Thursday, February 28, 2013

Nothin' much today.

Been busy with doing some paperwork and such.

But haven't been too busy to give my Senators a call.

Especially we we've got more time to mobilize.

And remember, we're in it for the long haul.  The antis are going to ride as hard as they can for as long as they can.

Monday, February 25, 2013

Keep an eye open.

I'll let Tam start this off.

 While an Assault Weapons Ban pounds loudly on the front door, keep an eye out for de facto Registration trying to jimmy the lock out back.
The antis would love an AWB, and thus it makes a great stalking horse.  But keep in mind, the Antis (Bloomberg, Obama, ect) really, really want Private Sale Bans too.

Tam continues:

 Without some form of registration, a requirement for background checks on private transfers turns into a capriciously and randomly-enforced farce. Indiana apparently had a requirement that all handgun transfers had to go through an FFL from the mid-'80s through the mid-'90s and by all accounts the law was flouted left and right by good guys and bad guys alike; not so when a registration requirement ups the ante of good guys getting caught.

It doesn't take a genius to figure out  the "solution" to a capricious private sale ban.

Second Amendment Foundation has started a new project:  Casting Gun Rights as a Civil Rights issue.

They're focusing on the racist history of Gun Control and making it a question of Equality.  Good idea.

Via JayG.   Who noticed something when he was at the Gun Shop, in Massachusetts.  And he finds huge lines, low stock, and high prices:


This is in Massachusetts, folks. Not Texas or Florida. Massachusetts. Standing room only and an hour plus long wait to buy whatever it was they had on the shelves. A S&W ORC M&P15 was on the shelf for $1,500. WASR-10s were selling for $1,000. Glocks - which already command a premium in MA and sell used for more than new in Free America - were selling for $700. For a used G22.

I forget who made the comment - Tam, perhaps? - that people aren't buying these guns to turn them in. At the prices being asked - and I can only assume that these prices are being met, as inventory seems to be moving pretty briskly - folks aren't looking at this as an investment. Here in MA, even, we're facing a ban very similar to that in place in NY - where those $50 "pre-ban" magazines will instantly because forbidden - and yet weapons with capacities in excess of 10 rounds (7 rounds) are still flying off the shelves.
Either there's misplaced confidence that our representatives will grow some semblance of sanity, or there's massive civil disobedience on the horizon.


And as a reminder.  You have contacted your Senators and Congressional Rep this week?   Right?

Saturday, February 23, 2013

OFA's ramping up.

The President's campaign arm is morphing into a special unacocutnable lobbying group.


 But the rebooted campaign, known as Organizing for Action, has plunged the president and his aides into a campaign finance limbo with few clear rules, ample potential for influence-peddling, and no real precedent in national politics.

In private meetings and phone calls, Mr. Obama’s aides have made clear that the new organization will rely heavily on a small number of deep-pocketed donors, not unlike the “super PACs” whose influence on political campaigns Mr. Obama once deplored.

At least half of the group’s budget will come from a select group of donors who will each contribute or raise $500,000 or more, according to donors and strategists involved in the effort.         
Unlike a presidential campaign, Organizing for Action has been set up as a tax-exempt “social welfare group.” That means it is not bound by federal contribution limits, laws that bar White House officials from soliciting contributions, or the stringent reporting requirements for campaigns. In their place, the new group will self-regulate.        

Funny how such methods are okay for the Left to do.

Keep the above in mind when you get to the end of Sebastian's Weekend News dump.

OFA is getting behind gun control in a big way. I think OFA is a huge threat and needs to be countered with our own grassroots action. OFA is also busy tugging at heartstrings, knowing quite well gun control won’t win on the pure logic of it.

This is why we gun owners, all of us, need to be involved and in contact with our reps and submitting our own stories.

ATTN Colorado Gunnies.

The magazine ban (and other bans) passed the State House.

It still has to go through the Senate, and the Governor still has to sign it.

And the Governor is waffling.

Losing companies that pay taxes and employ voters will do that.   As is having angry voters calling you up and visiting.

He's not waffeling out of the goodness of his heart,  he's doing it out of fear of his phony baloney jobs

If you live in Colorado, drop him a line.

And get in contact with your state senator too.   And remember who voted against your rights when 2014 comes up. There has to be consequences to these actions.

Gun Control was a toxic issue not because the Dems (or the Republicans for that matter.  Read this article for example.) liked armed citizens.  It was toxic because those that voted for it lost in all but the Bluest of enclaves.

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Some News.


Some good gun laws being proposed.  Check to see if your state is on the list.

Counter Protesting Gun Control, even in New Jersey.    We may be tiring, but so are they.  And there's more of us than them.

A victory in Massachusetts


Gun Control's Futility.
The genie is out of the bottle as far as gun control, folks. We've had well over 100 years of pretty much the same designs - while the materials used to make the firearms have changed and improved, the overall design hasn't changed much since the days of the 1911 and the Thompson submachine gun. We've had semi- and fully- automatic, removable box-fed weapons for well over 100 years (94 in the case of the Thompson). "High capacity" magazines for the same amount of time. These are not difficult items to manufacture. Pretending we can legislate crimes away is not going to work.
Just because it's futile doesn't mean they won't keep trying.


