We Need to Educate a Senator

Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison is one of my favorite politicians. As a Senator, she is head and shoulders above the three we have competing to become President of the United States. She is a bit soft on illegal immigration and put her foot in it with her amendment to the Department of Homeland Security 2008 budget (her rebuttal is here). The deed of Senator Hutchison's that bothers me the most occurred in a very unlikely venue.

Senator Hutchison joined with fifty-four other senators, 250 representatives, and Vice President Cheney to submit an amicus brief in favor of Heller in the SCOTUS DC v Heller case. That is what I would expect my representative to do, support an individual right to keep and bear arms. So kudos to the Senator. Where we part company is what she said during a presentation before the Heritage Foundation on DC v Heller and the Congressional Amicus Brief . You can watch the presentation here. Senator Hutchison's unfortunate comments start at 34:52 into the video. A reporter from the Dallas Morning News asked the Senators on the stage about their positions on the Assault Weapons Ban. Senator Hutchison's response started with, "I support the Assault Weapons Ban..." If that were not bad enough, she goes on to compare an owner of an EBR with someone who shouts "fire" in a movie theatre. Very disappointing.

The reason I bring all this up is because I had a chance to listen to Senator Hutchison on Rush as I headed out to grab my lunch. She reminded me of why I liked her so much. Her common sense approach to issues like high fuel and food prices, nuclear power and our energy supplies in general is spot on. There are many issues that we agree upon, she is against the Trans-Texas Corridor, an issue that is very big here in Texas. She is rumored to be planning a run for Governor of Texas during the next election cycle. She will be running against the most pro-gun Governor in modern Texas history, and he opinion on an AWB will not go over very well with the gun owners of Texas.

So... we need to educate Senator Hutchison on the error of her ways. She will be speaking at NRA annual meeting's Celebration of American Values Leadership Forum. Hopefully I will get the opportunity to spend a moment with her to talk about this very issue. If you would please, contact the Senator and educate her on the facts about the failure of the AWB to prevent even one violent crime. I would appreciate it.

Also, if someone could grab the last portion of that video where they are talking about the AWB, that would be helpful.

Thanks

H/T to Armed and Safe for the link to the Heritage Foundation video.

A Sweep in the Works?

The Stars win in overtime to lead the series 3 - 0. What a great experience. Hockey is a spectator sport that V and I both really enjoy, we've watched well over 500 Stars games together. To see the Stars doing so well in the playoffs is exciting.

The atmosphere in the American Airlines Center was energetic to say the least, and the game winning goal in overtime had the fans leaving the center hooting and hollering for blocks. I'm still fired up.

Here are a few images from the game.

Responding to the Brady Bunch

Pretty much every gun blog out there has covered the Fox News debate between Eric Thompson, president of TGSCOM.inc (TheGunSource and TopGlock), and Paul Helmke, president of the Brady Bunch.

For those of you who have not seen the debate:



Eric Thompson does an excellent job of defending our RKBA in this debate against the professional face of the anti gun movement. Not only is Eric advocating for our right to keep and bear arms in the public arena, he is also making it easier for us to afford quality firearms for self defense.

Owner of Web-based Firearms Company that Sold to Virginia Tech and NIU Shooters to Forgo Profits to Help Prevent Future Loss of Life

GREEN BAY – A regrettable tie to two mass murders on college campuses is spurring a firearms dealer to forgo profit for the sake of preventing future loss of life...

...Today, Thompson is backing up his words with actions. For the next two weeks, Thompson will not take any profit on firearms sales from any of his over 100 Web sites. Instead, Thompson will offer guns to customers for the same cost he pays for them.

“I hope and pray I will never again be in a position where I am asked questions about selling items used in a crime,” said Thompson. “The next news story I want to be involved in is how I sold a firearm to someone who helped stop a mass murderer. By forgoing a profit, I hope to help give law-abiding citizens the tools to prevent tragedy.”

Now that is an excellent response to to the media hype that has been focused upon TheGunSource and TopGlock.

So, what did I pick up?

MFG# 5720 : Ruger SP 101, Double-Action Revolver, Model KSP-321XL, 357 Magnum Caliber, 2 1/4 Inches Barrel, Stainless Finish, Fixed Sights. This sale made it much easier to afford a Ruger, now I can even afford to feed it.

Thanks Eric, I do appreciate it.

Edit: I'll have to fix the image later. Posting from work is a pain. Fixed

NRA Annual Meeting and Exhibits

Who's going?

V and I will be there. Our plane is scheduled to land at 10:30 Friday morning. We'll be in a mad rush to pick up the rental car, check in to the hotel and make it to the Celebration of American Values Leadership Forum at 12:30.

After the forum, we can relax a bit before meeting up with other gun bloggers to hang out with Michael Bane and Todd Jarrett at Bass Pro Shops in Clarksville, Indiana for happy hour.

If you need them, here are 10 Reasons To Make Last Minute Louisville Plans Now.

Wholly Guacamole Batman

Jose Theodore just got pulled from his second playoff game in a row.

Early in the second period. Detroit Red Wings 4, Colorado Avalanche 0.

Ouch!

On a positive note - The Stars win their first round game against the Sharks, in the Shark Tank. It took overtime to close the deal, but close it they did.

V and I have tickets to Tuesdays game, can't wait.

A New Member...

... of the dark side.

Pure, black evil

When Robb got the go ahead to scratch the EBR itch, he mentioned that so far as ammo goes, he was going to get:

...a 100 to start with which should be more than enough.

Anyone taking wagers on when he adds a zero or two to that estimate?

Congrats Robb

EDM Arms Semi-Auto .50 BMG Giveaway

The Fifty Caliber Institute has introduced their latest fundraiser raffle.

We are very proud to announce that EDM Arms owner, Bill Ritchie has donated one of his new, 'off the drawing boards' Semi-Auto .50 BMG rifles for our next fundraiser. Bill has always been one of the biggest supporters of our 2nd Amendment rights and now he has led the way once again by donating a rifle to FCI to help us continue our mission.

This $9000+ rifle could be yours. To enter, simply donate $25.00 or more.

$25 a chance or (5) five coupons for $100

Not only will your donation give you the opportunity to win, you will be helping the Fifty Caliber Institute fight for our right to keep and bear arms.

Red Wings/Avs

End of the first period.

The Red Wings are ahead 3 to 1.

Forsberg of the Avs is out with a groin injury. He is my favorite player in Hockey, and he is hockey strong. If he is out of a playoff game, that is some groin injury.

Update: End of the Second period.

The score is now 4/3 Red Wings. The Avs gained momentum and put the wings back on their heels. After the fourth goal, the Avs pulled Jose Theodore. Peter Budaj is now in the net for Colorado. He seems to be on his game.

Detroit needs to re-group and come out strong in the third.

Update #2: Final score 4/3. The Red Wings win game 1.

Budaj ended up facing 20 shots on goal by the Wings, none got through.

I can see this series going the full seven games.

Spring in Texas

Quite the lightening storm going on overhead.

No tornado sirens tonight, just a nice light and sound show.

A Thought on Self Improvement

Many of us probably don't get to the range as often as we should. With the price of gas and ammo going up every day, live fire practice is becoming more and more expensive.

Here is a quick and dirty training idea for those of us who carry a firearm on a daily basis.

Daily dry fire drills.

Every day when you get home from work, shopping, church or whatever, do a set of dry fire drills using the concealment and rig that you are wearing.

First, unload your firearm. Pretty basic, but it had to be said. Do whatever routine works for you to ensure that your firearm is not loaded before dry fire drills. Some folks unload their gun in one room and practice in another. I place my magazine in my hand gun safe along with the ejected round. I rack the slide three times after dropping the magazine to eject the live round. If somehow I forgot to drop the magazine, seeing rounds eject the second and third time I rack the slide would alert me to my error. I check the chamber clear before holstering the pistol, and check it clear once again before starting practice.

The drill is pretty simple. With your attire and gear exactly as it was when you were out and about, draw and dry fire ten times. Working movement into this drill makes it even more effective.

A few minutes of concentrated work every day will go a very long way towards improving your ability to protect yourself and the ones you love.

Dallas Stars Hockey

The Stars made it through the first round, handily dispatching last years Stanley Cup Champions (the Anaheim Ducks) in six games. The Stars have had a hard time getting through the first round of late, and fans across the Metroplex breathed a huge sigh of relief after last Sunday's exciting come from behind win.

Playoff hockey is the best hockey. The players are putting in that extra effort, finishing their checks with attitude, blocking shots and getting that puck down the ice. This year we are in for a treat. The Western Conference match ups from here on out are going to be hard fought and exciting games. The Avs vs. the Red Wings and the Stars vs. the Sharks, now that is some serious hockey.

What the heck, I didn't need any sleep for the next few weeks anyways.

The Eastern Conference? They are just playing for the right to be the lamb led to slaughter during the Stanley Cup Final.

One Issue Voter

Rob over at Deleware Stuff does not post often, but when he does it is well worth reading. One Issue Voter is his latest.

A Hard Week at Work

In an effort to save some money, the company I work for decided to cut the manpower in one of the groups that reports to me by half. Last Friday I had the "opportunity" to explain this to my guys and move/discharge people as appropriate. These are/were my people, and they did an excellent job. We were short handed in that group to begin with, now we will be stretched way thin.

I now have two people to maintain 925 hp of compressed air, 500+ tons of HVAC, a couple boilers, potable and hot water, plus the electrical utilities. One day shift and one night shift janitor to maintain sanitation and cleanliness on 17 restrooms, 6 break rooms and numerous offices around a production schedule that runs 20/7, and a yard worker that maintains 4 acres of lawn and landscaping. The folks I have left really are the creme of the crop and work their tails off for me. I wish I could do more for them.

So far my machine shop has escaped any cuts or budget reductions.

Fits Gets Letters

Fits answers the question:

We Get Letters

"All of the internst forums are full of ways to learn how to shoot a gun...can you receommend a gun and the right grips and holsters and how do you tell if it fits you?... who is a good teacher that teaches the basics of how to draw then shoot and how the best way is to do it?

Head on over and see what Fits has to say, it is advise well worth listening to.

I would only add that after you achieve a bit of competence, improve you skills by competing against others.

A recent post by Chris goes into some detail on double taps and controlled pairs:

Shooting on the Double

Watch the video clips, you will learn a lot.

I never thought I was shit hot with a hand gun, competition taught me that I have a ways to go to get even as good as I thought I was.

If you have a firearm for protection, it is your responsibility to know how to safely and effectively use that firearm. Read, practice, get instruction and train. If it comes down to it, your family will be glad you did.

Answering the Door

Home invasions continue make the news in the Metroplex. The goblins seem to be getting bolder every day.

From the Star Telegram:

Man stabbed in botched home invasion

ARLINGTON -- One man was stabbed and his two partners are at large after a home invasion went wrong for them Monday evening, police said.

Police Lt. Blake Miller said a man in his later teens or early 20s knocked on a door in the 2500 block of San Diego Drive about 7 p.m., saying his car broke down and that he needed a jump for his battery.

Just like a goblin to use the good will of his intended victim to gain advantage.

Miller said the man who answered the door turned to ask his son to get the jumper cables when in walked two other young men, one with a shotgun.

The dad grabbed the man with the gun and they struggled. Meanwhile, his son pulled a knife and stabbed the invader.

Now that deserves a "Good job son".

The stabbing caused the would-be robber to drop the gun, so all three fled with the dad, now armed with the shotgun, in hot pursuit through the south Arlington neighborhood, Miller said...

...Miller said the dad, realizing that running through the neighborhood with a shotgun might cause someone to shoot him, dropped the gun and went home.

It is a sad commentary on society today, but for your families sake, don't answer the door without being prepared to defend your life.

A video intercom (see an example here) might be a wise investment for a home security system.

The Lee Pro 1000

Yesterday I got the chance to set up and test drive my new Lee Pro 1000.

My previous presses (an RCBS Rock Chucker and a Reloader Special) have been heavy duty, all steel presses. So I was a bit concerned when I noticed all the light weight materials on the Lee Pro 1000. But what the heck, it was a good deal and I already had it home. Getting it setup took a bit of tinkering, but once I did, I just blew through my last 150 bullets in no time.

All I can say is "so far, so good". Another 1000 bullets are on the way from Precision Bullets, then I'll be able to give it a good shake down.

One thing is for sure. When reloading range ammo, I'll not be using a single stage press again.

An Economic Stimulus Package...

...courtesy of the Barnett Shale. This evening V and I signed the papers leasing our mineral rights to an oil and gas company for the production of natural gas. It took a bit longer than expected as the property is solely in my name, and Texas is a community property state. Some paperwork had to be modified as V needed to sign as co-owner for the lease.

Two weeks for the Title search, then I'm thinking a Ruger LCP for me and maybe an SP 101 for V.

Main Street Arts Festival

Having the Main Street Arts Festival right in your backyard (so to speak) is one of the benefits of living in the Metroplex.

This is where V and I will be spending our afternoon, and most likely part of the evening. It is a beautiful day for it.

Oh... who says you can't carry a 1911 while wearing shorts?

Something Else to Look Forward to at the NRA Annual Meeting

David Hardy and David Young will be sharing a booth at the NRA Annual Exhibits.

From the email (thanks David)

Hardy and Young will be Giving 'em Heller at NRA Exhibits Booth 1551

Those attending the 2008 NRA Annual Exhibits at the Kentucky Expo Center will have a unique and special opportunity this year as the Supreme Court considers the meaning of the Second Amendment in the DC vs Heller gun ban case. The Second Amendment Films booth (#1551) will have two notable independent Second Amendment scholars in attendance, David T. Hardy and David E. Young, both of whom have links to the Heller case.

David Hardy, attorney, author, and producer will be promoting his new documentary film, In Search of the Second Amendment, which is available on DVD. In addition to authoring the sourcebook, Origins and Development of the Second Amendment, and many law review articles advancing the individual rights nature of the Second Amendment's protection, David Hardy is a co-author of the amicus brief filed with the U.S. Supreme Court in the current DC vs Heller case by Academics for the Second Amendment, and he attended the oral arguments before the Court.

David Young, historical scholar, editor, and author will be promoting his new definitive history of the Second Amendment, The Founders' View of the Right to Bear Arms, as well as The Origin of the Second Amendment, the complete Constitutional Era document collection that he edited and published. Mr. Young's books have been cited to the U.S. Supreme Court a total of fifty-five times in various briefs filed in the current DC vs Heller gun ban case, and his document collection was extensively relied on in prior appeals court pro-rights decisions leading to the current case.

