Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Taking Aim at D.C.’s Gun Law

The money behind Parker v. District of Columbia, Mr. Robert Levy, was interviewed on MSNBCNewsweek and a few questions from that interview are posted online.


By Daren Briscoe

A couple of the questions:

NEWSWEEK: Why did you file this suit?
Robert Levy: First, because I’m a fervent believer in the Constitution, including the Second Amendment, and I read the Second Amendment as securing an individual’s right to keep and bear arms. In most jurisdictions, the courts have read the Second Amendment only to protect members of militias. In D.C., that issue has not been resolved. I saw an opportunity, with my two co-counsels, to vindicate Second Amendment rights and to establish a precedent that, if it reached the Supreme Court, would be applicable across the nation.

You don’t own any guns personally. Why not?
While I believe the Constitution secures my right to own guns, as a practical matter, I don’t sense the need to do so. I live in a safe area, a relatively affluent area, and crime isn’t a major issue where I live. I don’t have the same need for self-defense as the six plaintiffs in the Parker case.

Why is the Second Amendment so important?
Originally it was important as a protection accorded to American citizens against a tyrannical government. But even before the Constitution was written, even before the U.S. government was formed, the right existed. It was a means of self-defense, and today the right to bear arms protects us against predators. It’s important to note that the Second Amendment doesn’t grant a right to bear arms. It says the right to keep and bear arms “shall not be infringed,” meaning that it already existed.
There are more questions in the article, but not the complete interview. Now I have to go out and buy a copy of Newsweek.

Monday, July 30, 2007

A Sad, Sad State of Affairs

News like this is disheartening, to say the least.

From The Globe and Mail:

By Anthony Reinhart


Concerns about the "sinister uses" of guns in society have prompted University of Toronto officials to rid the campus of its 88-year-old sport shooting range, despite its continued popularity and spotless safety record.

"In today's world, even the perception of tolerance of guns and gun violence is seen as a negative," said Catherine Riggall, the university's vice-president of business affairs, who approved the decision recently. "This is the last university in the country to have a gun range on campus ... it's just not seen as a priority activity."
This could be a glimpse of the future of ranges on campus in the United States. One bright spot here in the states is the increase in popularity of college shooting clubs. Often these clubs meet and shoot at off campus ranges. I know that prior to the Virginia Tech shooting, membership in these clubs was growing. I have not read anything concerning how the Virginia Tech shootings have affected these clubs.

If a college near you has a shooting club, or team, give them your support. It is one way to keep Canadian style gun control in Canada.

Censorship cited in hate crimes debate

Hate crime legislation is one of those issues that makes absolutely no sense to me.

What difference does it make if Tom kills Bill because he is black, white, bald, gay, or even because Bill is sleeping with Tom's girlfriend. Bill is dead. Tom committed murder.

There is absolutely no reason to have an "add on" to the murder charge just because Tom was yelling racial insults as he was beating Bills brains in. If longer sentences will help to lower the murder rate, then all murders should be subjected to longer sentences, not just ones based on race.

Now that there is federal legislation to include homosexuals as a "protected class" under hate crime laws, more people are starting to speak out against them.

From the Star Telegram:

By Anna M. Tinsley


FORT WORTH -- When the Rev. Carl Pointer prepares a sermon, he sets out to share what he feels in his heart, mind and soul.

The last thing he wants is for the federal government to tell him what he cannot preach about.

"I should have freedom of speech and freedom of religion," said Pointer, an associate pastor of the Greater St. Paul Baptist Church in Stop Six. "A preacher has the right to spread his love ... and shouldn't be censored if some find it unpleasant."

Rev. Kyev Tatum


Pointer and many other preachers oppose a proposal in Congress to expand federal hate crimes laws to include sexual orientation, gender and disability to the racial, ethnic and religious categories already covered. They say the bill would censor their preaching, especially their sermons about homosexuality.
The Reverend Kyev Tatum stated:
"If a person is accosted ... for any reason, the person who committed the crime should be punished to the full extent of the law based on one's human rights, not based on one's sexual rights."
I have to wonder if the Reverend would support the overturning of all hate crime legislation?

I also wonder how hate crime legislation passed the constitutional test. You would think that "... nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws" would mean that it is unconstitutional to punish Tom more for killing Bill, than you would punish Bill for killing Tom.

Sunday, July 29, 2007

Thieving duo bolts with volts

A headline like that is deserving of a bit of publicity. Just reading it made me smile.

Must be a slow day at the Star Telegram.

By Domingo Ramirez Jr.


HURST -- The Energizer Bunny is probably living in fear these days.

A couple walked into Roy's Hobby Shop on July 19 and stole two batteries from toy helicopter boxes.

The theft happened about 5:30 p.m. at the shop in the 1300 block of Norwood Drive.

An employee told police that the charged-up couple fled after an employee discovered that the batteries, worth $26.99, were missing.
This incident even warrants a graphic.

Thieves Took Toy Helicopter Batteries, News at 11:00


Perhaps the couple had a temporary cash-flow problem -- they drove away in a Cadillac Escalade.
"One Adam 12, One Adam 12... Be on the lookout..."

Saturday, July 28, 2007

Mayor Daley Purchases .22 Rifles For The Youth of Illinois

Last weekend Chicago held its third gun "turn in" event. Folks who gave up their firearms received a debit card worth $100 for each gun they "turned in". I commented on the event here.

The Pistolero has an after action report from an individual who took advantage of this "deal".


The gist of the story, as posted on THR:

Members of the Champaign County Rifle Association gathered up a quantity of rusted out, scrap firearms to "turn in". One member drove in to Chicago and turned in the firearms at two of the 23 locations made available by Mayor Daley. The Champaign County Rifle Association (aka Guns Save Life) ended up with $1700. Most of this money will be used to purchase a couple CZ bolt-action .22s to be given away to two lucky kids participating in an upcoming NRA Youth Shooting Camp, and a heck of a lot of .22 ammo.

From The Pistolero:

Might not sound so good at first, but if you haven't seen it before, trust me, it's quite gratifying. A lot of folks say that participating in those "gun buy-backs" only helps the gun-haters because it ramps up the statistics on how many guns were turned in, but then there are also those who make the point that the buy-back advocates pad their numbers anyway. I'd agree with that. (By the way, how can one "buy back" property one never owned in the first place?!) Getting money for what are essentially piles of scrap metal and funneling that money back into the shooting sports -- money from people who think guns are essentially the root of all evil -- is just great. I was laughing out loud with glee and had a grin on my face the size of a B-52 when I was reading this at work yesterday. It'd be fun to see this happen more often. ;-)
I can see both sides of the coin.

