Castle Doctrine/Stand Your Ground Bill Becomes Law

Tomorrow is September 1st, the day that the Texas Castle Doctrine/Stand Your Ground Bill becomes law. I have received quite a few hits from people interested in this new law, and what it does for the free citizen of Texas.

In a nutshell:

SB 378 explicitly states in law that a person has no duty to retreat if the person is attacked in a place where he or she has a right to be present, if he or she has not provoked the attacker, and if the person using force is not engaged in criminal activity at the time the force is used. In addition, the jury is instructed to presume that the victim's actions were reasonable if the victim brings forth evidence that he or she is entitled to the presumption, unless the state can prove otherwise beyond a reasonable doubt.

This bill also provides civil immunity for the individual who uses justified force or deadly force. This individual is immune from civil liability for personal injury or death that results from the defendant's use of force or deadly force, as applicable. An individual can still be sued, but if it has already been proven that the force was justified, they will win, and early on in the case.

Here is the text of SB 378, as it is always good know the exact verbiage of the law.

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT

relating to the use of force or deadly force in defense of a person.

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

SECTION 1. Section 9.01, Penal Code, is amended by adding Subdivisions (4) and (5) to read as follows:

(4) "Habitation" has the meaning assigned by Section 30.01.

(5) "Vehicle" has the meaning assigned by Section 30.01.

SECTION 2. Section 9.31, Penal Code, is amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsections (e) and (f) to read as follows:

(a) Except as provided in Subsection (b), a person is justified in using force against another when and to the degree the actor reasonably believes the force is immediately necessary to protect the actor against the other's use or attempted use of unlawful force. The actor's belief that the force was immediately necessary as described by this subsection is presumed to be reasonable if the actor:

(1) knew or had reason to believe that the person against whom the force was used:

(A) unlawfully and with force entered, or was attempting to enter unlawfully and with force, the actor's occupied habitation, vehicle, or place of business or employment;

(B) unlawfully and with force removed, or was attempting to remove unlawfully and with force, the actor from the actor's habitation, vehicle, or place of business or employment; or

(C) was committing or attempting to commit aggravated kidnapping, murder, sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault, robbery, or aggravated robbery;

(2) did not provoke the person against whom the force was used; and

(3) was not otherwise engaged in criminal activity, other than a Class C misdemeanor that is a violation of a law or ordinance regulating traffic at the time the force was used.

(e) A person who has a right to be present at the location where the force is used, who has not provoked the person against whom the force is used, and who is not engaged in criminal activity at the time the force is used is not required to retreat before using force as described by this section.

(f) For purposes of Subsection (a), in determining whether an actor described by Subsection (e) reasonably believed that the use of force was necessary, a finder of fact may not consider whether the actor failed to retreat.

SECTION 3. Section 9.32, Penal Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 9.32. DEADLY FORCE IN DEFENSE OF PERSON.

(a) A person is justified in using deadly force against another:

(1) if the actor would be justified in using force against the other under Section 9.31; and when and to the degree the actor reasonably believes the deadly force is immediately necessary:

(A) to protect the actor against the other's use or attempted use of unlawful deadly force; or

(B) to prevent the other's imminent commission of aggravated kidnapping, murder, sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault, robbery, or aggravated robbery.

(b) The actor's belief under Subsection (a)(2) that the deadly force was immediately necessary as described by that subdivision is presumed to be reasonable if the actor:

(1) knew or had reason to believe that the person against whom the deadly force was used:

(A) unlawfully and with force entered, or was attempting to enter unlawfully and with force, the actor's occupied habitation, vehicle, or place of business or employment;

(B) unlawfully and with force removed, or was attempting to remove unlawfully and with force, the actor from the actor's habitation, vehicle, or place of business or employment; or

(C) was committing or attempting to commit an offense described by Subsection (a)(2)(B);

(2) did not provoke the person against whom the force was used; and

(3) was not otherwise engaged in criminal activity, other than a Class C misdemeanor that is a violation of a law or ordinance regulating traffic at the time the force was used.

(c) A person who has a right to be present at the location where the deadly force is used, who has not provoked the person against whom the deadly force is used, and who is not engaged in criminal activity at the time the deadly force is used is not required to retreat before using deadly force as described by this section.

(d) For purposes of Subsection (a)(2), in determining whether an actor described by Subsection (c) reasonably believed that the use of deadly force was necessary, a finder of fact may not consider whether the actor failed to retreat.

SECTION 4. Section 83.001, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 83.001. CIVIL IMMUNITY. A defendant who uses force or deadly force that is justified under Chapter 9 Penal Code, is immune from civil liability for personal injury or death that results from the defendant's use of force or deadly force, as applicable.

SECTION 5.

(a) Sections 9.31 and 9.32, Penal Code, as amended by this Act, apply only to an offense committed on or after the effective date of this Act. An offense committed before the effective date of this Act is covered by the law in effect when the offense was committed, and the former law is continued in effect for this purpose. For the purposes of this subsection, an offense is committed before the effective date of this Act if any element of the offense occurs before the effective date.

(b) Section 83.001, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, as amended by this Act, applies only to a cause of action that accrues on or after the effective date of this Act. An action that accrued before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect at the time the action accrued, and that law is continued in effect for that purpose.

SECTION 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 2007.

This is a very good law and the free citizens of Texas should be proud of their legislature for getting it accomplished. We should also thank all the folks who called, emailed and faxed their representatives and supported this bill, and those who worked behind the scenes to get this done. Getting this bill passed was no easy task, and it is a testament to all of our hard work that it passed with such wide margins.

If you live in Texas, own a firearm, support our rights, and are not a member of the TSRA, shame on you. The TSRA was very instrumental in supporting all of our firearm related rights during this past legislative session.

To join the TSRA today, click here. If you tell them I sent you, James Dark (the Executive Director) would owe me a beer at the next Lone Star Friends of NRA Banquet.

A Refresher Course

Rule #2:

Never let the muzzle of a firearm point at anything you are not willing to destroy - If you are not willing to see a bullet hole in it, do not allow a firearm's muzzle to point at it.

This guy has received a refresher course on rule #2, courtesy of a county magistrate, and it only cost him $567.00.

From the Carlsbad Current Argus:

Carlsbad man pleads guilty on negligent use of firearm charge

CARLSBAD — A Carlsbad man pleaded guilty to a charge of negligent use of a firearm after using a scoped rifle to watch Department of Game and Fish officers at work.

Conservation Officer Terry Nelson issued the citation to Elias Montoya, 29, after Officer Bryan Nygren observed Montoya using a scoped rifle to watch officers, including Nygren, check fishing licenses on the Pecos River. Montoya admitted to using the scope to look across the river, but denied pointing the rifle at officer Nygren. An Eddy County magistrate fined Montoya $500 plus $67 in court costs.

Holy guacamole batman! This could have ended up much worse for Sr. Montoya, or one of the Game and Fish officers. Scoping armed officers with your rifle doesn't just break a vital safety rule, it is outright stupidity personified.

If you want to observe people, houses, cars, or whatever at a distance, purchase a pair of binoculars or a spotting scope.

Scoped rifles are not spotting scopes and should never be used as one. The Department trains thousands of hunter education students every year. They are taught never to point a firearm at anything they don't intend to shoot, and to treat every firearm as if it were loaded. Binoculars and spotting scopes should be used for observing wildlife or people.

For more information on firearm safety, click here.

I Guess it is About Time...

I replaced that recoil spring.

Like Water Off a Duck's Back

I wish I had the command of the English language that Kevin seems to so effortlessly portray. He forces me to strive to do better.