If you do a search of this blog, you will find both David's mentioned on more than one occasion. I will be spending more than a few moments at booth #1551.

If you can not attend, and have questions for either David, let me know and I will ask them for you.

Tornado Sirens...

... are sounding


Love this Texas weather.

Update: All is well

High court ruling sets stage for executions to resume in Texas

And now we return to our regularly scheduled programming.

From the Star Telegram:

By John Moritz

High court ruling sets stage for executions to resume in Texas

The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected arguments that executing inmates by lethal injection violates the constitutional ban on cruel and unusual punishment and paved the way for Texas and 35 other states to resume executions after a seven-month hiatus...

...Gov. Rick Perry wasted little time signaling that Texas' busiest-in-the-nation death chamber would be back in action now that the court issued its directive.

"Texas is a law-and-order state, and I stand by the majority of Texans who support the death penalty as it is written in Texas law," said Perry, who has presided over 165 executions since becoming governor in December 2000

The reaction from Death Row?

"It’s just terrible," said Paris Powell, a convicted killer at the Oklahoma State Prison in McAlester. He added: "It’s like the air has just been let out of a balloon. There’s disbelief that the ruling came so quickly...

How did Paris Powell end up on death row? Just a drive by shooting:

Fourteen year old Shauna Farrow died at the scene when a bullet penetrated her chest and passed through her heart and lungs. Seventeen year old Derrick Smith was shot in the hip, resulting in extensive injuries to his leg. He was placed in a body cast, and his leg injury required the permanent placement of a metal rod and pin.

MSNBC didn't mention that little tidbit in the article containing goblin Powell's quote.

Also from that same article:

In Texas, easily the No. 1 death penalty state, 40 condemned convicts who had all but exhausted their appeals had been awaiting the outcome of the case, said University of Houston law professor David Dow, who represents death row inmates. Texas has 357 inmates on death row.

H/T to Texas Fred for the Farrow article.

Supreme Court Upholds Execution Protocol

CHIEF JUSTICE ROBERTS, joined by JUSTICE KENNEDY and JUSTICE ALITO, concluded that Kentucky’s lethal injection protocol satisfies the Eighth Amendment.

Hey Erick Daniel "Truman" Davila, look at what is going to be back on the table at your trial. Hope you ain't afraid of needles.


ScotusBlog has the opinion.

H/T to the Volokh Conspiracy.

The New York Times Allowing Comments

The New York Times is allowing comments on it's Times Topics blog dealing with Virginia Tech and gun control issues. We have the opportunity to respond to the likes of Josh Horwitz, the executive director of the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence.

We will not change the mind of a Josh Horwitz, but with reasonable argument, we can win over the fence sitters.

Head on over, speak your mind, and do us all proud.

Times Topics

The New York Times Virginia Tech Panel

David Codrea of "The War on Guns" has been invited to participate as a panel member on the New York Times' Virginia Tech Panel.

Keep updated with And So it Begins.

Inanimate Objects

H/T Xavier

Pernod Ricard and Absolut Vodka

In an earlier post, An Absolut Alternative, I jumped on the "boycott all things Pernod Ricard" bandwagon.

As it turns out, Pernod Ricard is not the bad guy in this instance.

Absolut is the flagship spirit for Vin & Spirit (V&S Group). V&S Group was purchased by Pernod Ricard, but not until March 31st, 2008. The Absolut-ly Disgusting advertising campaign seems to be the responsibility of Vin & Spirit, not Pernod Ricard.

The advertising campaign by Absolut Vodka supporting the reconquista of the Southwest United States should be punished by the American customer base. So far as I am concerned, there should no longer be an American customer base for Absolut Vodka. I would ask Pernod Ricard to take quick action against any and all individuals responsible for the ad in question, maybe transfer them to Nuevo Laredo for a culture immersion experience.

Here is where you can contact Pernod Ricard if you would like to let them know how you feel about this particular ad campaign.

B.A.G. Day

My Buy a Gun Day purchase:

A Savage 10FCM Scout Rifle has found it's way into my gun safe. I have been wanting to build a Scout Rifle for a good while now, BAG Day was a good excuse to get started. The Steyr Scout was a bit on the pricey side for me, but I think the Savage will do me just fine. The scope in the image is a Leupold FX-II 2.5x28 mm Scout scope, the same as I am going to use. A Harris Bi-pod and a Ching Sling and I am good to go.

Maybe Fits will let me hang out with the Hog Town Irregulars now.

The Brown Truck of Happiness...

...delivered a package from RideFast today



Thanks man, you made my day.

Local Goblins Using Old Ruse

Hey Buddy, you got the time?

How do you react when a stranger asks you the time? Asking the time is an old ruse used by goblins to distract you so that they can get an advantage. You look down at your watch, you look up into the barrel of a gun or at the edge of a knife.

