Second Amendment Carnival V

Free Constitution links us to "the best 2nd Amendment coverage the blogosphere has to offer."

U of Florida: Because Passive Resistance Worked So Well at Columbine and Dachau

The goal of passive resistance is to think and talk your way out of the situation. With passive resistance you can:

Try to calm the attacker. Try to persuade him not to carry out the attack.

Try to discourage the attacker. Pretend to faint, cry hysterically, and act mentally incapacitated or insane.

If you are at your residence, tell the attacker a friend is coming over or that your spouse or roommate will be back soon.

Not to be contrary, but they forgot to tell you to vomit.

Some people carry weapons to ward off attackers. Unless you are trained and not afraid to use these weapons, they can be very dangerous. The attacker might be able to turn them against you. Also weapons are prohibited on the University of Florida campus.

And the campus police are here to make sure you obey the law. Besides, you don't want to end up like Josephine.

Oh, wait...

Josephine Confounds the "Experts"

Eighty-two-year-old Josephine Slater never even flinched when she was confronted by a masked bandit with a sawed-off shotgun inside her Midland bar and restaurant.

The owner of Josephine's Bar and Restaurant calmly threw $1 bills at the man and then pulled out a loaded handgun that she keeps under the counter.

"If you don't get out of here, I'll shoot you right now," the octogenarian told the would-be robber. "I'm not about to put up with any crap right off the street."

Josephine, Josephine...

Don't you know you should have just given him what he wanted?

After all, "We don't encourage people to take that kind of risk. [You] could have been hurt."

What if he'd taken your gun away from you?

Remember, "Use of a firearm to protect yourself or property is not recommended."

A. Spineless Maroon

This comment entry is too good not to highlight.

Mad Hatter Seeking Madder Mortarboarders

[A]fter reading a couple of campus Op-Ed articles relating to gun rights issues, I thought I'd take some time this weekend to hunt several of them up and tell everyone what sort of opinions are being generated in higher academia.

If anyone is interested in pointing me to some articles they've found (via email or posting replies to my blog), I'll be happy to include them in this little project.

Here's the post I have on my blog announcing the project.

If you could get word around, I'd appreciate it.

The Mad Hatter is looking for some people in need of schooling on RKBA!

Here's my contribution. If you can help him out with more articles, please do.

This Day in History: September 30

In a letter to his nephew, Lund Washington, plantation manager of Mount Vernon, General George Washington writes on this day in 1776 of his displeasure with the undisciplined conduct and poor battlefield performance of the American militia. Washington blamed the Patriot reliance on the militia as the chief root of his problems in the devastating loss of Long Island and Manhattan to the British.

He ought to see the sorry state of the militia, Long Island and Manhattan today.

REMINDER: 2A CARNIVAL TOMORROW

Just in case you didn't act on my first announcement. Go over to Free Constitution and get your submission in tonight.

Remembering the Colonel

Guns and Ammo looks back on the life of Jeff Cooper.

They also compiled a wonderful collection of memorable Cooperisms (I'm being redundant here) in "Quotations from Chariman Jeff," and present an archive for the "Gunner's Guru" series.

Good stuff. I'm saving these links because I'm sure I'll want to consult and enjoy them again and again.

Related: "Jeff Cooper, Rest in Peace"

Bradys Choose Moonbeams Over Substance

Democratic nominee Jerry Brown today received the endorsement of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, the nation's leading gun violence prevention organization.

Yeah, he'll do for the state what he's done for Oakland:

The city has now had 106 homicides in 2006 and is on pace to almost double last year's toll of 94.

"Gun violence assurance" is more like it.

This proves beyond doubt the Bradys and their supporters are irrational and primitive fanatics, focused on removing symbols and totems instead of addressing causes and effects. This type of quasi-religious superstition has no place in public policy debate, and certainly should have no bearing on the rights of free and rational sovereign individuals.

Special contempt goes to "Republican" Paul Helmke. If it notices you at all, history will record you as a base subversive, you worm.

We're the Only Ones Vandalic Enough

The Torrance City Attorney's Office on Wednesday filed one charge of misdemeanor vandalism against a Hermosa Beach police sergeant accused of defacing a car while off duty.

And they can't tell us if he's still on duty. Only "The Only Ones" have a need to know.