And some motions in the Senate.  Plus  a list of phone numbers to call.


Meanwhile Chicago thinks they can ignore Federal Court.  

Chicago is arguing that they can essentially ignore the federal courts, and keep arresting people for carrying unlawfully, even after the expiration of the 180 day deadline.
...
These people are living in an alternate reality where not only does the Second Amendment not exist, but where federal courts have no power to declare state laws unconstitutional. 

And I'll end with some advice from Weer'd


The battlefield for gun rights will not be on forums, or blogs, but at the water cooler, in the locker room, or around the dinner table.
We need to be out there! We’re pro-freedom, and we’re not ashamed of it. Also we need to understand that just because somebody may speak favorably for gun control does NOT mean they’re a cultist, and instead need to be given respect and patience…even when they won’t reciprocate the same to you.
Don’t get frustrated, if we were losing we’d be able to buy ammo, magazines, and guns right now!

 It's going to be tough, but we've gotta do what we gotta do.

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Boycott Armalite

If you somehow manage to find a new AR and it's an Armalite give it a pass.

It seems they'd rather serve the police over the public:
 Armalite seems to believe that police officers either are, or should be, a higher class of citizen, and they are rather rude in the expression of that belief. 
Go to the second link to read the amazingly tone-deaf and insulting letter.

There are plenty of other companies that can do better with your business.

Thanks to Sean for keeping the list.

And if you want to contact a mess of gun companies you can use this link.

Civil Disobedience and 3D Printing

Let's combine two concepts.

First:  The idea of widespread Civil Disobedience in the face of massive gun control.

Second:  At Home 3D printing of Magazines and Firearms parts.

Well.  

Via Sebastian.

And as a reminder.  Contact your rep and Senators both fed and state.  It's easy and it cannot hurt.

Monday, February 18, 2013

ATTN: Colorado Gunnies.

Welp,  the magazine ban passed the house 34-31

Every Republican and three Democrats voted against it.

If you live in Colorado it's well past time to be on the sidelines.  It's up for a vote in the Senate now.

Here's some contact information.

And here's Sebastian talking about why its' so important to get involved and bring the electoral pain to the politicians that vote for this stuff.   In short:  if they think voting for gun control has no consequences they will vote for more gun control, and they will keep voting for more gun control.

See California and New Jersey.

And don't think you're "safe" because you're in a good state.  Politicians like power, and they'll do what they can get away with.   Get involved.

Saturday, February 16, 2013

Colorado's gotten very serious.

Biden himself is lobbying to push the Colorado House forward to vote on their mag bans and other gun control.

This shows the danger of having both legislative houses and the governor in Democratic hands. When the national party comes in (in the person of the Vice president) and puts on the pressure they'll ride that gun control pony.

Sebastian has advice:

 We are in real trouble in Colorado, and Coloradans all have to stand up and be heard from. More importantly, because the Democrats have screwed you, volunteer for pro-gun candidates in 2014 and teach these folks a lesson.
...
I think it’s incumbent among gun owners everywhere to remember a simple saying, “Don’t get mad, get even.” The 2014 elections will be coming up, and no matter what our legislators do to us, let’s agree to get even.
 Positive and negative reinforcement are needed.  And that means involvement.

This isn't a partisan issue,  it's a civil rights issue.

The shame is that one party is ruled at the top by people who are actively hostile to rights.

Hostile to the point where they'll spend millions against a former Democratic Representative because she's pro-gun. So if you're in Illinois there's work there too.

Do what you can.

Linoge is doing a fundraiser for Honored American Veterans Afield

Information and some great prizes can be found here.

Thursday, February 14, 2013

ATTN.... Gunnies in a mess of states.

Sebastian has a news dump of a bunch of stuff that's going on.

Action in New York, Colorado, California, and Washington, and more.

Such as Illinois where apparently pro-gun Democrat Debbie Halvorson has a shot at a Congressional Seat.
Telling is how Bloomberg is sinking over a million to try and stop her.

Or New Jersey where the antis have passed a raft of laws out of committee.   Most of which are naked harassment to gun owners.

And speaking of New York here's a fascinating boycott idea that hopefully we can spread.

In short: If it's not legal for the general public to own, we won't sell it to police.

Meaning if a state bans all magazines over seven rounds for the proles, well than that's what will be sold to the cops too.

Kinda puts those Peelian Principles back into play, eh?


And remember, don't get complacent.

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

ATTN Colorado gunnies.


A magazine ban and a bunch of other nasty gun control bills have gotten out of committee.

And they're blathering about how they "compressed" to make it just a 15 round ban.

It'll be going up for a vote in the House You'll definitely need to contact your state reps and show up in the capital if you can.

And Magpul has said they will leave if this ban passes.

