Weekend Wildlife and the Murse Patches

A healthy doe and one very startled rabbit.





And the Murse Patch Poll went very well. Thanks to the 70+ people who voted. The overwhelming victor was the Tan UMPC patch with the Times Up Patch coming in second. Using a little velcro adhesive, I was able to arrange both to fit.


Tomorrow IGOLD!!!!!

Ringing Hollow

Dennis Henigan, Brady Campaign head lawyer, on their pending loss via McDonald:

Supreme Court Argument Portends Hollow Victory for Gun Lobby

After Heller they lost federal gun bans and the 'Militia purpose' arguments, two things they defended to the end as 'reasonable' and 'common-sense'. Then they lost several Illinois city's gun bans knowing that they wouldn't stand up to scrutiny and couldn't afford the legal costs as well as the San Fran gun ban.

Now they're looking to lose any potential gun bans in the states (ie Chicago's handgun ban and possibly most 'assault weapon' bans) and I'm sure all those restrictions on firearms that are the wrong color or that don't incorporate technology that doesn't exist will be up next.

The only thing 'hollow' about all this is the Brady's running around claiming how they're 'winning' while they're relegated to fighting to keep guns out of individual stores instead of the nation.

Peep Show

Thanksgiving 2010.



Newly hatched Quail.

Ignorance is Bliss

Via War on Guns comes a story of an editorial proclaiming that the best way to keep kids safe is to encourage ignorance. Nevermind the fact that the header blatantly lies about the content.

PSH Header: PERSPECTIVE: No need to force a gun-safety class on elementary school children

note that. FORCE. Then, amdist all the usual wailing and gnashing of teeth over guns and the NRA comes this:

The bill, which passed the Senate Education and Health Committee Thursday, would make such a program optional in elementary schools.

Optional? Is that the same as 'forced'?

And they wonder why less people trust the media anymore.

IGOLD 2010

ISRA is proud to sponsor
Illinois Gun Owners Lobby Day for 2010

Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Starts at 11:45 AM

The link contains information on available buses, schedule for the day, volunteer information and more.

Photos from IGOLD 2009.

DOOT post from IGOLD 2009.

IllinoisCarry thread as well as handy hints

Be there. If you can't make sure to call your Senators and Representatives to let them know/remind them that you support the cause. Pass this information along to all your friends and family.

And by at least 2-1, the UMPC Tan patch is the one that will be going on the murse. Thanks to everyone that took the time to vote.

Gun Show weekend

Went to the Gun Show yesterday and am going again today. It was so crowded on Saturday with terrorists, KKK clan members and the obligatory Mexican Drug Cartel leaders that it was difficult to properly shop for all the RPG’s and claymores that I was after.

Showed up late and the parking lot was full, it was fairly obvious that everyone had shown up to mourn the collapse of the AR-15 market.

Since I had just purchased the Glock 19, I knew this was pretty much an accessory run but I wanted to compare prices on guns and ammo since the buying boom has mellowed a little. Some good news and some ridiculous news.

Ammo has fallen noticeably but is still above what it should be in IMO. I’m kinda tempted to get something in 5.45 since I could score that for $140 per 1000.

The metal drum mags were cheaper and the plastic drum mags were more expensive, go figure.

Depending on caliber and configuration, AR’s were going anywhere between $800-$3000. In general, I got the feeling like dealers are trying to milk the buying frenzy to the very end by keeping the prices inflated. AK’s and even SKS’s were above where they should be.

The one thing that really caught my eye was a custom made Krag. I really shouldn’t buy another firearm right now but I may fall victim to impulse on this one. It looks mint so I’ll check the bore on it today and see if I can get a deal.

Other noticeables were a Ma-deuce barrel for ONLY $3000, a Lee Enfield with the grenade launcher attachment and an extremely rare S & W going for 35,000.

I’ll update later after I see the second half of the show.

Daley Cries

Uncle pretty much sums up Daley's reaction to the most probable SCOTUS decision regarding McDonald.

Now here's the rub. Daley has spent millions of taxpayers dollars even knowing the ban was going down.

He'll spend even more after the city has to cover the legal costs of McDonald et al.

Then he'll spend millions more (just like DC) as he and the Alderthings pass a law allowing handguns along with a laundry list of ridiculous restrictions (like color), generating even more lawsuits.

All the while the city digs itself deeper into the financial hole.

He doesn't care about crime or schoolchildren or the city's finances. All he cares about is keeping his daddy's law intact.

