How NOT to Advocate For Gun Rights

I am certain that none of the regular commentators on A Keyboard and a .45 would act in this manner, but I have to post this bit of commentary on activism etiquette on the off chance that a casual reader may be tempted to step over the line.

Under no circumstances do you email anti-gun activist stating:

"I will be protesting you (sic) house real soon. I will disrupt your life and I will be armed... So you better be afraid be very very afraid."

Following that up by bragging...

"I have a laser site on my .50 caliber (rifle) as well as a home made silencer."

... is not just plain ignorant, it will get a SWAT Team waking you up at odd hours of the night.

It turns out that the person sending these emails was attempting two things. First he was trying to scare Tom Mauser, father of Columbine victim Daniel Mauser and an anti-gun activist with Colorado Ceasefire. His second goal was to frame Duncan Philp, a fellow Colorado gun rights activist. Which of these goals is the news media going to focus upon?

On Friday, a Fort Collins gun rights advocate will be sentenced in Jefferson County Court for harassing the father of one of the victims of the Columbine High School shootings.

and...

"This whole episode was very upsetting," says Mauser. "Extremists sometimes become violent -- and I don't think the average person realizes just how much hate mail and grief you get when you become a gun violence prevention advocate. It can be a really ugly world."

Folks, we have to police our own. Bullying, threats and other actions intended to cause fear do nothing more than reinforce the negative image that many of the anti's have of us gunnies. It is hard enough to use logic and facts to overcome emotion, when that emotion is stirred up by threatening behavior it becomes even harder. As we are rightfully up in arms over an anti (who also happens to be an ordained priest) calling for the murder of gun shop owners, the anti's are properly incensed over behavior such as this.

As gunnnies, we believe Mr. Mauser's beliefs are wrong. As Americans, we can use various venues to speak out against those beliefs and attempt to educate those that may listen to Mr. Mauser. We may even attempt to communicate directly with folks such as Mr. Mauser. As people of good will and integrity, we do so in a controlled and respectful manner.

Headlines such as these -

Gun Activist Faces Sentencing for Threats Against Columbine Father

- are never good for our side.

This story found on PR Newswire

Judo "The Way of the Gun"

Sniper Posture

Sniper Technology

A couple of decent videos, but they could do without the background music.

Fred Thompson Will Run

Well folks, it looks like Fred Thompson will be joining the race for the Republican presidential nomination. This is going to make a lot of folks happy.

Thompson wants to be 2008's outsider

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Memorial Day

First a brief history of Memorial Day:

Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11, and was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. By 1890 it was recognized by all of the northern states. The South refused to acknowledge the day, honoring their dead on separate days until after World War I (when the holiday changed from honoring just those who died fighting in the Civil War to honoring Americans who died fighting in any war). It is now celebrated in almost every State on the last Monday in May...

Today is the day set aside to honor our war dead. We honor those who have given all to defend our liberties and protect our freedoms. We hang our flags at half mast until noon, we place flowers and flags on graves of the fallen. And as a nation, we pause at 3:00PM in a moment of silence to remember those who have fought and died for us.

This is also a day to enjoy the liberty we have inherited. We gather with family and friends, boating and grilling, playing volley ball and . We eat potato salad and go to the ball game. Some of us head out to the range (and have the rain drive us away) and others watch the summer's first blockbusters at the theatre. Enjoy this long weekend with family and friends, please spend a moment remembering those who died so we can enjoy weekends such as these.

Memorial Day Cards, c 1909

1909 is the year my Grandfather Cook was born. I thought I would share a couple of Memorial Day post cards from the year of his birth.

Day By Day

The Quisling is Back

Earlier this month I commented on an editorial by John Hansel, my commentary was titled "From One Gun Owner to Another (yeah... right)". It seems that Mr. Hansel had sent his letter off to quite a few papers, and many of the smaller ones published it. I read the responses to this letter in a few of those online versions of the paper, and to say that the response was overwhelmingly against Mr. Hansel's ideas would be an understatement.

It seems that Mr. Hansel has followed up that first effort with another that is even further out of focus with the facts that I feel Mr. Hansel has become delusional, or is just shilling for the anti's under the banner of being a gun owner.

The pistolero has done an excellent job of fisking this latest bit of quisling commentary here.

I would add just one thing to the pistolero's fisking, Mr. Hansel is a provable lier.

He states:

The response to my recent Letter to the Editor has been overwhelming. It proves that there is a growing sentiment to ban the manufacture of repeating arms of all types - rifles or pistols.

A simple google news search of his first letter proves this to be very false.

Head on over and see how the pistolero takes this quisling to task.

Upcoming Firearms Auction

If you are a regular visitor, then you know that I really enjoy auctions, and there is a good one coming up.

Greg Martin Auctions is sponsoring a Collectible Firearms, Memorabilia and Accessories auction on June 18th, 19th and 20th.

A few highlights from the auction:

We'll start with the Colts. Up for grabs are 410 Colt firearms.

A First Model Derringer
Estimate $900 to $1200

Colt House "Cop & Thug" Pocket Revolver
Estimate $1500 to $2250

Colt Government Model 1911-A1 Semi-Automatic Pistol together with Military Holster, Web Utility Belt, Pouch with 3 Extra Magazines and 6 Boxes of Vintage Ammunition
Estimate $1500 to $2000

Cased Pair of Colt Model 1849 Pocket Percussion Revolvers Inscribed Maj. C. Smith, 1st Regiment, California
Estimate $15000 to $18000

Historic Colt Pre-War First Generation Frontier Six-Shooter Single Action Revolver together with Antique Western Gun Rig Attributed to Mexican Revolutionary Pancho Villa
Estimate $3000 to $5000

Rare San Francisco Police Marked Colt Lightning Medium Frame Slide Action Rifle together with Factory Letter Documenting Shipment to San Francisco Police Department
Estimate $4000 to $6000

Custom-Engraved U.S. Colt Model 1911 Semi-Automatic Pistol together with Alligator Leather Gun Rig
Estimate $3000 to $5000

If you are interested in Colts, you really should visit this portion of the auction. You will find everything from an 1861 percussion musket to an AR-15 SP-1 with estimates from easily affordable to... well not so easily affordable on my pay check.

