GunBlogs.org

TACTICAL TATERS

Brigid — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 23:54:00 +0000

The latest in urban assault vehicles. The Cannon mounted Vespa Scooter! Fight hippies and zombies, fully mobile and legal in all 50 states ! I'm sorry to say after attempting to read the information on this, in French, it's not an urban assault vehicle, but an idea of the French Military, the ACMA Troupes Aeról Portées Mle. 56. This was essentially a militarized Vespa scooter outfitted

We Have a Little Bit of Ice Hanging on the Trees

jr — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 23:33:00 +0000

So my house is without power. My piece of Arlington looses power at the slightest excuse. It has gotten better over the past few years, but here we are again, no lights and no heat. TXU indicates that it will be 11:00 before we get power back.

I'm sitting at Starbucks waiting for V to get off work so we can go out to dinner. I have a catalytic heater if the power is not back on by the time we get home, and plenty of emergency lighting so that is not a problem. We could have ate dinner at home, but this is a good excuse to go out.

Let's see if I can get a worthwhile post in before V gets off work.

Target Switzerland

Sebastian — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 23:18:10 +0000

Peter has a pretty good review of Steve Halbrook’s book “Target Switzerland: Swiss Armed Neutrality in World War II“ Just a reminder, the Second Amendment Book Bomb is still ongoing, and you can now get copies of Steve Halbrook’s current book, “The Founders’ Second Amendment,” from Amazon.

A Harbinger of Things to Come

Sebastian — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 21:57:39 +0000

Nancy Pelosi is stacking the deck, and changing the House Rules to shut out the GOP. This will make it much harder for Republicans to kill gun control bills. Giving Pelosi such a solid majority was going to have consequences. A lot of people gave me grief for fighting with the lesser of two evils [...]

So, Um, You Know, How’s that, You Know, Listening Tour Working Out for You, You Know?

Bitter — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 21:56:13 +0000

You know, it seems like once anti-gun Caroline Kennedy, you know, started talking to the people of, you know, New York, they stopped like liking her, you know. PPP says Kennedy’s popularity “has taken a major hit as the result of her public campaign” to get the appointment of New York Gov. David Paterson. Although Kennedy [...]

How to teach economics

John Lott — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 21:33:00 +0000

I think that most professors just find it much easier to teach technical material. It is pretty mindless and mechanical. The Chronicle has the story here:

The undergraduate major in economics is generally healthy, but it would be stronger if faculty members had better skills in presenting the discipline to the vast majority of their students who do not want to become academic economists. That is the verdict of a draft report to be discussed here Saturday during the annual meeting of the American Economic Association.

The report was drafted by David C. Colander, a professor of economics at Middlebury College, and KimMarie McGoldrick, a professor of economics at the University of Richmond. It is one of a series of reports supported by the Teagle Foundation in an effort to promote “fresh thinking” about various undergraduate majors.

The good news, according to Mr. Colander and Ms. McGoldrick, is that most undergraduate economics departments continue to offer a broad education that speaks to students who might pursue business, public policy, or academic careers. A new national survey has found that a large majority of economics majors are satisfied with their programs.

But the authors fear that as doctoral education in economics becomes more technical and abstract — a trend Mr. Colander has criticized elsewhere — new faculty members are badly prepared to teach economics to undergraduate students with diverse interests. . . .

Personally, I am not as optimistic as Colander and McGoldrick are about the current state of the field. I have had two sons studying economics in college and their intermediate economics classes are mindless mechanical minimization and maximization problems.

DC DMV Has Issues With “TRIGGER” Plate

Sebastian — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 21:07:59 +0000

Apparently there’s nothing about guns or the shooting sports that the DC City Government won’t hate on with a burning white passion. Here you will find a letter rejecting the tag “TRIGGER” because they deem it offensive, followed by a letter from one of NRA’s attorneys warning them that it’s a First Amendment violation. Looks [...]

So will the mainstream media mention this?: Congressional Dems apparently won’t allow Republicans to offer alternative legislation

John Lott — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 21:01:00 +0000

The story is here:

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi plans to re-write House rules today to ensure that the Republican minority is unable to have any influence on legislation. Pelosi’s proposals are so draconian, and will so polarize the Capitol, that any thought President-elect Obama has of bipartisan cooperation will be rendered impossible before he even takes office.

Pelosi’s rule changes -- which may be voted on today -- will reverse the fairness rules that were written around Newt Gingrich’s “Contract with America.”

In reaction, the House Republican leadership is sending a letter today to Pelosi to object to changes to House Rules this week that would bar Republicans from offering alternative bills, amendments to Democrat bills or even the guarantee of open debate accessible by motions to recommit for any piece of legislation during the entire 111th Congress. . . .