The youth shooting sports can sure use the money. A couple of nice .22's and cases of ammo to feed them can go a long way towards teaching safe and accurate firearm handling skills. Our local 4-H shooting group sure could use money like that to upgrade their small bore and air rifle inventory. Receiving the money from the coffers of the anti's is icing on the cake.

In this instance, I am not so sure the ends justify the means. I have listened as the antis testify in from of the state legislature about the success of these kind of programs. I have seen, first hand, the representatives for the big cities drooling over the numbers and complementing the anti gun group on their contribution to the community. Numbers are powerful persuaders to politicians. Big numbers make for good publicity, and politicians would do pretty much anything for a good write up in the local news rag. For this to be a total win/win for the firearm community in Illinois, Guns Save Life needs to get this story into the Chicago news papers. Embarrassing the Mayor and his cronies would be the best way to keep them from using this program to forward their anti gun agenda.

The account of Templar223 and his foray into the city to "turn in" these guns is very well written and will make you laugh. You should click the THR link above and read the entire article, along with the 5 pages or so of comments.

Guns Save Life is a great organization very active in the attempt to regain freedom in the state of Illinois. If you have driven through Illinois, you may have seen their signage along the highways and byways.

Burma Shave Style Signage

My minor critique of this event should in no way take away from the hard work they have done, the things they have accomplished, or their future activities. They have a long row to hoe to make things right in Illinois, and they deserve our support.

Friday, July 27, 2007

Soda Can Assault Victim Wakes to Shoot Robber

Almost 28% of the folks in Texas who have a Concealed Handgun License have passed their 60th birthday. The antis, and some police officials, state that there is no reason for the elderly to have firearms, that criminals do not target our senior citizens.

Common sense proves them wrong, common sense is also one thing our seniors are full of.

From Fox News:


EL DORADO, Ark. — An elderly man beaten unconscious by an assailant wielding a soda can later awoke and shot the man during an attempted robbery, police said.

Willie Lee Hill, 93, told police he saw the robber while in his bedroom Wednesday night. Hill confronted Douglas B. Williams Jr., 24, of El Dorado, who struck the elderly man at least 50 times, knocking him out, police said.
Beating on a man almost 70 years his senior, this is one brave goblin.

This story does have a happy ending.
Hill, covered in blood from the attack, regained consciousness and pulled a .38-caliber handgun on Williams. Williams saw the gun and charged Hill, who fired one round, police said. The bullet struck Williams in the throat.
Good job old timer. I hope you heal quickly and completely.

The goblin did show a bit of remorse after being shot.
When police arrived, officers said Williams told them, "I can't feel my legs and I got what I deserved."

Thursday, July 26, 2007

Kidnapping, "Mexico Style"

Back in November I commented about the large numbers of American citizens being kidnapped in just one area of Mexico that borders the United States. At that time, there were at least 20 unresolved cases in the last two years involving kidnapped U.S. citizens.

Thanks to our "Open Border" policy, we no longer have to go through the hassle of crossing the border to be kidnapped "Mexico Style".

From the Houston Chronicle:

By Dale Lezon and Mike Glenn


Houston police announced Wednesday the discovery of a kidnapping and robbery operation in which unsuspecting people were snatched and held hostage until their relatives paid ransoms of a few thousand dollars.

While the actions of the ring mirror random kidnappings that have plagued Mexico and other Latin American nations for years, police said they have no evidence to suggest the Houston ring is connected to organized-crime groups in other countries. But experts familiar with so called "express kidnappings" taking place just south of the border said the Texas operation appears similar...

...Police said Elionay Pena, 47, Ricardo Patino, 24 and Jose Alberto Martinez, 19, are charged with aggravated kidnapping and aggravated robbery. They are being held in the Harris County Jail with no bail set.

Pena, Patino and Martinez are probably part of a larger local group primarily targeting Spanish-speaking victims who may be wary about reporting what happened, police said.

The men were arrested July 6 after one of their victims escaped, police said. The man, unidentified by police, had been waiting at a bus stop on South Gessner near the Katy Freeway service road on July 3 when four men — including the three who were later arrested — approached and forced him inside a waiting pickup, police said.

He told police that another hostage — who had been grabbed earlier — was in the truck.

The abductors drove them to a house in the 8000 block of John Street, where at least three other people were being held for ransom, police said. The victims were tied up and locked inside a room at the house.

The captors demanded the victims give them contact information for their relatives, who were then ordered to pay about $2,000 each to secure the victims' safe release. They threatened to kill them if police were called.
The victims of this particular group are illegals, chosen because they are less likely to call the police. It won't be long before the goblins figure out they can get more money by kidnapping citizens.

Oh, I forgot, some of them have already figured this out:

From ABC-13 News (KTRK)


Four men charged in a May kidnapping that ended with a shootout at a Wal-Mart that left another suspected kidnapper dead pleaded guilty Tuesday to federal charges.

Salomon Bocanegra, Juan Jose Ornelas-Castro, Heberto Bocanegra and Damarius Ornelas-Castro each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit kidnapping, kidnapping, using interstate communication facilities to demand ransom and a count of using, carrying and brandishing a firearm during or in relation to a crime of violence, according to a news release issued Tuesday by U.S. Attorney Richard B. Roper.

Each faces a maximum penalty of life in prison when they are sentenced Oct. 10.
I guess the are "Just kidnapping the folks that American citizens will not kidnap".

And to think that some folks have the audacity to insist that free citizens should not be allowed the means to protect themselves.

Man crosses U.S. to violently settle Internet feud

Who you calling a nerd?

From the Houston Chronicle:

By Angela K. Brown


ELM MOTT, Texas — A Navy man who got mad when someone mocked him as a "nerd" over the Internet climbed into his car and drove 1,300 miles from Virginia to Texas to teach the other guy a lesson.

As he made his way toward Texas, Fire Controlman 2nd Class Petty Officer Russell Tavares posted photos online showing the welcome signs at several states' borders, as if to prove to his Internet friends that he meant business.

When he finally arrived, Tavares burned the guy's trailer down.
I guess he showed him.

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Dem Debate, Youtube and Jared Townsend

Jared Townsend has caused quite a stir in the gun board/blogging community today.

You have not heard of Jared Townsend?

Jared is the guy who got a gun control question posed on national TV during the youtube debates.

Just in case you missed it (not too many folks watched the Dem's prance around more softball pitches during this last round of "debates"), so can't blame you) here it is:

Please watch the half minute video before continuing on.

I am quite surprised by some of the commentary posted in response to this question.

