Thursday, November 06, 2008

Ready for My Close-Up

Yeah, what better way to deter self-centered sociopaths than to make them even bigger celebrities on their turf than they already are? Think about it: We're inundated with programs like "COPS" and "America's Most Wanted." TV reports and news accounts regularly plaster names, faces and exploits of fugitive suspects for all to see. And we're supposed to believe that this nonsense and waste of resources will prevent...what, exactly?
"Ready for My Close-Up" is today's Gun Rights Examiner offering.

As always, I appreciate whatever buzz on these columns WarOnGuns regulars are willing to help me generate.

GUNS Magazine: November 1958

Why is it that so many persons want to do away with the Sullivan Law instead of directing their efforts to getting the things the Sullivan Law provides? Subdivision 8, Section 1897, says it is the duty of the police commissioner to issue a license upon application by a householder, messenger of any banking institution, storekeeper or merchant.

The irony of excluding employees and renters from an ordinance-defined clique of "Only Ones" seems to have escaped Sgt. Bill Brefka, N.Y. State Troopers. That and the fact that such licenses, if obtainable at all in actual practice, didn't provide for bearing arms. That goes to a whole 'nother level of connections and prestige.

There's another great letter in the "Crossfire" section that recalls how a citizen militia repelled the Jesse James gang.

The November 1958 issue of GUNS Magazine is now online, featuring articles, photos, and the classic period ads and prices that give us such great insights on the way things were, not really so long ago.

WarOnGuns regulars know I post on these each month as "new" issues become available. Thing is, they don't keep them on their website forever, so if you haven't been saving them to your computer, you'll no longer be able to access prior issues from the Internet.

No worries. The entire collection from 1955-1957 is available on CD-Rom.

A Proactive Reaction

ShotSpotter, Inc., the leading developer of mission-essential acoustic surveillance systems for law enforcement, homeland security and military end-users, announced today that the City of Troy and the Troy Police Department will implement the ShotSpotter Gunshot Location System(R) (GLS) as a part of the department's latest approach to proactively combating gun crime.

I hate to be contrary, but wouldn't "proactively" mean it could do something about it before the shots were fired?

What, will it send Doug and Tony back to just before the shooting, to tackle the guys?

And y'all have read "The Black Arrow," right?

Missing Something Huge

"I think we're missing something that is huge,'' he said. "People ask me the question, 'Where the hell are the guns coming from?' They are not getting these guns legally."
Yes. Exactly. You're missing something huge.

Who Do You Trust?

The bereaved family of a woman who campaigned to reduce gun crime are launching a trust in her name.
Because, see, another family member stabbed her to death.

Where do we send those checks?

We're the Only Ones Recklessly Discharged Enough

Two Minneapolis police officers charged with drinking and recklessly discharging their guns from a vehicle after leaving a party in Minneapolis this spring have been fired.
So naturally, the "Only Ones" union objects.

I'm Surprised They Never Thought of this Before: Part Two

Convicted felons caught carrying firearms would face the prospect of federal prosecutions and long sentences in distant federal prisons.
Because if there's one thing the feds and locals haven't tried, it's "Project Exile."

I'm Surprised They Never Thought of this Before

After getting a "crash course" in politics during her successful Democratic campaign for Cook County state's attorney, career prosecutor Anita Alvarez said Wednesday that she's ready to start making good on campaign promises ranging from tougher gun laws to combating consumer fraud.
Because if there's one thing Cook County hasn't tried, it's "tougher gun laws."

Vanderboegh: Resolve

An old friend of mine called me the other day to report that an FBI agent in the west had confessed his fears at church last Sunday. Obama, he worried aloud, was going to shove him and his agency where he did not wish to go.
Mike Vanderboegh talks about the change that is coming to America.

We're the Only Ones Camera-Shy Enough

The Zargonian Collaborator/"Only Ones" alliance has struck again. Watch these outrageous videos:

NH cop kidnaps Free Stater for camcording - 1/2

NH cop kidnaps Free Stater for camcording - 2/2

Good grief. Especially the part about handing the gun off to the SPCA drone.

One suggestion: Give us the names of these two guys. People deserve the reputations they earn and behavior like what we see here should have personal consequences--otherwise, what's to stop them from continuing to act like arrogant bullies?

