The evil of the handgun permitting process

More than two decades ago, Tennessee passed a "shall-issue" handgun carry law, requiring the Tennessee Department of Safety to issue a handgun carry permit to any citizen who takes the required training, has a clean record, is mentally competent, and has enough money to pay for the privilege.

Source: Jeff Dege, used with permission

As the animated graphic shows, states have continually enacted laws, that have gone variously from no issue to may issue to shall issue. And some have moved all the way to Constitutional Carry! The legislatures and governors of these states have been recognizing that the typical crime does not occur when the police are nearby. Most crimes occur outside the home. Police most often can only clean up after the crime, take a report and start looking for the perpetrator.

While the permitting process in Tennessee and other states has certainly improved the situation for citizens, they still place an undue burden on the peaceful citizen, but not on the criminal.

In Vermont, it is lawful to carry a firearm openly or concealed provided the firearm is not carried with the intent or avowed purpose of injuring a fellow man. No permit is needed. Thus, in Vermont, citizens are not required to get a permit to carry a firearm. The State of Vermont has long recognized the right of its good citizens to defend themselves while away from home without the need of a permit.

In 2014, Tennessee joined most of the surrounding states, and does do not require a permit to carry a loaded firearm in a vehicle, but still requires a permit if one is to carry a handgun on or about the person. 

No Leland, no!

Today, we learn from the Firearms Policy Coalition that the Town of Leland, NC, has banned "dangerous weapons"

RESTRICTIONS ON POSSESSION, TRANSPORATION, AND TRANSFER OF DANGEROUS WEAPONS AND SUBSTANCES 

Effective at 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 12, 2018, the transportation or possession, or the sale or purchase of dangerous weapons or substances, while off one’s own premises, is prohibited. This prohibition and restriction does not apply to lawfully possessed firearms or ammunition.

We've been through this before. Officials in their officialdom (often while surrounded by tax-paid armed security) attempt to disarm the citizenry. You must evacuate, lowly resident, and you must abrogate your Constitutional Rights while doing so.

And the good city fathers expect law officers to be able to discern between lawfully and unlawfully possessed firearms or ammunition.

Just no!

Federal funding for guns in schools - why not?

Last night, August 23, Jason Chaffetz guest hosted The Ingraham Angle on Fox News. He had a segment about the proposal to provide Federal funding to arm school staff.

Chaffetz's guests were Igor Volsky of an organization known as Guns Down, and Laura Carno, founder of FASTER Colorado.

FASTER stands for Faculty/Administrator Safety Training and Emergency Response.
FASTER training enables teachers, administrators and other school employees to stop school violence quickly and administer medical aid immediately. FASTER is not intended as a replacement for Police and EMTs. Instead, it enables on-site personnel to save lives through prompt action.

 HERE is the link to their debate.

WP Clip Art

The problem having no armed security, or even SRO's here and there, is time. As correctly stated by a Federal judge and the Michigan Attorney General (in a case involving guns in a home with foster children), criminals don't call ahead for an appointment. Neither do school invaders.

Volsky's stance was that the police should be called. That attitude brings us back to the time problem. Chaffetz brought up his coach in high school, mentioned his credentials, and asked what about him having a gun (in school). Volsky begrudgingly agreed that with such proper training, it would be OK (to arm some school staff).

Well Duh!

That's what FASTER is all about.

Carno gave a well-reasoned argument for the FASTER program. Well done!

. . . Volsky also commented that he wanted to reduce the number of guns in the United States.

Not gonna happen!

Consider this. Recent published estimates place the number of guns in private American citizens' hands at somewhere around four hundred million. That is approaching half a billion. . . .and considering that prior to the Nazi inspired Gun Control Act of 1968, there were no government records kept, there just might be a few more!

Just suppose Volsky and company could get a law passed reducing the number of legal guns to absolute 0, who is going door-to door to collect?

What do you think?

Gear review: LAPG Sling Pack

The one problem with backpacks is that they are "back there". I have used one or another for over a half century, and they are very practical for many situations. I even have a couple that have skate wheels and an extendable handle. One of those could serve as a carry-on bag if travelling very light.