"State Rep. Daniel Kagan, D-Cherry Hills Village, who chairs the committee, said he did not want Magpul to leave the state. 
"I want to protect manufacturing in Colorado," Kagan said. 
But that didn't sit well with Lee Reedy, who traveled from Brighton with his wife to testify.
"It's hypocritical," Reedy said in an interview. "On one end they're saying we want the jobs and revenue from producing these magazines, but on the other end, they're saying if you live in Colorado, then you can't possess one."  "

If you can make it to the state capital do it.  Otherwise call and call again.

And it's not just this. There's more bad bills too.

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

They want you isolated, they want you to feel alone.

They want you to feel bad and most of all they want you to just go away.

Erin Palette  deals with the limitations imposed on the law-abiding gun owner in: The Closet of Self-Censorship
How would you like it if every time you tried to express your feelings, your past failures were thrown in your face as a reason why you shouldn't be allowed to be yourself? Gun owners aren't allowed to have bad days, or dark feelings, or admit to failure, because the moment we do, those are used against us -- or worse, the police are called. 

And for some, this is intentional.  It's public shaming for those they view as socially deviant. And worse it's done by people who will pat themselves on the back about how tolerant and caring they are.
It's not the guns they fear and hate, it's the people dare to have them.
Hatred is a delightful feeling for some, especially if they can do it with the blessings of the "socially enlightened".
Not all are motivated by hate.  Some simply by fear. I'm reminded of this quote:  
I want to carry a gun to protect myself from criminals, they want to ban guns to protect themselves from friends and neighbors. But I'm the one that's paranoid. -- Larry Arnold

A'yup.  

Stay strong, there will be bad days ahead, there may even be good days, and remember that you are not alone.


So Sen Manchin is now against an Assault Weapons ban.

What's that?  For the third time? Sebastian wonders what that would gain him since now the progressive left and gun owners are pissed at him and don't trust him.

And I just got a letter from Donnelly saying he doesn't support an Assault Weapon ban either.

Which still leaves room for other bans, of course,  but it does show the side the wedge is falling on here.

And yes Manchin is one of the "expanding background checks" guys.

And more skepticism on Assault Weapons Bans:
On Sunday Sen. Angus King (I-Maine) said he was “skeptical” of a new assault weapons ban.
“You can take exactly the same mechanics of a gun and change the stock from a wooden stock to a folding stock and put something on the barrel, and suddenly it meets the definition of an assault weapon,” King said. “It doesn’t shoot faster, further, anything else.”
Camel's nose.  If you can ban the scary-looking guns that do X, then banning the non-scary ones is just "common sense."

Here's something that's at least an upside: "GALLUP: Majority of Americans Disapprove of Obama Gun Policies. 54-42"

After just about two months of Gun Control the Next Generation he's still underwater by double digits.

On a related note:

A majority of voters believe President Obama has been no better than his immediate predecessor, President George W. Bush, when it comes to balancing national security with the protection of civil liberties, according to a new poll for The Hill. 
Thirty-seven percent of voters argue that Obama has been worse than Bush while 15 percent say he has been “about the same.” 
The results cannot be fully explained as party line responses. More than one in five self-identified Democrats, 21 percent, assert that the Obama administration has not improved upon Bush’s record. So do 23 percent of liberals. 
The results are especially striking given the liberal hopes that attended Obama’s election, the opprobrium he heaped upon Bush’s national security policies during the 2008 campaign and his early promise to close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay."

And yet there's more underwater notes:

"On the issues, though, Obama finds himself mostly in the doghouse.  In a poll of general-population adults by Gallup, Obama only gets above 50% in one area — national defense — and is underwater on every other issue." 
"Weasel Zippers focuses on Obama’s ratings on gun issues, which are upside-down by double digits, 42/54.  That should be a significant warning signal to other Democrats who won’t benefit from Obama’s personal likability.  If Obama loses a majority of gen-pop adults after having the media participate in the national hysteria over so-called “assault weapons” for nearly two months, there won’t be much hope for red-state Democrats like Mark Pryor, or perhaps even purple-state Democrats like Al Franken, who won’t be garnering much nice-guy cred. 
But that’s hardly the only problem area for Obama.  After having won a battle with Republicans over hiking taxes on the wealthy, one might expect that he’d get a boost on that issue.  Instead, he’s in even worse shape on taxes than on guns, 41/57, sixteen points under water.  As Gallup reports in its analysis, it gets even worse on the economy (39/60) and the budget deficit (31/65), two issues that Obama will have to discuss in at least some detail in tonight’s State of the Union speech."

Yeeesh.

Look at the breakdown by party ID.  The only issue Obama gets above 50% among independents is National Defense.  He only gets 37% approval on Gun policy.  And this makes sense really, since Obama's plan is like the one he had for the reelection:  play the base and alienate the middle.


No wonder they're putting so much hope in the "legitimate" media helping them.  They've always been helping.

And more polls:

"PEW: A January 2013 survey finds only about a quarter (26%) saying they can trust the government always or most of the time, while nearly three-quarters (73%) say that they can trust government only some of the time, or volunteer that they can never trust the government. “Majorities across all partisan and demographic groups express little or no trust in government.”

