Gun Debate Update.: Levy v Henigan

Levy's opponent on WGN tonight will be Dennis "I forgot 'of the people" Henigan of the Brady Bunch.

Via the Charlotte GRE.

The Debate:

Opening w/ Levy giving a brief of Heller.

Henigan tries for an emotional appeal w/ Brady's history and claims of 'sensible' gun laws.

"Brady Campaign does not support handgun bans".

"Localities need to make 'tough' decisions". Which is why they keep supporting national gun bans and legislation.

Levy gives history of modern gun control (ie. Miller) "Focused on weapon, not the people". Discussion of Heller and Scalia's views of militia and clauses.

Rosenburg quotes Madison and Adams.

Henigan claims Madison is talking about militia use only. "Out of Context".
Scalia separates clauses. Coming from one who can't even quote it properly, that's laughable.

Rosenburg asks about CCW data. Lott study mentioned.

Henigan dismisses Lott. Cites Donahue. "CCW causes uniform increase in crime".

Levy defends Lott. Cites CDC and NAS studies. DC banned handguns and crime skyrocketed.

Henigan states NAS study shows no correlation vis a vie Lott study. "1.6 million prohibited purchasers stopped by Brady Law". Claims causality to crime decrease.

Rosenburg asks Levy view on Brady Law (NICS etc).

Levy: DC doesn't follow Brady Law.

Henigan: Universal Background Checks next step. Urban areas can pass 'stricter laws'.

Levy: NICS good. Only 2% crime guns from gun shows. Rejections don't stop criminals. 1/4 False positives. Only 294 convictions. DC creates to many hoops for ownership.

Henigan: Brady Law 'modest'. Need stricter laws. DC regulations nearly exactly same as cars. Fingerprinting good idea.

Rosenburg: Access to driver info? Should Gun Ownership info be available?

Henigan: No one is arguing for lists. Registration good.

Levy: NICS retains failed check data. Potential for abuse if data retained.

Henigan: Destroy tax returns?

Rosenburg: Officials abused law.

Henigan: Doesn't mean lists shouldn't be kept.

Rosenburg: What do you want?

Levy: Away from felons, unsupervised kids, no WMD's. "Jurisditionally sensitive laws".

Rosenburg: NRA?

Levy: They're closer to me than Henigan.

Rosenburg: Campaign against this program.
ISRA sent out e-mail. All over blogosphere. Lots of calls/e-mail. ISRA misinformed. *Reads ISRA e-mail*. "I'm a serious conservative including gun laws"
"Is debate a violation?" *Reads E-mail* "I support Levy's view".

Henigan: "Welcome to my world" "Tactics of intimidation". "Callers don't represent gun owners" Cites usual Joyce foundation survey numbers. "Extremists"

Levy: ISRA not extremists. "Director a little bit hasty".

Henigan: Extremism on both sides. Quotes " blood running in the streets"

Rosenburg: Level of gun control?

Henigan: Weak. Guns travel easily across state lines.

Levy: BOR only applies to Fed's until 14th Amendment. 2A unincorporated. Chicago about incorporation. Thinks it will eventually apply. But by which method?

Henigan: Heller allows 'host of restrictions'. Brady campaign agenda constitutional. Claims 'complete prohibition" allowable.

Levy: DC about 3 issues. Will overturn Chicago.

Rosenburg: Gun ban overturned cause crime to decrease?

Levy: Difficult to say but most likely yes.

Rosenburg: Europe?

Henigan: Stronger laws. Little gun crime. Less lethal. "Guns trafficked into Mexico".

Rosenburg: "Gun ownership criminalized, Only criminals will have guns"

Levy: Cites Russia, Mexico, etc.

Henigan: Rambles about # of guns and gun control. Claims you need to limit data to make comparisons work. Of course you do Dennis.

Rosenburg: *Phone calls*.

Caller 1: Balance debate. Saw UK crime increase after gun confiscation. Got CCW when came back to states.

Caller 2: Where does Federalist state militias only? Police not there to protect individual, what to do?

Henigan: Read full passage. Militia purpose.

Levy: Standing armies v Militias. No dispute about hunting or self-defense.

Caller 3: NJ restrictive. Miller misrepresented. Brady website shows explosives/RPG's while blaming US gun shows.

Henigan: "Nothing in the report suggests that". Cites trace data as statistics. Weak gun laws. All the NRA's fault.

Caller 3: *Reads passages around picture* "Inflammatory and misleading"

Caller 4: Very Balanced. Bans on colored guns 'reasonable'?

Henigan: Problem w/ toy looking guns.

Caller 4: California laws 'common sense'?

Henigan: Safety standards.

Levy: DC making mockery of Heller decision.

Rosenburg: *Reads E-mail from Australia 'police officer'* The regular one passed around

Levy: We'ld see the same thing.

Henigan: Noone's talking about disarmament. AU etc. rates lower than US. Strict laws lower crime.

Levy: Due to failed War on Drugs.

Henigan: "Innocents caught in crossfire"

Levy: Guns already banned

Henigan: Trafficking.

Levy: Narcotics Illegal nationwide. Doesn't work.

Henigan: No bans. "reasonable regulations"

Levy: Brady Heller brief claimed ban reasonable.

Caller 5 (1st female): to Levy "If Reagan had been killed, would your views have been changed?"

Levy: His death would not have modified COTUS.

Henigan: Reagan supported Brady Bill. Pass more laws.

Caller 6: "What is Brady Campaign doing to restrict criminals instead of legal gun owners?"

Henigan: Guns make crime more lethal. Pass more laws.

Levy: NY, Chicago, DC not 'sensible' laws. Brady Campaign supported those.

Rosenburg: Brady view on Chicago?

Henigan: We don't support handgun bans. Heller decision endorses 'sensible gun control'.

Levy: Heller found 3 laws unconstitutional. Brady Campaign avoiding incorporation issue because they know they'll lose.

Henigan: DC gun regulations reasonable. Same as cars.

Rosenburg: Original intent?

Henigan: We'ld disagree to original meaning.

Levy: Madison supported militia only.

*End of Debate*

Were you called? Take the poll.

CHICAGO, March 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Today the Illinois Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence (ICPGV), a project of Legal Community Against Violence (LCAV), released the results from a new statewide, bipartisan poll on gun violence prevention.

