Ammunition Accountability Act Latest 'Vaporware' Tool For Crime Fighting

When I was directing public relations in the 1990s for a couple of different software companies, and later as a consultant, we used the term "vaporware" to refer to products that developers said would solve any problem you had.

As David Codrea says, the rollout of the "latest innovation" is akin to watching cancer metastasize. See how yet another little-tested, unproven "solution" is being pushed as the answer to so-called "gun crime."

Mike Sullivan's Nomination To Permanently Head BATF In Further Doubt

The confirmation of US Attorney Michael J. Sullivan as head of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (BATFE) was thrown into further doubt Wednesday, when a republican senator who is blocking the nomination renewed complaints that Sullivan has refused to loosen licensing rules for guns.

" 'I recently received his answers to those questions, and I was disappointed in his responses, so I am going to continue to hold this nominee,' Vitter said in a statement released to the (Boston) Globe. 'The nominee seems to support the ATF's current inadequate policies and exhibits a lack of willingness to address these problems.' "

Gridlock is good.

NY: Antique Firearms Purchasers May Need Background Checks, Not Licenses

A state lawmaker in New York is dropping his proposal to require collectors, museums, historical societies and historical re-enactors to obtain licenses to own antique guns and muzzleloading firearms.

Sanity breaking out, or just opposition to a ridiculous suggestion? Okay, Assemblyman Michael Gianaris, a democrat from Queens, is admitting that museums have told him that his proposal would cripple them economically. Still, he apparently he doesn't care about stepping on individual owners. Read the following:

"Gianaris' new plan still requires purchasers of antique firearms to undergo a background check the same as they would for handguns. But his new proposal includes an exemption for museums, historical societies, historic sites, and groups conducting re-enactment, living history, educational or interpretive events."

From New York's Newsday.

Columnist Suggests 2A Compromise In Heller Case Before U.S. Supreme Court

A columnist for Tribune Media Services, in a piece that appeared in the Orlando Sentinel, suggests that both sides in the U.S. arms war need to compromise.

With respect, I humbly, and strongly disagree. Firearms owners have been "compromising" for decades, and with such appeasement have seen the rights of every American nibbled away. When I give a lecture on this subject, I use a timeline on a blackboard, with "compromise" being the point in the middle. Compromise for so many years has gone in favor of the gun controllers, until recently, with an increasing number of jurists recognizing that the shrill cries of "reasonable restriction" hold no merit, and provide no safety net.

Americans, with decisions like the DC appellate court and elsewhere, are slowly recovering these rights. If you have time, please take a moment to read the comments at the end of Mr. Pitts' column. A handful of those responding made some very good points.

Pro-Heller Amicus Briefs From GOA, Women Lawmakers

Two more amicus briefs supporting the case of Mr. Heller in his bid to overturn the District of Columbia's antiquated handgun ban.

This time from Gun Owners of America, and a brief from 126 legislators and scholars -- all women. The second brief notes that the DC firearms ban effectively abrogates women's rights to defend themselves, and prevents women from achieving the same autonomy available to many men.

Both are solid reading.

Nebrask MSM Cites Lack of Pre-Emption, Gun Free Zones Weakening Safety

From KETV in Omaha, Neb., site of a deadly shooting.

" 'When you post an area and say that it's a gun free zone, what in fact you're doing is making a victim-zone,' said Schnieder. The Westroads Mall in Omaha is a "Gun Free Zone" and last December a gunman came there, killed eight people and wounded several others, before shooting himself to death."

"The KETV Newswatch 7 I-Team asked Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning if the law should be changed. 'I think it's not a bad idea. Maybe we do need to make that change,' said Bruning."

Not bad.

Mall Operators Wonder What To Do About Shootings; Plan March Safety Summit

In a story titled, "One More Merchant Worry: Mall Violence," the National Retail Federation and the International Council of Shopping Centers note they are at a loss about what to do regarding a spike in mall shootings.

"LaRocca said both trade groups will host a first-ever conference focused specifically on mall violence. The conference, which includes mall operators and individual retailers, will be held in New Orleans in late March. He said there will be plenty of discussion about training employees on how best to protect themselves and customers in a shooting or hostage situation.
And all security options are on the table for discussion, including adding metal detectors at shopping centers."

Here's an idea . . . Quit turning malls into victim rich zones, to start.

"One security expert says he's noticed an increase in public crimes when the economy is in a downturn, although NRF's LaRocca said his group has shied away from linking violent mall crimes to the state of the economy. Rising unemployment in a recessionary environment facilitates all types of crime such as robberies and burglaries and drug use among young people, said Chris McGoey, an independent security consultant who specializes in crime prevention."

The shootings happening in malls are not about robberies or drugs. And mall rent-a-cops armed with a flashlight and a giant set of keys aren't going to stop a shooter. If just one store manager . . . if just a handful of shoppers had been armed, things would likely have been different in Omaha, and perhaps even Tinley Park.