Our next chapter in the auction catalog is American Firearms (not Colt). There are 358 firearms in this section of the auction.

Let us start with the basics -

Composite U.S. Winchester M-1 Garand Semi-Automatic Rifle with Bayonet
Estimate: $600 - $800

Rare Boxed Smith & Wesson Limited Edition Model 19 San Francisco Police 125th-Anniversary Commemorative Double Action Revolver Together with Accompanying Badge Belt Buckle and Display Case
Estimate $1300 to $2000

Deluxe Engraved Stevens Model 44 Single-Shot Sporting Rifle
Estimate $2000 to $3000

J.C. Higgins Model 103-18 Bolt Action Rifle
Estimate $50 to $75

A Rare and Fine Deluxe Engraved, Stocked and Cased Smith's Patent Breechloading Carbine, by Massachusetts Arms Co., with Low Serial No. 5
Estimate $100000 to $125000

The American Firearms portion of the auction showcases firearms from the early 1800's to the late 1900's and is well worth your time viewing.

Finally we have the Foreign Firearms portion of the auction. This portion of the auction showcases 208 firearms. In here you can find a Matchlock Carbine and a North African Flintlock along side a Heckler & Koch USP in .40 caliber.

It is getting late, and this post has gotten quite long, so I will highlight just one item from the Foreign Firearms section, and it may very well be the most important item in the auction:

Rare Borchardt Semi-Automatic Pistol with Wooden Shoulder Stock Captured in Germany in April 1945 from German Military Officer by Pierre Borione of the French Underground, sold together with Supporting Provenance
Estimate $15000 to $20000

If you have been counting, so far there are 969 firearms to view and learn about in the sections I have listed (and I didn't even touch on the Winchester section of the auction). There are firearms for every interest and every budget. I highly recommend you head on over give them a look. Who knows, maybe a little piece of history or superb craftsmanship follows you home.

I have a daughter getting married at the end of June... Pay for her reception, or bid on a certain 1911? Decisions.. decisions.

If you find a favorite in the auction catalog, mention the lot number and I will add it to this post.

S.B. 534 is Dead

SB 534 (employer parking lots bill) has died as of midnight Tuesday, the 22nd of May. As I have previously stated, I was not very happy with some portions of this bill. I was mostly concerned about the requirement for a CHL holder to provide the employer, in writing, a statement that the CHL holder had a license and intended to store a firearm in a vehicle on company property.

I am not saddened by the demise of this particular bill. In preparation of the 2009 legislative session, I would ask that Texas firearms owners contact their representatives and the TSRA. We need to voice support for a bill such as HB 1037. If big business is going to fight us anyway, we might as well go for a bill that in line with the Bill of Rights.

HB 1037 is pretty simple:

(b) A public or private employer may not discharge, discipline, or penalize in any manner an employee because the employee transported or stored a firearm in the employee's locked motor vehicle, regardless of whether the vehicle was located on the employer's property...

...(g) A public or private employer is not liable in a civil action for damages resulting from an occurrence involving the storage of a firearm in the motor vehicle of an employee.

If the purpose of our legislature is to defend liberty and personal freedom, then this is the type of legislation they should be approving.

Texas House Bill 2112

On February 22nd, Representative Diane Patrick (my representative) introduced H.B. 2112, AN ACT relating to banning handguns and certain other weapons from parking areas associated with schools or educational institutions; providing criminal penalties.

As written, this was a horrible bill that set the right to keep and bear arms in Texas back a couple of steps.

Current Texas law prohibits concealed carry on the physical premises of a school or educational institution, any grounds or building on which an activity sponsored by a school or educational institution is being conducted, or a passenger transportation vehicle of a school or educational institution, whether the school or educational institution is public or private, unless pursuant to written regulations or written authorization of the institution. (Texas Penal Code 46.039(a)(1)) Under Texas law, "Premises" means a building or a portion of a building. The term does not include any public or private driveway, street, sidewalk or walkway, parking lot, parking garage, or other parking area.(PC 46.035(f)(3))

H.B. 2112, as written, would have criminalized the act of picking up your child from school with a firearm on your person or even in your vehicle.

(a) A person commits an offense if the person intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly possesses or goes with a firearm...

(7) in or on any real property that is owned or leased by a public or private school or educational institution and routinely used by the faculty, staff, students, or visitors of the school or educational institution, including a parking lot, parking garage, or other parking area.

Needless to say, I was very disappointed in my representative and fired off a quick email that started with:

Ma'am;

I am writing today to let you know that I am very much against HB 2112. This bill will accomplish nothing in the way of protecting our state's most precious resource, our children. As a matter of fact, passage of this bill will put our children at a higher risk. This bill will also force the responsible parent to make a decision between obeying an immoral and unconstitutional law, or protecting their children...

I also contacted my friendly neighborhood TSRA lobbyist to pitch a bitch about this bill and learned a bit of interesting history concerning this bill and it's clones from previous legislative sessions. It seems that Rep. Patrick, being a freshman rep, was duped into sponsoring this bill. When she realized that this bill would do nothing to protect our schools or our children, she went to work and basically re-wrote the bill in such a way that the anti's are happy, and our rights are not infringed.

The new text of HB 2112

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT

relating to the prosecution of an offense prohibiting the exhibition, use, or threatened exhibition or use of a firearm in or on school property or a school bus.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 37.125(a), Education Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) A person commits an offense if, in a manner intended to cause alarm or personal injury to another person or to damage school property, the person intentionally exhibits, uses, or threatens to exhibit or use a firearm:
(1) in or on any property, including a parking lot, parking garage, or other parking area, that is owned by a private or public school; or
(2) on a school bus being used to transport children to or from school-sponsored activities of a private or public school.