Like Water Off a Duck's Back

Read it for yourself, you will see what I mean.

More From Yesterdays News

I was hoping that there would be a bit more news reported on yesterdays Brady Bunch/Rainbow Coalition anti gun rally, but there wasn't. I guess even our local news rags saw it for the non event that it was.

James Hohmann, a reporter for the Dallas Morning News penned the articles for both the DMN and WFAA Channel 8 News. Mr. Hohmann interviewed one individual from our side of the debate, took pictures of her, and of the rest of us, but failed to mention anything we had to say in either article. Both articles did however mention this man:

Let me introduce you to Lamont Levels. Authorized Journalist James Hohmann tells his story:

Among the Dallas marchers was Lamont Levels, 30, who wears a patch after a shooting blinded him in one eye. He marched with his wife past the place where he was shot six years ago.

"If we don't help these kids, they're going to turn to guns," he said. "When young people hear gunshots in their neighborhoods, it doesn't bother them [anymore]."

Here is Mr. Levels, a genuine "victim of gun violence", marching with the Brady Bunch and demanding that our state and federal legislatures enact more gun control laws. He makes a pretty good poster child for the cause, doesn't he?

Well let us see, I wonder what all was involved in the incident where Mr. Levels was shot.

From CBS 11:

February 17th, 2007.

A bit of a different look wouldn't you say. This is an image of Mr. Levels relating his story to kids, hoping to keep them out of gangs. Here is the pertinent portion of the article:

"I started a gang when I was 12 years old," Levels tells the group. "I started a gang called 415 Blood Gang in Southeast Dallas out of the Frazier Court projects."

Levels' story is chilling and his audience is young. With help, he shows the group the clothing he wore the day he was shot.

"That bullet hole, that is blood, all that dark spots, that's blood. I was shot in the temple, I was also shot in my hand," he explains.

Levels says he was shot during a power struggle in 2001.

"On Jan.2, my own friend shot me in the head with a 9 millimeter handgun and it blinded me for the rest of the my life," he tells the attendees who were not all there voluntarily.

Lamont Levels may have changed his ways. Lamont Levels may be actually helping kids stay out of the gangs and stay in school. For that he should be applauded. But for the Brady Bunch to parade him out in front of the cameras, with an unnecessary and poorly applied eye patch, wailing about evil guns, is a bunch of crap. Lamont knows that gang bangers do not obey the law. Lamont knows that the guns in the hands of the gangs were not legally purchased through an ffl, but either stolen or purchased on the black market. Lamont knows that no amount of gun control laws will control the criminals who use guns. And you know what? The Brady's do to.

To read the pertinent articles, click on the images.

Thanks to Hyunchback for doing the leg work on this one.

National Exercise Your Rights Day, The AAR

Today was National Exercise Your Rights Day. An assortment of gun bloggers have been calling for firearm owners to exercise their rights by purchasing ammunition, a firearm or a firearm accessory, or by attending a pro-gun rally, or by writing a letter to the editor of their local news rag or even by taking a friend shooting. This is in response to the anti's national day of anti gun protests scheduled for today.

David Codrea of The War on Guns and Jeff Know of the Firearms Coalition hit upon the idea of countering Jesse Jackson and the Brady Bunch at pretty much the same time. Daniel, an Amendment II Democrat, had scheduled a rally in Dallas to counter one put on by the Brady Bunch and the Rainbow Coalition.

So what have I personally done to support our rights today? Both First and Second Amendment?

I'll start by going over purchases.

Two 50 round boxes of Federal Premium Law Enforcement Tactical HST in .45ACP.

My next purchase was a Marlin 15YN.

This little rifle is for teaching my grandchildren how to shoot. #1 grandson is going to get a kick out of this.

During lunch, I headed on over to the Save the Second Amendment Rally hosted by the Amendment II Democrats. The Brady Bunch's rally started at noon, so I got there a bit early, I arrived just as Daniel was starting to get set up. We got set up across the street from the church, along the path of past protest marches. I made up a quick sign, and we were ready. My sign read "The Deacons of Defense and Justice were Pro Second Amendment". We had our very own sheriff keeping an eye on our side of things. The anti's marched from a different direction, but we were still in a good spot, got our picture taken and had fun with the signs.

How many of us were there?

Three.

Daniel, myself, and the NRA-ILA Election Coordinator for the Texas 5th Congressional District.

The good thing is that the antis also had a very small turn out.

I was a bit disappointed that a couple folks from the Texas Hometown Forum on AR15.com did not show up, but what the heck. When I drove into the neighborhood where the rally was being held, I almost said "no thanks". It was not a place I would normally hang out. It turns out my disappointment was unfounded. The two folks I expected to show up did, they just joined the Rainbow Coalition march!

I would never, in a million years, have thought of mingling with the anti's in their own rally. These guys did, and they did it well.

From CBS 11 News:

By Steve Pickett

Dallas Marchers Rally Against Gun Violence

...The south Dallas march was a plea for peace and a call for more gun control.

But Karina Hollands saw the march as an opportunity to spread a different message.

"That doesn't stop murder; that doesn't stop violent crime," said Hollands. "It just means honest citizens don't have the means to protect themselves."

"There's no clear relationship between more guns and higher levels of violence," the director of the Small Arms Survey, Keith Krause said. He pointed to low ownership and high crime rates in Latin America.

He said studies have shown that gun violence often occurred in places undergoing rapid urban growth, and when lawless areas are created by extreme poverty and the absence of effective policing.

These guys did good, they even got play on the afternoon news broadcast. Not many showed up, but I have to call today a success.

If you participated in today's event, please let me know. Also, please post the details on The War on Guns, you may win a new hat.

What Not to Do

From Shooting The Messenger:

http://view.break.com/357172 - Watch more free videos

This video shows just how easy it is to hurt someone if you do not follow safe gun handling procedures.

Owning a firearm is a right, but with rights come responsibilities. If you own a firearm, you are responsible for the safe handling of that firearm. You are not only responsible for knowing how to safely handle that firearm yourself, you are also responsible for everyone in your household, and anyone you may allow to use that firearm.

Let me put it this way - If you own a firearm, it is YOUR responsibility to know, understand and follow the Four Rules of Firearms Safety:

1. All firearms are loaded - There are no exceptions, period. Know this rule and live it. Handle all firearms accordingly.
2. Never let the muzzle of a firearm point at anything you are not willing to destroy - If you are not willing to see a bullet hole in it, do not allow a firearm's muzzle to point at it. If you are doing dry fire drills in your home, extra care needs to be made to insure that ammo is not even in the same room as you are. Dry fire drills can be dangerous because they do violate Rule #2.
3. Keep your finger off the trigger unless your sights are on the target - You do not gain any speed at all by keeping your finger on the trigger. Keep it out of the guard until you are sighted on the target. Practice this until it becomes second nature. If this rule were followed 100% of the time, there would be no negligent discharges.
4. Be sure of your target and what is behind it - Be aware of your surroundings whether on a range, in the woods, or in a potentially lethal conflict. Never shoot at sounds or at a target you can not positively identify.

Tragedies could be avoided if everyone involved with firearms followed these rules all the time.

Fr. Frog lists these rules and other firearm safety procedures here. It is very well put together and even old hands at the firing range would be advised to look it over.

Also found on Say Uncle

A New Gun Store

It has become a common occurrence, news of another gun shop being shut down. It is nice to hear of new ones starting up.

From The Sierra Vista Herald:

By Shar Porier

Second Amendment Family GunShop opens in Bisbee

BISBEE — “Everyone who walks in my front door is my new best friend until you make it otherwise.”

