Thursday, September 25, 2008

Dealer Motes/BATFU Beams

In a major victory for those of us arguing that the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record (NFRTR) is insufficient for criminal proceedings, Dr. Fritz Scheuren, “the” statistician in the United States (possibly the world), today informed the 10th District Court that the NFRTR is insufficient for criminal proceedings. [More]
Here's a letter from Dr. Scheuren to the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science,and Related Agencies Committee on Appropriations about "inaccuracies in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record (NFRTR) data system maintained by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)."

This is an interesting speculation, complete with a workaround:
If the US loses this case, there is some speculation on whether the BATFE will seek to appeal the decision because an appellate ruling that the NFRTR is insufficient would have disastrous consequences for the BATFE and the NFRTR. It is this author’s opinion that the BATFE would likely not appeal so to protect the integrity of the NFRTR in other court proceedings. Nevertheless, in any future cases, a competent attorney will be adding Dr. Scheuren as an expert to invalidate the NFRTR.
And here's more, on how NFRTR violates due process.

BATFU is out there destroying people's livelihoods and lives over arbitrary and mutable applications of "standards" while their own performance--up to and including controlling their assigned weapons--is nothing short of criminally negligent, if you apply their own "willful violation" standard to them--and why wouldn't you, seeing as how they relish using it as a club against others?

[Via Mr. X]

Black Congressman to Jewish Democrats: Gun Owners are Racists

Rep. Alcee Hastings told an audience of Jewish Democrats Wednesday that they should be wary of Republican VP nominee Sarah Palin because “anybody toting guns and stripping moose don’t care too much about what they do with Jews and blacks.” [More]
Oh, I dunno, Mr. Ethics--it's not us trying to disarm them, it's you and your fellow traitors in government, who made the following declaration of war a while back:
INTRODUCTION OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY ACT OF 1993 -- HON. MAJOR R. OWENS (Extension of Remarks - September 23, 1993)

[Page: E2233]
---

HON. MAJOR R. OWENS

in the House of Representatives

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 1993

Mr. OWENS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to introduce the Public Health and Safety Act of 1993 on behalf of myself and nine of my colleagues: Mel Reynolds, Bill Clay, Jerry Nadler, Eleanor Holmes Norton, John Lewis, Nydia Velazquez, Ron Dellums, Carrie Meek, and Alcee Hastings. This legislation, first introduced in the Senate by Senator John Chafee, would prohibit the transfer or possession of handguns and handgun ammunition, except in limited circumstances. It would go a long way toward protecting our citizens from violent crime.

The need for a ban on handguns cannot be overstated. Unlike rifles and shotguns, handguns are easily concealable. Consequently, they are the weapons of choice in most murders, accounting for the deaths of 25,000 Americans in 1991.

Most other industrialized countries have virtual bans on handgun sales, which account for the vast difference in homicide rates between the United States and these other nations. In 1987, the U.S. homicide rate for men of the ages 15 to 24 was 22 per 100,000, compared to 0.5 for Japan, 1.0 for Germany, and 1.2 for England.

Gun violence is getting worse in this country, not better. In either 1990 or 1991, San Diego, Dallas, Phoenix, Los Angeles, Washington, New York, Boston, Charlotte, Milwaukee, Oakland, Colorado Springs, Minneapolis, Rochester, New Orleans, and Columbus all surpassed their previous murder records.

If we do not act now, the gun culture will continue to thrive, growing like a fungus in our schools, and sapping our health care system of its much needed resources.

No longer do students bring apples to school for their teachers. Instead, approximately 100,000 students bring guns to school each day. From 1986 to 1990, at least 71 students and employees were killed by guns at school; 201 were wounded; and 242 were held hostage. And in January 1992 at Jefferson High School in Brooklyn, a student killed one teen and another bystander, bringing the school's death toll for the school year to 56.

We cannot expect our children to learn in the classroom if they are looking over their shoulders to see if the next bullet has their name on it. A 1991 school crime survey conducted by the Department of Justice revealed that 37 percent of public school students and 27 percent of private school students fear attack at or on the way to school.

