Civil Rights Hypocrisy: The other day, the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of
Appeals in San Francisco ruled that because Washington State prisons
seem to have quite a few minorities as residents, they have been
discriminated against and should be allowed to vote. Meanwhile, a
Bremerton man who has worked as a federal firefighter and was allowed to
work with explosives is on his way to prison because he had a 1990
burglary conviction that prohibits him from owning firearms for life.
His problem is that his wife owned a couple of guns before they were
married, so when he called police to their home in November 2008 to
report a burglary, he advised them that there were guns in the home, so
rather than searching for a burglar, the cops cuffed him instead...
Let's face it, some people have this "thing" about guns, and they do not
judge civil rights equally. Ed Schultz, the bombastic MSNBC commentator
now being courted by Democrats in North Dakota to run for a U.S. Senate
seat that is up for grabs with the departure of Sen. Byron Dorgan at the
end of his current term. Schultz must have validated his Democrat
credentials earlier this week when - in reaction to the Gilbert Arenas
incident that I wrote about here - he argued that NBA Commissioner David
Stern ought to tell players that they are not allowed to own firearms,
period. My colleague, David Codrea, writes about Schultz here, and you
can watch the video below and judge or yourselves whether this guy has
enough understanding of constitutional rights that he is qualified to
serve in the Senate...
http://www.examiner.com/x-4525-Seattle-Gun-Rights-Examiner~y2010m1d8-When-it-comes-to-civil-rights-hypocrisy-abounds
After a recent morning duck hunting trip, a student from a rural
California school district parked his truck off campus and walked to
school to avoid running afoul of the school safety zone law that makes
it illegal to have guns on school property. For his trouble, he was
expelled. There are serious questions about the legality of the search
that turned up the guns, but what isn't in question is the school
administration's decision to expel him for having a gun in his
privately-owned truck parked off of school property. To justify the
expulsion, the principal claimed jurisdiction over students as they
travel to and from school. That fact, in principal's mind, was the key
factor that allowed the expulsion to take place... Still, the fact that
the school thought it had any jurisdiction over the pre-school
activities of a student should outrage all Americans. Instead, because
this is a gun-related issue, people are unlikely to see it as a serious
threat to our freedoms. If you change the issue, however, and the
student was expelled for having a Bible -or even marijuana - in his car
under the same circumstances, the populace would be up in arms. You can
also bet the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) would get involved.
But, since it was a hunter and his shotgun that caused an overzealous
school administration to react in an immoral manner, people will shrug
it off...
http://www.buckeyefirearms.org/node/7056
---
A Reply to the ADL: "ADL was organized in 1913 to advance good will and
mutual understanding among Americans of all creeds and races." So begins
the amicus curiae brief submitted by the Anti Defamation League in
support of Respondents, that is, for the City of Chicago and against
Otis McDonald et al. In a nutshell: "The extremist threat... counsels
that the Court should decide this case narrowly, so... experimentation
with effective gun control measures - can continue." ...We're not
supposed to have prior restraint on rights in this country, Mr. Foxman.
That's what makes us different from all those places refugees like you
have fled from. But Foxman has made a career out of playing the
anti-Semitism card. It's tough for someone not of his faith--assuming he
has any, because he certainly doesn't show it in his fellow man - to use
the needed arguments against him without subjecting themselves to
today's Scarlet Letter - the accusation of being a bigot. And there are
those who rely on that to chill public discourse. Fortunately, I have
some friends who are immune. From Jews for the Preservation of Firearms
Ownership: "We are asking Abraham Foxman to think very clearly about his
support of American 'gun control' laws, which are based on Nazi laws.
Having witnessed the horrors of the Holocaust personally, he should
condemn American 'gun control' laws in the memory of millions of
murdered defenseless victims. Does Abe Foxman have a moral compass? We
await his answer..."
http://www.examiner.com/x-1417-Gun-Rights-Examiner~y2010m1d8-ADL-engages-in-stereotyping-bigotry-against-gun-owners
---
Underwear Bombs and the RKBA: Jim Galloway, the Political Insider
columnist for the Atlanta Journal Constitution, wrote tonight that the
Nigerian underwear bomber incident may complicate the passage of gun
bills pending or being introduced in the Georgia General Assembly. Mr.