We're the Only Ones Who Should Get a Break Enough

Raymond Gregson Jr., a retired IRS agent who helped coordinate the highly publicized 2004 raid on the home of Jacques Morial, was indicted Thursday in federal court on four counts of carrying a concealed handgun at Louis Armstrong International Airport and trying to board a plane with it...

"If anybody should get a break, I would think it would be somebody who's had an outstanding career with the government for so many years," Ellis said. "I was just a little bit surprised to see that they wanted to throw the book at him. . . . I think it's a tragic mistake."

Give me a break!

Oh, I forgot, I don't qualify.

I'm not an "Only One."

Dear Darias

I usually ignore the vast amounts of stupid you find on the net, but occassionally something comes along that is so special, it just demands special treatment.

Gun Law News finds someone as thick-headed as Morton Marcus. The antis seem to be throwing every idiot they have at us these days.

Muscling in on the Second Amendment

Rep. Howard Coble, R-N.C., who sponsored the House bill, said it would give the ATF greater flexibility to deal appropriately with minor violations while going after gun dealers who are breaking the law. "Despite what the critics said," Coble said in a statement, "our bill puts additional muscle in the arm of the ATF."

And we would want to do that why...?

Moron Marcus

To reduce gun-related murders, get the guns out of the hands of private citizens...

Indiana economist Morton Marcus has studied and written about the Indiana economy for more than 30 years...

You'd think in that time the fool would have learned something. This is the most addlepated hit piece I've yet read, and I've been reading them for decades.

[Thanks to Jason M]

This Day in History: September 29

British spy John André is court-martialed, found guilty and sentenced to death by hanging on this day in 1780. André, an accomplice of Benedict Arnold, had been captured by Patriots John Paulding, David Williams and Isaac Van Wart six days earlier on September 23, after they found incriminating papers stashed in his boot.

Schwarzenegger Signs Another Gun Confiscation Bill

Governor Schwarzenegger yesterday signed legislation by Senator Christine Kehoe (D-San Diego) that will provide additional protection for people seeking court protective orders under the Family Code...

Specifically, Senate Bill 585:

1. Adds additional provisions to the Family Code to allow law enforcement to consider seeking the immediate surrender of a firearm from a person served with a protective order.

2. Reduces from 72 hours to 48 hours the time frame by which a person served with a protective order must show proof to a court that they either sold or surrendered their firearms.

3. Requires that application forms for protective orders ask what types of firearms are in the possession of the respondent.

All without being convicted of a thing. And we all know vengeful "partners" would never make anything up. Besides, "presumption of innocence" is a quaint concept, but, like the Second Amendment, was obviously written for a different time.

Thanks, Arnold!

First the .50's and now this. I knew we could count on you!

And thanks again, major gun groups! How big were those "good size chunks" of money again?

The Silver Lining

The state House, dominated by members from rural areas where hunting is a way of life and the Second Amendment is sacrosanct, resoundingly rejected a series of gun-control measures yesterday, including one that would have allowed Philadelphia to enact its own firearms laws...

Rep. Dwight Evans (D., Phila.) said that despite the defeats of several controversial proposals - and the expected failure of one-handgun-a-month - he was pleased that so many anticrime measures were at long last debated on the House floor.

Yeah, it was kinda like holding a "gun buyback"--it didn't really do anything, but it made you feel good and got you some ink in the local press. And, of course, helped solidify your hold over sheep ignorant enough to give an opportunistic thug like you political power over them.

"It's Time for a Revolution"

The Constitution of the United States and the State of Illinois both guarantees our citizens the right to keep and BEAR arms. The ability to “bear” arms has nothing to do with hunting, but has everything to do with the protection of our freedoms “also” guaranteed in the Bill of Rights.

Randy Stufflebeam appears to get it. I don't know what his plans are "for making sure the criminal element does not have easy access to arms," short of incarceration, though...

[Thanks to HZ]

A Green Supports the Right to Bear Arms...?

"I don't think the government should have a monopoly on weapons," Whitney said. "And if you meet certain objective criteria--completing a gun-training safety class, if you're a law-abiding citizen, if you haven't committed a felony--you should have the right to carry a firearm.

