Guns At Work? Only The Bad Guys Have Them

People often wonder why anyone would want to have a gun in their car at work. The answer can be found in The Daily News Journal - Shots ring out in parking lot.

SMYRNA — Gunfire split the Wednesday morning air as employees prepared to start the work day at Cumberland Swan. An employee lay shot, and the ex-husband she recently divorced is now charged with attempted murder.

How much are you willing to bet that employees of this company are disarmed by company policy? How clear is it that said policy did nothing to stop this tragedy, and probably aided it? How clear is it that any policy of the company had no chance of keeping guns off the property? The guy was barred from having guns by law but that didn't stop him.

It isn't about having a gun in your car at work. It is about being able to defend yourself on the drive to-and-from work. People being stalked are most vulnerable when they are on a fixed schedule at a known location: to-and-from work, picking-up and dropping-off kids at school and daycare, to-and-from religious services. All are known locations, and known schedules. All are places that society loves to disarm people.

The only thing disarming employees does is to create defenseless-victim zones. No one can protect themselves. No Good Samaritan can step in and act. The police are minutes away. The criminals will do what they want. And before you go all gun-control on this topic, explain to me how things would be better if this creep stabbed his ex-wife, hit her with a baseball bat, or strangled her with his bare hands. Do we need knife/bat/hand control? Or do we need to empower women to be able to defend themselves from attacks like this?

Who Says You Can't Count on Neighbors Anymore

WOAI: San Antonio News - Neighbors Track Down Robbery Suspect The whole neighborhood turned to look for a couple of burglars. They caught one, the other got away.

“I said ‘son you’re lucky you’re not dead right now. If it was me instead of my wife in the house, I would have waited for you to come in‘,” says [the homeowner]. “'And you’d be dead’.”

It took the police twenty minutes to arrive.

Good Guys 1, Bad Guys 0

The Paris News Two average guys help capture a bank robber. Bryce Chambers followed the bank robber on his bicycle, was able to give a description of the vehicle and the license plate number to police. He was also able to tell the cops which way the truck was heading.

Johnny Piper shot the (alleged) robber in the legs when some police tracking dogs chased him onto Piper's property, ending the manhunt. The robber was moved to the jail after being released from hospital.

The bank rewarded both of these guys for helping capture the robber and secure the return of the money. [via Texican Tattler who says "I never get to shoot anybody, much less make 500 bucks from it."]

Guns as Art: The Fine Art of Engraving

Ruger Engraving does turn firerms into works of Art

Finally a Canadian Gets It - Not Guns, Not Knives, But Thugs

Recent stabbings in Mayor David Miller's Toronto They ranted about guns, but things didn't get better.

The problem of course never was guns; it always was about people and although ranting and raving about guns coming from the United States and about the activities of gun collectors and hobbyists made the left feel good, the real problem has always been about the many young people that are being raised without any or much regard for human life.

Guns, knives, bats, sharp objects... none of these things jump off the table and attack people on their own initiative. Every one of these objects needs to be wielded by someone intent on committing a crime for a crime to occur.

And all the basketball distractions - Toronto is building more courts - won't change fundamental attitudes about life. I'm not sure what can. I'm not sure these attitudes can be changed after kids reach their teenage years.

The quote from 1971's All in the Family is worth the click at least - or as they say, "Go read the whole thing."

More on Government Spying

Hooah Wife and friends, has the low-down in State Secrets. The government is going to quash a civil suit against AT&T having to do with indiscriminate spying on the American people. Not spying on foreign communications, not spying on AQ, but spying on all of us.

The government is going to quash the suit rather than let the facts come to light.

Dennis Hastert - Fraud

Politicians grandstanding on the issue of the day is nothing new. But this is low, even by Washington's standards

House Speaker Dennis Hastert of Ill., center, gets out of a Hydrogen Alternative Fueled automobile, left, as he prepares to board his SUV, which uses gasoline, after holding a news conference at a local gas station in Washington

Drive away from a press conference in a hydrogen powered vehicle (to prove your eco-sensitive), but only drive down the street (or around the block, or whatever) to where your extra-large gas-powered SUV is parked. This act is a lie. Driving in that hydrogen-powerd car was a lie. Getting into the over-sized SUV - that was the truth.

I wish the people of Illinois would wake up. [via Right Side of the Rainbow]

Put the Blame Where it Belongs

Poor Parenting To Blame for Gun Control Debate - Daily Nexus Online Who is to blame when a child doesn't know the rudiments of gun safety? The gun? The manufacturer?

“What if my kid goes to the house of a gun owner, finds a gun and blows his head off?” Then you should have taught your kid not to touch guns and not to go poking around other people’s houses.

Let's put the blame where it belongs. [Hat tip Armed Females of America]

“Why' you shoot me, bitch?...”

The title of this post comes from
Guns Save Lives - a book that covers true stories of people defending themselves and their families with firearms.

Those words, “Why' you shoot me, bitch?...” were the last words of a home invader who attacked and shot Don and Jane Mosely. Though both were shot, they never stopped fighting and eventually together they managed to kill their attacker. (You can read most of what happened in the Excerpt that Amazon has posted.)

Gratuitous Pig Posting

Big Pig Gig was a wonderfully strange thing. I wonder why we didn't read news stories about how Muslims were insulted that hundreds of pig statues were all around Cincinnati. The whole idea was to celebrate the fact that Cincinnati - home of the Flying Pig Marathon - was once know as Porkopolis.

This guy is Wake Up and Smell the Bacon. He is here to keep the blog insulting to anyone who would be insulted by images of pigs.

Canada Needs Knife Control

Pulse24 - Daggers Of Danger Toronto is experiencing an outbreak of knife violence... clearly common sense knife control is called for.

Why You Can't Trust Government

San Francisco Bay Times: Gov’t Must Turn Over Documents Of Spying on LGBT Groups The DoD doesn't have a clue.

The Government was investigating (can you say "domestic spying?" I knew you could) Gay and Lesbian groups that were protesting "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and college recruiting. The DoD took acception the the name OUTLaw - a group out "out" law students.

The Pentagon began an investigation of OUTLaw when it was learned that the group would be participating in a February 2005 student protest against military recruiters on the NYU campus. Defense intelligence officials reported that the event “may involve Outlaws” a possible security threat to the recruiters.

A similar assessment was made by the Pentagon regarding a “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” protest at the University of California Santa Cruz that included a gay kiss-in in the presence of military recruiters. The student gathering was considered as a “credible threat” for terrorism.

They need to get out of the Pentagon more often.

Give me a f@#$ing break. This country has real enemies, planning real attacks, and the Defense Intelligence Agency is investigating "kiss-ins?" If this is the best level of "intelligence" that the DoD can muster, we are all doomed. (I wonder what they would have said about The Lesbian Avengers.)

And for all of you people who backed the Patriot act, who said we can "trust the government," remember - this is just what we know about. They may decide you are "a credible threat of terrorism" for an equally stupid reason in the morning.

An Unusual Execution

WVEC.com | In Virginia, a rare execution of a domestic killer Domestic violence murders rarely result in the death penalty.

The young woman, still in her bathrobe, had just stopped to check the mail when she was snatched off the street.

Forced to an abandoned house, Angela Felton endured unspeakable torture. Her head was smashed in with a car door, she was choked with a rope and sexually mutilated. Felton eventually bled to death from knife wounds, her naked, battered body left inside a closet.

The murderer was her ex-boyfriend, Dexter Lee Vinson. He was executed Thursday night.

I am not a fan of the death penalty, I don't really trust the government that much, and it is abused too often, but in a case like this I could be convinced.

The truly horrible truth is that it is nearly impossible to get a death penalty conviction in a domestic case. There is no "equal before the law." Which as much as I don't like the death penalty, I hate that even more. The death penalty ruling of the SCOTUS that reintroduced the death penalty staed that it could only be applied in special circumstances - killing a Law Enforcement Officer, While committing another crime, such as rape, etc. Domestic murders were left out of the mix, apparently as a matter of policy.

Mello distinctly recalls one of his first capital cases, involving a Florida man who was condemned to death for killing his wife. In 1983, Mello argued before the Florida Supreme Court for what he calls the one-free-spouse rule — that those who have only killed one spouse do not deserve to death penalty.

The argument worked. His client's death sentence was overturned.

Married people - married women - have less protection from their spouses, than the average man on the street has from the average attacker. That is not right.