However, some times the fact that the bag is "back there", makes it inconvenient. Enter the SLING BAG OR SLING PACK. I have been wearing LAPG pants and shorts for several years. They have cargo pockets, and use a fabric that goes from the dryer to the drawer or hanger; and they are ready to wear. When you catch them on sale, they are a really good deal.

When I saw that LAPG offered a sling pack, I decided to take a close look. After reading the description, the reviews, and the Q&A's, I went for it. For 20 bucks plus shipping, why not.

Since it came from the left coast, economy shipping meant it came around the cape, through the canal, or by mule drawn wagon, but it got here in about a week and it was worth the wait!

The bag is ambidextrous, meaning their is a bottom strap on each side, so you can rig it to go over either shoulder. You can, when needed, wear it in front as the situation warrants.

Johns Is Elected as President of the Tennessee Valley Sportsmen’s Club

Bill Johns

Knoxville, TN – July 22, 2018: Bill Johns, MBA, MPA (also known locally and globally as The Hawaiian Shirt Guy™) has been recently elected as President of the Tennessee Valley Sportsmen’s Club, the oldest conservation and hunting and fishing club in Tennessee. The Tennessee Valley Sportsmen’s Club (TVSC) was founded in East Tennessee with its roots going back to the 1940s and even before. It has been the premier Club over the decades for being a leading advocate for conservation, wildlife resources, sportsmen, land management, and seasoned, beginning, or student professionals of the wildlife and conservation industries.

“Johns is the perfect leader of our Club with his passion, expertise, and knowledge and his local and national networks are outstanding” stated Carter Davis, a former pastPresident of the Club and retired Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) officer.

No more lollygagging - pass National Reciprocity

It's time for the Senate to get off their duffs and pass National Reciprocity. Sometimes the perfect is the enemy of the good. HR 38 would permit citizens, including President Trump's staffers, to legally carry a defensive handgun in the fifty states and the District of Columbia.

It would also allow congress-critters to carry. We are entering an era when they, particularly the Republicans, are now subject to violent attack as never before.

Just recently we have seen Secretary Nielsen's home surrounded by a mob, and Press Secretary Sarah Sanders kicked out of a restaurant in Virginia.

Not everyone has an armed security detail like Senator Mitch McConnell. It was fun to see his wife, Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao, confront a mob, but is only a matter of time before one of these mobs turns violent, and some unarmed government employee or private citizen is attacked.

What is National Reciprocity?

Simply, a handgun carry permit issued in any state or the District of Columbia is, like a driver's license, valid in all states and the District. The permit holders would be subject to the laws of the state they are in, just like a driver's license. By way of comparison, if you have a Wyoming Driver's License, you may drive up to 80 mph on some of their highways. But with the same license, your maximum speed in North Carolina would be 70.

Let's do this, Mr. Mitch!

Suicide is not painless

The recently reported suicides of Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain have caused me to pause and think about suicides that have happened close to me.

The theme song of M*A*S*H is a sad song that states, in part, that "suicide is painless". No, it is not. The one who leaves has apparently had much pain, and those left behind experience tremendous pain for a long time.

I have had two co-workers opt-out. Also, my wife lost a friend as a teenager, and we had a schoolmate who checked out in middle age.

Three of those were some of the biggest surprises ever, though one had spoken of it beforehand. I do remember being dumbfounded upon hearing about them.

Why do people do this? Others with much more education in this have not (to my mind) figured it completely out yet. I will not attempt it here.

Source: World Health Organization

I will tell you what I know, though:

Suicides cross all national and cultural lines. Look at this chart. One area with the highest rate is the former Soviet Union, which, for a lifetime asserted there is no God. (a clue?)

   ---

...and I will tell you what I think:

Gun-grabbers in the United States will use these suicides (Spade and Bourdain) as a springboard to demand more bans of firearms. Note that these two celebrities were reported to have hanged themselves. Sad, but no firearm involved.

A couple of years ago, I had a back-and-forth dialogue with a lady on the other side about guns, published at Ammoland. As I wrote there concerning suicide,

The CDC reports for 2013 that there were a total of 41,149 suicides, of which 21,175 were listed as firearm suicides. So, about 58 of 113 suicides (51%) per day were committed with a firearm. 

While suicides are certainly tragic, if you were able to totally eliminate firearms from the civilian populace, the other 49% would still be there, and I suppose some of those who would have used a firearm will resort to some other method as they do in other countries where firearms are not readily available...

