Category: Gun Rights

Probably because the reporter himself doesn’t know much, he recalls the advice of someone who had no business instructing people in guns:

Unlike many entrepreneurs teaching “concealed carry” classes from sea to shining sea, he urged students to leave their guns at home. […] Anybody pulling a gun must shoot to kill without hesitation. The soldier reasoned that most Rice students simply weren’t prepared to do that.

Leaving the gun at home. That sounds like a winning strategy, doesn’t it? Most real instructors have more respect for their students than this.

Our instructor further advised that shotguns are the weapon of choice for home defense. Unlike a heavy-caliber handgun, a shotgun will put an intruder out of business without a bullet passing through a wall and killing a sleeping child.

Any shotgun load worth a damn will shoot through walls. Any instructor who says something like this is cluelessly endangering his students, and is going to get someone killed by accident.

Meanwhile, NRA fundamentalists pretend that America will be a freer, safer place if more poorly trained, inexperienced, unfit, would-be Bruce Willis heroes were waddling around shopping malls carrying pistols.

Well, at least now we know what you think about us. You might, however, want to look in a mirror in regards to “poorly trained, inexperienced, and unfit,” if you believe shotguns can’t shoot through walls, and are more suitable for home defense for everyone in all situations. For some people, a pistol makes more sense than a shotgun for home defense.

UPDATE: More fake experts, via SayUncle. This one lives in a world where it’s wise and appropriate to carry a .44 magnum revolver for defense against Alaska bears, but a 7.62x39mm Krink is just going to piss the bear off and “embed in the bear’s fat.”

UPDATE: The report would be the kind of guy I’d prefer didn’t own a gun. Sean has managed to find this previous article by the same journalist:

This time last year I was plotting to kill a man. I was going to walk up to him, reintroduce myself and then blow his balls off. I was going to watch him writhe like a poisoned cockroach for a few seconds, then kick him onto his stomach and put three bullets in the back of his head. This time last year I had a gun, and a silencer, and a plan.

No wonder he wants to ban guns. He doesn’t trust himself with them. And for good reason!

The White House, I think, is really wanting this issue to go away:

Asked Monday if Obama intends to address gun reform following the New York City investigation, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs dodged the question.

“We believe that there are reasons that federal laws are on the books,” Gibbs said, “and the need … to strongly adhere to and follow existing law is important not just in the purchase of weapons, but throughout our civil life.”

Gibbs walked off the podium as the reporter was asking a follow-up.

Needless to say, this is driving our opponents stark raving CAPS LOCK mad.

This would be the strongest in the nation, I think:

“The right of an individual to acquire, keep, possess, transport, carry, and use arms to defend life and liberty and for all other legitimate purposes is fundamental and inviolable. Licensure, registration, special taxation, or any other measure that suppresses or discourages the free exercise of this right is forbidden.”

Even stronger than the Second Amendment. It’s very important that this passes.

Looks like Ken is getting a lot of letters these days on Senate letterhead. This one is protesting the long gun reporting requirement the agency wishes to implement, and reminds them that they do not have the authority. The letter is signed by 17 Senators.

South Dakota is considering making everyone own a gun, and as Prof. Reynolds notes, it’s completely within the state’s power, and would even be within the federal government’s militia powers. I’ve always thought that even in a world where there was a very strong Second Amendment, our opponents would probably still have a lot of room for jerking around gun owners with the the militia powers.

For instance, the federal government could require people who owned firearms to drill regularly, or mandate people with firearms seek annual training and qualification. It would be hard to argue how this would not be within the militia powers. I could see, that if it’s clear the power is being used to frustrate people out of exercising the right, the militia power could come up against the Second Amendment. But it’s pretty clear the militia powers would offer our opponents in Congress, and in the various anti-gun organizations, a lot of leeway in frustrating gun ownership.

One saving grace is that the Constitution leaves the actual authority of executing the training prescribed by Congress with the states.

UPDATE: Outdoor pressroom notes it wasn’t a serious bill, but was designed to make a point about the Health Care mandate. Except that it’s not a very good point since mandating gun ownership is within Congress’ power.

A Reno gun show promoter has agreed to require background checks for all guns sales, under pressure from the Mayor of New York City. I believe promoters need to do a lot more self-policing where pretty clearly there are vendors who are dealing without a license. But some guy showing up to sell his SMLE is not really a concern. Kick out the people who are breaking the law. Leave everyone else alone.

Caving into Bloomberg isn’t the answer. That just guarantees he’ll continue with this.

ATF has opened up a public comment period on its shotgun study:

You can comment on the report by e-mail to shotgunstudy@atf.gov or by fax to (202)648-9601. The deadline for comments is May 1, 2011.

We should be sure we’re heard from, but I’d limit responses to productive feedback. Remember that they are not lawmakers. They can’t just repeal laws. But they can sure as hell interpret the sporting purposes clause very broadly, if they wish.

Oleg Volk is trying to raise money for Heller II, or perhaps we should call it Hellerbound: Hellerraiser II. Sorry, Uncle flipped the cheesy switch with his amply appropriate alliteration.

UPDATE: PayPal Link here. Sorry folks, doesn’t look like they have money for a good web developer either :)

UPDATE: According to Oleg and Dick Heller in the comments below, they have secured volunteer services of a web designer.

UPDATE: For those who might feel more comfortable donating to the Civil Rights Defense Fund, just follow the link. They are helping support Mr. Heller’s case as well.

From NRA News: