Friday, 24 May

04:30

"A socialist take on gun violence, state violence, and workers’ right to self-defense." [Sipsey Street Irregulars]

Channeling Mao. Of course, "arming the workers" only lasts until the party wins, then they are rapidly disarmed.

00:33

Comparison misfires: Terrorist attack in U.K. is no argument for guns [Gun News]

Second Amendment activists complain about the pro-gun-control camp "politicizing" the various firearm-related tragedies that are the regular scourge of America.

Thursday, 23 May

22:08

More than 100 "Conservative" Economists Urge Immigration Overhaul? I don't think so. [John Lott's Website]

A letter released by 109 economists urges Congress to pass a sweeping immigration overhaul, claiming that it will help the economy and reduce the deficit.  It has been getting some attention at the WSJ and Politico.  I am dubious that they are right.  But what is clear is that not all these signers are "conservatives" by any means.

Take June O’Neill, who served as OMB director for President Clinton.   
John Makin may be at AEI, but I know him and he is a Keynesian economist.
Note also some of the mistakes.  Steven Davis from the University of Chicago and Davis Steven from the University of Chicago are obviously the same person (I do know the real Steven Davis).  John Makin  at AEI is listed twice.  The 109 number removes these two double counting from the total.  Compare that to the 353 who signed a letter supporting McCain in 2008 or the 784 who supported Mitt Romney.  Here are nine economists who signed the immigration letter but who did not sign the letter supporting Romney (the six in italics signed the letter for McCain, though many more didn't sign the letter for McCain).
Antony Davies, Duquesne University 
James Forcier, Hult International Business School 
K.C. Fung, University of California, Santa Cruz 
William Gissy, KIMEP University 
Claudio Gonzalez-Vega, Ohio State University 
Stuart Hoffman, PNC Financial Services Group 
Philip Rothman, East Carolina University 
Scott Sumner, Bentley University 
William Trumbull, West Virginia University 

20:23

Focus on those who gave ultimate sacrifice [Gun News]

There's a lot of talk around the country these days about rights and freedoms. The Second Amendment right to bear arms and the First Amendment right to speak freely have been of primary focus as the debate rages over gun control in the wake of December's shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

16:08

New attention to old rape case underscores need for guns [Gun News]

Over the past 48 hours, National Public Radio , India Today and Opposing Views have zeroed in on a months-old southwest Oregon rape case that underscores the need for gun ownership where police are few and far between due to budget cuts.

16:00

The Gun Rights and Liberty News Roundup for 5/23/2013 [The Liberty Sphere]


David Codrea gives us a run down on the shotgun executive terrorist story that has created a firestorm of controversy.

The War on Guns has more on this explosive story.

Kurt Hofmann reports that D.C. is fining a man $1,000 for saving a child's life. You need to see this.

Mike Vanderboegh says that mainstream media reporters and Leftwing bloggers have headed to the White House once again for a secret meeting.

WRSA notes that the DSM-5 is now out and available to psychiatrists as the standard for diagnosing and treating mental illness. But wait till you see the changes from the DSM-4. This has broad implications for the current controversy concerning using psychiatric diagnoses as a basis to deny citizens the right to own guns.

Way Up North issues a report on the number of cases involving police misconduct.

Tam comments on the recent dangers posed by "the immigrant welfare sponge class."

The Wandering Minstrel declares that a lying Bloomberg anti-gun ad features a duped Aurora, Colo. mom.

Standing By makes the extremely important point that a citizen's "need to feel safe" by living in a society free of gun rights does not trump the Second Amendment. The illusion of "security" in this world is just that, an illusion.

Brigid celebrates her 5th year as the blogger/owner/CEO of Home on the Range. Congrats! I don't like Brigid. Not one bit. Her blog took off like a rocket right out of the starting gate. As for me, I had to work hard for at least 3 years before I got 500 readers per day. Fooey on that mean old Brigid. lol

Golden Geese News takes to task a piece in the Milwaukee newspaper of record and notes how ignorant most citizens are concerning business and economics.

Pamela Geller comments on the breaking news that Obama has outlined a new strategy on terrorism, a strategy that is fundamentally flawed.

Around O-Town posts an explosive story on the sex slavery of young girls in America.

Alphecca reports the enraging news that Nevada has passed a new law mandating "universal background checks." Add Nevada to the states to be boycotted and targeted for smuggling from the outside!

Roberta X provides a story on anti-gunnery in Indiana.

Mike McCarville, one of the most trusted journalists in America, posts a segment on Eric Holder and guns during a broadcast of Cam and Company. This is an archived copy from 2010 but it is eerily relevant to what is taking place now.

Stand Up America did an analysis, state by state, of the 2012 election, and comes to the conclusion that the IRS targeting of the Tea Party tipped the election to Obama. So there is your smoking gun.

15:52

Government says "may be impossible" to stop 3D printing of guns [John Lott's Website]

At the very least, how do you stop drug gangs from smuggling in or stealing 3D printers?  From Fox News:

A new Department of Homeland Security intelligence bulletin warns it could be "impossible" to stop 3D-printed guns from being made, not to mention getting past security checkpoints. . . .
The guns threaten to render 3D gun control efforts useless if their manufacture becomes more widespread.
"Significant advances in three-dimensional (3D) printing capabilities, availability of free digital 3D printer files for firearms components, and difficulty regulating file sharing may present public safety risks from unqualified gun seekers who obtain or manufacture 3D printed guns," warns the bulletin compiled by the Joint Regional Intelligence Center. . . .
"Limiting access may be impossible," concludes the three-page bulletin.
A source tells FoxNews.com the potential problems faced by government authorities involve securing large, high-profile events or those attended by the President, where magnetometers used to screen for weapons would not pick up a 3D printed gun.
"This is a serious threat," the law enforcement source said. "These could defeat magnetometers. The only security procedure to catch [the 3D firearms] is a pat down. Is America ready for pat-downs at every event?" . . .
Printers are relatively inexpensive:
The price range of 3D Systems printers ranges from $10k to $750k. The average would be ~$380k. But the median is much lower <$100k. . . .
More importantly, prices look to be falling dramatically very soon.
Widespread adoption of 3D printing technology may not be that far away, according to a Gartner report predicting that enterprise-class 3D printers will be available for less than $2,000 by 2016. . . .
How are you going to stop people from getting 3D printers when the prices get that low?  The hard part is designing the file, but that has apparently been done, with one already created file downloaded 100,000 times.

In any case, let me note that I still have some skepticism about these plastic guns.  The force from the explosion of the bullet seems very likely to risk having the plastic gun explode in your hands, sending shrapnel all over the place.  My advice is if you were to fire one of these guns, make sure that you are heavily protected.  I would still like to have some third party confirm that this gun works.

15:04

Reader: Second Amendment meant to fight tyranny, not kill burglars [Gun News]

A post yesterday featured the Independence Institute's Dave Kopel talking about a lawsuit targeting Colorado's new gun-control laws -- and featuring the support of Larimer County Sheriff Justin Smith and 54 of his colleagues around the state.

14:06

Report: IRS aimed to suppress Tea Party vote [The Liberty Sphere]

As investigators began to delve deeply into the IRS scandal, the Examiner received a hot tip, which was later reported, that a possible reason for the illegal targeting of the Tea Party was to give an advantage to Obama in his 2012 reelection bid.

Today, that tip was confirmed in a special report published in National Review in which John Fund asserted that massive voter suppression is the precise reason for the IRS scam.

Click here to continue reading at Anthony G. Martin's National Conservative Examiner.

13:59

Concealed Carry Bill Moves To House Floor, But Senate Objects [Gun News]

A concealed-carry gun deal brokered by House Speaker Michael Madigan cleared a House committee Thursday, but its prospects were unclear across the Capitol in the Senate because of the way it would curb existing local gun laws.

11:59

Illinois House guns bill passes committee [Gun News]

Illinois legislation allowing public possession of concealed guns has passed the House Judiciary Committee.

11:24

Woman, threatened with rape, calls 911 only to be told: "there are no officers on duty to help her" [John Lott's Website]

It sounds as if this woman should have invested in buying herself a gun.  From the UK Daily Mail:

A terrified woman from Josephine County, Oregon, dialed 911 to report that her violent ex-boyfriend is trying to break into her home, but in response she was told that there are no officers on duty to help her.  . . .
Eventually, the crazed man forced his way into the house, choked his former girlfriend and raped her without no one there to stop him.The suspect, Michael Bellah, was later arrested and pleaded guilty to kidnapping, assault and sex abuse. . . .  
The woman explained that her ex-boyfriend, Michael Bellah, had put her in the hospital just weeks prior, and she has been trying to keep him away. . . .  
'Uh, I don’t have anybody to send out there. You know, obviously, if he comes inside the residence and assaults you, can you ask him to go away? Do you know if he’s intoxicated or anything?' the officer, who identified himself as Ray, told the caller.  
The woman explained that she has already asked Bellah to leave and warned him that she was going to call police, but that did nothing to stop him from trying to break down the door - something he had done in the past, according to the girlfriend. . . .
The solution pushed by this news article is that the county should have voted for higher taxes.  Of course, a lot can happen even in 15 or 20 minutes. 

10:53

Poll: Americans doubt Congress will pass gun laws [Gun News]

A new Pew Research Center poll finds broad support for background checks on gun purchases, but 6 in 10 Americans doubt Congress will pass gun control laws this year.

10:40

Challenge to new Connecticut laws [Of Arms and the Law]

Complaint, in pdf, here. The law is quite draconian. Obtaining a "great than ten round" magazine is a felony; continuing to possess one already owned is a misdemeanor on first offense, felony on second. Buying or selling an "assault rifle" is a felony, minimum of two years' imprisonment. "Assault weapon" is defined in a way that may include almost any semiauto with detachable magazine.

08:48

Animal Rights Endorsement Fires Up Gun Owners [Gun News]

When the League of Humane Voters of New Jersey announced support for state Senator Raymond Lesniak in his primary election campaign, the New Jersey Outdoor Alliance reacted with some strongly worded remarks attacking the lawmaker.