That’s what David Greenberg, the owner of the new gun store in the San Jose District of Bisbee, tells customers who come through the door.

David Greenberg, owner of Second Ammendment Family GunShop in the San Jose area of Bisbee, places a Baretta .22 pistol in a display case. The new store has been open for one month. (Mark Levy Herald/Review)
The Second Amendment Family GunShop on Highway 92 has seen a steady stream of customers since opening July 3, after months of renovations to meet strict standards of security required by the Department of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF).

“I had to install a number of security features to meet the requirements — bars on the windows, fireproof safe and an alarm system. I also added some additional security measures on my own. I went above and beyond what they asked,” he said.

He also had to acquire a federal fire arms license.

But, he says the time and effort was worth it...

I wish Mr. Greenberg the best of luck and success at this endeavor.

The Sierra Vista Herald is one of the ever increasing online news sources that allow commentary to their articles. Most of the comments were very positive, and one even mentioned Red's Trading Post. This particular comment, even though positive in intent, really raised my hackles.

From Wayne Mills - retired police officer, Oklahoma:

" I really have respect for the state of Arizona and its outlook on citizens carrying fire arms. I was stopped on traffic out side of Sierra Vista after visiting my wife's son at the army base there. The officer saw a bulge under my shirt tail and knew it was a fire arm. I showed him my Okla. retired officers CCW permit and wished me well and made no arrest. Some states would have! Hard to belive that some officers arrest brother officers for wanting to protect their families, Arizona does not! Wayne Mills "

The deeply ingrained sense of entitlement in that one short comment is very offensive to me. He is expressing wonder that he was not treated as he would treat a non officer? Well Wayne, what I find hard to believe is that some officer arrest fellow free citizens for wanting to protect their families.

What is just as bad is the fact that this ex LEO carries without knowing the legality of his decision.

What started out as "Oh cool, a new gun store" turned into a rant against the mindset of an "only one"

So, What's the News on Tomorrow?

From PRNewswire, a CCRKBA news release:

CCRKBA Urges Gun Owners to Observe 'Nat'l Exercise Your Rights Day' Tuesday

BELLEVUE, Wash., Aug. 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms (CCRKBA) today encouraged all gun owners to stand up for their firearms rights tomorrow, Tuesday, Aug. 28.

"Jesse Jackson, the Brady Campaign and other anti-gunners are launching a series of protests and so-called prayer vigils against our individual Second Amendment rights on Tuesday," said CCRKBA Chairman Alan Gottlieb, "and firearms owners have the same rights of free speech and assembly.

"We encourage gun owners to visit gun ranges, gun stores and sporting goods shops, especially if these facilities are singled out for protest activities," he continued. "What better way to show our appreciation for the First Amendment than by exercising it to defend the Second Amendment?

From The Open Press, the Jeff Knox news release:

Second Amendment Activists Support Anti-Gun Protesters’ Rights

Manassas, VA (OPENPRESS) August 25, 2007 -- Second Amendment activists are vowing to attend protests, prayer meetings, and vigils organized by Jesse Jackson’s Rainbow-PUSH coalition and The Brady Campaign Against Guns this Tuesday.

“We disagree completely with their message, but we fully support their right to say it and we want to demonstrate our support by being present at their events.” said Director of Operations for The Firearms Coalition, Jeff Knox.

Knox has dubbed the day “National Exercise Your Rights Day” and is encouraging Second Amendment activists to not only show their support for the anti-gunners’ right to free speech, but to exercise their own rights to speech, assembly, petitioning the government, and their right to Keep and Bear Arms by purchasing a gun or ammunition that day.

That is pretty much all I could find, I hope we can do better tomorrow and through the rest of the week.

Heh...

I know one of the kids in this video

A theologian, teacher and all around good guy. I kinda hoped daughter #3 would hook up with him.

Woman, 18, fended off kidnapper

This could have been bad, but it is one story I know you all will appreciate.

From the Star Telegram:

By Jason Buch

Woman, 18, fended off kidnapper, police say

FORT WORTH -- A woman eluded an attempted kidnapping Friday by grabbing the would-be abductor's crotch.

The 18-year-old woman was walking in the 3800 block of Maurice Avenue about noon when a man in a car offered her a ride. After she refused repeatedly, the man got out, grabbed her hair and ordered her to get in, said Lt. Paul Henderson, a police spokesman.

The woman fought back, and the man threw her to the ground and kicked her in the ribs, Henderson said. When the man pulled her back to her feet, she grabbed his crotch, Henderson said. The man fell to the ground, and the woman punched him in the face and ran, Henderson said.

Good for her. She did not listen to the "Give them what they want and you will be fine" mantra of the anti violence crowd, and she is alive and well because of it.

Hopefully this goblins next victim will be armed. They have a pretty good description of his vehicle.

Police describe the suspect as a 20- to 30-year-old black man, about 6 feet 1 inch and about 200 pounds. He was wearing a gray muscle shirt and bluejeans and has grilles on his upper and lower teeth. His black two-door Pontiac Sunbird has blue lights inside and underneath, police said.

It is not very common any more for the news to report the race of a goblin at large, the fact that they did indicates to me that they want this guy caught now.

Another interesting note is that this incident happened at noon, in broad daylight. Remember that next time someone questions why it is necessary to go out armed 24/7.

Day at The Range

I finally talked myself into participating in a defensive pistol match. I have caught the end of a few of these matches while waiting for them to finish up so I could shoot, and they looked interesting. I decided that I would give it a try, see if shooting one of these matches was as much fun as it looked.

This match was put on by the Cross Timbers IDPA and was shot at our outdoor range, JCSSA.

I showed up early and found the person who was running the match, introduced myself, and let him know that I had never shot a pistol match before. He turned me over to one of the other RO's who went through the safety rules and explained how a match was run. He did a very good job of making me feel comfortable with the basics of participating in this match.

I shot the match with my normal carry equipment, a Kimber Pro Carry II in a Milt Sparks Versa Max 2 sitting just forward of 3:00. My concealment was an untucked shirt, as usual. I thought they might make me wear a vest, but the shirt was adequate.

We shot 9 different stages, and I fired 139 rounds.

For my first match, I think I did pretty well. I did not lose, the Kimber functioned flawlessly (as expected), I did not shoot any of the target stands and only had one procedural penalty for shooting a target out of sequence, and one penalty for not having enough holes in a target. All in all a good day. The RO's did a great job of making sure I understood what was going on, and the other competitors were as friendly as I have come to expect gun folks to be.

I may have to add this match to my list of things I do each month.

Kids, and Education

H/T Xavier He comes up with some of the coolest stuff.

More on National Exercise Your Rights Day

These are the retailers who I know are supporting National Exercise Your Rights Day. These folks are offering special discounts or other incentives on August 28th to show support for our gun rights. The list is much smaller than expected, but these folks did step up. If possible, please show your appreciation by stopping in to say "hi" at the brick and mortar stores, and checking out what Dallas Tactical Supplies has to offer on the internet.

From Texas:

Dallas Tactical Supplies is offering free shipping on all holsters purchased on the 28th, just mention National Exercise Your Rights Day in the comments on the order form.

Panther City Firearms in Ft Worth is offering in store discounts on AR15's, 30 round magazines and ammo all day on the 28th. Contact Darrell at 817-731-2065.

