Brian Doherty has a pretty good article on the topic that seems to be fair to both sides in the issue. Pretty much straight reporting rather than editorializing.
Author: Sebastian
Bradys Claim 25,000 Signatures on Starbucks Petition
See here. If it’s a true number, it’s a pretty good tally. Better than I would have imagined it would do. Be warned, if this works they will try this template again. Be sure to contact Starbucks and thank them for standing up against this nonsense, if you haven’t already.
Poking Fun at Gun Owners Again
The Bradys just won’t let up, will they. But I have to admit, as much as I loathe Ted Rall, that comic is pretty funny.
Fair Weather Protesting
Looks like Heeding God’s Call is pushing back their planned protest of the Shooter Shop:
Hi, I wanted to give you a heads up. It seems Heeding gods call doesnt like the cold, they postponed the protest until the 20th. Not sure if this is a trick or not. Thanks for spreading the word.
Self-Defense in the UK
Even if the Crown Prosecutors aren’t willing to recognize legitimate self-defense when they see it, it would appear that juries in England are still willing to acquit when it’s appropriate. The shame of it is the man had to go through the expense and emotional trauma of a jury trial for doing the right thing. Even in a jurisdiction like New York City, I don’t think this would have been prosecuted here.
We Used to Call them Counterstrike Kiddies
Caleb has something good to say about the Call of Duty Effect, and I have to agree:
But here’s the thing – yeah, those kids can be annoying at times. But instead of shunning them or casting them aside, I truly believe that we need to embrace the video game generation and their love of firearms. You see a kid that’s interested in learning about the Bushmaster ACR, or M4 Carbines or whatever because he’s been playing Modern Warfare? Talk to that kid. Educate him, don’t dismiss him. Someone come to your range with his freshly purchased semi-auto Thompson because it was awesome in a World War II game? That kid is the future of our shooting sports, right there. Take him to a USPSA match, because that kid needs the adrenaline from Run and Gun.
I have probably said this before, but I honestly believe that the video game generation is our future in the shooting sports. Think about it for a minute – kids growing up playing games that involve firearms are going to have fewer mystical beliefs than those that have never been exposed to any type of firearm, digital or otherwise, so there is the potential for great teaching and recruiting opportunities. It’s up to us to capitalize on that opportunity.
Video games are about the only way boys can play with guns these days. BB guns? Pretty much out. Cowboys and Indians at the playground at school? Hell no! No in the days of “zero tolerance.” Â I think Caleb is right. The future shooting sports participants are going to be the Counterstrike Kiddies, or whatever it is the kids are playing today.
Maine Looking to Prohibit Firearms in National Parks
Looks like some Maine legislators are crapping their pants about the new park rule. This would also prohibit carrying firearms on the Appalachian Trail through Maine as well. Who needs guns on the Appalachian Trail? I mean, it’s not like bears are anything to worry about either. It’s perfectly safe, really. Besides, you can always carry a whistle.
I note the Appalachian Trail Conservancy is supporting this, thus ensuring they will never see a dime of my money, and the next time I see them out on the trail heads recruiting or handing out literature I’m going to tell them why I want nothing to do with them:
“I believe allowing firearms on the Appalachian Trail is unnecessary, possibly dangerous and, simply put, a bad idea,†Proudman said. “Perhaps most important, we don’t want the culture to change.â€
Nice of you to impose your choice on me jackass by using the government to lock me up if I choose differently. Screw the Appalachian Trail Conservatory. Don’t give those turds any money.
We’re Back
Sorry about the outage folks, but we were without power for 14 hours due to the blizzard yesterday. As soon as the wind kicked up, it was pretty much over. I had to get creative to keep the house and pipes from freezing up overnight:
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Fortunately I have a backup sump pump that’s powered by a car battery, so I hooked that up to an old inverter I had laying about and punched its output into the junction box for the furnace. The furnace is gas, so you really only need power for the controller, the circulator pump, the flu check, zone valves, and gas valve. Fortunately all those seemed to come in under the 125W rating of the inverter.
Of course, we did manage to keep the most important piece of equipment in the house functioning as well:
Fortunately for me this piece of critical equipment requires only a CO2 bottle to operate. Sadly I can’t keep the blog going through a 14 hour power outage, so I apologize for the downtime. All this is making me think about a generator, but I know if I get one we won’t lose power for more than 20 minutes for the next 5 years.
Pro-Gun Bill on the Move in Virginia
Allows carrying of pistols in vehicles provided they are in a locked compartment. We could use this in Pennsylvania too, since, with limited exception, you need to have a License to Carry to transport firearms in vehicles.
Looks like they also moved along the repeal of the restaurant ban in Virginia.
Hatboro Voting on L&S On Feb 22nd
Ironically on the same day the new National Park regulations go into effect:
Hatboro Mayor Norm Hawkes proposed a lost or stolen handgun ordinance to borough council Monday night that he said would help keep firearms out of the hands of criminals.
If adopted, the ordinance would require citizens to report their lost or stolen handguns to the police up to 72 hours after discovery.
Anyone who violates the ordinance would be subject to a fine of no more than $1,000, or imprisonment for not more than 90 days, or both, reads the draft ordinance.
Council will vote at its meeting Feb. 22 if it will advertise the ordinance for a future vote.
They introduced it the same night as Radnor’s, which was no doubt intended to spread us thin. Since we had more activists to work with in Radnor, that was probably the smarter township to target, but now I’m wondering, since apparently the Solicitor for the Township in Hatboro can read plain law:
Hatboro Solicitor Christen Pionzio told council she did not feel comfortable recommending it adopt the ordinance.
Looks like Max Nachemann is intending to keep us very busy.