Societies with very low private gun ownership, such as India have a much higher suicide rate than the United States, so they can't blame guns there. Hanging, poisoning, and jumping are used more internationally. So, it seems that those who are serious about it will find a method/tool to accomplish it.

Well, suicide is not painless; nor is it the fault of the necktie, bridge, insecticide, or gun.

....and peaceable gun owners need not feel guilty....

Join a "community conversation on gun violence"

I know this is short notice, but if you are close enough, please sign up an attend tomorow evening, Tuesday, in Wake Forest. 

Grass Roots North Carolina,  P.O. Box 10665, Raleigh, NC  27605  877-282-0939, www.GRNC.org, Fax: 919-573-0354 GRNC NEEDS YOU to attend what's laughably billed as a "Community Conversation on Gun Violence."  Our Home Page   |   About Us   |   Join GRNC   |   Contact Us In This Issue 2nd Amend. Resources Quick Links Alert Details Immediate Action RWI 2nd Amend. Resource Library J. Lott's Crime Prevention Research Ctr. Support RWI:You Shop. Amazon Gives. More On Us  Update Your Information  Facebook Twitter GRNC NEEDS YOU to attend what's laughably billed as a "Community Conversation on Gun Violence." Do we really believe that they intend to have "Balancing Perspectives and Responsible Solutions" like they say? Not with panelists such as Anti-gun Senator Floyd McKissick, Anti-Gun House Minority Leader Darren Jackson, NC Council of Churches (Part of the National Council of Churches, an anti-gun group) NC Executive Director Jennifer Copeland, the Chair of the Wake County Board of Commissioners (and registered Democrat) Jessica Holmes, and as "Moderator," Rick Glazier, the Executive Director of the extreme Leftist NC Justice Center. Far from the "balanced perspectives" that this event's organizers espouse, this is a left-wing gun-grabber's dream panel. They billed it as a "Community Conversation," but did they invite Grass Roots North Carolina, our state's premier gun rights organization? Of course they didn't. But they're inviting YOU. Registrations still seem to be open, so we need you to sign up HERE and attend this event. If gun owners are to have a say in our communities, our voice must be heard and that means YOUR voice needs to be heard at this event. The Community Conversation will be Tuesday, 15 May 2017 from 6:30PM until 8PM at Wake Forest Presbyterian Church, 12605 Capital Blvd, Wake Forest, NC 27587. We need you to clear your schedule and meet us there so that it's actually a conversation and not just unchallenged anti-gun propaganda. Because this event will take place in a church, please wear appropriate clothing. No camo or ragged jeans, no t-shirts with slogans. Business casual is preferred, but any clean clothing appropriate to a house of worship is acceptable. Afterwards, join us at across the street at East Coast Wings and Grill for a little food and pro-2A camaraderie. IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED! Sign up for the "conversation" at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-community-conversation-on-gun-violence-tickets-45555177763 Email Sean at SeanS@grnc.org and let him know that you'll be in attendance. MORE ABOUT GRNC

Ruger Security 9

The Ruger Security-9 appears to be aimed (pardon the pun) squarely at the Glock 19. Although I have not fired one, I had a chance to handle several at the NRA Annual Meeting in Dallas.

The pistol is extremely close to the G 19 in dimensions. A little thinner. About the same weight. It is hammer fired, like the Ruger LCP II, rather than striker fired, like the Glocks, Ruger SR-9, etc. The price? About 60% of the G 19.

I dry-fired several Security-9's at NRA, and, being a fair shot, but not a top tier competitor, it felt fine to me. Some writers on the web have noted that it has a long trigger reset. I like to let the trigger go all the way forward between shots, so that's not a big deal to me.

When I was handling the Security-9, I discovered that I could not put it on Safe. One of the Ruger reps was nearby, and he took the pistol and put on safe, no problemo. Hmmm....

Hold on there, hombre, how did you do that?

It turns out that this pistol's safety pivots from the front, like Ruger's nearly seventy year old  line of .22 pistols; not at the rear like a 1911. Push up on the REAR of the safety, and it goes on Safe very easily. It's all in knowing how. I hope Ruger adds this little tidbit to their owner's manual.

