Monday, July 26, 2010

Arizona Constitutional Carry effective this week

Much of the recent news from Arizona has focused on SB1070, the immigration law. Almost unnoticed is the fact that Arizona's Constitutional Carry law goes into effect this Thursday.

Many Arizona police don't like it. They decry the fact that people will be able to carry concealed sans permit. Now, Arizonans have been carrying openly without permits for years. Why do they think that sixteen square inches of cotton will turn a good citizen into an evildoer? That hasn't happened in that bastion of conservatism, Vermont, where you couldn't get a permit if you tried.

Nor has it happened in Alaska, which has had permit-less carry for several years now.

Will blood run in the streets? NO! And one thing is for sure, states that ease restrictive gun laws usually see a drop in violent crime, as reported by Massad Ayoob. Read the research in John Lott's book, More Guns, Less Crime, available at Amazon.

That said, if you keep and/or bear a weapon, you have an obligation to get training in its proper use.

The Tennessee Legislature should be bold, and pass Constitutional Carry next year.

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Disclaimer: The information and ideas presented in this column are provided for informational purposes only. Gun rights, like all other Constitutionally recognized rights, must be exercised responsibly. Firearms, like cars, kitchen knives and life itself all can be dangerous. You should get professional training as part of any plan to use firearms for any purpose. I have made a reasonable, good-faith effort to assure that the content of this column is accurate. I have no control over what you do, and specifically accept no responsibility for anything you do as a result of reading my columns. Any action or lack of action on your part is strictly your responsibility.

Friday, July 23, 2010

Police encounters of the worst kind

Knoxville news outlets, including WATE TV have reported on a man who -
  • Stabbed a police dog,
  • Advanced toward the police with a knife
  • Was shot by the police, and
  • Later died.
The story as reported above and in the Knoxville News-Sentinel, remind us that due to the nature of things, police encounters can be quite dangerous. It appears to me, based on  the reports, that this was a justifiable shooting by the Oak Ridge Police.

Meanwhile, let's turn our attention to what happened in Vegas. Police there shot and killed a West Point graduate who allegedly drew down on them. Facts are not as clear in this case. A coroner's inquest will be held September 3.

What can you learn from these incidents that may save your life one day?

If possible, don't bring a knife to a gunfight.

If you have been involved in a shooting and prevailed, your next most dangerous situation is about to descend on you. When the police arrive, they won't know that you are the good guy. And they want to go home to their families tonight, too. Circumstances will dictate your exact actions, but, as for me, as the gendarmes arrive, I put the gun down, step away from it, and
Reach for the sky.
Then let them do whatever they want to do. Now, you think about what you are going to do. Make your decision today. Maybe you will never need to do this, but better to plan ahead.

And, keep your mouth shut. You have the right to remain silent. Exercise it.

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Disclaimer: The information and ideas presented in this column are provided for informational purposes only. Gun rights, like all other Constitutionally recognized rights, must be exercised responsibly. Firearms, like cars, kitchen knives and life itself all can be dangerous. You should get professional training as part of any plan to use firearms for any purpose. I have made a reasonable, good-faith effort to assure that the content of this column is accurate. I have no control over what you do, and specifically accept no responsibility for anything you do as a result of reading my columns. Any action or lack of action on your part is strictly your responsibility.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Blame game

The Orange County Register reports that a retired police officer lost a lawsuit against Glock, and just about everybody else. What went wrong here?
  1. Officer Chavez was shot by his son, who was not in his car seat. I wonder if said officer ever ticketed anyone for having a child in a car, but not properly buckled in the car seat...
  2. The child had access to the gun. Was the officer guilty of criminal negligence?
Some say that law enforcement officers should be the only ones with guns. Those folks should move to Great Britain, which is as devoid of guns as Ireland is of snakes. But wait, Great Britain, surrounded by water, has had a significant increase in 'gun crime' since their virtual ban on gun ownership.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Kevin C. Brazile made a good decision in this case.While it is tragic that Chavez was left paralyzed from the waist down, it's not anyone else's fault. Even Chavez, being a member of the human race, should be allowed to make an error. But as a result of his error, he is wheelchair bound.

Glocks have a reputation for safety, and will not discharge under practically any circumstances, as long as the trigger is not depressed. Chavez should just man up and admit his mistake, and make the best of the life he has.

Stop the blame game!