Voters statewide expressed overwhelming support for closing the "private sale loophole" by requiring background checks for all gun sales, with 90 percent in support and 76 percent strongly supporting such a measure. Support for universal background checks was strong among Republicans (85%), gun owners (79%), and NRA members (70%). Women, voters residing in the suburbs of Chicago, and Hispanic voters had the highest levels of support for the measure, each at 96 percent.

Is this why there where over 5,000 progressive firearm rights supporters present in Springfield on March 11th 2009 in comparison to a few hundred anti-gunners the next week? Is that the kind of support they're talking about?

Who are these people they're calling? Certainly no 'NRA members' I'm in contact w/. Or even anyone they know for that matter.

Perhaps this 'poll' is similar to the one endorsed by Ceasefire PA/NJ showing overwhelming support for 'gun control' yet opposition to the various bills was 100:1?

Private Sales Ban Fails in Illinois

HB 48, the bill banning all private sales of firearm in Illinois went down today 60-55-1. This was THE big push by the Brady Campaign, ICPGV, and ICHV in the state.

From the ICHV:

Meanwhile, HB 0048, which would require background checks on all handgun sales, is closer to being passed than it was last year. This bill appears as if it is going to pass or fail by one or two votes in either direction. etc.

Not even close. In fact, IIRC, it did WORSE than it did last year.

Edit: I remembered correctly. Last year was 58-58 so they lost 4 votes and we gained 2.

Grassroots efforts at its finest.

More from the ISRA.

Teaching Firearm Safety = Selling Drugs

So says our favorite violent religious figure Father "Snuffy" Pfleger on a suggestion to teach firearm safety in schools:

"That's like saying we might as well sell drugs legally..we don't want access to guns. We have children dying in this city. We're talking about teaching gets kids in grammar school how to shoot guns? That's crazy."

Yep, that's right. Now he's gone from threatening politicians and business owners to stating that teaching safety is morally equivalent to selling illegal drugs.

Ignorance is bliss.

GUILTY!! Because We Say He Is

That's the mentality of the Brady Campaign in their quest to end legal firearm ownership. They, with their infinite levels of 'common sense', consider even a 'Not Guilty' due to lack of any evidence not enough to stop demonizing firearm dealers:

“Existing laws are so weak that even one of the most notorious dealer supplying the cartels, the owner of X-Caliber gun shop in Phoenix that allegedly supplied 700 guns to Mexican drug gangs, had all criminal charges brought against him dismissed recently. As the X-Caliber case shows, ‘enforcing the laws on the books’ will never be enough: we need stronger laws, and strong enforcement of those laws.”

Get that? He's 'notorious' because of those 'over 700 guns' he 'allegedly' sold, the prosecutors could not find a single one that was sold illegally in any way.

Since the shop retains all those records, one would think that the BATFE would be able to find some sort of pattern in the people he sold them to and would bring them to trial and in some instances they have. But pursuing that line of thinking wouldn't promote more restrictions on firearm owners so the Brady's want nothing to do w/ it. Much better to enact more laws that have been proven to have no effect on actual criminals.

More at Armed and Safe.

New Illinois State Police Director

Gov. Pat Quinn on Sunday appointed a 29-year-old war veteran who finished in the top 1 percent of his West Point class to direct the Illinois State Police.

"I will work tirelessly," Jonathon Monken said. "My ultimate goal is to serve with distinction."

During a news conference Sunday afternoon at the Thompson Center, Quinn praised the former U.S. Army captain's leadership on the battlefield. Monken led more than 100 tank combat missions in Iraq without losing soldiers or equipment, Quinn said. He also has served in Kosovo and as a recruiter for the Illinois National Guard.

The increasing role of the state police as the local liaison to the federal Department of Homeland Security makes Monken's military experience even more important, Quinn said.

Monken said not having a law-enforcement background should not affect his credibility within the state police ranks. He has not yet decided whether to wear a state police uniform.

29 years old? No police experience? Wanting to make the ISP closer to Homeland Security? Anecdotal evidence shows he could go either way on gun control.

I definitely have my misgivings on this one.

Anti-gun media debate

Via ISRA:
ANTI-GUN RADIO DEBATE – MARCH 26TH

Anti-gun Chicago talk show host Milt Rosenberg will be hosting a radio debate on the repeal of the 2nd Amendment to our Constitution on WGN Radio, AM 720, on Thursday March 26th.

Defending our Constitution will be Bob Levy, Chairman of the Cato Institute.

The debater who will be attacking our Constitution has not been named as of yet.
1. Mark your calendar to listen to WGN Radio, AM 720, on Thursday, March 26, 2009 beginning at 9 PM. If you cannot receive WGN in your area, you can listen to the program live on the Internet at www.wgnradio.com

2. No matter where you live, please be sure to call the radio station's call in line at (312) 591-7200 and ask to speak your opinion on what has been said. It would be best if you voice support for the 2nd Amendment and Mr. Levy's statements rather than personally attacking whoever the antigunner is.

Wrong Way "Only Ones"

Three EIU students were killed over the weekend.

State troopers said the car that hit them was driven by an off-duty police officer going the wrong way. The officer was speeding and possibly drunk, investigators said.

Miller was driving eastbound in the westbound lanes of Dougherty Ferry Road
when her Mitsubishi Eclipse struck the passenger side of Adusumilli's Honda,
which was turning right onto the road, police said.

Sgt. Al Nothum of the Missouri Highway Patrol said Miller's car was "obviously
traveling at a high rate of speed," based on the damage to the two vehicles. He
said police had reason to suspect alcohol involvement but had not made that determination.

Lasers, Railguns, and Robots! Oh My!

We've all seen the prototype Cylon that was unveiled in Japan last week. Prototype Railguns are already being delivered to the US Navy. Now heavy lasers are reaching a level that can be of practical use on the battlefield.

Huge news for real-life ray guns: Electric lasers have hit battlefield strength for the first time -- paving the way for energy weapons to go to war.

In recent test-blasts, Pentagon-researchers at Northrop Grumman managed to get its 105 kilowatts of power out of their laser -- past the "100kW threshold [that] has been viewed traditionally as a proof of principle for 'weapons grade' power levels for high-energy lasers," Northrop's vice president of directed energy systems, Dan Wildt, said in a statement.