08:00

Nevada: Senate Passes Bill to Criminalize Private Firearm Transfers Without Dealer-Run Check [NRA-ILA News]

Senate Bill 221 passed in the state Senate yesterday by a party line 11-10 vote.  The provisions in SB 221 are dangerous and can only be enforced with firearm registration.  SB 221 will now be sent to the state Assembly where it can be considered soon.  Contact your state Assemblyman TODAY and urge him or her to OPPOSE and VOTE AGAINST SB 221.

06:39

Support for Legal Status Holds; So Do Sizable Partisan Divisions [Gun News]

Nearly six in 10 Americans back a path to legal status for undocumented immigrants, with narrow preference for prompt action on the issue.

04:35

Running out of psychological ink. You can only print so much so long. [Sipsey Street Irregulars]

Global shares sink on U.S. stimulus pullback, Chinese growth fears
Share markets fell sharply on Thursday as investors piled back into safer assets, unnerved by the twin setbacks of unexpected weakness in China's economy and signals that the U.S. central bank may soon scale back its stimulus program.
The yen bounced sharply off recent lows and German Bunds rose, gaining support from a shift in sentiment that followed Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke's comment that the bank may trim its bond purchases at one of its next policy meetings.

04:20

JP Sauer Model 38H 32 ACP Pistol Review [About Hunting / Shooting]

This is a look at a nifty little popper that was conceived in Germany in the late 1930s, when Big Rumble Two was brewing and Europe was on the verge of a massive Socialist-driven bloodbath. Although chambered for the relatively weak 32 ACP cartridge, this pocket pistol had a lot of commercial potential... too bad its production was almost entirely glommed by the German military, and war's end saw its factory on the wrong side of the iron curtain. This gun incorporated numerous innovations and features never before found on a handgun, and looks good doing it. Read on to learn more about this nice little pistol, whose features live on in some of today's most popular sidearms.

Read the Review of JP Sauer Model 38H 32 ACP Pistol

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JP Sauer Model 38H 32 ACP Pistol Review originally appeared on About.com Hunting / Shooting on Thursday, May 23rd, 2013 at 11:20:29.

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04:09

God and Guns [About Hunting / Shooting]

God, guns, and guts made America free - let's keep all three.

This article doesn't explore intestinal fortitude, but it does cover the other two, as it explores the Biblical aspects of gun rights. It asks and answers such questions as, "What does the Bible say about the right to bear arms?" and "Should a Christian practice self-defense?" Personally, I believe every person should practice self-defense, but what about the Bible issue? Check out this thoughtful article by writer Mary Fairchild to learn about that, and more.

Find out what the Bible says about the right to bear arms

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God and Guns originally appeared on About.com Hunting / Shooting on Thursday, May 23rd, 2013 at 11:09:18.

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03:59

How to Use a Rifle Sling [About Hunting / Shooting]

This article is meant to complement my article on using a rifle sling. I thought the older piece needed some more details and some photos, and here's what I came up with. Rifle slings can be very useful things, but most hunters and shooters never use them to their full potential. Slinging a rifle over your shoulder or across your back isn't a terrible thing, but it sure isn't useful when you need your gun in a hurry, and it will never improve your accuracy. Here's how to get the most out of your rifle or shotgun sling.

Find out How to Use a Rifle Sling

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How to Use a Rifle Sling originally appeared on About.com Hunting / Shooting on Thursday, May 23rd, 2013 at 10:59:33.

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03:54

Hunting Vehicles I Have Owned [About Hunting / Shooting]

I'm the kind of guy who wants to get as much as possible out of the things I own - especially when they cost a lot of dough, as vehicles do. I've never had a lot of money, and I have to stretch it in order to have anything worth a hoot. That means that I do my best to get the most out of my hunting vehicles. Here's a look at some of the motorized wheels that have helped me get around in the woods; most of which have hauled numerous deer, and all of which have seen rough driving in ugly terrain, and brought me back to camp.

Check out the Hunting Vehicles I Have Owned

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Hunting Vehicles I Have Owned originally appeared on About.com Hunting / Shooting on Thursday, May 23rd, 2013 at 10:54:14.

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02:24

Why ammunition supplies continue to be skimpy & wimpy [Gun News]

Got AMMO? That should be the TV commercial that all the gun rights organizations are running! It continues to be a challenge to get various types of ammunition all across the country.

02:00

Connecticut: Lawsuit Filed in U.S. District Court Challenging Constitutionality of New Firearms Law [NRA-ILA News]

Bridgeport, CT – Yesterday, a widely-anticipated lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court in Connecticut, challenging the constitutionality of the new firearms law that was passed hastily by the Connecticut Legislature in response to the tragic shooting in Newtown by a disturbed individual.

Connecticut: Lawsuit Filed in U.S. District Court Challenging Constitutionality of New Firearms Law [NRA-ILA News]

Bridgeport, CT – Yesterday, a widely-anticipated lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court in Connecticut, challenging the constitutionality of the new firearms law that was passed hastily by the Connecticut Legislature in response to the tragic shooting in Newtown by a disturbed individual.

01:31

Will Democrats blow up the Senate to make it easier to confirm executive branch nominees? [John Lott's Website]

From Politico:

But it’s clear the majority leader wants to get something done and find 51 Democrats to support an unprecedented move to employ the so-called nuclear option — changing the rules so executive branch nominees can no longer be blocked by filibusters requiring 60 votes to break.Judicial nominees and legislation would very likely still face a 60-vote threshold on filibusters. . . .
I have a new book coming out next month, "Dumbing Down the Courts," that ironically shows that Obama has had a relatively easy time getting executive branch nominees confirmed.

An article in the LA Times makes this threat of rule changes all the more explicit:

Senate leaders had considered holding a vote this week to confirm Richard Cordray as head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, a nomination Republicans have maintained they would filibuster unless the Obama administration agreed to overhaul the agency. . . . 
Action is also pending on two of Obama’s Cabinet nominations — Thomas E. Perez for Labor secretary and Gina McCarthy for EPA administrator — after party-line votes in Senate committees last week. Two other Cabinet picks face confirmation hearings later this week. 
At his weekly news conference, Reid told reporters that he would not bring those nominations to the full Senate until after it considers two major pieces of legislation, the farm bill and comprehensive immigration reform. 
“So we'll have to look at July,” he said, with the possible exception of a pending nominee for the D.C. Court of Appeals. “We're going to make sure that all the nominees have votes.” 
Reid declined to discuss further changes to the Senate’s filibuster rules Tuesday. But in recent weeks he has been ratcheting up pressure on Republicans over what he has called “blanket, partisan obstruction” of executive agency choices. . . .
The New York Times from May 16th adds this:
. . . Gina McCarthy, Mr. Obama’s choice to lead the Environmental Protection Agency, and Thomas E. Perez, the nominee to be secretary of labor, were approved in committee with only Democratic votes. Their nominations now go before the full Senate, where they face likely Republican filibusters. 
The threat of further Republican attempts to thwart the president’s ability to assemble his second-term cabinet has increased the likelihood of a fight over the Senate’s rules, which allow the minority party to insist on a 60-vote threshold for almost every Senate action. . . . 
Republicans insist they are standing in the way of nominees who merit more scrutiny and pointed to the advancement of two more Obama administration choices on Thursday: Sri Srinivasan, whose unanimous approval by the Senate Judiciary Committee sends him to the full Senate for confirmation to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, and Ernest J. Moniz, the president’s pick for energy secretary, who was confirmed on a 97-to-0 vote by the full Senate on Thursday afternoon. . . .
Moniz is fairly radical guy and yet he got through without much trouble.

01:19

Dramatic story of how even the simplest medical devices require government approval [John Lott's Website]

Someone please explain to me why it was necessary to get government approval for a simple tube that allowed this baby to breathe.  Fortunately, it was possible to clear this quickly, but why did they have to go through this process at all?  From Fox News:

. . . In the case of Kaiba Gionfriddo, doctors didn't have a moment to spare. Because of a birth defect, the little Ohio boy's airway kept collapsing, causing his breathing to stop and often his heart, too. Doctors in Michigan had been researching artificial airway splints but had not implanted one in a patient yet.In a single day, they "printed out" 100 tiny tubes, using computer-guided lasers to stack and fuse thin layers of plastic instead of paper and ink to form various shapes and sizes. 
The next day, with special permission from the Food and Drug Administration, they implanted one of these tubes in Kaiba, the first time this has been done. . . .

01:11

Handgun ban in the UK apparently didn't stop two terrorists there from getting guns [John Lott's Website]

It took around 20 minutes for police to arrive on the scene after the terrorists attacked the soldier in London.  Apparently the terrorists were able to get guns. Will the British be willing to allow the gun laws that were in place up until 1920?  Of course, Britain's murder rate was much lower back then, but I assume that people will condemn the idea of this "primitive" solution to this threat.  From the UK Telegraph:

In the first terrorist murder on the British mainland since the 7/7 suicide bombings of 2005, the men attempted to behead the soldier, hacking at him like a “piece of meat” in front of dozens of witnesses, before both were shot by police who took around 20 minutes to arrive. . . . 
Speaking with a London accent, holding a knife and a meat cleaver and with his hands dripping with blood, he said:  . . .  
“We must fight them as they fight us. An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. I apologise that women had to witness this today but in our lands our women have to see the same. You people will never be safe. Remove your government, they don’t care about you. Do you think David Cameron is going to get caught in the street when we start busting our guns? Do you think your politicians are going to die?" . . . 
There were also questions over why it took around 20 minutes for armed police to arrive on the scene, during which time the killers calmly walked up and down the road, carrying their bloodied knives and a pistol, while members of the public confronted them.
When police did arrive, both gunmen tried to rush at the police and were shot, reportedly by a female officer. . . .

Wednesday, 22 May

22:13

Governor Bentley signs bill on carrying guns [Gun News]

<![CDATA[MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) -- Alabama's governor has signed legislation that expands where people can carry guns in Alabama. The bill by Republican Sen. Scott Beason of Gardendale passed the Legislature Monday, and Bentley's office announced he signed it into law Wednesday. House Speaker Mike Hubbard said the governor's signature makes Second Amendment rights more secure. The new law says employees can have firearms in their cars at work, and businesses can't be sued for any harm resulting from the use of those weapons. Loaded weapons can be carried in cars by anyone with a concealed carry permit. A driver can carry an unloaded weapon, as long as it is out of reach, even without a permit. Sheriffs must issue a written justification for denying a concealed weapons permit, and the decision can be appealed.

21:08

9 Investigates examines gun ownership and violent crime rates [Gun News]

The City of Clermont may be best known as home to the Citrus Tower, but as 9 Investigates first revealed in February, it is also home to the ZIP code with the most concealed weapons permits in our area.

18:08

CNN host Piers Morgan writing book about his caree... [Gun News]

British CNN host Piers Morgan is writing a book about his career, his job as news show anchor and his interviews with Hollywood stars and world leaders, his publisher said on Wednesday.

17:03

Lawmakers wrap 'most partisan session' ever [Gun News]

In his annual State of the State address last January, Gov. John Hickenlooper gave the General Assembly a wish list that included civil unions, universal background checks, tuition for undocumented students, Medicaid expansion, a comprehensive overhaul of the state's mental health system and school finance, and a bill to support advanced ... (more)

17:00

Connecticut gun law faces challenge in federal court [NRA-ILA News]

A coalition of gun owners, gun dealers and firearms rights organizations have sued the governor and members of the state's attorney's office, contending that the gun law passed in the aftermath of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings violates the Constitution.

Alabama: Governor signs workers protection bill [NRA-ILA News]

Alabama's governor has signed legislation that expands where people can carry guns in Alabama.The bill by Republican Sen. Scott Beason of Gardendale passed the Legislature Monday, and Bentley's press secretary, Jennifer Ardis, announced the Republican governor signed it into law Wednesday."With Gov. Bentley's signature today, Alabamians' Second Amendment rights are more secure than ever," said House Speaker Mike Hubbard, R Auburn.The new law, pushed by the National Rifle Association, says employees can have firearms in their cars at work, and businesses can't be sued for any harm resulting from the use of those weapons.

South Carolina: House panel endorses bill respecting Right-to-Carry in restaurants [NRA-ILA News]

A House panel advanced a bill Wednesday that would allow South Carolinians with permits to carry concealed weapons to take guns into restaurants and bars, removing proposed Senate restrictions that would have barred guns after midnight and in areas dedicated to serving alcohol.

15:59

Pink Pistols not responsible for pro-gun posters aimed at Seattle gays [Gun News]

The Pink Pistols , a national gay gun rights organization based in Philadelphia, today issued a statement that it is not responsible for pro-gun posters supporting the right of gay citizens to be armed for personal protection that have appeared in Seattle and Olympia .

13:11

Congressman: IRS official 'cannot take the 5th' [The Liberty Sphere]

A top IRS official who heads the division that oversees the applications and decisions regarding tax exempt status for organizations went before Congress today, made a statement, claimed her innocence, and then took the 5th in refusing to answer any questions.

Lois Lerner is a key witness that the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform called in for questioning in connection with the IRS scandal that has rocked the administration, a scandal during which IRS officials targeted, harassed, and delayed conservative and religious groups while putting liberal groups on the fast track.

Click here to continue reading at Anthony G. Martin's National Conservative Examiner.

12:38

Washington Post has a hard time believing that Obama didn't know about the IRS investigation before he claims that he did [John Lott's Website]

Ed Rogers writes in the Washington Post:

My personal favorite of all the new revelations from the Obama IRS scandal is that White House Counsel Kathryn Ruemmler told White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough about the impending IRS inspector general report, but of course the White House chief of staff did not tell the president. 
I sat in a White House chief of staff’s office every day for more than two years. Theonly reason the legal counsel would tell the chief of staff about an impending report or disclosure would be so the chief of staff could tell the president. The legal counsel would assume the chief of staff would know how and when to bring up the matter. The chief of staff would be expected to know if there were additional factors surrounding the issue that needed to be considered before the president was told, or whether or not others needed to be included in the conversation when the information was shared with the president. There are many valid reasons why the chief of staff would tell the president, but I can’t think of a reason why he and the legal counsel would both agree that this news nugget would go no further. It’s very odd. . . .
When even the Washington Post openly scoffs at Obama's claims to be completely out of the loop on these things you know Obama is in trouble.  My own belief is that things are even worse than this. 

1) The investigation into the IRS scandal was completed in May 2012.
'Just yesterday the committee interviewed Holly Paz, the director of exempt organizations, rulings and agreements, division of the IRS,' Issa said. 'While a tremendous amount of attention is centered about the Inspector General's report, or investigation, the committee has learned from Ms. Paz that she in fact participated in an IRS internal investigation that concluded in May of 2012 - May 3 of 2012 - and found essentially the same thing that Mr. George found more than a year later.' . . . 
2) Since this result was known, why wasn't it fixed? Is it credible that people at the top of Treasury wouldn't know about it?  Is it credible then that the Obama White House wasn't informed?  Surely informed simply to give them a heads up in case the study came to light in the middle of the 2012 presidential campaign.  Deputy Treasury Secretary Neal Wolin was told about the IG investigation in 2012.  Surely, he would have also known at that same time that this other investigation had been completed.

If the White House or even senior people at Treasury knew about this investigation that was completed in May 2012, Obama is in real trouble.  It is obvious why Obama wants to pretend that he was out of the loop, but the wall is cracking.

11:40

Dustin Reininger: Texas Dude With a Truckload of Guns Forced to Remain in New Jersey Gulag [Gun News]

Second Amendment-hating New Jersey judges rejected a Texas man's appeal on a 2010 conviction of illegal possession of multiple firearms this week, but the case may soon be headed for New Jersey's Supreme Court.

08:00

Alabama: Governor Signs Omnibus Firearms Reform Bill into Law [NRA-ILA News]

On Monday, the Alabama Legislature adjourned sine die.  Gun owners and sportsmen earned a major victory with the passage of an omnibus firearms bill, Senate Bill 286.  This NRA-supported bill was signed into law yesterday by Governor Robert Bentley (R) and will take effect on August 1.

07:30

California continues to lead nation in gun safety measures [Gun News]

Even as attempts to enact sensible gun safety legislation at the national level remain stalled and states like Missouri pass constitutionally-questionable measures to nullify all federal gun control laws, California continues to lead in the effort to stem the U.S. epidemic of gun violence.

07:00

South Carolina: Strengthened Self-Defense Bill to be Considered by House Committee [NRA-ILA News]

Today, the General Laws Subcommittee of the House Judiciary Committee strengthened Senate Bill 308, a restaurant carry bill.  As amended and passed in the South Carolina Senate in April, S 308 imposed arbitrary restrictions on the hours a Concealed Weapons Permit (CWP) holder may lawfully carry a firearm for self-defense in a restaurant that serves alcohol.  It also did not allow CWP holders to sit in the bar area of a restaurant, if it had one.

04:26

Poll: Georgians oppose campus guns; Isakson popularity at 50 percent [Gun News]

A majority of Georgians oppose allowing students who have concealed-weapons permits to carry guns on college campuses, according to a survey released Tuesday.

03:26

Rally held in support of legislation repealing SAFE Act [Gun News]

More than 400,000 postcards lobbying for the repeal of the New York SAFE Act will be delivered in Albany on Tuesday.

01:33

James Rosen's parents were targeting during DOJ probe [John Lott's Website]

From the UK Daily Mail:

The revelations that the Justice Department targeted the emails of a Fox News reporter have become even more disturbing as even his parents were targeted in the probe, documents say. . . .Citing federal documents on Tuesday, Fox News host Bret Baier referred to 'seized phone records that relate to [Rosen's] parents' home in Staten Island.' . . .

01:30

Obama administration leaked information to try discrediting Operation Fast and Furious whistleblower [John Lott's Website]

Contrast what Obama administration did with this guy who leaked information to discredit a whistleblower with what the administration is doing to reporters who obtained information that they are less thrilled by getting out.  From the New York Times:

The Justice Department’s independent inspector general on Monday criticized a former top federal prosecutor in Arizona, Dennis K. Burke, for leaking to Fox News a document in June 2011 about a federal agent who was raising alarms about the gun trafficking investigation known as Operation Fast and Furious. He called the prosecutor’s actions “particularly egregious” misconduct that was “wholly unbefitting a U.S. attorney.” 
The 21-page report, by the office of Inspector General Michael Horowitz, filled in new details about the reaction of the Phoenix prosecutor’s office to the furor over a botched investigation into a gun-smuggling network. Arizona-based agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives allowed hundreds of weapons to reach criminal hands. . . . 
The inspector general’s report cites internal e-mails and testimony that show Mr. Burke was “frustrated” at Mr. Dodson’s criticisms . . . .

00:03

Jeff Nugent's support for background checks [John Lott's Website]

I have known Ted Nugent for many years and have recently gotten to know his brother Jeff.  Both are very interesting and smart people who I respect.  But I am writing this note because of Jeff's very disappointing op-ed in the Washington Post.  The op-ed is more a list of feelings and attacks on those who oppose his position than any actual facts.


I believe strongly that expanding and improving mandatory background checks will keep a lot of people who aren’t entitled to Second Amendment rights from having easy access to guns.

Everyone wants to keep criminals from getting guns, but the evidence for background checks effectively doing this is what?  I have seen lots of studies by criminologists and economists, but I don't know any that show that background checks by the federal or state governments have reduced any type of crime rate.

Why would responsible gun owners want to protect people who threaten not only our safety but our gun rights? . . .

Enhanced background checks need not threaten the Second Amendment. Why are the NRA and the elected representatives who support it so slow to realize this? Or do they fear a slippery slope toward greater restrictions on gun rights? If they don’t want to burden a flawed system, they should be part of fixing it.

I oppose expanding background checks, but I would strongly argue against the claim that I "want to protect people who threaten not only our safety but our gun rights." The problem is that virtually everyone who is stopped under the current system is a law-abiding individual.  

If you primarily stop law-abiding citizens who need to get guns quickly for self-defense and not criminals, crime rates can rise, not fall.  

1) It would have been nice if Jeff Nugent had requested that the huge false positive rate with the current background system were fixed.  