From Virginia:

Bob's Gun Shop
746 Granby Street, Norfolk, VA
627-8311
Is offering 10% off on accessories and gun safes to anyone who mentions National Exercise Your Rights Day

Shooters Inc.
5139 Stanart St, Norfolk, VA
461-9152
Is offering free range passes to the first ten people who mention National Exercise Your Rights Day. Ask for Jerry Fockler who will be the manager on duty to take advantage of this offer

Idaho:

Red's Trading Post
215 Shoshone St.
SouthTwin Falls, Idaho
83301-6001
(208) 733-3546
Offering discounts on all in store ammunition sales and a copy of JFPO's "The Gang" with ammo purchases of 5 boxes or more (.22 excluded)

Montana:

Montana Ordnance & Supply
2100 Stephens Ave
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 549-8177
Discounting every item in the store 10%.

If you know of any other retailers with special offers on the 28th, please let me know so I can include them.


Captain of a Crew of One, Red's Trading Post, The High Road, The War on Guns

National Exercise Your Rights Day Update

The Amendment II Democrats have scheduled a rally to counter protest the August 28th activities planned by the North Texas Brady Campaign and Rainbow PUSH.

SAVE THE SECOND AMENDMENT RALLY - August 28, 2007 in Dallas, TX

Your humble Webmaster for Amendment II Democrats is planning a Save the Second Amendment Rally to be held on Tuesday, August 28, 2007, 12:00 noon CDT in Dallas, Texas. We will be gathering outside the Warren United Methodist Church at 3028 Malcolm X Boulevard, where the North Texas Brady Campaign and Rainbow PUSH members are scheduled to hold their own anti-gun rally. It's time for Democrats who support the Second Amendment to take a stand against those who seek to undermine our Constitutional rights.

I was planning on taking a co-worker to the range during lunch on the 28th, I may have to change my plans.

What is a Good Capitalist to do...

...when the country you live and work in denies it's populace the right to proper arms for self protection?

Why make a buck.. err.. pound of course.

Designed by James Mcadam

Found on The Barking Moonbat Early Warning System

Any Port in a Storm

It is reported that 50% of people in London are worried about security and sleep with some form of self-defence to hand, for use against intruders.

The 'Safe Bedside Table' has a removable leg that acts as a club and a top that doubles as a shield for self-defence. This is for people who are willing to take on an intruder, providing an extra sense of security whilst in bed.

This saddens me, but what the heck, they would probably sell like hotcakes in CA, DC, NY and MA.

Personally I prefer my home defense tool to be sitting atop my night stand:

I lock the little gun safe at night when the Grand Kids sleep over. Oh... V does like her dolls.

National Exercise Your Rights Day Update

As Jeff Knox of the Firearms Coalition states:

Are you ready?
Have you saved up some money?

Have you notified your clubs and friends?

Have you made sure your local gun stores know about National Exercise Your Rights Day so they can promote it and offer special discounts?

Have you made plans to join friends at the range?

Have you begun drafting your message to your legislators?

The Reverend Jesse Jackson is joining in the celebration of National Exercise Your Rights Day though the good Reverend is only planning to exercise his First Amendment right, he can rest assured that those of us exercising our First and Second Amendment rights will stand ready to defend ALL of his rights.

August 28th is only a week away. JJ has protest scheduled in 25 different cities, what do we have?

Contact each and every retailer who has sold you a gun or even the smallest of firearm accessories and let them know what we are attempting. This is a great opportunity to make a statement that echoes off of Capitol Hill and lets our legislators know that we are a force to be reckoned with. Or, we could just let JJ carry the day. It is totally up to us.

Purchase a firearm, ammo or accessory. Go shooting. Take a friend shooting. Write a letter to the editor of your local paper. Write your legislator. Join GOA, the NRA or a local gun rights organization. Do something pro-active on this one day, and let everyone know what you did.

David over at The War on Guns has some flyers to hand out to retailers and other shooters.

From the Mail Bag

A reader emailed a question about how to help a spouse become comfortable with the idea of using a firearm in self defense. I replied with some ideas of my own, but since many of us have gone through similar situations ourselves, you might be able to offer ideas of your own.

Suggestions for a concerned husband/father?

Hi JR - you don't know me but I've been reading your blog at least weekly for a long long time, and I was wondering if you could help me with something, either direct over email or even a post about it to gather thoughts from your other readers.

I'll save you a lot of the details, but shortly after I got married in 2002 I became very interested in the philosophy and culture of armed self-defense and educated myself on what I'm convinced is the most precious of all human rights and the origins of American protection of that right. The major impetus behind this sudden interest was that I never feared as much for my own safety as I found myself fearing for that of my wife (and future kids, now 2 years old with another on the way). I took to heart the principle that I'm responsible for her safety more than I ever did with my own. I now own (and have since early 2004) a handgun for personal defense and plan on applying for a CCW permit now that I'm a Texan (having fled the People's Republic of Kalifornia last year for San Antonio). I've even written a bit (letters to the editor and such), see my personal site to check some of that stuff out (though it's a bit old - I've gotten a few letters printed in the San Antonio Express-News that haven't made it there yet, though they're on my blog).

What I need help with is getting my wife to recognize that it's even more imperative for her to a) become familiar with the gun we already keep in the house so she can use it if I'm gone and b) become comfortable with shooting and owning her own so she can protect herself and our kids (not to mention that I want to pass this down to them as they get older). She's shown resistance (especially when I bought our pistol - I thought I had her blessing but apparently she thought we were still discussing it) to learning anything for herself, and a big part of that seems to stem from the fact that she was mugged at gunpoint once (in not-very-big-city CA). That incident seems to have made her more suspicious about guns rather than more suspicious about the characters she might need a gun to deal with.

Can you (or your readers) give me any helpful conversation starters or avenues to take to try and get her to have an open mind about this?

Thanks, and keep up the great writing!

Okay guys and gals, now it is your turn. I know a few of you have been in pretty much this same situation. What works, and just as important, what does not.

On a Side Note...

A Keyboard and a .45 is one year old today.

In case you missed it, my first post.

I really appreciate you folks taking time out of your busy day to stop in, see what is new, and visit for awhile.

Thank you for your time, your comments and your emails. I will continue to do my best to make A Keyboard and a .45 an interesting, and friendly place to stop by.

Best Thing to Come Out of the U.A.E.

Adcom M855

Anyone know where I can get some more?

School Shootings Force Change in Tactics

From the Star Telegram:

By Deanna Boyd

Enemy is fake, but lessons are real

FORT WORTH -- A moaning man sits in the hallway to their left. A classroom is to their right.

As two officers search the classroom for a gunman and another keeps watch on the back hallway, Euless patrol officer Rocky Fimbres keeps his gun trained on the moaning man, unsure whether he is a victim or the shooter.

"Keep your hands up, brother. Relax," Fimbres orders the man.

There aren't any students in the school; it's a teacher work day.

Suddenly, a different man's voice bellows from a different classroom at the far end of the hallway.

"Mary, you b----! Where are you?" shouts a man -- gun in hand -- as he emerges from the classroom, making his way across the hallway toward another classroom.

The four officers run down the hall in a diamond formation, yelling at the man to stop and drop his weapon, but he never even turns around.

Before the officers can reach the classroom and shoot the gunman, he shoots three more victims.

Fortunately, the victims and gunman are really fellow officers, and the "bullets" are capsules filled with blue or pink liquid soap.

But the lessons learned from this and other scenarios last week at Central High School in far north Fort Worth aim to prepare first responders for the real thing and their ultimate mission -- get inside and stop the shooter.

It is far cry from less than a decade ago, when the responsibility of the first officers on the scene was to try to establish contact with the shooter until SWAT teams arrived.