A couple of local goblins are using this ruse with a small variation.

From NBC5i.com:

Police: Armed Robbers Ask Victims For Directions First

Mesquite police said they are looking for two armed robbers who are preying on people's kindness.

Three robberies happened in Mesquite parking lots on the east and west sides of the city in a matter of 45 minutes, police said. Investigators said one man would approach the victim in a parking lot and ask for directions, and then the other would run up and rob the person at gunpoint.

A video of the goblins can be found here.

It is a shame that we have to look at any stranger approaching us in a parking lot as a potential goblin, but that is the way of the world these days.

Stay safe out there.

A Day at the Range

Turned in to a Day Working in the Back Yard.

Lots of house stuff to do, and today was a good day for it. It was a great day for an IDSA match, and an even better day for some training.

A while back, Catfish and JR from Texican Tattler invited me for a day of training with the Dallas Action Pistol Shooters, today, and I missed it. The date just fell out of my brain. I went online to check when the training was supposed to be before getting started on the lawn, and was reminded that it was scheduled for today. What a ditz.

On a positive note, the yard is getting into shape.

An Absolut Alternative

Last week Pernod Ricard stepped in it with their "In an Absolut World" ad campaign in Mexico that indicated that in an Absolut World Mexico would still own the American Southwest. Quite a few folks have decided that in the Real World, Absolut Vodka can say goodbye to the American market.

Cowboy Blob has a rundown of brands sold under the Pernod Ricard umbrella, brands that will no longer be served in the JR household

If you are a Vodka drinker, may I suggest an alternative.

SKYY Vodka

SKYY® Vodka, Made in the USA, Proudly Supports Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

In 1848, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo officially ended the Mexican-America War (1846-1848). With the signing of this treaty, the United States gained control of what was to become the Golden West, including California, Arizona, Utah, Nevada and parts of Colorado and New Mexico. Today, SKYY® Vodka, the number-one vodka produced in the United States, spoke out against suggestions by Absolut® Vodka to disregard that treaty, as well as the joining of Texas to the Union in 1845, as depicted in Absolut’s recent advertising.

“Like SKYY Vodka, the residents of states like California, Texas and Arizona are exceptionally proud of the fact that they are from the United States of America,” said Dave Karraker, SKYY Vodka. “To imply that they might be interested in changing their mailing addresses, as our competitor seems to be suggesting in their advertising, is a bit presumptuous.”

In the ad, an “Absolut World” is depicted where the map of North America is re-drawn with Mexico claiming much of the Western United States, negating the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, as well as the Gadsden Purchase (1853), and the independence of Texas (1836).

How's that for taking advantage of the competitions screw up?

I don't often drink Vodka, but a bottle of SKYY is soon to have a spot in my liquor cabinet.

H/T The Volokh Conspiracy

Day at the Gun Show

This weekends North Texas Gun Show is the Dallas Market Hall Gun Show. It is arguably the best gun show in N. Texas, and one of the best in the country. This show is promoted by the Dallas Arms Collectors Association.

I got off work at 10:00, and was walking in the door of the gun show by 10:30. The place was busy. Lots of people, but enough room in the isles to keep it from feeling too crowded.

One of the highlights of the show was the dealer selling Dakota Arms rifles. All I can say is "oh my". Those are some fine, fine firearms. The folks offering the Dakota Arms rifles were Gulf Breeze Firearms, up from Florida.

Lots of EBR's and EBR accessories. The Assault Weapon Ban had the unintended consequence of creating a demand for black rifles. The flexibility of the platform is what has made them so popular and brought them into the mainstream of the American firearm culture. These rifles can easily be personalized to the nth degree. You could spend anywhere from $35 to $350 on the butt stock alone. Sighting systems go from $30 to well over $800. Add the options for hand guards, grips, lights and lasers and the possibilities are limitless. I built a MixMaster Dissipator. Carbine length barrel, rifle length sight radius. It has a 4 position collapsible stock and a Harris bi-pod. Pretty basic carbine, and that is the way I like it. Pretty much any accessory you might want for your AR, AK or M-1 was available at the show. One vendor was even selling kits to make your 10/22 accept AR accessories.

Also at the show was one vendor who could come in handy for lots of folks. There was a gentleman from Wisconsin who had a very nice inventory of antique and obsolete gun sights. I have his card if anyone needs to get a hold of him.

So what did I end up with?

1 Lee Progressive 1000 press in .45ACP, 1 case of .45ACP ammo and a bit of .308.

The evening has been spent setting up the press and smoking some baby backs in the pit. Now the Stars are playing. Their winning this playoff game will cap a nice Texas Saturday.

Rule #1

Rule #1 - Every firearm is loaded.

Notice that I did not say "Treat every firearm as if it were loaded". NO, every firearm is loaded. Do not act like a firearm is loaded, believe it. Until you check personally, visually and by feel, that a firearm is unloaded, it has a round in the chamber and is ready to discharge.

