I continue to fail to understand why pizza delivery guys still get robbed, since it seems to be that a significant chunk of foiled robberies that end with a dead armed robber involve pizza delivery guys. It seems to happen about once a year in Philly. I’d have to imagine if you calculated the odds, you’re probably less likely to die robbing a bank.
Author: Sebastian
Unsurprising
Rahm wins in Chicago. I don’t think it could have gone any other way. The machine probably would not have allowed it. Rahm was the anointed one.
Language Available for HR822
Thanks to John Richardson for updating with the language. I like the bill overall, as it bases its authority on the 14th Amendment, but does not bet the farm on it, as it also bases it on the commerce power as well. My only concern is I worry the language isn’t clear enough, and leaves some weasel room for states like New Jersey and cities like New York:
(b) A person carrying a concealed handgun under this section shall be permitted to carry a handgun subject to the same conditions or limitations that apply to residents of the State who have permits issued by the State or are otherwise lawfully allowed to do so by the State.
The concern here is that New Jersey’s condition and limitation is chiefly whether or not you have a need. Fortunately, that is clarified a bit in the next subsection:
(c) In a State that allows the issuing authority for licenses or permits to carry concealed firearms to impose restrictions on the carrying of firearms by individual holders of such licenses or permits, a firearm shall be carried according to the same terms authorized by an unrestricted license or permit issued to a resident of the State.
What if New Jersey simply declares that it does not issue unrestricted licenses, and that the restrictions are subject to a needs based test? Clearly that goes against the spirit of the law, but it’s weasel room. Also, my understanding is that a resident of the State of New York that has an unrestricted permit may still not carry within the City of New York, without having a separate permit from the City of New York. I don’t know enough about how New York Law is structured, but I’m not sure this bill will allow you to carry in New York City.
This bill also does not have the same provisions for those in Vermont who do not have the option to get a license to carry, but Vermonters can get covered by obtaining a non-resident license from another state. That provision was likely left out to increase the chance of passage.
UPDATE: From New York Penal Code:
License:  validity. Any license issued pursuant to this section shall be valid notwithstanding the provisions of any local law or ordinance. No license shall be transferable to any other person or premises. A license to carry or possess a pistol or revolver, not otherwise limited as to place or time of possession, shall be effective throughout the state, except that the same shall not be valid within the city of New York unless a special permit granting validity is issued by the police commissioner of that city.
So in New York State Law, the City of New York is off limits as a matter of state law, without a license from the City of New York. While this reciprocity bill preempts local law, it does not preempt state law in the matter of where one can and can’t carry. There is a very plausible argument that under this bill, New York City is off limits without a license form that city. Also consider this section:
(d) Nothing in this section shall be construed to preempt any provision of State law with respect to the issuance of licenses or permits to carry concealed firearms.
If people are going to have faith in this bill, the language needs to be rock solid and clear. Otherwise someone is going to end up in prison.
Bean Bags?
Dave Hardy points to this Fox News article that has an astonishing revelation in the case of the murder of Border Patrol Agent Terry:
Terry told us contrary to Border Patrol claims that bean bags were not deployed that night, she claims sources inside the agency have told her family, “Eight bandits came down the trail, Brian’s team yelled, ‘Policia, Policia,’ and he said they started retreating. These eight bandits. But then two of the border patrol shot the bean bags and then they opened fire.”
Imagine you’re running contraband over the border, and a group of men are charging down a trail yelling “Police! Police!” but actively firing their guns. What’s your reaction going to be? I’m going to go on a gut feeling that the police don’t actively fire firearms at suspects unprovoked and am going to make the eminently reasonable assumption that I’m being ambushed by other banditos yelling “Police!” to keep me from shooting back. Either way, hearing crack of gunfire and probably hearing the rounds break branches on the way out, it’s not unreasonable to take defensive action at that point, even if you’re smuggling contraband over the border.
If this was an approved tactic, someone needs to answer for it, because it’s extremely irresponsible. Not only does it put the border patrol agents in jeopardy, the gunman in this case could have a plausible self-defense claim. Even if they were police, shooting preemptively, not in self-defense, is murder, and how can a reasonable be expected to tell the difference between live rounds and bean bags?
PGC To Charge for Public Range Use
Looks like the Game Commission is looking to require either a valid PA hunting license, or a range permit to be able to use PGC ranges throughout the state. Considering that PGC is funded with hunting license fees, and these ranges are maintained solely by the PGC, I think this is a fair move. Anyone who’s frequented Pennsylvania ranges knows they are crowded and poorly maintained. This strikes me as a fair way to manage the resource, provided the fees for the range permits are funneled into maintaining the ranges. Looks like there will be provisions for taking guests and kids too, without them also needing a range permit.
National Concealed Carry Back in House
Introduced by Republican Cliff Stearns and Democrat, Heath Schuler. I’ll be curious to see text. I’m opposed to using the commerce power to accomplish this, but am very open to using Congress’ powers under the 14th Amendment. Due to existing Supreme Court precedent, Congress’ power to do this is somewhat questionable, but I’d prefer Congress interpret its powers under the 14th Amendment broadly, and let the courts be the ones to rebuke them. Many federal judges and Supreme Court justices might be reluctant to second guess the elected branches of government on this matter, especially if the bill passes with bipartisan majorities.
Hunting Numbers Up
SayUncle reports hunting licenses are up 3.6 percent during a one year period from 2008 to 2009. If I had to conjecture on why, I’d wager a lot of hunters that have been out of the field for a while are headed back to put meat on the table during lean times.
I’m betting this isn’t the kind of hope and change the Obama Administration was banking on.
First Foray into 3D Printing
The good thing was it got the basic shape of the Apple Logo correct:
The only problem is that this was supposed to be 7 centimeters tall. Pretty clearly we have some scaling issues to work out. Possibly the program outputted the wrong units. I’m a long way off from doing anything useful with this. I also think Blender‘s UI was designed by aliens. I did this with Google SketchUp, which unfortunately doesn’t output directly to STL format for printing.
Going After Non Criminals
Jacob notes that Nassau D.A. Kathleen Rice is going after assault weapons in her district. Not going after drug dealers with assault weapons, but rather going after dealers who sell firearms with folding stocks that are pinned not to fold, but where the pin can be easily removed. Does she really expect us to believe that she’s making New York a safer place by ridding it of the scourge of folding stocks? Is it a wise use of taxpayer dollars to put otherwise law abiding people like this in jail? Is it even just? If you think about this hard enough, you’ll start to understand why I think many people on the other side of this issue are actually horrible people.
UPDATE: SayUncle is reporting it looks like it’s politically motivated. The gun shop owner filed a civil rights suit against the city previously. I guess that’s sufficient reason for a DA to be looking for revenge.
Protesting Philly Gun Shop
Looks like Heeding God’s Call is now Neighborhood Partners to End Gun Violence. The MO of the group is the same, however: basically protest a gun shop to try to get them to sign some kind of code of conduct. Clearly they were emboldened when Colosimo’s gun shop folded. Every Philly gun shops is now, apparently, to blame for the violence in Philadelphia.