Boom Baby.

Another Shooting by a "Parolee"

OAKLAND, Calif. – A police officer was battling for his life and three more were dead after a parolee with an "extensive criminal history" opened fire at a routine traffic stop and hours later gunned down members of a SWAT team searching for him.

So another violent career criminal with a gun already prohibited by law murders police officers. Now we just wait for the calls to make guns more illegaler while nothing is said about keeping violent criminals in jail.

And another interesting note:

People lingered at the scene of the first shooting. About 20 bystanders taunted police.

Hmm. How many of those individuals know where 'community guns' are stored or have told the police "I know nothing" when it comes to criminal activity in their neighborhood?

ISP Director Resigns.

Another anti-gun Blago appointee gone.

A spokesman says Illinois State Police director Larry Trent has resigned.

Sgt. Luis Gutierrez says Trent stepped down Friday, effective immediately.

He did not have further details, including whether a replacement for Trent has been named.

Trent served with the Illinois State Police for 22 years before former Gov. Rod Blagojevich chose him as director in 2003.

Trent is an Army veteran who served in Vietnam and received the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.

This is the same guy that compared firearm rights supporters to criminals:

"There isn't really any middle ground on this issue," State Police Director Larry Trent said at a news conference Tuesday. "You either stand with the gun lobby or you stand with law enforcement."

But at the same time refused to enforce the laws.

Good riddance Larry. Don't let the door hit your @ss on the way out.

UPDATE: Potential reason. Rehabilitated? Have a court order to expunge or seal your record? Like the ISP cares.

Wayne Lapierre on Glenn Beck

O-Day +58: Insults and Media Silence

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama has apologized to the chairman of the Special Olympics for his late-night talk show quip equating his bowling skills to those of athletes with disabilities.

The reaction by the media? Virtual silence.

The reaction by the Obamabots? Apologetics.

Can you imagine what the response would have had Bush made a similar statement? It would have been front page news for a week.

But there's no media complicity. No, none at all.

Kalishnikitty 2009

Via SmallestMinority:



Kalashnikitty time! Eric is doing another run of that popular classic.

OK, guys and gals, I have gotten a lot of emails in the past few months about people wanting Kalashnikitty shirts and have decided to do up another run.

I will be taking orders until Sunday, April 12 and the order with my shirt maker will go in on Monday April 13. I should have the shirts in my hands and shipping out by the last week of April and they will ship out immediately by Priority Mail. Occasionally things get delayed or sped up depending on his inventory, workload, shipping issues, etc. - but I'm giving myself enough time this time to hopefully get around these occasional issues.

Here's the procedure for getting the shirts (this makes it a LOT easier for me to track and ship these things ASAP)

Email me, erickelly1@verizon.net with the following:

1 - Number and sizes you want - sizes are Child's Medium, Child's Large, Adult Small, Adult Medium, Adult Large, Adult XL, Adult 2XL, and Adult 3XL.

2 - Your name and address

3 - How you would like to pay for them (Check, Money Order, Paypal)

TWO color choices this time around! - the classic light ash grey (very nice) - shirts are high-quality, do not fade or shrink, long lasting, very soft. Image is screen printed, NOT iron on or transfers. I've never gotten an email from any of my previous customers saying, "The shirt shrunk, faded, looks horrible after 3 months, etc." - these really are quite nice shirts.

I talked to my shirtmaker and he said he might be able to do this on a BLACK shirt - this has been requested by a lot of you over the years. He's working up a graphic for me (since the current outline of the graphic is black and wouldn't look right on a black shirt) - I think we may got with a white outline that will be a little wider and slightly different looking than the current white inside the graphic. As soon as I know and have an idea as to how it will look I'll let you know.

The extra cost of a black shirt will be $2.50 - this is due to the shirt "shells" in black costing more and the initial new setup of doing another plate for these.

Let me know if you would like your shirts in regular (ash-grey) or the new black.

Pricing - I have, in the past 7 years, never raised the price, even though my cost has gone up. I'm STILL not raising the price yet - even though shipping has gone up, I'm going to eat that since you all have been so great to me over the years and I want to make these available to as many people as I can.

Any size up to XL is $20, 2XL is $21.50 and 3XL is $22.00. As noted, black is $2.50 extra, regardless of size.

Shipping via 2-3 day Priority Mail with Delivery Confirmation is $5.00 for 1 shirt, and an extra $2.50 per shirt after that.

Check, MO, or Paypal is good for payments. If using Paypal, add 4% to the total payment, including the shipping.

** When you email me your order, include your full name and mailing address. I will email you back with the total.

Below are some pictures of the graphic and some happy customers wearing them. Thanks again to everyone and spread the word!

The Man behind the Scenes.

Literally.

The "Look" is Gone

Charlie Manson then:


A sociopath with an ability to mesmerize people w/ his words and glare.

Charlie Manson today:


Just a tired old man.

Common Sense Gun Laws Won, The NRA Lost

That's what the Brady Bunch told us a few months ago.

Maybe not.

Today in a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder, 65 Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives, led by Congressman Mike Ross (D-AR), expressed their opposition to the reinstatement of the failed 1994 ban on semi-automatic firearms and ammunition magazines. These congressmen cited numerous studies that proved the 1994 ban was ineffective, and they strongly urged Attorney General Holder to stop his effort and instead focus on the enforcement of existing gun laws.

NRA would like to thank Congressman Ross for his leadership on this effort. We will continue to work with Members of Congress from both parties on this important issue.

Two of those Democrats were Jerry Costello and Debbie Halvorson from Illinois. Special thanks go out to these individuals from all the law abiding folk in Illinois.

No Confidence in Chicago PD Leadership

The Fraternal Order of Police joins the rest of the city residents in a "No Confidence" vote.

Officers Issue Vote Of No Confidence In Weis
FOP President: 'I've Never Seen Morale This Low'

"I think the message that's being sent from the membership by their votes is that they want to see change, and whether it's a new superintendent himself, or the overall administration of the department, something's got to change to put their men and women in a better frame of mind; a more secure frame of mind so they do their job as they know how to do it," FOP President Mark Donahue told CBS 2.