Changes around the Blog

The first rule of Fight Club is - you do not talk about Fight Club

Some of you may know what I am talking about, others won't care. But there is an age-old battle between social conservatives and libertarians. The two groups got along fairly well under Reagan and even during "The Contract with America," but the divide lingers on.

At some point, a libertarian like myself, will break contact with the social conservatives. Our agendas are not the same. In fact the Social Conservatives have more in common with the Democrats. Both groups want to legislate morality and achieve nearly total control of society, they just have different views of what type of society that they want to impose. Live and let live is not something to which they want to subscribe. The Left wants to censor anything deemed to be "hate speech," while the Right wants to censor anything that is "immoral." Both groups are perfectly happy to censor whatever they deem "bad." Both groups seem to be tyrants-in-the-making (at least to me).

What Happens When the Rodeo Comes to Town?

The Gay Rodeo that is... SignOnSanDiego.com > News > Metro -- A culture clash in Lakeside Not your typical rodeo...

In many ways, this weekend's event at the Lakeside rodeo grounds will be like any other rodeo, with attractions like steer-riding and barrel racing. Then there are the offbeat additions, like dressing a goat in men's underwear.

And of course the Red Necks have got their panties in a bunch. What a shock! (I didn't think that Red Necks were allowed in California.)

Proceeds will benefit the Lakeside youth - this is what all rodeos held at that facility do. [Hat tip Lucianne]

Quote of the Day

A ship in port is safe, but that is not what ships are for. Sail out to sea and do new things.

Grace Hopper

What Would You Do?

What would you do if a 6 ft 4 in, 300 pound man broke into your apartment and ran at you? Salem police say shooting death likely self-defense - StatesmanJournal.com This is what Jason Scott did, and Sean Dougherty shot him. This is another case of the Old Boyfriend/New Boyfriend conflict. Diana Rennels had been going out with Scott, but that was over. She is currently seeing Dougherty. Apparently some arguement erupted on the phone, which lead to the break in.

"After investigating the scene and interviewing the residents of the apartment, we determined the shooting was in self-defense," [police Lt. Jim] Anglemier said.
...
Dougherty and Rennels told police that when Scott arrived, he forced his way into their apartment and charged at them as they were seated on a couch. Dougherty picked up a handgun owned by Rennels and fired several shots at Scott, hitting him once in the upper torso, Anglemier said.

So how would you fend off a 300 pound intruder?

Jack-booted Thugs and the War on (Some) Drugs

View From The Porch: NKVD, Stasi, Gestapo, Campbell County Sheriff's Dept. A fairly disturbing account of a group of "Law Enforcement Officers" torturing a suspect basically to get him to sign a confession.

They were caught on tape, and four of the five have been convicted of crimes under the color of authority. I think they would have gotten away with it had they not been caught on tape.

“Stand Your Ground” moves forward in Oklahoma and Michigan

KOTV - The News on 6 - Bill Gives More Protection To Gun Owners The Oklahoma State House passed the measure on a 96-2 vote. The Senate passed a similar bill 39-5. After a procedural vote in the house the bill is expected to go to the governor. Un-named persons have made "arguments it could lead to more street violence." But we don't know who, or if the arguments are any good or the same-old "wild west" shootout predictions that the Left always trots out.

WWMT - House approves self-defense bills Gun Control groups are of course opposed to law-abiding citizens being able to defend themselves from attack. Michigan is attacking this issue in four-bill package, which enhances the Castle Doctrine, and removes the Duty to Retreat. All the usual suspects are "concerned."

Good Guys 1, Bad Guys 0

Ravalli Republic Online - Intruder prompts elderly Sula woman to get her gun A drunk invades your house, rumages through your refridgerator - even puts food in the freezer - goes through rooms looking for things and breaking things. Are you scared?

“It wasn't as frightening as it would have been if I didn't have the gun,” [Phyllis Friesen] said.

She had a .357 in her lap, and waited patiently for the sheriff's deputies to arrive.

When they did, they found 42-year-old Jerry D. Gensamer in Friesen's truck trying to start it with his keys. Police say alcohol is involved. Gensamer is in jail charged with any number of things including resisting arrest.

No one injured, but an elderly woman was safe, not because of the police, but because of cold steel and the threat of hot lead. [via KABA]

Alphecca's Weekly Check-up on the MSM

Alphecca: Weekly Check on the Bias. As usual I am late to game. Go see what is making news this week.

A Fun Little Horror Film

Demon Hunter is funny little independent horror film in the same vein as Constantine. It was shot in 18 days, and covers a lot of the same ground that Constantine tried to cover, with a lot less money. The thing is, although the budget was small, the acting was good. (And besides, Billy Drago plays the demon.)

This movie is a Stephen J. Cannell production. People my age grew up watching TV shows he produced. The A-Team, Hardcastle and McCormick, The Rockford Files, Night Rider, Baa Baa Black Sheep, etc.

If you like a good demonic romp through the graveyard (or the underside of LA) you will enjoy this movie.

Gun Crime Going Down Nationwide But not in Boston

mAss Backwards: Ready the Flag (and the Dead Horse) mAss Backwards is doing a fine job of covering the gun control summit.

Go take a look at the chart that shows gun crime falling in this country since 1993, and try to reconcile that with Mayor Thomas Menino's statement that gun violence is sweeping the country.

But when did the Left ever let facts clutter the issue?

Memphis Schools Expand Shooting Program

A public school district takes steps and triples the number of high-school trap teams in one year. commercialappeal.com - Memphis, TN: Scholastic shooting spreads in Shelby 400 scholarships are reserved for high school trap team members, and Shelby County School Board member Ron Lollar wanted to make them available to students in his district.

Lollar and County Schools Supt. Bobby Webb gathered interested coaches and sponsors to form four more teams from Arlington, Bolton, Germantown and Briarcrest high schools. To join, students must maintain a "C" average, cannot misbehave and must complete a Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency hunter's safety course.

This of course got people all up in a tizzy about safety, but the students never bring guns to school.

File this under "Educating the next generation of Second Amendment supporters." [Hat tip AlphaPatriot]

This should help the UK crime rate

Telegraph | News | 1,000 foreign criminals escape deportation Some prisoners, including violent criminals, were turned loose instead of being deported.

The offenders included three murderers and nine rapists. Five of the foreign nationals had been convicted of committing sex offences on children.

Seven had served time for other sex offences, 57 for violent offences and two for manslaughter. There were also 41 burglars, 20 drug importers, 54 convicted of assault and 27 of indecent assault.

But then it won't make an appreciable difference to the UK crime rate.

Arizona Joins Castle Doctrine States

Mohave Daily News: Arizona governor signs bill bolstering self-defense rights Governor Janet Napolitano signed the bill which takes effect immediately.

Under the old law, people who defended themselves were guilty, until proven innocent.

Supporters argued that the 1997 self-defense justification law unfairly put people claiming self-defense at a disadvantage by requiring them to essentially admit the act but prove they had a justification for it.

‘‘In effect, citizens who are forced by an attacker to act in self-defense are presumed guilty until they prove their innocence in court by a preponderance of the evidence,'' NRA President Sandy Froman, a Tucson lawyer, wrote legislators on April 10.

The usual suspects have their knickers in a bunch. Prosecuters are upset because it will make their jobs harder. They will now have to refute self-defense claims instead of getting a free ride.

Home Invaders Killed

Click2Houston.com - News - Gun Battle Erupts After 2 Home Invasions In 2 Days One home invader was killed at the scene. Another body was dumped on the side of the road - police believe it was that of another home invader.

This was the 2nd invasion of this home in two days. "Officials believe the homeowner was targeted by a disgruntled former employee who knew he had a safe in his home." The previous day the homeowners came home while home invaders were trying to steal the safe. (They had tied up two teenagers at the home) One of the homeowners was grazed with a bullet on the first day.

On Sunday, shortly before 10 p.m., the crooks returned for a second home invasion at the same house in the Grand Lakes Subdivision, according to deputies.

The homeowner and robbery suspects exchanged gunfire, officials said.

A female suspect was killed.

One shot to the head.

The body discovered by the road had a bullet-proof vest, but that didn't save him, as the bullet did not strike the vest.

Neighbors are shocked and dismayed that the real world has intruded into their suburban enclave. The homeowners will face no charges as they acted in self-defense. [Civilian Gun Defense Blog]

Apparently Jesse Doesn't Like Absentee Ballots

Nagin, Landrieu in New Orleans Runoff It looks like the mayor's race in NOLA will be decided in a May runoff election.

