The usual suspects, including misdirector-in-chief Elijah Cummings, are introducing a federal gun trafficking bill today. I’m very curious to see this bill. I can almost promise there will be a way for otherwise law abiding folks to get tripped up in this and nailed with a felony. Why? These people have demonstrated time and time again to have no regard for careful drafting of legislation to avoid it.
Year: 2011
Another Illegal Mayor
Mayor Bloomberg’s coalition just keeps showing itself to be considerably less law abiding than your average concealed carry license holder. Now the Carbon County District Attorney is charging Mayor Richard Corkery, of Coaldale, of 28 counts of possession of child pornography:
Nesquehoning police began investigating Corkery in April and say they found several pornographic images of underage boys when they searched the mayor’s computer at WLSH-AM radio.
Ah, liking the little boys I see. And, of course, Bloomberg lists him as one of his own:
When are we going to close this dangerous illegal mayor loophole? Shouldn’t Bloomberg be doing background checks on all his members? I think we need a law!
Fast and Furious a Gun Control Plot
John Richardson has a link to the smoking gun, and Katie Pavlich is reporting on this topic as well. On this, recall that our opponents called this “hyping ridiculous conspiracy theories to attack the Obama administration,” and suggesting it was something we created from whole cloth.
The emperor would appear to have no clothes.
Brass Knuckles
In some states, even if you have a license to carry concealed, you still may not lawfully carry brass knuckles. Pennsylvania is one of those states. Brass knuckles are considered prohibited offensive weapons. SayUncle has a picture of a gun that I think would make for an amusing legal case.
Exceeding Lawful Authority
It’s amazing how many progressive types don’t get the problem with the multi-long-gun reporting requirement implemented by ATF. Many of them were quick to jump on George Bush for liberally interpreting executive authority when that authority brushed up against other constitutional rights, but Obama does it, and it’s just peachy.
Gun Control in Delaware
I mentioned back in the 2008 election that Jack Markell was going to be a real problem for Delaware gun owners. The good news is that he did not get the worst of his proposed agenda, which was ending private transfers and sales in Delaware. The bad news is that he managed to get some of his agenda through, though it looks like the damage was fairly minimized.
The most questionable item was being in possession of a firearm while intoxicated, but the resulting bill is relatively benign. There is no implied consent, as probable cause is required to submit to testing for BAC, though if you refuse your refusal can be used in court. That may not be constitutional, though I’m not an expert on 5th Amendment law.
My main issue here is that the penalty is way out of line from the danger. Drunk driving is far more dangerous than possessing a firearm while intoxicated, and in Delaware it takes three offenses to get to a Class G felony. The licenses suspension is also a max of 30 months. For having a gun, you lose your CDWL for five years.
Note that I have problem with criminalizing possession of a firearm while intoxicated outside the home, or handling a firearm while intoxicated anywhere. But I do have a big problem with those penalties being harsher than driving while intoxicated, which is a far more dangerous activity.
Obama’s Watergate?
For various reasons I don’t think the comparison is fair. For one, Watergate didn’t result in anyone being killed. But I also don’t think the political implications are likely to be as dire for a couple of reasons. For one, the media isn’t that interested in the story. Sure, they are willing to write about it, but no one in the main stream media is really digging. Two, we’re pretty close to an election year, and I think the GOP will be looking for embarrassment, and to make this a campaign issue. Watergate hinged on the threat of impeachment, and Nixon knew the Democratically controlled Senate had the votes for it. Trying to unsuccessfully impeach Clinton hurt the GOP, and I doubt they’ll want to repeat it. Watergate also hinged on key administration officials failing to protect the President. That is unusual, since it’s commonly accepted administration officials fall on their swords to protect the big guy if necessary.
In order to up the ante in Fast and Furious, there needs to be a criminal investigation. There really needs to be a special prosecutor, if this is going to go to the next level. Administration officials will be willing to lose their jobs to protect the Administration. Going to jail for it is another thing entirely.
Quick Work on New Rifle Rule
The House is acting to block the new rule, by prohibiting ATF from spending any money to implement it. While the new rule is unlawful, this would add some teeth to it, since ATF couldn’t enforce the measure without misappropriating funds.
Great Article About Lobbying
Kudos to the Arizona Republic for taking time to actually understand the issue of lobbying, and write a pretty good article on it. It details the kind of work that goes into passing legislation. This is the kind of attitude you gain from victories, and confidence:
He said he doesn’t consider this year’s legislative defeats as failures.
“We are perfectly willing to encounter a defeat and learn from it and learn who our friends are and aren’t and what we need to change to make the bill go through,” Heller said. “We’re willing to be defeated if it moves us forward.”
Rathner said they learned from Brewer’s vetoes, saying the groups will try to craft bills next session that are more specific. He said the lobbyists will work closely with Brewer’s staff to develop something she can sign.
It’s not a defeat, just a temporary setback. The other side used to speak in this manner, but you don’t hear them singing that tune any longer. They can even get their bills heard, let alone far enough along to actually be defeated or vetoed.
Bear Advice
Chris from Alaska talks about recent bear encounters in National Parks, and steps you can take to mitigate that risk. I’ve been to Yellowstone, and there are few places I think you can go on earth to see more people doing more stupid things with wildlife. A lot of folks seem to come pretty close to treating some of our National Parks like petting zoos.