Not really a surprise. Not a thing has changed since he took over (at $310K/year) except that crime has skyrocketed and Daley has cut their numbers down to replace them with cameras that don't work.

Chicago Area Appleseed

From my associates at the McHenry County Sportsmen's Assoc.
With help from our friends at various 4-letter organizations such as
MCSA, ASSA, SLRA, CCKC, we've done it: We're going to hold an
Appleseed event about an hour north of Chicago!! (That's the closest
possible range, BTW...)
 
Won't you help me spread the good word? (If you can, please plug the
event as the "Chicago" Appleseed...)
 
Here's the link: http://www.mcsa56.org/mcsa/entry/the_chicago_appleseed_event
 
Cheers, I'm going to go collapse in a heap now...
Les K

The McHenry Co. Sportsmen's Association, in conjunction with the State Line Rifle Association, Action Shooting Sports Association, present the APPLESEED Program at the Conservation Club of Kenosha Co (Bristol, WI) on August 14th and 15th, 2009. Mark your calendars now... Registration information coming soon!

Brass Scrapping Reversed

According to the Montana Shooting Sports Association. This is grassroots advocacy.

Dear MSSA Friends,

I just received a phone call from the office of U.S. Senator Tester of Montana to inform me that at 5:15 (EST) today a letter cosigned by Senator Tester (D-MT) and Senator Baucus (D-MT) was faxed to the Department of Defense asking DoD to reverse its new policy requiring destruction of fired military cartridge brass. At 5:30, I am told, Tester's office received a fax back from DoD saying that the brass destruction policy IS reversed.

Others report to me that they are already seeing evidence of this on the Websites of entities that liquidate surplus DoD commodities.

Our thanks go out to Senator Tester and Senator Baucus, and their staff, for getting on this problem promptly and making the reversal happen

Staff for Tester and Baucus promise they will get me the documentation for this reversal tomorrow morning. I'll forward that when I get it.

Best wishes,

Gary Marbut, president
Montana Shooting Sports Association
http://www.mtssa.org
author, Gun Laws of Montana
http://www.mtpublish.com

Excellent work. Keep it up.

Cam & Co. says they were told the same thing by NRA-ILA.

DLA documents here and here.

O-Day +54B:Volunteers of America

"But they volunteered, it's their own fault" must be the thinking of President Obama on his latest plan to hope to get all your change. The plan requiring wounded combat vets to use private insurance to cover their injuries received while serving.

" The leader of the nation's largest veterans organization says he is "deeply disappointed and concerned" after a meeting with President Obama today to discuss a proposal to force private insurance companies to pay for the treatment of military veterans who have suffered service-connected disabilities and injuries. The Obama administration recently revealed a plan to require private insurance carriers to reimburse the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in such cases."

Quite the way to support the troops.

Weer'd Beard has more.

CPSC in Charge of Firearms?

That's what groups like the Brady Campaign want. I'm sure they would do a smash-up job of it.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has raised that possibility in urging the nation's libraries to take children's books printed before 1986 off their shelves while the federal agency investigates whether the ink contains unsafe levels of lead.

O-Day +54:The Indirect Approach

Ending spent brass sales, cutting the armed pilot program, blaming US gun owners for the disaster that is Mexico.

These are the kinds of indirect actions against firearm owners that we have been seeing and will continue to see from the Obama Administration. The direct approach failed miserably so the new tactic is to slowly but surely quietly increase the numbers of restrictions, reduce beneficial programs, change regulations, ect. to drive costs up and discourage associated activities like reloading, target shooting, what have you.

Practically every nominatee Obama has chosen (including his VP) has had an extensive anti-gun history. Not to mention his own history of opposing firearm ownership.

The only one's this would come as a surprise to are those naive enough to thing his campaign rhetoric was legitimate.

Right Ray?

5,000 vs 200

Anyone care to lay odds on which gets more media coverage?

Not For Revenue Generation

Isn't that what we're always told about traffic cameras?

Horsepuckey.

Chicago could rake in “at least $200 million” a year — and wipe out the entire projected deficit for 2009 — by using its vast network of redlight and surveillance cameras to hunt down uninsured motorists, aldermen were told today...

“You could put these cameras on the Dan Ryan. … You could have the same camera at the entrance to O’Hare Field’s parking lot where you have 10,000 cars parked. In theory, 20-some percent of those wouldn’t be insured and they’d all be in violation of a city ordinance,” Burke said.

“Maybe that’s why the staggering amount of revenue you’ve suggested could be potentially achieved.”

.

Like they're going to collect anywhere near what they spend on attempting to implement it.

Morons.

Buried Treasures

Out doing some yardwork this morning and my daughter runs up to me yelling "Daddy, I found a sharp knife thing". So of course she hands it to me. *sigh* Anywhoo. What she handed me turns out to be a vintage Girl Scout pocket knife.


A little research shows that these were made between 1947 and 1980. Talking to my Mother-in-Law about the property would date this one to most likely before 1975.

History is fun.

Gun Control Causes AIDS

Hey, if they can play the causality/correlation game, why can't we?

Chicago Crime is Still Spiking

A school district spokeswoman said this week's shooting death of Franco Avila means 27 students have been killed, eclipsing last year's 26 for the entire school year. In 2006-07, there were 32 students killed in the school year, according to a Tribune tally. -Chicago Tribune

There was an apparent drop in January but, as is the historical trend, that has reversed.

Welcome to Chicago.

Illinois Snowjob?

Is the momentum on Concealed Carry in Illinois just one giant snowjob by the legislators? One 'pundit' thinks so:

Madigan sends the bill to a Committee with strong downstate presence, lets the bill pass giving his downstate conservative Members the ability to vote for it and then sits on the bill. Downstate Dems get to go back and say they sponsored or voted for the bill in committee, but they couldn’t get it to the floor, but they’ll keep working on it. Cross goes along because his downstate Members get the same opportunity and when the bill is killed, he doesn’t have to worry about his Chicago area Reps voting on it which would hurt them in a potential primary if they vote against it, but hurt them in the general for sure if they vote for it.

Madigan and Cross protect their Members. Members get to say they tried. Nothing changes. Repeat.

Sending these bills to a strong pro-gun committee instead of the ones where pro-gun bills go to die is a realistic claim in lieu of the way Illinois politics works. This would be more compelling though, if "Downstate Dems" didn't vote consistently with the firearm rights movement and the Chicago Machine voting the exact opposite.

