Thursday, June 30, 2005

Just a Question on Kelo...

If real property can be taken away from its owner by a community based on the plunderer's definition of "public good," why can't tangibile property be similarly confiscated?

Things like guns...?

Stupid Is As Stupid Does

Elected officials in West Palm Beach, FL, where people are too stupid to vote, are blowing tax revenues on more stupidity.

“Mayor Lois Frankel announced West Palm Beach's first gun buyback program Wednesday, the latest in a series of efforts to help curb the killing spree in the city's north end…

"‘This is like a cancer,’ Frankel said. ‘There is no instant cure.’"


Using Frankel’s impaired grasp of cause and effect, if it were cancer, she’d be hawking a carcinogen “buyback.”

“Within an hour of the buyback announcement, Gregg Stephens, owner of Gator Guns & Pawn in West Palm Beach, said he got a call from a man who wanted to buy all of his handguns under $60. The man wanted to turn them in for a profit.”

Wednesday, June 29, 2005

What's This "Plead"?

"Bloggers plead for freedom from election laws."

"Plead"?

I'll not plead.

This is my online journal. I write it for me, to reflect my thoughts and my opinions. As such, I will say whatever I damn well please, whenever I damn well please.

These fascists can pass whatever edicts they wish. I'll still say what I want.

I'll continue to do so until incapacitated. I will defy any attempts to silence me until I am incapable of defiance.

But I'll not plead.

I'll never plead.

Shameless Plug: "Look Who’s Demanding Gun Control"

What do Robyn Anderson, Mark Manes, Barbara Graham, Annette Stevens and Amy Fisher have in common? Aside from their association with "gun crimes"?

They all think YOU can't be trusted with a gun.

"Look Who’s Demanding Gun Control" is my Rights Watch column for the August issue of GUNS Magazine, on sale now at demanding newsstands throughout the Republic.

The Police Are There To Protect Us

No they're not.

Of course, Richard Stevens has been telling us this for years.

So THAT'S Why They Call It "The PATRIOT Act"...

From the Liberty Belles:

"The Patriot Act is supposed to protect the United States from terrorists. Unfortunately, we don't always know how the term 'terrorist' will be defined. History shows that totalitarian governments fear an armed populace and are willing to take a pre-emptive strike at such a populace. Armed members of the populace who oppose a tyrannical government could easily be labeled as 'terrorists.' One can't help but wonder why this bill was named the 'Patriot Act' rather than the 'Anti-Terrorism Act.' Let's hope the bill wasn't actually intended to apply to Patriots."

Tuesday, June 28, 2005

Why, Just Imagine!

"Imagine a police officer responding to a frantic call of someone running through a neighborhood with a gun in hand."

I don't have to imagine. When I was a kid, I used to run through my neighborhood all the time with my cowboy guns and holsters, or my submachine gun squirt gun ("Shoots 50 feet!") that Grandma bought me, or my kid brother's Johnny Seven O.M.A. ("One Man Army").

No one frantically called the cops. No cops frantically blew kids away for doing the same thing they used to do when they were kids.

Who Let the Dogs Out?

"When asked whether he'd been drinking, Wilcox told Officer Bryon Dietzel, "Yes, I had one drink," the Baltimore Sun reported, quoting court records.

"After the officer called for backup, a nearby canine team arrived and Wilcox performed a field sobriety test, which he passed. But when the dog reacted to the car that Wilcox had been driving — which had California plates — the player was asked whether there was anything inside. Wilcox said there was a gun."


Lesson One: STFU

Lesson Two: If you do, they still have you, because they'll use that as an excuse to let the dogs out. And even if the dog hasn't been trained to react to certain stimuli like gunpowder residue, you can bet they've taught it to react to subtle cues so it will bark on command--thus providing "probable cause" to shuck that pesky Fourth Amendment aside.

Monday, June 27, 2005

"The police are watching. And in Chicago, they're listening, too."

"City officials are using new technology that recognizes the sound of a gunshot within a two-block radius, pinpoints the source, turns a surveillance camera toward the shooter and places a 911 call. Officials can then track the shooter and dispatch officers to the scene."