We see it in news reports all the time. A negligent discharge occurs, a person or property is damaged, and the idjit holding the firearm says: "I didn't think it was loaded".

Handle your firearms safely until safe firearm handling is instinct. When you first pick up a firearm, check the chamber. Before handing a firearm off to another person, check the chamber. When being handed a firearm, check the chamber. When opening the box of a new firearm for the very first time, check the chamber?

From the San Francisco Chronicle:

NY Rifle Company Ships Loaded Guns

A rifle manufacturer asked arms dealers nationwide to make extra safety inspections after discovering it had accidentally shipped four guns loaded with live ammunition.

Henry Repeating Arms, a maker of lever-action rifles like ones used in the 1860s and 1870s, said a thorough round of inventory checks revealed no other loaded weapons.

Every gun made by Henry Arms is test-fired before it is sold, a common practice in the industry. The rifles are then supposed to be checked to make sure no rounds remain, but Imperato said an error allowed a few guns to be distributed still loaded for the test firing procedure.

Make it a habit, check that chamber.

H/T ExistingThing

An Evening at the Ball Park

Last night V and I went to a Texas Rangers game. It was their opener against the Blue Jays, and an acquaintance had invited us to watch the game from one of the Hall of Fame Suites. She even gave us a front row parking pass, it's kind of hard to pass up an offer like that, even if professional sporting events in Texas are gun free zones by law.

It was a pretty poor performance by the Rangers. A lack of pitching compounded by a surplus of fielding errors made any offensive efforts by the team a moot point. We really enjoy going to Rangers games, but they sure do make it hard to be a fan.

Final score - 8 to 5, Toronto wins.

The WOG Clayton Cramer Interview

Clayton Cramer is running for Idaho State Senate (District 22).


Too bad he is not a Texan.


David Codrea has posted his interview with Clayton Cramer, and opened the comments for further questions. Head on over and give it a read. Clayton Cramer Interview

Local Runoff Election Update

How is this for a tight margin?

Wilkinson wins GOP nod for 17th Judicial District in squeaker

Melody Wilkinson defeated Mike Hrabal by a scant 20 votes to win the Republican nomination for the 17th Judicial District...

For the record, I voted for Mike. I hit my precinct at about 5:00 in the afternoon and was the only voter in the polling place. Total turnout was just over 11,000 votes. Now that was a tight race.

Update on the Slayings at a Fort Worth Birthday Party

From the Star Telegram:

By Deanna Boyd

Man, 21, arrested in slayings at Fort Worth birthday party

We know a little bit more about the goblin -

A 21-year-old gang member...

And some more about the firearm used -

Homicide Sgt. J.D. Thornton said police are still trying to determine who Davila was targeting at the apartment in the 5700 block of Anderson Street when he repeatedly fired a laser-sighted rifle toward the residence...

As the man walked away, witnesses noticed a red dot following his leg and realized that he was carrying a rifle at his side. One witness described it as an SKS rifle.

In the midst of all the panic, there was at least one heroine -

Annette Stevenson, 48, was pronounced dead inside a bedroom where she had herded several of the children and ordered them to get down. She had gunshot wounds to her breast, back and thigh, according to an arrest warrant affidavit.

This grandmother did what she could to protect her babies from this gang banger goblin. We should do what we can to destroy these violent gangs. Amongst the gangs, punishment is quick and severe. That is the way society should be treating violent gang members, with a quick and severe punishment. How is probation and soft time a deterrent to gang members who are used to much more ruthless punishments within their own gangs?

Next Saturday Sunday at the Range...

...is an IDSA match.

I invite all y'all in N. Texas to come out and shoot it.

I can guarantee you three things:

1. You will have fun

2. You will learn something that will help you in your every day carry.

3. You are shooting against me, so you will not be embarrassed.

Laughter, the Best Defense?

SayUncle linked to an anti-gun article in The Feminist eZine that was so off kilter that I thought it could have been a spoof on anti-gun sentiment. The scary thing is that it is not, the author believes what she wrote.

The author is either a) seriously uninformed or b) a an outright liar.

Subverting Feminism for Guns is an attempt at discrediting an unnamed pro-gun web site. The images they reference are definitely Oleg Volk, but I am not sure who they are quoting.

The article ends with this advice for women facing a rapist:

Frankly the best tool against a rapist is laughter. Men can't stand it when you laugh at their equipment. Call it a combination of dick-envy and male ego, but men get really upset when you laugh at their pathetic private little pistol.

I very sincerely hope that this author has little or no influence over other young women. Advice like this will get someone killed.

Case in point. The police have just captured one of our local serial rapist. I commented on this goblin in my post "Safety Tips For Women".

From The Dallas Morning News:

By Tanya Eiserer

Plano man identified as suspect in serial rapes, burglaries

It took nearly three years of investigating, cross-county collaboration, and the fortitude of victims to nab a man suspected of serial burglary, robbery and rape.