HB 2112 has passed both the House and the Senate and is on the Governor's desk for signing.

Granted, the acts covered by this revised bill are already against the law, but I do have to commend Representative Patrick for her work on this bill. She admitted that she was mistaken to sponsor this bill and worked very hard to turn it into something we all could live with. The particular group that had been pushing for the original test of the bill for the past six years has agreed to accept the current version of the bill and not bring up the issue again. Many freshman legislators would have not admitted to a mistake and stood their ground. With her actions concerning HB 2112, and her voting history for her first year in office, Representative Patrick is shaking out to be a friend of gun owners and the right to keep and bear arms.

H.B. 2112 as introduced.

H.B. 2112 as passed.

Police Reports

There are times when reading the news leaves you with a few more questions than answers. A case in point -

From The Lufkin Daily News:

Man following possible drunk driver has gun pointed at him

A concerned dad reported he had a gun pointed at him as he followed a man in his car who he thought was drunk, a Lufkin police report stated. The father's daughter was riding in the man's vehicle, the report stated.

That's it, that's all she wrote.

This was from the Police Reports section of the paper. Granted, this section of the paper is just a quick run down of police activity, but there sure seems to be a much larger story behind that short blurb.

I Guess It Really Isn't Amnesty

Thanks to The Skipper at Barking Moonbat Early Warning System

Guns on the Streets

Mayor Bloomberg is spending a ton of his constituents dollars attempting to entrap and shut down gun dealers from states other than New York.

Representative Castle of Delaware has H.R. 96, a bill to close the supposed "Gun Show Loophole".

Bloomberg blames the violence done by goblins with guns on out of New York State gun dealers and Castle blames it on gun shows. The fact that neither of these politicians is addressing the fact that goblins are violent creatures, pretty much proves that their anti gun initiatives are just so much political pandering and attempts to be mentioned in the news. Action that might actually work, that would reduce violent crime, would be controversial and require some political balls to accomplish. Blaming the gun is much easier.

Quite a few violent criminals do have guns, many of these goblins are repeat offenders who are not able to legally purchase a firearm. So where do these guns come from? Are they, as Bloomberg states, purchased in bulk by a person who is able to pass a background check and then re-sold on the black market? Or do goblins hang out at gun shows, taking advantage of the mythical gun show loophole? I would have to say NO to both of these theories. Less than 2% of felons owned (not used, just owned) firearms that were purchased at gun shows. Many of these were bought by family members. I have no stats on firearms bought in a straw purchase and resold to a goblin for a profit, but I believe that percentage to be small also. Why do I believe this? Because the price of a black market firearm is a small percentage of retail. Most black market firearms have been on the market for quite awhile. They are sold and re-sold, traded for drugs or favors, and then sold once again. New firearms end up on the black market through theft, and that is where this little bit of commentary is headed. Theft. It seems not a week goes by without a news article such as this:

From the Dallas Morning News:

By Tanya Eiserer

Police: Gun belt stolen from car while officer played basketball

Yep, another firearm stolen from a police officer. This one has a twist.

A Dallas police officer told other officers late Sunday that he'd chased a man and lost his gun belt.

But it turns out that Officer Archie Beason hadn't been in a foot chase and that his gun belt was stolen when he left it in his squad car while he played basketball, authorities said. Officer Beason was on duty at the time.

Let us see how this came to be.

The incident began late Sunday in the 5000 block of Colonial Avenue, records show.

According to police, Officer Beason called dispatch and reported that he was in a foot chase and that his gun belt had come off and been taken. When others officers arrived, they could not find Officer Beason's gun belt or the person he had said he was chasing.

Among the items on his gun belt was his 9 mm gun, an expandable baton, handcuffs, 46 bullets, three pistol magazines and mace.

One more gun on the street. Maybe Bloomberg should be on a nation wide campaign to improve firearm security in our police departments.

Witnesses tipped off authorities that Officer Beason had not been in a chase and that he had been playing basketball. He had left the gun belt on the front seat of his squad car, records show.

So, officer Benson was playing basketball on taxpayers time. While playing basketball, his duty firearm was stolen from the front seat of his squad car. Officer Benson then makes a false report to police dispatch (a violation of law if I am not mistaken), resulting in more officers respond to an emergency call on the tax payer dollar.

The police work for the public, right? If one of my employees is playing ball while on company time, and loses company property, then lies to me about how it all happened, the employee would be fired. No questions.

What is Officer Benson doing these days?

"He's been placed on restricted duty pending an investigation."

I wonder what would happen to me if I made a false 911 call?

40 Signs That Your Country is No Longer Free

I found an interesting article in this June's issue of S.W.A.T. Magazine (The Spring Buyers Guide). The article was the "Enemy At The Gate" feature by Claire Wolfe. The title of the article caught my eye, and the content my interest.

40 Signs That Your Country is No Longer Free

Let me point out a few of the "40 Signs" that I found pertinent and interesting:

...

3. If you transport more cash than the government thinks you should have, even within the borders of the country, your money can be taken away from you permanently without any proof you've done anything wrong. (Civil asset forfeiture statutes and the topic of my very first post)

4. The government can take your private property and give it to more politically connected individuals and companies so they can build golf courses, casinos, hotels, and even parking lots. (U.S. Supreme Court: Kelo vs. New London)

...

20. Teachers, parents and responsible students are forbidden to defend children effectively against violent attack by madmen. (Various state and federal laws including Gun Free School Zones)

21. Children are suspended, and in some cases even face criminal charges, for bringing butter knives, G.I. Joe miniature rifles, aspirin or cough drops to school. (Dozens, if not hundreds, of cases around the nation.)

...

23. You can get five to 15-year "sentence enhancements" added to your punishment for completely non-violent crime because you owned a gun that was locked in a trunk or stashed in a glove compartment, or even because you're a former felon who picked up a single .22 cartridge while laying carpet (Project Exile, Project Safe Neighborhoods.)