2) Suppose that Jeff is right that background checks lower crime rates, everyone should pay for it, not just people who are buying guns.  If everyone benefits from a government policy, everyone should pay for it.

3) The system is supposed to be an "instant" check system.  The Manchin-Toomey bill speeds up checks for gun shows to be done in 48 hours, versus the 72 hours under the current law.  It obtains this 48 hour limit by switching resources from background checks at gun stores and using them for gun shows.  48 hours will still be useless for gun shows because the vast majority only last two days.  If you buy a gun on Saturday morning, the approval process can be delayed until Monday morning.  As it is, my research finds that so-called gun show regulations reduced the number of gun shows in a state by about 20 percent.

Tuesday, 21 May

23:11

Silicon Valley startup offers wireless controller that can monitor, disable guns remotely [Gun News]

A high-tech Capitola startup is wading into the gun control debate with a wireless controller that would allow gun owners to know when their weapon is being moved -- and disable it remotely.

21:28

47% of Democrats think the Obama White House either knew about or directed the IRS to go after conservative groups [John Lott's Website]

According to a new Fox News poll, while it isn't too surprising that 63% independents think that the Obama WH either knew about or directed the IRS to go after conservative groups, it is more surprising to see that 47% of Democrats think that.  Indeed, more Democrats think that there is a problem (47%) than think the "White House had absolutely nothing to do with it and knew nothing about it" (41%).  It is interesting that Democrats are also much more trusting of the IRS than either Republicans or Independents. (Click on the above figure to make it larger.)

17:00

Resident fires at trio of burglars, The Palm Beach Post, Palm Beach, Fla. 05/21/13 [NRA-ILA News]

A group of three burglars approached a home in Delray Beach, Fla. and knocked at the front door. When they received no answer, the trio went around to the back door and attempted to break inside. A resident of the home noticed the would-be intruders, retrieved a gun and fired at the criminals, striking one and causing all to flee in a nearby getaway car. Police captured all three burglars a short time later at the Delray Medical Center, where the injured burglar underwent surgery.

Louisiana Senate passes 3 gun bills [NRA-ILA News]

Journalists, bloggers or anyone else who intentionally publishes concealed carry handgun permit information would be subject to stiff penalties under a bill passed by the Louisiana Senate on Tuesday. Two other gun bills also were approved. House Bill 8, sponsored by state Rep. Jeff Thompson, R Bossier City, would penalize the release of concealed handgun permit information. The bill was approved 33 2 with New Orleans Democrats Karen Carter Peterson and Edwin Murray voting against it.

Kansas: Legislators give final approval to gun bill [NRA-ILA News]

Kansas legislators gave final approval Tuesday to restrictions on using state funds to promote or oppose gun control policies, despite criticism that the new law would violate public officials' free speech rights.

Texas: Bill modifies concealed handgun licenses [NRA-ILA News]

Concealed handgun license holders in Texas would be allowed to carry a revolver or semi automatic pistol, regardless of what they trained with on the shooting range under a bill advancing in the Texas Legislature.

Nevada: Senate committee passes bill criminalizing private transfers [NRA-ILA News]

Shortly after the speeches ended, members of the Senate Finance Committee did just that by voting 4-3 to advance SB221. The bill now awaits a full vote of the Senate.

16:26

Some interesting data on the Federal judiciary [John Lott's Website]

If you are interested in changes in the number of Federal judges or the number of cases, trying going here for the data.  The biographies of Federal judges is available here.  Other data on the history of Federal Appeals courts is available here.

14:00

Nevada: Senate Finance Committee passes Bill Criminalizing Private Firearm Transfers Without Dealer-Run Background Check [NRA-ILA News]

Senate Bill 221 was amended and passed in the Senate Finance Committee today in a party line 4-3 vote.  Contact your state Senator TODAY and urge him or her to OPPOSE and VOTE AGAINST SB 221. This Senate floor vote could happen at any time, so contact your state Senator immediately!

12:09

Fox's William La Jeunesse targeted by Obama administration, CBS's Sharyl Attkisson has her computers hacked, could it both be "Fast & Furious"? [John Lott's Website]

The UK Daily Mail has this:

La Jeunesse and Levine were targeted in a separate Department of Justice investigation into leaks related to Operation Fast and Furious, a scandal-plagued DOJ program that sent illicit guns across the Mexican border to drug cartels in the hope of tracing the guns' path to the narcotics gangs.The federal government lost track of the majority of approximately 2,000 firearms that were allowed to cross the southern U.S. border. More than 300 deaths in Mexico, and the death of at least one U.S. Border Patrol agent, were linked to those weapons. La Jeunesse broke stories outlining several key elements of the Fast and Furious scandal. Monday's Inspector General report from the DOJ directly quotes his emails, as well as some from Levine, the Fox News producer.'What we don't know at this point,' Bream reported, 'is if the sources within the Justice Department may have shared those emails with investigators, or if the Fox employees' accounts were directly accessed by investigators. It's simply a question we cannot answer at this point.' . . .
Politico has this story:
Sharyl Attkisson, the Emmy-award winning CBS News investigative reporter, says that her personal and work computers have been compromised and are under investigation.
"I can confirm that an intrusion of my computers has been under some investigation on my end for some months but I'm not prepared to make an allegation against a specific entity today as I've been patient and methodical about this matter," Attkisson told POLITICO on Tuesday. "I need to check with my attorney and CBS to get their recommendations on info we make public."
In an earlier interview with WPHT Philadelphia, Attkisson said that though she did not know the full details of the intrustion, "there could be some relationship between these things and what's happened to James [Rosen]," the Fox News reporter who became the subject of a Justice Dept. investigation after reporting on CIA intelligence about North Korea in 2009. . . . 
Attkisson suggests that the DOJ spying might have been related to what James Rosen was doing.  But what if it is also due to her work on Fast & Furious?   In any case, AP, Fox, and CBS?  Where else does this spying of the media go?  Is anyone going to be willing to give information on Obama administration scandals?

12:02

CIA source: 4th shoe about to drop [The Liberty Sphere]

In a very short period of time three scandals have rocked the Obama administration -- Benghazi, the IRS, and the illegal seizure of AP reporters' phone calls. The real truth, though, is that four scandals now beset the administration since there was no resolution to Fast and Furious due to Justice Department stonewalling.

But in spite of the fact that the mainstream media totally ignores Fast and Furious, which would make four scandals if the truth were important to our elected officials and the mainstream media, a CIA official has told a Drudge Report editor that a fourth shoe is about to drop, make that the 5th shoe in the correct count, that has Obama political operatives at the White House literally shaking in their boots.

Click here to continue reading at Anthony G. Martin's National Conservative Examiner.

11:32

Unions are finally acknowledging Obama broke his promise that “nothing in this plan will require you to change your coverage or your doctor" [John Lott's Website]

Are unions really that dumb that they couldn't realize that Obama had clearly broken his promise earlier that “nothing in this plan will require you to change your coverage or your doctor"?  Some one needs to ask the unions why they didn't realize this problem until now?  Did they think that the Obama wasn't serious about what he wanted?  Or that Democrats would radically rewrite the law?  From The Hill newspaper:

Labor unions are breaking with President Obama on ObamaCare.
Months after the president’s reelection, a variety of unions are publicly balking at how the administration plans to implement the landmark law. They warn that unless there are changes, the results could be catastrophic.
The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) — a 1.3 million-member labor group that twice endorsed Obama for president — is very worried about how the reform law will affect its members’ healthcare plans. Last month, the president of the United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers and Allied Workers released a statement calling “for repeal or complete reform of the Affordable Care Act.”
UNITE HERE, a prominent hotel workers’ union, and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters are also pushing for changes.
In a new op-ed published in The Hill, UFCW President Joe Hansen homed in on the president’s speech at the 2009 AFL-CIO convention. Obama at the time said union members could keep their insurance under the law, but Hansen writes “that the president’s statement to labor in 2009 is simply not true for millions of workers.” . . .

10:00

Kansas: State House Approves Bill to Prevent Taxpayer Dollars from Funding Gun Control Advocacy, Goes to the Governor for his Approval [NRA-ILA News]

Today, the Kansas House of Representatives approved an important pro-gun reform by an 83 to 28 vote, with 14 members not present.  House Bill 2162, which was recently amended to include language from the NRA-supported Senate Bill 45, passed in the Kansas Senate by a 31 to 6 vote last week and is now eligible for Governor Sam Brownback’s approval.

Wisconsin: Assembly Committee to Hear NRA-Backed Hunting Reform Tomorrow [NRA-ILA News]

Tomorrow at 9:00 a.m., the Assembly Natural Resources and Sporting Heritage Committee is scheduled to hear a bill of importance to sportsmen and hunters in the Badger State.  Assembly Bill 194, sponsored by state Representative Mary Czaja (R-35), would allow all hunters the opportunity to use a crossbow during the big game archery season.  This bill would help increase hunter participation and preserve Wisconsin’s rich hunting heritage.

05:00

New Hampshire: State Senate Scheduled to Consider Shurtleff Criminal Protection Bill this Thursday [NRA-ILA News]

In March, the New Hampshire House of Representatives undermined your inherent right to self-defense by passing the Shurtleff Criminal Protection Bill, House Bill 135, by a 189-184 vote.  The state Senate is scheduled to consider HB 135 and decide the fate of this misguided proposal this Thursday.  If passed and enacted into law, HB 135 would repeal important self-defense provisions enacted in 2011 and make the following changes to New Hampshire’s current self-defense laws:

00:58

An incredible discussion by Fox's "Political Insiders" about the Impact of the Scandals [John Lott's Website]



Pat Caddell is absolutely great as always.  Great insights into what parts of the press the DOJ is investigating.  Also how the head of the IRS union met with Obama the day before they instituted the program to single out conservatives.  Doug Schoen has a good points about more IRS agent and fewer doctors.