O-Day+52: Drug Czar Gil Kerlikowske

The man invested to run the US's "policies, priorities, and objectives to eradicate illicit drug use, manufacturing, and trafficking, drug-related crime and violence, and drug-related health consequences". Obviously he's got a lot on his plate in regards to the heated up drug wars in Mexico that are spilling over here.

Gil Kerlikowske? Where have I heard that name before? Oh, right. He stood shoulder to shoulder with Paul Helmke and John Donohue in a debate last October on the issue of firearms and crime. His statements show that he blames firearm crime on the legal owners (due perhaps to personal experience), opposes Concealed Carry, and has also supported bans on "Assault Weapons" etc.

With the whole "US is supplying machine guns to Mexico" meme flying around, what do you think Kerlikowske's focus is going to be on?

So Ray Schoenke? Is this one of Obama's "so-called "gun-grabbing" cohorts" or not?

The Not So Modern Militia

Taken at a historical re-enactment a few years back.

4 legs vs 2 legs

Some of you may remember me writing about this on the now defunct Brady Blog. I’m reposting here for those who missed reading about it there or on the cover of the New York Times. Ok, that’s a huge lie, the NYT never covered it, but they should have.

For those who read my welcome post, this happened during one of our camping trips in Idaho with Grandma and Grandpa. I stated that that story spawned many others; this is but one of them.

The Grands were a funny bunch; we had access to the .22’s and ammo at age 10 but couldn’t take the Honda Enduro 250 motorcycles out for a spin until we reached the ripe old age of 12 because motorcycles were dangerous. Their concept was that transportation to the best hunting grounds was more hazardous than our shooting activities once we arrived as long as we followed the 4 basic rules of gun safety. It was explained to us that if we violated any safety rules with the gun or the bike, both would be denied to us. Grandpa taught me how to ride and seemed ever so delighted in taking me down steep hills and through creek beds at high speeds. I wrecked a few times before I realized that I could follow his tracks at a slower speed and still reach the destination. That was exactly what he was trying to teach me but he knew it would have a bigger impact if I discovered it myself. So he let me wreck and the lesson burned in.

2 years later, at the age of 14, my “vacation” started as it had before. I gorged on breakfast, slammed my fork on the table and asked for Grandpa’s Marlin Golden 39A lever action .22 and keys to the motorcycle. I slung the rifle cross chest and left the adult camp behind.

The cool thing about trail riding in Idaho is that all the pine needles makes the soil too acidic for most underbrush to grow. Pick a line and hit the gas.

So I’m cruising along hoping to end up where the jack rabbits stand still and I hear a noise off to my left side that I knew didn’t come from the bike, even though it was close enough to make me think twice. It wasn’t a snort, it wasn’t a grunt…it was like the devil himself attempting to blow out an eternity of candles on a cake he hated.

I had just disturbed a sleeping black bear, and apparently, he was kinda pissed.

At first, I really wasn’t that concerned. I figured that the Honda could outpace him with a flick of the wrist. The problem was that even though I didn’t have underbrush to deal with, I was still “off-trail” and dodging pine trees both standing and sprawled on the ground.

I’m now doing 40mph through the woods and looking over my shoulder and seeing him pace me. All the classic crap happened. Time slowed down, adrenaline pumped, my butt hole puckered a bit. I was scared.

I spent a little too much time looking over my shoulder and clipped a grand old pine tree with my left handle bar. The plastic hand guard saved me some broken fingers but I still ate a mouthful of dirt on impact.

With everything still in slow-mo, I knew I couldn’t get back to the bike and escape in time. It was go time. I ripped the .22 off my back and fired it into the ground before I even realized I was cocking the rifle again.
I managed to get off 3-5 shots before he stopped his advance. He looked at me with eyes I can not describe. On one hand, he looked at me like I was easy prey, and the next glance was something akin to “don’t ever do that again.”

I knew a .22 wasn’t the ideal bear load and I played my bluff. Thankfully, he/she didn’t want to come any closer to my boom stick.

For those who argue that 2-legger scum don’t respect the laws against violence, I would like to add the fact that 4-leggers can’t even comprehend the nature of laws to begin with.

Stay safe, stay armed. Your life may depend upon it.

Ignorance is Bliss

On the latest Helmke Huffpo rant, a new batch of drive-by posters repeat talking points from Moore's "Bowling for Columbine", Bellesiles "Arming America", and the classic "Assault Weapon = Machineguns firing hi velocity AP ammo" meme's along with all the usual nonsense.

Goebbels was right.

Police Support

I was talking to a local police officer the other day. He told me that his department is working on several ideas to get more involved with the community and to show their support for firearm rights.

One is the offering of Basic Pistol courses that would include two days of training including at least 10 hours of shooting. Areas of emphasis would be maintenance, assembly/disasembly, proper stances, grip, etc. They're planning on offering both co-ed classes and classes for women. While this wouldn't make one qualified for a CCW (which the officer I spoke to also supported) an additional benefit that they're tossing around is then to open up the police pistol range once or twice a month to 'graduates'.

The other idea that is being worked on is to upgrade their ranges for IDPA and other competitions since there are none in our area.

As he said, these are not "if" they're going to happen but "when".

IGOLD 2009

A very successful day. Make sure to visit IllinoisCarry for a liveblog version of the events as well as more photos. ISRA has added a media and photo/video roundup.

Off to meet the IGOLD bus in Champaign. As of last count, there are buses from 30 locations heading to Springfield for the event, nearly all of them full. Meeting up w/ LonghornJeff and ArmedSchoolteacher (really wish 45Superman could be there), I will be taking photos and notes while there and will update throughout the day if possible. For the impatient, there will be a LiveFeed on Illinois Carry here as well as several Twitter accounts of attendees.

On Bus #1 (of 2) from Champaign/Urbana:
There were a total of 24 buses w/ an average of 45 people per bus.

John Naese of GunsSaveLife.com giving instructions:



Lunch at Golden Corral:

Arrival at Convention Center:

At Convention Center.

ArmedSchoolTeacher got me registered:


LongHornJeff directed me to the media table where I met Slappy from IllinoisCarry:


Representatives from the ISRA, Mike Weisman and Mr. Pearson have spoken and have introduced Joe Tartaro, KABA rep.