If you want to read the rest, you will just have to get the June issue of S.W.A.T., or read the discussion thread Clair used to write the article.

What Are the Good Folks on my Sidebar Saying About "Immigration Reform"?

I have some smart, literate and down to earth folks on my side bar. Let us see what they have to say about this current piece of "Immigration Reform" legislation:

ACE finds the Immigration deal near death.

The Skipper posts a poll: The Immigration Bill: You Decide.

A Jacksonian is Upholding the Nation and it's 'classical liberal' roots and trounces Immigration Amnesty 2: The Return of the Seatwarmers (both long reads, but well worth your time).

Stan blogs The non-amnesty amnesty bill and continues with Non-amnesty amnesty part II.

Fits sees the error in The Fence We Didn't Build Didn't Work So LET THEM IN!

Fred waxes sympathetic (not) in Many Mexican families face quandary.

Gunny John notes that once again We Surrender.

Our federal government has a list of things it is supposed to be taking care of, and it is a very short list. Protecting our national sovereignty is a major purpose of that list. Congress shall "...provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States;" Dragging the United States down to Third World status is not providing for the general Welfare of the United States. Congress is also tasked with the responsibility and the power to "...repel Invasions;" 12,000,000+ people entering our country without our permission and against our laws constitutes an invasion to me. So, what is congress proposing to "repel" this invasion? Nothing! They seek to legitimize those who ignore our laws and create a sub-class of folks who they think will be happy being treated as serfs by businesses large and small throughout the country.

Even a no name gun blogger such as myself can see the lunacy in this proposal

Second Amendment Carnival XII

Stan over at Free Constitution has posted the twelfth editionof the Second Amendment Carnival.

Providing the best 2nd Amendment coverage the blogosphere has to offer.

Second Amendment Carnival XII

About This "Agreement" on Immigration Reform

I Don't Agree. Period!

I prefer to keep the language on A Keyboard and a .45 suitable for everyone, so I can not properly express my anger at the moment.

I'll let The Ugly American over at Sondra K's place do it for me.

Warning; Language

Retribution Day

The Next Generation

So where is it that folks are teaching the next generation High Power Rifle shooting?

Well, it's cold, it is May, it must be Massachusetts.

These images are from the 2007 Reading Rifle Junior Highpower Clinic that was held at the Reading Rifle and Revolver Club in Reading, Massachusetts. They had a total of 27 juniors both male and female ranging in age from 14 to 19 on the firing line.

Read all about this CMP supported clinic here.

Welcome to the Real World

What happens when an anti-gun Democrat legislator gets mugged?

I guess the answer to that question depends upon the legislator in question. Some would become even more rabidly anti-gun, their fear of firearms creating an emasculating form of dementia. Others would come to the realization that maybe, just maybe, they were wrong about the whole idea of gun control. These folks may even regret a previous anti-gun stance.

The Plain Dealer published a commentary on one such epiphany:

Run-in changes lawmaker's stance

By Phillip Morris

It's funny how a gun can instantly change your perspective on things, make you wish you could rewrite history.

State Rep. Michael DeBose, a southside Cleveland Democrat, discovered this lesson the night of May 1, when he thought he was going to die. That's the night he wished he had that gun vote back.

DeBose, who had just returned from Columbus, where he had spent the day in committee hearings, decided to take a short walk up Holly Hill, the street where he has lived with his wife for the past 27 years.

It was late, but DeBose, 51, was restless. The ordained Baptist minister knew his Lee-Harvard neighborhood was changing, but he wasn't scared. The idle, young men who sometimes hang out on his and adjacent streets didn't threaten him.

He is a big man and, besides, he had run the same streets before he found Jesus - and a wife. That night, he just needed a walk.

The loud muffler on a car that slowly passed as he was finishing the walk caught his attention, though. When the car stopped directly in front of his house - three houses from where he stood - he knew there was going to be a problem.

"There was a tall one and a short one," DeBose said, sipping on a McDonald's milkshake and recounting the experience Friday.

"The tall one reached in his pocket and pulled out a silver gun. And they both started running towards me."

"At first I just backed up, but then I turned around and started running and screaming..."

Representative DeBose survived this encounter unharmed and just a bit shaken up.

What was Rep. DeBose's stand on gun control prior to this incident? Good question.

DeBose twice voted against a measure to allow Ohioans to carry concealed weapons. It became law in 2004.

I have not taken the time to look up his voting record on other RKBA issues, but I am sure that the Ohio Gun Bloggers will be right on it.

So how has this affected Rep. DeBose and his stand on gun control?

"I was wrong," he said Friday.

"I'm going to get a permit and so is my wife.

"I've changed my mind. You need a way to protect yourself and your family.

"I don't want to hurt anyone. But I never again want to be in the position where I'm approached by someone with a gun and I don't have one."

DeBose said he knows that a gun doesn't solve Cleveland's violence problem; it's merely a street equalizer.

"There are too many people who are just evil and mean-spirited. They will hurt you for no reason. If more people were packing guns, it might serve as a deterrent.

"But there obviously are far deeper problems that we need to address," he added, as he suddenly seemed to realize he sounded like a gun enthusiast.

They say the definition of a conservative is a liberal who has been mugged. DeBose's CCW application will bear some witness to that notion.

This is one politician who can learn from experience, there is hope in the world after all.

Thanks to Kevin at The Smallest Minority for leading us to this article with his post Mugged by Reality .

Edit to add: Buckeye Firearms Association comments on this article here.

Texas State Rifle Association Internet Survey

Texas SB 534 concerns a CHL holders right to have a firearm in their vehicle on the employers parking lot. On May 1, 2007, the Texas Association of Business (TAB) cranked up its attack on SB 534 another notch, by releasing the results of likely one of the most lop-sided and skewed polls in the history of surveys and polling (Read the TSRA take on this poll here).

In response to the TAB survey, the TSRA has posted it's own survey which I have thoughtfully provided for your convenience. I have a major concern about SB 534 (which you can read about here), but I do believe it is a good idea to counter the anti's propaganda at every turn.