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Disclaimer: The information and ideas presented in this column are provided for informational purposes only. Gun rights, like all other Constitutionally recognized rights, must be exercised responsibly. Firearms, like cars, kitchen knives and life itself all can be dangerous. You should get professional training as part of any plan to use firearms for any purpose. I have made a reasonable, good-faith effort to assure that the content of this column is accurate. I have no control over what you do, and specifically accept no responsibility for anything you do as a result of reading my columns. Any action or lack of action on your part is strictly your responsibility.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Loose lips sink ships

Today, we learn that Shirley Sherrod, of the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), was asked to pull over to the side of the road and resign.




Not too long ago, you will remember, General McCrystal resigned over things said in the presence of of a Rolling Stone reporter.

Not to worry, this not unique to employees of the Obama administration. From time to time, bigwigs and politicians speak off the record, only to later learn that nothing is off the record.

And, this is not the first time someone at USDA has been forced out due to vocal indiscretions. Does anyone remember Earl Butts?

COMSEC can and should be practiced by all.


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Disclaimer: The information and ideas presented in this column are provided for informational purposes only. Gun rights, like all other Constitutionally recognized rights, must be exercised responsibly. Firearms, like cars, kitchen knives and life itself all can be dangerous. You should get professional training as part of any plan to use firearms for any purpose. I have made a reasonable, good-faith effort to assure that the content of this column is accurate. I have no control over what you do, and specifically accept no responsibility for anything you do as a result of reading my columns. Any action or lack of action on your part is strictly your responsibility.

Saturday, July 17, 2010

Richard Petty rifle gets death penalty, accomplice gets 150 days

In a Knoxville News-Sentinel article this week, Bruce Wayne Cromer Jr., of Stovall, NC, is reported to have received a 150 day sentence for killing an elk in the Great Smokey Mountains National Park. U.S. Magistrate Judge Dennis L. Howell ordered Cromer to forfeit his rifle for destruction, according to the Citizen Times of Asheville.

The rifle, autographed by NASCAR racing legend Richard Petty, apparently fits into the evil object category, at least according to the Magistrate. Move over, Chucky.

Seems like Hizzonor might have considered having this firearm auctioned, with the proceeds going towards retiring the national debt, or towards elk herd management, or...... The provenance of this rifle, while not rising to the height of a Dillinger piece, would probably help fetch more than fair market value on GunBroker.com.

And, of course, had this happened in a Tennessee (not Federal) park, state law now prohibits this type of destruction.

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Disclaimer: The information and ideas presented in this column are provided for informational purposes only. Gun rights, like all other Constitutionally recognized rights, must be exercised responsibly. Firearms, like cars, kitchen knives and life itself all can be dangerous. You should get professional training as part of any plan to use firearms for any purpose. I have made a reasonable, good-faith effort to assure that the content of this column is accurate. I have no control over what you do, and specifically accept no responsibility for anything you do as a result of reading my columns. Any action or lack of action on your part is strictly your responsibility.

Friday, July 16, 2010

Vote Ramsey in the Tennessee gubernatorial race

For gun owners,  Ron Ramsey is the clear choice!
Today is the first day of early voting in Knoxville, and the State of Tennessee. Get out and vote.

Ron Ramsey's views on guns

TN candidates respond to gun rights quiz - Governor - Ron Ramsey

TN candidates respond to gun rights quiz - Governor - Haslam

There were no responses from Wamp or McWherter.

Candidate responses to the Tennessee newspapers' survey appear here, with my commentary here.

Haslam states he kept Knoxville the 'most gun-friendly big city' in Tennessee, yet  is on record as urging City Council to keep Knoxville Parks as gun free zones. Maybe we should call this the 'least gun-unfriendly big city'  in the state. See the video HERE.

Wamp has missed umpteen votes in Congress since he started running for Governor. He broke the term limit pledge. Will he break others, also?

Is Ramsey perfect? No, but a far better candidate that the others. He walks the walk.

Vote Ramsey!

 Vote early, and if you live in Chicago, vote often.


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Shop Brownells.com!
Disclaimer: The information and ideas presented in this column are provided for informational purposes only. Gun rights, like all other Constitutionally recognized rights, must be exercised responsibly. Firearms, like cars, kitchen knives and life itself all can be dangerous. You should get professional training as part of any plan to use firearms for any purpose. I have made a reasonable, good-faith effort to assure that the content of this column is accurate. I have no control over what you do, and specifically accept no responsibility for anything you do as a result of reading my columns. Any action or lack of action on your part is strictly your responsibility.