Standing Up for Canadian Gun Rights

Here's an eyewitness account from David Hamel of that Canadian smoke and mirrors show we talked about the other day.

FYI, some background and details about our "protest." Trevor Laitila, the adult son of the NFA Office Manager, Diane Laitila, told me he heard Jack Layton on the radio talking about banning handguns, and he wanted to go to Layton's rally the next day and protest. I told him I would like to join him, and would give him a ride if he needed one. Trevor, an avid firearms collector blinded by diabetes, Elza Dontcheva, who is the NFA Bookkeeper, and I drove to the Layton rally.

For "protest" materials, we had "Remember C-68 Next Time You Vote" signs that the NFA had printed on green plastic bags designed to fit over election lawn signs. C-68 was the start of the long gun registry nearly 10 years ago. We also had "The Lioness Method of Rape Prevention" brochures, and copies of the CFJ featuring Megan Tandy on the cover, along with some NFA membership forms.

One thing we did NOT have, was any kind of NFA sanction for our activities. We did not ask permission or inform NFA National Exec of our plans. Elza and I have NO authority to speak to the media on behalf of the NFA.

During our stand off with security, one man came forward and told security to leave us alone, because we had a right to be there too, and hadn't done anything wrong. After the security incident and the subsequent media circus, we quietly and politely held up our signs and passed out materials to anyone who was interested, under the watchful eye of security, who were never more than seven yards away.

A number of people politely took materials, a few expressed support for our views, and only a couple of people made impolite or disrespectful comments. Perhaps not surprising, the latter group, exclusively chose to address their remarks to Trevor!

As we left, security followed us out and there was a tense moment for them as Elza approached Raj Pannu, who was outside talking with people. Elza knows Mr. Pannu from the university and respects him, so she shook his hand, spoke to him for a few moments, before giving him a copy of our magazine and the Lioness brochure, and we left.

Dispatches from the Front

We were talking yesterday about the Palm Pistol, and I exchanged a few emails with Matthew Carmel. He made a point I think it's important to consider, something I'm sensitive to, having lived in California all those years:

I also wanted to mention my surprise concerning peoples reaction when observing I am located in NJ. I live in this state, where else should my ideas come from? As much as I dislike the anti-gun attitudes here, it is not a foreign country. The anti-gun states are the front line in the battlefield for defending the Second Amendment. It would preaching to the choir if I lived in Texas. It is much more important, like George Patton, to bring the fight to your enemies.

This Day in History: September 24

The Battle of Longue-Pointe was fought on September 24, 1775, during the American Revolutionary War. A detachment of General Montgomery's army under Ethan Allen was defeated by Quebec militia outside the gates of Montreal.

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.