Just introduced. Brandon Phelps, legistator of the year who introduced HB2257.

Todd Vandermyde. NRA Il lobbyist. Stated CCW bill was killed in Senate Committee before the attendees arrived. Wonder how many of those legislators were endorsed by the Brady Campaign?


Just met Mike Weisman of the ISRA.

Frank Wright of GunsSaveLife: Play nice w/ the legislator and Jackson Counter protestors.


Valinda Rowe, IllinoisCarry, Women's rights in Illinois:


The ISP state that a woman should use these following items to defend herself instead of a gun: Comb, Key, or Tongue Depressor (to induce vomiting on oneself).


Colleen Lawson:

Tom Shafer, local advocate and media personality:


I currently sitting next to Slappy from Illinois Carry as we liveblog the event. I will continue as long as I have WiFi and power.

The March:

Getting Started:

On the Way to the Capitol Building:

Expressing our View:


View from the March:


View From the Steps of the Capitol:


Don Moran, President, ISRA.

Cameron Grey of NRANews.com was there to cover the event:

In The Capitol:

Most of the Legislators were running around in committees or on the floor. Some (mostly those opposed to progressive firearm laws) were actively avoiding their constituents. I managed to surprise Rep. Chapin Rose in the hallway:


Sen. Dale Righter I found in a committee and spoke with him for a few minutes:

I'm lucky in that both are very strong 2A supporters both in words and in their voting record.

The Reception:

Candidate Rosanna Pulido and Sen. Dan Rutherford both spoke at the reception before the attendees headed home.


Some IGOLD stats:

Budget for Event: $25,000

24 buses picking up people from 30 locations

Packets Distributed: 5,100

Estimate of Attendance: 4,000-5,000 people.

Next year will be even bigger.

More photos here.

Commentary here.

AHSA Trying to Rewrite Their Past

Once again the new spokesperson for the AHSA, Colin Rogero distorts the history of the AHSA and it's leadership's role in anti-gun activities.

He states:

Ray's foundation "THE RAY AND NANCY FOUNDATION" donated to the Brady Campaign. Ray's wife Nancy was a board member. She has separated from the Brady Group and is no longer involved with their organization. Ray never supported, nor donated to the organization. Ray, and Nancy have different views on gun ownership, as many families do.

Apparently Nancy used Ray's checkbook and signed his name then because according to OpenSecrets.org Ray donated $5,000 to Handgun Control Inc. in 2000.

Darn those meddling facts.

IGOLD: The Movie

IGOLD 2009. March 11th.

Watch the video.



More at the Armed School Teacher.

The Confederate State of New York

New York, in a court brief, said the 2005 law violates state rights under the U.S. Constitution. "This congressional effort to control how states make law raises important questions about the Tenth Amendment's protections of state sovereignty," New York said.

Wasn't that the same argument used to defend slavery?

I seem to recall a certain reactionary lawyer claiming that "the NRA is getting its butt kicked in court". Is this what she meant?

How They Roll

So on appearances, we are dealing with a largely uniformed and easily persuaded electorate if terms are couched in misleading soundbites. We know that they will work to sway and target women and seniors. Nice of them to lay out the ground rules and battlefields for us.

-Todd Vandermyde, IL NRA Rep. on the latest anti-gun bills

This is not a new tactic. The VPC openly admits to using misdirection to push for their agenda. Classic terms such as 'cop killer bullets', 'Saturday Night Specials', 'plastic guns', etc. are the bread and butter to anti-gun groups because they sound scary to the majority of people who, unfortunately, don't pay attention.

Ask an 'average person' if they know what an 'assault weapon' is. You'll be told it's a 'high powered machinegun' or some variation thereof.

We rely on educating the public to persuade them to our way of thinking. They rely on and cultivate ignorance.

This Gun Free Zone Brought to you by the Brady Campaign

Stripping citizens of their rights since 1974.

MARYVILLE, Ill. (March 8) -- A gunman walked down the aisle of a church during a Sunday service and killed the pastor, then stabbed himself and slashed two other people as congregants wrestled him to the ground, authorities said.
The man walked into the sprawling red brick First Baptist Church shortly after 8 a.m. and briefly spoke with The Rev. Fred Winters before pulling out a .45-caliber handgun and shooting Winters once in the chest, said Illinois State Police Master Trooper Ralph Timmins.

A gunman stopped not by by the police, who citizen disarmament advocates state we should rely exclusively on, but by members of the congregation who risked their own lives to stop this killer. Think of how better it would have been for them if they hadn't needed to come withing slashing distance.

Update from Uncle: The shooter has a history of mental illness due to Lyme disease.

Air-humping the Mexican Drug Cartel

So my 9 year old nephew has been bugging me to take him to the next gun show ever since I took him to his first show late last year(before the election). He naturally gravitated to the .22 Chipmunks and Crickets at that show and I mentioned that I would buy him one when he’s older, can recite and demonstrate the basic safety rules, learns how to disassemble, clean and reassemble one of my guns. I got him a tool set of wrenches and screw drivers several years ago so I’m not too worried about the latter half. My brother would regularly buy old toasters and other random appliances at garage sales for him to take apart and put back together and his mad lego skills have improved dramatically lately.

He does however need some serious work on the basic safety rules. More on that in a sec.

Gun Show…Saturday, March 7th.

I left the house at 8am and picked up my buddy, where to my delight, my other buddy, his wife, gave each of us a Church of G.O.D.(Gun Owning Disciples) T-shirt to wear to the show which she had made the night before. The certificate of membership is complete. The wallet cards are complete. The basic tenets of the faith is in rough draft form and the “Holey Book” will be a collaborative work in progress which I will detail in a future post.

Then off to pick up my nephew and my brother’s work place. I found him finishing up some chores that the other staff had given him to do for the handsome sum of $3. He’s been doing odd jobs for whatever money he can get so he CAN BUY HIS OWN CHIPMUNK. I was a bit proud to say the least. So I walk into the gun show with $87 in cash and my nephew is sporting $120 neatly folded into a money clip I had given him 2 years ago. Ya, I had the checkbook and plastic, but I was still impressed.

