What's Up, Doc?

They’re watching you right now.

They counted every beer you drank during last night’s Red Sox [team stats] game.
They see you sneaking out to the garage for a smoke.

They know if you’ve got a gun, and where you keep it.

Not necessarily.

You've been given a tool.

All you have to do is use it.

Incidentally--I'm all for taking ideas and running with them, but I do note one Second Amendment group has taken this form, reformatted it a bit but otherwise left the wording and order as is, and presented it as their own without attribution. That's not something I would do.

[Via Say Uncle and 1894C]

Brown Siege Over

U.S. marshals posing as supporters carried out the arrests of tax evaders Ed and Elaine Brown, officials said Friday.

The undercover officers were invited in by the Browns on Thursday evening, and before the couple realized they weren't supporters, they were already under arrest.

"Ultimately, this open-door policy that they seemed to have, which allowed the Browns to have some supporters bring them supplies, welcome followers and even host a picnic -- this proved to be their undoing," U.S. Marshal Stephen Monier said. "They invited us in. We escorted them out."

Would that the legend about vampires not being able to cross your threshold unless invited in were true--but not that it would have mattered in this case.

Even with supporters you think you know, there is always the danger of a Judas--as happened in the case of Wayne Fincher. And like Fincher, expect to see the judge strictly limit which arguments are allowed and what the jury can hear. Which means don't be surprised if "show me the law" is ruled inadmissible. Expect it.

The lesson, of course, could not be clearer. Obey or be destroyed. Or we'll get you one at a time and make examples of you.

Realistically--do we expect any other outcome? In searching for answers, the one constant seems to be a lone individual or group that overtly defies will be besieged and overcome. Whether we believe in the justness of their cause is rendered immaterial by the certain response. So while I feel great sympathy and rue that things are not the way I want them to be, I can't recommend making yourself a target by publicly defying edicts as an effective way to achieve personal freedom.

The "good" news is, it looks like "the authorities" are afraid to pull a Waco/Ruby Ridge redux--at least for now.

[Via WmH]

Insider Information

...on this.

From one in the know, a past source with demonstrated reliability, who has requested anonymity:

Never a doubt about negligent gun handling. Either the media or a police spokesperson came up with the "malfunction" or "trying to clear a round" story. Bottom line, that particular range has a no loaded weapons behind the firing line policy. The officers in question had been advised of this by other patrons (non-LEO regulars at that range) at which time they identified themselves as law enforcement and continued to load magazines and insert them into their firearms while at the counters along the wall behind the firing line. This placed them (and their loaded firearms) behind the non-LEOs at the firing line, that is why they mentioned the rules to the officers...non-LEO regulars had noticed sloppy gun handling just prior to the incident (particularly, fingers inside the trigger guard while not on target).

Wah!

Farewell, Claire Wolfe.

The internet just became a poorer place.

This Day in History: October 6

October 6, 1778

...A group of local militia, under the command of Captain Johnson occupy a two platform fort, that had placements for 6 guns, but unfortunately had none...

The British arrive and the militia was routed by the bayonet wielding British regulars. There was not much they could do to defend the town. The British had cannons and many men. The defenders of Chestnut Neck, probably numbered less then 20, with no cannons.

Commander Colins found 10 prize vessels still at Chestnut Neck. He ordered the town and all the vessels to be dismantled, set afire and scuttled. It took all night until noon on the 7th.

Still No Word on CA Microstamping

Time to give the governor's phone/email system another boost, don't you think?

An Unpaid Advertisement

QUESTIONING THE LEGALITY of tactics used by New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg to sue gun dealers, a federal judge in Atlanta has allowed a defamation suit by a Smyrna gun shop against Bloomberg and other New York City officials to go forward.

This should be all the testimonial gun owners need to shop at Adventure Outdoors Inc.

It looks like Jay Wallace is cut from the same cloth as Ryan Horsley.

MTSU Students Demand to Be Helpless

Student leaders at MTSU made it clear Thursday that there is no room for guns on campus...

...MTSU police Sgt. Brett Huskey told senators more guns would only create more confusion during an incident.

That's why the first thing Brett is going to do in a campus shooting is throw away his gun. Wouldn't want to "create more confusion"...

Besides, he'll no doubt follow the sterling example of his "Only Ones" predecessors at Columbine and Virginia Tech, and rush in to the building to the rescue, instead of, you know, hiding behind cars or trees while unarmed sheep are being slaughtered.

We're the Only Ones Consistent Enough

UND Police Chief Duane Czapiewski said the ban is necessary to make a consistent policy on campus and to prevent burglaries of guns and the possible use of them in other crimes.

The police department can store up to 100 guns and some ammunition, Czapiewski said.

And, of course, Chief Duane has pledged to make himself immediately available and liable for protecting the lives of everyone who complies with his "consistent" (except for "The Only Ones"!) universal disarmament policy.

It seems to me Mr. Emerson had something to say about consistent intellects like Chief Duane.