Monday, 20 May

22:15

The cracks in Obama's story on the IRS scandal are adding up [John Lott's Website]

From the WSJ:

The White House's chief lawyer learned weeks ago that an audit of the Internal Revenue Service likely would show that agency employees inappropriately targeted conservative groups, a senior White House official said Sunday.
That disclosure has prompted a debate over whether the president should have been notified at that time.
In the week of April 22, the Office of the White House Counsel and its head, Kathryn Ruemmler, were told by Treasury Department attorneys that an inspector general's report was nearing completion, the White House official said. In that conversation, Ms. Ruemmler learned that "a small number of line IRS employees had improperly scrutinized certain…organizations by using words like 'tea party' and 'patriot,' " the official said. . . .
Possibly the WSJ should have asked not "whether the president should have been notified at that time" but "if the president was notified at that time."  Of course, Jack Lew, Obama's chief of staff at the time, knew about this last fall.  How many people right next to Obama have to know about this before it can be assumed that Obama also knew before he claims that he found out from the media reports.  This is hardly the first time that I felt that the media was covering on this for Obama.  Now we have this amazing statement from someone working in Internal Revenue Service’s Cincinnati office: 
“We people on the local level are doing what we are supposed to do. . . . That’s why there are so many people here who are flustered. Everything comes from the top. We don’t have any authority to make those decisions without someone signing off on them. There has to be a directive.” . . .
UPDATE: Now Democrats are making the only defense that they can for Obama -- that his closest aides never told him about the IRS scandal.  Obama feints great anger about this scandal, but it apparently never dawned on his closest aides that he would care enough about the IRS scandal.  If they so let him down, why aren't these people being fired?   From The Hill newspaper:
Senior White House officials were briefed about a federal audit of the IRS’s improper focus on conservatives, but they decided not to tell President Obama about it, press secretary Jay Carney claimed Monday.
White House counsel Kathryn Ruemmler learned about the report in April and made the decision not to tell the president, even as other senior staffers got wind of the audit by Treasury’s inspector general for tax administration, Carney said.
Denis McDonough, White House chief of staff, was among those told about the nature of the report, which found that Tea Party and other small-government advocates seeking tax-exempt status were tagged for special screening because of their names.Carney defended the decision to keep the president out of the loop, saying conclusions often change in the final stages of inspector general reports. It also would’ve been inappropriate, Carney added, for the White House to involve itself in an ongoing investigation. . . .
UPDATE: Even the press is covering the shifting Obama administration story line about who was informed about the IRS scandal.  Politico notes how many people very close to the president knew about this scandal, but that somehow none of them mentioned it to him despite the fact that he now claims that he cares intensely about the issue.
Even Politico has a headline: "The White House's shifting IRS Account"
They note: "Monday’s revelation amounts to the fifth iteration of the Obama administration’s account of events, after initially saying that the White House had first learned of the controversy from the press." 

21:05

How the White House Scandals have altered the gun control debate [John Lott's Website]

Stewart: Well, congratulations, President Barack Obama.  Conspiracy theorists, who generally can survive in anaerobic environments, have just had an algae bloom dropped on their fucking heads.  Thus removing the last arrow in your pro-governance quiver.  Skepticism about your opponents.  'Gun control. Why can’t we have background checks?' 
Roll tape. 
Cruz: “I believe it would put us inexorably on the path to a national gun registry." 
Stewart: “Oh, right, a national gun registry. And the government is going to overreach and there’s going to be a registry. And the government’s even capable of that kind of overreach. And they’re going to take your guns away from you.” 
CBS news report: “The Internal Revenue Service admitted today that some of its employees targeted conservative political groups.” 
Stewart: “Mother****ers!  This has, in one seismic moment, shifted the burden of proof from the tin-foil-behatted [conservatives] to the government.”


Joe Scarborough:  “I have been saying for months now, and everybody knows this, that I believe in background checks.  I believe that after Newtown, after Chicago, after . . . , we need background checks.  My argument has been: don't worry the government will never create a national registry.  The government is never going to create a national registry. . . .  My argument is less persuasive today because of these scandals.  Because People will say, ‘Hey, if they do this with the IRS, asking people what books you read, then how can I trust them with information about my Second Amendment rights?’  This is devastating, this IRS scandal is devastating.”

Piers Morgan: "I have had some of the pro-gun lobbyists on here saying to me, the reason that we have to be armed is because of tyranny from our own government.  I have always laughed at them.  I have always said don't be ridiculous, your own government won't turn itself on you.  But actually when you look at this, it has nothing to do with guns, it is vaguely tyrannical behavior by the American government.  I think that what the IRS did is bordering on tyrannical behavior.  I think that what the Department of Justice to the AP bordering on tyrannical behavior."
I personally don't make the tyranny argument.  I am not saying that the argument is wrong, but just that I don't feel comfortable arguing about issues that I can't measure and test empirically.  My argument has been that background checks, as they are actually working, would be counterproductive.  Well, it appears that argument has actually be very persuasive to people who I probably could never reach with the type of empirical arguments that I would normally raise.

UPDATE: Democrats in congress are admitting the obvious here, that these scandals might prevent new laws that Obama is pushing.  From The Hill newspaper:
Speaking Monday on MSNBC, Rep. Sandy Levin (D-Mich.) said the multiple inquiries into the conduct of IRS employees could undermine the push for immigration reform if the oversight effort becomes politicized.  
"The difficulty of turning this into too much of a political effort will be, it will undermine other efforts like tax reform, like immigration action, like work on gun violence issues," said Levin, who is the ranking member on the tax writing House Ways and Means Committee. . . .

18:09

CBS News tries to rescue Obama [The Liberty Sphere]

The attempt by CBS News to rescue Barack Obama in the midst of the IRS scandal was most obvious Monday evening. In the midst of a 30 minute news broadcast that focused almost entirely on the tragic tornado disaster near Oklahoma City, Scott Pelley and company managed to squeeze in an interview with an IRS veteran who recently retired from the agency after a long career.

The employee had worked in the Cincinnati division of the IRS, the place where the administration claims the scandal took place among "low level agents."

Had the interview been truly relevant, not only would it have been news but major lead news. But it turns out that the employee did not even work in the office where the illegal activity against conservative and religious groups took place...

Click here to continue reading at Anthony G. Martin's National Conservative Examiner.

17:02

New York: Sheriffs say Cuomo tried to quiet criticism of gun law [NRA-ILA News]

The sheriffs thought they were being summoned to the Capitol to discuss ideas for changes to New York's gun control law, the SAFE Act. Instead, Gov. Andrew Cuomo told them to keep quiet.

17:00

IG report says U.S. Attorney sought to undermine credibility of Fast and Furious whistleblower [NRA-ILA News]

Senator Chuck Grassley, Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, made the following statement after an Office of Inspector General Report showed that U.S. Attorney Dennis Burke leaked a sensitive document to the press regarding a whistleblower who had come forward with allegations of gunwalking, that he leaked an internal memo regarding Fast and Furious suspect Jaime Avila to the New York Times, and that he lied to Deputy Attorney General James Cole. The document leaked to Fox News was deemed so sensitive by the Justice Department that it was not provided to Congress, except in a secured room at department headquarters."The Inspector General outlined the Justice Department's efforts to undermine Special Agent Dodson's credibility, the whistleblower who had the guts to come forward and tell Congress the truth about Operation Fast and Furious. The Inspector General confirmed that Mr. Burke went to great lengths to discredit Special Agent Dodson and Congress investigation into the gunwalking that led to the death of Customs and Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry. Mr. Burke's refusal to cooperate with the Inspector General's investigation shows me that he didn t operate in good faith. His actions are indicative of this administration's willingness to attack whistleblowers who cooperate with Congress and show the administration's commitment to undermine legitimate congressional oversight.

LaPierre: Making our nation's school children safer [NRA-ILA News]

To understand the current state of the gun ban crowd's "conversation" about destroying the Second Amendment, it boils down to this: insanity versus sanity.With the horrific series of mass murders culminating in the cold blooded killing of children and teachers at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., last December, this latest iteration of "gun control" is entirely directed at making the sane pay the price for unthinkable acts committed by the insane. It is the root of the civil disarmament movement in America today.

Illinois: Senate panel OKs magazine ban [NRA-ILA News]

The bill considered Monday would limit the sale or delivery of a gun magazine to no more than 10 bullets. It advanced 12-3 but faces an uncertain fate in the full Senate amid the objections of gun manufacturers and the National Rifle Association.

Alabama: Gun bill goes to Gov. Bentley [NRA-ILA News]

The Alabama House on Monday gave final approval to a gun bill that makes transporting weapons easier and allows owners with concealed carry pistol permits to keep firearms in their vehicles at work. It also changes concealed carry permitting and clarifies where Alabamians legally can carry their pistols.Gov. Robert Bentley said Monday afternoon he needed to review the bill, but planned to sign it. Assuming he does, it will go into effect Sept. 1.

Texas: House approves gun training for some teachers [NRA-ILA News]

The Texas House late Monday approved a plan to train some teachers who are already licensed to carry firearms for gunfights that could erupt in their classrooms.

Appeals court upholds Right-to-Carry restriction on 18-20-year-olds [NRA-ILA News]

A federal appeals court has upheld a Texas law that says 18 20 year olds cannot receive a concealed handgun license.The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Monday that the Texas law limiting handgun licenses is constitutional. Lawmakers had decided that those under 21 were not mature enough to carry concealed handguns in public. The law makes an exception for members of the military.

12:59

Inspector General: US Atty leaked memo to retaliate against ATF whistleblower [Of Arms and the Law]

Story here. Retaliation for having disclosed "Fast and Furious," that is. Probably grounds for a Privacy Act suit here.

12:57

The Gun Rights and Liberty News Roundup for 5/20/2013 [The Liberty Sphere]

CNS reports that Obama's point man for delivering the administration's propaganda on the plethora of scandals has declared that "the law is irrelevant." Yeah, and how is this news? We've known all along the law does not matter to these people.

David Codrea says that U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, has issued a new charge at the administration concerning Fast and Furious.

Kurt Hofmann suggests that all of the new scandals demand a new look at the Fast and Furious scandal, which was never really resolved due to administration stonewalling.

Mike Vanderboegh announces he will be speaking at an armed gathering of citizens in Temple, Texas to protest recent actions by the Temple Police Dept. Click on the link he provides for more info.