Galloway offers only the statement of Ben DeCosta, the airport's general
manager, as support and quotes from two legislators who say they have no
intention of harming airport security. Of course, 40 states have no ban
on carrying handguns inside airports, so it is difficult to discern how
Georgia firearms license holders could present any kind of a potential
terrorist threat to airliners while carrying a concealed pistol in the
baggage area or in the parking lot while picking up arriving family
members. No proposal in the General Assembly attempts to override
federal law at the passenger screening areas and beyond, and, contrary
to what is implied in Mr. Galloway's article, federal law does not
regulate the carry of weapons in the unsecured areas of the airport. Mr.
Galloway's article makes a weak attempt to link the muslim extremist
underwear bomber, pictured above, with Georgia firearms license holders
carrying concealed pistols in the baggage pickup area...
http://www.examiner.com/x-5619-Atlanta-Gun-Rights-Examiner~y2010m1d6-Underwear-bombs-have-nothing-to-do-with-firearms-licenses?cid=exrss-Atlanta-Gun-Rights-Examiner
---
Massachusetts "Gun Control" Extended to Police Departments: The state is
planning to restart a controversial federal program that supplied local
police departments with surplus military weapons, saying it is beefing
up restrictions to prevent law enforcement agencies from acquiring
caches of exotic arms. Governor Deval Patrick had suspended the program
in June after a Globe review found that police in some towns were
receiving large numbers of weapons without the knowledge of civilian
leaders and that, in some cases, they had purchased armaments such as
grenade launchers and fully automatic M-16 rifles. Under new rules
detailed by state officials this week, police departments will not be
allowed to acquire weapons not typically used in local law enforcement,
and they will be required to get permission from local civilian leaders
before receiving weapons under the program... (I have heard of exotic
dancers. I'm not sure of the implications of labeling an M16 [sic] an
"exotic arm.")
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2010/01/02/state_tightens_rules_on_weapons/
---
Kentucky Bill Would Mandate Confiscation: Kentucky sheriffs would have
to collect the guns of people with domestic violence orders against them
under a bill filed this week in the General Assembly. The measure, which
faces opposition from gun-ownership proponents, is another in a growing
number of proposals to strengthen Kentucky's domestic violence laws
after the shooting death of state worker Amanda Ross last year,
allegedly by former state Rep. Steve Nunn. House Bill 205 also creates a
state law that allows judges to prohibit possession of firearms by the
accused while a domestic violence order is in effect. There already is a
federal law that prohibits someone who has a protective order against
them from having a weapon, but that law doesn't require courts or law
enforcement to confiscate a gun or other weapon. The bill also allows
those under domestic violence orders to transfer firearms to another
person prior to the order being issued... (I have a friend who is
patiently awaiting the expiration of a restraining order obtained
against him by his ex-wife, when they got divorced. There was no history
of domestic violence nor of threats but such orders are issued routinely
during divorce proceedings.)
http://www.kentucky.com/latest_news/story/1088664.html
---
South Carolina School District Backs Down: Aside from law enforcement
officers, does anyone really have a valid reason to carry a gun onto a
school campus? Yes, the S.C. General Assembly has apparently decided,
based on a law enacted in June. People who have concealed weapons
permits - in other words, people older than 21 who pass a safety course
and a criminal background check - should not be penalized by having to
leave those guns at home. Permit holders are said to pose no threat to
students, so when they lock their guns in a car's glove compartment or
trunk, the new law says they can bring them onto school property without
fear of prosecution. School board members in Georgetown County, however,
saw the issue differently... That principle seemed sound, as a ban would
prevent a legally carried gun from tragically falling into the wrong
hands while on school property, and an inconvenience to the permit
holder seemed a small price to pay. In December, however, S.C. Attorney
General Henry McMaster issued an opinion (requested by state Rep. Thad
Viers of Myrtle Beach) that the ban contradicted the new state law,
which suggests it would not hold up in court. Accordingly,
Superintendent Randy Dozier has recommended the district revise the ban
in accordance with McMaster's opinion, rather than fighting it. Amid
million-dollar budget cuts from the state, the gun issue would be an
unneeded distraction...