"The driving event was Columbine," explained Fort Worth officer Chris Moody, referring to the 1999 shooting in which 45 minutes passed before SWAT officers entered the high school.

"Then it was still get to the scene, set a perimeter, start trying to establish communications and negotiate," Moody said. "Now, when we arrive on the scene, if there's still a suspect actively shooting, we enter the school, office or whatever it may be, and stop the shooting."

This is a step in the right direction, but still not optimal. The best action is pro-action. Allow trained school teachers, administers and staff the option of concealed carry. Having armed and trained individuals mixed in with the caretakers of our children just makes sense, especially when we know that terrorist are targeting our schools.

Women's Pistol Class

Tiger Valley is offering a one day Women's Pistol Class on Saturday, Sept. 8th. I mention this because V will be attending this course. This will be her first taste of formal instruction, and I trust that TJ will do his usual excellent job of introducing new students to defencive shooting. Comments from women who have attended this class are all positive, and indicated that they had a good time while learning a bit about pistol craft. As a bonus, husbands (or partners) of the students will be able to utilize one of Tiger Valley's empty pistol bays during the course.

Course description:

This one-day pistol class for women is designed to introduce women to conflict situations that they might encounter. Class discussions will cover topics such as conflict avoidance, the human target, basic ballistics, how to choose a weapon, and safety. After this, we will discuss grip stance and trigger control along with sight picture and trigger squeeze.

Once on the range, we will shoot at distances that women are likely to encounter threats. No shooting will be past 7 yards. Shooters will fire single, 2 shots, and five shot exercises. Shooters will also move and shoot, and shoot at multiple targets. After the day on the range we will move to room clearing exercise and live fire in the shoot house. Having taught SWAT teams, I can say for a fact that women excel at this phase. Tiger Valley will supply food at lunch.

I have taken a 3 day course with TJ and highly recommend him as an instructor. This promises to be a fast paced course that will give a woman basics that she can work upon on her home range.

If you are a woman in North Texas, and you are interested in learning a bit about using a firearm for personal protection, then this class is for you.

Number of Gun Dealers Drop Across Nation

In the post The Bush Betrayal of Gun Owners, D. Martyn of the Liberty Sphere reported that between 1994 and 2005, 80% of gun dealers were forced out of business.

The Violence Policy Center has issued a press release applauding this "most important—and little noticed—victories..."

From the Battle Creek Enquirer:

Number of gun dealers drop across nation

The number of gun dealers in America has dropped by 194,998 since 1994 according to a new study released today by the Violence Policy Center (VPC). The study (see http://www.vpc.org/studies/dealers07.pdf) found that the number of Type 1 Federal Firearms Licenses (FFLs) plummeted 79 percent: from 245,628 in 1994 to 50,630 in 2007. (The Type 1 FFL is the basic federal license required to sell guns in America.)

California posted the largest decrease in the number of gun dealers, dropping from 20,148 in 1994 to 2,120 in 2007—a decrease of 89 percent. Additional states that had declines of 80 percent or more during the period were: Hawaii (-88%); Massachusetts (-88%); Connecticut (-87%); Florida (-87%); Maryland (-85%); Washington (-85%); Rhode Island (-84%); Louisiana (-82%); New Jersey (-82%); Georgia (-81%), New York (-81%); Virginia (-81%); Illinois (-80%); and, Michigan (-80%).

The press release goes on to further daemonize the "illegitimate "kitchen-table" dealers who operated out of their homes or offices..." and praise Clinton for his policies that have lead to this drastic decline in FFL's.

We pay attention to the legislative attempts to further restrict freedoms. We celebrate victories such as the various "Castle Doctrine" bills that have been passed, and the increasing number of states that have passed "Shall Issue" laws. While we focus on the legislative side of things, the bureaucrats and the JBT's of the ATF silently go about their trade of strong arming FFL's and putting them out of business. Heck, even OSHA has attempted to get in the act of restricting our access to ammunition.

The VPC recognises the achievements of the ATF, and even though most of the following statement is a flat out lie, less FFL's mean less avenues for a free citizen to acquire a firearm.

VPC Policy Analyst Marty Langley states, "The sharp drop in gun dealers is one of the most important—and little noticed—victories in the effort to reduce firearms violence in America. Fewer gun dealers reduces the potential number of sources for high-volume illegal gun trafficking.

Well Marty, it may be a bit late in the game, but we have started to notice.

Folks, support your local firearms dealer.

If you have not done so, it may be a good time to read John Ross's book, Unintended Consequences

Can I Get an Amen!

A must see...

H/T to Mike's America

Wyoming vs the ATF

The State of Wyoming attempted an end run around the Lautenberg Amendment, the ATF throws a hissy fit.

From the Billings Gazette:

CHEYENNE - The state of Wyoming says the federal agency that enforces gun laws was wrong to reject a state law that seeks to allow people convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence to regain their firearms rights in the state courts.

Wyoming this week filed its opening brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals in Denver, challenging a ruling issued in May by U.S. District Judge Alan Johnson of Cheyenne.

Johnson ruled against the state's claim that the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives arbitrarily rejected a 2004 state law allowing people convicted of domestic violence to petition in state court to restore their gun rights.

Wyoming passed a law that would allow folks convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence charges the chance to recover their right to keep and bear arms.

The ATF says that they trump state law and throw a fit.

The federal agency had warned Wyoming that if it continued to allow people with such domestic violence convictions to buy guns, the agency would no longer recognize more than 10,000 concealed-carry permits issued by the state as a substitute for federal background checks for firearms purchases.

Some background for those new to these draconian gun laws.

Congress in 1996 expanded the law that bans convicted felons from owning guns to apply to people convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence.

Although states have the ability to expunge convictions, Wyoming's law specified that convictions could be removed for purposes of restoring firearms rights yet remain intact for purposes of enhancing punishment for any subsequent conviction.

To me, Wyoming's law makes great sense. It recognises that an individual has an inherent right to self defense, and provides for the safety of the community in the event the individual continues to violate the law.
This is the paragraph that caught me by surprise.

Johnson ruled that the BATF has the authority to determine whether a state law is insufficient to remove a federal prohibition against a person carrying firearms.

A judge ruled that a government bureaucracy has the authority to override state law without judicial oversight? That is just what the JBT's in the ATF need, a judge empowering them with even more authority.

"The BATF is attempting to administratively undo what Congress has legislatively done," the AG's brief states. "The BATF simply does not agree, on a policy basis, with the Wyoming Legislature's decision and has self-appointed itself the omnipotent role of deciding who should, and should not, possess firearms."

Heavy sigh.

Teach Your Children Well

An 11 year old field stripping and reassembling an AR-15.

Best Tee Shirt Ever

Firearm Video

Xavier sure does come up with some good video.

First, the fun side of shooting:

Next, the serious:

Words of Wisdom From a Jr. High-Power Shooter

From The First Shot (CMP Online Magazine):

By Randi Hilt, commenting on her experiences at the Eastern US Junior High-Power Clinic and Championship.

Everybody is welcome and taken care of, which is very important for this great sport to survive. It doesn’t matter if we are highpower, smallbore, pistol, or shotgun shooters. If we want any shooting sport to remain, we have to stop finding differences between each other and stand together as shooters. Together, we keep our guns. Apart, we lose them bit-by-bit. And I think we all know what that means. I can’t wait to see you next year, and God bless you all!

Click on the image for the entire article.

First to Step Up.

I have been contacting dealers in firearms, ammunition and accessories that I do business with and letting them know about National Exercise Your Rights Day. The first to respond is Mike from Dallas Tactical Supplies.

