unfettered. Nearly every statute restricting the right to bear arms has been upheld. For example, in 1958, Congress made it a criminal offense to knowingly carry a firearm onto an airplane engaged in air transportation. 49 U.S.C. 46505. Additionally, nearly all courts have also held that the Second Amendment is a collective right, rather than a personal right. Therefore, despite the Second Amendment collective right to bear arms, the FAA has the authority to prohibit firearms on launch and reentry vehicles for safety and security purposes. [Emphasis added-DC]

The FAA has released its rules for tourists in space. And per the AP, if you wish to travel, you have to "promise not to sue the government." They issue a license, you sign a "waiver of claims" (Sec.440.17). So a Citizen would presumably have no standing if they wanted to challenge a ruling by unelected bureaucrats on Constitutional grounds. Pretty nice to be able to mandate yourself not responsible, that is, irresponsible, for that which you are, in fact, responsible.

The FAA reports to the DOT, and Secretary Peters reports directly to the President. It is inconceivable that she would allow policy directives to be issued against his will.

It looks like they didn't consider my comments when they crafted the final set of rules, but that's OK. Could I have some more Republican Kool-Aid, please?

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

I just sent the following to Laura Montgomery, Senior Attorney, Office of the Chief Counsel, Federal Aviation Administration:


Of course I will post any reply...

Assault on Home Rule

Ohio lawmakers recently voted to override Gov. Bob Taft's veto of a bill wiping out local gun laws. When they did that, they may as well have declared open season on cities' 94-year-old "home rule" right to govern themselves in accord with local needs and wishes as laid out in the state constitution.

Of course, if "home rule" involved, say, a First Amendment issue that we disagree with, say, putting a manger up in the town square over Christmas, we'd be squealing like the indignant piglets that we are.

Forget the "supreme law of the land" and "unalienable rights." It's much easier to assault those, and declare open season on sovereign citizens.

And newspapers wonder why their bottom lines are tanking. Don't these 10-year-old girls have some permit holder names to publish or something?

Fashionably Late to the 2A Carnival

Welcome to the seventh edition of the Second Amendment Carnival

...better late than never

You got that right, Stan. I almost missed it completely, but as you say, better late than never.

This Day in History: December 19

“These are the times that try men’s souls; the summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.”

I'm King of the World!

Asked what rules they would make if they were king or queen of the world, the number one response from the under-10s was to ban knives and guns.

What more needs to be said about the mindset and maturity of those who would disarm free men and women?

And while this survey was conducted in the UK, I don't see much difference in the vacuous and materialistic attitudes of children in this country. Give 'em another decade and they'll be voting.