"Mall operators also want to avoid expensive lawsuits that can result from shootings at their locations, he said."

I'll bet they do. The big lawsuit that is yet to come??? It will be filed by the survivors of a shooting, or their family members, and they will be going after a mall operator for willfully creating an unsafe business environment. Because mall operators have turned their facilities into safe zones for predators

That one big thing retailers and mall operators could do -- permit lawful carry in their malls -- will likely NEVER be allowed on the table as a discussion point during the New Orleans summit. They will claim that all security options have been be discussed. Or they will weasel-word their way out of it, suggesting that all "legitimate security options" have been batted around.

But it is a safe bet that political correctness and fear will win out over logic and safety.

Independence Institute, LEAA, Police Organizations File Pro-Gun Heller Brief

"In conjunction with a broad coalition of law enforcement organizations, the Independence Institute has filed an amicus brief in District of Columbia v. Heller, the Supreme Court case which will decide whether the DC handgun ban and ban on home defense with any firearm is a violation of the Second Amendment."

The brief is available by clicking here.

When you pull up the brief, take a long look on Page 1 at the law enforcement and prosecuting attorney organizations that have signed on in favor of the individual right of DC residents to possess a handgun, a number of them from California. In addition to the Law Enforcement Alliance of America (LEAA), and an international law enforcement trainers organization, even the San Francisco (of all places) Veteran Police Officers Association is on board.

Bostonians Prepare As Police Plan House-To-House 'Warrantless' Search For Guns

Of course, the program is completely "voluntary." But a pretty, sickeningly sweet PR campaign is being built to promote the "Safe Homes" initiative. They plan to knock on doors of private houses, and ask if they can search for illegal guns without a warrant.

"To further put residents at ease, officers will wear civilian clothes and try to look like office workers on casual Friday rather than FBI agents, French said. 'They won't go in there in a three-piece suit.' "

"Some clergy members have apparently volunteered to accompany police on the searches because they are suspicious of their intent."

And records of those homeowners and residents who do NOT permit police to search their homes will not be kept, right? I haven't seen that mentioned.

Finally, will someone PLEASE tell me what an "illegal gun" is?

Academics For The 2A File Pro-Gun Amicus Brief In Heller

Updated: Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2008, 8:05 am -- Welcome KeepandBearArms.com readers!

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The long-awaited amicus brief from Academics for the Second Amendment is in.

Read it here.

Plus, co-author David Hardy is pretty tired right now. But here is what he has to say about this important brief.

More Trouble In 'The Aloha State'

"This testimony is in strong opposition to HB 2999 relating to firearms. It will be presented before the Committee on Judiciary and Chair Tommy Waters and Vice Chair Representative Blake Oshiro on Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2008, at 2:05 p.m. in the House Conference Room 325."

From The Hawaii Reporter.

Anti Gunners In Embarrassing Moment, Trouble

Stories from California and Florida that qualify for a "Believe It Or Not" entry.

• The president of the California Senate, a leading gun control advocate, shows up at a gun buyback to . . . turn in a handgun.
• A former Broward County, Florida sheriff -- a very visible Brady Campaign supporter -- has been sentenced to prison for tax evasion (specifically, he didn't pay taxes on the bribes he was taking).

Read it here.

AHSA Brief A False Flag?

Sebastian brings up a good point. I have not had time to go through the American Hunters & Shooters Association amicus brief on the Heller case, but he notes that AHSA would prefer Americans -- and the court -- not come to the realization that the 2A is an individual right.

AHSA's brief focuses on DC's handgun ban being a violation of the district's home rule charter.

Dat Guy

Dat guy from Boston, Joe Ligotti, has been a hit on the internet with the military, with LEOs around the nation, and just regular folks. He reminds Americans we need to fight for our rights. His mantra is "I got the balls to say what you're thinking!"

Now, he's tinkin 'bout runnin' for president.

Last month, a few days before the Super Bowl, he went on NBC's Tonight Show and talked to Jay Leno about California, living in Boston, food, and politics. His cabinet picks in a Guy From Boston White House? Joe Pesci as secretary of defense; Robert DeNiro as secretary of state; and his bookie from South Philly, Victor Vitale, for secretary of the treasury.

BTW, he's against gun control, too.

Proposal To Make National Parks Safer Draws Fire From 'Conservation' Group

The National Parks Conservation Association is questioning a proposal, signed on by nearly half the U.S. Senate, that would overturn the antiquated ban on firearms in our national parks.

"You're not taking anybody's guns away from them, and people can transport guns through a park," Barger, head of a national parks advocacy group, said of the federal rule that has been in place for more than a quarter-century. "All it does is impose a very reasonable regulation that they be unloaded and stored while they are in the park."

