The right of the citizens to bear arms in defense of themselves and the State …
For hunters that don’t support gun rights, except for their own, BadIdeaGuy managed to come up with a new term I think I like:
AHSAhole
We’ll declare Ray Schoenke the inaugural member of the club.
UPDATE: Looks like this isn’t the first instance of that term. Ray Schoenke will have to be number 2.
I made a a brief appearance on The Breda Show last night. Ooops… did I say Breda Show? Oh yeah, that Caleb guy is on there too :) If I sound like I had a few drinks, it’s because I did. I start in at about 22 minutes.
Bruce Asks, “I’m still trying to figure out the how those who declared Sarah Palin unqualified to hold the office of Vice President can say, with a straight face, that it would be in the best interest of our country to put Al Franken in the United States Senate.” The recount happens today, I believe. Let us wish Mr. Coleman luck. With Stevens being defeated in Alaska, we don’t have much of a filibuster left.
High-end retailers continue to report steady sales, with increased interest in AR-style rifles. Their biggest challenge was getting the “upper priced models and accessories”. There was also a markedly lower interest in the high-end hunting guns, with a couple of retailers admitting surprise that high-end hunting rifles were coming in as trades for – you guessed it- AR-style rifles and semi-auto pistols.
Mid-level dealers say their business was spiking in ammo sales, particularly in the .223/5.56, 7.62×39, and .308. In fact, many were calling around in their dealer networks last week trying to find more of each – with no luck. As one dealer said “we can’t even get the stuff we normally warn our customers about shooting because of the lacquered cases.”
This week ammo is in even shorter supply with .308 selling at what some dealers characterized as “ridiculous” levels. Friday, I saw 5,000 rounds of .22 caliber ammo fetch and $400. Granted, it was very high-end ammo, but that price was staggering. Even more surprising, there was no argument at the price.
They are saying even pawn shop owners are saying people are coming in and offer gold jewelry, and old guns for AR-15s and semi-auto pistols.  It’s almost like someone is planning to ban them or something.
Winnetka, IL has repealed its gun ban. The decision was unanimous.
Kurt Hoffman notes Obama’s pick for the Department of Justice. This is the position that will most affect gun owners, and his stance on gun rights doesn’t look good. I will say, however, that if Mr. Holder can prevent his department from burning down houses with children in it, murdering women and children with sniper fire, or pointing submachine guns at 6 year olds, his record will at least be better than his Democratic predecessor. I will hope that he adopts Obama’s “Yes we can!” attitude in terms of trying to achieve that particular goal. Come to think of it, it wouldn’t really be that hard to top the performance of the last Republican occupant of that office either. I would hope Mr. Holder can agree with us that these are realistic, and achievable goals.
UPDATE: Someone points out that Ruby Ridge was at the end of the Bush I presidency, and that would seem to be correct. But I would note that it doesn’t appear Janet Reno did much housecleaning to get rid of the people who concocted the unlawful rules of engagement.
Looks like we’ll have quite a crowd at the blog bash at the NRA Annual Meeting in Phoenix next year. I just have to say, it would be really really cool if NRA could get Governor Palin to speak at the meeting next year. I know NRA people read. So yeah, take that as a suggestion from me. Well, probably from all of us.
Kurt Hoffman finds some ridiculous assertions about the New Jersey ban on .50 caliber firearms. The vote that was scheduled for last night has been postponed to December, according to ANJRPC:
In response to your calls, faxes, and emails, the New Jersey Assembly on November 17 delayed passage of A2116 (banning most firearms of .50 caliber or larger) and instead amended the legislation in an attempt to respond to gun owner concerns. The amended bill could be considered by the full Assembly as soon as December.
The amendments are currently under review and further alerts will be forthcoming. However, no amount of tinkering can “fix” a gun ban, and A2116 remains fundamentally flawed legislation because it bans handguns and long guns based on the size of the hole in the barrel instead of punishing criminal behavior.
Please continue to contact your Assembly members and oppose A2116. Their contact information is available here.
Hopefully they’ll find better things to do, like fixing the gaping holes in the state’s budget.