WRSA notes that the Tea Party Patriots are sponsoring a nationwide protest of the IRS TOMORROW! Follow the links and get busy!

Karl Denninger has a special message for Barack Obama.

Tam says that "the whole freaking system is out of order."

Way Up North reports that Alaska just had its longest snow season on record, in spite of all that carbon-polluted global warming.

CLO has ominous news that Obama will ignore the Senate's smackdown and implement gun control anyway through the Department of Health and Human Services. Your doctor will be encouraged to report you to the FBI if you own a gun. Tyranny, anyone? Can anyone still say with a straight face that we are not living under a tyrannical government?

Brigid blogs on the Walther PP (police pistol).

John Jacob H posts a rather interesting piece on FBI bozos and their "handling" of weapons.

Every Blade of Grass reports two pieces of news, one concerning Beretta's departure from Maryland and the other concerning California's acceleration of its assault on gun rights.

Standing By highlights the lies, deceit, and wrongdoing of the IRS and directs a message from the Bible that has direct relevance.

Days of our Trailers notes how the hysterical HuffPo throws around terms like Nazis, traitors, and perverts to describe patriots. This is one of the worst yet from the pathologically hysterical writers at HuffPo.

Alphecca says that a new gun law in Florida targets the "mentally ill." The slippery slope is working overtime.

Around O-Town declares, "Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil!"

Pamela Geller has the full story on how the chief counsel for the IRS got Obama-buddy and pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah "G-d D*mn Amerikkka" Wright and his church off the hook in an IRS probe! Too bad someone wasn't around to help Billy Graham and his son, William Franklin Graham, in a similar manner. Don't tell me this wasn't politically motivated. I am not one of Obama's intellectually-challenged and low-information voters, so I do not fall for the multiplicity of lies that emanate 24/7 from this White House and its henchmen.


12:19

Cat's out of the bag and running [Of Arms and the Law]

Forbes reports that a fellow has created a rifled, durable, handgun with a 3-D printer. He used a different plastic and a different design than that used in the original effort.

The rifling is vital, because a smoothbore handgun is NFA regulated.

12:00

Illinois: Anti Self-Defense Amendment to be Considered in Senate as Early as Tomorrow [NRA-ILA News]

Today, in another attempt to further disarm the law-abiding residents in Illinois, an amendment offered by state Senator Dan Kotowski (D-28) to Senate Bill 1002, was heard by the Senate Executive Committee.  Amendment 2 to SB1002 would limit the sale and transfer of all standard capacity magazines.  Rather than addressing criminals engaging in gang violence, Chicago politicians want to limit the ability of law-abiding gun owners to defend themselves against those criminals.

11:17

The IRS and Obamacare -- citizens brace for impact [The Liberty Sphere]

At least one silver lining has been noted in the IRS scandal which showed that the agency has been used by the Obama administration to target, harass, and delay political opponents. Citizens are now becoming aware that beginning in 2014, the most hated government agency of all, the IRS, will be responsible for managing and enforcing Obamacare.

The disclosures of the past two weeks concerning the heavy hand that the IRS can wield against ordinary citizens and conservative groups is a timely reminder that this is the very agency that will be in charge of their healthcare.

Click here to continue reading at Anthony G. Martin's National Conservative Examiner.

10:06

Musings After Midnight: Vindication is sweet but the facts are dire -- a field report on proactive patriots [The Liberty Sphere]

Well, my friends, here we are again for one of our infamous chats where we gather around the fireplace to enjoy a hot beverage or two and discuss the issues of the day. It's been awhile since we last gathered, mainly because so much has been happening in the country. The weather has warmed, for sure, so the time for fire and hot beverages may be over for some.

We have been bombarded in recent days with three major historic scandals, all in a row, just since the last time we met on April 5. True, Benghazi was already in the news and had been for several months. But the problem was that Benghazi was never resolved, much to the chagrin of administration shills and Democrats in Congress who prematurely proclaimed and still proclaim, "Case closed!"

The Benghazi case is anything but closed. New information continues to trickle out that vindicates my initial assessment of the debacle, and that of many conservatives, that within the mayhem and horrific death that occurred that evening there is a scandal of historic proportions involving incompetence, dereliction of duty, and even criminal activity. Barack Obama was AWOL. Where was he on the day of the attack? Nobody seems to know for sure. Some believe he went to bed early after preparing for a major campaign fundraiser out West the next morning.

And what about Hillary? Again, dereliction of duty and gross mismanagement. She did not follow up on a critical phone call she needed to make in the middle of the attack, even as orders were being given from someone, somewhere in the administration for our military personnel to "stand down."

The thing that really troubles me about all of this is the number of Americans who truly believe that none of it matters. What does it matter if Obama went to bed? This is a big country and a big government. He can't do it all. And what does it matter if Hillary mishandled the fiasco? She did the best she could being thousands of miles away. Benghazi, after all, is just one of those things that happen during war in a fairly remote area of the world. Time to move on.

Well, no. It is time to move on only if human life to you is cheap. It is time to move on only if you do not care that elected officials betrayed the oath of office and failed to provide the necessary protections the Constitution mandates for citizens who are asked by their government to do dangerous jobs. It is time to move on only if you approve of and affirm criminal activity in your government, that a breach of trust is just fine, that it is acceptable for government to act in such a manner that citizens lose trust.

An honorable person who believes in the truth does not wish to let this go.

But the vindication of conservatives, including this writer, has come not only in the Benghazi scandal but in the other scandals that have come forth out of the shadows within the last six weeks.

Last year I noted in one edition of "Musings After Midnight" that I had sensed something very troubling within the halls of government, a rumbling that indicated something was not right, that something evil was afoot, and that we were getting ready to enter a very dangerous period in our history.

That intuitive, searing lightening bolt of insight was based on a combination of factors, including keeping one's ear close to the ground, putting together various pieces of an intricate puzzle that had been unsolvable for several years, plus a feeling deep in my gut that "something wicked this way comes."

At that time I told you I did not know fully how such a feeling would play out in terms of action. I knew part of what it was about, but I had no idea as to the full implications of the deep feeling of discontent.

Conscientious classical conservatives, libertarians, and other patriots were invariably in one accord in their conclusion that Obama represents the most dangerous assault on the Constitution and its guarantee of certain freedoms in the history of the country. We also knew we would have to fight to keep those freedoms from being evaporated in a day, with a series of illegal and unconstitutional laws or a ruling or series of rulings from the Supreme Court.

We were further convinced that much more was happening behind the scenes, under the radar screen, than anyone was aware. But we could sense it every bit as vividly as if we could see it right before our very eyes.

We know now that what we were sensing was a massive, systematic assault on freedom and a very real effort to dismantle our form of government by changing the meaning of terms in the Constitution to fit a preconceived mindset born in the demented minds of Karl Marx, Saul Alinsky, and Bill Ayers.

What we are witnessing today, at this hour, is that this very covert scheme we sensed in 2012 is now becoming public, at least in part. As it turns out everything we suspected is true. Not only had Obama and his henchmen attempted to attack the gun rights of citizens by placing American firearms directly into the hands of Mexican drug cartels, which, by the way, now operate in all 50 states, not only had he and his top officials thrown away the lives of Ambassador Chris Stevens and his top aids as if they were pieces of garbage to be thrown on the ash heap -- all because it was an election year and Obama was trying to convince the world that he had "broken the back of al Qaeda" -- but he has used the IRS to intimidate, harass, squelch, and de-fang some of the most powerful opponents he had in the country, the Tea Party and other conservative groups, even religious organizations.

And not only that but he sought to intimidate the press by seizing the phone records of hundreds of AP reporters, including the main switchboard.

Thus, in one swoop, Obama managed to wage war on every single basic right that is supposed to be protected in the Bill of Rights, the first 10 amendments to the Constitution. He attacked free speech, and not just any speech but the type of speech our Founders said was the most crucial of all -- political speech that criticizes the government and its office holders. In Obama's world, if you criticize him you had best get set. You will be targeted by the IRS. And if you are a news organization and dare criticize "the messiah," you will get your records seized, trampling all over the First Amendment right to a FREE press.

And freedom of religion? What freedom of religion? If you open your mouth and criticize the great Kenyan tyrant in name of all that is decent, right, good, and moral, even using the Bible to back up your words, once again you will get harassed by the most hated government institution of all -- the IRS. It happened to Billy Graham, of all people. It happened to his son, William Franklin Graham of Samaritan's Purse. It happened to Dr. James Dobson of Focus on the Family fame.

But it did not stop there. Anti-abortion groups got roughed up by the IRS as well, subjected to delay tactics while liberal groups got put on the fast track and were blessed with smooth sailing through the process. Pro-life groups, however, were subjected to odd and even illegal questioning, such as, "What is the content of your prayers?" "Who do you plan to vote for?" This is ILLEGAL and every single IRS operative who engaged in this should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, including lengthy prison terms.

Pro-Israeli groups got the same treatment.

So much for freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of the press, and freedom of assembly. If Tea Party groups were too busy defending themselves against a tyrannical and harassing IRS, then they could not very well exercise their right to peaceful assembly, and the Tea Party was notably absent in the last election cycle after being so visible in 2009-2010. This alone may well have tipped the election to Obama, which was the goal of the White House political operatives to begin with when they used the IRS to go after the Tea Party.

Conservatives and libertarians had warned, screaming bloody murder for years that if government attacks the gun rights of ordinary citizens, it is but a precursor to a systematic attack on First Amendment rights too.

We have been vindicated, my friends. Everything we warned about has come into reality. Every warning we issued has been confirmed by the actions of a regime that is not only oppressive but has shown itself in the last few months to be pure evil.

Yes, I said it. This administration and its supporters in Congress, along with nameless, faceless bureaucrats who will do anything and say anything to keep their cushy government jobs at taxpayer expense, is pure evil.

How do I know this? Because nothing that is born out of lies, deception, smoke and mirrors, ulterior motives, and a desire to place citizens in virtual slavery by restricting their speech, their gun rights, their religious activity, and their freedom to assemble, can possibly be good, right, or honorable.