There's that word again . . . "reasonable."

"Coburn and others say the restrictions against loaded weapons are unnecessary,
violate the Second Amendment, leave park visitors unable to protect themselves
and put park rangers at risk of assault or other crimes. What's more, many states allow gun owners to carry concealed weapons with a permit. Those laws vary from one state to another, however, and the federal ban on loaded weapons in national parks just adds to the confusion . . ."

In three words: Repeal the ban. It is an antiquated provision that prevents the mainstream in this nation from defending themselves against both four-and two-legged predators while visiting our national parks.

A Brilliant Move In Maryland

"CeaseFire Maryland failed to file the corporate personal property returns as required by state law . . . "

So, pro-RKBA activists gave a helping hand.

Sharp. Very sharp.

Why Are Anti-Gunners So Violent?

Why are anti-gunners so violent?

Egregious Charles, writing on GeekWithA.45 has some ideas, and some good links to other articles. His best line:

"There's probably a connection through sadism between the violent nature of anti-gunners and their bizarre fixation on guns as phallic symbols ('compensating for something'). If you think a gun is a substitute penis, you have a very twisted notion of the role of a penis."

No comment (but nodding in approval).

Of course, there is also the solid argument of projection, where it is argued by respected psychologists that the anti self-defense gun types with their registration schemes in reality are projecting their worst fears about themselves onto the rest of society. Noted psychiatrist Dr. Sarah Thompson wrote a powerful piece in 2002 about just this subject.

In 2002, she also witnessed, in Utah's statehouse, an anti-gun activist and former candidate for the U.S. Senate lose his temper and attack another individual over the issue of firearms being allowed on campus (a hot topic even today). Here is her writeup on that event.

More recently, Virginia Citizens Defense League members witnessed unbridled anger -- but thankfully, no attacks -- by gun control activists outside the Virginia statehouse attempting to exploit the tragic shootings at Virginia Tech and force a ban on private sales of firearms at gun shows. Of course, they conveniently don't mention, and don't want to comment on, the fact that the criminal who murdered those innocent kids did not get his guns at a gun show. One has absolutely nothing to do with the other. The murderer also staged his assault on a campus where a spokesman for the university just months before had boasted that students don't need guns on campus to protect themselves. But I digress.

Because VCDL staged a peaceful counter-protest that drew much media attention, many witnesses to the weekend event reported visible, incredible anger on the part of the gun control crowd. SailorCurt reported on the anger and comments by the gun control types quite extensively.

The reason for anger of some years ago, and today, is similar to a child who doesn't get his or her way. They fear that which they choose not to know. They use arguments like "you don't want guns in prisons and mental wards, why would you want them on college campuses?" as soundbytes with the media to build public awareness of their out-of-the-mainstream proposals. The best answer this previous question came from the Utah assemblyman, who replied:

"Because kids on college campuses aren't criminals and aren't mentally ill." As for the blatant hatred the gun control advocates express toward a valuable tool, you already know how I respond to their comments about hate.

Your hate is a sickness. Get help.

Some Great Heller/DC Reading For Your Weekend

Updated: Friday, Feb. 8, 2008, 2:18 pm -- A majority of Congress signing onto the argument that DC firearms owners have an individual right to keep a handgun. It comes in a brief filed with the Supreme Court.

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All worth sitting down on a snowy day, or sunny if you are among the lucky few in the nation, and reading.

- A second congressional amicus brief is incoming, this one supporting the individual right contention of Heller. There was a earlier brief filed from congressional legislators supporting DC's ban argument. I'm intrigued. Supposedly, more democrats from both the House and Senate are signing onto the individual rights argument.

- SCOTUSBLOG has links to all of the early amicus briefs filed in support of the respondent, Mr. Heller. More are coming.

- Several law-related blogs have write-ups on District of Columbia v. Heller. Check out the arguments, pro and con, from Balkinization, Sentencing Law & Policy, and Leibowitz's Canticle.

- Washington Post story on the pro-individual rights argument in Heller.

h/t to David Hardy

A Perfect Storm?

Chad Baus writes eloquently of a looming Perfect Storm for firearms owners, reiterating the threat the Mike Dewine poses, along with the endorsement of Rudy Giuliani, for a McCain presidency.

And all this is without covering the known tsunami that would wash across the Second Amendment if either Sens. Clinton or Obama are elected.

Two More Pro Safety Briefs Filed In Heller

Two more pro-gun briefs, actually I should say "Pro Heller, or even Pro DC safety" briefs. For reforming this non-sensical (and useless, when you look at crime stats) handgun ban in the District of Columbia is long overdue. Such reform will go far toward providing a safer environment in our nation's capital.

Anyway, the National Rifle Association and a collection of five private security trade organizations and the Buckeye Firearms Foundation filed amicus briefs this week with the High Court.