Sounds like a job for The Black Arrow.

Young Skulls Full of Mush

The Battle Creek Enquirer published " the winning entries in the Minority Health Partnership's 'Do the Write Thing' contest."

The topic was "ideas for ending gun violence."

Don't blame the kids. It's not their fault.

Banister Verdict Suppressed

Carl F. Worden has some observations about the lack of establishment media reporting of Joseph Banister's win in federal court against charges of conspiracy and defrauding the government.

This goes back to my point about the government assuming authority to decide who is and is not a "journalist."

Take a Dip in the Pool

Nicki advises me that she and some friends have started a new blog, the Constitution Death Pool.

Saturday, June 25, 2005

Everybody Loves Big Brother

The cops, the citizens, the news team...

Watch the video and see for yourself.

Don't you think it's time you asked Big Brother to watch you?

Pssst...Hey, Buddy!

Click here if you want to see some amateur gun porn!

How Do You Achieve a 44% Increase in "Gun Crime?

Tips from our friends across the pond...

My favorite line:

"Sir Ian winced as he was shown a .44 Magnum..."

A Beast of a Burden

Pennsylvania "authoritah" can't decide whether a crime of domestic violence occurred, and it has them in fits because they want to keep a man from owning a gun.

"State police spokesman Jack Lewis said the ruling places an increased burden on his agency when it wants to deny someone a gun because of a domestic violence conviction."

Oh, gee. Expecting the government to bear the burden of proof in a criminal case. What could we have been thinking?

Sorry, Jack. We'll get rid of that hurdle right away for you.

Friday, June 24, 2005

‘Last Gunshop’ Update

[Use BugMeNot to bypass registration.]

"The owner of the last gun shop in Minneapolis lost another zoning battle Thursday with the City Council, moving him toward closing his store."

Translation: “You are not authorized to use your property in a manner we disapprove of.”

“I Suspect No One and I Suspect Everyone”

“$46,950…was seized from Ileana Valdez, 26, after a security check at a metal detector at Logan International Airport…Anthony Pettigrew, a spokesman for the DEA in Boston, said he could not comment on the lawsuit. But he said federal asset forfeiture laws allow agents to seize suspected drug profits.”

What the hell--it's not like we really own anything or control what we're permitted to possess.

This Land Is Whoever’s Land We Say It Is

Nicki and Pathetic Earthling weigh in on Kelo.

I wish they wouldn’t mince words and would tell us how they really feel.

This will probably not be a tripwire, but it may be something better—the awakening and radicalization of previously detached property owners.

The monkey may have caught its fist in the jar.

The Propaganda Masquerading as Reporting Award…

…goes to Barbara Laker and Myung Oak Kim of The Philadelphia Daily News for claiming: “Because of weakened gun laws that give gun shops more freedom, these shops have escaped punishment from ATF, the federal agency that regulates the industry.”

I Guess He Must Not Know Any Democrats...

“Oregon Democratic Party executive director Neel Pender said he thought the resolution sounded ‘pretty reasonable.’

"‘I don't know any Democrats who don't have a healthy respect for the Second Amendment,’ Pender added.”

Ithaca Gun Loses Buyer, Closes Its Doors

Well, here's one the antis won't have to sue out of existence...

Thursday, June 23, 2005

A Disarmed Opposition is a Loyal Opposition

"Left-wing MK Ran Cohen (Yahad) made a move to curb possible violence by settlers on Wednesday by proposing a bill that would force them to take an oath of allegiance to the state as a condition for being supplied with IDF weapons for security."

Hey, it's gotta be done...otherwise, folks would be "liable to act as if they were in the 'wild West' and undermine the legitimacy of the law enforcement."

Just think if this rule was applied in America's major urban areas, where only the politically connected, proven loyalists could get a gun permit...

How to Choose an Unarmed Victim--A Primer

Easy--just pick the guy in the Ranger uniform.

"Some staff are happier with not carrying a weapon and believe that if a situation requiring one occurs, police should be involved."

Which means there will be plenty of time for your getaway!

Happy fleecing!