Well, that’s the subject of my USA Today column today"

There's some real distrust in governance going on.   And if anything it's far too high and far too trusting.

And oh look another "jobs pivot"  and some grim theories from Hotair
Background checks will move forward regardless of what Obama says in tonight’s SOTU speech; there is too much of a political consensus for tightening the requirements on sales. Obama can only damage that consensus tonight by taking ownership of it during the speech. Otherwise, this will be yet another forgettable laundry list, in a script that one can write from memory regarding applause lines, special guests, and the momentarily overwhelming attention to a speech that will almost immediately become nothing more than a reference material for noting unfulfilled promises — especially on the economy, as has been the case now for four years.

Yeah, I see a ban like that having the most legs.   It's something that doesn't "directly" keep people from getting their guns.  Well, until the system goes down.   And it's not directly registration either.

And we've gotta "do something".

Real special how Private Sales weren't even a factor in the massacres that provided the blood for these ghouls to dance in.

Keep contacting your reps and sens.  Both Fed and State.    The Gun Grabbers still have a hump to work over nation-wide and we might as well make 'em choke.

ATTN Washington Gunnies.

There's a Private Sale Ban in the works.  And the Republicans are looking to help push it along.

Barron Barnett has more.  Including times and contact information.  If you haven't already, get involved.

Monday, February 11, 2013

Wedge?

That said,  Gun Control isn't all roses and cream for the Democrats.  There are still many in the "Red States" that have to deal with the disconnect between their constituency and their Party.

Normally such wedge issues, at least among the Left, are downplayed.  But that's hard to do with gun control.

"A SELF-INFLICTED WEDGE ISSUE? WaPo: Gun debate divides Democrats and tests Obama’s second-term strategy.
With Dems bringing shooting victims to the State Of The Union, I hope that Republicans will be smart enough to bring some people whose lives were saved by having a gun. It’s not like such people are in short supply."

Sebastian notes the National Democrats saw the same thing in 94.  When there were fewer gun owners and far fewer gun owners that carried pistols and/or had EBRs.

Though the Republican party may be stupider now.  So there's that.

And there's also that while guns, especially for self defense, are more accepted than they were in 94... well

"I’m a suburban white guy, and have been since the early 90's. I don’t know what the end result will be, but guns are MUCH more acceptable by white/liberal suburban people than in ’95. Here in Colorado I know several faithful Democrat voters who also have a CCW and enjoy owning guns. I think guns have penetrated into liberal suburbia a whole lot compared to 1996 when the concept of legal and widespread CCW didn’t even exist in Colorado.
The question is … and I can’t answer this … with all the memes about class warfare and evil Republicans that these same CCWing and “large capacity” “assault clip” owning Democrats have bought in to — will they vote for a Republican to protect the rights they have taken advantage of? Do they even pay enough attention to know what is happening?"

This shows why the gun grabbers are so hot to punish gun owners and pass laws while the iron is hot, and the dangers of complacency.

And it's really hard to get people to go "Maybe you shouldn't vote for the Gun Grabber" when Republicans pull shit like this.  That's a New Mexico state rep trying to make it illegal to have an abortion if you were raped as it would be "evidence tampering".  Insane grandstanding. Especially since New Mexico has Dem control of both houses (which they are using to try to get a private sale ban.) And worse that her own State Party officials told her to knock this off.

Meanwhile the Democrats can go with whatever gun ban bills they want and it's all "Safety" and "Common Sense."

I guess the thing to do is to localize an election and go "Yes both parties are fucked up.  Now let's see which one will be worse for your rights."

From the same guy from Colorado
BTW — if I had to guess — the problem is that if I made these self-righteous liberal white suburbanites choose between supporting their gun rights (which they do believe in) or supporting early term abortion rights, gay marriage, health care (insurance) for poor people, etc … I’m afraid they’d go with the latter. But that said, at least one friend who voted pretty much all (D) last election is pissed off enough he joined the NRA (one of the 400k or so newbies) and has sworn to vote against the Democrats next time. We’ll see...

Aye.  It's still better to have more people owning guns and supporting gun rights, though it'd be really nice if they bothered to vote for those rights.

Still, it's a step up from them being hostile to gun rights (though if they vote that way...)

And in more good news there are more and more female gun owners.

Note the source.  That's New York Times saying "The Rising Voice of Gun Owners is Female."

The more people that own guns, the bigger the pool of people who will lobby, write, and vote for 2nd amendment rights gets.

The question is how many of them would only get involved when their guns get threatened?
(Though given the double stack handguns, the EBR, and the sheer scope of the gun grabbers that's already here.)

And related  is this bit from Reason.

I should have known that the gun show would be packed when my wife, out of the blue, suggested that we attend as a family. Since we met, she's transitioned from a woman with a gun control poster on her wall to a fair shot with a .38 revolver who has proclaimed rifles "boring" because it's too easy to hit the target. Still, the words "let's all go to the gun show" have never before passed her lips. Clearly, she's in tune with a cultural moment, because much of Arizona's Verde Valley had the same idea. And, by all reports, ammunition and reloading supplies were the hot items at the event.
 There's a reason the antis  are so big on stigmatizing gun owners and putting up barriers that weigh the heaviest on casual gun owners and especially those looking to buy their first gun.

