CS Monitor Chronicles the Rise of the Gun Blog

A Rifle in One Hand and a Laptop in the Other

No matter where you look on the Internet these days, bloggers are mucking it up, taking on the big bad “mainstream media” with a mad mix of polarization, cheerleading, and snark. But just as lefty bloggers got the word out about the promise of Barack Obama during last year’s election, the rightosphere is pulling out its big guns, too. And in few places is the keyboard jockey scene as fast-growing or as influential as the world of firearms and Second Amendment rights.

You're Darn Tootin'!

Circling the Drain: UK's Orwellian State

From the Australian:

BRITAIN appears to be evolving into the first modern soft totalitarian state. As a sometime teacher of political science and international law, I do not use the term totalitarian loosely.

There are no concentration camps or gulags but there are thought police with unprecedented powers to dictate ways of thinking and sniff out heresy, and there can be harsh punishments for dissent.

Nikolai Bukharin claimed one of the Bolshevik Revolution's principal tasks was "to alter people's actual psychology". Britain is not Bolshevik, but a campaign to alter people's psychology and create a new Homo britannicus is under way without even a fig leaf of disguise.

The Government is pushing ahead with legislation that will criminalise politically incorrect jokes, with a maximum punishment of up to seven years' prison. The House of Lords tried to insert a free-speech amendment, but Justice Secretary Jack Straw knocked it out. [continues]

At least for now you can only be prosecuted for what you say and do. They can't actually read minds. Yet.

But they are working on it.

The Truth Escapes: Toledo Mayor Admits Police NEVER Prevent Crime

Quote:

"Violent crimes, shootings, are not ever prevented by the presence of a police officer, no matter how many thousands of police officers you have."

- Toledo City Mayor Carty Finkbeiner

Good Lord! We can't have people just running around stating the truth as fact! Especially politicians! What's next? Term limits?

For those not up on the goings on: Toledo is facing budget shortfalls and one consequence was the 'downsizing' of the police force by 75 officers. Of course crime is skyrocketing.

One senior officer, speaking anonymously, offered some investment advice:

"Tell people to buy guns. Invest in precious metals - lead, gun powder and brass."

Well, most of the country is way ahead of you brother. Way ahead.

read more here

DHS: Domestic Extremist Lexicon

You've heard of it, but the W.Times posted it. Here's the the Unclassified - For Official Use Only DHS lexicon defining various extremist groups. Unfortunately, if you believe in the Constitution and/or individual liberty you are deemed hateful and lumped in with skinheads, etc.

Link to document

From the top of page 7:

(U) patriot movement (U//FOUO)

A term used by rightwing extremists to link their beliefs to those commonly associated with the American Revolution. The patriot movement primarily comprises violent anti-government groups such as militias and sovereign citizens.
(also: Christian patriots, patriot group, Constitutionalists)

From the top of page 8:

(U) rightwing extremism

(U//FOUO) A movement of rightwing groups or individuals who can be broadly divided into those who are primarily hate-oriented, and those who are mainly anti-government and reject federal authority in favor of state or local authority. This term also may refer to rightwing extremist movements that are dedicated to a single issue, such as opposition to abortion or immigration.
(also known as far right, extreme right)

It's a shame those darned extremist founding fathers aren't around to be told what a threat they pose.

Gun Show Loophole? There's No Such Thing.

For those of us that hoped the Lesson of '94 was still on the minds of the Democrats, giving us some time before the next citizen disarmament attempt would be launched: we were wrong.

Carolyn McCarthy just announced her campaign to close-the-(so-called)-gunshow-loophole.

For those who have only heard the nightly news version, the real story on the gun show loophole is:

• There is no 'gunshow loophole'
  
• Currently ALL firearm transactions at ALL gun shows (and in gun stores) by federally licensed dealers MUST be first approved by the FBI via the NICS (National Instant Check System). Meaning ALL purchasers have to pass the background check before taking possession of a purchased firearm
• Currently, firearms transfers between two legal (non-dealer) individuals [residing in the same state] does not require federal involvement. If Bob want to sell his rifle to John, they agree on a price and the deal is done. If Grandpa wants to give his grandson (on granddaughter) their first .22 on their 18th birthday, he can buy it ahead of time and just give it to them. If someone receives an inheritance from Dad that includes his deer rifle, shotgun or even a whole collection of firearms - he can take possession of them legally without federal involvement.
• As long as both involved parties are not prohibited from owning firearms (not felons) the transfer of ownership is legal (just like selling any other privately owned property).

If the so-called gun show loophole is closed: No person would be able to take possession of a firearm without first going to a licensed dealer, having the firearm information (make, model, serial number, etc.) entered into the dealer's inventory and records, filling out a BATFE form 4473 (to be kept on file with the dealer), passing the NICS check, paying the dealer a fee, and then leaving with the gun.

The reasons why this is bad:

• It can easily be abused by creating a de facto registration of firearms. Registration is ALWAYS a precursor of confiscation (you only have to look as far as California to see it's already happened here - and in Canada, England, Australia and...]
• It can easily be abused by criminalizing simple loans of firearms: If a buddy loans a rifle to a friend to hunt with, if a father loans a pistol to his daughter for protection from a stalker, if (depending on how 'transfer' is defined) you let a friend shoot your gun at a range just to 'try it out', or a wife, using her husband's shotgun, defends herself in the home while he's away -- all of these would result in being charged with a federal felony.

In case anyone still doesn't see the harm, please allow me to draw a parallel. I preface this with the understanding that Rights are inherent and God-given, and thus only recognized (not granted) by the Bill of Rights, they are not subject to abrogation - and the Supreme Court has said so -- therefore the following simple comparison is valid:

Suppose the same government approval is applied to the First Amendment. Should the purchase of a Bible or even a newspaper require a background check? Should the gift or sale of a book require that transaction be approved and kept on record? If by decree, a certain type or class of books become illegal and subject to confiscation, what would keep the next decree from banning another class of books?

For more, check out Paul Valone's GRE article here

Update: For a touch of irony look at the Webster's Definition of 'Loophole'

loophole

2 entries found.

1. ¹loophole (noun)
2. ²loophole (transitive verb)
   

Main Entry:

¹loop·hole

Pronunciation:

\ˈlüp-ˌhōl\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

¹loop

Date:

1591

1 a: a small opening through which small arms may be fired b: a similar opening to admit light and air or to permit observation2: a means of escape ; especially : an ambiguity or omission in the text through which the intent of a statute, contract, or obligation may be evaded

To All You Hunters...

I just received this email from a pard:

To all you hunters:

Words fail me.

I think I'll just go pick some chips off the Doritos tree in the backyard to go with the stiff drink I think I need right now.

They walk among us & they are allowed to vote !!!

Good Gravy.