[This site uses PITA robot blockers, so clicking the link will take you to an "Invalid Access" page--click the "Try Again" link and a list of articles for the week of June 16 will appear. Click on "Unarmed rangers play role in safety at city facilities" to read the story this commentary refers to. Sheesh. Like people are tripping all over each other to access "The Bowie Blade." And like they're not supposed to WANT them to.]

Wednesday, June 22, 2005

What Did Mr. Franklin Say...

...about those who give up essential liberty for security?

A company operating out of Orlando Airport has found a way to make 'em sign up and pay for the privilege of being tagged as officially certified, card-carrying cud-chewers.

Pay 80 bucks, get your iris scanned and go stand in "an exclusive security line, and the promise of no random secondary pat-downs, in exchange for a background check by the Department of Homeland Security."

Why don't they just stamp your ribs with a "USDA Choice" imprint...?

Train Your Manhood...

...or something like that.

The Muslims say it's supposed to help deter "gun violence."

Inshallah.
---------------------
[via KABA Newslinks]

Tuesday, June 21, 2005

Come, Let Us Celebrate-Part 2



On second thought, I prefer this sentiment as a response to the Askholes.

Come, Let Us Celebrate



Today is National Ask Day.

I thought I'd commemorate it with a time-saving window sign.

Why We Can't Allow Guns in Bars

[Use BugMeNot to bypass registration]

We can't allow guns in bars because drunks will kill each other in fights.

We need laws like those in Evanston, IL, which not only prevent people from having guns in bars, but from having guns entirely.

Just ask Evanston Mayor Lorraine Morton, who responded to a bar shooting in Evanston by closing the bar (she's also the "Liquor Commisioner").

"'Nobody in Evanston has any business with a gun, let alone shooting anyone,' she said."

We see how well your edicts work, Commissar Morton.

Thank you for telling us our business and defining our rights.

"If you don't have the fireworks to alter, you don't have a problem"

Bakersfield, CA just banned "Piccolo Petes."

Why?

Because some morons put "the explosive charges from Piccolo Petes into a carbon dioxide canister, placing them inside a watermelon and lighting a fuse."

A man was killed.

So now manufacturers are liable not only for misuse of their product, but for deliberate alteration. By adopting this theory, it's hard to think of any product in the world that cannot be used to construct a lethal device.

Typically, the reporter is ignorant, not a watchdog, but a mere cheerleader for the state, referring to "safe and sane" fireworks as "explosive devices ready to be tampered with." If they were explosive devices,BATFU would be all over them.

As with "gun control," don't think the motive is to just ban whistlers.

Monday, June 20, 2005

OpenRange

From Barry Laws:

What the heck is going on with that new Firearms and Paintball Sports Facility?

WOW!

Much has gone on since we all met and were victorious at the grueling zoning variance meeting. We have prepped the interior of the building for renovation and are positioned to move forward. As always, things take about 3 times longer than planned. We were to be open mid July, and that is definitely going to be pushed to around November or December.

So what's been the hold up? Paperwork to be exact. Banks work in mysterious ways (at least to common man) and definitely at their timing, not mine. This facility is a huge commitment and that just takes time. We are just now grinding out the final details for signatures and once underway our fine construction team at Southern Contracting will kick back into gear to bring this baby to you folks in as timely a manner as possible.

We are also working on our new website and should have that available for updates in a month or two. I'll send you the entire link when that is up.

Our name is:

OPENRANGE.

Once built we will have established a beacon for the indoor shooting sports and a wonderful community recreation center. I can't wait to visit it myself. Check it out:

100 yard air-conditioned indoor perfect ballistic rifle target range with electrical retrieving targets 25-yard air-conditioned indoor target pistol range and tactical pistol range, both with computerized interactive targets. 12,000 square foot air-conditioned indoor paintball arena - awesome Firearm and Paintball Pro Shop offering sales and rentals in paintball, rifles and pistols... and yippee... Machinegun rentals!!! Facilities for meetings and parties. Clean, well lit, and beautiful.


So where will this wonder facility be built?

Crestwood, Kentucky.

What Do You Mean, Gun Control Applies to US?