They want those hurdles as high as possible to keep people from realizing what guns are really like,  from having more people walking around out there showing their friends what gun owners are really like.

It's easy to demonize a group of people that you've never met (And yes, that counts for Gay rights too. Though I'll note that the Gun Grabbers want to disarm gay people too.  Ponder that if you will.)

Hate is much harder when one of your friends is part of the group you're raging against.

It's not Completely a Republican versus Democrat issue.

Yes the Democrats are being the big motivators on the gun control push,  but some Republicans are going soft too.

This is why ht's a good idea to write to your reps.  Especially on Private Sale Bans and Universal Background Checks, which some House Repubs are thinking may be a fine compromise..

Don't think Republican = Safe.  As there's a gaggle of them that are looking to vote on a Private Sale ban,

That said there are some Democrats that you may want to help.

Such as Debbie Halvorson who wants the House Seat that  used to be Jesse Jackson Jr's

Yeah Bloomberg and the Chicago machine are gonna try to stop her.  And this is early because it's Chicago so the primary is what counts.


Illinois gunnies should look into her.   This is part machine politics and part trying to remove dissenting Democrats.

As Sebastian is wont to say,  we gunnies need positive reinforcement too.

Such as PA where there's an incumbent governor versus a likely challenge who is very anti gun.

Speaking of that Sebastian looks into the Dem's shift to thinking Gun Control is a winner for them.

And the scary bit of looking to 2014. Where the fate of those that voted for gun control (and those that voted against it)  will be a measure of how much enthusiasm there will be for the next push.

As Sebastian notes, that requires both the carrot and the stick.


Saturday, February 9, 2013

ATTN New Mexico Gunnies and hell the rest of us.


Private Sale Ban moving out of  Committee 

Looks like people are buying into the "Gun Show Loophole"  lies.

Even Republicans in the Federal level like Cantor and Paul Ryan.
There's the sound of the Republicans running to grease the skids to Registration.

Maybe not now, but eventually.  Because what's the use of a private sale ban if you don't have a registry to check it against (Like the defacto one we already have).

And don't forget.  Private Sales weren't a factor at all in SandyHook.   Funny how that doesn't matter anymore.

Via Sebastian.   Who also shows where Registration will lead.

Once again call and contact your representative. Federal and State.  Tell them no to any gun control.



Friday, February 8, 2013

Common Sense Pool Control.


Nobody "needs" a pool or spa. They are wasteful status symbols or the elite.

And worse they're responsible for the deaths of nearly four hundred children a year.

What kind of so-called law-abiding pool owner can live with that much blood on their hands?

All pools in private hands should be filled in, and swimming limited to bodies of water with professional life guards on staff.  If you want to swim you can go to the YMCA or an approved beach.

Spas should also be restricted to licensed and government inspected facilities   That's too much hot water to trust in private, unregulated hands.

Some may say that this unfairly punishes those who are responsible with their pools, and that this is a gross manipulation of the death of children for an overt agenda.

Some may also say that given the vast number of creeks, ponds, lakes and streams, that sensible pool control is a folly since people will still go swimming regardless.

Or that the wealthy will still be able to keep their pools as the police look the other way.

To them I say, why do you hate children? If it saves one life it's worth it.

How about a compromise?   Maybe we'll just  have a registry of pools to keep track of responsible owners, or we could grandfather in existing pools, and simply ban new pools.

Or how about a ban of high capacity pools and assault spas?   Nobody needs more than 10 thousand gallons of water.

No don't look at my above statement that pools need a total ban.

You can trust my stance now that I'm just for a sensible conversation on pool safety.

How many children need to die before these people get over their water fetish?

Registration Leads to?

Well lookie here.   The politicians in California are floating this among their gun control madness:


The 10-bill package constitutes the single largest gun control push in decades in the Golden State, which already boasts some of the nation’s strictest gun laws. It joins equally controversial proposals from Assembly Democrats that would regulate and tax ammunition sales and consider taking the state’s 166,000 registered assault weapons from their owners.
Gee. It's almost like registration is a scam to make it easier to confiscate guns.


And note that this is the same state that has a backlog of over 40,000 guns that they have yet to confiscate from convicted felons and the mentally ill.

Funny how using the registry to get guns out of the hands of those people isn't a priority eh?

Also note the glee with which the Cali Gun Grabbers are in trying to "beat" New York.  Yes, they really do think they're in a contest on who can be the most infringing.

Oh, and they want to ban all semi-auto rifles.

Among the measures is one that would outlaw the future sale of semi-automatic rifles with detachable magazines. The restriction would prevent quick reloading by requiring bullets to be loaded one at a time.
See, totally not after your guns!

And naturally they're pushing for full bore registration too.   But I'm sure they won't try to confiscate guns...  again.


California Killer Cop A Staunch Democrat!

Taking an idea from RobertaX.

It's true.  The former police officer who is still at large made his politics very clear when he released his manifesto.

