It's been murder at work the last couple of weeks, plus some minor health issues equal light posting over the last few weeks.
Although I do believe a little update is in order.
I am now an Endowment member of the NRA. Did the whole Legacy upgrade thing. Along with the Legacy upgrade, I also got my wife an annual membership, just to see how she'd like it. If I get another Legacy upgrade, I may upgrade her to Life member status.
I've also been busy with a special project for my wife. Can't give too many details away right now, but I'll guarantee she'll be blown away by it.
On the news front, mass murder and mayhem erupted Monday as gunslingers were allowed to carry concealed weapons in National Parks. At least that's what the Brady Bunch et al are saying. Sebastian at Snowflakes in Hell has all the details.
Also on the legislative front, the editorial board of the Casper Star-Tribune gets it's paranoia on, by, well, I'll let them explain it themselves (hat tip to David Codrea for the link and the update). As a reminder (or a history lesson) this paper has consistently been against loosening gun laws in the state for the better part of 20 yrs. They were against may issue CC, then against shall issue CC, they fought tooth and nail to take the teeth out of the 'castle doctrine' bill that, while eventually passed, was a shadow of the original bill that was filed. Oh, and that National Parks thing? They were against that, too. And you wouldn't believe there postition on the two Firearms Freedom Acts introduced in the state legislature. But hey, at least they support the right to keep and bear arms, right?
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Dan Wesson Commander Bob-Tail
Last week, I picked up a Dan Wesson Commander Bob-Tail 1911 in 10mm. Fit and finish on this little shooter is beyond head and shoulders above anything else I've ever owned or fondled.
The one issue I had with her was the lack of an ambidextrous manual safety. After a couple of days of snooping around, I found a Kimber stainless steel set up that looked like it would work perfectly. The downside was there were some small modifications that I would have to make to both the pistol and the parts.
First, I had to polish up the Kimber parts as they came with a matte finish. About 30 minutes with various grits of sandpaper from 240 grit all the way down to 400 got me about where I needed to be. To finish up, I used the Dremel with a polishing wheel with some jewelers rouge to put a final polish on things.
After that was completed, I had to disassemble the rear end of the pistol to remove the smallest pin. Part of the Kimber setup was a replacement pin that had a cut out on one side to accept the left side of the manual safety without the spur commonly found on standard ambidextrous safeties (see the bottom pic of my custom Delta).
(On a related note, I've disassembled every one of the six 1911's I own and have never had to go chasing the plunger pin and spring across the room. Note to self: If I ever do this again, keep a better eye on that little piece. They fly pretty good!)
When assembling a Kimber ambi-safety, put the left side in first, as you won't be able to get the left side safety onto the pin if you don't. Once that's in, everything else slips right into place ala the usual reassembly procedures. Fortunately, none of the mods I did today are irreversible. All of the parts I took off can be put back on the pistol, returning it to its factory original condition.
So, here's the before picture:
Here's the after pic:
The one issue I had with her was the lack of an ambidextrous manual safety. After a couple of days of snooping around, I found a Kimber stainless steel set up that looked like it would work perfectly. The downside was there were some small modifications that I would have to make to both the pistol and the parts.
First, I had to polish up the Kimber parts as they came with a matte finish. About 30 minutes with various grits of sandpaper from 240 grit all the way down to 400 got me about where I needed to be. To finish up, I used the Dremel with a polishing wheel with some jewelers rouge to put a final polish on things.
After that was completed, I had to disassemble the rear end of the pistol to remove the smallest pin. Part of the Kimber setup was a replacement pin that had a cut out on one side to accept the left side of the manual safety without the spur commonly found on standard ambidextrous safeties (see the bottom pic of my custom Delta).
(On a related note, I've disassembled every one of the six 1911's I own and have never had to go chasing the plunger pin and spring across the room. Note to self: If I ever do this again, keep a better eye on that little piece. They fly pretty good!)
When assembling a Kimber ambi-safety, put the left side in first, as you won't be able to get the left side safety onto the pin if you don't. Once that's in, everything else slips right into place ala the usual reassembly procedures. Fortunately, none of the mods I did today are irreversible. All of the parts I took off can be put back on the pistol, returning it to its factory original condition.
