"What you mean WE, Kemosabe?"Don't presume to speak for me. I'm firmly in the "shall not be infringed" camp, and if a person has been adjudicated too dangerous to be allowed access to a gun, what the hell is he doing running around free with access to matches, fertilizer and box cutters?
Monday, May 14, 2007
"A Gun Reform We Can All Support"
This slick attempt to sound like a "reasonable" consensus is a given reminds me of the old Lone Ranger joke where he tells Tonto they're surrounded by Indians:
A "Campfire Prank"
A group of teachers who staged a fictitious gun attack that left many children in tears during a Tennessee primary school field trip are facing disciplinary action for their insensitive "campfire prank"...And just what would you have done, Mr. Bartch? What are you personally prepared to do if the lives of precious children entrusted to your care were being threatened by an armed intruder? Forget the students--what did you learn from your "prank"?
Mr Bartch said that the prank lasted just five minutes and was meant to be a "learning experience". "We got together and discussed what we would have done in a real situation," he explained.
The school's version of what happened is posted on their website. It doesn't change my questions one bit.
Time to Weigh in, Mr. Gresham
Here's a follow-up to my "Gun-Free Talk" post from April:
I'd find it even more interesting if Mr. Gresham directly addressed this issue with his listeners and readers. That he knows about this situation is enough to expect that he would make his position known and use his influence to rectify it. Now, more than ever, we need the leaders in the gun rights community to take bold public stands on issues, not ignore or avoid them for whatever their reasons.
Note that I did give Mr. Gresham a heads-up on this post last night and invited him to respond. I explained:
Hi David,
An interesting follow up on Tom Gresham's Gun Talk from a couple weeks ago; since pointing out to him the NRA's gun-free schools policy, he hasn't mentioned the NRA even once on the air. Today's show was a rebroadcast from January but the last two shows (three hours each, minus ads) have been devoid of calls to join the NRA. This after weeks of hammering to join and double their membership. Interesting.
-Alan
I'd find it even more interesting if Mr. Gresham directly addressed this issue with his listeners and readers. That he knows about this situation is enough to expect that he would make his position known and use his influence to rectify it. Now, more than ever, we need the leaders in the gun rights community to take bold public stands on issues, not ignore or avoid them for whatever their reasons.
Note that I did give Mr. Gresham a heads-up on this post last night and invited him to respond. I explained:
It is not my wish to embarrass you or to cause friction between you and your friends at NRA—but their position on gun free school zones is simply unacceptable. Real people, including gun owners and NRA members, are and will continue to be in danger unless and until this changes. We deserve leadership for the rights of free citizens to keep and bear arms from an association that’s bylaws state its purposes and objectives are to defend the 2nd Amendment—instead of leadership for the Brady position, which is all they’ve shown to date.I hope he didn't reply yet because he's too busy and hasn't seen the email yet. My invitation still stands.
Bill Brown as Covered by the Professionals
To some local residents' dismay, Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown doesn't believe the public is made safer by permitting more people to carry loaded and concealed weapons.Right. As I've demonstrated time and again, we're just not as stable and trustworthy as Brown and his "Only Ones."
And he cites a 2005 handgun murder that climaxed a road-rage incident in Buellton as evidence of why he feels that way...
“I don't subscribe to the theory that it's safer in public if you have large numbers of armed people running around,” Brown added during an interview at his Sheriff's Department office near Goleta.
Nice to see the "authorized journalists" are finally getting around to noticing something we mere bloggers have been covering for over half a year now. Still, it's funny how the primary issue that makes this story unique--NRA's "A" rating and endorsement of an anti-gun sheriff who doesn't believe armed citizens make society safer-- apparently isn't considered "newsworthy."
There's also an important clarification to make about Larry Rankin, who the reporter does mention. Per Larry:
Just for your information, they said, I "could not be reached for further comment," they did not try to contact me or I would have given them some good feedback about Sheriff Brown and my reasons.I'm working on a follow-up right now--it will feature statements from Santa Barbara gun owners and NRA members who have contacted NRA on this matter and been blown off. Their silence on this and refusal to explain themselves and condemn Brown's stance is simply unacceptable. But count on the stonewalling to continue because only myself and a handful of others give a damn enough to demand answers. Which means the ratings charade will continue.
"Described by One Blogger"
But how do you make certain all the guns have been turned in? Simpson — described by one blogger as “Homer Simpson’s dumber brother” — offers the solution...
What, it would have killed you to mention which one?