Note: Clicking "Next Question" will re-direct you to the Quibblo polling page.

Poll on Rights of Texas Employers to veto the Second Amendment

Are you more likely to vote for a candidate in a state, national or local election if they are strong defenders of your right to keep and bear arms?

	Strongly Agree (I want candidates that defend the Second Amendment)
	Somewhat agree
	Neutral
	Somewhat disagree
	Strongly disagree (I don't care about the Right to Keep and Bear Arms)

Question 1 out of 9

Created on Quibblo.com
find more or create your own

Drama in the Texas Senate

Some legislation just makes so much sense that a person has to wonder why there is even any debate on the issue.

From the Star Telegram:

By John Moritz

Shouting, illness highlight Senate drama

AUSTIN -- In a dramatic showdown on the Senate floor Tuesday, Republican Lt. Gov.

David Dewhurst called for a vote on legislation that has been an anathema to Democrats all year and won a short-lived victory.

But by the time the dust settled, the outnumbered Senate Democrats regrouped to block the chamber’s presiding officer.

At issue was legislation that would require voters to show official identification before casting ballots at the polls. Republicans say the measure, which has already cleared the House, would ensure that non-citizens cannot cast votes in national, state and local elections.

But Democrats have called it a cynical attempt to suppress the votes of minority citizens...

I am confused. Don't minorities have ID? Even those considered poor or "underprivileged" have to have ID to collect welfare, food stamps and unemployment don't they?

I guess politics has nothing to do with good old common sense or even with doing what is right.

If you go and read the entire article, you may get a chuckle at the hoops Dewhurst jumped through to try and get this bill passed.

The Invention of Captain Josiah V. Meigs

We currently have two separate bills in Washington DC that would outlaw what some consider high capacity magazines, and one that would assign .50 caliber rifles the same restrictive regulations as fully automatic firearms. The anti's argue that these modern firearms and accessories are not to be trusted in the hands of the citizenry. I wonder what they would think about this, a .50 caliber rifle with a 50 (yes... 50) round magazine?

Just the thought of that is probably enough to make a hopolophobe assume the fetal position and cry for mommy.

One man did much more than think about a rifle such as this, he developed it.

The above rifle was invented by Captain Josiah V. Meigs in 1866. It shot the Meigs .50 caliber magazine rifle cartridge, and it was quick and accurate.

I found this rifle while browsing one of my favorite firearm auction sites, Greg Martin Auctions. From the auction catalog:

This unique prototype 50-shot breech-loading magazine rifle, one of only three in existence, was invented by J.V. Meigs under U.S. patent No, 54934 issued May 22, 1866. This rifle is designed with a metallic tube taking the place of the ordinary neck of the stock for the purpose of carrying the magazine; this tube is attached to the walnut cheekpiece and steel buttplate.

The frame of the rifle or receiver carries within it a guard and trigger assembly capable of sliding back and forth, producing the motions necessary to chamber and fire the arm from any position desired. During testing, so little disturbance was created with this action that 50 shots could be fired per minute with ease.

According to the testing, it was determined that a sufficiently accurate aim can be insured to cover an advancing cavalryman for the entire distance in which he could trot or even gallop his horse, thus rendering escape very limited. As an infantryman can advance but at a rate of 109 yards per minute at double quick, an ensconced soldier armed with this rifle could carefully take aim and fire at his enemy at a rate of one shot for every two steps taken by him, thus firing fifty shots before his enemies arrive at nine yards in his front. With this rifle, no cartridge box was necessary; the weight of the rifle was not excessive. Handled by a man accustomed to the rifle, it can be fired at a rate of FIFTY SHOTS IN NINETEEN SECONDS! A new magazine could be inserted in a very brief time. This experimental prototype rifle was tested in trials for four years during which time 38,000 rounds were fired without failure. A truly unique and historic American weapon.

Captain Meigs not only developed this firearm, he also invented the self lubricating bullet and a center fire primered cartridge that contained an internal primer suitable for tubular magazines.

I have a pdf file of The American Rifleman article from June 1955 that Covers Captain Meigs, his rifle and his cartridges. If you would like a copy, just send me an email. (Gunny John, yours is already on the way)

This rifle (along with a few hundred more) will be on the auction block in June. The estimate for this particular rifle is $25000 - $35000, a bit beyond my means. To learn more about this rifle, and view some better images, go to the auction catalog page here.

That Pesky Law of Unintended Consequences Strikes Again

Sometimes folks in positions of authority just don't think things through before making up new rules. It would be quite funny, except this time the ridiculous rules hurt the very children they were supposedly written to help.

From the Star Telegram:

By Melissa Vargas

New rules are factor in lack of foster homes

Phil Hawkins' job description recently expanded.

Hawkins, a Fort Worth program director for Child Protective Services, has asked his employees to work overtime to baby-sit kids in state custody who haven't been placed in foster homes by bedtime.

On May 1, it was his turn.

Hawkins and other volunteers watched over four teenage boys in a converted meeting room, their blow-up mattresses covering the floor around a conference table. Two teen girls were camped out on the other side of the building. In the morning, they were shuffled off to a homeless shelter while the search for foster homes continued.

I won't get into the discussion about a states rights to remove children from their parents, but to take them from the family and then "shuffle them off to a homeless shelter" seems like a piss poor arrangement to me.

Currently the state has more children in foster care than it has foster parents willing and able to care for those kids. CPS (Child Protective Services) has instituted a couple of new rules that went into affect on January 1st of this year. These rules were put into place to "protect the children" (where have I heard that one before?).

Let us see how these new rules have affected foster care in Texas:

Rules and risks

The Texas Foster Family Association is saying "we told you so" about the crisis, said Roy Block, the association's president.

The problem swelled after CPS implemented new minimum standards Jan. 1 intended to protect children.

Foster families are no longer allowed to keep firearms in their homes or to smoke in their homes or cars when the children are present. They will also have to erect secure fences and gates surrounding a swimming pool, among other changes.