We arrived at the show ½ hour after the doors opened and the parking lot was bat-shit crazy full. The number of staff giving admission had doubled, the number of staff checking firearms had tripled and the line was still outside the door and into the parking lot. I’ve been to a lot of gun shows in my day and I had never seen a turn-out like that.

My dad was waiting for us near the entrance and we starting looking for a good gopher gun for him. He had mentioned that he liked the sound of the 45 LC/.410 Taurus Judge. He wants to hang a holster on the John Deere and shoot rodents as he mows the lawn in some kind of mechanized Wild Wild West re-enactment.
The price tag of the Judge turned him off in a hurry and I suggested that he switch his focus to an H & R Model 88 single shot .410 and a full length scabbard he can mount on the engine cover. His eyebrows raised in approval.

We were there a good hour before we even glanced at the price of ammo. Ouch. My next gun purchase will probably be in 5.45 X 39 so I can go to the range with something more than a .22. Talked to one of the vendors and he said he brought in a full pallet of 7.62 X 39 and sold it all in the first 20 minutes of the show.

Due to the booming economy and the rock solid security I have at my job, I knew I wasn’t going to buy anything other than accessories for the guns I already have.

EBR’s were outrageous and still flying off the tables. AK’s, AR’s, and FN’s were understandably a bit more scarce and demanding a premium. Makes me glad I bought most of mine during the ban, when they were cheap.

Saw a few choice pieces that caught my eye:

Beretta wheel gun rifle in .45 LC.
Hakim with a 7.62 X 39 barrel sleeve.
Nagant revolver with a spare .32 cylinder for dirt cheap.
Saiga AK 12 gauge.

There were probably a few more that escaped my attention but it’s kinda hard to do a thorough sweep when you have to air-hump at least two other people to get close to the table. I assume that all the RPG’s had sold out before we got in since I didn’t see any.

After the show, my nephew has the opportunity to shoot a real gun and display his safety skills. He failed. Does fine with keeping the gun pointed in a safe direction but can’t keep his finger off the trigger. I remind him repeatedly about the seriousness of his actions and he repeatedly jams his finger inside the trigger guard. I scold him and take the rifle away, telling him again why. I then get the silent treatment for the next 2 hours.

So be it.

I have at least 3 more years to work with him before I consider buying him a .22, he has at least 3 years to contemplate his actions and correct them. If being in the dog house in his eyes will accelerate his maturity, then that is a house I will gladly occupy. I'd rather be his mentor than his friend since it's obvious his foot steps are landing inside mine.

He'll understsand when he's older, and then I can be both.

Another school shooting.

Well. Sort of.

A police officer for the University of Illinois at Chicago accidentally discharged his weapon while responding to a report of possible gunfire on the campus this afternoon, but no injuries were reported.

"While responding, the officer drew his gun and accidentally discharged the weapon into the ground," said UIC spokesman Mark Rosati.

Why don't they use the word 'negligently' since I'm sure he didn't 'accidentally' take it out of his holster or 'accidentally' put his finger on the trigger.

No evidence of any other firearms on campus.

BTW. IGOLD Mar 11th.

Anti-gun Advocates Oppose Free Speech

Via David Codrea:

The lefties on Digg are burying our GRE articles to keep them from getting to the front page--this means when they succeed, they are literally denying that tens of thousands of readers get to see them--I'm not BSing--it's something we are working on among ourselves in our group correspondences. Because it's a social network that works that way, there is very little we can do to stop that if supporters of these articles don't help us keep that from happening by digging and sharing in greater numbers. It's just another one of those cases where simple inaction can mean the difference between success and failure.

As is usual, the only way the hoplophobes can continue to exist is by attempting to prevent the facts from getting out. This is why they either don't allow or heavily censor comments on the overwhelming majority of their sites.

Do what you can to help. Go to the numerous Gun Rights Examiners links and "Digg" them follow your conscience.

More on the anti-gun 'liberal' censorship drive here.

Check out the latest from other Gun Rights Examiners:

Austin Gun Rights Examiner: Mexico’s gun laws responsible for violent holocaust?

Charlotte Gun Rights Examiner: What is your state's Freedom Index?

Cleveland Gun Rights Examiner: "Shoot first" legislation and the concept of fair play

DC Gun Rights Examiner: Georgia legislator introduces bill to repeal permit requirement to open carry handguns!

Denver Gun Rights Examiner: Keep them guessing

LA Gun Rights Examiner: Take Heart, Part IV: Explaining it to the Republicans.

Minneapolis Gun Rights Examiner: An open letter to Senator Jim Webb and pro-gun democrats

Seattle Gun Rights Examiner: At it again: Anti-gunners trying to demonize yet another class of firearms

St. Louis Gun Rights Examiner: Decorated Marine, disarmed by law

Cats vs Dogs

When I go grocery shopping, I look for the best value for my money. Why would I pay extra for the sweaty butcher to cut my top sirloin into cube steak so I can make chili?

Well, I don’t.

I buy the steaks and cut them myself with my assault blade which I spray slice from the hip.

Minimal invested = increased value.

That’s because I’m a “higher animal” that can think things through; I can rationalize, I can plan ahead, I can make decisions now that will benefit me in the future. Not like those “lower animals”.

Hmmm…

A lioness, looking down from a low ridge will actually pick out and target the scrawny impala with a gimpy leg rather than the one prancing about with the most meat.

Why would a top predator target the weak and crippled rather than the front of the pack?

Minimal investment = increased value.

That “inferior animal” is you and I at the grocery store. She’s smart enough to know that the risk is too great to target those who can not only fight back, but quite possibly win with one well placed hoof. She employees very advanced tactics, really. Separate her target from the herd, get it alone, then attack.

Which leads to a question I hope you will consider.

Why do cats clean themselves while dogs do not?

Helmke + Snark = Epic Fail

Paul takes an attempt at sarcasm and fails miserably.

Just a few points.

Paul claims:

I have news for Mr. Cox and those members of Congress stuck in the crook of his shepherd's staff: District of Columbia residents already have Second Amendment rights.

Why yes Paul. They do. Good of you to notice. Of course that fact has nothing to do with the Brady Campaign fighting tooth and nail to deny them that right through 'commonsense' laws like gun bans and criminalizing self-defense now does it? Or did you forget that part? Oh, right. You weren't REALLY supporting gun bans, you were just trying to 'influence the court's opinion' to maintain the gun ban. Right.