"Of course, we'll have to carefully draw the law so that no one can carry a gun to church or to school or to a bar.

Not really. But he had us going there for a second.

[Thanks to HZ]

Y'See, There's US and Then There's YOU...

Ordinary citizens will have to check their guns at the Statehouse's entrances when metal detectors are installed in the building next year.

Lawmakers, however, will be allowed to take their guns with them inside.

Yeah, Sen. Tom Wyss, R-Fort Wayne, I really believe you wanted to do it to everybody but settled for "half a loaf."

Otherwise, I might come to an unkind judgment about you.


[Thanks to Eric]

This Day in History: September 28

On this day in 1781, General George Washington, commanding a force of 17,000 French and Continental troops, begins the siege known as the Battle of Yorktown against British General Lord Charles Cornwallis and a contingent of 9,000 British troops at Yorktown, Virginia, in the most important battle of the Revolutionary War.

Shameless Plug: Guns in Schools

Ultimately, “a school is no place for a gun,” he concluded.

The author was Columbine killer Eric Harris, who chose “Guns in Schools” for his report topic. It’s not hard to see why he would favor “gun free school zones.”

"Guns in Schools" is my Rights Watch column for the November 2006 issue of GUNS Magazine, available now at scholarly newsstands throughout the Republic.

BONUS: See page 98 to find out how you can win a Custom North American Arms Mini Revolver, Katz Bowie and "Riverboat Gambler Snake Eyes" poker set.

Are You With Us? An Open Letter to Chuck Poochigian

Dear Mr. Poochigian,

As a candidate for California Attorney General, I note you have received fairly good grades from both Gun Owners of California and the National Rifle Association over the course of your political career.

You are no doubt aware that the current AG, Bill Lockyer's official position on the Second Amendment is that:

"[It] limits only the powers of the federal government, not those of the states; and the 'right to keep and bear arms' under the Second Amendment is not an individual right to possess firearms, but a collective right of the States to keep and maintain a 'well-regulated militia.'"

You also no doubt are aware that this is in direct contradiction to the position taken by former US Attorney General John Ashcroft, who wrote:

"The text and the original intent of the Second Amendment clearly protect the right of individuals to keep and bear firearms."

Following Mr. Ashcroft's pronouncement, then Alabama AG Bill Pryor wrote a letter agreeing with the individual rights position, and received signatures of support from 18 other state attorneys general. Furthermore, Dick Ackerman, the candidate for California AG at the time, agreed to also sign the Pryor letter if elected.

If you are elected, per the CALIFORNIA CONSTITUTION ARTICLE 20, you will take the following oath (or affirmation) of office, which says in part:

I, ______, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of California against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of California; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties upon which I am about to enter.

You are also aware that the Constitution of the United States, Article VI, states:

This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.

So my questions for you, Mr. Poochigian:

If gun owners support your candidacy and you are elected California Attorney General, will you issue an official declaration of position that the Second Amendment recognizes an individual right to keep and bear arms?

And if so, what will you do as the chief law officer in the state to ensure that "the supreme Law of the Land," which you will have taken an oath to support and defend, is enforced, and that the rights of California gun owners are legally protected from infringement?

Mr. Poochigian, California gun owners are having essential freedoms abridged and live in danger of having their lives destroyed by edicts that we believe violate the clear proscription articulated in the Second Amendment. Attempts at obtaining peaceful redress through court actions and petitioning have been in vain. We are watching the upcoming election with desperate interest, as so much is at stake for us. I am therefore making this letter public, and am requesting an answer for public disclosure.

Sincerely,
David Codrea
California gun owner
---------------------

Special note to WarOnGuns visitors: I'm sending Mr. Poochigian a link to this post, and will report his reply or lack of one. The success of getting an answer is really out of my hands, though. If California gun owners don't take the under-1-minute needed to express their expectation that he answer these questions, he'll really have no reason to pay any attention to this. If you don't live in California, please direct your friends who do to this post. If you do live in California, please contact the Poochigian campaign. Here's a link to his contact form.

Comrade Tom: Let's Bring Chicom Gun Control to Philly!

I ran into Jin Huo Chen on the steps of the state Capitol yesterday, holding up a sign that said... well, I can't tell you what it said because it was written in Chinese.