So, it looks like Ruger has introduced a pistol that competes with the (relatively) expensive Glocks, yet costs just a little more than the SCCYs. A look at Gun Genie shows the ones equipped with fifteen round magazines are "allocated" which indicates they are selling well. The units with ten round magazines are as low as $329.90, out the door, tax and all in my area.

I like it.

Guess who I saw at NRA 2018 in Dallas

Here are a few pictures with some folks I saw at NRA. I have included hot links you can follow.

I was sitting in the audience at the NRA ILA Leadership Forum, waiting for the VPOTUS and POTUS to speak. I felt a tap on my shoulder, and there was Il Ling New, a Facebook friend and firearms instructor at Gunsite Academy. 

Here is Vice President Pence. You can hear his speech HERE.

Here is President Trump. You can hear his NRA speech HERE.

I had to leave the Leadership Forum for an interview with NPR, but I was able to catch Diamond and Silk's live feed later in the Press Room:

Here I am in the press room with Rick Ector of Detroit, my pal John Richardson, and competetive shooter Annette Evans.

Here I am with champion shooter Julie Golob.

Here I am with former Secret Service agent and Fox News contributor Dan Bongino.

John Richardson got tickets to Michael Bane's party. Appropriatly, it was named Cinco de Baneo.

Here I am with a new friend Jason Crotteau, owner of Wyoming Tactical LLC. 

Here's John Richardson with Michael Bane.

Here I am with Michael at his party.

I saw some other friends also, too many to mention. It was great seeing over 87,000 of my best friends at NRA in Dallas.

No room at the inn

Some months ago, I made a reservation through Travelocity with-

Comfort Suites West Dallas - Cockrell Hill (CSWD)
4275 Dfw Turnpike, Dallas TX 75211

-for the NRA Annual Meetings in Dallas.

Boy, was that a bad move.

NPR interview at NRA 2018 convention

The President spoke at the 2018 NRA Annual Meetings. Afterwards, I had an interview with NPR. It was a total surprise to me to be asked to do this. Although I felt like I was being baited a time or two, I thought the interview went well.

To hear the four minute-ish interview and see a transcript of the conversation, click HERE.

1 Peter 3:15

Administrative things - May 2018

1. There are links that I think are worth looking at in the green bar at the top of this blog.

• Got Jesus? - Well do you?
• Knox Gun Guy - From my time in Tennessee.
• Tennessee Lawn Grass - I relate my experimentation with Zoysia grass in Tennessee; I think it is the best all around lawn grass for the South.

2. On the left side.

• My mugg
• A subscribe link. If you like my work, you can subscribe there. This is running on a Google product which makes it easy for you to unsubscribe whenever you wish. Give it a try.

3. On the right side.

• My work that has been popular with readers.
• My blog list. This shows the latest posts of bloggers I have an interest in. They update each time one of those folks posts something new.

I regretfully reserve the right to not approve comments if, in my opinion, they come from the Left, or if they do not meet my decency standards; or if I just don't like them. The Google blog platform is free and available, as long as you meet their standards. Maybe some should start their own pages.

I will always try to answer serious questions.

I appreciate your cooperation.

And now POTUS

President Trump, White House Photo

I recently reported that VP Mike Pence will be speaking at the NRAAM in Dallas. Now we learn from Fox News that President Trump will also be in attendance.
The Secret Service will be in charge of security while POTUS and VPOTUS are there, so, once again,

NO GUNS, NO KNIVES, NO WEAPONS

As I commented at Fox news,

Contrary to what some are saying, the historical record shows that the NRA Annual Meetings (NRAAM) for quite a few years have been open to carrying of firearms, in accordance with state, local, and Federal laws. Some are calling the NRA hypocritical for "banning guns" when VPOTUS speaks at NRAAM in Dallas. That is pure rhetoric. Whenever a person such as POTUS, VPOTUS, or anyone subject to Secret Service protection, attends an event, be it NRAAM or a rally in Saginaw, MI, weapons of any type are not allowed. I spoke with President Trump at the NRAAM in Nashville, and have video of the conversation. I was armed at the time. Mr. Trump was not under Secret Service protection at that time. You on the left keep saying you want to have a conversation about guns. How can we have an intelligent conversation when you emit such garbage.