Mike has graciously offered to provide FREE shipping and handling on all holsters purchased on August 28th. Just mention National Exercise Your Rights Day in the comments section of the online order form. Dallas Tactical Supplies has an excellent supply of holsters from many of the major manufacturers. V will be needing a new holster for a class in September, this offer works out great for me.

I speak from experience when I say that Dallas Tactical Supplies provides excellent customer service and top quality products from some of the best manufacturers around.

Thanks for stepping up Mike, your support is appreciated.

The War on Guns: Bradys Call for National Protest on Aug. 28

As most of you know, Jesse Jackson and the Brady Bunch are calling on the anti's to participate in anti gun marches and demonstrations on August 28th. These shrill , egotistical, and often blissfully ignorant organisers have received a fairly large amount of free publicity. Our side, on the other hand, quietly go about our business working hard to protect all of our rights. David, over at The War on Guns, recommends that we all go out and purchase a box of ammo on the 28th in this post:

Bradys Call for National Protest on Aug. 28

I agree with David that:

It'd be nice unintended consequences for the Brady's if we could demonstrate a few percentage points of sales increases on that day because of this.

Jeff from the Firearms Coalition is calling for a National Exercise Your Rights Day:

Reverend Jesse Jackson is calling on citizens to exercise their First Amendment rights by participating in anti-gun/anti-violence protest marches in 25 cities nationwide on that day. The Firearms Coalition echoes that call to supporters of the Second Amendment, encouraging them to exercise their rights by purchasing a firearm or ammunition on August 28.

Jeff continues with:

The Firearms Coalition is further encouraging local groups to stage active counter-protests, picnics, and marches to clearly demonstrate that a majority of Americans support all civil rights for all citizens, not the watered-down, pick-and-choose version of civil rights advocated by Jackson and his RainbowPush coalition.

I would like to get the word out to as many gun owners and firearm stores as possible. Prior to the 28th, I will publish a list of any and all ammunition and firearms dealers who will offer a special on the 28th of August. Not only that, but I will make every effort to get the story published in the local papers and news media of these dealers.

Get the word out, let your suppliers know what is going on, and let me know of any that agree to offer some sort of special on August 28th.

If we can get enough interest, we can make the antis think twice about these nation wide protests.

Made it Back

Plane landed around 2310 and we rolled into the driveway after midnight. Off to work this morning and back to the grind for the both of us.

It was a great vacation, too short as is the state of most vacations, but great not the less.

For the most part, the days I was not posting were spent at Laguna Beach. My parents had reserved a block of rooms that accessed a patio for our group of 14. Two solid days of the Arts then back to Oceanside for a day in the surf.

If you enjoy art, then I highly recommend the Summer Arts Festivals at Laguna Beach. We attended the Sawdust Art Festival, The Art-A-Fair, and The Festival of Arts/Pageant of the Masters. Add to these festivals all the galleries in the area, and you can enjoy one very nice arts vacation.

One big plus is that while it passed 100°F here in North Texas, it barely made 80 while we were visiting the Coastal Cities.

It has been a week since I last mowed the yard, and it is a tad dry, so I'm off to take care of a couple of the duties of home owner.

News From the World of .50 Cal. Shooters

Invitation Extended by South Central Shooters Club

The South Central Shooters Club is extending an invitation for anyone who is interested to please join them for some fun at their annual 'Fun Shoot' at Bryan McCann's farm in Marksville Louisiana over the weekend of Sept 15-16. They will be shooting at steel and reactive targets from 1000 yds to one (1) mile. The prize will be a shot up car. Belt fed guns and tracer/incendiary ammunition are welcome.

SCSC will also be hosting a "1st of its kind" shooters clinic for up and coming competitors in Waco, TX at the Tiger Valley Range on October 26-28th. Mark Avakian one of the 50BMG greats will be giving lectures and coaching on a wide variety of topics on reloading, equipment, bench setup and case preparation, plus individual coaching while you shoot at 1000 yds. This is an event none of us can afford to miss. Please join us!!

For more information Please contact
Barry Hamilton at (713) 304-7877 or southcsc@earthlink.net
Reid Woodward on (870)310-4542 or 50bmg@frankthompsontransport.com
Bryan McCann on (318) 481-5274 or bryan@mccannhunts.com

For more information on .50 caliber shooting sports, go to the Fifty Caliber Institute Newsletter.

I Want One

H/T Xavier

Heading Out of Town

V and I are heading out of town. We are off to Oceanside CA to visit with my parents and attend a couple of arts festivals.

We will be going to The Sawdust Art Festival, and the Pageant of the Masters.

It has been quite awhile since V and I have had a vacation with out kids or grand kids, so we have really been looking forward to this week.

I will continue posting as I have time.

It's time to hit the shower and head on out to the airport. See you on the other side.

Doc, It Hurts When I Do This…

Syd, over at" Front Sight, Press", posted an in depth commentary on a recent "accidental" shooting involving teen aged boys. He is spot on in what he says about the teens, the parents, and the news medias coverage of incidents such as this.

Doc, It Hurts When I Do This…

Click the link and give it a read.

As gun owners, we have the responsibility to teach our children the safe and efficient handling of firearms. If you do not own a firearm, even if you detest firearms, you have the responsibility to your children to teach them, in a rational manner, the basics of firearm safety.

If you have children visiting your home, and you are not 100% confident that each and every one of them respects firearms, knows and demonstrates firearm safety, and is a responsible kid with self discipline, lock up your firearms.

We have done an outstanding job of reducing the number of firearm related accidental deaths, but there is still room for improvement. You as a gun owner have the responsibility to ensure that a firearm owned by you will misused by anyone.

Robb and others have also commented on this. Sorry if I missed adding a link, in a bit of a hurry this morning.

Anti-Gun Argument, Always Pure Hysterics

From Mens News Daily:

By Warner Todd Houston

Anti-Gun Argument, Always Pure Hysterics

A fisking of the "Defenseless is better than discovering someone we love dead" editorial in the Charlotte Observer .

Another Robbery Stopped By a Free Citizen With a Firearm

From The Salt Lake Tribune:

By Russ Rizzo

Gun-toting store owner runs off bandit

"Whatever drugs he's doing altered his brain chemical, and he did something he probably didn't want to do," Van Arsdale said. "When somebody points a gun at me, it alters my brain chemistry and makes me do things I don't normally do."

I don't know that I would state it exactly like that, but it works for him.

Time to help an ally help themselves

Dumb Looks Still Free has a great write up on the kidnapping of the South Korean Christian missionaries.

Time to help an ally help themselves

Well worth your time.

What's a Felon to Do?

Sometimes you end up losing, no matter what you do.

John Mooney (the felon) returns home (which he shares with his crazy ex wife) from his job at a bar. He makes dinner, and goes into the master bedroom to eat. Crazy ex wife, Florencia "Sandy" McCloud, pulls out a .38 and presses it against Mr. Mooney's temple. This was not the first time crazy ex wife had pointed a firearm at Mooney. Mr. Mooney disarms crazy ex wife. Mooney hurriedly stood up and called his boss Terry Whisman at Whisman’s Bar to say that his ex-wife had pulled the gun on him again and that he was bringing it in to hand it over to the police. Mr. Mooney then makes two attempts to call 911, both times crazy ex wife hangs up. There are recordings of these phone calls. Mooney takes handgun and leaves the house, heading for the bar where he can call the police in peace. After Mooney leaves, crazy ex wife calls police and reports Mooney in possession of a handgun. Mooney gets to the bar, the police get to the bar, Mooney gets arrested.

