Sunday, July 22, 2007

Questions on BATFU

Is the present policy of the ATF nothing more than a foreshadowing of things to come, a massive preparation for the time when gun-control freaks take over the government and unleash their ire on that part of the electorate that fights for Second Amendment rights?

The Liberty Sphere documents how what's being done to Red's Trading Post is part of a larger and much uglier picture.


[Via Chris H]

This Day in History: July 22

George Washington takes command of U.S. troops

Saturday, July 21, 2007

When Marshmallows are Outlawed...

Hammacher has the ultimate Marshmallow Blaster gun capable of shooting marshmallows 50 feet wide. The pneumatic gun features easy-to-refill bolt action for fast nonstop shooting. The gun has a cool design with silver body and red and black finishing.
Thing is, it's illegal in California, and probably elsewhere. In order to be compliant with state law, "[t]he entire surface must be colored or transparent or translucent."

Per Section 12555.(a) of the Penal Code:

Any person who, for commercial purposes, purchases,sells, manufactures, ships, transports, distributes, or receives, by mail order or in any other manner, an imitation firearm except as authorized by this section shall be liable for a civil fine in an action brought by the city attorney or the district attorney of not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) for each violation.


Hammacher might want to reconsider where they distribute their puff piece.

Besides, some panicky neighbor will probably call "The Only Ones," who won't be able to tell it's not a real gun. I guess the only upside would be, if they started a Waco-type fire in their dynamic response, there'd be plenty of marshmallows on hand.

When Spears are Outlawed...

The Marine Conservation Board is reminding the public that there is only one week left to hand in illegally imported spear guns and spear gun parts, which are included under the ‘Prohibited Items’ list of the Customs law.

I love the heavy-handed threat of consequences that begins with the word "Please."

Chicago Sponsors Evidence Destruction/Fencing Incentives

The gun exchange, as in the past, will be "no questions asked"... no contributor will be asked for identification or anything about the origin or use of the weapon...No questions will be asked. All weapons will be destroyed.


Even firearms stolen from their rightful owners? Where does the city get authority to do that? And what if the "owners" were the government?

What a great way to reward criminals for disposing a "crime gun." What a great way to encourage criminals to steal more guns--no questions asked, naturally. What a great way to enrich "The Only Ones".

But it may all depend on the meaning of the word "amnesty."

So--"Chicago Eddie"--where did you decide to "take the weapon [you're] turning in"? What was it, how did you get it, did you possess it legally, and got any more you're holding out on us? We want to make sure you come clean, now.

I wonder how many of the idiots who respond to this will be illegally transporting their firearms to the turn-in centers? I mean, it's not like this article gives any instruction on how to do that in compliance with Illinois and Chicago law. I wonder if government or their "wall of separation" religious partners encourage people who don't know safe firearm handling practices to handle firearms and someone gets hurt if there is any attendant legal liability. And I wonder how locals have authority to offer amnesty if weapons involved or their possessors are in violation of federal law...

This Day in History: July 21

The draft shows the multiplicity of corrections, additions and deletions that were made at each step. Although most of the alterations are in Jefferson's handwriting (Jefferson later indicated which changes he believed were made by Adams and Franklin), he felt slighted by the way Congress rewrote the manuscript. In a consoling letter of July 21, 1776, the state's senior delegate, Richard Henry Lee, wrote to Jefferson that he wished that "the manuscript had not been mangled as it is."

Friday, July 20, 2007

"This is Not the Old West"

Cherry Valley Police Chief Gary Maitland disagrees with the judge's ruling.

"This is not the Old West," he said. "I'm not advocating banning handguns. But I'm not aware of any police officer who would advocate more handguns on the street. When they start taking their weapons out of their home and walking around with them strapped to their hip, bad things can happen."

Yeah, well too bad, Chief--I don't see you unstrapping your gun. Oh, but then you're one o' them there "Only Ones," with powers and abilities far beyond those of mortal men.

And I see we keep dusting off that long-discredited "Old West" lie.

Oh, and as far as Chiefy being "not aware [which seems a given] of any police officer who would advocate more handguns on the street," his lack of knowledge doesn't surprise me. But really, Gary, they're just
not
that
hard
to find ,
assuming, of course, that you're not too lazy or ignorant to look.

Good for Shaun Kranish. That's another very courageous thing he did.

Fincher Court Documents

This page has been a regular link in our posts about Wayne Fincher, and has been included in the blogroll in the left margin. Paul W. Davis has been a true champion in this, both for Mr. Fincher, and for making this information available to all of us, and deserves our gratitude.

I'd like to call your attention to two documents and recommend you set aside several minutes to read them:

Fincher Trial Testimony: This is what the jury was not allowed to hear. Note how predatory Prosecutor Plumlee attempts to appear subtle in his ridicule and contempt. He comes off like a coward attacking a bound warrior. Fincher's knowledge and ability to articulate it make it clear who the better man is, and that his are words the court could not allow an impartial and open-minded jury to hear.

Judge Hendren's Jury Instructions: After suppressing Fincher's testimony and any references to the Constitution and Second Amendment from the jury, the judge establishes the "Duty of the Jury" (Instruction 2), mandating they "apply the law, as I give it to you," and citing "Authority: 8th Circuit Model Instruction 3.02."

Thing is, the "authority" admits it is only a guideline:
These are intended to be model, not mandatory...They are not intended to be treated as the only method of properly instructing a jury.
Yet this, in the eyes of those who would rule us, is enough to override centuries of legal precedent and tradition, and the clear intent and understanding of those who established our system of justice.

I'm disappointed no one in the Fincher case had the knowledge (or perhaps the courage to buck an obviously rigged system?) to vote "Not Guilty." I'd just say I wasn't convinced and leave it at that. Besides, how can such witnesses--who would speak against a man for exercising his unalienable right to keep and bear arms and, in many cases, violate their oaths of office--be considered "credible"?

We need to do a much better job of informing our countrymen of their rights, duties and AUTHORITY as jurors. Not being a lawyer, I don't know if a challenge to the verdict based on improper jury instructions would be "granted" standing in the federal courts, but I think it's worth at least looking in to.

The Perfect Place

"I'd like to be able to say I'm shocked, but actually, we are a magnet for this kind of activity," Abraham said.

"They came to Philadelphia to sell because it's the perfect place to dump guns. It's infuriating."

First of all, this isn't supposed to be happening here. We were promised.

And why don't any of the talking heads or "authorized journalists" ever seem to address why violent crime isn't endemic in the neighborhoods where the guns are being sourced from? Why is Philadelphia the "magnet" and "the perfect place"?

Oh, right, it's that elephant again.

[Via Joseph C]

Taser Lite

The stun gun will pack a lesser jolt than the 50,000 volts of the law enforcement model, though the company won't say what the power level is. It has a range of 15 feet, half the distance of some professional units.

That's because we all know only "The Only Ones" need full power and distance. I don't know how you'd legally justify using force like this if you were only up against half a threat.

For people trying to expand their market, I guess some suit figures insulting and endangering the prospective customer base is the way to go.

This Day in History: July 20

Certain Drums in, and near Cambridge, very improperly beat the Revellie this morning before day; Although the Troops are ordered to be under Arms, half an hour before day light, it does not follow the drums are to beat at that time. The Reveille is to beat when a Centry can see clearly one thousand Yards around him, and not before.

Thursday, July 19, 2007

The Unreal McCoy

Larry McCoy, owner of Larry's Gun Shop in the 2700 block of Pleasant Valley Road just off Government Boulevard, said Monday that he sells a Romanian-made, AK-47-style weapon for $400.

McCoy said federal law states that a person 18 or older who is not a convicted felon can legally purchase a semiautomatic assault rifle.

Anyone who meets the federal requirements can be in and out of his shop within 10 minutes, armed with an AK-47-style weapon and bullets.

McCoy said, however, that he will not sell an assault rifle to anyone under 21 because he does not believe a teenager is mature enough to handle such a weapon.

Larry, assuming you actually said that, you really have no clue, do you?

Funny, though. Publicola quoted you a few years back when you said:

I think it's a fine rifle. I think most people buy them to hunt with, but you can use them for self-protection.

I know some will call to boycott you for your prejudice, Larry, but not me, at least not yet (however, any gun owner reading all of Publicola's post ought to tell everyone they know to avoid Rowell's Sporting Goods in Semmes).

No, what I propose is to actually send more business your way by having someone under 21 attempt to buy a semiauto rifle from you and then sue you for age discrimination if you refuse. Or, you could just claim being misquoted and proceed with the sale. In the mean time, if you meant what you were reported saying, you might want to tell some of these guys you don't think they're "mature" enough to be full-fledged Larry's Gun Shop customers.

As for the other implications of this story, i.e., hysterics over the sight of someone bearing arms, Fits has that covered.

[Via Sean Young]

Death of an Emperor



Previous reports said he wouldn't put the gun down when ordered. This report says he never drew it.

Opinions on the official use of deadly force in this situation, anyone?

It All Depends on the Meaning of the Word "Infringed"

"The reality is that his right to bear arms was not infringed upon," Simons said. Though Bleiler lost his license, he may carry a visible gun in public and keep a gun at his home.

Give this story a close read. By avoiding a Second Amendment challenge because it's too hot, or it's too cold, or it's never "just right," the major gun groups have guaranteed that someone else will make one independently of them and their (stated) concerns.

Not What I Would Have Done

Gottlieb has called on the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to open a criminal investigation.

I understand the motivation to make the antis suffer the consequences of their outrageous hypocrisy, but I would have stopped at bringing the situation of criminality to light. I would not have endorsed any course of action that would have "legitimized" the BATFU thugs or the treasonous edicts they enforce in the eyes of the public.

It's the same principle I've tried to apply to Snuffy Pfleger.

This Day in History: July 19

On July 19, 1776, Congress ordered that the Declaration be engrossed on parchment and signed by every member .

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Parker Poll at SayUncle's

Go take it.

Oh, Jeez, Now What...?

Canada's homicide rate and number of gang-related murders has increased since the federal government's firearms registry and licensing program was
implemented...

Well, that didn't work. Maybe what you people need is a "buyback" or an ad campaign...

[Via 1894C]

"I Think that Guns are the Worst Thing in the World"

Yeah, a "buyback" to vandalize antiques. That'll sure "stop the violence." I mean, it's not like these people don't know who the enabled troublemakers in their neighborhoods (and families) are.

And what story would be complete without the timeless "If you save one life, it's worth it"?

Is it really so wrong to fantasize about an ND while these boobs are prying at trigger assemblies with crowbars?

You're in Good Hands with Bloomberg

A new ad campaign announced yesterday will paper the city with stark black-and-white warnings that packing an illegal weapon carries a big risk.

Yeah, hit 'em with snappy captions brainstormed in committee by urban liberals. I'm sure the gangbangers are shaking in their sneaks.