So, here's the before picture:
Here's the after pic:
Not a bad little collection of 10's, is it?
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Happy Birthday To Me!!!!
For my birthday 2 days ago, I went out an picked up my layaway from the local funstore.
It's a Dan Wesson Commander Bob-Tail in 10mm. Now, I'm not real big fan of stainless steel pistols, but this one grabbed my attention by the gnads and wouldn't let go. The action is tighter than any other semi auto I've ever handled or owned. Paid just over 9 bills to get her, plus the guys threw in two extra mags ( a SS colt and MecGar 8 rd mag). It's got the Trijicon night sights, and I was a little disappointed I couldn't find any biblical refernces in the SNs, bummer. Anyway, this brings the 1911 count to 6, and probably growing.
Something's Missing Here
From a report from Iowa, we get this headline:
'Women primary targets, as guns are most often used in Iowa domestic violence cases'.
Reading the article, I could find no mention of the use of firearms in these cases. It does indicate that men were the perpetrators in 94% of the cases, yet nowhere in the report does it mention the type of weapon used to commit these crimes. They also mention alcohol usage as a contributing factor, but again, nothing about guns.
Which leads to me believe someones trying to do something on someones back while the whole time telling them it's raining
'Women primary targets, as guns are most often used in Iowa domestic violence cases'.
Reading the article, I could find no mention of the use of firearms in these cases. It does indicate that men were the perpetrators in 94% of the cases, yet nowhere in the report does it mention the type of weapon used to commit these crimes. They also mention alcohol usage as a contributing factor, but again, nothing about guns.
Which leads to me believe someones trying to do something on someones back while the whole time telling them it's raining
South Dakota Firearm Freedom Act
In the interest of jumping on the 10th Amendment bandwagon, there is a bill in SD to follow in the footsteps of TN and MT.
SB 89 is the South Dakota version of these laws and would exempt any firearm, accessory, or ammunition made here in SD from federal oversight. While it doesn't go as far as the NH bill (which makes it a state felony for the feds to enforce federal firearms laws against weapons and accessories marked items marked 'Made in NH'), it's got it's own nifty little quirk (See below.).
I talked at length with one of the sponsors of this piece, one Gordon Howie (who is coincidentally running for Gov) at the last funshow two weeks ago.
I asked candidate Howie his position on Vermont-style concealed carry and he was all for it.
When I asked him whether the legislation he helped introduce was limited strictly to regular-type firearms and would restrict NFA-type guns, his reply was it would apply to ALL firearms manufactured in SD, not just your regular run-o-the-mill stuff.
Will this bill survive committee? We'll see. Given that the last legislative session saw an end to the idiotic 48 hr waiting period to purchase a handgun without a SD concealed carry permit, we'll see.
Will Mr Howie actually go anywhere against Gov Rounds? That too is a wait and see thing. It's still too early to tell, but I'm guessing Rounds will have very little opposition in either the primary or the general come election day.
UPDATE: Upon further reading of the proposed law, it would seem that Title 2 FA would not be included in the 'firearms made in SD' provision. Which really sucks.
UPDATE II: I just sent Senator Howie an email on this subject, and will await his reply.
Sir-
I talked with you at length at the Rapid City Rifle and Pistol Club gunshow on the 16th of Jan. I asked you specific questions regarding SB 89 and whether the law as proposed would affect NFA weapons. I guess I should have been more specific in my questioning.
I read the act in question and it does not exempt full auto weapons from the protections of this act. I would like to know if by 'all weapons' you meant all weapons except full auto weapons.
I await your clarification on this matter.
Respectfully,
Hazmat
SB 89 is the South Dakota version of these laws and would exempt any firearm, accessory, or ammunition made here in SD from federal oversight. While it doesn't go as far as the NH bill (which makes it a state felony for the feds to enforce federal firearms laws against weapons and accessories marked items marked 'Made in NH'), it's got it's own nifty little quirk (See below.).
I talked at length with one of the sponsors of this piece, one Gordon Howie (who is coincidentally running for Gov) at the last funshow two weeks ago.
I asked candidate Howie his position on Vermont-style concealed carry and he was all for it.
When I asked him whether the legislation he helped introduce was limited strictly to regular-type firearms and would restrict NFA-type guns, his reply was it would apply to ALL firearms manufactured in SD, not just your regular run-o-the-mill stuff.
Will this bill survive committee? We'll see. Given that the last legislative session saw an end to the idiotic 48 hr waiting period to purchase a handgun without a SD concealed carry permit, we'll see.
Will Mr Howie actually go anywhere against Gov Rounds? That too is a wait and see thing. It's still too early to tell, but I'm guessing Rounds will have very little opposition in either the primary or the general come election day.
UPDATE: Upon further reading of the proposed law, it would seem that Title 2 FA would not be included in the 'firearms made in SD' provision. Which really sucks.
UPDATE II: I just sent Senator Howie an email on this subject, and will await his reply.
Sir-
I talked with you at length at the Rapid City Rifle and Pistol Club gunshow on the 16th of Jan. I asked you specific questions regarding SB 89 and whether the law as proposed would affect NFA weapons. I guess I should have been more specific in my questioning.
I read the act in question and it does not exempt full auto weapons from the protections of this act. I would like to know if by 'all weapons' you meant all weapons except full auto weapons.
I await your clarification on this matter.
Respectfully,
Hazmat
Saturday, January 23, 2010
I Must Be Important
Got a visit from the Brady Bunch the other day.
They didn't stay around very long and do any snooping around, but they did come directly here. Should be interesting.
They didn't stay around very long and do any snooping around, but they did come directly here. Should be interesting.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Brady Gets Their Knickers In A Twist
It would seem the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Ownership has its panties in a twist over the supposed lack of reporting of "unstable mental patients" to "a national database".
What's the Brady position? Why, they think the state of Alabama, according to one Doug Pennington, "should not be finding ways to keep people out of the (database) system, the state should be finding ways to put them in".
Great, not that they don't have enough ways to potentially disqualify folks from being able to get a firearm, now the want the state to figure out new and creative ways to add more people to the 'mentally incompetent' roles. Evidently, the watch list thing isn't working out the way they planned, so they're jumping on any and all available means to justify their ends. No surprise, really, when you stop to consider the increasing irrelevance of their movement (tip o the old hat to Jeff Soyer at Alphecca for the link!).
What's the Brady position? Why, they think the state of Alabama, according to one Doug Pennington, "should not be finding ways to keep people out of the (database) system, the state should be finding ways to put them in".
Great, not that they don't have enough ways to potentially disqualify folks from being able to get a firearm, now the want the state to figure out new and creative ways to add more people to the 'mentally incompetent' roles. Evidently, the watch list thing isn't working out the way they planned, so they're jumping on any and all available means to justify their ends. No surprise, really, when you stop to consider the increasing irrelevance of their movement (tip o the old hat to Jeff Soyer at Alphecca for the link!).
A New Twist
On an old game. This may very well end up being one of things that comes on line and we wonder where the hell it's been the whole the whole time.
Not that I need much more reason to watch the Sportsman Channel.
Not that I need much more reason to watch the Sportsman Channel.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
I'm Back!
Sorry for the lapse in posting, I took a couple of weeks off for the holidays and forgot to come back. But I'm back now!
How's That Working Out For You?
An editorial in Lynchburg, VA bemoans the fact that the legislature there is taking up doing away with their one-gun-a-month law.
He has the audacity to complain the law in question has been so good at stemming gun trafficking, especially into NY, that it needs to stay in place.
Was he out to lunch a year or so ago when Mayor Mike Blowhard decided to 'sting' northern Virginia gun dealers in an effort to extort them into either shutting down or agreeing to abide by a 'code' that put up more hoops for the dealers than the NCAA has basketball teams, because the crime guns found in NYFC were from VA. This was such a big deal the legislature passed, and the Governor signed, a law that made it illegal to conduct these kind of 'stings' in VA in the future.