He also claims:

Unfortunately, the NRA is holding that bill hostage with a killer amendment that would strip the District's elected officials of their ability to regulate the ownership and sale of guns to protect the public.

Wait. I thought that this was a 'new political era'? That the 'elections were a major victory for common sense gun laws'? That the 'NRA was discredited'? How could they possibly 'hold a bill hostage'?

The amendment passed 62-36 and the bill passed the Senate 61-37 w/ bi-partisan voting. Sure didn't seem to be 'held hostage' in the Senate.

Seems there's plenty of support. Just not for the Brady agenda.

God, that's gotta sting.

Punished For Telling the Truth

A Marine veteran is denied a handgun permit in Omaha, NE. Why? Because he sought counseling for PTSD.

"I was trusted by the {federal} government to carry a loaded weapon, but now I am not allowed to purchase one by my local government," he said.

Mechaley, 32, has received counseling for post-traumatic stress disorder related to his service in Iraq. While completing an application for a gun permit, he responded "yes" to a question that asked whether he was being treated for a mental disorder.

So what lesson does this teach soldiers et al? Either lie on government forms and/or don't get the help you need if you want to continue exercising your constitutional rights.

And people wonder why 'gun nuts' oppose arbitrary licensing/registration schemes.

BTW, IGOLD is next Wed. March 11th.

AHSA Distorts Again

Colin Rogero, political director of the AHSA stated on their Facebook page:

AHSA is not supportive of the ban on .50 caliber rifles.

Apparently he's never checked out the AHSA website:

AHSA supports legislative efforts to regulate .50 caliber BMG sniper rifles in the same manner as machine guns are regulated under the provisions of the National Firearms Act of 1934.

So no new civilian manufacture, licensing, etc.

That's a ban by any other name. It's also the exact same position held by the VPC. Good company Ray.

Mexican Civil War

Nothing else but.

This is a kleptocracy fighting to keep from being overthrown by another kleptocracy and trying to divert the blame away from their own outright incompetence by blaming the US.

A corrupt gov't that is "tainted up to the highest levels by corruption and direct links to the drug cartels", 17,000 desertions from the Mexican Military per year, four different drug cartels fighting for control, 10 murders a day in a small city.

According to the media, none of that matters though. It's all the fault of those damn US gun shows selling grenades, RPG's, and AK-47's to Mexicans. They must be selling out pretty quickly because none of the regular show attendees in Texas, AZ, or NM ever seem to be able to find them.

We're told over and over that a bunch of hicks w/ semi-auto rifles, handguns, and shotguns can't possibly challenge a modern military. Does that mean that the Mexican Army, armed w/ US weaponry and equipment, barely able to hold their own against a bunch of deserters and drug dealers, are useless?

Why is it that our 'betters', the 'authorized journalists' and even US military officials can't seem to put two and two together without getting Pi?

Are they ignorant or lying?

Firearm Factoid

The standard issue firearms of the Kenya Wildlife Service Security Department are the Kalishnikov Series AK-101 and AK-102 Assault Rifles.

These replaced the AK-47 and HK G3 rifles previously used.

"Unlikely Occurrences "

I asked a professor today that if there was an alert of a VT like situation, whether she would feel safer knowing I had a firearm or knowing I didn't. She replied she'ld have to think about that. An honest answer I can respect.

Just a half hour ago I received this E-mail:

Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff :

A student posted threats on his Facebook page against Eastern Illinois University. That student has returned to his hometown near Chicago. Threats made to students, faculty-staff members, or against the University as a whole will be treated seriously and resolved aggressively.

I hope everyone 'feels safe'.

We're All Potential Murderers

That's the way anti-gun advocates view firearm owners.

"We haven't seen mayhem in the street — that doesn't mean the potential isn't there."
-Tom Mannard, executive director of the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence

Actually Mr. Mannard, we are seeing "mayhem in the street", but it's not coming from legal firearm owners. It's occurring in Chicago and the areas surrounding it that are experiencing spillover from the gang wars and incompetent administration.

This is the fact that people like Mannard can't accept. They NEED to project their own fears onto those who, by Mannards own admission, aren't the ones causing the problems. they NEED to believe that firearm owners are psychotic killers just to maintain their flawed ideology. To them, any firearm owner is just a murderer waiting for the opportunity.

One shouldn't be surprised that the ICHV is another Joyce Foundation funded group.

H/T to SIH

O-Day +39: Politics as Usual

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama will break a campaign pledge against congressional earmarks and sign a budget bill laden with millions in lawmakers' pet projects, administration officials said.

I'm Shocked. Shocked I say.

Giving Hope to politicians by passing out the taxpayers Change.

Is anyone w/ a clue really surprised?

IGOLD 2009

I'm going to be there. I was unable to go last year since I had already been gone from work for military duty and family obligations. This year I'll be meeting w/ ArmedSchoolteacher and LonghornJeff as representatives of the gun blogging community.

This year we have a chance to get CCW moved forward in Illinois. The new .Gov says he's opposed but 3000+ people outside his office might change his mind. That's the whole point.

More at ISRA and IllinoisCarry, Armed and Safe, and even more ISRA.

Make Your Voice Heard in Springfield on March 11! Please join your fellow Illinois gun owners for the annual Illinois Gun Owners Lobby Day (IGOLD) on March 11, 2009, in Springfield! This is your opportunity to lobby your lawmakers directly and make a positive impact for all Illinois gun owners. Do not miss the largest gun rights rally and Second Amendment lobbying event in Illinois history! We need thousands of Illinois gun owners, hunters, sportsmen, and those who simply wish to defend their right to keep and bear arms to gather at the Prairie Capitol Convention Center. We will march down Capitol Avenue, rally on the Capitol steps, and then proceed inside to lobby legislators to make our presence known. There will be no mistaking that Illinois gun owners intend to stand up and speak out for our right to keep and bear arms in the state of Illinois! This will be one of the most important days of the year for Illinois gun owners! For more information on IGOLD 2009, to sign-up online, or for more information on scheduled bus routes, please visit http://igold.isra.org/, or call the Illinois State Rifle Association at (815) 635-3198.