On AR15.com:

Posted By txharleyrider

And speaking about idiots in possesion of firearms...I'm sure most of you have seen the youtube debate questions thing on the news...anyone see the clip they showed of the dumbass that said "what I want to know is if our babys will be protected...this is my baby" with that said he pulled up his AR-15...I don't remember what debater said something like "I wonder if he responsible enough to own that weapon". I don't know about you...but I don't think these are the type of dumb asses we need speaking up for the 2-A. I'm sure most who saw that thought what a nut...private citizens shouldn't be able to own guns like that. He did more harm than good.
David, of The War on Guns, posted the following in response to authorized journalist : Steve Terrel:

Steve Terrell did get one thing right--not about his panty-wringing hysterics, or his ignorance (or intentional deception) by referring to "an automatic rifle," but in his observation that Gov. Richardson missed a great opportunity.

He should have chastised the questioner for performing an agenda-driven stunt. He should have demanded the guy's background be looked into, to see if he was really a gun rights advocate or a mole from the other side trying to make gun owners look like lunatics. He should have also chastised CNN for allowing a question designed to push so many buttons through without also allowing for a rational question about the rights and responsibilities of gun ownership to be made--it's not like the network didn't sift through all submissions to pick and reject based on their own subjective criteria.
When I watch the video, I see a pretty much regular guy trying to be creative enough to get a RKBA question asked at the debate. When I watch Senator Biden's response, I see the utter contempt that he and others like him have for those of us who treasure freedom and respect liberty.

Biden's response:

This was the 2nd Amendment question that was asked, and we did learn a lot from the two answers. We learned that Richardson is against private sales of firearms, and Biden re-affirmed the fact that he is a pompous ass.

Or as Michelle Malkin puts it:

July 25, 2007 -- SEN. Joe Biden is the embodiment of snide. Snide is the embodiment of the left-wing attitude toward gun owners. So when snide Joe Biden confronted a YouTube user who asked Democrat presidential candidates about gun control during a debate Monday night, what unfolded was a Teachable YouTube Moment - the caught-on-tape embodiment of ideological snideness toward the Second Amendment and those who defend it.
Thanks Fits.

If you are interested in Jered Townsend's point of view, check out The Reason Interview. An interview with Jered concerning the debate and his video.

Thanks to Ryan for sending and email with a link to the interview.

Motivational Poster

From The Barking Moonbat Early Warning System

Explosions in Dallas

By now, you have probably heard of the gas storage plant here in Dallas that exploded this morning. We are quite fortunate that only three people were injured in this incident.

For the best video of the event that I have been able to find, click here.

For the best images, here.

From the Dallas Morning News:


Fiery gas explosions sent debris flying and unleashed massive plumes of smoke near downtown Dallas today, prompting officials to shut down two major interstates and evacuate businesses within a half-mile of the blaze.

At least three people were hospitalized with injuries that were not considered life-threatening after the explosion at Southwest Industrial Gases in the 500 block of South Industrial Boulevard just south of downtown.
The company I work for is well South of this area, so I was not affected by the road closings, but there are one heck of a lot of folks going to have a rough time getting home this evening.

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

More Editorializing in the Guise of News

This one has really got my goat.

From Business Wire:


Dinner is ready, and I can not digest this drivel and dinner in the same hour.

Stupid Victim Tricks

I would never blame a injured party for being a victim of a violent crime. The goblin is always at fault for the violence he generates, not the victim. That being said, folks really should realize that we live in a world infected by goblins and act accordingly.

From the Star Telegram:

By Deanna Boyd


FORT WORTH — Police are investigating two unrelated Monday-night home invasions in Fort Worth, including one that involved the dognapping of four pit bull puppies.
The home invasion I am highlighting does not involve puppies.
About 11:45 p.m., a 46-year-old man told police that he and six acquaintances were inside his home in the 1100 block of East Tucker Street when three men dressed in all black and wearing ski masks entered an unlocked door. The men displayed handguns, then ordered everyone inside the house to the floor.

They demanded money from the 46-year-old victim and shot him in the left arm when he refused to give them any. When he continued to refuse, the men fired at the floor and several articles of furniture inside the house. They then took the victim’s wallet from his pocket before fleeing in an unknown vehicle.
What could have led these goblins to this house?
"According to one of the witnesses, the victim had been bragging about a large amount of money he had on his person earlier in the evening and that dozens of people had been in and out of the residence through the night,"
Talk about hanging a "rob me" sign over your head. Dimes for dollars adult beverages were involved in the days activities. You don't leave your laptop sitting on the front seat of your car. You don't leave your garage door open when you leave home for the day. And, you don't go bragging about a windfall of money to folks you barely know.

Sunday, July 22, 2007

More Folks Questioning the Activities of the ATF

The Liberty Sphere has posted commentary on the ATF's continuing abuses of power.


From the article:

The main question is why is the ATF suddenly conducting this ultra-aggressive campaign against American small business engaged in the lawful selling of firearms.

That question becomes more critical when one considers that some of the oldest and most reputable gun sellers in the nation have become targets. If the problem were the illegal sale of firearms then such a tactic would be defensible.

But the shops the ATF has targeted, particularly within the past year, indicate that much more is behind the shutdowns and harassment than a concern about illegal activity...

Saturday, July 21, 2007

Pardoning the Border Patrol

Fits has one of the better commentaries on Ignacio Ramos and José Alonso Compean, the two Border Patrol agents convicted of illegally shooting a Mexican drug smuggler.

Be sure to read all of the comments, it will do you good.

The Liberty Sphere has a different view.

What Can We Learn?

Convenience store video surveillance is quite the boon for those of us who depend upon ourselves for our own protection. Where else can you find real time, real life situations on video, available for free. We can see the tactics used by the goblins, and how the defender reacted to the situation. I consider these videos to be continuing education for the defense oriented citizen.

Posted by Xavier:


Posting a critique in the comments is not second guessing the defender, it is using his incident as a learning experience for the rest of us.

So, the question is... What can be learned from this shootout?

Day at The Range

Note to self:

If you go to the range to try out new ammunition, remember to put said ammo into your range bag.

Here I sit, looking at my brand new box of Federal HST. This is the same box of ammo that I intended to function check this afternoon at the range. Does not do me much good sitting on my computer desk. It is a good thing that was not the main reason for my heading to the range today. My daughter is heading back to DE tomorrow, so today was one last day at the range together until next summer.

I sighted the Martini in at 50 yards for her, and she shot up a couple of targets to take home and show off to friends.

This is my five shot group after the sight in, not to bad (not to great either) for peep sights using Remington Golden Bullets. The basic Remington high velocity plated round nose .22 long rifle at 50 yards.

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket


My daughter had a good time and put several hundred rounds into a 5 inch circle. We shot off of sandbags and it was a good, relaxing day at the range.