Jim Duffy of the Deputy Sheriffs' Association of San Diego County writes:

"Unfortunately, the law enforcement community has been put into a situation where it is no longer safe for us to include our families in this time-honored tradition...This presents a number of potentially dangerous scenarios for our officers and their families...I don't know how you can ask the people...to put their spouses and children in a situation that could bring a great deal of harm and fear into their lives....shouldn't he be able to employ the necessary protective measures needed to ensure that his family will not be the target of any retribution attempts by that street gang?"

Well, uh, gee, Jim, where do I begin? I suppose I should start by welcoming you to the club.

You could do what some of us feel compelled to do in situations where we believe it prudent to go armed for the protection of our families. But then, if you or your brother officers discovered that, you'd do your utmost to destroy our lives.

Wouldn't you?

Sunday, June 19, 2005

Happy Father's Day, 2005

I'm the most fortunate of men--I have a father I love and respect, and two fine sons I have (so far) allowed to live.

Happy Father's Day to those of you who know the joy. Go be with your children.

That's what I'm doing today.

Saturday, June 18, 2005

N'yuk, N'yuk, N'yuk...

Why I oughtta...

BLAM!

Woob...woob...woob..woob...

Film a Cop, Get Prosecuted

"During the summer, Patrick Thompson and Martel Miller filmed traffic stops around this college town in the hope that showing the resulting documentary would prompt discussion of how police officers interact with blacks.

"They succeeded, but not in the way they planned. Police seized their film and Champaign County prosecutors charged them with violating Illinois' eavesdropping law."


But no problem when it's the other way around, right, citizens?

[Thanks to Rick Stanley for passing this one along.]

Friday, June 17, 2005

Freedom Allies?

Dennis Walker of the Ohio Constitution Defense Council referred me to a website featuring absolute hysteria from an outfit calling itself "50 Caliber Terror". I did a WhoIs lookup and came up with a false front--Domain By Proxy out of Scottsdale, AZ.

They call themselves "A Project of the Freedom States Alliance--'Changing the Way America Thinks About Guns'." Look at who the other members of the Axis are and you'll appreciate the irony of that name.

Funny thing--the FSA site is also masked by the same proxy service. As are all its member sites.

So let's see--the 50 caliber terror people want donations, yet they also wish to remain anonymous.

That sounds pretty good to me. I've thought before about the potential for someone to start an "anti" website and funnel off donations that would otherwise be used by more effective organizations--I even wrote about a guy whose actions could make him appear to be "our man in the gun ban camp."

50 Caliber Terror? Freedom States Alliance?

I wonder...

Shoot the Crazy Frog

The most fun I've had with a game of this type since Smack the Bloody Penguin.

Thursday, June 16, 2005

'Explorer' Produces Contender in Quest to Find 'World's Stupidest Gun Commentary'

Congratulations to Renee Horton for cramming the most "Minion Mom" talking points into one editorial.

Do You Think Firework Sales to the Public Should Be Banned?

It's not enough that the liberty-haters in the nation's capitol believe the intent of the Founders was to rule over disarmed subjects--they hate our traditions so much they even want to eradicate our celebrating the Fourth of July.

What did John Adams have to say about the matter?

"The 4th of July, 1776, will be a memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to Almighty God. It ought to be solemnized with pomp, shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of the continent to the other, from this time forward, forever."

NBC4 (District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia) is conducting a poll to see who's game for banning fireworks sales to the public. Scroll down about halfway on the page--it appears on the right. So far, the antis are getting their priggish butts kicked 86% to 14%.

Wednesday, June 15, 2005

How Come?

From CALPEEK
California Political Week
June 13, 2005
Vol.XXVII, No.23

“Guns – Question: how come the NRA has not filed a lawsuit to remove the so-called San Francisco gun ban initiative from the November 2005 ballot? Doesn’t the State have preemption rights???”

Well, it thinks it does. I’ve always found the preemption doctrine hugely troubling when presumed to apply to unalienable rights. Still, the first question is legitimate, if for no other reason than consistency.

More Gun Owner Harrassment From CA DoJ

Your barrel is threaded.

Surrender or die.

More "in your face" from the Tyrant Lockyer. He knows exactly what he's doing--rubbing the noses of those he hates in excrement. And getting off on it.