He was one of the 2,000-plus folks who came from Philadelphia to lobby the legislature to pass gun-control laws.

I pointed to the sign and asked him: What does that say in English?

Chen stared at me.

I tried again: Can you tell me what the sign says in English?

Chen shook his head and said, in so many words: I speak no English.

And we all know what a bastion of freedom China has proven to be, right Comrade Tom Ferrick, Jr.?

It amazes me how refugees from tyranny come to this country--wholly ignorant of what it is that made our nation a refuge in the first place--and do their best to install the familiar here, including the familiar restraints on freedom. And we're expected to assimilate to them.

I've got a sign for you, Mr. Chen:


And for you, Comrade Tom, I have a few words in Mandarin (link not work-safe):

Ni shi bai chi. Qin wode pigu, gan ni niang.

This Day in History: September 27

On this day in 1779, the former president of the Continental Congress, John Jay, is appointed minister to Spain and tasked with winning Spanish support for the American Revolution and Spain’s recognition of America’s independence.

Disarm Us! Disarm Us!

Mayor John Street announced Friday he would lead thousands of Philadelphians to Harrisburg tomorrow to rally for gun control in Harrisburg tomorrow.

Shameless manipulation and exploitation of the stupid, the dependent, the ignorant.

A man would be ashamed of himself.

Never mind the facts.

Democracy in action.

New Yorkers Rally for 'Illegal' Guns

Protesters carried giant-size cutouts of guns as they rallied yesterday in New York City in support of the constitutional right to bear arms, which, they say, Mayor Michael Bloomberg is trying to destroy.

Good for them. I wonder how many people showed up.

We need more gun owners willing to organize and attend demonstrations.

And an "authorized journalist" or two outside of WorldNetDaily and the blogosphere to give them coverage.

We're the Only Ones Falsely Accused Enough

After gun kills child, cop charged

I mean, it says it right there in the Detroit Free Press headline. The gun killed the child, not The Only One...

Jeff Cooper, Rest in Peace

World-renowned firearms expert Jeff Cooper, founder of the Gunsite firearms training center in Paulden, died Monday afternoon at his home near the training center.

We have lost a gallant champion and patriot.

I will always be humbly grateful for this:

We are endorsing an effort to circulate petitions addressed to Attorney General John Ashcroft, asking him to enforce the Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. While the petition document specifically lists the grievances noted by the citizens of California, all Americans are encouraged to sign the petitions to take action against all infringements of Second Amendment rights. California gun owners have been increasingly oppressed by the executive and judicial authorities in their state, and the situation seems unsolvable by the usual procedures. Therefore a group of peaceable Californians has turned to the federal government - and Attorney General John Ashcroft in particular - for help. Contact David Codrea, PO Box 4152, Redondo Beach, CA 90277...for more information.

More: "Gunner's Guru" Supports "Ashcroft Petition"

[Thanks to Whose Paranoid. Photo via Eric Chin.]

PMS Miami

Dave Licht advises me:

I wanted to bring to your attention a particularly offensive ad that has been running all day 9-26- on KNEW radio which is an ABC affiliate in the SF Bay area.

What I keep hearing is: Some gang has "a gun that shoots around corners"....... "CSI Miami......because you never know how much damage a gun can do".......

Apparently more than head full of fluff agenda driven copywriters.

This Day in History: September 26

On this day in 1776, the Continental Congress elects Benjamin Franklin, Silas Deane and Arthur Lee as agents of the diplomatic commission that will be sent to secure a formal alliance and negotiate a treaty between the United States and France.

It's Good. Real Good.

I just finished it last night. My editor at GUNS Magazine has OK'd a review, which I'll work on this week.

I'll tell you this much: It exceeded my expectations.

Police Ethics: Capt. David A. Kozicki Style

Watch the video. Oakland Police Capt. David A. Kozicki thinks he and his fellow badge-wearers are "The Only Ones" who should have .50 cal rifles, and they're willing to do just about anything to keep it that way--including giving that cretin Jerry Brown another shot at statewide political power--this time as attorney general.

What's that?

Dave's not wearing a badge?

That's funny--his shoulder patch is taped over, too.

Why do you suppose that is?

Oh, here's why:

The police department's manual of rules prohibits officers from using their names, photographs and positions in a campaign for elected office.