Mr. John McLaurin III Opens the 2007 "Centennial" National Matches

John McLaurin III, the First Shot speaker fires the 'First Shot'


From the Civilian Marksmanship Program:

By Spc. John D. Ortiz, 211th Military Public Affairs Detachment


CAMP PERRY, OHIO – Over 600 officials, competitors and spectators gathered at Camp Perry’s Rodriquez Range for the 2007 National Matches First Shot Ceremony Monday afternoon.

The First Shot Ceremony is the traditional opening for the National Matches. This year’s speaker was Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army, Mr. John McLaurin III.

The National Matches, created by the U. S. government in 1903, have a proud heritage that looks back to the National Rifle Association’s ‘Annual Matches’ that began in 1873 and to the establishment of Camp Perry in 1907.
Click the image to read more.

Friday, July 20, 2007

Lawyers, Guns and Money

The Harvard Law Bulletin on Parker v. DC.

By Elaine McArdle

This time, the Supreme Court may have to decide what the Second Amendment means. But how much will really change?
An interesting read.

Thursday, July 19, 2007

A Little Something for Cowboy Blob

Tales of The Gun

Recently a Marketing Specialist from The History Channel contacted me and asked if I would be interested in writing a review of one of the Tales of The Gun DVDs in exchange for a free DVD.

It only took a short bit of investigation to determine that Tales of The Gun appeared to be quite the series, and I was interested in checking it out. I had the choice of which DVD to review, so I picked Tales of The Gun - Infamous Guns. I thought that if there was going to be an anti gun bias in the series, this would be the DVD most likely to exhibit that bias.

From the History Channel site:

There are guns that have earned a place in history for their innovations--breakthrough weapons that advanced the science of firearms. There are others, however, that secured fame through their use--the guns that have killed presidents, started wars and starred in legendary showdowns in frontier towns.

INFAMOUS GUNS is a dramatic look at the guns that fired bullets that changed the course of history...
First, I have to say that I really enjoyed this documentary. I sat with my youngest daughter to watch it, and we both learned a few things.

The DVD is in color and B&W, it runs for approximately 50 minutes.

From the opening:

The gun has played a critical role in history. An invention which has been praised and demonized, served hero and villain alike, and carries with is moral responsibility. Tun understand the gun is to better understand history.
The documentary goes into some detail of how a Browning Model 1900 was used in the incident that let to World War I, and covers the actual Deringer that was used to assassinate Abraham Lincoln, and some of the unintended consequences of that assassination.

An 1881 British Bulldog and a .32 caliber Iver Johnson are just two of the firearms covered by this documentary that were used to change the face of a nation.

This presentation not only covered the firearms involved in history changing incidents, but some of the different ways that history was changed.

I was pleasantly surprised by this documentary and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys the historical aspect of firearms.

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Oleg has Been Busy

Click Here for More

Inmates With Guns

Just last Friday I commented about a firearm found on an inmate at the Daviess County Jail in Kentucky. It would seem that a jail might have the strictest gun control laws around. It would also seem that a jail would have the best means of prohibiting firearms from entering restricted areas. Metal detectors, full time video monitoring, strict procedures and a well trained staff should keep the inmate areas of the jail a "gun free zone".

As we saw last Friday, goblins will acquire guns, no matter the laws and procedures put in place by government. If they can get them in a jail, they can most definitely get them on the streets.

Well... it gets worse.

From WMC-TV Action News in Memphis comes this article:


PARCHMAN, Miss. (AP) - Mississippi corrections officers have confiscated a gun found today (Tuesday) in the cell of an inmate in the maximum security unit of the state penitentiary at Parchman.
There it is. As they say, "the proof is in the pudding". If gun control does not work in a maximum security state prison, how the heck is it going to work on the streets of America.

We, as a nation, need to shift our focus from gun control to violent criminal control. The .gov should be isolating the violent criminal from society, three strikes may be a couple strikes to many in some cases. The charitable organizations and churches should be working to rebuild the family, teaching our children the meaning of right and wrong, and re-introducing the concept of shame into our culture.

So long as we are focusing on the object, the behavior will continue.

City of Chicago Fencing Stolen Guns

From ABC 7 in Chicago:


July 17, 2007 - Mayor Daley is urging gun owners to turn in their weapons this weekend.

The city's holding the third gun turn-in event at 23 different locations around Chicago, this Saturday, July 21.
People who give up their guns will get a pre-paid debit card worth $100. No questions asked.

Joining the mayor today were community leaders and Ronald Holt, the father of 16-year-old Blair Holt who was shot and killed on a CTA bus in May.

"I stand here symbolically in the gap for all the children who have lost children to gun violence," Holt says. "After losing Blair, I am here to say, ladies and gentlemen, this is not a joke."
I have to wonder if the incidence of home burglaries increases prior to these mass gun purchasing drives. Charitable organizations and public entities have been organizing these events for some time now, so data should be available.

Rev. Peter Johnson (youngest aid to Dr Martin Luther King)testified to the Texas House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee that he is involved with gun buy back programs in Dallas. He testified that he has "bought back" over 3000 firearms. One statistic he mentioned that I found interesting is that 85% of the guns they purchase in the "buy back" program are stolen. That is 2550 stolen firearms in this one program alone. How many of these firearms were stolen for the sole purpose of selling in the gun purchasing programs? How many were returned to the rightful owner?

The tax payers of Chicago will be forking out $100 for each firearm turned in "no questions asked". That is more that most of these goblins get from their fence or drug dealer. This is quite the enticement to go out and steal some guns.

Mayor Daley, it is quite possible, likely even, that this gun purchasing program is causing criminal activity. This program may be putting the free citizens of Chicago at risk as goblins break into homes searching for firearms to sell "no questions asked" to the city. I wonder if the citizens of Chicago realize that their hard earned money given to the city to fight crime, may be actually funding criminal activities and increasing the crime rate.

One last question... Is an increase in firearms thefts an unintended consequence of these gun purchase programs, or would Mayor Daley view this as an unexpected bonus?

Monday, July 16, 2007

Good News for Gun Owners

The past week or so has seen a couple of very good developments for those of us who cherish liberty and the Second Amendment.

First - The Tiahrt Amendment which protects the privacy of law-abiding gun owners remains in force. Mayor Bloomberg speerheaded an effort to do away with the Tiahrt Amendment in an attempt to gain access to firearm sales records.

Second - Parker vs District of Columbia is off to the Supreme Court.

From SCOTUSBLOG:

By Lyle Denniston


Local government officials in Washington, D.C., announced Monday they will appeal to the Supreme Court in a major test case on the meaning of the Second Amendment. The key issue in the coming petition will be whether the Amendment protects an individual right to have guns in one's home -- an issue on which there is now a clear conflict among federal Circuit Courts.
This is great news and could be the start of reversing some of the draconian firearms laws that are in effect throughout the country.