Thus, Barack Obama is evil. Harry Reid is evil. Nancy Pelosi, Dianne Feinstein, and Hillary Clinton are evil. Obama's top advisers are evil. They have committed the one act that the Founders designated with all certainty as the absolute worst thing a government can do -- intimidate the citizens. Any politician or government employee who does this belongs in Gitmo.

And lest anyone think I am being partisan here, let me state unequivocally that there are Republicans who are just as bad. I have routinely castigated John McCain, Lindsey Graham, John Boehner, Eric Cantor, Rob Portman, Olympia Snowe, Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, and others. And yes, I do know some of those are no longer in Congress, but my point is that Republicans do not get a pass here. It would suit me if both Parties were dumped into the nearest landfill.

I am a conservative, not a Republican. I had an affinity for the Republican Party when it was clear that conservatives held sway. I am not able to say that with all confidence anymore. Thus, if you are a politician and not a conservative, I don't care what your pedigree is. I don't care what family you come from. I don't care if you came into office with Reagan. Reagan was betrayed by many within the Republican Party, so don't even go there. I know who they are, and I know where the bones are buried. If you are not a conservative you can get the heck out of Dodge. We are not going to stop until you are forced into retirement, or into Gitmo.

In short, we patriots have seen the devil's tail and we are fully aware of the game. We have been vindicated by the events of the past few months. We were right and liberals were wrong. What else are they hiding? You can be assured there is more, much more.

But, such vindication may be sweet but the facts are dire. I would much rather have been wrong. I would like to be able to say that my calculations were flawed and that I misjudged the situation. The country would be much better off had I been wrong. But I was not wrong. And that is the problem, the dire problem we face at this critical hour. We were right but what a terrible thing to be right about!

I will say that I have watched very closely the developments within the patriot resistance movement since these troubling facts about our government have come forth. I have seen some very good and well-reasoned arguments and recommendations. I have also seen some harebrained schemes that, if implemented, will only make the situation worse.

Let me be very clear at this point that I do believe with all my heart that we are at the point of action. The time for talk alone has passed. Now is the time to act. But it must be done with the most careful of forethought. We must use all of the logic and careful reasoning that is at our disposal before marching headlong into disaster.

A very troubling development on our side is the armed march into D.C. led by Adam Kokesh and planned for July. This is the sort of thing that can ruin the whole ball of wax, summoning down the full force of the powers of the leviathan who will not hesitate to declare Martial law and take everyone's guns away. Let someone get killed during that march, and you will quickly see what I mean. Not only will government forces open fire on the whole crowd, but they will come after every one of us who has been very open and vocal about unfettered gun rights. This is a prescription for disaster.

The way to beat the progressive is to use his own game against him. Think about it for a moment. The progressive managed to undermine much of the philosophy of the Framers of Constitution within a few short years from the late 1800s to the 1940s. And, other than the periodic oasis thrown in from time to time as a corrective, the progressive still managed to get his Marxist-based philosophy entrenched into American society through the universities and colleges, the public school system, the television news business, Hollywood, and a number of other stealth methods that sent a subtle message to the consumer. This, you see, led directly to the victory of Barack Obama in 2008. All of that behind the scenes work that went on for decades finally payed off.

And the thing is, very few were aware it was going on.

So, to beat the modern leviathan at his own game, we must adopt a similar methodology. The next U.S. Civil War -- Civil War II -- which I believe has already begun, will not be fought according to the terms of traditional warfare. There will be no trenches, no military hierarchy that gives orders down to the low level peons, no attempt to kill anybody. In fact, great care will be taken to protect all human life, even our fellow citizens who do not understand why we may behave strangely at times or why our beliefs and political philosophy are so vitally important to us.

We will fire only if fired upon. Meaning, of course, patriots will never start a war like Fort Sumter. Our first and most important tactical consideration will be, how can we best utilize our intellect and reasoning to out-smart the progressive?

Take the issue of sabotage, for example. Some readers were taken aback by my statement shortly after Mike Vanderboegh gave his historic speech in Massachusetts after the Boston Marathon bombing that "sabotage" needs to be added to the list of tactics.

A bit of background is in order.

Oathkeepers along with local patriot groups in the Northeast decided to hold open, public gatherings in support of gun rights after it became clear that local politicians were going to attack them with a vengeance. Mike was one of the keynote speakers, and he hit a grand slam, for sure.

In that speech, Mike laid out his vision for the war to restore the Constitution as the final rule of law in the land. His outline was very simple, though -- Resist, Defy, Evade, Smuggle. His premise was that this type of resistance is a new type of warfare that has only been tried rarely in the past but whose time has now come to full fruition.

The nature of this war is civil disobedience but a disobedience that is done using one's intellect to fullest degree so as to avoid detection. We resist and defy, for sure, but we do so rationally. A big part of this process is to evade. We take great care to keep our activity deep under the ground so as to avoid detection. And then we engage in smuggling. Such smuggling would involve taking firearms, ammo, and gun accessories that government has banned directly into those areas where anti-gun bigots are more numerous than termites, such as New York, California, Colorado, New Jersey, etc.

When thinking of this vision for the resistance movement, think "Prohibition." During that time in America the politicians in their almighty wisdom decided to ban alcohol. But the citizens showed Washington it could not be done because they would disobey and smuggle. This they accomplished because they were smart. They used their heads, and they devised methods of keeping the alcohol flowing to the citizens undetected for the most part. Thus, the alcohol flowed to a greater degree than it did when it was legal. Underground bars known as "speakeasies" were numerous and made truckloads of money. Finally, Congress had to concede defeat and repeal Prohibition.

This is what we shall do with guns.

Now, I added another plank to Mike's four-part plan for resistance. In my humble opinion, sabotage must be part of the mix.

Be very careful here and pay close attention. I want no one to misunderstand me or misconstrue my words. I am NOT calling for sabotage in the sense that the term is used in traditional warfare. I am not advocating the blowing up of bridges, buildings, dams, or anything else. I am not calling for violence. I will leave the violence to those on the progressive side. You know, people like Obama's close friends Bill Ayers and Bernadine Dohrn who are still saying they wish they had bombed more buildings and killed more people. In fact, I am calling for the exact opposite. Human life MUST be protected or else our cause will be lost forever. We must seize the moral high ground by making sure that lives are never placed in danger.

You see, when you get right down to it, the thing that separates us from the progressives is that we actually value human life. A big part of the philosophy that undergirds liberalism/progressivism is eugenics -- one of the most inhuman and barbaric concepts ever devised within the mind of man. George Bernard Shaw was a big proponent of eugenics. So was the founder of Planned Parenthood. So was President Woodrow Wilson.

If you are not familiar with the concept, look it up. I won't take the time to explain here. But suffice it to say that progressives contradict themselves when they claim they value human life simply because they promote "social justice" and government social programs. What they fail to tell you is that their entire movement is based on a concept that is one of the most gruesome things a human being could ever entertain in his mind, a concept that led directly to Hitler's concentration camps where Jews and political dissidents were slaughtered, the chronically ill and the retarded were considered less than human and thus could be used as Guinea Pigs for gruesome medical experiments, and the like. The concept also led to the legalization of abortion in this country.

The real reason progressives wish to "improve society" by mandating certain behaviors "for our own good" is that they believe we are too dumb to control our own lives. We are too feebleminded, too childish, too limited by our genes to be given any power to conduct our lives as we see fit. So government must do it for us. They are the ones who know best, according to them, of course.

It goes without saying that such a philosophy does not respect human life. Such a mindset sees the masses as genetically deficient and thus cannot be trusted to take care of themselves. Thus, government must do it for us, make decisions for us, tell us what we can eat and not eat, or tell us that a 32 oz. Coke is bad for us, that we are only allowed 16 oz.

The people in places of power who exhibit this mindset are some of the most dangerous people on earth. Read in depth the writings of Cass Sunstein, or Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel, or John Holdren -- all former Obama administration operatives -- and you are in for a horror story that beats any fiction Stephen King has put on the screen.

Such a mindset arises from an ultimately cynical view of humanity, meaning of course that since human life for the most part, except for those who are "genetically superior," is so worthless that killing off some of them is no big deal. Mother Earth is better off without them anyway. And yes, I have heard progressive environmentalist nutcases say that exact thing, word for word!

So, the next time you hear a progressive wax eloquent about how compassionate they are, you have some ammunition in your verbal arsenal to counter their lies. They are a danger to humanity.

We conservatives are the ones who value human life. We actually believe most people are capable of taking care of themselves. We really do believe that most citizens can be taught to be independent and self-reliant. We believe in the best in people. Progressives assume the worst.

And so our objective in utilizing sabotage is not to harm human life at all. What, then, does this kind of sabotage entail?

Throw out everything you know or have read or heard about the term in the past. That definition no longer works in this new kind of war. Sabotage in the war to restore Constitutional law is designed to foil, delay, circumvent, and then impede the actions and movements of government tyrants in their attempts to enforce unconstitutional restrictions on citizens.

This can be achieved in a wide variety of ways. Trucks and equipment can be rendered inoperable. Leviathans can be sent to the wrong place in order for the resistance to give protection to a group of patriots who are smuggling gun magazines into an area where they would be monitored otherwise. A false flag can be raised, a faux ruckus created over there, so that the leviathan will not be paying attention to the patriots over here. And here I speak in the broadest of terms, generically, for two reasons. One, I don't want to show our hand. And two, these things are developed as we go along and are dependent entirely on the situation at hand and the patriots who are involved. No one is giving orders here. Each patriot is his own man, her own woman. We do what we are able to do in the safest, sanest manner possible.

And by all means use your head. You do not want to get caught under any circumstance.

But remember, it is very important to keep a low profile and EVADE. If you are placed in jail or killed, your talents and skills, which are sorely needed, will be lost. And we do not want to lose a single patriot.

For some of us who are in the limelight much of the time, such stealthy tactics are well nigh impossible. I know that I am being watched and monitored. I know that administration operatives read my blog entries and articles at the Examiner. They are doing the same thing with other patriots who are committed to resist the attempt of this government to squelch our freedoms. In many ways those of us who are in such a circumstance are the least important of all. It is the ordinary citizen, the lawyer, the school teacher, the accountant, the mechanic, the salesman,   the pastor, the priest, the rabbi, the secretary, and the electrician who are most valuable because you are ordinary citizens going about your lives as best you can, paying your bills, raising your kids, going to church, trying to be a good citizen. Your work on behalf of liberty is most valuable for the simple reason that you are the least likely to be noticed.