So far searching Google News using ("fairness rules" Republicans offering alternative bills) produced just the above one story.

There go my plans for Wednesday

Robb Allen — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 20:12:48 +0000

Apparently in Florida it is a felony to

Own the pelt of a cat
Molest floral arrangements on a headstone
Intentionally trip a horse
Introduce into or upon the grounds of any facility that provides mental health services an intoxicating beverage or beverage which causes or may cause an intoxicating effect

Well shit... Now what am I going to do for entertainment?

Well, I’ve been saying that for a long time

Robb Allen — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 19:00:41 +0000

I have a feeling this guy and I wouldn't see eye to eye on many things, but he speaks such an obvious truth here that it's worth pointing out

The Violence Policy Center in its report a year ago said that the answer is to get the guns off the streets. And while there are way too many guns on America's streets, the truth is that there are already tough gun laws on the books in most big cities and that hasn't done much to reduce the killings.

Emphasis mine.

If people really cared about saving lives, they'd have to do a lot more than just blame an inanimate object.

A great range photo

Robb Allen — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 18:43:19 +0000

Cap'n Bob snaps a cool panorama. The fact that his wife moved during the picture makes it even more cool!

Today’s level of consciousness expressed as a line chart

Robb Allen — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 17:43:55 +0000

And to think there's 3.5 more hours to go, plus a drive home is kind of scary....

More ballots than voters

SayUncle — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 17:42:39 +0000

Well, the Democrats look to be successfully stealing a senate seat. Via Glenn.

Wamp, there it is

SayUncle — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 17:23:51 +0000

Looks like the Tennessee Gubernatorial race is getting underway with the two contenders on the Republican side looking to be Zach Wamp and Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam. AC doesn’t see Wamp getting too far because of money. You’ll recall that Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam is a member of the Joyce Foundation funded, anti-gun [...]

Quote of the Day - Prison Edition

Peter — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 17:17:15 +0000

Your job is not to treat all citizens as criminals because some people are irresponsible. The solution is to put violent people in prison, rather than to turn the society at large into a prison. - Sebastian

Of Arms and the Law 2009-01-05 17:02:00

Of Arms and the Law — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 17:02:00 +0000

For Deputy AG: David W. Ogden -- his background: under the Clinton Admin, was Ass't Atty General for Civil Division, and Chief of Staff to the Attorney General.

For Solicitor General: Elena Kagan. Her background: dean of Harvard law, taught at Chicago, clerked for Abner Mikva on DC Circuit and then for Thurgood Marshall on the Supreme Court.

For Associate AG: Tom Perrelli. His background: longtime private practitioner, mostly representing the entertainment industry. Under Clinton Admin., was Deputy AG, and counselor to the AG.

Hat tip to reader David Adams.

91 Year Old Man Uses Handgun to Defend Wife from Home Invaders

LearnAboutGuns.com — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 17:01:11 +0000

As reported, Charles ‘Johnny’ Johnson is 91 years old. He has been married to Berlie Mae Johnson, who is 90 years old, for the last 72 years. At around 4pm, two home invaders broke in to their Ocoee, Florida home. One of the home invaders placed a gun to the head of [...]

what’s so special about magnums?

SayUncle — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 16:56:59 +0000

A look at cartridge naming conventions. I guess because the 30 Ass Kicker, Name Taker isn’t a good marketing gimmick?

I believe every word

Robb Allen — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 16:49:39 +0000

Jim Shepherd at The Shooting Wire

Despite the new administration's insistence that jobs and the economy will be the top priority beginning January 20, insiders say payback to the NRA and other pro-Second Amendment groups is high on the agenda. Democratic advisors say the Republican party is "disorganized, disheartened, and dissolving" and it's a good time for the incoming administration to take them on in a core issue - the assault weapons ban is one of three topics they're evaluating.

Last year, while waiting to find out who was going to be the winner of the nomination for the Democrats, I got some inside information about Obama's team basically telling particular groups that he was going to be the next president and that if they did not tow the line, they were going to be in his crosshairs come 2009.

I believe what Jim is saying is true

In other words, last year's unquestioned gun salesman of the year -Barack Hussein Obama - will turn his attention toward a group that has been unrelenting in opposing him throughout his political career.
...
At that time, I also believe his administration will almost immediately seek to begin to dismantle or disregard any laws with which they disagree and embark on the total disenfranchisement of anyone who disagrees with their political positions.

Obama, to me, represents the worst politics has to offer. A man who has no compunction about abusing his power to achieve even more power. The left is already finding out that he has no intention of keeping his promises or even being "progressive" - Stem cell research, gays in the military, withdrawal from Iraq - all promises in the wind to be discarded at the earliest convenience. I believe that his administration will use the tactics the left has perfected over the past 8 years and simply try to destroy anyone who gets in their way (see Wurzelbacher, Joe).

Unfortunately, standing up to him requires a spine and a moral compass, two things the Republicans are in short supply of.

I believe we are witnessing a change in how politics run in this country. What used to be backdoor deals, hidden agendas, and veiled threats are being brought to light and the general populace is too concerned about watching has-been movie stars learning the Cha-Cha to care.

Gonna be a scary ride, folks. Let's hope I'm all sorts of wrong on this.

Hat Tip Say Uncle

Be Ready

Sebastian — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 16:20:25 +0000

Another issue you’ll want to contact your Congress Critters about is this. I’m skeptical that anyone knows for sure at this point which direction they will attack us from, but one thing I’m fairly certain of is that an attack on our gun rights is coming. We need to be ready for anything, and writing [...]

Gun Ban Crowd Urges Lobbying for Gun Show Bill

VSSA President — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 16:10:00 +0000

This morning, Barbara King Hart, President of the Virginia Center for Public Safety, one of the gun control groups in Virginia, sent out a missive to the group's email list encouraging people to contact the Virginia Crime Commission and demand legislat...

New Assault Weapons Ban Coming?

SayUncle — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 16:09:02 +0000

From Michael Bane, comes The Shooting Wire: Democratic insiders are telling us the firearms industry will be used as an object lesson to both sides of the aisle. To the left, it’s the always-popular smackdown of a group of right-wing loonies (that’s you and me, by the way) who want gunfights on the streets of our hometowns. To [...]

So It Begins: The 111th Congress

Sebastian — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 16:02:37 +0000

The blogosphere seems to be pretty effective at creating noise, and making people pay attention. Today is the first day of the 111th Congress, which is the new Democratic Congress that we elected along with Obama. Pretty shortly Congress will take up the issue of Obama’s nominations. Among those people is Eric Holder for Attorney [...]

THE REVOLVER AS A CARRY WEAPON

Syd — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 15:59:46 +0000

Is the revolver dead? In a word, no. I suspect that as we move deeper into the 21st century, however, we will see few revolvers in holsters as "primary weapons". For those who are required to carry it, or for those who favor its simplicity, the revolver will still allow them to do just as well in a confrontation as long as the operator does his part. As we've always said, It is the man, and not the weapon which makes the difference.

Bad Luck With Plagarists

Sebastian — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 15:54:42 +0000

Marko seems to have the worst luck with people plagarizing his writing. I’d have mixed feelings about it, personally. On the one hand, I’d be awfully pissy that someone is taking credit for my writing. On the other hand, someone apparently thought my writing was good enough to pilfer. Marko makes money off writing, though, [...]

New Server Ordered

Sebastian — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 15:35:47 +0000

I have ordered a new server to run the blog, and a few other things I also run on the side. The new machine will also be rather small. It’s a 1.6GHz Intel Atom based machine with 2GB RAM, a 7200RPM 500GB SATA hard disk and DVD-ROM. The little provisional server I’m on right now [...]

Gun Talk

David Codrea — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 15:09:00 +0000

Here's the conversation I had yesterday with Tom Gresham...[More]I was feeling under the weather and was wondering if I'd come across totally muddle-headed...Fortunately, he had a full lineup, so my segment was only half-an-hour, and I think I managed ...

Holder: ‘To-Be’ or Not to Be

David Codrea — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 14:58:00 +0000

Hearings are starting on president-elect Barack Obama's cabinet selections. Of particular interest to gun owners:U.S. Attorney General to-be Eric Holder will be before the Senate Judiciary Committee on January 15th. [More]This is another call to arms, ...

We’re the Only Ones Frightened Enough

David Codrea — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 14:57:00 +0000

THE NSW Police Force will spend about $2 million on a virtual reality shooting range as senior officers blame a lack of training for recruits being frightened of firearms. [More]Just the "Only Ones" needed to protect society from the big, bad, scary cr...

Bush The Deregulator

SayUncle — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 14:48:23 +0000

Remember when Republicans were the party of smaller, more limited government? Me neither.

One-Gun a Month in New Jersey

Sebastian — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 14:48:12 +0000

The Philadelphia Inquirer is running a puff piece on it today, with Bryan Miller’s big mug plastered all over it. We’re also back to that “personal privilege” thing again: “What we’re talking about here is some sort of balance . . . between the privilege of a tiny minority of handgun owners in the state and [...]