Strangely enough  you don't see this from the media:

California Killer Cop A Staunch Democrat!

Or

California Killer Cop Demands Gun Control!

Because the political motivations of  some killers aren't important.Of course, that doesn't mean the Democrats are to blame for his actions.

But that the media won't even report his politics, and will actively redact them.

And as for collective blame,  recall that the media will tout even the most tenous connections if they think a killer is a republican or a dreaded Tea Partier.

Hell, the whole gun control push is a form of collective punishment.

Look at the mounting pressure for a ban on Private Sales of guns.
These mass killers didn't get their guns via private sales.
And that doesn't matter, these laws are about punishment and revenge.


Thursday, February 7, 2013

Quote of the day RobertaX: " Want to keep your guns? Share your ammo. Be a friend. "


It's one thing to buy a gun, but if you don't have any ammo for it you can't practice with it.  You won't be as skilled and you won't be as engaged.

     Do what you can.  If you've got plenty saved back, spare a box for new shooters.  If you can find the time, help new shooters at the range.  Teach good gun-handling -- and where to look up the name of Congresscritters.

      We're getting an influx of new shooters.  Let's make sure they stay.  We need their voices and their votes.  I believe it's better to have plenty of allies than more ammo stockpiled than I can shoot in a year. You can only shoot each round once, but people vote year after year.

Right on.

About that Ex LAPD cop killing other cops: Yeah he's for gun control

In short,  this guy decided to go on a revenge kick because he was fired from being a cop.  Went after a couple policemen,  injuring two killing one.  And may have killed someone in the DA's office with a past history in the firing.

Here's some quotes from his "manefesto" showing his anti-gun chops


Who in there right mind needs a fucking silencer!!! who needs a freaking SBR AR15? No one. No more Virginia Tech, Columbine HS, Wisconsin temple, Aurora theatre, Portland malls, Tucson rally, Newtown Sandy Hook. Whether by executive order or thru a bi-partisan congress an assault weapons ban needs to be re-instituted. Period!!!
Mia Farrow said it best. “Gun control is no longer debatable, it’s not a conversation, its a moral mandate.”
Sen. Feinstein, you are doing the right thing in leading the re-institution of a national AWB. Never again should any public official state that their prayers and thoughts are with the family. 
Wayne LaPierre, President of the NRA, you’re a vile and inhumane piece of shit. You never even showed 30 seconds of empathy for the children, teachers, and families of Sandy Hook. 

There's more.   Remember, this is someone currently at large and pursued by a manhunt for multiple homicides.

And here's the whole thing.  Part of me does worries about the manifesto being a hoax. As it seems "too good".  Then again, that seems to be what the media did too.  Heavily redacting anything "politically inconvenient" from the rant.

I'll be clear. I don't think the Gun Control movement is to blame.  Nor the media outlets and politicians he apparently idolizes.   They are not responsible for the actions of one man.

Just like how I, as a gun owner, am not responsible for his actions.  But consider who'll get the collective blame.

But if his views were not pro-gun control and pro-Obama, you can bet the media would be shouting his views from the rooftops.

That said, I'll put good odds on them using his actions to push for gun control.


Ponder that.  This man is strongly anti-gun.  He's also a suspected murderer, who used a gun.

And there's a strong chance the media and the California politicians will use these violent acts to promote the very gun control he wants.

That's like a conservative politician using the deaths of several minorities at the hands of a raging homophobe to push for a gay marriage ban.

Update:  Two innocent women shot by police in massive manhunt for rogue cop...
Wait what?  LAPD's getting damn punchy.

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Here's something a bit brighter.

Read this story on how showing up can make anti-gun politicians back down.


It’s been three weeks since an Oak Harbor city councilmember started a national controversy by trying to kick-out a wounded Army veteran who was legally carrying a weapon during a council meeting.
Councilmember Rick Almberg then walked out.
The council was met by 160 people Tuesday night, many who were packing heat.
There were handguns in holsters and rifles slung over shoulders and an unknown number of people concealing their weapons as the Oak Harbor City Council met. Many attended the meeting to show support for veteran Lucas Yonkman who councilmember Almberg tried to have kicked-out of City Hall last month, including Joe Hawkins who openly mocked him. “Mr. Almberg I just want you to know that I have a concealed ham sandwich right here I don’t want you to get up and walk away,” he chuckled.

Via Glenn Reynolds. 

Update: Here's it with video.

If you can get to your statehouse (any state in the US) there will be a protest from 10 to 12.  More info here.

And if you can't make that (even if you can) you should contact your Senators.  The sausage is moving in the Senate.  I called today, and they are definitely seeing which parts gun owners will "accept".

Some thoughts on what that means.  Hell,  just go look at all the posts today by Sebastian and Bitter.

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Funny who gets excluded from this "National Conversation"



Via   who also has a transcription.

Powerful stuff.  And the kind of stuff the Media will embargo.

Something to keep in mind.   And something you should share.

Hate? Possible.


So we have two strories in New York.  One of a man caught for having a bunch of magazines.  And is looking at up to 35 years.