Of course, the Mayor of DC opened his mouth and confirmed that he is an idiot.

The Mayor said: "We have made the determination that this law can and should be defended and we are willing to take our case to the highest court in the land to protect the city's residents. Our handgun law has saved countless lives -- keeping guns out of the hands of those who would hurt others or themselves."
I'm sorry Mayor, but, don't you read the statistics? Don't you know that your city has one of the highest murder rates in the country? Are you daft? Laws that prohibit the free citizen from protecting themselves from the goblins that you allow to roam free on the streets to absolutely nothing to curb violence. As a matter of fact, the statistics pretty much proves the opposite true.

Mayor Fenty, if you really want to do your constituents a service, leave the good and free citizens alone. Allow the citizens to protect themselves, and do something about the source of the problem, the goblins who own your streets.

Update:

Third - It seems that OSHA has seen the light and "...will significantly revise a recent proposal for new “explosives safety” regulations that caused serious concern among gun owners." For more on this story, go to Blogonomicon.

Gun Show Report

It has been quite awhile since I attended my last gun show. My weekends have been pretty busy and I just have not had the time to go and not feel rushed. I like to take my time and mosey around, peek in all the corners and find that "deal" that I didn't know I was looking for.

The High Caliber Gun Show was this past weekend, and we had the time, so we decided to head on over Sunday morning.

When we arrived, the parking lots were full due to the National Cutting Horse Association Summer Spectacular. This is a very big deal and there were literally hundreds of horse trailers in the arena parking lots.

High Caliber puts on a pretty good gun show. All of the major vendors are present, along with some smaller vendors that do not make it to the Dallas area shows. At this show there was a very nice Winchester M1 Carbine that I thought was a bit over priced until I got home and looked it up. It turns out the vendor had it fairly marked. I also found a Remington 870 built on a magnum receiver that was very temptingly priced. Most everything I would want to do to it had been done, and I had to talk myself out of picking it up. Between last months wedding, and some upcoming remodeling, "fun" purchases such as that have to be carefully considered.

That is not to say I left the show empty handed. I picked up a discrete gun case for my AR. It is a 32" case that will carry two carbines with collapsible stocks and ten 30 round magazines. The case was made by AMS in Longmont CO. When I looked them up, I found they bought the building right next door to the company I worked for when I lived in CO. Small world. I also finally found a box of the Federal HST in .45 caliber. Fits has spoken highly of the HST for self defence, so we will see how it runs in my Kimber. Range report to follow.

If you live anywhere in the DFW Metroplex, and you have not made it out to a High Caliber Gun Show in Fort Worth, it would be well worth your time to do so.

After the gun show, it was lunch at Billy Miner's then back to work. The lawn needed mowing and the garage needed cleaning out.

Saturday, July 14, 2007

Night at the Movies

We just returned from seeing Live Free or Die Hard at the Arlington Studio Movie Grill.

If you are a Die Hard fan, this movie is a must see in a good theater.

Day at the Range

The club long range .22 rifle silhouette shoot is usually the third Sunday of each month. As this is my favorite competition, I was looking forward to getting out there next weekend and knocking down some rams at 200 meters. Well... it is a good thing I went out to the range earlier this week because this months shoot was today (maybe I should start attending those club meetings).

It was a great day for a match. Not to hot, mostly sunny with a slight breeze and the occasional gust just to make things interesting. Only eight people showed up, so we got to shoot 60 targets. The chickens kicked my rear today, but I did well enough on the other targets to improve my score over the state match. As a matter of fact, I shot higher than my classification so I am pretty pleased overall with today's performance.

V came out to watch, and by the time the match was over she was ready to shoot. I spotted for her while the scores were being added up and she cleared off the pigs. Looks like we may have a new shooter for the next match. My youngest daughter is visiting, and she ran targets for us. Made a little spare cash and enjoyed herself.

After the match we headed over to one of the pistol ranges shot together. V with her Hi-Power, my daughter with a Ruger .22, and I had my Kimber. A Kodak moment with no camera.

All in all a great day at the range.

For more information on .22 rifle long range silhouette matches, go here.

Friday, July 13, 2007

That Has Got to Hurt

Ouch

But I'll bet this hurts worse:

Double Ouch

Thanks to Mike's America

Inmate found with gun

From 14 News:

By Stuart Peck


A gun found on an inmate at the Daviess County Jail has prompted law enforcement and staff to take a closer look at their search methods.

Luckily Wednesday's discovery of an inmate with a gun in the jail didn't end in tragedy, but it raises the question, how did a gun get into the jail in the first place?
Umm.... Ooops

How to Stop the Violence?

With an anti-gun bumper sticker campaign, of course.

From the New Haven Independent:

By Georgia Kral


In an effort to encourage people to call the Gun Tip-Line, city cops sponsored a bumper sticker contest...

...The project was spearheaded by Officer Joe Avery, pictured with slogan scribe Chris Arnott, managing editor of the New Haven Advocate.

"The chief asked me to come up with a bumper sticker. I threw around some ideas but then I thought, 'Let's make this fun and get the public involved,'" Avery said.

The contest and Tip-Line are part of a larger effort to stop gun violence in New Haven.
That must be some bumper sticker.

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

I think I need to get into the bumper sticker making business.

One for the "Strange Crook" Files

I very much enjoy a decent wine, and have on occasion considered throwing in a wine related post just for the heck of it.

This article allows me to comment on wine, guns and goblins, all in the same post.

From the Detroit Free Press:


WASHINGTON — Police on Capitol Hill are baffled by an attempted robbery that began with a handgun put to the head of a 14-year-old girl and ended in a group hug.

It started around midnight on June 16 when a group of friends was finishing dinner on the patio of a District of Columbia home, authorities and witnesses said. That’s when a hooded man slid through an open gate and pointed a handgun at the girl’s head.

“Give me your money, or I’ll start shooting,” he said, the witnesses told the Washington Post.

Everyone froze, they said, but then one guest spoke up.

“We were just finishing dinner,” Cristina Rowan, 43, told the man. “Why don’t you have a glass of wine with us?”

The intruder had a sip of their Chateau Malescot St-Exupery and said, “Damn, that’s good wine.”

The girl’s father, Michael Rabdau, 51, told him to take the whole glass, and Rowan offered him the bottle. The would-be robber, with his hood down, took another sip and a bite of Camembert cheese and put the gun in his sweatpants.
The St-Exupery is a Bordeaux and can be had at a very good price for the quality.

This strange story continues:

Then the story got even more bizarre.