[Via Andre]

Coronation of the Looters

What this election has truly accomplished is to draw sharp lines between the four factions currently existing in America. For years we have been tricked into thinking the Republicans and Democrats are on opposite ends of a tug-of-war rope, pulling against each other, when actually they are holding hands and skipping heartily together toward collectivism, socialism, and The State As Savior. All the arguments of Conservative versus Liberal, Democrat versus Republican, and Right versus Left are smoke and mirrors to distract us from the eternal truth that the only struggle is between government control and individual liberty...

So what are these four factions? They can be described as the Looters, the Parasites, the Productive Class, and the Super-Rich.

"Spartacus" assesses the state of a union that embraces the state as its savior.

Gun Control on Trial

In Gun Control on Trial, journalist Brian Doherty tells the full story behind the landmark District of Columbia v. Heller ruling. With exclusive, behind-the-scenes access throughout the case, Doherty's new book takes readers on a remarkable journey—through the legal, scientific, and historical debates; the political battles; and the myths about gun control that have become widespread. How is the District's new registration process working? How will the Heller precedent impact the firearm regulations in other American cities? Join us for a discussion of the Heller case and its impact.
The Cato Institute is hosting a book forum on Nov. 24. Click on the title link to find out how to attend or how to watch the event live if you can't.

[Via Skip]

Guest Column: The Election and the Aftermath‏

By Peter G

Barack Obama won the election fair and square. That means that not only is he *the* President, he is *my* President. No, I didn't vote for him, nor did I contribute one red cent to his campaign. I am, first and foremost an American and a passionate believer in our Constitution, and as such, I am duty bound to embrace him as my President. No, I don't agree with his positions on most things, and I believe that so far as the Second Amendment is concerned he's a bald-faced liar.

In 1962, as a five year-old riding in the back seat of my parent's 1958 Mercury traveling through Chattanooga, I saw the Freedom Marchers. I also saw them being fire hosed. That during my lifetime we as a country elected a black man to our highest office redeems my hope in the promise that our Founders envisioned. That we might finally be getting over this self-inflicted madness over skin color also gives me hope for the future of our Republic.

Nevertheless, it's going to be rough going for at least the next two years, and the mid-term elections of 2010 will only make things less bad. President-elect Obama is more intelligent than Jimmy Carter, and is more disciplined than Bill Clinton, so prepare yourselves for two terms of President Obama. And please remember also that the President doesn't make laws, he can merely sign or veto them. The real problem resides at the other end of Constitution Avenue, with Congress. As well, let us not forget the old saw about the decisions being made by those who show up. Barack Obama showed up, he built up a network of supporters, raised the money, and did all the things necessary to win the election. Are there better choices out there? Sure there are, but they didn't show up, or they didn't make it to the end. That's our system, and if one is truly serious about being a Citizen, one must accept the unwanted results along with those that one might agree with.

For my part, I will continue doing what I have been doing. This past Monday, I bought another rifle, more ammunition, a scope, and some spare parts for one of my Mausers. Should the worst forecasts of a Democratically dominated Federal Government come true, I will resist those results as a free man. This is not a call to revolution, far from it. It is my sincere wish to be left alone to live my life as best I might. However, should my 'betters' in DC decide to violate my Constitutional Rights, I will fight until they kill me. I can do no less, not while I self-identify as an American. I will never fire the first shot, but shoot I will if attacked.

I will continue to network with my like-minded e-friends, and will continue to send articles and notes of interest to David Codrea, Paul Grant, Jeffersonian, and Mike Vanderboegh, amongst others. Gunfire is the last resort, not the first, and if I can protect my freedom and country by a profligate expenditure of pixels and electrons, then I'll happily write that check to the electric company and consider it a bargain.

This has been quite a journey: it all started because I wanted an 1858 Remington and didn't want to pay list price, so I hit Google. One link led to another, I started reading and then thinking about what it is to be a Citizen, what the responsibilities entail, and not just the benefits. I don't regret the time nor the effort. If nothing else, it has kept me off the streets and out of the arms of strange women.

In closing, Ladies and Germs, the immediate future is pretty bleak. However, it's not permanent, nor is it unchangeable. I could write more, but I need to get off my overpadded behind and put some miles on the bike. Physical conditioning is just as important as the mental kind.

III

This Day in History: November 6

With great Pleasure do I inform you of the Return of Capt. Coit into this Harbour, with two Prizes, a Sloop & Schooner, from Nova Scotia Bound to Boston Laden chiefly with Wood & Hay, with Some Cattle, Sheep, Potatoes &c. The People that were on Board with the Papers will be Sent to Head Qrs Immediately.