We’re the Only Ones Inshallah Enough

David Codrea — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 14:47:00 +0000

Hamas police keep a close eye on the activities of those operating the tunnels to prevent the entry of drugs or arms, the latter being brought in through special underground routes managed by armed Palestinian groups. [More]That Middle East gun control...

The Lightworker Prescription for a Troubled Economy

David Codrea — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 14:20:00 +0000

600,000 new government jobs...[More]Why am I'm reminded of "the fighting Uruk-hai"?We are the servants of Saruman the Wise, the White Hand: the Hand that gives us man's-flesh to eat.[Via Ron W]

Block Holder Today!

David Codrea — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 14:06:00 +0000

This was the topic for my Gun Rights Examiner piece today, and I'll be following it up tomorrow and possibly Wednesday.For right now, here is some essential reading from The Firearms Coalition:Block Holder--Act TodayBlock HolderCoalition Against Holder...

Newark, UK

David Codrea — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 14:00:00 +0000

Some business owners in this crime-plagued city say recent enforcement of a decades-old ordinance prohibiting some types of barbed wire and razor wire is making Newark more attractive — to thieves. [More]'ere now, we can't 'ave these blokes 'urtin' t...

Because you need it

SayUncle — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 13:53:16 +0000

A custom Desert Eagle for the Wii.

Predictions for New York

Sebastian — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 13:52:00 +0000

Jacob links to some nasty predictions for New York Gun owners, including serious restrictions on the use of lead ammunition. It would be one thing if there were reasonable alternatives, but there isn’t. At least not yet.

Potential Terrorists

SayUncle — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 13:51:44 +0000

The WaPo: The Maryland State Police surveillance of advocacy groups was far more extensive than previously acknowledged, with records showing that troopers monitored — and labeled as terrorists — activists devoted to such wide-ranging causes as promoting human rights and establishing bike lanes. Also, reminds me of this.

Importance of Cleaning

Sebastian — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 13:49:06 +0000

JR reminds everyone of the importance of cleaning your rifle after firing corrosively primed ammunition. I can personally attest to this. I bought some corrosive 5.45×39 before I realized it was corrosive. I found out the hard way. Didn’t take long either. Fortunatly, no lasting damage, but yeah — corrosive ammo is nasty stuff if [...]

Gun sales

SayUncle — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 13:48:14 +0000

Buy, buy, buy.

Gun Porn

SayUncle — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 13:47:39 +0000

A tricked out Luger. Man, we kids with our AR-15s have nothing on those guys.

We’re the Only Ones Frisky Enough

David Codrea — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 13:43:00 +0000

Is that a gun in your trousers or are you just glad to be here...? [More]Touched by an "Only One"...His face must be blurred because it's red...?[Via Luke O]

Problem…

Tam — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 13:42:00 +0000

I've got things I want to type today, deep thoughts I must share with the universe, but......Stephen Hunter's Pale Horse Coming is just so fricken' cool that it keeps sticking to my fingers and I can't put it down. Y'all understand, right?

Who’s in control

SayUncle — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 13:39:46 +0000

The treasury has exceeded the bail out amount authorized by congress. And can’t (or won’t) tell us where the money went.

Obama Panic Premium

SayUncle — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 13:38:14 +0000

That’s pretty funny. A bit back, I used the phrase pre-Obama administration gun dollars.

Ballistics

SayUncle — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 13:36:21 +0000

Joe looks at where the bullet goes. He also has updated Modern Ballistics for the Field, a ballistics program for cell phones and PDAs.

Or you could not hire hoplophobes to be police

SayUncle — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 13:34:32 +0000

In Australia, THE NSW Police Force will spend about $2 million on a virtual reality shooting range as senior officers blame a lack of training for recruits being frightened of firearms.

Frist in, Frist out

SayUncle — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 13:32:59 +0000

Looks like Frist saying he will not run for governor.

Buy, Buy, Buy

David Codrea — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 13:32:00 +0000

More and more Americans are becoming increasingly aware of the storm that is brewing on the horizon, a storm driven by the possibility of a complete economic collapse. [More]This is too scary. It makes me too uncomfortable even acknowledging such thing...

We’re the Only Ones Connected Enough

David Codrea — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 13:26:00 +0000

The sheriff of Ohio's largest county has given pay raises to his niece, his son's best friend and one of his own friends after laying off 21 employees from their jobs.Not just "Only Ones"...Connected "Only Ones"...[T]he raises were given based on merit...