The man with the gun apologized, the witnesses told the Post.

“I think I may have come to the wrong house,” he said. “Can I get a hug?”

Rowan stood up and wrapped her arms around the man and the four other guests followed.

The man walked away a few moments later with the crystal wine glass in hand. No one was hurt, but once he was gone, the group went inside, locked the door and called 911.
Can I get a hug??? That is too funny.

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

For The Idiots With Guns File



The above videos are a pretty good representation of how not to handle a firearm. I wish the author had better sound so we could hear what he has to say.

I find it pretty amazing that instead of being embarrassed by their ineptitude, they brag about it on youtube.

Contrast these with "Jennifer's First Time".

What Is Wrong With This Picture?

Click on Image For More Information

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Sarver Shoots 1.403″ Group...

... at 1000 yards!

This is one truly amazing bit of marksmanship.


1.403″ 5-shot group at 1000 yards


From AccurateShooter.com Bulletin:


Tom Sarver has entered the ranks of the Immortals. Shooting at the Thunder Valley (Ohio) Range on July 7th, Tom nailed a truly spectacular 1.403″ 5-shot group at 1000 yards. This represents a new IBS Light Gun group-size record that edges Rich DeSimone’s 1.564″, previously thought “untouchable.” What is even more amazing is that the group was centered, producing a 50-score with 5 Xs. That will be a new IBS Score record as well.
I wonder how long it will be before his "300 Hulk" wildcat hits the production floor?

Head on over and read the rest.

H/T Say Uncle

Monday, July 09, 2007

The "Only Ones" Happy it's Over Enough

Once upon a time, all free citizens of the United States were afforded equal protection under the law. That was the intent of the founders, and a purpose of our bill of rights. News articles such as this lead me to believe that all free citizens are equal, but some free citizens are more equal than others. Orwell would be at least some what amused.

From the Roanoke Times:

By Mike Gangloff


A five-minute hearing in federal court this afternoon opened the way for former Henry County Sheriff's Deputy Jason Allen Burton to clear the charges against him and perhaps someday return to law enforcement.

Caught up in last year's corruption scandal that has so far resulted in guilty pleas from 17 defendants, including former Sheriff Frank Cassell and nine of his officers, Burton was accused of possessing an illegal machine gun. But in court today, Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Bassford said an arrangement had been reached that if Burton stayed out of trouble for a year, the charges would be dismissed.
It only takes a five minute hearing to clear an "only one" of one of the more serious firearm related charges on the books? Five whole minutes?

"It's a slightly unusual step for the United States to agree to such a step," Bassford said.

"It is," agreed U.S. District Court Senior Judge James Turk, laughing.
Why in the world would they even think of dropping the charges?

Bassford said his office agreed to drop the charges because Burton was immediately helpful once the investigation of the sheriff's office began, because of his youth, and because there was nothing to suggest he was tied in with the drug-dealing, theft and other charges against other members of the department.

"Call it foolishness or stupidity or just bad judgement," Bassford said.

"I'm happy to approve it," Turk said, moments later kidding Bassford, "You're getting soft in your old age."

And as for the title of the post:

Burton was smiling as he left court, saying, "I'm just happy it's over."
Not quite the same justice afforded Wayne Fincher is it? Wayne has been sentenced to 6 1/2 years in federal prison for possessing fully automatic firearms. Wayne Fincher was not a drug dealer, thief, rapist, burglar or any other type of violent individual. Wayne Fincher is a leader of the Militia of Washington County, Arkansas. Wayne Fincher was not even allowed to plead his case based on Second Amendment principles. Wayne Fincher is in prison, and this corrupt LEO is on the street.

For more on Wayne Fincher, go here and here. And if you are interested in getting to the heart of the matter, you should read The Silver Bullet.

Warning Shots, Caliber Selection, and Talking to the Media

Many of the folks who read A Keyboard and a .45 own at least one firearm for self protection. Quite a few carry a handgun as regular as purse or wallet. If you are like me, you don't expect to have to deploy a firearm to protect yourself or your family, but you do prepare for that unlikely event. The following articles may help with that preparation.

Xavier has penned a thoughtful commentary based on a recent news article covering the successful use of a handgun by a homeowner to stop a home invasion.


The article starts out:

On Tuesday night, seventy-nine year old Dwight Cook, of Hickory, North Carolina, and his missus were relaxing peacefully at home when they heard a rattle of the front door knob. Mr. Cook went to the door, but found nobody there. Then he heard a crash. Derek Scott Frenceschini had used a piece of cement block to smash the glass in Mr. Cook's other door. After he reached inside, a quick turn of the deadbolt let the 23 year old criminal in.
Xavier's commentary that follows highlights some very important issues and is well worth your time.

Another bit of commentary that covers being prepared for the consequences of defending your self was written by LawDog.


This article covers what to expect to happen after you have assisted a goblin in reaching his just rewards on the other side. This is another worthy read that I highly recommend.

Sunday, July 08, 2007

My Next Firearm

Last weekend a good friend asked if I would like to go with him on a Black Bear hunt in West Virginia this fall. I almost fell out of my chair. Of course I would like to go on a Black Bear hunt. This is one of the hunts I have always wanted to do, but never had the opportunity.

Now to the big question... which rifle to use?

After reviewing all of my options, I have decided that I need a new rifle for this hunt. It took awhile to determine which platform to use. Bolt action, semi-auto, shotgun; none of these felt right. A lever action is the rifle for this probably once in a lifetime hunt. The only lever action I own is my grandfathers Model '94 in 30-30. A fine cartridge, but a bit light for bear in my opinion. I guess this leaves me with only one option...

Buy a new rifle!


The Classic Model 1895

The Marlin Classic Model 1895. A 45/70 big bore rifle more than adequate for taking a Black Bear.

I am going to be feeding it one of these offerings from Buffalo Bore:

Left to Right - 350 gr. JFN - 430 gr. LBT - 405 gr. JFN

Right not I think I will go with the 350 gr. JFN. 350 grains kicking out at 2150 feet/second should pretty much do the trick.

What I have not decided upon is the optics.

The Leopold FXII in 2.5 x 28, mounted scout style, is looking really good.


Leupold FX-II 2.5x28mm Scout


But then I saw that Cabela's has an interesting scope developed for the lever action rifle:

Cabela's Lever-Action Scope


At the moment, I am leaning towards the Leopold. That could change several times before I make my final decision. Heck, I may just go with a rear peep sight.

If you know of a better optic for hunting the hills and hollers of West Virginia, let me know.

Saturday, July 07, 2007

The Sun is Out

From DFW Airport

So that's what the sun looks like...

The sun is shining for the first time in quite a while.