This Day in History: May 14
On the morning of May 14, 1781, a fleet of small vessels carrying over two hundred Refugees arrived off Fort Lee. After landing with their artillery and horses, the troops marched into English Neighborhood (as the general area was known) and dispersed a militia picket posted there. A party of militia returned later that day to find the Refugees had started work on a new blockhouse, built upon the remains of old Fort Lee. They commenced firing from a “stone house” a hundred yards away, but the Refugees stormed the house and drove them out.
Sunday, May 13, 2007
A Well Regulated Islamic Militia
Islamberg is not as benign as a Buddhist monastery or a Carmelite convent. Nearly every weekend, neighbors hear sounds of gunfire. Some, including a combat veteran of the Vietnam War, have heard the bang of small explosives...Good thing they're not Christians, otherwise the feds would be all over them.
Before becoming a citizen of Islamberg or any of the other Fuqra compounds, the recruits - - primarily inner city black men who became converts in prison - - are compelled to sign an oath that reads: "I shall always hear and obey, and whenever given the command, I shall readily fight for Allah's sake."
They must be OK though, because I can't seem to find where they're a concern of the Southern Poverty Law Center. Also, we know explosives are controlled as destructive devices, so no worries there, plus prison parolees aren't allowed to touch guns.
Looks like there's nothing to see here--probably the locals are just being "intolerant." And if I'm wrong, well, we can always demand more gun control laws.
Next thing you know, some paranoid might start suggesting this is being allowed to flourish because there are those who want to bar terror suspects from buying guns.
Conspiracy theorists!
[Via When SHTF]
New WarOnGuns Poll: Should Terror Suspects be Banned from Purchasing Guns?
The Bush Administration supports legislation to bar terror suspects from buying firearms or obtaining permits. Do you agree with this position? Go to the poll in the left margin and vote.
The results of the last poll are below (click image to enlarge). This one ran for two weeks instead of the usual one week duration because I was on the road last week with limited computer access.
The results of the last poll are below (click image to enlarge). This one ran for two weeks instead of the usual one week duration because I was on the road last week with limited computer access.
A Yen for Guns
Or 50,000, anyway. For a Makarov.
In disarmed Japan:
That gun control sure works, doesn't it? Unless you're the government or the "criminals", that is.
[Via Vinnie]
In disarmed Japan:
Why, it might be asked, don't the authorities enforce the Firearms and Swords Control Law, under which all this weaponry is illegal? The answer: "Japan is surrounded by water. Controls are a sieve."
That gun control sure works, doesn't it? Unless you're the government or the "criminals", that is.
[Via Vinnie]
Groom Raider Goes After Guns
Actress Angelina Jolie has banned guns from the sets of her new movie "Wanted" to protect her children from unnecessary violence.
Plus she and Brad have banned the kids from watching violent movies.
Oh well, the kids won't need guns anyway. They'll be able to afford "manhandling" bodyguards.Plus, with mom being a UN Goodwill Ambassador and all, I'm sure the world government will provide plenty of blue helmets to keep them safe, right after they've banned guns not just from movie sets, but from everyone except themselves .
[Via Dan Gifford]
We're the Only Ones Taking You for a Ride Enough
Guest Essay: The Germ of an Idea
[Foreword: Andy Barniskis has some suggestions for dealing with Philadelphia's bid for "independence" in developing and enforcing citizen disarmament laws.]
Friends:
The most recent threat to gun rights from Philadelphia, in the form of a suit to force the General Assembly to give them the political autonomy to enforce their own gun laws (a package of which they have just enacted illegally), puts us in an all too familiar position. That is, there is little we can do except to defend ourselves, while our enemies are confident that we cannot strike back in any way. They cannot LOSE; they can only win or not win in this round, and in the latter case, come back to try again another day.
But that is only true if we continue our pattern of treating defense of the Right to Keep and Bear Arms as an issue isolated from all of the rest. That is our perennial failing; our enemies can never lose anything they value; only we can. I therefore propose the following germ of an idea we need to press upon our suburban legislators: Political autonomy should come at an economic price.
Philadelphia already has sufficient political autonomy to allow itself to support the vast majority of murders in our state, despite having less than one-tenth of the state's population.
That, while receiving huge amounts of law enforcement support from the rest of us. Now, they want to enact firearms legislation that we all know cannot work. When it doesn't work, they will of course cry that it is because the rest of the state hasn't enacted the same laws. Then we will be battling on our home turf.
Here are some suggested proposals for amendments to any legislation intended to give Philadelphia autonomy to enforce its own firearms legislation:
Tell your legislators and tell your friends. Freedom for and from Philadelphia!