However, a department spokesman said the ad does not appear to violate the "letter" of the rule because Kozicki is identified as a "police captain," not an Oakland police captain.

Although Kozicki's captain bars are pinned to the collar of his department-issued blue uniform, he is not wearing his badge and his Oakland Police Department shoulder patch is taped over. No Oakland insignia can be seen.

Ha ha. Great way to stick with the "'letter' of the rule," Dave. You Only Ones know all the tricks!

But say, those cars behind you on the video? What "insignia" is on them? A seven-pointed inverted star around a circle with a graphic in the middle...It wouldn't be this one, would it, Dave?

Campus Mourns Professor Preston Covey’s Death

Associate professor of philosophy Preston Covey, esteemed scholar and husband of library faculty member Denise Troll Covey, died at home last Monday. He was 64.

Related Posts:
Memorial Tribute to Preston Covey
"CMU Professor Didn't Let Polio Sideline Him"
"Preston Covey, Rest in Peace"
"Philosophy and Firearms"
"Can Gun Control Reduce Violence?"

LA Gun Task Force Serves Another Search Warrant

The LA County Gun Task Force has served another search warrant on the home of another member of the fifty caliber community. On Monday September 18th, eighteen police cars swarmed the neighborhood where the FCSA member lives and served a search warrant signed by Judge Steven Kleifield of the LA County Superior Court. The officers were at the residence for several hours and confiscated all semi-automatic firearms belonging to the victim...

It should be noted the LA Gun Task Force used "High Risk" entry tactics by sending a SWAT Entry team to make the initial entry into the victim's residence. Gun owners in LA County need to be prepared to expect these kinds of entry tactics and respond to commands from any officers if you are contacted.

FCI wants everyone to be aware that the LA County Gun Task Force is lead by agents from BATFE; LAPD and LASO. They appear to have focused their attention on members of the fifty caliber community and are aggressively trying to arrest law abiding citizens for just being "Gun Owners"...

John Burtt, Chmn
FCI

I'm sorry, Mr. Burtt. But I could be a lot sorrier.

Arnold Schwarzenegger signed the .50 BMG ban into law. He told us he would before he was elected. He also endorsed banning "assault weapons."

So why were you silent during the gubernatorial campaign, when a clear choice to support a solid pro-gun candidate was offered? (And before any naysayers offer unsubstantiated pronouncements that Tom McClintock couldn't have won, you'd better be prepared to offer superior evidence over the Gallup poll showing he could have--and dramatically--had the GOP establishment not done everything in its power to jettison principle and go for the populist power grab--regardless of the consequences.)

As for your member having semiautos confiscated, well, some of us have been beating that drum for years, and using the intent of the Founders--and the potential disasterous consequences if tyranny continues to grow--to back up our convictions. That includes exploring potential consequences of the insurrectionary theory should the pressure increase.

Yet when you got a chance to have your views heard by a mass audience, you couldn't distance yourself far enough, and publicly dismissed us. You declared "I would not consider those people mainstream Americans," eschewing the citizen militia in favor of your sport.

In the face of massive public propaganda by those in power (and their useful idiot supporters), who would ban all guns in private hands, you can't rely on public support for your "sport." And you certainly can't rely on trying to appear reasonable to The Los Angeles Times.

I note in another alert, you refer your members to a law firm. Fine and good, but just keep this in mind: This is the same firm that acted as the agent of surrender for a firearm that had previously been declared legal by the attorney general.

One final note on the dynamic entry tactics being used to intimidate us. I asked the CA DoJ rep a direct question, in front of over a hundred gun owners, at the NRA-brokered gun registration meeting where the state came to explain its position on its new semiauto ban. This is the exchange I had with their rep on SWAT raids:

I then asked the DOJ overlords, “If we defy your terms of dictated surrender, how many SWAT raids do you estimate it will take to crush and destroy us? And how many patriots, including military and police personnel and their family members, are you and your masters in Sacramento willing to imprison or murder enforcing this treasonous edict?"