http://www.thesunnews.com/opinion/story/1248278.html
---
Shall-Issue Bill to be Heard in California: Assembly Bill 357 is
scheduled to be heard by the Assembly Committee on Public Safety on
Tuesday, January 12. AB357, sponsored by Assembly Member Steve Knight
(R-36), would create a "shall issue" concealed handgun permit system in
California. Under current law, an applicant must show cause as to why
they should be issued a permit to carry a concealed handgun for
self-defense. AB357 would remove that stipulation and require sheriffs
to issue the license if all other mandated criteria are satisfied.
Please contact the members of the Assembly Committee on Public Safety
TODAY and respectfully urge them to support AB357. Contact information
can be found below...
http://www.nraila.org/Legislation/Read.aspx?id=5275
---
A California Open-Carry Vignette: Walter Stanley was in the middle of
telling an ABC7 News crew about his public effort to exercise his legal
right to openly carry an unloaded gun, when Livermore police came
calling. "Put your hands on your head for me please," Officer Fuller
shouted to Stanley. With that, Stanley raised his hands to his head and
faced a wall while Fuller and another officer examined the 9mm pistol he
had holstered at his side. Down the block, a third Livermore officer
with rifle drawn, served as backup while a fourth drove by in a cruiser.
"We had some citizens call in," one officer told Stanley before they
returned his gun and sent him on his way. "We don't know if you showed
up with a loaded gun or not a loaded gun, so we're going to come and
check that," said Officer Fuller... Tuesday's scene in downtown
Livermore was just the latest twist for Stanley and the group "Bay Area
Open Carry," a loosely-organized band of gun owners who staged a
demonstration Saturday at a local coffee shop to publicize the fact that
in most of California, it is legal to carry a weapon as long as it is
out in the open and unloaded. The gun carrier also has to be at least
1,000 feet from a school...
http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/local/east_bay&id=7202697
---
Novelist Bolsters 90% Lie: A best-selling novelist from San Diego County
is taking on the issue of guns traveling from the U.S. to Mexico where
they are used by drug cartels, 10News reported. T. Jefferson Parker's
new novel, out this week, is fiction but based on a grim reality. Parker
has written 17 novels, has won several awards and has been on
best-seller lists. He enjoys the Southern California lifestyle at his
Fallbrook home, but he became increasingly concerned hearing about the
drug violence in Mexico. "These are all murders by gun. Where are they
getting the guns? You can't buy them in Mexico. You can't go to a store
and buy a gun," said Parker. Parker said he found most of the guns used
by Mexican drug cartels - some say 90 percent - come from the U.S. along
what is called the Iron River, running from San Diego to Corpus Christi,
Texas. "Iron River" is the title of Parker's newest novel... (How did
Parker find this out? Most of the weaponry favored by the Mexican drug
cartels is not available in American gun stores and is either smuggled
into Mexico from other countries or is purloined from Mexican military
armories. In publicizing the already fictional 90% figure, Parker proves
the adage that one does not need female genitals to be a whore.)
http://www.10news.com/news/22178915/detail.html
---
Oops, Wrong Naval Base: Police said two Pennsylvania truckers are facing
charges they tried to bring concealed weapons into the Portsmouth Naval
Shipyard in Kittery. The Maine State Police said the handguns were
discovered during a routine inspection of the truck at about 6:30 a.m.
Thursday. The vehicle was carrying welding supplies into the Navy base.