So, I ask the staff at the Lynchburg News Advance, how's that one-gun-a-month law working out for you?
He has the audacity to complain the law in question has been so good at stemming gun trafficking, especially into NY, that it needs to stay in place.
Was he out to lunch a year or so ago when Mayor Mike Blowhard decided to 'sting' northern Virginia gun dealers in an effort to extort them into either shutting down or agreeing to abide by a 'code' that put up more hoops for the dealers than the NCAA has basketball teams, because the crime guns found in NYFC were from VA. This was such a big deal the legislature passed, and the Governor signed, a law that made it illegal to conduct these kind of 'stings' in VA in the future.
So, I ask the staff at the Lynchburg News Advance, how's that one-gun-a-month law working out for you?
Monday, December 21, 2009
Lady Liberty, R.I.P.
Seems the Senate Majority Leader, with 59 other accomplices, marched Lady Liberty out of the Senate chamber in the middle of the night, put a gun behind her ear, and pulled the trigger.
As it stands now, the ruination of our great land is at hand. This Congress and President have presided over the unprecedented take over of close to 70% of our economy. Between the takeover of two automobile manufacturers, countless banks and financial institutions, student loans, not to mention the looming cap and tax bill, our children will inherit a country so steeped in debt their great-grandchildren will still be paying the bills.
Karl Marx, Joseph Stalin, Adolf Hitler, and Saddam Hussein all are dancing a jig right now. What took them almost a century to fail to accomplish, this administration has accomplished in less than a year.
You know, my grandfather, rest his soul, once told me that this country was headed for another civil war. I fear his prediction may come true. For its entire history, armed revolution has always been a possibility in this country, but I fear it may now be certainty. There have always been three boxes we as Americans have been able to rely on. The soapbox, the ballot box, and the cartridge box. It's getting to the point where the first two are non-responsive, and the only option left is the latter.
I fear that day will come sooner rather than later, and I weep for what our once great country has become. So many people whose voices are as loud as any heavy metal concert are ignored by those who need to hear them most. Whose opposition to the direction this country has taken are not only ignored, but are routinely discounted as 'nut jobs, wackos, and extremists'. The pot is boiling, and if things don't change and soon, that pot will boil over.
As it stands now, the ruination of our great land is at hand. This Congress and President have presided over the unprecedented take over of close to 70% of our economy. Between the takeover of two automobile manufacturers, countless banks and financial institutions, student loans, not to mention the looming cap and tax bill, our children will inherit a country so steeped in debt their great-grandchildren will still be paying the bills.
Karl Marx, Joseph Stalin, Adolf Hitler, and Saddam Hussein all are dancing a jig right now. What took them almost a century to fail to accomplish, this administration has accomplished in less than a year.
You know, my grandfather, rest his soul, once told me that this country was headed for another civil war. I fear his prediction may come true. For its entire history, armed revolution has always been a possibility in this country, but I fear it may now be certainty. There have always been three boxes we as Americans have been able to rely on. The soapbox, the ballot box, and the cartridge box. It's getting to the point where the first two are non-responsive, and the only option left is the latter.
I fear that day will come sooner rather than later, and I weep for what our once great country has become. So many people whose voices are as loud as any heavy metal concert are ignored by those who need to hear them most. Whose opposition to the direction this country has taken are not only ignored, but are routinely discounted as 'nut jobs, wackos, and extremists'. The pot is boiling, and if things don't change and soon, that pot will boil over.
Important Update on The Crappy Day
Bail has been set at $25k for our getaway driver who had a crappy day.
I couldn't imagine, that's gotta be one hell of an expensive pair of drawers.
I couldn't imagine, that's gotta be one hell of an expensive pair of drawers.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Talk About a Crappy Day...
Saw this on my hometown rag's website this morning and couldn't pass it up.
There are soooo many things wrong with this, I don't even know where to begin. I guess, when you're caught in the middle of ripping someone off, first you say it, then you do it. But then again, it was a crappy day for all involved.