We also cannot expect to reign in the costs of our health care system if emergency rooms are overflowing with victims of gun violence. Hospitals across the Nation are closing affiliated trauma centers because of the spiraling costs associated with treating gunshot wounds. From 1989 to 1991, the average per-patient cost of gunshot wounds at a major New York hospital was $9,646. None of this even considers the costs of ambulance services, follow-up care, medication, and rehabilitation. The estimated cost of firearms injury to the U.S. health care system exceeds $4 billion per year.

The Public Health and Safety Act would abate the rising tide of handgun violence. It would prohibit the importation, exportation, manufacture, sale, purchase, transfer, receipt, possession, or transportation of handguns and handgun ammunition. Violators would be subject to penalties of up to $5,000 and up to 5 years in prison.

A 6-month grace period would be established during which time handguns could be turned in to any law enforcement agency with impunity and for reimbursement at the greater of $25 or the fair market value of the handgun. After the grace period's expiration, handguns could be turned in voluntarily with impunity from criminal prosecution, but a civil fine of $500 would be imposed.

Exemptions from the handgun ban would be permitted for Federal, State, or local government agencies, including military and law enforcement; collectors of antique firearms; federally licensed handgun sporting clubs; federally licensed professional security guard services; and federally licensed dealers, importers, or manufacturers.

I urge the Judiciary Committee to consider this legislation without delay, in conjunction with the President's crime package. While passage of the Brady bill would help to reduce gun violence by requiring a 5-day waiting period on handgun purchases and encouraging law enforcement agencies to conduct background checks, it would be an initial step toward stemming gun violence, instead of the giant leap forward this country so desperately needs.

The Public Health and Safety Act of 1993 represents a moderate, middle-of -the-road approach to handgun control which deserves the support of all members of Congress who want to stop gun murders now. If this legislation is not passed swiftly, handguns will continue to be sold over the counter as easily as aspirin; the Nation's at-risk youth will continue to attempt to resolve their problems by turning to handgun violence; and all of us will continue to fear for our lives when we step out of our homes at night.
I wonder if it's an indicator of sorts that he spelled "rein in" with a "g"? Well, at least we know what they mean by "a moderate, middle-of-the-road approach."

Hastings' latest accusation, of course, is nothing but vile slander. Those who applaud it are nothing less than domestic enemies. If you'd like to tell this Marxist piece of crap what you think of him, please do.

Ecstatic at the Outcome

The client was originally charged with a class "C" violent felony and was facing a mandatory minimum sentence of three and a half years in state prison and up to fifteen years in state prison if convicted...
For having a gun, which is a right?

What I don't get is why the client was charged for having a loaded gun when the "traveler's defense" only applies to unloaded firearms.

Anyway, it's nice to see a NY law firm crowing about winning a gun possession case. Anybody know any of the particulars about it?

Nice Gig

Frank M. Conaway says the Police Department has not taken him up on his family's offer of $10,000 to reward residents who report gun crimes.

The clerk of the Baltimore Circuit Court, whose wife, son and daughter also hold elected office, says his family members wanted to show they were serious about their commitment to combating crime in Baltimore...
I guess parasi....uh, public service must be pretty lucrative...

Gentlemen, You Can't Fight in Here--This is a War Room!

The county's new high-tech, high-cost version of the city's 911 center is in a downtown location officials say they'd like to keep secret for security reasons.
Nice to know they'll all be locked up nice and safe in their secret clubhouse while their policies ensure the people outside will be dying.

Why do I immediately think of this?

Someone ought to find out where their Batcave is and publicize the location. After the zombies run out of surface victims, they're going to be hungry.

[Via HZ]

People Helping People

3rd Infantry’s 1st BCT trains for a new dwell-time mission. Helping ‘people at home’ may become a permanent part of the active Army
No. Find another way.