The Rev. Jesse Jackson has said he plans to challenge the election outcome in court regardless of the winner.

It is nice to see your name in print after all. (He is upset that polling places weren't set up in places like Houston - that's what absentee voting is all about Jesse.) [h/t SDA]

Oklahoma Law Enforcement Upset About "Innocent Until Proven Guilty"

KOTV - The News on 6 - Law Enforcement Voices Concern Over Self Defense Bill Cops in Oklahoma have a complaint about "Stand your ground."

Law enforcement authorities also said the bill will prevent investigators from arresting, detaining and prosecuting someone who uses deadly force unless they find there is probable cause that the force used was unlawful.

So they can't just arrest people with no evidence? What a shame. Of course they shouldn't be doing that today.

Quote of the Day

The police of a state should never be stronger or better armed than the citizenry. An armed citizenry, willing to fight, is the foundation of civil freedom.

Robert Heinlein, Beyond This Horizon.

Hat tip to Alphecca

Bill Clinton and the Iranian Bomb

National Ledger - Bill Clinton and CIA Gave Iranians Blueprint for Nuclear Bomb Why is this story not everywhere? Oh, I forgot, the MSM doesn't report on the stupid things done by Democrats.

He said that the transfer of classified data to Iran was personally approved by then-President Clinton and that the CIA deliberately gave Iranian physicists blueprints for part of a nuclear bomb that likely helped Tehran advance its nuclear weapons development program.

The data contained "errors," but they were fairly simple ones.

This is just another chapter in the Bill Clinton saga of giving weapons technology to enemies of the United States. He's provided missile technology to the Chinese, which increased the accuracy of their ballistic missiles, and he provided nuclear technology to the North Koreans that eventually enabled them to develop nuclear weapons.

Of course the MSM won't report on anything that might derail Hillary's quest for power. [Hat tip Hooah Wife]

56th Carnival of Cordite

Revolutionary War Veterans Association hosts this week's Carnival of Cordite #56 Lots of gunny goodness. From last chance carry pistols and other firearms-related posts to the politics of self-reliance, there is something for everyone.

Good Guys 1, Bad Guys 0

NBC 17 - Local News - Teen's Slaying Ruled Self-Defense This is another story of a self-defense shooting that will be counted by the Brady Bunch as the death of a child. The fact that the "child" (17-year-old young adult, had he lived there is at least a fair chance he would have been prosecuted as an adult) was committing armed robbery at the time he was shot does not color the thinking of Brady Bunch. It would also spoil their statistics.

A 21-year-old man told investigators he was working on a vehicle in the 1600 block of Holloway Street late Tuesday when Anderson approached him and attempted to rob him, police said. The man, whose name wasn't released, told police he was pistol-whipped before he pulled out his own gun and fired several shots, striking Anderson in the head.

[Hat tip Keep and Bear Arms]

The Left Thinks Freedom Applies Only to the Left

The Politburo Diktat � Blog Archive � Let’s repeal the First Amendment The Commisar over at the Politburo has an interesting round up of the anti-freedom antics of the Left.

From librarians being accuse of harassment for the horrible act of recommending conservative books, to a university professor who lead her class in the destruction of property - the destruction of a political display that she disagreed with. (A right-to-life display that was sanctioned by the university.)

Step outside the Left's dogma and you are a criminal. Advocate any position away from the Left's dogma and they will destroy your property to shut down your message. No reasoned debate. No allowance for differences of opinion. You will be silenced. Your position will be expunged. The thought police will not allow these thoughts - not approved thoughts - to be bandied about. If we allow for a free exchange of ideas, pretty soon people may be thinking for themselves after all.

Racial Discrimination - Just Against Whites

Rhymes With Right: Arrogant District Refuses To Protect White Students Children threatened. Families told to move away - go someplace where there are more of your own kind.

If blacks were treated this way,

That district would be under court supervision until two or three years after the Second Coming. Individuals would have lost their teaching and administrative credentials. But since the kids are only white, it really is not a big deal, I suppose.

Since it is only whites being threatened, told to leave the neighborhood (by the district!), and harrassed this is not news.

Good Guys 2, Bad Guys 0

Shooting called self-defense | IndyStar.com A guy is chased by 2 masked men, one carrying a shotgun.

"He had a big gun," [DeAngelo] Morrison said. "We locked eyes. Honestly, I'm thinking this dude is coming to kill me.

"It was the craziest 30 to 45 seconds of my life."

Instead of being shot, he retrieved a handgun and defended himself. DeShawn Givens, 21, was struck once in the chest while standing at the top of the stairs. He died at the bottom of the stairwell. Police believe that Givens and his accomplice were there to commit armed robbery.

The powers-that-be agree that this would seem to be self-defense.

"At the end of the day, the law says if you have no other out and it appears you are about to get killed or seriously harmed, you don't have to send out a survey," said Scott Newman, the former Marion County prosecutor. "You can pull out a gun and defend yourself."

The police have also arrested the person they believe is Givens accomplice. He is in jail facing felony murder and attempted robbery charges. [KABA]

Watermelon Fun

Empowerment. Fun. Safety. Some Reasons for Taking Handgun Course

Women empowered by gun powder A nice article about an all women's handgun clinic.

The women carefully, and often awkwardly, loaded bullets first into revolvers and later into magazines of semiautomatics before lining up their targets and firing. Jitters gave way to confidence, and by the end of the day, the mostly eager students were proudly rolling up their paper targets, riddled with holes, to take home.

The course was a very basic one on safe gun handling and basic shooting technics, so most of the students described had never fired a handgun before taking the class, and some had never fired any firearm.

Sponsored by a local gun club, the class (including lunch) cost 12 dollars.

This article mentions the f-word (fun!) and also safety as a valid reason for wanting to own and understand firearms. There is not one quote from the gun-fearing weenies.

Quote of the Day

"If Guns Kill People, Then Spoons Made Rosie O'Donnell Fat."

Comes from a bumper-sticker or tee-shirt seen at the Knobb Creek, TN Machine Gun Shoot.

Good Guys 1, Bad Guys 0

Homeowner shoots intruder Goblin breaks into a home in Guthrie, Oklahoma. Homeowner shoots, hitting him in the arm.

Goblin runs leading police on a chase, until he tries to cross a closed bridge. He abandons the car and runs... home. Police caught up with him at home and took him to the hospital for a gunshot wound to the arm. They then booked the goblin into the county jail. They may tie the goblin to other burlaries.

Coyote Cliches

Among Us The Washington Post has a fairly interesting article about Coyotes - just starting to invade suburban Washington in large numbers. But they include perhaps the worst cliche I have seen in some time.

But coyotes were something different: medium-size predators, with a wolf-like appearance and a reputation for wiliness, who seemed to stir a primal fear of wolves that came to this continent with European settlement.

Wily Coyote? Look out Road Runner! [click on the image for a great set of photos!]

(It is an interesting article!) [NRA-ILA]

Big Brother Doesn't Work for the Government

Yahoo accused of helping jail China Internet writer. Big Brother works in corporate suites all over the world - the western world mostly. Whenever money becomes more important than freedom, we all lose.

Quote of the Day

Humans are allergic to change. They love to say, "We've always done it this way." I try to fight that. That's why I have a clock on my wall that runs counter-clockwise.

Grace Hopper

TSA Detains Marine on His Way Home From Iraq

Aero-News Network: TSA "Terrorist" Turns Out To Be A Homeward-Bound Marine Can we get rid of the TSA now? Please?

They put a US Marine on the Terror list because they detected gunpowder on his foot wear. This was when he was coming home from a stint of active duty in Iraq. An active duty marine coming home from a war zone has been exposed to gunpowder. Well you can see how any government bureaucrat would think this is a problem. Any government bureaucrat with brains of a doorknob that is.

So they wouldn't let him on a flight this time - also when he was coming home from active duty in Iraq. Oh, and by the way, he was in uniform and surrounded by the other marines in his unit who were also in uniform and every one of them had military ID. But that wasn't good enough for the TSA!

The TSA is so stupid it is unbelievable. To put an active duty marine on the terror list because he was exposed to gunpowder in war zone is beyond insane. What next? All cops are to be put on the terror list? All recreational shooters?

This is an insult to everyone in the service of this country.

And in case you think that the TSA is necessary evil, that they are just trying to protect us, consider this:

Last month, a classified Government Accountability Office report leaked to NBC News reportedly revealed that security testers were able to bring bomb-making materials through TSA security at 21 of 21 airports tested.