I wonder, when she was first pulled over, if he didn't ask "I smell something," to which she replied, "You ought to, you've done scared the crap outta me."
Getting off the phone with my folks, I guess her picture was all over the front page of the paper tonight. No escaping this now....
There are soooo many things wrong with this, I don't even know where to begin. I guess, when you're caught in the middle of ripping someone off, first you say it, then you do it. But then again, it was a crappy day for all involved.
I wonder, when she was first pulled over, if he didn't ask "I smell something," to which she replied, "You ought to, you've done scared the crap outta me."
Getting off the phone with my folks, I guess her picture was all over the front page of the paper tonight. No escaping this now....
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Fun With Idiots
Over at the Observer-Reporter of Washington, PA, their crack editorial staff is all worked up over the "availability" of 'assault weapons'. Putting aside the horrendous murder of the cops int he piece, tragedies all in their own right, I want to focus on the crux of the argument.
The piece bemoans the lapse of the Violent Crime Act of 1994 in 2004. What this piece doesn't tell you is that this law did nothing to stem the flow of alleged 'assault weapons'. They were, and are, still available for sale in most areas of the country. What changed in 2004 was that what was banned in '94 was now allowed; namely bayonet lugs, threaded muzzles, and folding/telescoping stocks.
When the Department of Justice and National Institutes of Justice studied the effects of the ban, they found that while these weapons uses in crime were a virtual statistical anomaly before the ban, the resultant decrease in crimes committed with them during the ban wasn't even calculable.
Another part of the ban that went away was the ban on standard capacity magazines, capping them at 10 rds for pistols and rifles, and 5 rounds for shotguns. Now, depending on where you're at, magazine capacities are limited to 5 rds in rifles, like here in South Dakota for instance. While across the state line in Wyoming, there is no such restriction. One can hunt with a 30 rd mag or a 75 rd drum if they're so inclined. (I must add that I have hunted in WY with a 30 rd mag, unfortunately, I wasn't able to bag anything, much to the delight of the anti-gun/hunting forces out there.) In those states that have magazine restrictions, they do make 5 rd hunting mags specifically for that purpose, so you can go out and hunt with your SKS, Saiga, AK, FAL, or heavy caliber AR without getting into trouble.
Sometimes, you can't make this stuff up.
The piece bemoans the lapse of the Violent Crime Act of 1994 in 2004. What this piece doesn't tell you is that this law did nothing to stem the flow of alleged 'assault weapons'. They were, and are, still available for sale in most areas of the country. What changed in 2004 was that what was banned in '94 was now allowed; namely bayonet lugs, threaded muzzles, and folding/telescoping stocks.
When the Department of Justice and National Institutes of Justice studied the effects of the ban, they found that while these weapons uses in crime were a virtual statistical anomaly before the ban, the resultant decrease in crimes committed with them during the ban wasn't even calculable.
Another part of the ban that went away was the ban on standard capacity magazines, capping them at 10 rds for pistols and rifles, and 5 rounds for shotguns. Now, depending on where you're at, magazine capacities are limited to 5 rds in rifles, like here in South Dakota for instance. While across the state line in Wyoming, there is no such restriction. One can hunt with a 30 rd mag or a 75 rd drum if they're so inclined. (I must add that I have hunted in WY with a 30 rd mag, unfortunately, I wasn't able to bag anything, much to the delight of the anti-gun/hunting forces out there.) In those states that have magazine restrictions, they do make 5 rd hunting mags specifically for that purpose, so you can go out and hunt with your SKS, Saiga, AK, FAL, or heavy caliber AR without getting into trouble.
Sometimes, you can't make this stuff up.
Update: Authorized Journalist Who Gets It
A few days ago, I linked to an editorial from Bill McKewen, a reporter for the Fresno Bee who had an awakening.
We have an update to the story. Seems our intrepid reporter plans to follow through with his plans to not only buy a gun, but get his concealed carry permit from the good sheriff to boot.
