That All Depends on the Meaning of the Word "Pistol"

This is from a BATFU letter that Sebastian has posted concerning the Palm Pistol.

The second thing I notice is, the developer can rely on current definition and invest the farm, and then have the invention reclassified and lose it all. How is this allowed to not only happen, but be apparent SOP?

The first thing, of course, is that a redefinition is underway. I've been looking around for the referenced notice of proposed rulemaking and come up dry--probably because I don't know how to navigate the federal labyrinth.

Anybody know what it is, and where we can read it? And maybe have input during an open public comment period?

UPDATE: Matthew Carmel, the recipient of the ATF letter, sent me an email after I posted this informing me the "Proposed change to definition published 70 FR 17624, 17626 (April 7, 2005) will have no effect on the Palm Pistol."

I had wondered about that and if there was a newer proposal, because the ATF letter is dated 2008, and says that "the submitted item could be affected."

Mr. Carmel tells me that's because "The 2005 proposed change has not yet been implemented, and may never be. Opportunity for public comment is long gone."

The Power of Signs

"Only Ones" exempted, of course.

Maybe the armed robber couldn't read. He probably won't go through the state-mandated waiting period or pay any background check fees, either. Heck, I'll bet he didn't even have the sign-required carry permit--hardly anybody in LA County/Redondo Beach does.

But perhaps they lucked out and he left the required thumbprint...

I'm glad everyone was OK--that store is about a mile from where I used to live and I've been to it many times.

School Shooting in Finland

At least nine people have been killed and two others seriously wounded in a shooting spree at a vocational college in Finland, police and officials say.

I'm noticing a recurring theme in most news accounts--pointing out Finland's relatively less restrictive gun laws and widespread gun ownership compared to much of Europe.

What I'm not seeing is any acknowledgement that, once more, the damage had been done by the time police arrived.

I'm searching around for Finnish laws to see if campuses there are mandated "gun-free," but in any case, I'm pretty sure shooting people is illegal.

The purported reptile (some reports at this time say he survived) can be seen here.

Timing is Everything

Report of gun threat brings police to school

And if someone with evil intent had brought one, the police would have been just in the nick of time to do what, exactly?

A Subtle Distinction

A store clerk fatally shot a man in an attempted robbery Monday afternoon at 27th Street and Prospect Avenue, police said.

There's a difference between giving them what they want and giving them what they deserve.

An Enumerated Power

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama said reducing Jacksonville’s murder rate and protecting the St. Johns River would be priorities for him in the White House.

I was worried for a second that he might be biting off more than he can chew, lawfully delegated authority-wise, but thank goodness, there it is, Article II, Section 5:


[Via John G]

Tree People

I want you to know that, trees, that we care!

...Bring me to this rock, that has the most incredible life...

First the Zargonian sympathizers and now this. Click the title link and shake your head in disbelief. You can't make this stuff up.

Lunatic emotion-based demands for social change: where have gun owners seen that before?

Here's an appropriate response.

Speaking as someone who loaded up, unloaded and stacked two truckloads of logs over the weekend for the firepit, let me say the only pain I'm feeling is my achin' back and arms, which hadn't yet recovered from cleaning up after last week's windstorm that knocked over one tree in my yard and split off a huge, thick branch from another.

[Via Carl S]

Bubbles

Don't float in a bubble. I guarantee it will burst sooner or later.

Mike H bursts a few bubbles.

Qualified Immunity

Decisions by the Secretary pursuant to the authority of this Act are non-reviewable and committed to agency discretion, and may not be reviewed by any court of law or any administrative agency.

Hey, whose money do you think it is, anyway? Besides, what could go wrong?

And why limit such edicts to this department, or this narrowly-defined scope of authority?

[Via Ron W]

The Battle of Athens

Sunday's incident was the latest in a string of shootings in Athens over the summer. So far this year, there have been 14 shootings in the area, said Steve Whitmore, a sheriff's department spokesman. Eleven shootings reported since June left eight people dead.