"Magic" Johnson

Johnson blamed the loss of life on the availability of handguns in Philadelphia and around the country.

Yeah. Inanimate objects are to blame. They have bad juju.

Lord knows it had nothing to do with evil men.

Johnson, of course, will be the first in line to give up his evil handgun totem. Right, Johnson?

Johnson?

[Via Jason M]

This Day in History: October 5

October 5, 1778

British fleet reached Little Egg Harbor around noon. At favorable tide a few of the more light weight ships enter the bay to prevent escaping ships. Armed vessels were stripped and loaded with troops. Local loyalists join expedition onboard the Zebra and inform of the militia at Chestnut Neck.

The Continental Army - General Pulaski and his Legion leave Trenton.

Response to PBS M16 Piece

Via email:

PBS's piece on the M16 calls it an inferior weapon system that hasn't evolved in 50 years and includes a picture of an M249. My friends and I thoroughly debunk it here: http://jiujitsutalk.com/index.php?topic=5937.0;all

I don't ordinarily talk hardware here because it's not my thang, but it's always interesting to see those in the know take on "authorized journalists."

New 2A Website: Small Armz

I just got an email about a new RKBA website. It's under development, so I don't see a lot of original content--mostly links to other resources--which ain't a bad thing.

I call this one to your attention because we don't often see pro-2A sites originating from Harlem, and any forum allowing us to make inroads into the urban demographic could become an important one.

I do find it curious that on his photos page, Mr. Reynolds presents himself posing with Hillary Clinton, Charles Schumer, and GOA F- rated Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez. Perhaps the intent is to show access to these notorious anti-gunners, and if he can plant the seed with them that not all urban voters are lock-step gun-controllers, perhaps it's a start?

I look forward to reading some original commentary from this site so I can further glean what their mission and strategy will be. I'll also forward this link to Mr. Reynolds and invite him to comment and entertain questions from the curious.

We're the Only Ones Unlisted Enough

The City of Chicago's top lawyer has denied at least one alderman's written request to see a list of Chicago police officers who have the most excessive force complaints during the last five years, a move that critics say contradicts what the lawyer told federal judges this summer.

Yeah, see, allowing them to be reviewed could affect the appeal process. Just like it does with non-"Only Ones," which is why your and my name would be kept secret if we were facing charges, right?

[Via 45superman]

A Rose By Any Other Name

Suddenly, what had been an "assault weapon" (or the even less honest use of the term "assault rifle") has become a "patrol rifle"--presumably because it is now in the hands of a police officer.

Well, that's because, aside from having powers and abilities far beyond those of mortal men, "The Only Ones" also can magically transmute "mass-murderizers" into "peace generators." You and I, on the other hand, will only wreak incompetent and homicidal havoc.

Hey, if enlightened and professional "authorized journalists" believe it, who are we to argue?

How Complicated Can it Be?

“We’ve tried to negotiate,” Schumer said, adding that talks with Coburn are “not getting that far. We might have to bring it to a vote.”

Taking a recorded vote on the gun database bill could complicate its initially strong prospects.

What, you mean people woud actually have to stand behind something they profess to believe in and would impose on the rest of us?

I know there is a lot of noisy controversy over what this bill supposedly will or won't do, but for crying out loud: only in the convoluted and perverse world of politics could taking a vote be construed as a "complication."

Since when has government doing things in the dark ever been a good thing?

[Via WmH]

WRSA Intermediate Rifle Clinic - Brookings, OR - October 6-7

The beautiful Pacific coast is our next destination, as we hold our next Intermediate Rifle clinic near Brookings, OR on October 6-7.

Grab your gear (along with your rain slicker) and come join us in learning lots of practical things you think you already know.

Sounds like an excellent opportunity.

"In Search of the Second Amendment" Premieres at Red's

The Premiere of David T. Hardy's Documentary In Search of the Second Amendment opened to a great crowd in Twin Falls that included Twin Falls City Councilman Trip Craig and Vice Mayor Glenda Dwight.

Author and Historian Clayton Cramer made a presentation following the film.

Getting local politicians to show up is a definite plus. The choice of film and inviting the guest speaker were inspired.

Ryan certainly is emerging from his trials as a natural leader, isn't he?

This Day in History: October 4

American intelligence reports of the divided British army dared Washington plan an assault on Germantown. Lt. Gen. Sir William Howe, obsessed with securing uninterrupted access to the Delaware River, had dispatched some troops to take Billingsport, a vulnerable river fort near Chester. He diverted another unit to escort supplies up from Head of Elk. In Philadelphia a large detachment was left under Lord Cornwallis. Howe's main body of 9,000 troops was encamped at Germantown, five miles north of the city.

A Fair Question

“Would banning firearms reduce murder and suicide?”

What with all the calls to do just that, and all the laws building up to it, that sounds like a fair question.

"A Fair Question," my November 2007 Rights Watch column for GUNS Magazine, is now online.