The Germ of an Idea
Andy Barniskis
Andy Barniskis
Friends:
The most recent threat to gun rights from Philadelphia, in the form of a suit to force the General Assembly to give them the political autonomy to enforce their own gun laws (a package of which they have just enacted illegally), puts us in an all too familiar position. That is, there is little we can do except to defend ourselves, while our enemies are confident that we cannot strike back in any way. They cannot LOSE; they can only win or not win in this round, and in the latter case, come back to try again another day.
But that is only true if we continue our pattern of treating defense of the Right to Keep and Bear Arms as an issue isolated from all of the rest. That is our perennial failing; our enemies can never lose anything they value; only we can. I therefore propose the following germ of an idea we need to press upon our suburban legislators: Political autonomy should come at an economic price.
Philadelphia already has sufficient political autonomy to allow itself to support the vast majority of murders in our state, despite having less than one-tenth of the state's population.
That, while receiving huge amounts of law enforcement support from the rest of us. Now, they want to enact firearms legislation that we all know cannot work. When it doesn't work, they will of course cry that it is because the rest of the state hasn't enacted the same laws. Then we will be battling on our home turf.
Here are some suggested proposals for amendments to any legislation intended to give Philadelphia autonomy to enforce its own firearms legislation:
- To partially compensate gun owners in Philadelphia (and perhaps to help with their emigration expenses) all Philadelphians should be excused from paying taxes to the state.
- Philadelphia should be granted full economic autonomy, receiving no further funding of any form from the state.
- To clarify the economic situation, there should be no further funding of regional political entities, like SEPTA. Those should be ended and Philadelphia given the freedom to provide the necessary mass transit and other infrastructure within its own borders.
- Counties should be held responsible for the law enforcement costs their residents place upon their neighbors. E.g., Philadelphia should be billed for the apprehension, detainment and trial of Philadelphia citizens who are convicted of committing crimes in the suburban counties, and vice versa.
- The Pennsylvania State Police should not provide any law enforcement services in Philadelphia.
Tell your legislators and tell your friends. Freedom for and from Philadelphia!
NRA's Answer-Free Zone
Paul Grant wrote to NRA with a concern, and a great one at that:
Here's their response:
Pretty slick, huh? You notice she didn't actually give any kind of direct response to his concerns or anything.
Nope, the "top of the list" has nothing to do with NRA's "Purposes and Objectives" as defined in the Association Bylaws, "To protect and defend the Constitution of the United States, especially with reference to the inalienable right of the individual American citizen guaranteed by such Constitution to acquire, possess, collect, exhibit, transport, carry, transfer ownership of, and enjoy the right to use arms, in order that the people may always be in a position to exercise their legitimate individual rights of self-preservation and defense of family, person, and property, as well as to serve effectively in the appropriate militia for the common defense of the Republic and the individual liberty of its citizens;"
If we are to believe Ms. Anglewicz (and why wouldn't we?), NRA's Number One Job is to figure out why psychotic killers "feel" compelled to kill. Meanwhile, nothing in Wayne's position has changed: The only ones who should be armed on campus are, well, "The Only Ones."
I am disturbed by Wayne LaPierre's support of "Gun-Free Zones" (http://www.nra.org/Speech.aspx?id=6043). As recent events at Virginia Tech demonstrate, "Gun-Free Zones" are an oxymoron at best, and a killer at worst. Criminals don't obey the law, period. Wayne should renounce his support of "Gun-Free Zones" and embrace the rights of students and teachers to be lawfully armed, or consider resigning his post. In addition, it is profoundly disturbing to me that he and the NRA are betraying their principals and the members by negotiating with the other side to further restrict our second amendment rights. I am speaking of the NICS enhancement bill.That was a pretty straightforward explanation of his position, wouldn't you agree?
Every time you compromise with evil, evil wins and you lose. Soon there will be nothing left of our rights and evil (Sarah Brady, et al.) will have won.
Here's their response:
Hello and thank you for contacting NRA-ILA in regards to the Gun-Free Zones issues.
Let's always remember first and foremost that it is those deranged individuals who have committed horrific crimes with guns at schools that are themselves responsible for their acts. Clearly it is already illegal to bring a gun to school and use it to take the lives of others. In committing these criminal acts, numerous federal, state, and local existing laws are broken. You can't make such heinous behavior any more illegal than it already is.