While the rules are well-intended, they disqualified some foster parents and discouraged others from wanting to take more kids, Block said.

Yes, you did read that correctly. If you own a firearm, or smoke, you are not up to the Texas CPS standards for being a foster care family. Some of these kids come out of true hell holes, and the fact that smoking cigarettes (a perfectly legal habit the last time I checked) would disqualify an otherwise capable potential foster parent is atrocious. This atrocity is multiplied when a responsible firearm owner, based solely on the fact that he or she own a firearm, is also ineligible to care for a foster child. These new rules severely limit the pool of potential foster parents and are a disservice to the children of Texas.

The Gun Grabbers Are Still At It

Oscar Poppa reminds us that we need to remain Eternally Vigilant against those who would attempt to take from us our Right to Keep and Bear Arms. He has provided a partial list of federal anti-gun legislation that we need to speak out against. The anti's are getting backed into a corner, and a corner is where a rat fights fiercest.

Quite a few folks are still saying that gun control on the federal level is a dead issue. Someone forgot to mention that to the Anti's.

Here is a quick list of pending federal anti gun legislation:

H.R. 96 - Closes the "Gun Show Loophole" by pretty much shutting down gun shows. 4 Cosponsors.

H.R. 297 - Expands the National Insta Check System. 17 Cosponsors.

H.R. 1022 - Bans Firearms that look like someones idea of an assault weapon. 47 Cosponsors. More on HR 1022 here.

H.R. 1784 - Bans the FN Five-seveN Pistol and 5.7 x 28mm SS190 and SS192 cartridges. This bill would also give the Attorney General Carte Blanch discretion on determining other calibers to be banned due to the potential of penetrating soft body armor. 12 Cosponsors.

S 1237 - The No-Fly List = No Guns List bill. 8 Cosponsors.

S 1331 - Places .50 caliber rifles under Title II regulations of the Gun Control Act of '68. This bill is horrible and has 10 Cosponsors. The Cosponsors are a who's who list of anti's in the Senate. I will mention more on this bill at a later date. Until then, go and read it, then start writing.

There is more anti gun legislation pending in D.C., this list only includes bills that have cosponsors.

Oscar Poppa did a more in depth job of describing a few of these bills, head on over and see what he has to say.

Name This Firearm

I will be posting some information on this interesting firearm in the near future. Until then, let's see who can identify it.

CHL Confidentiality in Texas

The current law concerning CHL confidentiality in Texas is one of the better ones in the country. An organization or an individual could not obtain a list of CHL holders as we have seen happen in other states. An organization can request, in writing, if certain individuals have been issued a CHL, but can not just request a generic list. They have to provide the name of the individual they are interested in.

Sec. 411.192. CONFIDENTIALITY OF RECORDS.

(a) The department shall disclose to a criminal justice agency information contained in its files and records regarding whether a named individual or any individual named in a specified list is licensed under this subchapter.

[The department shall, on written request and payment of a reasonable fee to cover costs of copying, disclose to any other individual whether a named individual or any individual whose full name is listed on a specified written list is licensed under this subchapter.] Information on an individual subject to disclosure under this section includes the individual's name, date of birth, gender, race, and zip code.

Except as otherwise provided by this section and by Section 411.193, all other records maintained under this subchapter are confidential and are not subject to mandatory disclosure under the open records law, Chapter 552.

I have good news, a decent law is about to become even better.

From the NRA-ILA

On Wednesday, May 9, the Texas Senate gave final approval to House Bill 991, the Concealed Handgun License confidentiality (CHL) bill sponsored by State Representative Patrick Rose (D-Dripping Springs) and State Senator Bob Deuell (R-Greenville). The bill now goes to Governor Rick Perry (R) for his signature.

What this bill does is delete the portion of the bill in brackets [The department shall...] . Private parties and news organizations can no longer obtain information on an individuals CHL status. This is great news. There are companies in Texas that request this information on potential new hires. These companies are no longer able to discriminate against an individual based on the fact that the individual has accepted the responsibility of self defense.

This makes two good pieces of legislation making their way into Texas law during this session. The first was the Castle Doctrine Bill. Things are looking up for the RKBA in Texas.

Minor Problem

My internet connection at home is down. It went down late Tuesday evening, and was still down when I left for work this morning. Hopefully I will be back on-line this evening.

Illegal Is as Illegal Does

From The Eagle Tribune:

By Terry Date

Illegal alien agrees to plea deal in gun case

CONCORD - An illegal alien, who lived in Chester, pleaded guilty yesterday to federal charges of firearm possession and lying about his citizenship to obtain a gun as part of a plea agreement.

Carlos Delacruz, 39, who also goes by the name Orlando Rodriguez, is to be sentenced Aug. 6 to two to three years in federal prison, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Papps. The court awaits a presentence investigation report on any prior criminal offenses by Delacruz.

Does being an Illegal Alien count as a "prior criminal offense"? How about identity theft? Oh... let's not mention those, eh?

From One Gun Owner to Another (yeah... right)

It seems that these "I'm a gun owner, and I recommend that we take away your guns" editorials are becoming even more common. I am beginning to think this is an organized letter writing campaign by the anti's . This next example is the most disingenuous yet.

From the Central Kentucky News-Journal:

by John P. Hansel

From one gun owner to another

Having owned guns and been an active hunter for more than 60 years, I feel qualified to speak on the subject of guns.

Why do I own a gun in the first place? I can think of only three possible reasons:

1. To go hunting.

2. To use for target practice.

3. For self-defense.

I can't think of any other reason - can you? That being the case, why do we gun owners need an assault weapon? Is it just for kicks? Isn't it time we stepped up and told the National Rifle Association to take the lead in calling for a ban on the manufacture of all automatic and assault weapons of every caliber?

