QOTD

I regard the federal government of the United States of America as a severely degraded version of the Republican principles of the Constitution of the United States, particularly the Bill of Rights. But at least those documents give us a lofty standard by which to judge its lack of fidelity to its founding principles.

-J. Neil Schulman

Joyce Propaganda Continued

Continuing the series on anti-gun and associated messages being presented by the media comes an episode of "Criminal Minds" from 2006 called "The Tribe".

While it aired several years before the release of the numerous 'Right Wing Militia' reports , it refers to the Minuteman movement and a local (fictional) group called the "American Defense Unit". Quote: "They're kind of like the Minutemen on the boarder but instead of Mexicans, they hate Indians"

They pull the leader in as a suspect in the latest killings and laugh at him as he talks about his 'rights'. Quote: "You have 200 people in your group and over 450 guns. That's not self-defense, that's overkill. "

200 people and 450 guns is 'overkill'? That is less than a shotgun, rifle and handgun per person and they consider this a 'militant group'?

Nevermind the contradiction that one of the main characters was specifically mentioned as carrying two firearms.

Nevermind the fact that there's no way that they would know how many guns this group owned (unless it was advertised ) because NM doesn't have licensing or registration.

There was also a nice spiel about "21 Feet". Basically they said a gun is useless against anyone within 21 feet of you because they can get to you before you can react. Outside of 21 ft you have other options like running away.

The 'militia' turned out to have nothing to do w/ the crime of the week. It was just convenient to throw all that in.

Brady Bunch logic

This is a little nugget I found over at the Brady Center. I won't add to their google-fu by linking to them but I'm sure most readers can find their home page without too much trouble. NOTE: this is the "Brady Center" not the Brady Campaign page.

"The Legal Action Project, along with the Center for Constitutional Litigation, filed a petition for Writ of Certiorari to the United States Supreme Court on August 24, 2009, asking the Court to strike down a federal gun industry immunity law as unconstitutional.

The case, Adames v. Beretta, arises out of the accidental shooting death of 13 year old Josh Adames, who was killed by another boy as a result of a defective Beretta handgun.

On May 5, 2001, thirteen-year old Billy Swan found his father’s Beretta 92FS handgun and removed the magazine that contained its ammunition, believing that this action had unloaded the gun. But the gun did not contain one of several commonplace safety features that warned users when a round remained in the chamber or prevented the gun from firing when “unloaded” in this fashion. Believing the gun was unloaded, Billy pulled the trigger, and the bullet hidden in the chamber killed his friend Josh."

This truly shows their desparation and just how low they'll stoop.

1. The immunity law still allows lawsuits for defective firearms, as it should.
2. The Brady Center is now forced into taking the ridiculous position that a loaded gun that fires when the safety is off and the trigger is pulled is defective.
3. This implies that a loaded gun which does not fire with the safety off and the trigger pulled is functioning properly.

So much for common sense.

Building bridges

A repetitive theme on the various gun blogs has been to “come out of the closet” and let your friends, family and co-workers know that you are indeed a “gun nut.”

Having worked at the same company for the last 15 years, I have been there and done that. MY friends and family have been well informed for some time now. It truly is the work place where bridges can be built between those who are ignorant or openly hostile to the 2A. Access to a broad cross section of society I would not normally be exposed to, has allowed me….uh….well….access to them.

I certainly didn’t start out that way, 15 years ago. At that time, gun ownership was as uncontroversial to me as car ownership. I thought everyone was armed.

Spelled out in our “New Employee Orientation” notebook was the fact that carrying a knife at work was immediate grounds for termination. Knives were lumped in with guns and explosives as firing offenses.

Wow.

I have been carrying a knife every day since the age of 6, and I wasn’t prepared to stop now. I had a choice to make. At first, I switched to carrying a concealed knife, rather than the openly displayed pocket folder I was used to. It didn’t take to long after witnessing some of my peers openly carrying some serious Bowie blades on their hip for me to relax my standards a bit. While not exactly “Crocodile Dundee”, seeing those around me openly carrying bladed weapons and receiving ZERO attention, I decided to go back to openly carrying my trusty folder.

After 10+ years of openly carrying a tactical blade at work. I have never received a single comment about it other than a co-worker asking to borrow it for some required activity. More times than not, the request was made only because the knife they were carrying wasn’t sharp enough to get the job done. I also make it a point to “whip it out” every year at our annual Christmas party to open my White Elephant gift.

Management. Says. NOTHING.