Police identified the driver as 44-year-old Jesus Acosta-Pileta. The
other person in the truck was 44-year-old Juan Guevera-Pompa. Maine
State Police Lt. Thomas Kelly said the two had permits to carry
concealed weapons in Pennsylvania, but not Maine... (Truckers often find
themselves in a quandary. Even if they remain in states where they are
legal to carry, they may have to drive into venues where carry is
prohibited. In addition to military bases, these may include mines,
nuclear power plants, etc.)
http://www.wmtw.com/news/22185398/detail.html
---
Rule Five Reminder: An Eidson [TN] man was charged with aggravated
assault, reckless endangerment and weapons violations after an
apparently accidental shooting that wounded a Food City employee
Saturday afternoon. The unidentified employee was shot in the left hip
area and taken to Kingsport's Holston Valley Hospital by Hawkins County
Emergency Medical Service. Witnesses identified 66-year-old Rod Evans
Sizemore as the man responsible for the wounding, and he was transported
to the Rogersville Police Department for questioning. Sizemore did not
have a permit to carry a weapon that fell out of his coat pocket and
discharged while he was shopping, according to Detective Joey Maddox...
(Rule Five: Maintain control of your firearm. While this rule was
initially conceived to limit access by unauthorized users, this article
demonstrates that it has broader implications as well. Most modern
handguns will not discharge when dropped; I suspect a derringer or a
very inexpensive pistol. Sorry for using such an old report but it
seemed too valuable to ignore.)
http://www.timesnews.net/article.php?id=9019024
---
Vassar College Hires Deer Hunters: Vassar College has hired expert
marksmen to make a dent in the deer population near its Poughkeepsie
[NY] campus. Sharpshooters launched the hunt Thursday night and took out
44 deer in just a few hours, college spokesman Jeff Kosmacher said. The
Hudson Valley college received a green light from the state to kill up
to 50 of the estimated 100 deer in its 500-acre farm and ecological
preserve. But Bambi, beware: More deer are expected to be caught in the
gun sights. Vassar officials want to reduce the herd to about 10 by the
time students return from winter break on Jan. 20... Venison from the
cull will be donated to local food banks.
http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/pets/2010/01/08/2010-01-08_vassar_college_hires_hunters_to_kill_off_overpopulated_deer_worrying_local_resid.html
---
NRA-ILA Alerts: List members are encouraged to read the alerts for the
week, posted on the NRA-ILA website.
http://www.nraila.org/GrassrootsAlerts/read.aspx
---
On the Radio: This Sunday, 1 10 10, on America Armed & Free, Dr. E. John
Wipfler, MD., co-author with Dr. Tim Wheeler, of "Keeping your Family
Safe," with a lot of "family" gun advice from 2 pro-freedom docs. Dr.
Wipfler is interesting, in that he is both an ER Doc and a SWAT Cop. The
program starts at noon MST, and Dr. Wipfler's portion is from 1 - 2, on
AM 1030 KVOI Tucson, AM 1240 KJAA Globe, and AM 930 KAPR Douglas. It is
streamed live on the internet at
http://kvoi.com/listenlive.php , and
click "listen live." The archive of the program is located at
www.libertywatchradio.com/listen, if you miss it live or are outside the
3 broadcast areas.
---
Tangentially Related: There are not many people I will happily take my
hat off for in this world. But the Swiss people are among those few. In
a sea of despotism these people have maintained an island of liberty
even into the modern age of the all-intrusive State... Guns and the
military are yet another example. Guns are everywhere - and crime is
nowhere. In fact they have at least two of the most peaceful, crime-free
cities in the world - according to various online authorities. Zurich
even has a half-holiday in October for the "boy shooting" contest and
American-style fair where young boys - and girls too - compete with
assault rifles at targets. Their defensive militia was feared even by
Hitler and has stayed where it belongs - at home - without barging
around the world murdering innocent people who get in the way. Somehow
they have been protected without pre-emptive murder or decimating their
families around the world...
http://www.lewrockwell.com/orig9/green-p6.1.1.html
--
Stephen P. Wenger, KE7QBY
Firearm safety - It's a matter
for education, not legislation.
The tactics and skills to use a firearm
in self-defense don't come naturally
with the right to keep and bear arms.
http://www.spw-duf.info