A 100 percent failure rate. Your tax dollars at work.

Another Example of Self-defense Success

Wounded Hollywood man fends off robbers with hail of bullets in driveway People always tell me that the bad guys have the advantage in a gun fight. That may be the case, but it can still work out in your favor. But it will never work out in your favor if you don't fight back.

The first thing that happened to this guy, was that a car rammed into his car, when he pulled into his garage. The next thing that happened is that he was shot at, and a bullet grazed his cheek. Even so, Franco D'Arpino was able to draw his own weapon and drive off his attackers. Police believe this was a robbery attempt as D'Arpino was coming home from a pizza restaurant he owns.

These goblins were probably hoping he had the receipts from the restuarant. Since the first thing they did was to attack, they probably would have killed him had he not fought back. Self-defense works. Does it guarantte you won't be injured or killed? No. Just as wearing seatbelts won't make you invincible in a car crash. But it will change the odds of survival.

This happened in the Hollywood Hills section of Hollywood Florida. This is a relatively nice section of Hollywood. 50s and 60s ranch homes, that have for the most part been updated. Neighbors were of course "shocked" to find that crime had followed them to their suburban enclave. [KABA]

British Cops Refuse to Help

spiked-risk | Article | You can never find a policeman when you're being murdered OK, Let me see if I have this straight... Brits are forbidden to do anything to defend themselves (under penalty of law). They are told to be meek and call for help if possible, but to take no action. But when they do call for help, the police refuse to come and help them.

You can never find a policeman when you want one, they say. Being attacked by a maniac with a gun seems like one of the few circumstances in which I might really want to find one. However, recent cases suggest that the police would refuse to come anywhere near, on the ground that deranged gunmen tend to be a bit dangerous.

The police will not put themselves in danger. So why have police? During a recent domestic violence multiple homicide, armed police and ambulence crews waited 4 miles away because they didn't feel it was safe to approach the scene. By the time they got there, 2 people were dead.

This week, an inquest heard that Thames Valley Police took almost seven hours to enter a house after another emergency phone call from a terrified woman hiding in a cupboard. By the time they arrived Julia Pemberton was dead, along with her teenage son William, killed by her estranged husband Alan who then shot himself.

It appears to be open season on Brits. They can't defend themselves, and if they call the police, the police will refuse to come to the scene until it is safe. (It will only be safe when the goblin has gone or killed everyone and then himself.) Is it any wonder the Brits don't bother to call the police?

Graft or Stupidity in New Orleans?

LexisNexis News - Is Mr. Bush to blame for this, too? New Orleans has a problem with a lot of flooded, rusting, abandoned cars.

The city has 2 choices. It can pay 23 million dollars to have them removed. Or it can NET 5 million dollars from a company that is willing to pay the city to get the scrap.

Which do you think the Nagin and Blanco are considering? Who wants to bet that the 23 million dollars will line the pockets of friends and family of the well-connected in Louisiana?

A Story About Women & Shooting That Uses the F-word (Fun!)

KRT Wire | 04/17/2006 | More women drawn to gun clubs: Stress-relief, bonding, self-protection. They list all these reasons, but eventually they get around to the fact that shooting is just plain fun.

Shooting is fun, and I think once women pull the trigger - go skeet shooting, go to the pistol range - I think they're hooked. It's for the fun, but also for self-protection, that's an issue, too.

This was from Mary Sue Faulkner, director of the National Rifle Association's community service division, which includes the Women on Target activities.

The article does cover the serious side of owning a firearm.

John Geisness, an NRA-certified training counselor who lives in Martinez, Calif., said he noticed a jump in women wanting to learn how to handle a firearm properly after the fallout of Hurricane Katrina.

"There were a fair amount after 9-11, but the media really showed what was going on with the hurricane and people became more concerned," he said. "The majority of the people I see are females between the age of 35 and 55 that have never owned a gun before, and they realize education is the key to understand the safety and operation of a firearm."

Realizing that you won't be able to call 911 in a disaster, and that even if you could, the police will be too busy with the after effects of the disaster to respond to every call - or even most calls - made a lot of people realize for the first time why firearms for law-abiding citizens are important. Self-defense is as natural as breathing really, and firearms offer the most effective means

They also cover some of the fun at a local club.

At places like the Martinez Gun Club in Martinez, Calif., family night on Wednesdays offers dinner and shooting.

Trapshooting is the favorite sport there. [KABA]

Express Your Beliefs on Campus, Get Arrested

Rockford Register Star - RVC student, gun-rights activist, sues college over arrest A Rockford Valley College student, Shaun A. Kranish, founded ICARRY - an organization trying to bring concealed carry to the People's Republic of Illinois. He was wearing an ICARRY.org jacket, and wearing an empty holster to protest his disarmed state.

he was arrested for disorderly conduct in October after he approached college officials to discuss its weapons policies which prohibits guns on campus.

His jacket and holster were also confiscated. The charges were dismissed by a Winnebago County court.

He is suing for the infringemnet of his first amendment rights.

The University, through their lawyer, is saying that the suit has no merit. But my question is why did they arrest him when a search proved he was doing nothing wrong. "He got arrested because they were afraid he was carrying a gun," Rock Valley College attorney Peter Kostantacos said. But a simple search would have proven he wasn't carrying a gun - even assuming wearing a jacket and an empty holster constitute probable cause for a search - so why arrest him?

The answer is of course that Kranish dared to challenge the liberal dogma that rules the college campuses of today.

“When you set up a gun-free zone, what you are doing is creating a criminal friendly zone or victim disarmament zone,” Kranish said. “You are encouraging bad guys to commit crimes there because they know, they won’t meet resistance.”

I wish ICARRY the best of luck in their efforts to bring Illinois into the freedom column. [hat tip Pink Pistols]

55th Carnival of Cordite

Resistance is futile!: Carnival of Cordite #55 The carnival is available after a slight delay this week.

Lot's good stuff there. Something for everyone, except of course the gun-fearing weenies.

Stare Decisis and Bad Law

LexisNexis News - Bowing to Precedent: A decent respect for the Constitution should cause the Supreme Court to reconsider some past decisions The doctrine of stare decisis is the one that says courts should defer to precedent. It means that if a bad decision was reached in one case, its faulty logic and poor reasoning (or its outright disregard for the Constitution in a political decision) will move the Law of the Land farther and farther away from what the Constitution actually says.

It is the ego of the Law profession writ large. Their (judges are lawyers after all) decisions have more weight than what the Constitution says. It means over time that Law is only what the judges (and the lawyers) say it is.

Robert Nagel of the Weekly Standard has a more thoughtful take on star decisis, but he comes to a similar conclusion.

The doctrine that Roe is a super-precedent makes completely clear--as do scores of decisions that rest on precedent rather than on the Constitution itself--that the justices (and their apologists) now believe that the authority of the Court's decisions is more important than the authority of our fundamental law.

This is not the situation envisioned by the framers of the Constitution.

The Joys of Being Around a "Man's" Sport

View From The Porch: Miss Tamara's School for Wayward Yoots. Shooting was definitely developed by men who never expected to be around women.... Especially true of muzzle loaders. Balls, nipples, wads, ... all tools of the muzzle-loading trade.

"He needs .72 caliber..." *snort* "...balls."

"We only have .454 caliber. Small balls..." *chortle* "Tell him to call Fred's. I'm sure Fred has..." *howl, gasp* "...big balls."

(This isn't even the best quote, not by a long-shot!)

Michigan Gets Into the Castle Doctrine Debate

The Oakland Press: Senate bill creates self-defense debate: It appears that Michigan already has a mild version of the Castle Doctrine. The proposed law would not change the criminal repercussions of self-defense, just the civil risks.

"We've been working on the issue, and it's one that I don't have a problem with," said Sen. Mike Bishop, RRochester. "In Michigan, we have the right to defend ourselves and our family without fear of criminal prosecution. We ought to not have fear from civil liability if someone breaks into our home."

The way things stand today in Michigan was the way they were in Florida before the passage of the Castle Doctrine bill. If someone breaks into your home and threatens you, and you LEGALLY defend yourself, in Michigan you are likely to be sued by either the person who broke into your home - or their surviving relatives. This is wrong.

If I legally defend myself, the criminal should not be able to sue me for injuries. The responisibility lies with the one who decided to break the law, not a citizen defending herself.