Of course, in the aftermath of such tragedies, Americans ask "why" and seek solutions to prevent future tragedies from occurring. If we are truly to find solutions to preventing school shootings, a wide range of remedies must be on the table for consideration, including whether or not there should be a lawful, armed presence on our nation's campuses. However, at the top of the discussion list, should be trying to figure out what has gone so wrong in these instances that an individual(s) feels the need to take the lives of young students in what should be a safe environment. One thing that is certain, however, is that passing additional gun control laws should not be part of the discussion, as again, you can't make what these criminals do with guns at schools any more illegal than it already is.
Suzanne N. Anglewicz
National Rifle Association
Institute for Legislative Action
703-267-1174
1-800-392-8683 (VOTE)
sanglewicz@nrahq.org
Pretty slick, huh? You notice she didn't actually give any kind of direct response to his concerns or anything.
Nope, the "top of the list" has nothing to do with NRA's "Purposes and Objectives" as defined in the Association Bylaws, "To protect and defend the Constitution of the United States, especially with reference to the inalienable right of the individual American citizen guaranteed by such Constitution to acquire, possess, collect, exhibit, transport, carry, transfer ownership of, and enjoy the right to use arms, in order that the people may always be in a position to exercise their legitimate individual rights of self-preservation and defense of family, person, and property, as well as to serve effectively in the appropriate militia for the common defense of the Republic and the individual liberty of its citizens;"
If we are to believe Ms. Anglewicz (and why wouldn't we?), NRA's Number One Job is to figure out why psychotic killers "feel" compelled to kill. Meanwhile, nothing in Wayne's position has changed: The only ones who should be armed on campus are, well, "The Only Ones."
You Might Be a Terrorist
What with suggested legislation by the feds to disqualify "terror suspects" from purchasing guns, Andre Campos points us to an official Alabama website that thinks people who oppose gun control qualify.
This isn't the first time this has happened. Those of us who follow such things will recall that six years ago, Angel Shamaya reported on a "Joint Terrorism Task Force" brochure put out by the Phoenix branch of the FBI (front side/back side).
See? According to those who would disarm us, anyone who advocates differently must be either a terrorist or a nut.
This isn't the first time this has happened. Those of us who follow such things will recall that six years ago, Angel Shamaya reported on a "Joint Terrorism Task Force" brochure put out by the Phoenix branch of the FBI (front side/back side).
See? According to those who would disarm us, anyone who advocates differently must be either a terrorist or a nut.
So THAT's What the Founders Had in Mind...
Defense Secretary Robert Gates has rejected a proposal to let governors command active duty troops responding to disasters, officials said Wednesday, though the Pentagon will grant National Guard leaders more authority to coordinate with other military and homeland security agencies.Just so we're clear on who the boss is under the "collective rights/militia = National Guard" theory.
Showing Contempt for Fred McChesney
McChesney, 48, said he saw it as an opportunity to show his contempt for firearms by featuring anti-gun content on the domains he is selling...You don't know contempt, you blood opportunist, but you do know shamelessness. The disgust I feel for you as a man and as an American is just about total.
McChesney, who has been "hugely anti-gun" since his brother shot him in the face with a BB gun when he was a child, said he hopes to use some of his domains to draw attention to what he calls an epidemic of gun violence in America.
This Day in History: May 13
I have reason to apprehend, from the information I have received, that desertions from some of the Virginia Regimts., now on their March, will, in all probability be not less frequent, than they have been from some from Pennsylvania, which are in Camp.
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Technical Difficulties Viewing WoG?
Just got the following email about this site:
I've said it before--I'm not a tech-oriented person, am pretty much a slave to the boilerplate Blogger template, and don't see my skill level changing in the near future. This is the first I've heard of this complaint, and can only say I've viewed the site on IE and Firefox, from multiple computers at different locations and never experienced this phenomenon.
Anyone else get these results, and if so, any ideas on something so easy to fix it even I would be capable of doing?
Using IE6.026 on Win2K ... The text doesn't show up until I've scrolled below the links on the left side.
I've said it before--I'm not a tech-oriented person, am pretty much a slave to the boilerplate Blogger template, and don't see my skill level changing in the near future. This is the first I've heard of this complaint, and can only say I've viewed the site on IE and Firefox, from multiple computers at different locations and never experienced this phenomenon.
Anyone else get these results, and if so, any ideas on something so easy to fix it even I would be capable of doing?
Pistol Whipped
Robb Allen has a request:
If you have some useful advice, please share it with him at the title link.
I hope you can help a fellow gun-guy out. I've decided to start looking into getting a rifle but realized I'm only a handgun type guy. I'm asking for help...so if you've got any advice or could spare a link I'd greatly appreciate it.
If you have some useful advice, please share it with him at the title link.
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