His neighbors are all in a tizzy about it, telling him to move back to his old neighborhood so he can be safer. Of course, as part of his awakening, he's discovered that ancient American trademark individualism and is stying put. Good on him for not being cowed by the hand wringing of his 'neighbors'.
It will be interesting for follow ups, as he has also been invited to shoot "assault rifles". Maybe by the time his awakening is complete, he'll know about the lies surrounding semi-automatic rifles that look scary.
We have an update to the story. Seems our intrepid reporter plans to follow through with his plans to not only buy a gun, but get his concealed carry permit from the good sheriff to boot.
His neighbors are all in a tizzy about it, telling him to move back to his old neighborhood so he can be safer. Of course, as part of his awakening, he's discovered that ancient American trademark individualism and is stying put. Good on him for not being cowed by the hand wringing of his 'neighbors'.
It will be interesting for follow ups, as he has also been invited to shoot "assault rifles". Maybe by the time his awakening is complete, he'll know about the lies surrounding semi-automatic rifles that look scary.
Weird News Day Yesterday
First up is an article from the Rapid City Urinal about an accused kiddie pornographer convicted and sentenced for, get this, buying pot from some under aged kids and getting the book thrown at him for providing mary ju auna to minors. Can't make this stuff up.
Next is an article from the national desk about some gang bangers who made a critical mistake in their victim selection process. Not catastrophic, as nobody was ventilated, but you've got to wonder about a criminal who targets someone to car jack and then finds out it's an off duty Pittsburgh cop.
Next is an article from the national desk about some gang bangers who made a critical mistake in their victim selection process. Not catastrophic, as nobody was ventilated, but you've got to wonder about a criminal who targets someone to car jack and then finds out it's an off duty Pittsburgh cop.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
OMG! Gun Laws Loosened! OMG
That's the gist of this reprint from Fox News. The piece does a fairly good job of highlighting some of the gains around the country at the state level, as well as some at the national level.
But when we get to Kristen Rand of the VPC, we see someone coming down with a case of the vapors.
The AP goes even further, explaining that their recent 'studies' on CCP holders committing crimes is growing concern.
I love that part about using only 100 incidents because there were "too many to keep track of". I'd like to see all of these 'incidents' she's referring to. Bear in mind that many of the incidents they probably discarded were law-biding permit holders defending themselves against attack. Much like Mrs. Donna Jackson of Oklahoma. (Special tip o the hat to Kevin Baker for the link!) Or that permit holders commit crimes ate a much lower rate than the general public. But that never stopped the VPC from getting themselves worked up into a lather before.
My favorites of the piece are about Tennessee's new laws on guns in parks and in restaurants that serve alcohol. (See Uncle's round up of the circus, here.) I mean, really? They've got all these people in TN to interview on these topics and they come up with two seniors, aged 69 and 71 respectively, to comment on these two laws? Not knocking the senior citizen crowd here, but couldn't the AP have gotten someone a little younger to puff and crow about these two laws? I'm sure there's no shortage of lefties in Memphis or Knoxville, or Murfreesboro, or somewhere who have something to say about it.
But when we get to Kristen Rand of the VPC, we see someone coming down with a case of the vapors.
"They shoot each other over parking spaces, at football games, and at family events", Rand said.
The AP goes even further, explaining that their recent 'studies' on CCP holders committing crimes is growing concern.
A Violence Policy Center project has mined news reports to find that more than 100 people have been killed by holders of handgun carry permits since 2007, including nine law enforcement officers. The project originally intended to list all crimes committed by permit holders, but there were too many to keep track of, Rand said.
I love that part about using only 100 incidents because there were "too many to keep track of". I'd like to see all of these 'incidents' she's referring to. Bear in mind that many of the incidents they probably discarded were law-biding permit holders defending themselves against attack. Much like Mrs. Donna Jackson of Oklahoma. (Special tip o the hat to Kevin Baker for the link!) Or that permit holders commit crimes ate a much lower rate than the general public. But that never stopped the VPC from getting themselves worked up into a lather before.