Stanley Vernell Ledbetter Jr., who had been living in Plano with his girlfriend, was arrested Thursday and has been charged with two counts of aggravated sexual assault – one in Dallas and a second in Irving. Authorities say more charges are expected.

Stanley Vernell Ledbetter Jr. Police officials publicly identified Mr. Ledbetter, 30, as the suspect Monday after DNA tests over the weekend connected him to seven of the 19 cases that police have said they believe are the work of the attacker labeled the "shotgun bandit."

"I would say he's one of the more violent serial rapists that we've had," said Dallas police Lt. Sally Lannom, a member of the seven-city task force that had been looking for the attacker. "You know, when you consider that he shot his victims, he stabbed his victims, that's pretty horrific."

So Miss Priss, do you really think that laughing at this goblin's penis would have done any of these women any good?

One of the violent cases occurred in June 2005 when two roommates woke up to find a man in their Dallas apartment. When they told him that they didn't have any money, he put one in the bathroom and raped the other, then had the women switch places, according to the affidavit.

DNA was taken from evidence at the scene, starting a profile for the man.

A similar attack occurred in November 2005 against a Dallas woman. At gunpoint, a man forced her to drive to three ATMs to remove cash, then took her back home and raped her, according to the police report. The man left a shotgun shell belt holding 15 shells at her home. DNA was taken from the buckle of that belt, according to the affidavit.

In the last attack officially connected to this attacker, a man broke into a Frisco woman's apartment in April 2007, forced her to perform a sex act on him, bound her hands, put duct tape on her mouth and a pillowcase on her face. He then stabbed her three times in the abdomen.

She played dead and was trying to get to the front door when the man saw her and stabbed her two more times. But she survived and gave Frisco police information to create a composite sketch.

Laughter? I much prefer what a victim of this goblin had to offer:

"If someone were to break into my home again, they wouldn't find someone pulling the covers up and screaming. They would find a gun pointed at them," said Smith.

Smith says she knows the serial rapist could strike again. She wants to warn other women not to let their guard down.

Laughter, or a 9mm. Decision, decisions...

Goblin Captured

The goblin who fired into into the children's birthday party has been apprehended.

From the Star Telegram:

By Deanna Boyd

Man held in Fort Worth double-slaying

FORT WORTH -- The man suspected of shooting into a birthday party Sunday night, killing two people and injuring four others, was arrested Tuesday afternoon after leading police on a short chase.

Erick Daniel "Truman" Davila, 21, was arrested on a capital murder warrant at the Hidden Valley Estates in the 800 block of Heights Drive in the Woodhaven neighborhood.

A quick arrest and one goblin is off the streets. It is pretty much a given that the prosecution will go for the needle in this case. In my way of thinking, the needle is an easy way out for the one who fired into a kids birthday party.

Maybe he didn't know there were kids there?

The shooting occurred Sunday night at an apartment in the 5700 block of Anderson Street in southeast Fort Worth.

About a dozen children were outside the apartment when someone fired 11 shots in their direction. After everyone rushed into the apartment, the bullets began flying again, whizzing through the window as the adults frantically tried to account for everybody and determine who had been shot, said Talisha Stevenson, who was at the party.

There went that excuse.

Kudos to the Fort Worth Police Department for getting this goblin off of our streets quickly.

There is one question thought, what are the odds that this is not his first run in with the police, or his first violent act?

Test

Hopefully this cleared up any feed issues.

Birthday Party Murderer

Last night, a goblin fired into an apartment full of children celebrating a birthday party. A 5 year old little girl, and a mother are dead. Three more children and an adult are wounded.

From the Star Telegram:

2 dead in birthday party shooting in Fort Worth

The goblin who did this deserves the very worst that this life, and the next, can offer.

Runoff Elections

Don't forget, tomorrow is the 2008 Primary Runoff elections for the State of Texas.

Several of these runoffs are very important, they are all important to the candidates.

So go out and vote tomorrow, it is important that you do.

Site Feed

The other day SayUncle indicated that site feeds were important, so I added a link to a feed subscription thingy.

Subscribe to feed

Well there you have it. It is also on the sidebar for those who may be interested.

Accessorizing Your M4

H/T DoubleTapper

State Funded Sedition

I have been chuckling to myself all week over something I noticed while I was at the dealership purchasing V's Jeep.

There was a young couple waiting for a decision on financing for the new car they chose. The young lady was slightly overweight and white. The young man was Hispanic and seemed to carry quite the chip on his shoulder. It was the way this guy was dressed that has had me laughing all week.

He was wearing a long sleeved Tee with an image of Che on it and the words "Viva La revolucion". He was also wearing a brand new pair of Tommy Hilfiger carpenter pants, a nice pair of Air Jordan's, and quality sunglasses. I'm sure Che would have appreciated his trendy style and his capitalistic ways. What an idjit.

I mention this because while I was looking for a better map of Aztlan for my previous post, I found something that was not quite so humorous.