And another is a 18 year old with two stolen handguns, one with a removed serial number who was flashing one on a New York City bus.

Wanna guess who'll get more prison time?

Wanna guess who the media and the Gun Control movement think is a bigger threat?

As Sebastian says:

Chris in Alaska has a look at Nathan Haddad. He’s looking at a seven year prison sentence for each magazine, and he had five of them. I anxiously await someone from the gun control movement to explain to me how locking this man away for 35 years is going to benefit public safety. Fines are enough to deter honest people, so why throw the book at people like this? I’ll tell you why. Because they hate you. They hate guys like Mr. Haddad. He’s a gun owner. He going to get what’s coming to him.

This fits in with Robb Allen's thoughts on why the media keeps pressing to publish the addresses of gun owners.  (Another bonus of registration!)

The mistake these people make Is that they honestly believe gun owners are ashamed at being gun owners. 
Publishing the list of gun owners is a danger as it gives out a clear map to criminals where guns are (and on the flipside, where they aren’t). These magazines don’t care about that, what they care about is their belief that nobody wants people to know they’re a gun owner as if being one were some sort of scarlet letter.
...

They hate us, and even worse, they hate their version of us which is generally a strawman of epic proportions. The problem is they cannot face reality where gun owners are women, minorities, or anything other than old, fat, white guys. They cling to that stereotype with a faith so pure and strong that it makes Billy Graham’s views look like atheism.
This is true for the people with the real passion for gun control. The ones who are amped up and dedicate themselves towards infringing on a civil right.

It's not the guns.  Otherwise they'd be worried about why the police have machine guns by the bushel.
Instead of being gleeful about it.

I'll put in a quibble.   Not everyone for gun control is doing it out of hate.  Some sincerely think that it could help.  And they see the infringement on legal gun owners to be a sad side effect.

Those are the folks who honestly ask: "Why don't you make your gun less scary looking?  It can't hurt?"

It's the soft good intentions of "What could it hurt to try."   That's why the President and the other gun banners love the "If it saves one life." Trope.

Know what else would save a lot of lives?  Banning booze and tobacco.  Or how about all private swimming pools?  No one needs a pool in their house. And if they really want to swim

That said, there's no passion among those folks.   Most have never used a gun, and the few that have have used them in a hunting or other situation.   It takes very strong emotions to be a high level gun grabber.  

Consider what it takes for someone to go "Why do those folks need a magazine like that?" to "How DARE those people think they can have those murder magazines!  We need to put them in prison!"

It'd be like someone saying "Well why not ban all cars with cup-holders,  spoilers or red paint?  It can't hurt."

Some would say that because they don't own cars and don't see the trouble.  Others would say it because they hate car owners.

The hardcore antis we can't really convince.

Those that don't know guns and don't really think about it.   We can.

Speaking of that,  contact your congress critters if you haven't this month.

Don't be complacent.

Monday, February 4, 2013

ATTN: Maryland Gunnies

If you can make it to Annapolis on Wednesday you should.

That's when the first round of hearings on a hideously draconian gun control bill is happening.

And Maryland Shall Issue wants to flood the room with the testimony of pro-gun citizens.

Details here.

If you can't make it you can still contact the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee.  Info at the link.

The gun grabbers are having a contest to see who can pass the most onerous law.   If you live in Maryland the time is now.

Via Sebastian.






The Senate's on the move.



Wall Street Journal has the article.  (Which may be behind a paywall).

Basically they'll go for Magazine Bans and Private Sale Bans.

Weerd comments on the same article
Magazine restrictions are just foolishness. It restricts the lawful home owner, who might be defending the home (and not wearing a gun belt with several magazines), or carrying concealed on the streets and not wanting to carry multiple magazines. Meanwhile we have the Virginia Tech Massacre, which is the most deadly school shooting, and all but two of the dozens of magazines used held only 10 rounds. Also I must note that the most deadly attack was in 1927 and used explosives.

You can get info on Senators here 

For Indiana. Here's Coats and here's Donnelly.


And at Hot Air some more thoughts on the "modular" plan Reid is going for.  Basically get whatever'll stick.

Why does this matter?  Basically, it gives Democrats in the Senate — especially red-state Democrats like Mark Pryor, Kay Hagan, and others facing voters in 2014 — the opportunity to cast a high-profile vote against the ban without damaging the core bill.  In fact, it wouldn’t surprise me at this point if the magazine capacity issue got broken out into a separate amendment, if that loses steam in the Senate, so that they can do the same with that issue.  The assault-weapons ban probably won’t get 40 votes in a separate floor vote.
This is quite a clever move by Reid.  Public polling shows that voters aren’t keen on the assault-weapons ban but want background checks expanded and intensified.  Reid is protecting the most vulnerable Democrats by letting them split their vote so that the red-state Democrats can claim that they blocked the gun banners in Washington, perhaps diluting a GOP attack line next year.