No problem, right? Mooney felt his life was in danger, disarmed his crazy ex wife, and was obviously attempting to turn the handgun in to the authorities. After everything settled down, he should have been released with maybe a bit of advice about shaking up with crazy ex wives.

Too bad that is not how it worked out. Mr. Mooney was convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm, and received a 15 year sentence.

UNITED STATES v. MOONEY

Even though Mooney insisted that he was innocent of the charge in the circumstances, he pleaded guilty because his appointed counsel advised him that there was no defense to a felon-in-possession charge.

At his sentencing hearing on May 12, 2003, Mooney sought to withdraw his guilty plea on the basis that he "did something that was right" and was innocent of the charge. But Mooney’s counsel expressed his disagreement with Mooney and advised the court that "the elements of this [felon-in-possession] offense [do not] allow for us to make that [justification] argument in front of the jury." The district court denied Mooney’s request to withdraw his guilty plea, reasoning that once Mooney walked out of the house with the gun, he "committed a crime" for which there was no justification...

The good news is that Mooney served only 4 of his 15 years. A third year law student from Wake Forest University School of Law got his conviction overturned.

Mooney may be a goblin of the worst sort, he may deserve to still be behind bars for the crime that caused him to be defined as a felon, but this conviction was... a load of bunk.

H/T to The Volokh Conspiracy

Wines By JR

Along with firearms, I also enjoy art, food and wine. I do pretty much all the cooking in our house, and with this evenings dinner, I found a wine worthy of a gun blog.

Let me introduce you to the 2004 Gunslingers Shiraz.



Gunslingers is a Barossa Valley (Australia) Shiraz vinted by Rolff Binder and Kevin Mitchell. I have enjoyed Rolff Binder wines before, this is the first I have had of their collaboration.

This is one great Shiraz, top shelf if you would. In the glass it is a deep, deep purple and shows good legs (the rivulets that show on the glass after you swirl the wine). This is a very full bodied Shiraz that improves with bit of breath. I would recommend decanting for a half hour or so before serving. Each sip fills the mouth and then the senses with a wide variety of impressions. This wine was aged in both American and French Oak, the Oak was a subtle component of the overall experience. I very much enjoyed this Shiraz.

This evening's dinner included steak shish kabobs and a vegetable gratin that included egg plant and various summer squash. The kabobs were doused with a black pepper sauce, and the gratin had a hint of red pepper. The peppery aspect of Gunslingers went well with dinner. but the best part was sipping after dinner was finished.

Robert Parker gave Gunslingers 92-94 points, as did The Wine Advocate. I'll give it a "highly recommended" The importer states that this wine will hold for 12 to 15 years, and I expect that it will. I will be buying a few bottles to add to my little cellar.

The BATF Spending Your Money

The Liberty Sphere reported in the commentary "The Bush Betrayal of Gun Owners " that:

Since 2002, a whopping 85% of firearms manufacturers in America have been forced to close their doors for good.

Note that the alarming rate of shut-downs of gun manufacturers by the ATF coincides with the election of George W. Bush.

However, the Clinton Administration is every bit as culpable. From 1994-2005, 80% of gun dealers were forced out of business. Eight of those years were under the Clinton Administration.

Nonetheless, the Bush Administration has done absolutely nothing to stem the tide of this alarming persecution, and if anything the ATF has actually turned up the heat in the last few years.

The statistic that nails the Bush Administration is that from 2001 until 2006, the number of gun dealers who have had their licenses revoked by the ATF has risen by 6 times the number of revocations in the previous six years.

In short, the Bush Administration has been no friend to gun owner.

You would think that the BATF would be working themselves out of a job by closing down so many dealers and manufacturers. Nope.
From Government Computer News:
By Wilson P. Dizard III

The Justice Department’s Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has announced plans to field a nationwide wireless broadband telecommunications and Web portal. The agency said in a procurement notice issued last week that it seeks to award a contract by November for a wireless system based on technology from iPass.

In a notice on the Fed-BizOpps government acquisition system, the agency said it plans to solicit proposals for the system around Aug. 7. ATF seeks to purchase a system that would support thousands of agency employees.

ATF stated its requirements for the planned system: “The Web portal shall support law enforcement activities, a collaborative work environment, remote access to databases and software, surveillance and streaming video applications over an integrated wireless infrastructure encompassing a broad spectrum of wireless devices and a secure e-mail system using iPass Mobile Systems software and products.”

Our tax dollars at work.

Built Tough in Texas

From the Dallas Morning News:

Woman survives after pickup plummets 150 feet

EL PASO, Texas - A 71-year-old woman suffered minor injuries after her pickup truck hit a boulder and tumbled over a 150-foot cliff, leaving her stranded in the West Texas heat for seven hours, officials said.

Helene Crosser told authorities that she was driving on Loop 375 to watch the sunrise early Sunday when her shoe fell off and got jammed beneath the brake pedal of her 1988 Ford Ranger. She said she tried to pull off the road but couldn't slow down because the shoe stopped the brake from fully working.

A driver spotted glint of light reflecting from afar and called 911.

A bit of water, a band-aid or two, and she is good to go.

Range Report

On Friday afternoon I finally had the opportunity to head out to the range and run the box of Federal Premium L.E. Ammunition (HST) through my Kimber to check function and reliability. V was supposed to work late that evening, and when she works late, I head out to the range.

USCitizen (the author of Traction Control) was able to join me, so off we went.

At first glance you can see major differences between the Hydra-shok and the HST bullets. In the HST, Federal did not include the center post that distinguished the Hydra-Shoks from other bullets. The skiving on the HST is much more aggressive than on the Hydra-Shok, and runs the full length of the exposed bullet.

I fired 49 rounds of the HST through my Kimber without any failure (as expected). I saved one cartridge for photos. I intended to have side by side images of the HST and Hydra-Shok for this post, but could not get any that I liked. The HST proved to be as accurate as I am, and held a slightly smaller five shot group than my normal range ammo. End result? So far so good. I would be very comfortable in using the HST as my routine carry ammo.

Fits has more information on the HST here.

USCitizen brought out his Kimber and a short barreled Thompson. Firing .45 ACP through a long gun is quite a blast. Getting to meet another Gun Blogger, and shooting the chit about issues we are all passionate about is a great time. I am looking forward to doing this more often.

For Women Only

Thanks to Xavier

More From Chicago

While Mayor Daley is out spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on scrap iron and family heirlooms, a serial rapist walks his city streets.

From the Chicago Sun Times:

Women shouldn't have to choose between safety, mobility

Women today flex their power and freedom as never before -- in the workplace, in leadership positions, in the presidential race. So it's jolting when a serial rapist terrorizes a neighborhood.

Despite hard-fought battles for equality, this basic truth does not budge: The female half of the city's population is far more vulnerable to sexual assault; they are the ones whose freedoms are strangled.

A serial rapist is among the lowest of the low. What these goblins take can never be returned or restored. A predator with sufficient strength and skill to overpower women, and a total disregard to the lives he ruins. It is not a very large step from serial rapist, to murderer.

When a string of attacks occurs, such as the five in Lincoln Park and Lake View in recent weeks and another on the South Side, this personal safety issue clouds the quality of life in an area. It becomes more than a crime story. It becomes a life lesson that we are compelled to repeat, to our daughters, sisters, female friends, mothers and grandmothers.

