Greenback yard invasion

Take a short ride South from Knoxville to Maryville (murr v'l), and turn West. A few more miles, and you will be in the peaceful, quiet community of Greenback.

But wait, the Knoxville News-Sentinel reported Friday that Greenback's mayor, Tom Peeler, was beaten in his backyard. He had gone out to investigate an alarm, then he confronted a  person in his yard.  WATE-TV has an interview video describing what happened.

It is good to know that Peeler is recuperating at home. His jaw is wired shut and he lost his gun, but WATE-TV gives us this message to his attacker:

I hope you are happy but please come back one more time.

What can we learn from this incident?

• Not much good happens after midnight. This was reported to be at 2:45 a.m.
• Be extremely cautious when checking out noises or alarms, particularly outside. If possible, wait for the police or sheriff.
• If you are going to arm yourself, you must be willing* to use your weapon when needed.
• Do not let your assailant get too close, distance is your friend.

*Being willing means we don't show or brandish the weapon to threaten the scofflaw. We only display it if we need to fire; and as we prepare to fire, if the perp turns and leaves, we stand down. Otherwise, we shoot until the threat is stopped.

For more on home invasions, read HERE.

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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.

Gander Mountain gets it

photo by Liston Matthews

Gander Mountain understands defensive handgun carry. Their posted policy welcomes those who carry lawfully whether openly or concealed. Although it is not widely practiced, Tennessee law permits open carry.

This photo was taken at the Gander Mountain store on Parkside Drive in Knoxville, TN.

Those who carry openly should be aware that police could be called when they are seen with a gun. Be prepared to offer your permit to any responding officer. Be polite, and have a copy of the AG opinion (linked above) with you. The Knoxville Police Department and Knox County Sheriff's Office are aware of the open carry provision of Tennessee law. Keep in mind, also, that not all businesses are 'gun-friendly'. Under new legislation passed this year, which is different from before, any POSTED signage, including the circle & slash is acceptable. Avoid those places if you are carrying a defensive firearm.

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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.

Bomb Squad demonstration for TFA

Tuesday August 3, Investigator Jim Quick of the Knoxville Police Department Bomb Squad gave the Knoxville chapter of the Tennessee Firearms Association a demonstration of the Bomb Squad's truck and equipment. Quick had a question and answer session with the group at dinner in the Gondolier before moving out to the truck to show his equipment. Quick addressed the question of what a bomb looks like. A bomb can look like anything. 

Investigator Quick with flashlight bomb (photo by Liston Matthews)

The picture at right shows an ordinary looking flashlight that has been made into a bomb. When someone picks it up and turns it on, KA- BOOM!

Quick addressed the issue of bomb scares. He said that any time something is found that is out of place, it is to be suspect. it might be a briefcase, or a lunchbox. The thing to do is to just be vigilant in the work area. If you see something that can't be identified, call the bomb squad. They can come look at the item, use a robot to remove it, x-ray it, and, if necessary, explode the item.

Investigator Quick with Andros robot (photo by Liston Matthews)

Robots are becoming more and more common as equipment for bomb disposal squads. A locally manufactured robot is the Andros series made by Remotec division of Northrup Grumman in Clinton, TN.

These robots are controlled from the Bomb Squad truck, and can go into buildings and climb stairs. They have a fully articulated arm and  a hand to pick up objects. They also have a microphone and speaker, for officers to use in negotiations. Most importantly, the robots remove some of the element personnel danger.

Hats off to Investigator Quick, the Bomb Squad, and all the officers that form the thin blue line between civilized society and the dangerous underbelly.

The Knoxville chapter of the Tennessee Firearms Association meets the first Tuesday of each month at the Gondolier off Chapman Highway. This meeting is open to the public. The program begins at 7:00 PM. If you wish to eat and socialize, plan on arriving around 6:00 PM. For more information contact Bill Noll; wsnoll@comcast.net 865-688-0321 or Charlie Thoms; Cthoms43@aol.com 865-233-4561.

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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.

Home invasions

Home invasions continue to plague the region. See my examiner post on the subject HERE.

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Save ten bucks. Join NRA or renew here for only $25.00.

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.

Gun Buyback

Grier Heights, North Carolina, near Charlotte, staged a 'gun buyback' last Saturday; another in a long string of such events nationwide for more than a decade. This is another feel good event which will not achieve any significant result. You can read the story in the Charlotte Observer HERE, if you want to bother, but here's how they all go down:

Someone, a mayor, police chief, DA, or community group decides they want to get some guns 'off the streets.' They get a sponsor to spring for some cash, (often cash taken from unsuspecting stockholders). They advertise the event as cutting down on crime by getting guns off the streets.

On the day of the event, some people show up with guns of little cash value, and trade them for cash or a gift card, or gift certificate. The police take these firearms and often destroy them. Oddly enough, they often take them no questions asked, and agree to not run any forensics testing on them. If this is the case, that makes a dandy method of disposing of a weapon used in a crime.

The person who turned in the gun goes away with a little drinkin' money, and the promoters get the warm fuzzies, feeling good about not solving a problem. The unsuspecting community may have a false sense of security. The aforementioned stockholders are bilked out of just a little profit, and are usually none the wiser.

I'm sure law enforcement officers get frustrated with the catch and release criminal justice system, but the answer is getting the criminals, not guns, off the street. 

One last thing, let's parse the term buyback. After all, words have meaning. For one to buy something back means one had to previously own 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.

Second Amendment Foundation strikes again

Attorney Alan Gura and Second Amendment Foundation leader Alan Gottlieb file another lawsuit. This time in Maryland.

Read about it at: No Lawyers - Only Guns and Money

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Save ten bucks. Join NRA or renew here for only $25.00.

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.