Perhaps it’s because they already trust me handling Bunsen burners, liquid nitrogen and concentrated nitric acid.

Or maybe it has something to do with the fact that my manager also carries a knife at work.

Back to my point. Everyone in my immediate work group now knows that I am indeed a gun-nut. I’m the guy they ask when they…

1. Want to know a fair price for firearm “X”.
2. The best home defense weapon.
3. The best weapon for the wife who “has small hands.”
4. An appropriate weapon for a 13 year old daughter.
5. Good deals on bulk ammo.

And then there are the neutrals who ask me what types of guns I own and why. This is where the prize lies.

One of my neutral peers seems genuinely curious about my “hobby.” I call it that because that’s how he views it and I have not gone out of my way to alter that perception, mainly because it is accurate.

I have spent hours with him, at his request, explaining that regardless of ones personal views of gun ownership, firearms are a piece of history and their collection is no different than those who covet old stamps or coins. Noone can deny that firearms have played a pivotal role in human history and he does appreciate that. At first, his perception was that my collection was little more than “wall hangers.” Again, I did not immediately try to alter that perception. He seemed to like the idea that I deliberately stored/displayed my 98 Muaser next to the Garand, my AK-47(s) next to my AR-15(s) after I explained the relationship.


OK, I’ve rambled for a bit simply because I gave my word to Thirdpower that I would post something everyday in his absence and this is currently what’s spilling out of my head.

I guess the point I’m trying to make is that the neutrals in the 2A debate are comparable to “independents” in the political arena.

Engage them without scaring them. Yes, by all means “come out of the closet” as a gun nut.

I only ask that you consider the packaging you’re presenting on the store shelf. We’re never going to convert the true antis to a pro-2A position. That’s a lost cause. The true expansion of our freedoms lies in people who are neutral enough to listen to the arguments made and form a position based on what they know of you as an individual.

Come out of the closet, and continue working side by side with others as a human being.

Some will see contradiction of epic proportions, most will see you as no more dangerous than coin collectors.

This is how we will win.

Back door of trailer still open

I got to thinkin’.

Why does the Brady Bunch oppose CCW laws? This is a serious question. Our side has knee jerk reactions as well and I really want to dig deep into this query.

*disclaimer…When referring to the Brady Campaign specifically, I will use that title. “Brady Bunch” encompasses all anti 2A groups.

We’ve all seen the big push in light of Heller from the antis concerning CCW. They lost some major ground with the 2A being recognized as an individual Right, scrubbed their sites of all references to the collective rights nonsense, launched a new site titled “Concealed Carry Killers” and latched onto the one little butt nugget like a starving dog being tossed a piece of unseasoned tofu shaped like a meat bone.

Heller was about the Right to carry inside one’s home.

Working within that framework, CCW is a prime target, albeit a very challenging one since 48 states are either “shall issue,” or “may issue.” Yes, Vermont and Alaska are no issue carry states and Only 2 of the 50 states are “no issue.” Yeah yeah, some of the “may issue” states are in practice “no issue” by practice but my focus is on “shall issue.” The main point to take away is that the number of states which absolutely refuse to issue any type of carry permit is equal to the number of states which don’t require any sort of permit to carry a firearm concealed.

Back to the original question…Why does the Brady Bunch oppose CCW laws?

The ultimate goal of the antis is to have fewer and fewer people able to exercise their 2A Rights, period.

The fact that I carry a firearm(actually I carry two since Oregon is 1 of only 2 states which does not limit the number of guns carried) I am open to engaging in the very behavior the Brady Bunch assumes.

If I screw up and misuse my concealed carry, I lose my 2A Rights forever. Isn’t that what they assume I will do and ultimately want.

From a totally objective standpoint, the Brady Bunch should support CCW laws in the hopes that we will abuse the Right and therefore lose it forever.

The fact that CCW permit holders are more law-abiding then the LEO’s that issue the permits seems to be a bit of irony for me, and a major thorn in the side of the antis.

UPDATE: I just sent an email to Oregon Firearms Federation for some clarification on which states restrict CCW permit holders to carrying a single gun or have laws which could be intrepreted that way due to the wording. They're pretty quick about responding to emails and I'll update again when I hear back from them. Until then, I would suggest reading your own state laws through the eyes of a lawyer, like Dennis Henigan.

Closed for the Holidays

The Trailer is locked although Kaveman may still scribble something on the walls. Back in a few days.

Boo Hoo...

SAN ANTONIO, Texas – An attorney for the man charged in the deadly shootings at Fort Hood says the Army has prohibited his client from praying in Arabic with his family.