This reminds me of a quote by my friend Brian Puckett:

"I sometimes wonder whether the socialists will issue an edict requiring all firearms to have a pink ribbon tied to the barrel, just to get a belly laugh as the panicked descendants of once-proud American patriots scurry to comply."

Thank God, when they retire, Lockyer's enforcement goons will be able to carry concealed in Maryland (see below)!

CCRKBA CHALLENGES MARYLAND ANTI-GUNNER TO APOLOGIZE TO POLICE FOR INSULT

"By insisting that a new federal law that allows retired police officers to carry concealed handguns is 'essentially dangerous,' a Maryland anti-gun crusader has insulted men and women in law enforcement and should immediately apologize, the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms (CCRKBA) said today."

Sorry, CCRKBA, she’s right—but for the wrong reasons.

It is dangerous to extend rights to one class of citizen—particularly “law enforcement” types—to the exclusion of others.

It is dangerous to presume that rights can be dispensed by government. That reduces them to privileges.

It is dangerous to have the servants tell the master they are in charge of dispensing those privileges—and they reserve them for their own kind.

How many of these cops are out there issuing press releases calling for recognition of our rights, and complaining that having them infringed is an insult to the whole people?

How many would do their utmost to destroy our lives if they found out we were exercising our right to keep and bear arms without “permission”?

Forget Leah Barrett. I’m saying that a new federal law that allows retired police officers to carry concealed handguns is essentially dangerous.

It’s not an insult, it’s a fact.

Don't hold you breath waiting for an apology.

Tuesday, June 14, 2005

The War on Cows

"So what we have is the government, prodded by large corporations, saying it is helping small family farms by destroying one of our most successful small family farms."

We probably need a federal Department of Bovine Security or some such...

More "Black Arrow" Field Updates

From Vin Suprynowicz

June 10:
We drew about 60 people to my address before the Pike's Peak Firearms Coalition in Colorado Springs Thursday evening (there was a lovely cake with the cover of "The Black Arrow" in full color in the frosting, further inscribed "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town.") That followed the afternoon book-signing at the local Barnes & Noble; while I was in town I sold more than 60 copies of "The Black Arrrow." (There was actually demand for more copies of the leather-bound edition than I had brought.)

We got some coverage in the local press; Amy Willard there might be able to provide some more details. (Amy & Dave Willard were the very generous hosts & organizers of my appearance.)

Best Wishes,

-- Vin


June 13:
Several of you have kindly suggested "The Black Arrow" would make a good movie, and asked whether we've made any efforts to place it in the hands of folks who do that sort of thing.

There aren't many folks in movieland who identify themselves as free market types or Libertarians (capital OR small "L") -- Kurt Russell, Dennis Leary, Christina Ricci, and perhaps Clint Eastwood are about all who come immediately to mind.

So, we sent one inscribed copy of "The Black Arrow" to each, through their registered agents or publicists. (Actually, we sent several to the various addresses for Mr. Eastwood's Malpaso Productions -- all were returned.)

Otherwise, what happens to such books?

See http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/offer-listing/0976251604/ref=dp_olp_2//103-0863813-0768614?condition=all

:-)

Best Wishes,

-- Vin

The Joyce Foundation: A Hijacked Legacy

David Hardy details how the Joyce Foundation is a hidden hand behind the trend to close "the newspaper loophole."

We know the foundation is a major player in funding citizen disarmament activities--but why? Who started it, and why did they hate private ownership of guns?

Or did they?

"The Joyce Foundation was established in 1948 by Beatrice Joyce Kean of Chicago.

"The Joyce family wealth came from the lumber industry, including family-owned timberlands, plywood and saw mills, and wholesale and retail building material distribution facilities which were located in the state of Louisiana and the Midwest.

"Until the early 1970s, assets of the Foundation remained small and grants were given to the particular philanthropic interests of its founder. Upon Mrs. Kean's death in December of 1972, the Joyce Foundation was bequeathed ninety percent of her estate, an amount in excess of $100 million. A professional staff was retained and Kent F. Peterson, who had been an executive of the Tremont Lumber Company, was named president.

