Some local municipalities in Virginia are up in arms about being forced to allow, by state law, discharging of air guns provided reasonable care is taking for projectiles not to cross property boundaries. It’s amazing to me the kinds of things people will get hysterical about. To me this stipulation means you need an appropriate backstop, and if you have one, what’s the big deal?
Author: Sebastian
Illinois Carry Case Being Heard Today
Could be a big day for gun rights in the Land of Lincoln:
“We have a very strong case,†Todd Vandermyde, a NRA lobbyist, said. “When you look at some of the briefs that have been filed by the state and attorney general and some of the arguments they are trying to make, I think it is clear they are very, very nervous.â€
Vandermyde specifically pointed to an argument made Madigan’s office that since the state doesn’t outlaw openly carrying a loaded gun outside of cities, towns and other incorporated parts of counties, there is not full scale prohibition.
Madigan’s argument would appear to be very weak here, as I don’t think it’s ever been considered that Illinois law allows carry outside the home under any circumstances. Even if it did, it seems odd to argue there’s a right to carry outside of cities and towns, but no concurrent right to carry in them. What other constitutional right is interpreted to work that way?
Does Canada’s Long Gun Registry Save Lives?
That’s the question being asked by the Vancouver Sun. I don’t really get how the answer is yes. If you’re using the registry to trace a gun, doesn’t that imply someone was already shot with it? Looks like advocates of the registry in Canada are now pointing out that if the registry is lifted, guns like the Ruger Mini-14, that horrific killing machine used in Norway, wouldn’t have to be registered.
Umm…. wasn’t Breivik’s Mini-14 registered, with all the proper paperwork? Hate to tell you folks, but pieces of paper don’t stop bullets.
Moving Quickly on Long Gun Requirement
NRA filed suit today in the long gun reporting requirement for border state FFLs. The lawsuit is filed on behalf of Arizona FFLs, in District Court in the DC circuit. My understanding is that if you are going to file suit against the federal government, you can either sue in the state, circuit and district where the plaintiff’s reside, or you can sue the federal government where it resides.
There is some precedent that would apparently seem to give a lot of leeway to demand letters. Pretty clearly the Administration wants to see how far this hobby horse can be ridden, even to the point of implementing something clearly illegal.
30 Rounds of PSH
The Washington Post is busy lamenting freedom in the US, and apparently Sweden.
These magazines too often find their way into the hands of deranged individuals, transforming them into efficient killing machines.
Do they also transform our police into efficient killing machines? If their only purpose is predation, why do the police need them? The media never wants to answer this question. I’ll make them a deal, write up a ban that applies to the police too, and get all major police groups behind it, I’ll get behind it too. I’m waiting, but not holding my breath.
To New York, and Back, and Back
Went up to New York yesterday to visit with a friend who is working at a place I’m going through the interview process with. Nice visit. There are things about the environment I’d find stimulating, and things I would find annoying. Space costs a premium in Manhattan, so folks are crammed together like sardines, with not much in the way of peace and quiet. Coming from the suburban office park to a boisterous, bohemian feeling work environment where I don’t have much personal space would be quite and adjustment. It’s also a very young workplace. That’s either going to make me feel very young, or very old. I’m still in the very preliminary stages with this job, so we’ll see how things progress. First round interview, after having survived the HR phone screen, is scheduled for next week.
Today I had a first round interview with another outfit in New York, and I think I nailed it. The job is right up my alley and doing the same kind of work I was doing for the previous company, in the same kind of research environment. Tomorrow I have a second round interview with the academic institution I’m seeking a job with. It would be very nice to have two offers to choose from, and I hope the timing can work out.
Free ice cream is going to be sparse for the next few days, unfortunately. Gotta pay the mortgage first.
Busy Week
I have two interviews this week. I feel like I need to hit both out of the park, as something needs to progress to an offer soon. Today I’m headed to New York City to see a former colleague, who works at one of the places I’m trying to get into. This is just a social call, but I’m also scoping the place out. I’m also meeting with another researcher I used to work with at my former company. I’m a lot more worried about some of them than I am about myself, given the state of the industry right now.
Until I return later this evening, I leave you in Bitter’s capable hands. Blogging may be a bit light as I prep for some of these interviews.
ATF Not Alone in Gun Scandals
Looks like the Philadelphia Police have their own little scandal involving firearms:
Officer Anthony Magsam was in a world of trouble. It was August 2009, police sources said, and the young cop with high-ranking relatives in the Police Department had just tearfully confessed to stealing parts from two automatic weapons from the department’s Firearms Identification Unit.
You can probably tell from the part I highlighted where this is going. Rather than reporting the crime, they transferred him to another unit and swept it under the rug. He was apparently (badly) swapping the automatic parts out of guns and replacing them with semi-auto parts, presumably to take them home and convert his personal firearms to automatic weapons. I’m guessing no one told this guy the receivers are different.
Police officers are permitted to have automatic weapons, but only those issued under the authority of a state or local agency. If the Philadelphia Police didn’t issue it to him, it’s a crime to possess otherwise. Police can’t convert their personal weapons to fully-automatic anymore than we can.
What Canada’s Gun Control Laws Mean to Alaskans
Chris from Arma Borealis notes that the Canadians are cracking down, and notes how difficult this makes it for Americans to get their guns to Alaska.
UPDATE: See this Canadian legal resource for a guide to Canadian gun laws for Americans.
Promotions for Fast and Furious Personnel
Dave Hardy is reporting that ATF would appear to be handing out promotions for those involved in Fast and Furious. This is bad news for the whistleblowers, since Dave points out, “One of the men directly culpable for this project is now in a position to slit their throats (a la OPR). They seem to be telling their agents to be very careful what they say, and to whom.”