Attorney John P. Galligan said police stopped a phone conversation between Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan and his brother on Friday because it was not in English. Galligan told the San Antonio Express-News that police at Brooke Army Medical Center refused to let Hasan pray in Arabic.

Galligan says he thinks that's illegal and violation of Hasan's religious rights.

Think anyone has any sympathy for him?

New Shooters v. Anti-shooters

A while back I did a post on how gun owners, unlike gun banners, have a community of positive mutual interest and support, including clubs, businesses, and family/friends outings. Just like w/ other hobbies and enthusiasts, we enjoy teaching people about it and getting them to experience the same joys that we get.

Both Breda and Robb took people to the range over the weekend that had never shot before. Everyone had a good time.

An old High School friend of mine, after reading some of my posts, decided last weekend to start the process for him and his wife to get a firearm in Illinois. He is, in his own words, a 'total virgin', so I'm treating him gently and will respect him in the morning. We're currently discussing going about picking out the best firearm for them, training and safety issues.

How many gun control advocates do you think convinced firearm owners to sell their guns and never shoot again?

Ammo source

Was contacted by a rep of Alamo Ammo today asking if I would put up a link to them.

Sure. No problem.

They claim 98% in stock. Haven't done a price comparison but they seem reasonable.

50 Police

At $30K/year, that's how many more police officers NYC Mayor Bloomie could have hired instead of hiring PI's to blame other states for NY's crime.

Destroying History

The sign above the Auschwitz death camp, stolen a few days ago has been found.

Cut into three pieces. I hope the Polish authorities follow suit with the thieves.

I've made a donation to help w/ the restoration.

VCDL on the Times Square Shooting

Phillip Van Cleave of the VCDL and Dale of Dale's guns were interviewed regarding the POS gun that was used. Here's an excerpt of the e-mail:

Originally the media was saying that the gun the perp
 used was amachine gun, but, as usual when it comes
 to guns, the press got it wrong.  Dale set them
straight on that and reminded the reporter that
the gun was STOLEN and all gunlaws go out the window
when that happens.

This was Dale's first interview and Mary caught him
 off guard as he didn't know she was even coming down,
 but he did a great job.  I, at least, had a
day's warning.

Most of my interview was left on the cutting room
floor, like the part where I said that if Bloomberg
would keep his criminals and illegal drugs in New York,
then that gun wouldn't have made its way into Times
Square.  I said that Bloomberg's attack on Virginia
law over this theft is much to do about nothing,
as it is already illegal to steal a gun here.

Dale's interview.

Van Cleave's interview.

WW2 explained in under 10 minutes

For those not familiar with the stand-up comedian Eddie Izzard, you are truely missing a slice of life.

This guy explains history in such a way that puts most historians to shame.

Here is WW2...

The Only Purpose of Firearm Registration

Confiscation:

Westberry was surprised to see Eberhart and two special agents with the state Attorney General's Gun Violence Task Force at his front door. They asked to see his guns. An avid gun collector, Westberry had 40 guns, all legal, all registered and all locked up.
"I'm thinking they just want to verify the serial numbers, verify that everything I own is legit," Westberry said.

But they confiscated his guns and said that they had a warrant for his arrest.

Anyone who says differently is either ignorant or lying.

Book Review: OFF ROAD*

All the pro-gun authors are sending out their books for review. I received another today "Assault on Weapons" by Alan Gottleib of the SAF. This one is a fiction story written by blogger Steve Wright.Just finished it a little while ago. Honest review time.

Plus:
Overall well written. I liked the characters and the setting even though I'm not into off-roading but do love camping. I read a LOT so I was able to foreshadow most of the story fairly early but it still kept me involved. I'm man enough to admit I got a little blurry during some of the it.

Minus:
I'm not religious so it was a bit 'preachy' for me at times.
I like condensed chicken noodle soup in a can thank you. >:(

I enjoyed it. I've lent it to a friend of mine to read over the holidays. Looking forward to Part II.



*Disclaimer: I did receive the book for free for review. The author is a friend of mine.

Petey Hamm opposes the Brady Campaign?

Via Gunnuts.net comes this quote from Petey Hamm:

"If someone is not a convicted felon or hasn’t been found to be a danger to themselves due to mental illness and they believe they can handle a firearm, we support their right to purchase one.”

Well that sounds reasonable, right? To bad it contradicts the Brady Campaign's stated positions on their site and blogs:


POSITION: As a way to strengthen the Brady background check system, the Brady Campaign supports the Terror Gap bill.