And here's his Monday News Dump

A few bits that struck out at me:

“Guarded optimism,” is the watchword for the suit by NYSRPA/SAF against New York City over excessive gun license fees after oral arguments seemingly went well. I think our victories in Court are partly responsible for the current backlash. We have the wild animal backed into a corner.
And a warning:

Don’t get complacent. If they win on any issue, it’s going to make a follow up victory much more likely. Don’t forget after Brady passed, they finally got their “assault weapons” ban. Next time that bridge too far won’t have a self-destruct mechanism built into it. They won’t fall for that again.
And more on why the AR's hated:

The AR is just damned comfortable to shoot, which is why it’s popular. Because it’s popular is, of course, the reason they want it banned. It’s like if the obesity advocates decided to help people exercise more by mandating that comfortable chairs and sofas be outlawed.

It's popularity is what the Antis hate.   Even this NBC/NYT article groks that.

“The AR-15, it’s kind of fashionable,” says Frank Loane Sr., the proprietor. His shop has a revolving waiting list for the rifles, and a handful of people are now on it. “The young generation likes them, the assault-looking guns.” 

Via Glenn Reynolds who notes: Gun Control is  a Movement of Old, White People.

The article is interesting as it notes that these guns aren't machine guns and can't do full auto fire.

And this bit if history:

The AR-15 isn’t the first military-style weapon to gain a consumer following. After World War II, some people bought surplus German service rifles made by Mauser and repurposed them for hunting and competitive shooting. But the selling of the AR-15 represents the first mass marketing of a military-style semiautomatic rifle made by a number of different gun makers. Its success has led to an increasing militarization of the entire consumer firearms market, says Tom Diaz, a gun industry researcher and gun control advocate. 

Or


"Despite such reservations, the AR-15-style rifle — which is fast, modern, ergonomically designed, relatively easy to handle and produces little recoil — soon found a wide audience, be it Vietnam War veterans who had used the military version or first-time gun buyers. 
“End users with minimal firearms exposure can learn to quickly become safe and proficient with the platform regardless of prior firearms experience,” Mr. James, the editor at Guns & Ammo, wrote in an e-mail. 
Another feature of the AR-15 is that it can be easily personalized and accessorized.
“You can take the whole gun apart and replace any part you want to without special tools, without knowing a whole lot,” says Tim McDermott, a range officer at the Personal Defense and Handgun Safety Center in Raleigh, N.C. “They are Legos for guys.”  "

You mean a comfortable, easy to customize gun with low recoil that's easy to use and has a mass amount of aftermarket parts and supplies?  Yeah, why would people want a gun like that?


And of course the article has Sugarman's complaining:

The ban made the rifles only more desirable for some consumers. To meet the demand, gun makers removed prohibited features, like bayonet lugs, and marketed them as legal alternatives.

“It was unfortunately an industrywide event where companies were openly bragging about their ability to sell guns in circumvention of the law,” says Josh Sugarmann, executive director of the Violence Policy Center, a research and gun-control advocacy group in Washington. 
The industry produced an estimated one million modified AR-15-style rifles during the ban — more than it had produced of the original version in the previous decade — says Gary G.
Mehalik, a former marketing executive at the National Shooting Sports Foundation and at Taurus USA, a handgun maker in Miami. He denied that gun makers circumvented the law.
“If you drive 40 miles an hour in a 40-mile-an-hour zone, are you exploiting a loophole or following the law?” Mr. Mehalik asked. "

Yup for the antis compliance with the law is circumvention.

This ties back into something that Sebastian notes today.  It's not the guns they hate.  It's the gun owners.  Specifically the wrong sorts are getting into guns:

I think this is absolutely correct, and everything we’ve been seeing in the media and from the gun control organizations seems to back that up. It fits with the article I did earlier on the cultural changes the coastal elites are seeing being the root cause of this latest backlash. We’ve been too successful for our own good. As long as gun ownership were confined to old, fat white guys (OFWGs), they were content to tolerate it. The changing face of gun ownership worries them, not because of a fear of guns, but for fear and loathing of the people who enjoy them, who increasingly are looking like them. If something isn’t done soon, they may have to take the opinions of gun owners seriously. Gun control is a movement of old white people, but they aren’t going to go down without a fight.

And that's why you've gotta contact your reps and Senators, and keep an ear to the ground.   The Gun Grabbers will use every trick and emotional grab they have to get their power.

Getting rid of guns is the gravy, the real meat and potatoes is marginalizing of the gun owners.







Friday, February 1, 2013

ATTN: Minnesota Gunnies: 7 Round magazine Ban coming your way

Not just that but an Assault Weapons Ban and a host of other gun control legislation.

No grandfathering either.   If it passes your choices are sell out of state, turn in to the police, or defy the law.
And yes, that would obliviate most every pistol in the state.   That's the point.

And Minnesota has dem majorities in both legislative chambers.  At the link is contact information.  You're gonna want to use it if you live in that State.  This is a serious infringement that can pass if the Dems hold together.   Be best to show them the mistake of that view.

By pure coincidence the President will be visiting Minnesota next week.  At the link is information on where that's going. Show up for the counter protest if you can.

They'll keep trying where ever and however they can.

And funny how Seven rounds is the new Ten, eh?