Dig Deep

Here's the chance for all those suggesting I should take contributions during my recent difficulties to show how that would work out. [More]

"Action" Survey

The url says it all:

Naturally, there's not one word about the greatest threat facing gun owners in the next decade.  Can't jeopardize access to "staunch defender of the Second Amendment" establishment Republicans paving that pathway to citizenship, can we?

Faking a Stand

"Gun violence tragedies have become far too commonplace,” the sign-up page declared, offering platitudes but no specifics. “It’s up to us to make sure there is a path forward. We can’t give up. Add your name to fight to make progress on gun violence prevention.”

How? 

It doesn’t matter. In typical “progressive” Opposite Day fashion, the immediate goal was and is to manipulate those for whom emotions trump knowledge. [More]

My latest GUNS Magazine "Rights Watch" column is now online.

Mike's Comments to Birmingham City Council

Also see:

• The New Taliban
• I'm headed into the Birmingham City Council meeting this morning to face off with the collectivist cultural cleansers.
• My statement as delivered to the Birmingham City Council, 7 July 2015

UPDATE: I've tried everything I know to convert this .swf file into something I can post to You Tube-- admittedly, I don't know all that much, as I've had no luck and much time I can't afford lost.  If you know how to do it, please do so and send me the usable file (dcodrea@hotmail.com).

UK and US Hoplophobes: “Only Cowards Carry”

There’s a Guns Are for Cowards Facebook page, dedicated to the proposition that if you believe in owning one, you’re a gutless yellow-belly. And The Daily Kos insists “Only cowards carry guns.” No less an authority than “The Gunman” actor (and impossible-for-non-elites-to-get carry permit holder) Sean Penn dubbed guns “cowardly killing machines” (albeit in his case, you’d think a wife-beater would know). [More]

My latest TTAG offering notes on top of being under-endowed and racist, we who believe in the right to keep and bear arms must be a pretty craven bunch as well. That is, if you can believe Opposite Day "progressives."

The New Taliban

See Stone Mountain, GA, while you can.

I was reading Mike's announcement about the Birmingham City Council meeting he plans  to speak at, and saw the link about one of the "political thugs" advocating "cultural cleansing."  Funny thing about that:

Matthews' "Outcast Voters League" ... held a vigil in memory of murdered Sanford, Florida teenager Trayvon Martin.

Really? That was the verdict of a jury, SHAMwiki?

Anyway, Mike just called me from outside chambers and he's waiting for the speaker's list so he can sign up and go about the proper task of chastising the New Taliban. The meeting starts at 9:30 a.m. Central and is streamed, so we can watch it live. Unless I'm misreading the agenda, it looks like they reserve the "Request from the Public" segment until just before adjournment, probably to discourage comments they can't control by wearing people who just want to speak for a few minutes down.

I hope he's given enough time to speak his entire piece before allotted minutes are up.

UPDATE: Mission accomplished and posted, beginning at 2:33:57:

I'll see what I can do about getting just Mike's segment up on my You Tube account.

Vigilance

While pursuing happiness with family and friends, don't forget to also stand vigilant this Independence Day. [More]

Case SCOTUS Didn’t Hear Points to Larger Concern for Gun Owners

“The Supreme Court … refused to accept a case which sought to allow states to supplement a federal voter registration form so as to require proof of citizenship to vote,” Legal Insurrection reported Monday. “This is not just a battle of forms. It’s a battle for preventing theft of elections.” [More]

My latest TTAG entry notes if the establishment has its way, the need to vote fraudulently will be a moot point.

He's Ba...ack!

Mike updates us on what happened. [More]

Vanderboegh in Hospital for Observation

Mike just called me and wanted me to pass on that his wife Rosey just took him to the hospital following symptoms indicative of a heart attack (chest pain, numbness in left arm, indigestion/nausea, etc.), and they will be keeping him overnight for observation.

It is important that we do not overreact -- we do not yet have an official diagnosis and prognosis. That message goes to to his readers, his friends, and the One Hundred Heads Life and Casualty Company.

I'm not going to release the hospital name at this point per Mike's instruction, as he does not want a bunch of people making uncoordinated calls. I will remain on telephone standby day and night, and will report any changes in blog updates as I learn of them.

For now, share this information with anyone you know who is interested. Also, if you're the praying type, please do. Hopefully, by this time tomorrow, we'll be getting news directly from the man himself over at Sipsey Street Irregulars.

WEDNESDAY MORNING UPDATE:

Mike just called to update me on his condition, which is a good thing, him being in a condition to call 'n all.

He is frustrated because the hospital wifi system blocks SSI, so he cannot post updates himself.

In terms of what's going on, at this point things are speculative. He is scheduled for more tests this morning.

WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON UPDATE:

It turns out it was a severe magnesium deficiency causing the symptoms. Mike expects to be released tomorrow, when he can explain in detail.

THURSDAY UPDATE:

Mike's home and getting ready to do his first SSI blog post since this latest adventure began.

Tunisian Mass Murderer Counted On Gun Laws and Culture for Success

Again, Per GunPolicy.org, as far as world rankings go, “In a comparison of the rate of private gun ownership in 178 countries, Tunisia ranked at No. 178.” 

Mull that over for a minute. [More]

My latest TTAG entry notes nothing quite says "Success" for mass murderers like a disarmed victim pool.

Suggested Reading

I've got a bit of a break this morning from behind-the-scenes scrambling, so I can do some limited links to stuff written by friends that I think is important.  For today, here are two I find attention-worthy, meaning read them, and if you agree, tell others:

• Kurt Hofmann asks anti-gun Pope Francis when he's going to order the Swiss Guard to disarm.
• Mike notes political and judicial catalysts are setting up conditions for a critical mass civil disobedience chain reaction.

Gun blogger, others sue ATF over records request

Three gun rights advocates sued the ATF on Tuesday after filing a records request they say wasn’t fulfilled by the federal agency. [More]

Guns.com picked up on the story.

Now on to the big "conservative" sites, and I've even approached some newspapers.

Care to help?

Update...

...to the ATF FOIA Lawsuit...

Per attorney David Hardy:

I'm sending them copies of the summons and complaint today (the courts require service of hard copy), they'll have 30 days to reply (and probably ask for an extension, since for the government, 30 days is too brief a period in which to do anything).

Garden Party

But it's all right now

I learned my lesson well. 

You see, you can't please everyone

so you got to please yourself

I've been getting numerous congratulatory messages on the move to TTAG.

Thank you.

I've also received comments from some who are less than thrilled with my choice for a new platform.

Everybody's got their beefs. Cases in point:

• Some have told me they won't go to GUNS because the magazines are all in thrall to the manufacturers.
• When I wrote for Examiner, some refused to read the articles because of popups and autoplay videos.
• When I started writing for The Shooter's Log, some let me know they would not be reading because of CTD business practices they've objected to.

I'm pretty sure there's no place I could go that won't turn off some.

That's their choice. But I routinely work 12+hour days at this and need to go where I can, plus to go where I can attract more readers to grow exposure opportunities. And so far, no one from the syndicates or papers or networks has come knocking.

My hope is to expand the reach. But I can't do that without your support, that is, if you're one of those who gets more value from the work than reasons to avoid it. I need grassroots boosts from readers who have told me they appreciate what I'm trying to do, because I won't get it from anyone else.

Before this latest development, some were urging me to change my policy and accept contributions. I always have, but the currency I request is something everyone can afford: If you think a piece merits it, take a moment and share the link with others. And leave a comment under it. And forward it to one of the big outlets and ask them to take a look at it.

Especially my latest. Get someone else to report on it. I'm going to spend a good part of today trying to do just that, and I could really use a hand if you've got a few minutes to spare.

If you really want to help. But only if you get value. And if you do, why wouldn't you?

This new gig is one of a few irons in the fire. I'll keep you posted on new developments when I have something concrete to announce.

Lawsuit Seeks ATF FOIA Compliance, Determination and Rules Request

A complaint filed Tuesday in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia seeks an order to compel the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to comply with a Freedom of Information Act request filed in March and ignored in violation of federal law. The FOIA sought copies of policies and rulings relied on in enforcement and determination actions. [More]

My inaugural TTAG report notes you can't very well follow the rules if they're not the same for everyone, or if won't even tell you what they are. We just filed an action aimed at changing that.

If you agree with our goals, please share this one far and wide, including with establishment media.

TTAG Announcement

BREAKING: David Codrea Leaves Examiner for The Truth About Guns [More]

This is one of the developments I've been working on.

Those of you who have been asking how you can help and if I will accept contributions, the answer is yes, of course, I always have. It's just that the currency I ask for has never been money -- it has always been if you get value from an article, be a force multiplier and share the link with others. And ask them to do the same.

So if you get value from what I produce in new gigs like this one, then please help spread the word and bring in readership. That's a contribution everyone can afford.

My first article should be out shortly. It's an exclusive and it has the potential to help change the way ATF does business. Stay tuned.

Thank You for the Kind Words

I don't know about being anything more than just me, but I appreciate the sentiments, Dean, very, very much. [More]

The break has allowed me to focus on what had been a back burner issue that I did not previously have time for. That said, I'm exploring all options. When I have something concrete to share, I will.