...The DOJ flack standing at the microphone said, "None," which is a transparent lie, as the California Attorney General has pledged to vigorously enforce both Roberti-Roos and SB-23, and they spent much of the evening telling us how they intended to do so. In essence, this liar, acting in his official capacity as a law enforcement official, told a crowd of citizens at a public meeting, in direct response to a specific question, that they have no plans to enforce the law and prosecute resisters. As the Members’ Council had a camcorder running during the meeting, I hope they save the tape as evidence should some hapless citizen be prosecuted because he took this agent at his word.

You can't play nice with these people. You can't rely on "authorized journalists" to stir up community support by printing the truth. And you certainly can't preserve the Second Amendment by retaining a lawyer to arrange confiscation of your firearms--that is unless you believe surrender is the way gun owners should respond to The War on Guns.

This Day in History: September 25

After aborting a poorly planned and ill-timed attack on the British-controlled city of Montreal, Continental Army Colonel Ethan Allen is captured by the British on this day in 1775. After being identified as an officer of the Continental Amy, Allen was taken prisoner and sent to England to be executed.

A Political Truism

..."To Serve Man"...it's...it's a COOKBOOK!

4th Amendment Suspension Bill Passes House

[T]he House of Representatives has approved a tough new anti-drug and anti-weapon law that would require local districts to develop search policies – including strip searches – with immunity against prosecution for teachers and staff...

The bill was the brainchild of Rep. Geoff Davis, R-Kentucky...

Congressman, I don't care if you are "A"-rated on guns by GOA. Unless you can point to where you're delegated specific authority to do this in this document, you're a usurper.

And so is every member of the House that supports this expansion of police state tyranny.

Amendment IV

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Reporter Misfires, Leaves Readers Ignorant

He said an m-16 assault rifle, which he kept for protection, discharged accidentally.

The "authorized journalists" evidently don't see a thing wrong with that statement.

Who better to have strong opinions on guns than people who obviously don't know the first thing about them?

And is there any doubt they got their misinformation from "The Only Ones"?

Dawnicia and the Prayer Patrol

Anti-gun campaigners are due to meet in Bristol on Saturday evening to discuss the city's "gun culture"...

The Reverend Dawnicia Palmer and Bristol's Prayer Patrol have organised the event.

I'm sure these mental giants will solve everything.

"No Bargain," Indeed

There's no good reason why Utah taxpayers should subsidize permits for people to carry concealed weapons. That goes double for Utah taxpayers subsidizing Utah permits for non-Utahns.

Who could argue with that?

So stop requiring permits to exercise rights. Problem solved.

Next...?

2nd Amendment Saturday: Classic Clip on Despotism

Stan presents a lesson in despotism, and reminds us he's looking for submissions for next week's Second Amendment Carnival.

Handling the Truth

Actor Leonardo DiCaprio has revealed that the realism that appeared in his character in the film ‘The Departed’ was because of the fear co-star Jack Nicolson had instilled in him by pulling a gun on him...

"So I sat down at the table not knowing what to expect, and he set the table on fire after pouring whisky all over the place and stuck a gun in my face,” he added.

Great method acting, or further out of control antics by a deranged anti-gun hypocrite who deserves to have his punk ass kicked?

This Day in History: September 24

On this day in 1776, the Continental Congress prepares instructions and guidance for the agents appointed to negotiate a treaty between the United States and France. The agents were also instructed to request immediate assistance in securing arms.

The Incredible Shrinking March

Fatigued but undeterred, community activist Bilal Qayyum and six members of Men United for a Better Philadelphia stopped in Reading yesterday en route to Harrisburg for a rally against gun violence.

Six?

Yesterday it was "less then 10."

So what the "authorized journalists" appear to be saying is, all we need to do is get six pro-gunners together and we can get equal time in:

The Reading Eagle (Whoa! They call it "a trio"!)
The Philadelphia Inquirer
The Philadelphia Daily News
The Philadelphia Daily News again--just in case you missed it the first time...
WFMZ-TV --Somehow, showing all those news anchors smiling under the banner "69 News" struck me as kinda funny, but none of the pretty talking heads look bright enough to get the joke...
The Philadelphia Daily News--just in case you missed the first two...
The Philadelphia Daily News--LOOK! OVER HERE! BOY, YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS OUR GROUNDBREAKING SERIES!
CBS 3, "Brandy Bell, Reporting." Hey, what's the deal with reporterettes named "Brandy" covering this scoop? Oh, wait, the first one spelled her name with an "ie" at the end, but still, small world.