This is the banner for The Department of Chicana & Chicano Studies at San Diego State University. No indoctrination going on there, nope, none at all.

Just think; local, state and federal tax dollars support this subversive course of study. This is not localized to California State Colleges. The University of Texas has a heavy MEChA presence in all of it's branches.

Just when did sedition become en vogue?

Absolut-ly Disgusting

I saw this over at Knowledge Is Power, and thought that it had to be a photo shop. No company that has the American customer base that Absolut Vodka has would ever run with an ad campaign such as this one.

Then I find that Michelle Malkin on the same ad campaign that covers both print ads and bill boards.

This is Absolut Crap, how's that for an ad campaign?

Note the similarities between the Absolut map, and the proposed map of Aztlan by the Reconquistas

This is the vision of MEChA, La Voz de Aztlan, and others.

For Absolut to use this map in an advertising campaign in Mexico... I can't find the words.

It is time for another Boston Tea Party, but this time the party is in all 50 states, and this time it is Abslout Vodka that is being dumped.

Now This is Great Video

H/T Ride Fast

The Right Kind of Change

Last weekend I attended the Senatorial District 10 Republican Convention as a delegate from my precinct. It was a very long, yet productive, day. One of the main orders of business for a district convention is to submit resolutions to the state convention. These resolutions are considered at the state convention, and with enough support can change the Republican Platform for the State of Texas. You can read the current State Republican Party Platform here (pdf). As I mentioned previously, our District Resolutions Committee did an excellent job developing our package to send to the state convention.

2008 Senate District 10 Adopted Convention Resolutions (pdf)

I am particularly happy with the resolutions being submitted to state in the "Right to Keep and Bear Arms" section of the platform. I submitted two proposals to the committee that I feel were well integrated with those submitted by others to make a very strong statement about our support of an unfettered RKBA.

Added to the platform:

A new introduction -

The Republican Party of Texas affirms that the Second Amendment secures the rights of individuals who are not affiliated with any state regulated militia but who wish to keep handguns and other firearms for private use in their homes. The Republican Party of Texas calls upon the Legislature and Governor of the great State of Texas to defend the gun ownership and self-protection rights of all Texans from any Federal attempts to infringe on those rights.

And several new planks -

Abolition of Gun Free Zones

The Republican Party of Texas resolves to protect Second Amendment rights at all levels of government and seeks the abolition of all gun free zones for licensed gun holders.

Concealed Handguns

We support permitting professors and/or teachers at state colleges and universities, with proper state licenses, to carry concealed weapons.

And -

Believing that an effective deterrent to multiple victim, public shootings is the lawful, concealed-carry of firearms by law-abiding citizens, the Republican Party of Texas is dedicated to the removal of federal restraints on the carrying of firearms on all public-school grounds.

There is also verbiage concerning employer parking lots, and calling for legislators and judges to support our RKBA. Yes, I know that the state can over ride the fed .gov when it comes to CHL's on school grounds. I also agree that students with CHL's should also be allowed to carry. These are proposals from one district. The committee at the state convention will have one week to compile, debate and come to a consensus on proposals from all of the districts. Even though the wording is not perfect, I am excited that it is in there at all.

Senate District 10 is a large district and should carry some weight at the state convention. I understand that other districts have submitted similar changes, so we stand a good chance of improving the Texas State Republican Party Platform.

Hillary Goes all Reagan on Us

That was just wrong. Lying is one thing, but that...

H/T SondraK

Taco Cabana Robbed

Taco Cabana is a regional Mexican style fast food restaurant. It has much better food than Taco Bell or Taco Bueno .

From KTRK Houston, ABC 13

Masked gunmen held up fast food restaurant

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- There were some scary moments for workers and customers at a fast food restaurant when masked men ran in with guns...

Umm... This is not possible. You see, Taco Cabana's are pretty much all posted with 30.06 signs. In Texas, 30.06 signs are used by businesses to prohibit CHL holders from entering an establishment with a sidearm. Didn't these goblins know they were entering a "no guns" zone?

Maybe Taco Cabana should make their signs bigger or something.

Maxpedition Fatboy Versipack

As a comment to my most recent gun show post, Jed requested a review of the Maxpedition Versipack.

Two years ago I purchased a Maxpedition Fatboy Verispack as a gift for V.

She has worn it as her handbag ever since. It is light, comfortable, very durable and keeps all of her stuff handy for her use. V keeps a Kimber LifeAct Guardian Angel in the attached side pouch. A Fatboy Review On American Handgunner indicated that a full sized 1911 can be stored in the semi-hidden compartment. This is true, but deploying a full sized 1911, or a Browning Hi-Power for that matter, from that compartment is difficult. This would be a very good off-body carry option for a smaller frame handgun. The Jumbo Versipack would be the better choice for a larger framed handguns.

V really likes her Fatboy. It has accompanied us pretty much everywhere, even to the nicer restaurants that we occasionally visit.