A little work this morning.

Wash the truck that took us to Colorado.

Hit the range.

And now I have a couple Tri Tips and some Corn on the Cob in the pit, beans on the stove and squash ready for the grill. It is a great Saturday.

Friday, July 06, 2007

Wrap-up of 2007 Texas Firearms Legislation

This was a pretty good year for Texas firearms enthusiasts. Some great legislation was passed, and some ugly bills were killed. A whole lot of hard work went into giving us one of the most successful legislative sessions ever for Texas firearm owners. The Texas State Rifle Association played a major role in this accomplishment. If you live in Texas, and you own a firearm, you really should consider becoming a member of the TSRA.

Now, on to the successes:

SB 378 - The Texas Castle Doctrine / Stand Your Ground Bill. Not only passed, but passed with very wide margins. Read my earlier posts concerning this bill here.

HB 233 - Relating to a waiver or reduction of concealed handgun license fees for certain members and veterans of the military. This bill waives all CHL fees for active and honorably discharged military. Passed.

SB 112 - Relating to the confiscation of firearms and ammunition during a state of disaster. This bill prevents a New Orleans style gun confiscation during emergencies. Passed.

HB 308 - Relating to the use of laser sighting devices by hunters who are legally blind. I was surprised by the amount of opposition that cropped up against this bill. This bill allows a legally blind individual (a grandfather with ocular degeneration) to continue to hunt with his son or granddaughter. Passed.

HB 991 - CHL Confidentiality. Prevents news organizations from doing this. It also prevents employers and estranged angry spouses from determining the CHL status of an individual. My commentary on this bill is here. Passed.

SB 322 - Relating to possession of firearms and ammunition in certain foster homes. Earlier this year I commented on new foster care rules that prevented foster parents from having any firearm in the home. My comments can be found here. Senator Duell agreed that this was preposterous, and authored SB 322. This bill prohibits governmental agencies from prohibiting the possession of any guns or ammunition in a foster home. Passed.

HB 1815 - Motorist Protection Act. This particular bill should not have been necessary. The Traveling Law passed in the last legislative session made it pretty clear that the free citizens of Texas could carry a concealed, loaded handgun in their motor vehicles. Certain District Attorneys decided they could work their way around that law. HB 1815 closes the perceived loopholes used by quisling District Attorneys. Passed.

Several anti firearm bills were killed.

HB 594 - Closing the Gun Show Loophole. I commented upon this bill here. It died a well deserved death in committee.

HB 595 - Waiting periods for handgun purchases. Another disastrous bill. My comments are here. Thankfully this bill also died in committee.

HB 176 - Noise Regulations. HB 242 - Changes to 30.06. HB 2774 - Making more areas of airports off limits to CHL's. All dead.

The big disappointment of the session was that we did not get an employer parking lot bill passed. My commentary on the various parking lot bills can be found here.

These are the major pieces of firearm related legislation that were dealt with during this session. As you can see, we were very successful this year. This success is due in no small part to folks like you and I, folks who contact their representatives and get involved. The behind the scenes players include Alice Tripp and James Dark of the TSRA and Tara Mica or the NRA. Alice and Tara especially worked very hard at getting this job done.

We also have to thank our pro-freedom legislators, the folks who authored and worked to pass some of this great legislation, and killed the bad.

Now... what's on the agenda for '09?

H/T to Charles, another pro 2A hero here in Texas.

This one is for Fits

From the Houston Chronicle:

SAN ANTONIO — A 9-foot alligator was shot and killed by a game warden on the outskirts of San Antonio because the reptile appeared to have lost its fear of humans, authorities said.

Several 911 calls alerted police to an alligator in an area near a lake and an apartment complex, police said. When the game warden arrived early Thursday, the gator had crawled off the road near a ditch.

Danny Shaw, a game warden captain with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, said the warden decided to shoot the gator because it was close to several residences and was unafraid to approach humans...

...Some gators are relocated to the Choate Canyon Reservoir in South Texas, but that wouldn't have been appropriate in this case because it's a public reservoir and not for gators without fear of people, Shaw said.
So Fits, when you come to Texas, 30.06 signs are not the only thing you have to worry about.

The game warden did good, right?

Not according to Lynn Cuny, director of Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation in Kendalia.

"The obvious thing that's disturbing about this is lethal measures were used quickly," she said. "These are animals that can, of course, pose a threat. But my gosh, we need to look at everything in our power to not use lethal means."
I wonder if Lynn would want her children or relatives tubing or swimming near this 'gator?

Thursday, July 05, 2007

Suzanna Hupp

In the following post, I mention Suzanna Hupp. Maybe some of you folks do not know Dr. Suzanna Hupp. This video of her testimony before congress should give you an idea of who she is.



Not only is she a passionate speaker when it comes to gun control, she is also the author of the Texas "shall issue" law.

A July 4th Pro Liberty Article by the BBC

Suzanna Hupp is a bit of a hero to Texas firearms enthusiasts. It was a bit of a surprise to find her quoted by the BBC.


By Kati Whitaker

"Imagine you are in a restaurant and a mad man is walking around from table to table, pointing a gun, taking aim and pulling the trigger, going to the next person, taking aim, pulling the trigger and so on," says Suzanna Hupp.

"Even if you have chosen not to have a gun with you - don't you hope the guy behind you has one? Just imagine that."

But Suzanna Hupp does not have to imagine.

It was October 1991 when a gunman entered the diner where Suzanna, a Texan chiropractor, was having lunch with her parents.

The man methodically executed 23 people including Suzanna's parents.
The article is decidedly pro gun, quite the opposite of what I have come to expect from the BBC. It is well worth your time.

Tourist with gun arrested at Sears Tower

If you plan on carrying your firearm while on vacation, it is a good idea to understand the local and state laws of your vacation destination.

From the Chicago Tribune:

By Alexa Aguilar


A Tennessee woman was arrested at the Sears Tower this morning after she tried to visit the Skydeck with a loaded revolver in her purse, police said.

The woman, 56, was stopped by security after she went through a metal detector with a .38-caliber revolver in her purse, said Chicago police spokeswoman Monique Bond.

Tennessee allows its citizens to carry a handgun as long as they have a permit, and the woman was unaware that she wasn't allowed to carry a handgun in the state of Illinois, Bond said.

"It didn't dawn on her that our state did not have the same gun laws as hers did," Bond said.

The woman, who was traveling with her husband, had a state permit from Tennessee to carry the weapon, Bond said. Both Illinois and Chicago have laws prohibiting the carrying of a concealed weapon.
"It didn't dawn on her that our state did not have the same gun laws as hers did" It is a sad state of affairs that require free citizens to make decisions concerning self protection based upon imaginary lines drawn in the ground. Prior to taking a trip out of state, I spend quite some time reading the laws and regulations concerning CHL's in any state I may visit or pass through. As they say, ignorance of the law is no defense.