The Left of course has got their panties in a bunch. "This law is a terrible signal to send to people." Well, that is the position of the Brady Bunch. What message would that be that is so terrible? That crime doesn't pay? That law-abiding citizens have the right to defend themselves? That criminals alone are responsible for the consequences of their actions - and that includes death, should they get shot.

Best of luck to the people of Michigan. I hope they get a better Castle Doctrine law.

Self-defense - It Does Work

FOX Carolina The Ten O'Clock News Pickens County Woman Shoots Home Invader A long-standing dispute in the neighborhood. A woman trying to care for her disabled father who lived next door to her. A home invasion.

Pickens County Investigators say Brian Teague forced his way into Susan Hendricks' home Thursday evening and refused to leave.

She shot him four times with an unspecified revolver. Police found him dead on the floor of her home.

South Carolina does not have a very strong Castle doctrine, so the authorities are deciding if they can prosecute this obvious case of self-defense. Still there are police reports of prior "incidents" and neighbors to attest to them as well. [via KABA]

125th Best of Me Symphony

The Owner's Manual: #125 Best of Me Symphony: Guest Conducted by GK Chesterton.

I do not believe in a fate that falls on men however they act; but I do believe in a fate that falls on them unless they act.

BOMS is a collection of posts more than 60 days old.

Pretty Good Rant on Immigration

LexisNexis News - Congress stoking public fury by refusing to halt illegal immigration Congress - mostly the Senate - and the President are really misunderestimating how people feel about illegal immigration.

Democrats and some Republicans are gravely miscalculating on this issue. By overwhelming numbers, the American people resent the unchecked invasion of our country. We've said so in poll after poll, letter after letter and vote after vote.

But in case lawmakers are confused, let's review:

We're tired of our tax dollars paying for extensive social services, including housing, welfare and higher education, for illegals.

We're tired of law-abiding Americans who live along the Mexican border being branded racists simply for trying to halt the destructive, violent flood of illegals who cross their land.

We're tired of outgunned federal agents having to take their lives in their hands every time they try to protect our border from heavily armed drug and immigrant smugglers, some of whom wear the uniforms of the Mexican military.

There's more.

Interesting Idea for a Tee Shirt

The Snap Shirts have come up with a very interesting idea....

Based on the words used in website (or Blog) they build a "word cloud" which can then be printed on a tee shirt.

Another Effective Bit of Self-defense

Chron.com | Alleged would-be robber shot dead by intended victim in Houston This is another example of effective self-defense.

Police said the suspect, dressed in black and wearing socks on his hands, knocked on the front door of Raney's residence. Raney, who had been asleep inside, opened the door with a pistol in his hand. He said he was repeatedly struck in the head with a tire iron by the suspect.

If you are going to open the door in the middle of the night, it is best to be prepared for the worst.

The Lie of “Giving Them What they Want”

abc13.com: News from KTRK, around Houston and southeast Texas: Man fights back against would-be carjacker in SW Houston One of the lies - almost it qualifies as a "Big Lie" - that the Left says is, "just give a criminal what he wants and he will leave you alone. (They never seem to consider what a woman confronted by rapist should do.) But consider this case.

Police tell Eyewitness News that the man was returning home on South Willow near South Post Oak when a gunman approached him in the parking lot and demanded money and his car.

The [car-jacker] shot at the victim after he handed over his keys, but the victim had his own gun and returned fire, shooting and killing one of the carjackers.

So they wanted his car, and AFTER he handed over his keys, they shot at him. AFTER he had given them what they wanted, they tried to kill him. He successfully defended himself.

Note that he didn't use lethal force to defend his car; he used lethal force to defend his life. Note also that they pulled guns and shot first - he still won the argument. [KABA]

Restraining Order Triggers Murder

WTVY | Authorities Still Looking for the Henry County Man Another story about the negative impact of restraining orders.

Johnny Thomas allegedly broke into his wife's home after a restraining order was filed against him.

One dead, two injured.

It isn't that people shouldn't get restraining orders, but they should not assume that such an order will solve all their problems. Sometimes getting a restraining order triggers more violence, as was the case in this situation. People need to be aware, and prepare.

Good Guys 1, Bad Guys 0

Would-be intruder shot, killed | IndyStar.com After ignoring someone ringing his doorbell at about noon, "incessantly ringing," the homeowner heard someone pounding on the back door.

On the way to the back door, he grabbed a firearm from a closet. At the back door, he heard and saw someone trying to force open the door. As he pulled back window blinds, he saw an arm come in through a broken window, [Capt. Phil Burton of the Marion County Sheriff's Department] said.

The homeowner fired one shot hitting Xavier Rashard in the chest. Rashard was pronounced dead at a local hosptial.

Burton said Sheriff's Department investigators consulted with the Marion County prosecutor's office, which ruled the shooting a justifiable homicide, meaning no charges will be filed.

[hat tip Keep and Bear Arms]

More ATF Jack-booted Thuggery

redandblack.com - ATF rids Univ. of ninja threat ATF "detain" someone on his way to a costume party. The guy with his knee - and his entire body weight - on the kids neck is unbelievable. [Click the image for a larger size photo]

Can we finally get these guys under control? Failing that can we get all of them out of government service? We could just turn all of the responsibilty over to the FBI.

Prosecuting Self-defense

Two shot, one dead in Somerset incident - PittsburghLIVE.com Why we need Castle Doctrine Laws.

Three men broke into Matthew Eperjesi's home after repeated warnings. He shot 2 of them and is being charged with murder and attempted murder, and he is being held without bond.

"What are you going to do when somebody's kicking your door down? Get your (expletive) kicked by three monsters?" Eperjesi's brother and roommate, Mike, said outside the apartment building yesterday. He said his brother warned the intruders he had a gun.

But that logic is too simple for the powers-that-be in the criminal injustice system. You don't have the right to defend yourself. Call 911 and cower on the floor while 3 goons beat the stuffing out of you - that is apparently what District Judge Arthur Cook believes.

Daily American: Shooting raises self defense questions Here is what the DA in case is saying.

“Generally speaking, the reason they become court cases is the facts are in dispute and a jury has to look at these facts,” [Cambria County District Attorney Patrick Kiniry] said. “It comes down to what's going on in your mind and is that reasonable under the circumstances.”

If three goons broke into my home, I would be thinking I was in real danger of death or grave bodily injury. But Mr Kiniry has doubts about the facts. He is looking for signs of forced entry. Does that mean we give up our right to self-defense if we forget to lock the door?

Excessive and gleeful prosecution of self-defense, holding people without bond when all they did was protect themselves, and a host of other reasons are exactly why the Castle Doctrine laws working their way through the states are required.

A Rather Unflattering Profile of The Pink Pistols

Philadelphia Weekly: The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight The Pink Pistols ("Pick on Someone Your Own Caliber") is a group dedicated to the idea of lawful self-defense. They are mostly active among gay, lesbian and transgendered folks - those folks normally targeted by your average urban goblin. In other words, one of the groups that could most benefit from armed self-defense. (In all fairness I must mention that some members are straight, since the Pistols don't discriminate. "It's OK if your straight; we'll still love you.")

The Pink Pistols was started in response to an article.

Thirty-one states allow all qualified citizens to carry concealed weapons. In those states, homosexuals should embark on organized efforts to become comfortable with guns, learn to use them safely and carry them. They should set up Pink Pistols task forces, sponsor shooting courses and help homosexuals get licensed to carry. And they should do it in a way that gets as much publicity as possible.

--Jonathan Rauch, Salon Magazine, March 13, 2000

The Leftist politicos don't like it, because they want to blame guns for everything, and "an oppressed" group advocating individual action and responsibility flies in the face of what good statists want. This is especially true in Pennsylvania.

A lot of gays and lesbians aren't too happy with the Pink Pistols either. When setting up a table at a gay pride rally, they had some "words" with people at a neighboring table.

"I don't want my child to be in danger because of your guns," someone barked at Patton, she says.

Still the author can't help but include some interesting anecdotes.

More than a decade ago, on a hot summer night, Greene [one of the members of the local chapter] was returning to his car after a night of partying at a Center City leather bar. Sporting a black leather vest, white T-shirt, jeans and leather boots, he headed east from 13th Street toward his car, which was parked in Queen Village.

A few blocks into his journey, four young adults began following him.

"Hey faggot!" Greene says the teens yelled.

Greene picked up the pace. He turned around at one point and saw that each of the thugs was waving a metal pipe as they continued barking at him.

