Blog
Gun Bans
Senator Dianne Feinstein published a list of people and organizations who have lent their name in support of her "gun ban" bill (S.150.) Here it is:
Law Enforcement [It should be noted that this category consists primarily of organizations that are comprised of administrative appointees who serve at the pleasure of liberal politicians, and not the cops on the street who, by and large, not only support the 2nd Amendment, but appreciate the support that they receive from law-abiding armed citizens.]
International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators
International Association of Chiefs of Police
Major Cities Chiefs Association
Police Executive Research Forum
Police Foundation
Women in Federal Law Enforcement
Chaska (Minn.) Police Chief Scott Knight, former chairman of the Firearms Committee, International Association of Chiefs of Police
Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca
Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck
San Diego Police Chief Bill Lansdowne
Localities
U.S. Conference of Mayors
Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors
Ventura County Board of Supervisors
Oakland Unified School District Superintendent Anthony Smith
Boston City Council
City Mayors
Chula Vista Mayor Cheryl Cox
Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa
Oakland Mayor Jean Quan
Petaluma Mayor David Glass
Pleasant Hill Mayor Michael Harris
Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson
San Diego Mayor Bob Filner
San Francisco Mayor Edwin M. Lee
San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed
Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido
Santa Cruz Mayor Hilary Bryant
Saratoga Mayor Jill Hunter
Tiburon Mayor Emmett O’Donnell
California Cities
Calabasas, Calif.
Lemon Grove, Calif.
Los Angeles
Stockton, Calif.
Ventura, Calif.
West Hollywood, Calif.
Gun safety (sic)
Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence
Coalition to Stop Gun Violence
Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence
Mayors Against Illegal Guns
Violence Policy Center
Washington CeaseFire
Education and child welfare
20 Children
American Academy of Pediatrics
American Federation of Teachers
Boys & Girls Clubs of America
Child Welfare League of America
Children’s Defense Fund
Every Child Matters
Moms Rising
National Association of Social Workers
National PTA
National Education Association
San Diego Unified School District
Religious [This one reads like a who's who list of liberal postmodernism!]
African Methodist Episcopal Church
Alliance of Baptists
American Baptist Churches of the South
American Baptist Home Mission Societies
American Friends Service Committee
Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America
Camp Brotherhood
Catholic Charities USA
Catholic Health Association
Catholic Health Initiatives
Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good
Catholics United
Church of the Brethren
Church Women United, Inc.
Conference of Major Superiors of Men
Disciples Home Missions, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Dominican Sisters of Peace
FaithsAgainstGunViolence.org
Franciscan Action Network
Friends Committee on National Legislation
Health Ministries Association
Heeding God’s Call
Hindu American Foundation
Interfaith Alliance of Idaho
Islamic Society of North America
Jewish Council for Public Affairs
Jewish Reconstructionist Movement
Leadership Conference of Women Religious
Mennonite Central Committee, Washington Office
National Advocacy Center of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd
National Episcopal Health Ministries
NETWORK, A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby
Pax Christi USA
PICO Network Lifelines to Healing
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Office of Public Witness
Progressive National Baptist Convention
Rabbinical Assembly
Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism
San Francisco Interfaith Council
Sikh Council on Religion and Education, USA
Sisters of Mercy of the Americas
Sojourners
Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations
United Church of Christ
United Methodist Church
United Methodist Women
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development
United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism
Washington National Cathedral
Women of Reform Judaism
Health care
American Academy of Pediatrics
American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
American College of Surgeons
American Public Health Association
Doctors for America
National Association of School Nurses
Other
Alliance for Business Leadership
American Bar Association
Black American Political Association of California
Grandmothers for Peace International
National Parks Conservation Association
Sierra Club
TASH
Washington Office on Latin America
Political Commentary
Scarborough: Woman Testifying In Support Of Assault Rifles Looked Like 'Jackass'
And to think, I actually voted for this guy (Scarborough) when he was running for Congress. That was before I became aware of his spurious nature.
At issue is the fact that Gayle Trotter presented some excellent testimony before the Senate panel regarding why a woman, or a handicapped person, needs the proper equipment to defend their home and family when a disparity of force exists between the invader(s) and the defender. A point that people like Scarborough don't seem to be concerned about, but a point that is very much at the center of the current debate.
In my opinion, on his January 28, 2013 radio show Mark Levin painted an excellent verbal picture of Joe Scarborough:
Mendacity seems to be the norm at MSNBC.