Let us see what the esteemed "Only Ones" have to recommend on this case:

Police are recommending that she be charged with unlawful use of a weapon, a felony, Bond said.
They are recommending a felony conviction. A conviction that will make it illegal to possess a firearm, even back home in Tennessee. The truly awful part of this incident, is that the DA will probably go along with the police recommendation. They will plea bargain rapes and armed robbery down to misdemeanors all day long, but this woman is probably in for a bit of Chicago hell.

Oh yeah...

There was no interruption of service for other Skydeck tourists and no one in the building was at risk, Bond said.

"There was never any danger to the occupants," Bond said.
If there was "never and danger...", why are you going after a felony conviction?

Wednesday, July 04, 2007

Happy Fourth of July

"Somewhere in our growing up we began to be aware of the meaning of days and with that awareness came the birth of patriotism. July Fourth is the birthday of our nation. I believed as a boy, and believe even more today, that it is the birthday of the greatest nation on earth... In recent years, however, I've come to think of that day as more than just the birthday of a nation. It also commemorates the only true philosophical revolution in all history. Oh, there have been revolutions before and since ours. But those revolutions simply exchanged one set of rules for another. Ours was a revolution that changed the very concept of government. Let the Fourth of July always be a reminder that here in this land, for the first time, it was decided that man is born with certain God-given rights; that government is only a convenience created and managed by the people, with no powers of its own except those voluntarily granted to it by the people. We sometimes forget that great truth, and we never should.

Happy Fourth of July.

-Ronald Reagan

H/T to Fits

Declaration of Independence

IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776.

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.


  • He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

  • He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

  • He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

  • He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

  • He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.

  • He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.
    He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.

  • He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.

  • He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

  • He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance.

  • He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.

  • He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.

  • He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:

    For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

    For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:

    For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:

    For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:

    For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:

    For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences

    For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province,
    establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:

    For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:

    For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

  • He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.

  • He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

  • He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.

  • He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.

  • He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.
In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our Brittish brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

Man wounds suspected robber at supermarket

Texas CHL holder does good.

From the Star Telegram:


FORT WORTH -- One teen-ager is in custody Wednesday and two suspects are being sought in connection with a robbery at a supermarket where the husband of an employee waiting outside confronted the suspects and opened fire, police said..

Rayshaun Johnson, 17, showed up at Huguley Memorial Medical Center in south Fort Worth where doctors called police as he was being treated for gunshot wounds to his backside and foot, police spokesman Lt. Dean Sullivan.

The robbery occurred at about 11:30 p.m. Tuesday when three suspects wearing yellow bandanas robbed customers and workers at an Albertsons at 3525 Sycamore School Road in south Fort Worth, Sullivan said.

One of the victims called her husband, who was waiting in the parking lot. The victim's husband confronted the suspects in the store and shot one of the fleeing suspects after one of them had pointed a gun at him

The man who fired the shots was licensed to carry a concealed handgun, Sullivan said.
Thanks to the CHL holder, the police have one jr. goblin in custody and should have two more soon. Now the District Attorney needs to do his job and isolate these violent criminals from the rest of society.

Tuesday, July 03, 2007

A Happy Ending

Americans are great people. If you watch the daytime talk shows, or absorb too much of the nightly news broadcast, you may think that everything has gone to hell in a hand basket. That is not yet quite the case. Americans, as a whole, are a good and decent people. We work hard, play hard and look after each other. Sure there are segments of our society that morally ambivalent, but they remain fringe elements that receive more attention than deserved.

Case in point - I quit smoking a year and a half ago and have really put on some weight, it has gotten to the point where my wedding ring no longer fits my ring finger. V and I designed our rings and had them made by a friend who happens to be a jeweler in the Dallas area. For the wedding (mentioned in earlier posts), I was wearing my ring on my pinkie finger. It was a little loose, but not too bad.

I bet you can guess where this story is going.

When we were just about home, I noticed that my ring was not on my finger. Chit. It was gone. We searched the truck hoping it fell off when I reached into my pocket for the phone, or when I was messing with the kids, but no luck.

The last place I remember the ring being on my finger was in a restaurant in Childress Texas. When I washed my hands, I made sure it did not slip off into the sink, and that is the last I remember having it. When we left the restaurant, I had lifted my grandson into the truck and did some rearranging of things in the back seat. Maybe it fell off there.

This morning I made a list of every place we stopped after that and got on the phone. I first called the restaurant, thinking that this was an exhibition in futility. A waitress answered the phone, I gave her my name and asked if anyone had found a men's wedding ring. She handed me off to the manager. The manager asked me to describe the ring and to make a long story short, they had it. A customer found it in the parking lot and turned it in.

To the person who found and turned in my wedding band, thank you very much. This could not have been replaced and I appreciate your thoughtfulness.

To the folks at Dawson's Family Restaurant, thank you again for your help in getting my ring back. That was my second visit to your restaurant, and it will not be the last.

If you happen to be traveling through Childress Texas, stop by Dawson's Family Restaurant for a great meal with good folks (they do an excellent breakfast and are a favorite of the locals and out of town hunters).

Firearms Taken in Gun Store Burglary

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Made it Back

Got back to the house sometime around 2130 last night, a bit road weary to be posting. Off to work this AM, and now is my first chance to log on.

It was a great trip. The route we took was pretty much a full circle. We took the 35 through Oklahoma and into Kansas, the 135 over to the 70, and the 70 on into Colorado. This route is mostly interstate highway, good for putting the pedal to the metal and getting there.

We took the shorter, slower, and more scenic route back home. We drove along the mountains on the 25 into New Mexico and then 187 across to the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. We saw two elk and quite a few antelope along the road. I took this route back because our youngest daughter and oldest grandson were with us. It was his very first time in the mountains (Sunday was spent in and around Estes Park) and the first time for both of them to see antelope or elk.

We ended up putting just at 2000 miles on the vehicle this trip. We traveled through four states and Texas. The good news is that all four of these states have CHL reciprocity with Texas. New Mexico and Kansas were the last two of these particular states to sign a reciprocity agreement with Texas, and that was due to a lot of hard work by our Attorney General, Greg Abbott.

The wedding was great, hanging out with kids and grand kids was wonderful, and my (now married) daughter's joy was evident throughout the weekend.

Interesting gun notes from the weekend:

Son in Law has a Springfield SAR-8 in his expanding firearm collection(knew I liked him).

Loveland Colorado has the only health food store / custom pistol shop I have ever seen.