During World War II, a manufacturer had to have a Defense Order to produce anything for use by the armed forces. If we reinstated such a requirement, we could eliminate the manufacture or importation of these "toys" except for armed service or police use and put an end to multiple slayings like Virginia Tech and Columbine.

NRA could expand its membership and win over many anti-gun folks by taking this lethal bull by the horns.

The NRA needs to hear it from us gun owners. Let's call, write or e-mail them at: National Rifle Association of America, 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA 22030; (800) 672-3888; https://www.nrahq.org/contact.asp.

It is interesting that Mr. Hansel mentioned World War II. I guess he does not understand that Vets could bring back their service rifle from that war, and that many brought back battle field souvenirs that included firearms.

Mr. Hansel also seems to forget that until just prior to WWII, folks could purchase a fully automatic firearm through the mail, and a farm boy could purchase a handgun at the hardware store.

Maybe Mr. Hansel is right... maybe we should take the bull by the horns and contact the NRA and demand that they fight to repeal all firearms laws written after... let's say... 1930?

The NRA could expand it's membership and win over all the Pro-Gun folks who wish they were a bit more pro-active in securing our Second Amendment rights.

.22 Long Range Silhouette Match

Johnson County Shooting Sports Asc.
Is Hosting the
2007
6th. Annual Texas & Southwest Regional
22 Long Range Silhouette Championships Match,

May 20

The JCSSA is sponsoring the sixth annual .22 Long Range Rifle Silhouette Championship Match for Texas and Southwest Regional. This will be a 40, 60 or 80 round match depending upon the number of entries. The match is shot with single shot rifles and open or target sights, no optics.

The match consists of shooting at steel silhouette chickens at 80 meters, pigs at 120 meters, turkeys at 154 meters and rams way out there at 200 meters. Chickens are shot in the standing off-hand position. All other animals may be shot from a prone or sitting position with the aid of cross sticks. The targets (and the ranges) are 2/5th scale of the BPCR Silhouette Matches. Spotting scopes are used.

This match is open to all class shooters and the entry fee is $35.00. This is a non sanctioned match

For more information on the match, go here.

This is one of my favorite competitions, I really enjoy watching those rams fall at 200m. If you think you might have any interest in this at all, come on out. It is a great bunch of folks that shoot this, and we are at all skill levels. I can pretty much guarantee a good time.

New Discussion Forum

From the email bag (paraphrased):

Last week I helped launch a new General Firearm/Second Amendment discussion forum - Firearms Talk...

I had to go over and check it out. Well folks, it looks like this new forum is off to a good start. The Mod's/Admin seem to be doing a good job of keeping things tidy, and they have a fairly comprehensive list of topics. It will be interesting to see just how large a niche they can carve out of Algore's internet.

Firearms Talk

I signed up under JR .45

RKBA Campus Roundup #9

Jeremy (The Mad Hatter) truly is making up for lost time and knocking out those campus roundups faster than I can keep up.

RKBA Campus Roundup #9

Now that the earthquake seems to be over, we're dealing with a few aftershocks here and there.

Still making my way through the states to find what sort of attitudes on gun issues can be found on America's college campuses, I stop over in New Hampshire, at Dartmouth...

All fans of the Campus Roundup need to head on over and see what Jeremy has discovered for us this time.

First interview: Hero in 2002 shooting dislikes gun bans

An interview with Mikael Gross, one of the folks that subdued the goblin during the 2002 shooting at The Appalachian School of Law.

From The Hook (Charlottesville's Homepage):

By Lisa Provence

Hero in 2002 shooting dislikes gun bans

The Appalachian School of Law, set in tiny, scenic Grundy, was the scene of a mass shooting in 2002.

Mikael Gross has thought a lot about that terrible day at Virginia Tech. After all, he was involved in a similar incident at a Virginia college, a shooting where three people were killed.

The difference? Gross and another student drew their guns, and students subdued the gunman...

Head on over and read the rest for yourself. Michael Gross is a former LEO and was at one time the chief of police at Brevard College in North Carolina. Mr Gross is currently the legislative counsel for the North Carolina General Assembly and has some interesting thoughts on the subject of concealed carry on school campuses.

Adding Fuel to the Fire

Yesterday evening I mentioned that Texas Governor Rick Perry proposed that Texas should consider allowing licensed, law-abiding citizens to carry their authorized weapon anywhere in the state.

As you can probably imagine, that added quite a bit of fuel to the gun debate fire.

An article in today's Star Telegram has already generated 16 pages of comments.

Allow concealed guns anywhere, governor says

Perry said he opposes concealed-gun-toting restrictions at all -- in a hospital, a public school, a beer joint or even the local courthouse.

"The last time I checked, putting a sign up that says don't bring your weapons in here, someone who has ill intent on their mind -- they could care less," Perry told reporters. "I think it makes sense for Texans to be able to protect themselves from deranged individuals, whether they're in church or whether on a college campus or wherever."

As reporters began listing places where concealed-permit holders face restrictions, Perry cut off the questioning and made it clear that he meant anywhere at all.

Just for giggles, I'll highlight a few of the comments from both sides of the issue:

Anti:

Perry is an idiot for making such a statement. Incredibly irresponsible, and he makes us Texans look like fools.

Posted by: Mike

Pro:

I agree, completely. Those with concealed carry permits should be allowed to carry their weapons wherever a licensed police officer can do so. Since the inception of the concealed carry permit with required education, there have been very few cases in which the weapons were used inappropriately, and we need the extra firepower to prevent those with no regard for the law, or rights of others, from being able to damage others until the police can arrive.

Posted by: Ronald P. Hunter

Anti:

We live in a society that accepts restrictions on the amount of mouthwash you can carry on an airplane but we have a governor who doesn't want to restrict where an ordinary person (not a peace officer) can walk around with a loaded gun. We have some pretty skewed ideas about freedom and about what keeps us safe.