-fl
Politics
Senate Committee Investigates Solutions for Gun Violence
After watching the 4+ hours of the proceeding, available here in its entirety, it is plain to see why we can't, or shouldn't, rely on civil servants as a first line of defense against surprise attacks of premeditated violence. The lack of objectivity exhibited in this hearing, by those who obviously live in a world of emotional subjectivity, will likely prevent a good solution to the problem; the problem being that of keeping deadly weapons out of the hands of persons who should not have them — without infringing on the rights of responsible law-abiding persons. I hope I'm wrong, but a legislative solution doesn't look very promising at this point.
Off the hill, it's good that citizens and media are becoming aware, and some of them, like this, have been taking action at the local level.
-fl
Situational Awareness
This video, while offering some useful advice, illustrates the fact that the bureaucracy still doesn't understand the benefit of armed (and properly trained) citizen responders. Something very important is missing from this video.
History & Culture
Prof. David Kopel presents an excellent historical synopsis of the reasoning and practicality of the 2nd Amendment; Kopel's presentation ranges from firearms nomenclature to the history of firearms laws in the United States. This should be required viewing by certain Hollywood celebrities and others.
Culture
Here is another sheriff who understands reality and the limitations of law enforcement's ability to respond to violent crime. But, more importantly, he seems to understand that he and law-abiding citizen gun owners are on the same side.
Sheriff David Clarke's radio ad says 911 not best option, urges residents to take firearms classes
"You could beg for mercy from a violent criminal, hide under the bed, or you can fight back."
[Sheriff] Clarke urges listeners to take a firearm safety course and handle a firearm "so you can defend yourself until we get there."
"You have a duty to protect yourself and your family. We're partners now. Can I count on you?"
Culture: Worthy of Noting Again
This from the Doug Ross Journal:
Why Are Americans Arming Up? A Supreme Court Justice And A Despot Explain
In the last two months, Americans have purchased enough weapons to outfit the entire Chinese and Indian armies combined.
We are in danger of forgetting that the Bill of Rights reflects experience with police excesses. It is not only under Nazi rule that police excesses are inimical to freedom. It is easy to make light of insistence on scrupulous regard for the safeguards of civil liberties when invoked on behalf of the unworthy. It is too easy. History bears testimony that by such disregard are the rights of liberty extinguished, heedlessly at first, then stealthily, and brazenly in the end.
--Supreme Court Justice Felix Frankfurter
The most foolish mistake we could possibly make would be to allow the
subject races to possess arms. History shows that all conquerors who
have allowed their subject races to carry arms have prepared their own
downfall by so doing.
--Adolph Hitler
Culture
Holder begins gun-control push
The Justice Department is taking the first steps toward carrying out President Obama’s executive actions on gun control.
Things seem to be pretty well under control in the parts of this country where law-abiding citizens are free to keep and bear arms; contrast that with areas like Chicago.
The president urged Congress to approve $10 million for the CDC to examine whether there are links between shooting sprees and violent entertainment. I guess that he doesn't realize that we have a multi-billion dollar industry, known as "Advertising", that is built on the link between visualization and behavior. So much for wasteful spending. It would be more constructive for our country to study why a person with no knowledge of history, political science, or civics, is motivated to leave their TV set and trek to the polls.
-fl
Culture
Another Liberal Quandary
A representative from one of the larger arms manufacturers in the United States recently stated that their records show that 35% of recent gun sales involve purchasers who are buying their first gun. This figure is based on answers from a warranty-card questionnaire that the company distributes with each new gun.
Is it any wonder that there is a buying frenzy for guns when people come to realize that there is a need for personal protection, and the police cannot provide individual protection — something that many have known for a long time. Nor are the police responsible for providing personal protection unless that person is in police custody.
Liberal politicians who insist on armed protection for themselves and their family while trying to incapacitate their constituency are creating quite a quandary — as illustrated in the following video. -fl
NICS
The NICS Process
You cannot legally purchase a firearm from a licensed (FFL) dealer without undergoing a NICS check. If you haven't experienced the process of "The NICS Check", here is a video that explains the process for the firearm purchaser:
Culture
Diminishing Plausibility
One of the many benefits of being a Christian is the armored ability to accept a discordant culture without falling victim to racism. It's frustrating to see people who are not armored against the many complexes that result from racism.