When Greene, who says he hadn't been drinking, finally arrived at his car, he reached into his pocket, pulled out his five-shot Smith & Wesson revolver, and aimed it at the hooligans.

"Holy shit! He's got a gun!" Greene says the one of the teens yelled.

Then they ran off.

Successful self-defense with a firearm. No rounds were fired, but what is more important is that no one was hurt. The police would only have been able to get there after the fact and scrape him off the sidewalk.

The Pink Pistols is a group that turns everyone's stereotyped ideas on their heads.

Many of the Pink Pistols revel in their ability to live in two worlds that seem so ideologically divergent: the gun-loving NRA crowd and the queer community.

And the NRA crowd isn't always the toughest of the two to get along with. Oh, there are the usual quota of idiots in the gun community, but the gay community has its share as well. More than its share to tell the truth.

"They assume all of us must be Republicans," says Gwen Patton, the international media spokesperson for the group and head of the Delaware Valley chapter. "Some of us love Bush, but that's a whole different agenda."

She deliberately pauses for a moment.

"And yes," she says with a wry expression, "I meant that as a double entendre."

Actually bits of the article are excellent, but the tone is not-quite-negative, as if the author couldn't decide if he hated guns, or supported the gay community.

I'll give the last word to one of the members profiled.

To become a Pink Pistol, you simply declare yourself a Pink Pistol, Patton says. There are no registration forms, no roll call, no mandatory obligations or regular dues.

"Keep your money," she orders. "Get training. Get a weapon."

You can join the group for lunch and then fire off a few rounds at the range whenever you want, Patton says. Everyone is welcome.

"Being a Pink Pistol means you've decided to take responsibility for your own safety," she says. "I'm basically a nice, gentle person. But if they try to harm me or her ... "

She turns toward Leber, her partner.

"I will shoot them."

[Hat tip Keep and Bear Arms]

Another Check on the Bias

Alphecca: Weekly Check on the Bias A load of good stuff. I really like the bit on the suit John Lott is bringing against an author for defamation.

Crime in the UK: London vs. New York

The American Spectator New York, under the leadership of Mayor Guiliani, saw a tremendous reduction in crime rates. This was attributed in part to the "zero tolerance" policy. No crimes were ignored on the theory that ignoring minor crime lead to serious crime.

Now Britain, far from adopting zero-tolerance, looks like it's adopting a policy of not prosecuting many serious crimes at all. ...

The Home Office says offenses that may now be dealt with by a caution include burglary of a shop or office, threatening to kill, actual bodily harm, and possession of Class A drugs such as heroin or cocaine if police decide a caution would be the best approach.

Other crimes including common assault, threatening behavior, sex with an underage girl or boy, and car theft should normally be dealt with by a caution, if the offenders admit their guilt but have no criminal record.

Here are few of the stats - you know I love the statistics.

• New York has a population of 8 million, London 7 million
• London's crime rate is about 7 times that of New York
• Police budgets are comparable
• New York has 40% more cops on the beat

That last one is interesting.

British papers retail many incidents of British police, rather than preventing crime, being kept busy "celebrating diversity" and prosecuting politically incorrect remarks and behavior (large amounts of money and court time have been spent by the Crown Prosecution Service on cases of children who have made politically incorrect remarks in school playground fights, for instance).

It seems that they really do have the "Political Correctness" police.

Of course as bad as the statistics are, they don't represent the truth. Cooking the books, by the politicos to make Labour look good, is a common problem.

In 2002 a study found that 11 million crimes had been left out of British government figures, including hundreds of thousands of serious crimes involving woundings, robberies, assaults and even murders as well as thefts. Dr. David Green of the Civitas research institute said: "When you check the small print, it turns out the Home Office itself thinks that there were far more than the 13 million crimes discovered by the [official] British Crime Survey, perhaps four times as many." Dr Green said the Office of National Statistics was subject to political interference and a genuinely independent statistical service was needed.

The official statistics are off by as much as 400%? That seems insane.

And of course the British government loves to prosecute self-defense. To the point that, "There have been doubts expressed that a right to self-defense still exists in British law." But don't expect the police to protect you from violent crime.

So crime will come with no punishment by the police or courts in Britain. You are barred from doing anything that might conceivably be construed as self-defense or you will be arrested. Apparently the Labour government hates Capitalism so much they have never heard of price elasticity of demand. Make something cheap, and you will get more of it. Make something expensive, and you will see less of it. Committing crime in the UK today is cheap and getting cheaper. With no down-side, no armed citizen defending themselves, no chance of a prison term, not even the hastle of appearing in court, in Britain it seems that crime does pay.

What has all this produced? A year over year increase of 11% for gun crime (in gun free England?), and an 18% increase in sexual assault.

Civitas said previously that the rise in British crime-rates was "so spectacular" that it was "difficult to comprehend." Britain was "a seriously crime-infected and disintegrating society." Burglaries had increased from 72,000 in 1964 to 402,000 in 2004. Robberies of personal property had risen from 3,000 in 1964 to 101,000 in 2003-04. The report added: "England, from being a society remarkably free of crime and disorder, especially from the middle of the 19th to the middle of the 20th century, by the late 1990's had a worse record than France, Germany or the United States."

It is the people who are paying the price.

A study by the Institute for Criminal Policy Research in June 2005 found that violence from teenage thugs had a major impact on the lives of one in five of the population. According to a 2005 survey of 200,000 National Health Service workers, one third of ambulance staff and more than one half of paramedics had been subjected to violence in the course of their work.

We know, from the example of Guiliani's New York, how to reduce crime in a major urban center like London. It seems that the Labour government is not interested in following that lead because the actions required in cracking down on crime would require fixing their court system, and building more prison cells. These do not fit in with their idea of what is PC.

A Refreshing Article About Women and Shooting

The Marietta Times: Teachers shatter stereotypes about women and guns Most articles about women and guns in the mainstream media, are either shocked or somewhat condescending about the idea that women might know how to handle firearms.

This article is none of those things however.

Cathy Ash, 41, of Barlow, is a shooter and proud of it.

For more and more American women like Ash, knowing how to handle and properly use a firearm offers empowerment, self-confidence, security, and fun.

That pretty much reflects the entire tone of the article. They even manage to give the dates and contact information for upcoming classes in the Marietta area.

“He threatened her life, and she defended herself”

Two killings test right of self-defense - baltimoresun.com A long-winded and ambivalent review of citizens' right to self-defense. But buried throughout the piece is the story of Karen Foxx. She had obtained a restraining order against her estranged husband, Herman Bullock, she had accused him of assault - he was acquitted - and she had changed her phone number.

She also bought a gun for self-defense. She shot and killed him when he broke into her home and threatened her with an ax handle.

[Image © Oleg Volk and A-Human-Right]
People all over the country are discussing enhancements to Castle Doctrine. Here is a clear statement of why I believe the right of self-defense must be supported to the fullest extent possible.

Under Maryland law, a person may use deadly force to defend himself if he believes his life is in imminent danger, if that belief is reasonable and if he uses no more force than is "reasonably necessary."

I have no problem with the reasonable requirement if I am away from home, but if someone breaks into my home, I believe the law should assume I am reasonably justified in defending myself. How am I to determine the intent of the intruder, or know what weapons he has, or even know how many people I face? (Is there another down the hall or outside?) In terms of "reasonably necessary" force, how much time do I have to locate a weapon with the correct force? What selection of weapons would be required to meet all the various force levels? When faced with a threat, I am going to turn to the most effective means of defense at my disposal. In most instances this will be a firearm. Then I will meet the threat.

We are also told that an issue will be made of the number of times Foxx shot Bullock. The implication being that perhaps she shot him too many times for defense. Consider this post about an article in the FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin regarding neutralizing threats. One man was shot 5 times with a .45 caliber weapon and was still a threat. Another was shot 5 times with .40 S&W was still advancing on law enforcement. A third was shot 13 times with 9mm ammunition and ran several blocks. One shot kills are common only in the movies. In real life you shoot a threat until that threat is neutralized, or until your gun is empty.

This case is clearly an instance of self-defense. It should not be tried.