PROBLEM: There is a gaping hole in our nation’s firearm laws that terrorists can exploit. Federal authorities can't stop sales of guns – including military-style assault weapons – by federally licensed gun dealers to known or suspected terrorists because of gaps in current law. Our definitions of those prohibited from purchasing guns from federally licensed dealers do no include those known as suspected terrorists.

THREAT: There is government-documented evidence that terrorists have armed themselves with guns purchased in the U.S.

URGENCY: This Terror Gap threatens our safety. We don’t want to wait until after a tragedy occurs. We can do something about it now.

SOLUTION: Congress must pass the bill to close the Terror Gap to stop known or suspected terrorists from buying guns.

So they want restrictions on people who have NOT been convicted of felonies or violent misdemeanors based off a list that has an over 30% error rate .

The Brady Campaign has also publicly opposed a bill allowing those who have been adjudicated by the courts and doctors as no longer mentally deficient to be allowed to possess firearms.

In light of what happened yesterday -- a violent attack by an emotionally unstable soldier -- it is even clearer that the proposal being pushed by Senator Richard Burr of North Carolina should be rejected. --Paul Helmke

So which is it Brady Campaign?

QOTD: LOL Edition

We're all aware of the classic claim by Hoplophobes that the Second Amendment is obsolete because the Founding Fathers only knew about muskets and could in no way imagine any improvements in technology. Here's one PSH'ers explanation why they couldn't:

Considering that would require the imagination granted by the rise of science fiction compliments of the Industrial Revolution, which would happen roughly half a century after their deaths? What's next: demanding to know why Alexander Graham Bell didn't invent video teleconferencing?

Yep. Nobody could imagine what the world might be like in the future until SciFi became a popular genre.

This is the kind of intellect we're facing. No wonder we're winning.

Invading your Privacy is a Public Service

That is the argument used by Dennis Henigan as he debated Caleb Giddings of GunNuts.net this morning on Fox.



So not only do the Brady's support the elimination of due process, they oppose privacy rights as well.

They should rename themselves the ACLU. The Anti-Civil Liberties Union.

Great Job Caleb.

More from SailorCurt, SIH

Vote for Me: I'm not as bad as they are

Big JIM little ryan decided that he didn't like the Illinois State Rifle Association calling him on his alleged support of the Second Amendment. He responds:

There have been several well-meaning and respectful people here who have expressed concern about my position on the 2nd Amendment. Please allow me to clarify. Unlike the Democrats, I will not be an activist who works to take away the 2nd Amendment rights of law-abiding Illinois citizens. My priorities are improving ...Illinois' business and jobs climate -- and providing ethical, authentic leadership to Springfield. My approach on 2nd Amendment related issues has always been to enforce existing laws rather than creating new ones. My years in law enforcement have influenced me to take a position shared by many law enforcement officials — in opposition to concealed carry and in favor of a narrowly drawn assault weapon ban. While I have a respectful disagreement on this issue with many in Illinois, I think we can all agree this is a big difference from those on the left with an activist agenda of infringing upon your 2nd Amendment rights.

Never mind the fact that as AG he attempted to entrap firearm owners into breaking the law. He completely ignores the fact that the Illinois Sherriff's Assoc. unanimously supports CCW.

Now he just supports an "Assault Weapon Ban" and will never sign a Concealed Carry bill because 'Law Enforcement Officials' (read: members of the Joyce Funded IACP) oppose it.

I'm certainly impressed.

Release Criminals Early to Save Money?

Just a little over a week after Illinois Gov. Quinn signed a law increasing penalties for gang members who carry guns, he lets a bunch of convicted felons and other violent criminals caught w/ guns back out on the streets after only a few weeks.

James Walker-Bey, sentenced to a year for violating probation for carrying a .25 caliber pistol in Alsip, was confined for just over two weeks -- three days in Cook County and 14 at Stateville prison.

And Antoine Garrett, previously convicted of armed robbery and illegal firearms possession by a felon, got a one-year sentence after Chicago police saw him drop a bag of cocaine on the street as they approached, but spent just 21 days locked up...

Nine people were released Dec. 3, the same day that Quinn signed a law requiring prison time for gang members caught with guns.

The day before, Corrections sent home 20 others, including a man convicted of domestic battery who was confined for 19 days and a man who had spent a total of 20 days locked up for carrying a concealed weapon, records show.

That's how politicians get 'tough on crime'. By signing laws they know won't be enforced.