On June 26, 2008, the United States Supreme Court, the highest court in the land, clarified the purpose and meaning of the 2nd Amendment to the United States Constitution, and yet we see attempts to color this great document with racism. Now it's Danny Glover who is drinking the Flavor Aid by saying that.........well listen for yourself:
Incidentally, the "Diminishing Plausibility" title comes from the fact that the left is running out of plausible argument regarding their war on guns. The myth purported by Glover probably comes from an article by Thom Hartmann that appeared at a website called "truth-out." That article has been dissected and discounted by several scholars.
-fl
Technology — Time Plus
Garmin Quatix™
Since they arrived on the scene, I have always preferred a digital readout over an analog readout on a watch face. Just when I was starting to get worried that the digital readout might be a thing of the past, here comes Garmin taking digital to the next level. According to Garmin, as of this date, "the Garmin Quatix™ has not been authorized as required by the Federal Communications Commission." As soon as the FCC gives the green light, it will be available. With a MSRP of $449.99, it's certainly not cheap, but compared to a Rolex, it's not only affordable, but it does a whole lot more neat stuff. As one pundit pointed out, "if you fall overboard the lost wireless connection will set off an MOB [man overboard] alarm on a Garmin MFD [multi-function display] and the AP [auto-pilot] will try to steer back to you. And aside from all the connectivity — the Quatix can apparently interface with Garmin PC, Mac, and iPad apps too."
The Quatix™ has several other neat features. Check 'em out.
-fl
Sensational
When I see a politician in front of a group of cops or kids, I get the same sensation that I do when I see David Copperfield in front of a mirror; I know what's about to happen.
-fl
Education
College: What it Was, Is, and Should Be — A Conversation With Andrew H. Delbanco
It is important that we not only keep our educational institutions safe from violence, but safe from destructive world views — and affordable.
Equipment
Crimson Trace Lasers
I've been using CT Lasers for about 8 years now, and highly recommend them for both the experienced shooter and tyro alike. They are at their best in a dark or semi-dark environment — when you are most likely to need your firearm for self defense.
Get your free copy of The Laser's Edge.
Culture
3
What is the 'standard' for firearms that are useful for citizen self-defense? In this video, Dave Kopel makes the case for using what the police use. Several other good points are made.
Home Security
Home Invasion Failed Due To Armed Citizen
Here is a case where a recidivist home invader suffered what is know as a catrastophic failure of the victim selection process. To the victim's husband, "she's a hero."
Culture
Assault Spatulas?
Ambiguity can be a lucrative element for the practice of law. And, emotion can be a lucrative element for Hollywood and politics. Are we forgetting that the word "assault" describes a form of behavior? The following video might help clear things up.
Safety Training
Over 600 Have Applied for Armed Teachers Training
After the mass murder at a Newtown, Connecticut elementary school, Buckeye Firearms Foundation announced that they would provide free firearms training to teachers and school administrative staff. So far, the Armed Teacher Training Program has attracted more than 600 applicants from all parts of Ohio and several from other states, including Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and West Virginia. More teachers inquire about the program every day.
Guns & Facts
Getting The Facts Straight
There are resources like John Lott's book More Guns, Less Crime, and Guy Smith's GunFacts that reveal the truth about the cultural effect of firearms, but these resources are often shunned by the anti-gun culture who either ignore the truth, or claim the truth is biased. The video below uses data from government sources to shed some light on the question regarding who is telling the truth.
"Outside of the killings, DC has one of the lowest crime rates in the country.."—Marion Berry (USA Today: Mar 24, 1989. pg. 02.A)
Culture
Buckeye Firearms Foundation Takes The Lead In Important Issue
Below, Buckeye Firearms Foundation Chair, Jim Irvine, speaks about the Buckeye Firearms Foundation Armed Teacher pilot program on the Alan Colmes Fox News Radio show on Thursday, December 27, 2012. Colmes also simultaneously interviews Shannon Watts, founder of One Million Moms for Gun Control. Watt's argument is the same ineffective, and obviously deadly, stratagem that the anti-gun crowd has been pontificating for decades. The time has come to recognize "gun free zones" for what they are and do something effective. With their funding of this pilot program, Buckeye Firearms Foundation has stepped up to the plate with a plan that will not only provide more safety for school children, but will do it in an effective manner that schools can afford.
Kudos to BFI.
-fl