My favorites of the piece are about Tennessee's new laws on guns in parks and in restaurants that serve alcohol. (See Uncle's round up of the circus, here.) I mean, really? They've got all these people in TN to interview on these topics and they come up with two seniors, aged 69 and 71 respectively, to comment on these two laws? Not knocking the senior citizen crowd here, but couldn't the AP have gotten someone a little younger to puff and crow about these two laws? I'm sure there's no shortage of lefties in Memphis or Knoxville, or Murfreesboro, or somewhere who have something to say about it.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
The Times Just Can't Get Over Itself
In keeping with the predominant theme for today, we continue on with our 'deny due process' theme by bringing you an op-ed from the New York Times.
They too can't believe that because your name may appear on a super secret list that you have no way of knowing you're on and have no way of getting it off, you should be denied a basic civil right.
While they are correct that you can be barred from boarding a plane if your name appears on this 'list', you have no constitutional right to fly on a privately owned aircraft. Your right to move freely hasn't been abridged, although it may have been cramped a little. No, they use this argument to push the idea that because the government thinks you can't be trusted to walk down a jetway you can't be trusted to own a firearm.
43,533,000 NICS checks were run during the time frame mentioned (2004-2008) in the linked piece. Of those 43.5 million checks, 676,000 (or 1.5%) were denied for a myriad of reasons. The Times claims 963 people who appeared on the watch list attempted to purchase a firearm (98 of whom were declined, or 10%) and were not blocked. Now, if I crunch the numbers here, those 963 people represent a statistically insignificant amount of overall background checks conducted between 2004 and 2008.
So according to the NYT, a statistical anomaly is reason enough to screw the law-biding out of a civil right without due process. But suggest that they should have to register their keyboard, and LOOK OUT!
They too can't believe that because your name may appear on a super secret list that you have no way of knowing you're on and have no way of getting it off, you should be denied a basic civil right.
While they are correct that you can be barred from boarding a plane if your name appears on this 'list', you have no constitutional right to fly on a privately owned aircraft. Your right to move freely hasn't been abridged, although it may have been cramped a little. No, they use this argument to push the idea that because the government thinks you can't be trusted to walk down a jetway you can't be trusted to own a firearm.
43,533,000 NICS checks were run during the time frame mentioned (2004-2008) in the linked piece. Of those 43.5 million checks, 676,000 (or 1.5%) were denied for a myriad of reasons. The Times claims 963 people who appeared on the watch list attempted to purchase a firearm (98 of whom were declined, or 10%) and were not blocked. Now, if I crunch the numbers here, those 963 people represent a statistically insignificant amount of overall background checks conducted between 2004 and 2008.
So according to the NYT, a statistical anomaly is reason enough to screw the law-biding out of a civil right without due process. But suggest that they should have to register their keyboard, and LOOK OUT!
An 'Authorized Journalist' To Be Commended
You know, there are quite a few 'authorized journalists' out there who don't get it, and quite frankly never will. They will editorialize all day long about the evils of guns and the people who own them.
But Bill McKewen seems to have seen the light. In Kalifornia of all places. It sounds like he lives in an area of the state that still respects the rights of the law biding to do what's right. The County Sheriff seems to understand what's at stake, when they say "a society is safer when responsible people bear arms." She not only understands, but actively supports it. Carrying permit applications in her car? Wow! Is this really Kalifornia?
It's nice to know that there's some sane people in Kalifornia, and maybe there's hope yet for that state. We can talk about the 'assault weapons' thing later, but knowing that someone who used to carry the water for the Brady Bunch et al has come around is too good to pass up.
But Bill McKewen seems to have seen the light. In Kalifornia of all places. It sounds like he lives in an area of the state that still respects the rights of the law biding to do what's right. The County Sheriff seems to understand what's at stake, when they say "a society is safer when responsible people bear arms." She not only understands, but actively supports it. Carrying permit applications in her car? Wow! Is this really Kalifornia?
It's nice to know that there's some sane people in Kalifornia, and maybe there's hope yet for that state. We can talk about the 'assault weapons' thing later, but knowing that someone who used to carry the water for the Brady Bunch et al has come around is too good to pass up.
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