This is the kind of hubris my dead grandma keeps voting for. No flowers for her next Spring.

Economics Fail

Josh Sugarmann declares the closing of one company unable to compete and who happens to produce an AR platform as the "Collapse of the AR-15 Assault Weapon Market".

Can we say 'wishful thinking' boys and girls?

Finally

Occasional blogger and regular commenter Longhorn Jeff, in his new position as disbursing officer for the gun lobby, has finally gotten me my wheelbarrow full of cash.

Paul Helmke: "We'll Win, Really We Will"

Because the didn't 'really' support Chicago's gun ban. Really they didn't.

Pathetic.

Classy

What do gun control advocates have besides debunked arguments like the one Chicago used yesterday at the Supreme Court?

Nothing besides bigoted stereotypes, hysteria and insults.

McDonald v Chicago Oral Arguments

Full transcript here.

Commentaries:

SCOTUS blog
Of Arms and the Law
War on Guns
NRA
Brady Campaign in denial

More as I find them.

Ugly Duckling

I buy at least 2 guns every year. I try for 3 but 2 is the minimum. It used to be one for my birthday and another on July 4th, the nation’s birthday. Immediately after the Heller ruling in 2008, I wanted to get something symbolic, so I bought the Taurus Judge 3” magnum for my July 4th gun.

This year I’m changing it up a bit and will buy my next gun tomorrow while oral arguments are being made in McDonald, rather than wait for the final decision. I think we’re in a pretty safe position with the outcome and so I’m celebrating a bit early.

Here’s the kicker. It’s a Glock.

I have to admit that I have succumbed to irrationality when it comes to Glock models. I value functionality over aesthetics, but I really want both. I really really want both.

I’m the first to admit that AK’s aren’t the prettiest girl at the dance but I don’t consider AK’s ugly guns.

I DO think Glocks are ugly, but I can’t deny their reputation for taking severe abuse and still going bang every single time. So I’m getting a Glock 19 while the Men in Black hear oral arguments 3000 miles away.

1. It’s symbolic.
2. A friend of mine needs the money to pay for child care since her soon to be ex-husband hasn’t paid a dime in support in over a year of divorce proceedings.
3. No paperwork.
4. The price is right.
5. I don’t have a Glock yet.

There’s a gun show next weekend which I plan on attending, but I just feel like the stars are aligning for me to get over my disdain for ugly pistols at the same time McDonald is being heard by the High Court about a ban on handguns.

I get an ugly duckling and the SCOTUS revisits an ugly time in our Nation’s history.

Sounds poetic to me.

In all honesty, the few Glocks I’ve hefted before never fit my hand quite right so I stopped hefting them. But this one actually feels natural.

I realize that much hilarity ensues every time someone throws up a post about Glocks vs. 1911’s and I’m not trying to start a debate. I already have a damn fine 1911 made by Kimber, but how can anyone have a serious collection without having a Glock?

Now I just need to decide what I’m going to buy AFTER the McDonald ruling.

Considering that the 14th Amendment was adopted on July 9th, 1868 I might be inclined to start shopping for a gun manufactured in that year.

Symbolism holds a very special place in my head and my heart.

I welcome any suggestions.

Sour Grapes

Josh Sugarmann, of the Joyce Foundation puppet VPC, is really upset at the looming loss he's facing w/ Mcdonald V Chicago tomorrow so he indulges in some good old-fashioned character assassination.

This is a textbook example of a failing cause grasping at any straw they can.

Update: Huffposter LeagleEagle45 noted that this is an almost exact rewrite of a post Josh did back in June of '08 right after Heller.

How sad in a pathetic sort of way.

How They Roll

What do legislators who support gun 'control' do when progressive bills keep getting passed with overwhelming support? Why create a 'sub-committee' loaded w/ other anti-gun activists to keep as many of them as they can from getting to the floor at all.

From VCDL:

Gun-hater Senator Marsh, who is the chairman of the Senate Courts of
Justice committee, has created a special subcommittee to "deal" with
gun bills.

Who is on this "death star" committee?

Senator Toddy Puller (Democrat) - anti-self-defense - chairperson

Senator Henry Marsh (Democrat) - anti-self-defense

Senator Janet Howell (Democrat) - anti-self-defense

Senator Louise Lucas (Democrat) - anti-self-defense

Senator Frederick Quayle (Republican) - pro-self-defense

This is what you do when you're losing.

McNuggets on the Hoof