I thought this was pretty amusing:
Year: 2014
Hope is Not Lost
I’m surprised by how many people think a sellout by Chris Christie is preordained. Remember that he vetoed the worst of the post-Newtown package, including the 50 caliber ban. He did sign a bill regarding the terrorist watch list that turns out can’t be implemented, however. While I don’t exactly trust Christie on the gun issue, it does seem to me that there’s at least reasonable hope that with sufficient pressure from the gun community, you might be able to muster another veto out of him. If Jerry Brown can veto a few gun control bills, so can Chris Christie.
Guns in Film
Sig is having a little fun with their firearms used in various films with a “SIG SAUER in the Cinema” game that features categories such as Best Actor (Rifle). Yesterday’s vote was for Best Actor (Pistol).
This is a case where I would find it very hard to vote for the particular guns. Let’s face it, with the photos they are sharing, it’s more a case of who is the hottest with the gun. In the rifle category, I’d have to choose between Clive Owen with the SG 550 or Tom Hardy’s lips with the SG 552. How could a gun girl possibly decide?
Sadly, my Sig wasn’t in yesterday’s line up of Best Actor (Pistol). I guess Hollywood doesn’t like my gun. In fact, according to the Internet Movie Firearms Database, it doesn’t look like my Sig has ever been used in a movie. I don’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing.
Another False Flag Group?
I always become suspicious anytime someone talks about “building understanding and trust” with the firearms community. That is usually someone who is out to take something from you, but who thinks they’ll have more success being nice about it and fooling you. That’s the vibe I get from these “Evolve” guys, who are hawking this video:
On the surface there’s not really anything objectionable, since I don’t really support people being dumbasses with guns. But I think it’s the idea that they need to get this message the rubes, who clearly don’t know any better, and need their betters to guide them. They fail to recognize our own community has been preaching a safe and responsible behavior for as long as we’ve been a community, and that as a result, gun accidents are at all time lows.
We already have strong evidence that this group is a fraud that’s pushing gun control, given that one of their leaders was out after Sandy Hook lamenting the demise of gun control. We don’t need this group. They are snakes who take us for fools.
Is Christie Stupid Enough to Bite?
Democratic lawmakers in both house of the legislature have struck a deal that would allow passage of a measure restricting gun owners to a 10-round
magazine, down from the current limit of 15, two sources with knowledge of the
deal said today.In exchange, the legislature will shepherd through a gun-owner championed bill that would define what are known in the gun world as “reasonable deviations” to the law governing transport of a firearm.
Currently a gun owner may only transport an unloaded, stored weapon straight to the destination, be it on a hunting trip or to a gun range. Under the law, a gun owner may detour from the route only for deviations that are “reasonable.”
So in exchange for something that they should just give us, because it’s a right, you know, they go from 15 to 10? No deal. Kill it with fire. I believe the purpose of this is to tempt Chris Christie to ruin his own national ambitions. The Democrats probably feel they have nothing to lose. If Christie signs the bill, he’ll create the same problems with the base that McCain and Romney had. If he vetoes, Democrats in New Jersey believe gun control wins elections, so they will make an issue out of it in the next Governor’s race. The Dems believe they have everything to gain and Christie everything to lose. But will he be dumb enough to sign it if he wants to run for the GOP nod for 2016?
No New SCOTUS Cases
SCOTUS has denied, without comment, all firearms cases before them.
I know Sebastian will comment more on this later, but I would just point out that rather than trying to rely on courts, this is a great reminder that we need to make improvements politically in 2014.
USPS Now Backtracking on Heston Stamp
Now that gun rights supporters have shown interest, the USPS is now claiming that they haven’t made any final plans for the Charlton Heston stamp, and it only came out in the news because the WaPo supposedly reported from a leaked confidential document.
Except it’s a lie that the news was supposed to be kept secret. The USPS posted on their own website that the Heston stamp would be released this April, and that’s been up since January 14, according to a date at the bottom. The Hollywood Reporter, which reported the backtracking by USPS, also noted that this “confidential” claim is a little suspect since the USPS blogged about the stamp, providing the artwork sample, back on January 30.
The USPS is now saying they will take into account feedback from anti-gunners, even though the stamp is actually to recognize his epic Hollywood career, and may now opt to reject it before release.
Charlton Heston Gets a Stamp
In April, the USPS will release a stamp honoring former NRA president Charlton Heston. I initially found the news at Daily Caller, but they simply said the stamp would be released sometime in the year 2014. A look at the USPS website says that the release event is scheduled for a day to be determined in April.
If USPS is really interested in making some money, they would do it before the NRA meetings start on April 25 so that it’s a nifty little fact that stands a chance of getting mentioned to 70,000+ people who are more likely to have an interest in this particular actor.
Since it will be a standard First Class Forever stamp, it’s entirely possible that any mail sent in the next few years from our house may honor Mr. Heston. Think they’ll do a custom one of Charlton Heston in a Santa hat or holding some mistletoe for my Christmas cards? (h/t NYSRPA)
BREAKING: San Diego Will Not Appeal En Banc
From a press release today:
Today, San Diego County Sheriff Bill Gore notified the County Board of Supervisors of his intention not to seek en banc review in the matter Peruta, et.al v. County of San Diego. A copy of Sheriff Gore’s letter to the Board of Supervisors is below.Â
Members of the public wishing to obtain a CCW under the standards articulated by the Ninth Circuit should be aware that the decision has not yet become final. Federal court rules prescribe a period of time which must elapse before the case is remanded to the District Court for further proceedings. Should the decision of the Ninth Circuit become final, the Sheriff’s Department will begin to issue CCWs in situations where the applicant has met all other lawful qualifications and has requested a CCW for purposes of self-defense.Â
Additionally, those seeking a CCW are advised that the process for obtaining a CCW involves several steps. The application process includes a scheduled interview, payment of fees, as well as state and local background checks. Successful completion of a firearms course of training is also required. This process can take several months.
The downside to this ruling is that this case won’t be going to the Supreme Court. Though it is circuit precedent, so future cases will have a chance to to bat and see if they want to swing for the fences. Will Hawaii just start issuing when challenged? Or will they appeal En Banc and all the way to the Supreme Court if necessary?
The Dam Begins to Break
Orange County has loosened requirements for carrying concealed weapons in public following a pro-gun ruling last week by a federal appeals court, officials said Thursday.
So Orange County has now gone effectively shall-issue. How many other counties will follow? Hopefully, at the end of all this, even LA will have to capitulate.