This case is also a clear indication of what "The System" can and cannot do to protect you. Restraining orders and court cases and the police are not 100% effective in protecting victims of domestic violence. If you refuse to be a victim, you need to take some actions to enable your defense. (No, I am not blaming victims.) Too few stories of domestic violence end with the victim alive, and the abuser dead. Taking some action will not ensure success (there are no guarantees in life), but it will change the odds of survival. [hat tip KABA]

124th Best of Me Symphony

The Owner's Manual: #124 Best of Me Symphony Guest conducted by Oscar Wilde

Ordinary riches can be stolen, real riches cannot. In your soul are infinitely precious things that cannot be taken from you.

What Makes a High Profile Hate Crime?

Michelle Malkin has part of the answer in THEY SCREAMED: "GET WHITEY!"

If the victim had been black, and his assailants white, this story would be everywhere, but when a group of blacks scream a racial epithet and attack a white man, that is not worthy of being national news.

If the victim had been black and his assailants white, there would be protests and rallies all over the country. Pundits would be coming out of the woodwork to deplore racism. But the victim is not black.

It is apparently not PC to point out that blacks can be racist. This story is a footnote in the NY Slimes. (A Google News Search on the victim's name turns up 25 stories at this time.)

Michelle has the details. [hat tip A Mom and Her Blog]

Profile of Concealed Carry in North Carolina

newsobserver.com | Permitted to conceal arms This isn't the kind of story one usually sees about concealed carry. It is thoughtful, presents the people holding permits as calm, thoughtful and polite adults. There is no foaming at the mouth from the hard left and the dire predictions made by the likes of the Brady Bunch when NC was considering the law are debunked. Speicifially, there have been no wild-west shootings, and the sherrifs interviewed for the article were not aware of any crime committed in their jurisdictions that had been committed by permit holders.

After describing what the anti-gun fanatics always say about people who carry concealed, the article debunks that by profiling one man who carries as a typical example.

But if you listen to Kavanaugh explain why he carries a gun -- and does so legally -- you hear a a marked willingness to shoulder this deadly weight responsibly. He isn't content just to punch holes in paper targets at the gun range; he has taken combat pistol courses, learning how to move and look for cover during a gun fight.

You also hear a tightly knit rationale, the product of a deliberate progression. The main threads in this weave are a strong credo of personal responsibility bolstered by religious conviction and a conservative political stand.

It is an interesting article, and worth a look.

British Losing Faith in Police and Courts

A follow up to the post on the UK letting criminals off without even appearing in court. Muggings go unreported in despair at police | the Daily Mail 58% of muggings are never reported to police. That would make the real figures for UK, not the 80,780 but 192,000. It would also make the official crime rate - already terrible - much worse.

The list of unreported crimes also includes 35 per cent of violent attacks by strangers, 38 per cent of burglaries and 42 per cent of thefts from vehicles.

The reason that all of these offenses have gone unreported is that the British populace doesn't believe anything will be done about them.

Victims believe police are so tied down by bureaucracy they will be unable to provide a quick response.

And even though the crime rate is bad (and probably worse than the official numbers), even though the people have lost confidence in the police, the British government refuses to recognize that self-defense would be the best way to cut down on crime. But possession of "offensive weapons" is severely punished.

Why bother to report a crime, when the criminal will not be sent to court - let alone jail - and be let off with a "caution?" Where is the justice in the United Kingdom's Criminal Justice System?

Is it any wonder there is a crime problem in the UK? [hat tip John Lott]

What Happend to Innocent Until Proven Guilty?

The Herald - News - 04/07/2006 - Man banned from town property Doesn't seem to apply here. They town applied for (and a judge signed) a temporary restraining order banning this guy from city property. All based on a "tip" that he carried a gun to a city council meeting.

He denies this. But that hasn't stopped the legal system from taking away his rights with no hearing.

Police searched his home and found 3 guns. What does that prove?

4th Largest Private Yacht in St Pete.

Southpinellas: A skyscraper that floats Paul Allen (co-founder of Microsoft) likes big yachts. He owns 2.

The Tatoosh, owned by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, has been docked in St. Petersburg since Monday for cleaning and repairs. The yacht is longer than a football field and has a crew of 30.

As if that isn't enough, he also owns the second largest yacht, the 414-foot Octopus. [click the image at right for a better view of the relative size]

More 911 Problems

WTAP | Sorry, Wrong 911 Calling from a cell phone may get you a 911 operator in the wrong county or wrong state.

The good news:

Cullums adds, however, that even if you do reach a 911 dispatcher from an area other than the one where you are, the dispatcher can notify your local 911 center of your emergency.

The bad news: minutes are added to the response time while you tell then where you are. (Assuming of course that you have time for a long, involved conversation.)

No Help Sent in Response to 911 Call: Woman Dies

ClickOnDetroit.com - News - Mom Dies After Boy's 911 Call Considered Prank. The city is doing a song and dance about the number of calls that are pranks. But it sounds like this operator decided right from the start that she was not going to send help. She will be "disciplined" - firmly rapped on the knuckles - and the sent right back to work.

So if you think that calling 911 will save your life, or that teaching your kids to call 911 will save your life if something happens to you, think again.

Missouri Assembly Passes Enhanced Castle Doctrine

Columbia Missourian - Self-defense bill fights way through House Not the law that Florida passed, the Missouri House passed a bill that covers homes, vehicle and buildings used for lodging. Not businesses generally, and not every place you have a right to be. Still it is better than nothing.

“This bill is about personal protection: Protection of crime victims and the ability of a person to defend herself or himself if their life or their home is threatened,” said House Minority Leader Jeff Harris, D-Columbia.

The big thing is the immunity from civil lawsuits. People who were attacked, or had their homes invaded, should not be sued by their attackers (or their heirs if the attack was met with deadly force).

The Left is concerned about all of the things that always get them upset whenever personal rights are enhanced. It may keep prosecutors from prosecuting certain self-defense shootings. Yes it may, since this is exactly what it is supposed to limit. Anything that reduces the power of the state is a bad thing if you are a Leftist, I guess.

The bill now goes to the state senate.

Good Guys 1, Bad Guys 0

Star-Telegram.com | 04/06/2006 | Shooting was justified, police say. Someone on the Left want to explain how self-defense doesn't work?

The attempted holdup victim, a 45-year-old Irving man, told police that he was sitting in his pickup truck in the parking lot, talking on his cellphone, when the teen walked up. The teen — armed with a semi-automatic handgun — demanded the man’s cellphone and wallet, police said.

The man told the teen he would give him his wallet and acted as though he was going to get it, but instead grabbed a larger caliber revolver that was lying on the seat, police said.

As he pushed the teen’s gun away, the man shot the suspect, police said.

The goblin in this case is in intensive care with a gunshot wound to his chest. [KABA]

The Best Defensive Weapon is the One You Have

WTOV9.com - News - Man Beaten With Frying Pan When an attack comes, use whatever means is at your disposal to defend yourself.

Steubenville police said the man was injured in fight Monday night after he allegedly tried to sexually assault a woman in a home on the 1400 block of Oak Grove Avenue.

Police said the woman and her boyfriend retaliated by hitting the man over the head with a frying pan and a 40-ounce bottle of alcohol.

The police found him in the lying in the street, covered in his own blood. He may need plastic surgery to recover from his injuries.

Police are waiting to see if the intended victim will press charges in the sexual assault. [KABA]

UK "fights" crime by letting criminals go free

'Let burglars off with caution', police told | the Daily Mail No court appearance. No jail time.

And don't be fooled by the headline. This includes a lot more than just burglary - a property crime.

And a string of crimes including common assault, threatening behaviour, sex with an underage girl or boy, and taking a car without its owner's consent, should normally be dealt with by a caution, the circular said.

Why is this? Well it seems that UK prisons are full, and they don't want to build more. (They couldn't sneer at the US for the number of criminals off the street people in prison if they did that.) How bad is the prison crowding issue?

It emerged last month that some violent or sex offenders, given mandatory life sentences under a "two-strike" rule, have been freed after as little as 15 months.

15 months for violence or rape is not much of a deterrent. But building more prisons is out of the question.

Why are they doing this? Several reasons. The Labour government thinks prison is uncivilized, but they don't seem to care that nothing else is working or that the British crime rate is one of the worst in the world (and getting worse). They also appear to see this rule change as way to "make the numbers look good" without having to go to the actual trouble of bringing cases to court. By counting a cautions as "an offender brought to justice," they will meet their quotas. What they won't do is drive the crime rate down.

So if you are assaulted in the UK the criminal can walk with what appears to the equivalent of a traffic ticket. But if you defend yourself - and usurp the states authority - they will no doubt throw the book at you, as they have done to others. [via KABA]

What's a Statist to Do?