Not that the sheriff's department actually gives a damn...

This Day in History: September 23

On September 23, 1775, a group of patriots living in the northern section of the Town gathered in Cow Neck – modern day Port Washington – and declared their allegiance to the revolutionary cause by formally seceding from the Town of Hempstead which was heavily populated by Loyalists to England.

Shameless Plug: Chi-Town’s Pell-Mell Gun Laws

Not surprisingly, when you consider the Chicago political establishment, anti-gun Mayor Richard Daley, who never saw a private citizen’s gun he didn’t want to ban, supports Mell’s proposal. Apparently Mr. Daley’s theory is, the only ones who can be trusted with firearms in Chicago are members of law enforcement, his personal security detail, and fellow politicians — at least ones he’s allied with.

"Chi-Town’s Pell-Mell Gun Laws" is my Rights Watch column for the November 2008 issue of GUNS Magazine, on sale now at helter-skelter newstands throughout the Republic.

Also in this issue is my review of David E. Young's "The Founders' View of the Right to Keep and Bear Arms."

The Race for the Presidency

Race is arguably the biggest issue in this election, and it’s one that nobody’s talking about.

Except maybe racist democrat activists who are talking race war if they don't get their way. Or racist democrat activists fixated on "white privilege."

Or racist democrat activists who wonder if Obama is black enough?

Or racist democrat activists who point out he's not?

Or The Lightworker himself, who makes sure the talking points are crystal clear?

Or maybe your own network?

What the hell are you talking about, Jack Cafferty? Everybody's been talking about it, except maybe the other side of the aisle. You racist democrat activist "Authorized Journalists" have had to reach so hard to find examples, you're reduced to inventing conspiracy theories and highlighting code words invented by racist democrat activist politicians.

We get the message: If you don't vote for Obama, you're a racist. Like it's impossible to oppose him for any other reason.

And let's not even talk about the 90% support he gets from...like I said, let's not talk about that, because it's obviously all issue oriented, and to do so would be "offensive" and "naive."

Here's the thing: If Obama loses, I believe race will be the deciding factor. But here's the other thing--it won't be for the reasons all the racist democrat activists will be pointing fingers and raging over. It will be because a substantial enough margin of voters from their own party--possibly a third of white democrats--won't vote for a black guy.

Beloved Hollywood Stars Safe from Evil Gun Threat

Three people hoping to attend The 60th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards were detained on Sunday (21Sep08), after police found a rifle inside their car at a checkpoint near the show.

Three people were detained by authorities when an aerosol rifle, similar to a BB gun, was found in the trunk of the car.

I'm familiar with "air rifle" and "CO2 guns," but I really can't recall ever hearing the term "aerosol rifle." Is it a term hobbyists use and I'm just out of that loop? Or is it more "Authorized Journalism"?

All I know is, another Skip Coolzip opportunity for television history has come and gone.

Those elites sure are protected, aren't they?

Pandering on Guns?

Mark Warner, who should know better, puts politics ahead of D.C. home rule.

It's tough for me to argue against that pandering charge for some of the politicos, but in fairness to Warner, his lead is substantial enough that he doesn't need to. It would be nice if it turns out not to be just "politics," and the bill actually gets passed in the senate and signed into law by the president. What I fear is this will give some democrats in close races enough cover with gun-owning constituents to get them elected without any actual change happening--kind of a no-risk "pro-gun" show vote they can make with a nod and a wink from party leadership, then once victory is in the bag they can be counted on for further treachery.

As for "home rule," I still note none of the antis raise it when things go their way...

We're the Only Ones Cheating Enough

A dozen Ohio Highway Patrol officers, including 11 of 40 at the patrol's Canton post, were fired Monday, resulting in a significant loss of manpower that could benefit drunken drivers and speeding motorists.

