2010 – Page 172 – Shall Not Be Questioned

How About Some Prosecution?

This Umass student committed a federal crime, namely buying a long gun out of state in a private sale. While you may buy long guns out of state in from a federally licensed dealer, any transfer between non-licenees has to happen through an FFL if the residents are of a different state.

If I did this, and bragged about it here, I’d get busted. Let’s see some justice. Ironically, the person who sold him the gun did not commit a felony, since he did not know he sold a gun to someone who wasn’t a New Hampshire resident. But the student here most definitely did commit a felony.

So what was that again about weak gun laws?

UPDATE: I should note this is a bit of “trying to make a point.” Â I actually don’t think this kid’s life ought to be ruined because he violated an unjust law. What I’d like him to do is recognize the law is unjust. I do not think the US Attorney for Massachusetts should treat him any differently than he would any other gun owner in Massachusetts, but I think offering a plea deal to avoid jail time would be fair. He’ll have a federal gun felony on his record, but hey, I don’t make the laws, you know.

UPDATE: Also notice in the video he freely admits that no one would sell him a handgun. The best he managed is a break action double barrel bird gun.

UPDATE: Maybe not a crime. Some more confusion over our federal gun laws that ordinary people with no legal training are expected to follow or face multi-year prison sentences from the felony rap. Still want to argue that guns aren’t regulated enough Mr. Daniel Entrinkin?

Update on Microstamping in California

The public comment period is apparently closed on the matter, but implementation of the microstamping law requires certification that the technology is available. Apparently the California DOJ are proceeding with that process:

The lack of available microstamping technology has not deterred the Department of Justice from proceeding with promulgating regulations for the lawâ€™s implementation. In other words, these proposed regulations are completely unnecessary at this time. It is on this basis, among others, that the NRA is objecting to the DOJ commencing with the rulemaking process on this matter. The NRA Letter to the DOJ is available to read in its entiretyÂ here.

Proceeding despite the fact that the technology isn’t available. This is about fighting crime right? Not a backdoor gun ban?

Biathletes Who Can’t Shoot?

Apparently if you’re fast enough on your skis it doesn’t really matter as much, but man, spend some time shooting and you’ll be unbeatable.

Handgun Hourly Blog Moving

Looks like it’s going to become the Firing Pin Journal.

“Bloomberg Bill” in West Virginia

West Virginia is floating a bill to make Bloomberg’s gun show stings illegal, citing that they could interfere with ongoing law enforcement investigations. It will do this by making it a crime for anyone to persuade, encourage or entice a dealer or person into making an unlawful sale.

Irish Equivalent of NRA Suing Over Gun Ban

Looks like the NARGC, which his the Irish equivalent of the NRA, is doing its level best to fight the state’s new restrictive handgun licensing policy, which basically only recognizing Olympic shooting sports as legitimate reason to own a pistol, and then only pistols suitable for that purpose.

Down But Not Out

It’s looking like Seattle’s Mayor, having had his city’s gun ban tossed out by the courts for violating preemption, is advocating the state legislature repeal preemption. Pennsylvania isn’t the only state where anti-gun activists are working hard to erase one of our bedrock victories in the last several decades. Without preemption, pretty much every gain we’ve made in the protection of our rights becomes meaningless. It becomes impossible to transport, carry, or even own firearms without worrying about a patchwork of local ordinances and regulation.

Brandishing in Kansas

Eugene Volokh reports on an unusual law in Kansas that actually can make the punishment for brandishing a gun higher than if you actually shot someone, under certain circumstances. I agree with Professor Volokh that this is something Kansas groups should get the legislature to fix, pronto.

Starbucks Appreciation Day

Joe Huffman floated an idea to a few gun bloggers over the weekend to organize a Starbucks appreciation day. I thought it sounded like a good idea, so I’ll join in asking people to participate.

This coming Sunday, February 21st we’re asking folks to go to Starbucks and buy something. But, perhaps most importantly, to let them know you’re taking part in an appreciation day organized by Second Amendment bloggers. Joe suggests telling the local folks, but I’m going to suggest you tell Starbucks corporate after you make your purchase. Corporate are the decision makers. So, next Sunday, I would suggest something like the following:

Some Second Amendment bloggers have organized an appreciation day, asking their readers to go patronize their local Starbucks this Sunday. Just wanted you folks to know that I went myself and enjoyed some XXXX, YYYY, and ZZZZ in appreciation for Starbucks continuing its focus on making a great products and great service rather than making statements on contentious social issues as the Brady Campaign suggests. Thanks for standing up to them.

I figure even if they only get a few hundred responses, it at least gives them a sense of the depth of passion on this issue, and this isn’t something just being driven by interest groups in Washington (well, at least on our side).

Opposing Views

I signed up for an account on Opposing Views the other day in order to respond to the Brady post there. It was basically a variation on a post a few days ago. They e-mailed me over the weekend to say they had put my post on the front page, and hope to see more from me. I notice the NRA decided the water looked nice and jumped in the pool too. I just hope Opposing Views readers notice mine was a reply to the Brady Post, because it doesn’t make much sense if you don’t have that prior context.

I will keep posting there. No need to let the Brady Campaign have an open forum where people don’t get to see the other point of view. They’ve had enough of that from the mainstream media for the past few decades.