Not as small as this "march" receiving blanket coverage from an hysterical lapdog media, though. The thought strikes: there appear to be more news outlets bellowing about this non-event than there are marchers.

Why do you suppose that is?

"Public Safety"--Brady Style

The ATF veterans, including former ATF Directors Stephen Higgins and Rex Davis, wrote that the bill would "protect lawbreakers, at the expense of public safety"...

"Public safety"?

You mean like the kind you provided at Waco, Director Higgins, including saying you were prepared to call off the raid if the element of surprise was lost, carefully not repeating that when called to testify under oath, and resigning 3 days before Lloyd Bentsen was going to axe you and the rest of ATF top management because you got the inside scoop that it was going to happen?

That kind of "public safety"?

By the way, Director Higgins--you wouldn't have happened to have seen a BIG METAL DOOR lying around anywhere...? You know, the kind that couldn't have melted in the fire and could have proven whether shots were fired through it from the outside, but somehow mysteriously disappeared and has never been found? The kind that could cause sworn testimony to be looked at again and raise the specter of perjury and conspiracy...?

Yep, listen to the Brady's and their BATFU allies, everybody. After all, they're promoting "public safety."

Disturbing the Peace of Gun-Free Parks

Our position: Only subservience to the gun lobby could explain the extension of gun rights to state parks.

Truly?

I'm subservient to the gun lobby?

Who'da thunk?

At least I'm not subservient to socialist thralldom--or the concept that unalienable rights can be extended, which presupposes legitimate authority for the thugs du jour to also retract them.

And hey, we all know how undisturbed the peace around Indianapolis is...

What better environment to paint non-criminals as the threat, and demand they be defenseless under force of state arms?

The Drudge 2

Told ya.

This Day in History: September 23

During the American Revolution, the U.S. ship Bonhomme Richard, commanded by John Paul Jones, wins a hard-fought engagement against the British ships of war Serapis and Countess of Scarborough, off the eastern coast of England.

Memorial Tribute to Preston Covey

By Harry Schneider, Chairman
Pennsylvania Sportsmen's Association
(Posted here with permission of author)

It is with the deepest regret that I announce the passing of a friend and patriot: Dr. Preston Covey Jr.

Pres Covey was a brilliant academic who taught applied ethics at Carnegie Mellon University. I recall one year it had fallen to Professor Covey to select the speaker for Carnegie Mellon University's Presidents Distinguished Lecture. It was customary to bring in the likes of Henry Kissinger, but Pres treated the students and faculty of CMU to Massad Ayoob. Dr. Covey told the audience that Ayoob, a practical firearms instructor, teaches the best short course in applied ethics that he had ever seen.

When the Allegheny County Sportsmen's League sued the City of Pittsburgh over their illegal assault weapons ban, Dr. Covey lent his name as plaintiff. A local hoplophobic weekly newspaper ran a cover article attacking Preston for his ethical views . The paper admitted that they really tried to get other academics at CMU to criticize him, but while most disagreed with Preston 's views on gun rights, none could fault the man, except that he swore lot. (no wonder).

Dr. Covey recently testified before the Pennsylvania Senate Judiciary Committee - and laid bare the prevarications and misstatements of Philadelphia officials who demand that the state demonize law abiding gun owners, in effect making scapegoats of them to conceal and avoid addressing the real reasons why Philadelphia has a serious crime problem.

Pres was well aware that his positions were unpopular in academic circles. A man of his extraordinary intellect could have gone much farther in academia if he acquiesced to the hoplophobic biases and prejudices that dominate most universities. Pres had struggled with numerous polio related disabilities his entire life . He understood prejudice and discrimination and would not tolerate either. He knew that accommodating discrimination is not only unethical, but that it leads to greater disability.

Dr. Preston Covey Jr. distinguished himself as a friend and warrior-academic of the finest caliber. His work survives and will give us guidance and intellectual ammunition far into the future.

Pres, rest in peace my brother.

Related:
"CMU Professor Didn't Let Polio Sideline Him"
"Preston Covey, Rest in Peace"
"Philosophy and Firearms"
"Can Gun Control Reduce Violence?"