It'll Never Be Enough

One key part of this horrific scheme -- the weapon -- came in April, when Roof bought a .45-caliber handgun at a Charleston gun store, the two law enforcement officials told Perez and Bruer from CNN, the first network to report this development. His grandfather says that Roof was given "birthday money" and that the family didn't know what Roof did with it. [More]

So he went through a "background check"?  And the antis say we still need more infringements?

How many more?

Trump Donations to Clinton Foundation Add to Gun Owner Concerns

First we need to make sure the fingers behind his back aren't crossed.

I see Pat Buchanan and Ilana Mercer just came out with approving columns on Donald Trump that do not mention the following concerns I raised in my May 15 Gun Rights Examiner column (and previous columns). Because so few seem to be aware of these concerns, I am reposting that article with minor corrective edits here:

Potential GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump and his daughter have donated “at least $105,000 to the Clinton Foundation,” The Hill reported Thursday. Contributions, per the Foundation website, “advance the work of any part of the Clinton Foundation, including the Clinton Global Initiative.”

That would be the same group behind the Clinton Global Citizen Award, presented to anti-gun billionaire Michael Bloomberg by Vice President Joe Biden for being the “most fierce and most effective advocate that we have on the matter of gun sanity.”

Trump has come across as effectively bipolar on guns.

“I love the NRA, I love the Second Amendment, so you have to know that,” Trump proclaimed at April’s National Rifle Association Leadership Forum in Nashville. “I promise you one thing, if I run for president, and if I win, the Second Amendment will be totally protected, that I can tell you.”

That doesn't exactly square with past statements -- by a long shot. True, he’s not against the concept of guns in private hands, under controlled circumstances, as Trump is one of the few elite recipients of a New York City concealed carry permit. But where does he stand on other aspects of the right to keep and bear arms that will interest gun owners looking for candidates worthy of their support?

Trump has a record on the issue from a prior time he was thinking about tossing his hat into the ring.

“Dems and Reps are both wrong on guns,” he declared in 2000, offering what he presumed to be an acceptable middle ground. “Democrats want to confiscate all guns, which is a dumb idea because only the law-abiding citizens would turn in their guns and the bad guys would be the only ones left armed. The Republicans walk the NRA line and refuse even limited restrictions.

“I generally oppose gun control, but I support the ban on assault weapons and I support a slightly longer waiting period to purchase a gun,” he elaborated.

Add to that a troubling history of not just generous financial support for the Clinton Foundation, but to a host of anti-gun Democrats, enabling them to retain their ability to attack the right to keep and bear arms.

“Over the past decade, Trump has given massive amounts of money not only to Democrats but the most liberal and most corrupt Democrats, such as Charles Schumer, Frank Lautenberg, Ted Kennedy, Harry Reid and Charlie Rangel,” former Rep. Tom Tancredo noted in 2011. He has given $116,000 in recent years to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. He supported John Kerry in 2004…”

Asking if he's a "secret liberal," Business Insider noted "Donald Trump Has Given Much More Money To New York Democrats Than Republicans."

Still, Trump found another issue that resonates with NRA members who are seemingly unaware that their association intentionally ignores it (when not promoting those enabling it): Illegal immigration leading to a "pathway to citizenship."

“You look at what’s happening with Mexico, the border is a sieve,” Trump continued, broaching an issue NRA has thus far been deliberately indifferent to under a “single issue” excuse that does not withstand close scrutiny. “Everybody’s coming in illegally, millions of people coming in illegally, we've got to stop it at the border, and we have to stop it fast.”

The room ate it up, along with his "American jobs first" theme, and ended up giving Trump a standing ovation. Perhaps their enthusiastic reaction would have been tempered had his inspiring sentiments been compared to his record.

Again, Trump appears to have learned the right words. He recognizes Republicans are on a “suicide mission” in which “11 million people will be voting Democratic," that “anchor babies” becoming citizens “was never the intention behind the 14th Amendment,” and that even “legal immigrants do not and should not enter easily ... we must take care of our own people first.”

With that being the case, Trump’s “D-“ grade from Numbers USA in 2011 (including an "Abysmal" rating on "limiting unfair foreign worker competition") points to a serious disconnect between rhetoric and substance on immigration. Likewise, his donations to the Clinton Foundation and to vehemently anti-gun Democrats raise serious doubts over what he told cheering NRA members and what he actually would enable if they entrusted him with political power.

As this column observed in 2012, Trump could be a great friend if his seeming enthusiasm for the Second Amendment is real. How we could go about determining that, aside from doing things backwards -- trusting him and then seeing if he ends up earning it -- is unclear.

The bottom line: The guy has some serious explaining, disavowing and apologizing to do, and that includes outlining unequivocal ways to prove he is being sincere, as opposed to self-serving and manipulative.