Three sergeants and eight troopers at the post along with a Wooster-based trooper were dismissed, after investigations found that they cheated on a written alcohol detection device certification test or knew about the cheating and failed to stop it.

11 of 40? Thanks goodness there were only "a few bad apples." I can't imagine what a significant number of rotten "Only Ones" complicit in messing up citizen's lives with cheating and lies would be like.

Oh, that's right. It would be like the Canton post of the Ohio Highway Patrol.

Meanwhile, Over in Bloomberg Paradise...

Two thugs armed with a bat savagely beat a Boston radio show host in a Bronx vestibule early this morning - striking him on the head eight times before stealing his phone, wallet and gold chain, authorities said.

Why didn't he just give them what they wanted?

Oh...he did.

"Founders' View" Update

I asked David E. Young for an update on how his efforts are going to spread the word on his latest book. Here's his reply:

David,

Last Saturday, the National Rifle Association Board of Directors passed a resolution commending and expressing gratitude to the attorneys who prepared briefs and the scholars whose research was successfully used by the attorneys to protect every American's constitutional right to keep and bear arms in the Heller case. I was one of the sixty-six individuals named in the NRA resolution.

While I do not travel all that much, it seemed appropriate to attended the NRA President's Reception on Friday evening and the Board of Directors meeting last Saturday for this event in Arlington. There was a veritable sea of pro-rights people present including Heller attorney Alan Gura, David Hardy, David Kopel, Stephen Halbrook, NRA President Sigler, Board member Robert Viden, James Schaller, and many, many others. Approximately half of those being honored attended the events.

On Friday while going to the reception, I noticed Sebastian from Snowflakes in Hell lounging in a hallway overstuffed chair.

On Saturday prior to the Board meeting, I had an opportunity to show Sebastian my copies of "The Origin of the Second Amendment" and "The Founders' View of the Right to Bear Arms." These copies have all the Emerson, Parker, and Heller case citations (over 180 total) highlighted and tagged. He took a picture with his cellphone camera, and also one of the reception the previous evening.

It was pretty uncomfortable in the suit because I have only worn one about three times in my life and the temperature was quite warm. Decided it would be appropriate for this occasion to dress up a little, though.

My next venture out from Ontonagon, Michigan will be to Phoenix, Arizona next weekend September 26, 27, and 28 for the 2008 Gun Rights Policy Conference sponsored by the Second Amendment Foundation. I will have a book signing table for The Founders' View of the Right to Bear Arms there. Hope to see lots of pro-rights people and answer lots of questions.

Take care,

Dave Young

My review of Founders' View is published in the November 2008 issue of GUNS Magazine, which ought to be at newsstands now. Here's the gist of it:

Both "Founders" and "Origin" are important books for anyone who wants to understand why the Founders wrote the Second Amendment and what they meant by it.

Canadian Gun Rights Up in Smoke?

Jack Layton was accused of softening his support for the decriminalization of marijuana after two well-known pot activists resigned from running for his party in British Columbia...

Before Layton began speaking a handful of protesters showed up at the rally carrying signs protesting his proposed ban on handguns.

The security detail asked them to leave the room and then asked a reporter who wanted to speak to them to take them outside for an interview.

The officers allowed the protesters to stay when many more reporters came over to speak with them.

David Hamel, a member of the National Firearms Association who said he was there to represent only himself, said he feared that a ban on handguns would only be the start of an all-out ban on firearms.

While I discourage getting stupid, I never thought pot should be illegal.

That said, I can see where a politician who wants to trick people into giving up their best means of defense (along with, what, another $175 million for [ahem] smoke and mirrors?) would want them to get as stupid as possible.

Kudos to Mr. Hamel for being a voice of unaltered consciousness. If only more Canadians would follow his lead...

Preserving "Our Culture"

One of the main reasons expressed to oppose independent migrants is that they will supposedly overrun the country and destroy "our culture".

Kent McManigal continues developing a thought.

I'm saying this as politely as I can: I remain unconvinced.