We implore them: Travel in groups in well-lit areas, carry your keys in your hands, lock your car doors, look alert, cross the street if someone sets off your radar. And if someone attacks, kick and fight and scream at the top of your lungs. It is far better to scare someone safe than to comfort them in a hospital emergency room. It is a brutal crime with lifelong implications for victims -- about 1,500 a year in Chicago -- and their loved ones.

Mayor Daley would leave the women of Chicago defenseless against the goblins, easy prey for those who enjoy taking by force what they will never be offered.

So, what are the good public servants of Chicago doing to help women defend themselves?

This week, two North Side aldermen organized free self-defense classes and handed out pocket-sized pepper spray and safety tips to 1,500 women. That's empowering.

No! Handing out pepper spray in not empowering. To properly empower women against goblins, you need to give them the tools and skills that allow them to meet force with superior force. Pepper spray just pisses goblins off. At the very best, the goblin runs away to rape again another day. Worst case, he rapes and kills the woman. The most efficient rape prevention tool available to women is a firearm.

We have the natural right to defend ourselves. Each and every creature on this planet enjoys that same right. Since we have no spines, scales, claws or fangs, we use tools. The firearm is a most efficient tool for protecting ourselves from violence. To disarm a free citizen and deny them the proper tools for self protection is not just wrong, it is immoral.

More on The Revolving Door Justice System

A recurring topic here on A Keyboard and a .45, is our revolving door justice system. Politicians, big city district attorneys, some police chiefs and other antis keep blaming firearms for acts of violence. It is the daily mantra of the gun grabbers. Guns cause violence. The City of Chicago just spent over a half a million dollars on a gun "turn in" program, and will spend millions more over the next few years. What good does this do when the violent criminals are left on the streets?

Here is an example of what I am talking about.

From the Rutland Herald:

By Alan J. Keays

'Career criminal' sentenced to 15 year prison term

A federal judge who designated a Burlington man an "armed career criminal" sentenced him to 15 years in prison on latest conviction for illegal possession a firearm as a convicted felon.

Kevin J. Graves, 44, showed little emotion as Judge J. Garvan Murtha handed down the sentence Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Burlington. Graves had earlier pleaded guilty to the charge of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.

Those of you who have read this blog for awhile know that I believe that there should be no restrictions concerning felons and gun ownership. If an individual can not be trusted in society with a firearm, that individual should not be a free member of society. My first instinct would be to side with the defendant. The headline did mention that he was a 'Career criminal', let us dig a bit deeper into this article.

Graves has a lengthy criminal record that includes 38 prior convictions spanning more than 25 years, including four convictions that qualify as "violent felonies" under federal statute. Those felonies include convictions for breaking and entering in the nighttime, two counts of burglary and entering a bank to attempt to commit a larceny, court records stated.

This goblin was CONVICTED 38 times in 25 years? And he is on our streets? This last conviction only netted him 15 years? What the heck is going on here?

15 years is the minimum the judge could have sentenced this goblin for this conviction, and the judge only gave him the minimum. The judge gave this goblin the minimum sentence, knowing full well that the goblin has proven on 38 different occasions that he can not be trusted in the society of free men.

I have an idea for the politicians, police chiefs and district attorneys. Stop demonizing firearms and disparaging gun owners. Spend your time, money and efforts in getting the violent criminals off of our streets. You have forgotten that we, the free citizens of these United States are both your employers and your customers. We expect you to keep goblins such as this off of our streets. Too many violent crimes are committed by someone already in your system, that needs to stop. Repeat offenders need to be dealt with severely, and free citizens need to be left alone.

Think you can handle that? If not, we may just find someone who can.

From the What The ... Files

The headline of this article says much more than the article itself.

From WISTV:

By Chantelle Janelle

Louisiana man shot while having sex involving a firearm

LAKE CHARLES, LA (KPLC) - Shortly after midnight Thursday, one Lake Charles man died while engaged in sexual behavior involving a firearm.

The Calcasieu Parish sheriff's office has charged 36 year old Kimberly Grosset with negligent homicide in connection with the shooting death of her boyfriend.

Ummm... not much to say to that.

I guess I could use this opportunity to remind everyone of the Four Rules of Firearm Safety...

Mayor praises city's gun fencing effort

The numbers are in, and Chicago had a "successful" gun turn in this past weekend.

From ABC7:

By Paul Meincke

Mayor praises city's gun turn-in effort

July 31, 2007 - Mayor Daley praised the city's latest gun turn-in event Tuesday, calling it a "record-breaking" success. More than 6,700 handguns, rifles and assault weapons were turned in by Chicago residents during the citywide event two weekends ago. That number tops the number of guns collected during the first two gun turn-in programs combined.

As I mentioned previously, "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." It seems Mayor Daley got his wish.

Let us see what Mayor Daley accomplished, shall we?

There are assault weapons, and sawed off shot guns, revolvers, and semi-automatics, and some home-built models that can accommodate a shot-gun shell.

This is part of the haul from the latest "no questions asked gun turn-in." All of these boxes are filled. The final count: 6,727 guns...

...About a tenth of the guns turned in are air guns or replicas, some very realistic.

So we have 6,727 items that look like guns. Approximately 672 are not guns, that leaves 6055 that the city classifies as a firearm. Some of those are "home-built models that can accommodate a shot-gun shell". Sounds like some enterprising folks traded in a piece of pipe for a $100 debit card. I'll knock off 38 for the "home-built" models, and then 17 for the ones "turned in" to raise money for a youth shooting program, which leaves 6000 firearms turned in by the good citizens of Chicago. 6000 guns off the streets.

As the Mayor says:

"If we took just one gun off a potential criminal, it was worth it. if only one gun was here it'd be worth the effort," said Mayor Richard Daley.

Wait a second there Mr. Mayor. I have personally witnessed testimony in front of the Texas House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee by an organizer of gun "buy back" programs in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. This individual testified that 85% of the firearms turned in at these events were stolen (he said this as if it were a good thing). Mayor Daley, with your $100 per firearm incentive you offer to any crack head that can break into a house and steal a gun, don't you think that this program might actually be increasing crime in your city? Mr. Mayor, you are paying folks to steal, to break into a citizen's home and steal their private property. You are putting the citizens of your city at risk, and for what? For a stupid headline that makes the ignorant think you are doing something to make them safe. Your actions are despicable.

If the firearms "turned in" in Chicago are true to form, 5100 of them were stolen. The City of Chicago paid goblins $510,000 to go out and steal guns. I would like to know what will happen to the stolen firearms, the private property of American Citizens.

Whether real or replica, all of the turned in guns that are not evidence in criminal cases will be taken -- as they have been for years -- to a steel plant where they will be melted.

If this article is to be believed, it does not bode well for private property rights in the State of Illinois.

One last thing - Police officers were assigned to inspect the firearms at each "turn in" location. The officers could not tell the difference between a real gun and a toy?

Edit - Part of the gun turn in program was the offer of a $10 gift card for replica firearms.

A Raffle for a Good Cause

I am not sure how Kevin beat me to it, but in his post "Looking for a New Pistol?", he scooped me by a few days on the latest Louder Than Words fundraiser. I thought I had been keeping up with the progress of this latest effort, but I guess it has been awhile since I last checked in.

The Raffle for LTW#4 is on now!

Louder Than Words has donated the custom prize package. LTW is a collaboration of some of the country's finest craftsmen in custom guns, knives, and holsters, who donate their work to charity.

Previous fundraisers have benefited Ted Nugent's Kamp for Kids and Cops for Kids. The beneficiaries of this raffle will be AmericanSnipers.org!

The folks working on this project include a who's who of pistol craft. For details of the project, click here.