[Via John G]

A Leading Enabler

So this week another Philadelphia police officer was murdered — again by a parolee with a history of violence — and again the Philadelphia Daily News blames guns...
And, of course, they're also the ones predicting "a full-fledged race and class war" if The Lightworker fails in his quest for power...

[Ea]sy access to guns has become the leading enabler of such cold-blooded murders.
And yet we learn:
Nowhere does the Daily News editorial acknowledge that the police officer was killed by a parolee with a history of violence.
It's telling how a leading enabler of all that's wrong in Philadelphia makes that accusation about guns. It's called projection. And misdirection.

[Via Mack H]

UPDATE:

Here's more on the killer.

Here's another panty-wringing editorial. Mike Vanderboegh got a comment posted, and I just submitted one but don't see it up yet.

Approaching the Barrier

Carl S has some comments about the incident with the prominent Chicago family member:
1. When did it become illegal to “approach a barrier”, and why is a barrier set up one whole block away from somebody’s home? Public streets and sidewalks are just that, and it has been declared by our Supreme Beings in Judicial Robes that actions such as these are illegal. There is nothing in law which gives the Secret or any other Service the lawful authority to enforce such restrictions. Or if there is, it must be one of those “unpublished” laws, which has also been previously ruled unconstitutional. Barack Obama is not yet King, nor is he God, so his presence anywhere is insufficient justification for violation of the rights of all other citizens.

2. U.S. Secret Service spokesman Malcolm Wiley said "There are probably hundreds of people a day who are in, near or at that checkpoint (around Obama's house) who have a weapon in their car that they're not supposed to have.” How can this be? This is Chicago, where guns have been illegal to own for many years. If nothing else, now we know that even the Secret Service recognizes that anti-gun laws do absolutely nothing to deter citizens who rightfully ignore unconstitutional law or, especially, those with actual criminal intent. That being so plainly demonstrated, why do we still allow Daley and others of his ilk to continue to abridge our rights? Why do we allow the continuance of criminal action by Daley and his kind? (DEPRIVATION OF RIGHTS UNDER COLOR OF LAW - Section 242 of Title 18 makes it a crime for a person acting under color of any law to willfully deprive a person of a right or privilege protected by the Constitution or laws of the United States.)

We're the Only Ones Mousy Enough

L and I go back to eating our slices, both of us knowing that this woman would take down a criminal without blinking, but was scared to death of a little field mouse.
I disagree. This woman showed you what she's made of and she failed by all measures of honorable human conduct. She had a chance to do something small and she fled like a coward. This is the most dangerous type of person I can imagine ceding lethal decision-making to.

Why such as she are considered the "Only Ones" thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent enough to wield power denied to We the People is a mystery to me, but one I continually endeavor to understand.

[Via cycjec]

How Much Fact Could a FactCheck Check if a FactCheck Could Check Fact?

Impartial? Independent? NO! FactCheck and Brady Campaign in Bed with Annenberg Foundation
I've noticed how those who want to spin The Lightworker's record on guns have resorted to just calling revelations of his past words and deeds lies. I guess they're hoping enough ignorant hunters and sport shooters--and there's no shortage of either--will believe them.

A Pistol Shaped Weapon

Not to ignore the greater story, but correspondent VC wants to know what's up with the "pistol shaped weapon" terminology?

We're the Only Ones Fumigated Enough

When police were trying to get fingerprints, police say Cruz moved closer to the officer and passed gas on him...Cruz is now charged with battery on a police officer...
I was going to say something about this being too nebulous to make stick but that just doesn't sound right.

Still, if the "Only Ones" manage to create a precedent, that door ought to swing both ways, like if one of them is in your face and has halitosis...

[Via Fat White Man, cycjec and John G]

This Day in History: September 25

After aborting a poorly planned and ill-timed attack on the British-controlled city of Montreal, Continental Army Colonel Ethan Allen is captured by the British on this day in 1775. After being identified as an officer of the Continental Amy, Allen was taken prisoner and sent to England to be executed.