Murder Brings Attention To Domestic Violence Arkansas has a problem. Domestic violence murders are up. But no one - in the media or in the victimization industry at least - wants to talk about self-defense.

There is mention of shelters and agencies that might help with "safety planning," but there is no mention of the fact that you need to take care of yourself. (See my idea of safety planning.) Why not work this into a discussion of the "Stand Your Ground" legislation currently working its way through the Arkansas legislature? A reporter wouldn't even need to take sides, but could get quotes from both sides of the issue on how it might impact domestic violence.

The case in point is about a woman allegedly killed by her husband within minutes of having applied for a restraining order.

Police say she had taken the right steps legally to try to protect herself, but domestic violence experts admit there's only so much police and judges can do.

As we see in this tragedy, legal protection (a restraining order) and actual protection are not the same thing.

Being armed may not have saved this woman. Being prepared for an emergency does not mean you will not be overcome by the emergency. We are only human, and we do the best we can. (As I always say, there are no guarantees in this life.) But what is very clear is that the system was not able to protect this woman. Her only chance would have been to try to protect herself.

The media seems at a loss when the state cannot come to the rescue. They report that there is only so much the police and the justice system can do, and stop cold. The very idea that YOU might have to step in and take some responsibility seems to be foreign. (And before anybody starts in on the "blame the victim" meme, take a look at Responsibility and Blame. I am NOT blaming the victim.) The victimization industry - so called because they are not the least bit interested in ending victimization, just ensuring the rights of victims - will not even allow the mention of the "F" word, firearms in their hallowed halls. Try approaching a battered women's shelter with the idea of running a Refuse to be a Victim class, and see how fast they slam the doors in your face.

In short if the state or the group can't solve the problem, the MSM and those on the Left don't want to even allude to the fact the individual might be able to solve the problem or at least mitigate the consequences for themselves. Individuals, who take responsibility for even a small part of their lives, are not likely to turn their existence over to the state. And personal safety is not a small part of life.

Illegal Alien Statistics

AlphaPatriot: Illegal Alien Fun Facts The good and the bad. Worth a look.

USS New York

ABC News: New Navy Ship Being Built With WTC Steel Built with 24 tons of steel taken from the World Trade Center, the USS New York also survived Hurricane Katrina.

USS New York is the fifth in a new class of warship designed for missions that include special operations against terrorists. It will carry a crew of 360 sailors and 700 combat-ready Marines to be delivered ashore by helicopters and assault craft.

Revenge is a dish best served cold. [h/t Tammy Bruce]

Ex-Secretary of Navy Blasts President

The Calgary Sun - 'Incompetent' president heaped with abuse Former Secretary of the U.S. Navy George Bancroft had this to say:

How can we reach our president with advice? He is ignorant, self-willed, and is surrounded by men, some of whom are almost as ignorant as himself.

So we have the dilemma put to us. What to do when his power must continue for two years longer and when the existence of our country may be endangered before he can be replaced by a man of sense. How hard, in order to save the country, to sustain a man who is incompetent

All the Lefties are, course nodding their heads in agreement. They so love bashing President Bush that they never fail to join in. There is of course one minor problem.

Bancroft didn't write this letter last week or last year. He wrote it in 1863, and was referring to Abraham Lincoln.

Beard, tall hat, sad face, freed the slaves?

Yeah, that President Lincoln.

The guy who through sheer force of will faced down the rebellion of the Confederacy to reunite his shattered nation.

Lincoln was pretty well hated by large sections of the public. The war was unpopular. The Emancipation Proclamation was unpopular. Lee was viewed as unstoppable.

Should the Union have conceded defeat to the Confederacy and let slavery stand, or let the Union crack? Was Lincoln justified in doing the things he did to win that war? Things like the suspension of certain civil liberties?

Ian Robinson ends his article as follows:

I wouldn't suggest George W. Bush is an Abraham Lincoln.

I would suggest the ultimate verdict of history will surprise us ... the same way it surprised Bancroft.

[Hat tip to Gay Patriot. Where a commenter noted that Lincoln's biggest and most bitter detractors were Democrats.]

Alabama Gets Enhanced Castle Doctrine Law

al.com: NewsFlash - Governor signs law expanding deadly force to protect home Not quite the "Stand Your Ground" law that includes everywhere you are legally able to be, the new Alabama law does extend protections to people in their homes, vehicles, and businesses.

Alabama's new law, which takes effect June 1, will delete language from state law that says a person should not use deadly force during a break-in if he or she can "avoid using force with complete safety."

How am I to determine at 3 AM what I can do with or without "complete safety?" Do I know how many intruders are in my home? Only the one I see? Or are there others down the hall?

The real issue is prosecuting attorneys will no longer get to Monday-morning-quarterback any self-defense decisions. (This is something that they really love to do!)

All the usual suspects have their knickers in a knot. [via KABA]

Want to "Take back the night?" Allow self-defense

Some reflections on a "Take Back the Night" march in a college town. 'Night' illustrates need for concealed weapons These groups of Lefties chanting about safety will not improve my safety once they go home.

If they were truly worried about women being raped on campuses across America, they would encourage all of those women to be armed - and they would force the Universities to permit them to be armed in their own defense.

Arkansas Politicians Debate Castle Doctrine Enhancements

Any politician, whose name is Gunner DeLay, can't be all bad. Arkansas News Bureau - DeLay would support 'Castle Doctrine' legislation in Arkansas.

Actually Arkansas already has a good deal of what Florida passed, but they are looking to remove restrictions about where you can defend yourself (Stand Your Ground) and also add the immunity from civil law suits. In too many states, I can defend myself legally, and still be sued by the person I defended myself against (or their heirs). Arkansas is looking to fix this, so I could not be sued for defending myself.

Rhode Island Struggles With Self-defense

Rhode Island news | Foes, advocates clash on gun permit proposals Reciprocity for concealed carry is apparently an issue in RI. The Lefties are concerned it will lead to "importing another state's gun culture" (No good explanation of what that means.) They are just all scared by Shall Issue states.

A domestic violence victim must wait - like everyone else - 10 days to purchase a gun in RI. 10 days the state holds her (or him) defenseless. Why? Has a waiting period ever saved a life? They want to reduce the to 3 days for people holding restraining orders. Some improvement. 3 days they are without the effective means of defense.

Why Do Employees Need to Be Armed?

Because they can be victims of crime at work just like anywhere else. abc13.com: Fake cops try to abduct man outside store A Best Buy assistant manager in Texas was assaulted by 2 men pretending to be cops, and they tried to kidnap him.

Beaten and handcuffed he still fought back and the 2 attackers left in a stolen car.

Pasadena police urge anyone who is confronted by someone they suspect is impersonating an officer to call 911.

Because calling 911 is so effective.

A gun may not have saved this guy from a beating, but fighting back certainly did save him from being kidnapped. But of course, Best Buy knows that their employees don't need to be armed.

I really hope this guy sues Best Buy. They restricted his ability to defend himself; they should therefore be completely responsible for defending him from attack. Seems only fair to me that you shouldn't be able to have it both ways.

The Way Domestic Violence Attacks Should End

wjz.com - Randallstown Woman Kills Husband In Self-Defense He was threatening her with a weapon - doesn't say what kind

The 35-year-old woman called 911 around 4:30 this afternoon and calmly told the operator that she had shot her 44-year-old husband. She met police at the door when they arrived at her townhome

Hat tip to Keep and Bear Arms

Won't Cry Over These Two

Bar holdup ends in death 04/02/06. At 11:15 PM Friday a pair of goblins break into a house and stab a 75-year-old man. They steal a .22 rifle.

Next they went to the Bavarian Inn at closing time. They beat an employee during the robbery attempt but that employee retrieved a gun and shot at both goblins.

Russell Joe Collins, 23, was found dead from a gunshot wound just after midnight. Bobby Lee Cott, 19, is under arrest charged in the break-in, the stabbing and the attempted robbery. The 75-year-old stabbing victim is in the hospital; his injuries are not life-threatening.

Gratutious Musical Posting

For your listening pleasure...

[OK here is the link - the embedded player doesn't seem to be working]

I seem to be late to the party...
[Hat tip Rightwingsparkle]

CCW Map With the Addition of Nebraska and Kansas

The map has been updated by Smallest Minority

Click the image for a better view

It is interesting to see how the map changes over time, and compare it to the violent crime statistics by year.