"At the time of Mrs. Kean's death the annual contributions of the Foundation totaled less than $100,000. By 1974, when the majority of assets was delivered to the Foundation, annual giving reached $500,000 and by 1976, $10 million. During the first twenty-five years, traditional health organizations and hospitals received the majority of the Foundation's contributions. After 1973, higher education and cultural institutions were added as major beneficiaries."


Got that? The social engineering didn't start until after the founder had died, leaving a caste of professional parasites in charge.

A well-researched overview of the Joyce Foundation can be found at DiscoverThe Networks.org—A Guide to the Political Left. A funding summary is presented at ActivistCash.com. And Don Williams gives us some interesting background and insights over at History News Network Reader Comments.

Monday, June 13, 2005

"The Black Arrow" Book Tour--Notes From the Field

By Vin Suprynowicz

Hi, David --

That's great news![*]

We just mailed you a copy of the latest issue of the glossy magazine "Liberty Watch," with my leering mug shot and the tale of Laissez Faire Books and "The Black Arrow" on the cover.

They'll ship additional single copies of the magazine to anyone who sends them $3.95.

It sounds like we may draw some crowds -- and some media attention -- to my appearances in Colorado Springs on June 9. (My column runs in the Colorado Springs Gazette -- that's always been a good market for me.) See http://www.theblackarrow.us/BookTour/.

I have no idea if my appearance in New Hampshire June 26 will be equivalent ... although I WAS officially condemned by the sitting governor the last time I visited. :-)

The challenge is figuring out how to "break out" of the primarily young male readership that will generally pick up a quasi-Libertarian action/adventure shoot-'em-up. Not that we disdain that market. But I've been very gratified by positive reviews from folks like Sunni Maravillosa and Mary Lou Seymour -- this book simply won't "break out" into the more general populace until we can convince women that it is (to a considerable extent) a character-driven romance.

Oddly enough, I believe this discussion about whether there's "too much sex" probably helps. Anyone who's read any of the Laurell Hamilton "Meredith Gentry" books is going to have a tough time believing there can be "too much sex." The real question is whether the love/sex/whatever scenes are differentiated in ways that contribute to character development. And I think that's a much more productive discussion than things like "weapons choice."

The Deanna Forbush analysis piece due to run pretty soon on LewRockwell.com should help.

I'll keep you posted as things develop.

Thanks Again,

-- Vin

-----------------------------
[*]-Reaction to hearing that my review of "The Black Arrow" will be published in GUNS Magazine--DC]

Gonzales vs. Raich—Why Should You Care?

“[T]he Supreme Court accepted the government's argument that Congress could prohibit this wholly intrastate non-economic activity under its interstate commerce power because the ban on these purely local activities was an ‘essential part of a broader regulatory scheme.’ By this rationale, Congress can regulate pretty much anything it wants, and the list of limited powers provided by the Founders is once again in limbo.”

So why should gun owners care?

Oh, I dunno.

Naturally, nothing can be found about the Raich decision and its implications for reloading over at NRA-ILA.

Why do you think that is?

When Leftist Bedwetters Collide

Two teenagers set out to prove the lethality of BB guns for their science project. They "wanted to see if kids should not use BB guns because they're deadly."

Science fair administrators were appropriately horrified, and banned any type of experiment using such evil instruments.

I do love it so when there are competing subversions and these people turn on each other.

Someone ought to explain to Nancy G. Degon that an air rifle is not a "firearm." Then again, I doubt if she'd be interested.

Sunday, June 12, 2005

From the Department of Pre-Crime

"The leaked report said that infants not 'under control' by the age of three were four times more likely to be convicted of a criminal offence once they reached maturity, according to an account of the study."

Well, hell--I'm sure we could produce similar results for children of criminals, or those of welfare parents, or even of single mothers. We could probably even come to some conclusions based on [GASP] race!

Maybe we should cut to the chase and just get on with the mandatory sterilizations and forced abortions.

And as for the ones we deem fit to live, I say iris scan 'em!

Sunday Sermon



This is a better quality graphic of the one featured in my profile. It originally appeared as a GunTruths poster.