Posted by: Name left out

Pro:

I think this is the first idea Perry has come up with that I can agree with. The individuals that are intent on killing, maiming, harming, crippling, scarring or any of the other negative outcomes of victimizing someone are seeking places that have VICTIMS. VICTIMS are by nature unable to retaliate, unable to respond in kind basicly as helpless as a babe in the cradle. Tell me something you folks denouncing this idea, would you not protect your innocents, your kids, the helpless, from someone intent on harming them if you could? You want to say NO GUNS at all but the shooter doesnt care if they are allowed, they actually like the fact they are not. When was the last time someone stormed an military base, a police station or anywhere else firearms are likely to be present? Correct me if I am wrong but I dont recall one incindent of a lone attacker going to any place like I have mentioned. I am not a criminal however if I was I sure would prefer to be reasonably sure anyone I accosted when pursuing criminal activities was a law abiding non firearm toting type so I didnt have to worry about getting my Darwin Award winnning rearend terminated. Be a victim if you like but allow me the ability to protect myself, my family and god willing you and your family and loved ones as well. Nuff Said.

Posted by: Crow

Anti:

After Virginia Tech and incident last year at South Hills High School, how can anyone think guns are safe in school? How about someone brings it in school and it falls out of their pocket. Wouldn't that be a nice toy for a 1st grader?

NO GUNS IN SCHOOLS!!!!

Posted by: Donna Banks

Pro:

I agree! If you have a license, you should be allowed to carry your weapon wherever you like. I am waiting for the first incident where John/Mary Q. Citizen pulls their weapon out and stops someone who has killed or is in the process of killing innocent people. Public opinion will change when that happens and their loved one is saved because a perfect stranger who has taken the time and spent the money to own and carry a weapon, stops a crazed mass murderer.

Posted by: V.G.

Anti:

Well, given the Governor's stand on this issue.....carry a concealed weapon anywhere/anytime.....why not make it mandatory that all students in the state of texas be required to carry a gun in their backpacks or lunch boxes....after all, it is their right....right? In fact, if the Governor is so hell-bent on allowing such ridiculous actions (no concealed gun-toting restrictions at all) then he should pony up the money to pay for these weapons for every school-aged child (K-16). So, the next time a group of student's want to take a tour of the Texas Governor's Mansion (why, in God's name would one want to do that?), they will comply with the following: "Please leave all personal items locked inside your vehicle. NO purses, bags, billfolds or cameras/video equipment will be allowed on the grounds.", but will expect to be able to walk in 'packin'....no questions asked!!....leave your cellphones outside, but 'heat' is okay. Only in Texas.....I rest may case.

Posted by: Yet Another Anon

Pro

May I share one vivid 9/11 memory with you all? App. 1 hr. after we were attacked, I walked through the halls of my employer at that time, a local college. Staff, faculty, students...all were literally frozen in place with the same terror I felt, but I wanted to survive..I wanted to DO something, anything, to LIVE.
Two hours later as I pulled into the driveway of my very low income predominantly minority neighborhood in SW Fort Worth, nobody was still, no one was paralyzed to say the least.
Many were busy unloading and or loading more street weapons (really big guns)than I had ever seen. What was exceedingly clear: "bad boys" are strapped PERIOD. They always have been-they always will be.Liberals and so called "gun control" proponents, would die of stress related causes if they had a clue as to how many illegal, unregistered, and unknown, handguns, assualt rifles, semi-automatics, etc., gang members, thugs, drug dealers,and otherwise undesireables have and have access to. The minute I hear someone start in with "gun control" rhetoric, I know the reality of who is illegally packing and what I saw come out of automobile trunks on 9/11, would hospitalize "gun control" activists.If we allow unaware good doers to even think they can take guns away from the law abiding,sober, moral people of this country, the thugs in my neighborhood alone, will be murdering and burning on your street, just like they are now doing on my street (South Creek Drive).

Posted by: (Name removed by request)

Anti:

perry your such a freak, then why the hell should we even have law enforcement?? get rid of them so I can quit paying for their salary, and let the freaking people of america take everything into their own hands that is really what your saying, perry has no idea the magnitude of what he is pushing, does he not know that the world is not what is what in his days?? we have gotten to be a little more qucik draw mcgraws on pulling out the pistols, if that law is passed people will be pulling out their guns for everything, what a ding ding

Posted by: Oh golly, another anon

Pro:

I agree totally with Mr. Perry. In 2002 another shooting in VA at a university took place where the gunman was stopped by two armed students in that incident three were killed and three wounded. In VA Tech 32 killed & no armed students. Lets see three or 32 how does that weigh out. I agree three is too many to lose, but 32 come on folks. Lets use some accurate thinking.

Posted by: Tracy

Anti:

Let me get this straight. We are going to allow hormone soaked teens and twenty-somethings--whose judgement is clearly impaired most of the time--to not only have weapons around them in places like schools but also to carry weapons?!?! How many lives do you think will be lost due to someone "dissing" someone else, and instead of punching them pulling out their gun? Thousands of times more than some nut at VA Tech, I would be willing to bet my mortgage. Has Perry gone insane?

Posted by: Ken

Pro:

I wish I could afford to be as ignorant and naive as those that believe gun control laws will have any impact on future violent crimes involving firearms. Unfortunately, I live in the real world where bad guys aren't hindered by laws that do nothing more than strip the law-abiding of their freedoms. I'll be damned if I give up my means of defending myself, my family, and my neighbors just so the docile can have another ineffectual feel good law.

Posted by: John Collins

Last one I'll post, it makes a great point:

It seems that the comments in favor of this plan take a logical approach, noting why this is a good idea by providing examples. The arguments against it seem to all be based on emotional reaction and personal attacks on Gov. Perry. Those don't hold water with me and are dismissed as individuals who would never agree with anything the Gov. proposes. Thus they marginalize themselves and their objections.

I am hesitant to support this proposal in full, but don't see any rational arguments against it.

Posted by: Mike

There are many more comments in favor of the Governors proposal than against it. I find the shear number of folks who logged on to support removing restrictions on where a CHL can carry very refreshing. I hope some of the other folks in Austin are paying attention.