When I first reported to you in 2012 that 2013 would be the year that America will experience its second Civil War, the prospects of such a thing were frightening to me. I have several chronic health problems that limit how much I can do physically. But as we crossed over into 2013 and as I thought more deeply about the prospects of such a war and how it can best be waged to maximize its effectiveness, that fear began to subside. This is not a traditional war, but a war of the wits and will. He who is the smartest and who persists most thoroughly, wins.

We can win this. And we may be able to do it without a shot being fired and without any blood shed whatsoever. I hope so, although I am quick to say that we must be prepared for the worst just in case.

I believe that Mike Vanderboegh has done us all a great service with his groundbreaking speech in Massachusetts. This is something we ALL can do, regardless of ability or limitation. The main thing is to make it clear by our actions that we will not budge one inch from our insistence that government adhere to the limitations on its power as mandated by the Constitution.

09:00

Alabama: State House Approves Critical Omnibus Firearms Bill, Goes to Governor for his Approval [NRA-ILA News]

Today, the Alabama House of Representatives accepted the conference committee report for Senate Bill 286 by a 73-28 vote.  This measure now goes to Governor Robert Bentley (R) for his approval.  While not perfect, SB 286 is an important step in the right direction for the law-abiding gun owners in Alabama and residents of other states traveling to and through Alabama.  Therefore, it is critical you contact Governor Bentley TODAY and respectfully ask him to sign Senate Bill 286 into law.

07:03

Colorado: Recreational Shooting Targeted in Management Plan for Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area [NRA-ILA News]

The Bureau of Land Management has released a Draft Resource Management Plan (RMP) for the 210,000-acre Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area and the Dominguez Canyon Wilderness, located in Delta, Mesa and Montrose counties of western Colorado.

05:00

Texas: State Senate Must Act on Campus Carry Reform Bill Today or Tomorrow [NRA-ILA News]

House Bill 972, an important NRA-backed self-defense bill that would repeal the criminal prohibition on the possession of firearms on college campuses by Texas Concealed Handgun Licensees (CHL), is still pending in the Texas Senate – where final action must be taken on the measure by this Wednesday.

01:00

South Carolina: Self-Defense Bill to be Considered this Wednesday [NRA-ILA News]

This Wednesday, Senate Bill 308, restaurant carry legislation, will be considered by the General Laws Subcommittee of the House Judiciary Committee.  As previously reported, S 308 was recently amended to ensure its passage in the South Carolina Senate on April 23.  This arbitrary amendment weakened S 308 by limiting the hours a Concealed Weapons Permit (CWP) holder may lawfully carry a firearm for self-defense in a restaurant that serves alcohol.  It also does not allow CWP holders to sit in the bar area of a restaurant, if it has one.

Sunday, 19 May

22:43

The Associated Press claims that Obama administration spying has already stopped sources from talking to press [John Lott's Website]

I recently posted about the damage that the IRS tactics had already done to people's lives.  Now we can see the damage that Obama administration's spying on the Associated Press has had.

The president and chief executive officer of The Associated Press on Sunday called the government’s secret seizure of two months of reporters’ phone records “unconstitutional” and said the news cooperative had not ruled out legal action against the Justice Department.
Gary Pruitt, in his first television interviews since it was revealed the Justice Department subpoenaed phone records of AP reporters and editors, said the move already has had a chilling effect on journalism. Pruitt said the seizure has made sources less willing to talk to AP journalists and, in the long term, could limit Americans’ information from all news outlets.
Pruitt told CBS’ ”Face the Nation” that the government has no business monitoring the AP’s newsgathering activities.
“And if they restrict that apparatus ... the people of the United States will only know what the government wants them to know and that’s not what the framers of the Constitution had in mind when they wrote the First Amendment,” he said. . . .
Stopping national security leaks is one thing.  But the process used here by the Obama administration is only supposed to be used when there is imminent danger.  In this case, Obama administration went after  the AP after the leak had already occurred.

17:01

Report: DOJ leaked docs to smear Fast & Furious whistleblower, says IG [NRA-ILA News]

The Department of Justice (DOJ) Inspector General published a new report Monday that confirms former U.S. Attorney for Arizona Dennis Burke leaked a document intended to smear Operation Fast and Furious scandal whistleblower John Dodson.

17:00

Clerk halts robbery, KHOU, Houston, Texas 05/11/13, KTRK, Houston, Texas 05/12/13 [NRA-ILA News]

A masked and armed robber entered the Alexander Food Store in Baytown, Texas and demanded money from the clerk. The clerk asked the criminal to lower his weapon, but the attacker refused, prompting the clerk to retrieve a gun and fire at the criminal, striking him at least once in the stomach and causing him to flee. The robber didn’t make it far, collapsing outside the front of the store, where he remained until police could arrive. The foiled robbery came following three robberies in Baytown the previous day. Local media noted that the reason the Alexander Food Store clerk was armed was due to a previous robbery at the store.

Your Second Amendment Rights are Still Under Attack in Sacramento [NRA-ILA News]

The assault on Second Amendment rights continues in Sacramento.  Last Wednesday, anti-hunting Assembly Bill 711 passed in the state Assembly by 44 to 21 vote.  AB 711 would make California the first state in the nation to prohibit the use of all lead ammunition for hunting.  This egregious bill now goes to the state Senate for its consideration.  For more information about AB 711, click here.  We will inform you when the Senate committee hearing date is announced.  Unfortunately, there are several anti-gun bills that have been scheduled to be considered on the state Senate and Assembly floor with more anti-guns bills scheduled to be heard in their respective state Senate and Assembly committee.  Please call AND e-mail your state Senator and Assemblyman, along with members of the respective state Senate and Assembly committee urging them to OPPOSE the anti-gun measures below.

Colorado: Sheriffs seek to block new gun restrictions [NRA-ILA News]

Colorado sheriffs upset with gun restrictions adopted in the aftermath of last year's mass shootings filed a federal lawsuit Friday, challenging the regulations as unconstitutional.The lawsuit involves sheriffs from 54 of Colorado's 64 counties, most representing rural, gun friendly areas of the state.The sheriffs say the new state laws violate Second Amendment protections that guarantee the right to keep and bear arms. Opponents are criticizing the lawsuit as political maneuvering.

California: Microstamping law to take effect [NRA-ILA News]

The law, signed by then Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, made California the first state to require micro stamping, which engraves the gun's serial number on each cartridge. But the legislation specified that it would take effect only when the technology was available and all private patents had expired.

Illinois: Governor urges magazine ban [NRA-ILA News]

While similar attempts failed earlier this year, Quinn said he wants to see the ban on his desk before the General Assembly's May 31 scheduled adjournment.

Tierney's 'gun safety' nonsense [NRA-ILA News]

The Hill has a story today that leaves one wondering if, when it comes to gun control, there is any line too ridiculous for progressives to cross:A House Democrat inspired by the last James Bond movie has offered legislation to produce handguns with "personalization technology."The idea is to produce guns that can only be used by the gun's owners. Rep. John Tierney (D Mass.) cited the latest James Bond movie, "Skyfall," as inspiration for the bill.

Kansas: Legislators to enact law restricting use of state funds to promote gun control [NRA-ILA News]

Kansas legislators are close to approving restrictions favored by the National Rifle Association on the use of state tax dollars to promote or oppose gun control measures or to lobby local, state or federal officials on the issue.

12:45

Very nice review of "More Guns, Less Crime" at Amazon.com [John Lott's Website]

I don't think that I have ever previously pointed to an Amazon.com review of one of my books, but there is a particularly nice, detailed review of the third edition of "More Guns, Less Crime" that has been posted by a fellow academic.  It is much appreciated that he took the time to read the book so quickly and wrote up such a detailed review.
First, some background about me: I am a Ph.D.-holder and tenured professor whose immersion in the insular politics of academia had led me to harbor many negative perceptions about firearms. Though I was never staunchly "anti-gun," I was not a gun owner, did not understand the appeal of firearms, and generally believed that gun control legislation was only common sense. That changed four years ago when I (finally) decided to look into the data on guns, crime, and public safety for myself. I am a trained researcher, but I conducted my research for personal not professional reasons. My wife was pregnant and I wanted hard facts--not talking point from the political parties--so I could make an informed decision about what to teach my children about firearms, and whether it would be prudent or dangerous to have one in our house. 
I was drawn into that research almost immediately by the sheer force of my own disbelief. . . .
The rest of the review is available here. Anyway, thanks very much for the review.  It would be nice if this review was rewarded with a few clicks on the link indicating that the review was helpful.

11:23

Feinstein's "assault weapon ban" and exceptions [Of Arms and the Law]

Under her ban, retired LEOs would be allowed to purchase AWs. A perfectly decent non-LEO would be unable to buy one, but this fellow would be able to. As a friend pointed out, when an LEO becomes too mentally unstable to serve, he's given a disability retirement.

09:03

Car plows into crowd at parade injuring over 50 people [John Lott's Website]

From the Associated Press:

Authorities believe the driver who plowed into dozens of hikers marching in a Virginia mountain town parade suffered from a medical condition and did not cause the crash intentionally, an emergency official said Sunday. . . .  
In what witnesses called a frantic scene at the parade, about 50 to 60 people suffered injuries ranging from critical to superficial Saturday. No fatalities were reported. Three of the worst injured were flown by helicopter to area hospitals. . . .  
Nunley said the man's 1997 Cadillac was one of the last vehicles in the parade and the driver might have suffered an unspecified medical problem when his car accelerated to about 25 mph and struck the crowd on a two-lane bridge along the town's main road. The driver was among those taken to hospitals. . . .

Saturday, 18 May

20:56

What the IRS tactics have meant for some individuals [John Lott's Website]

Where are these news stories from places other than Fox?  Isn't it interesting to see the damage actually done to people's lives?  Could it be that such news stories would increase anger against the IRS and the Obama administration?  From Fox News:

. . . While initially waiting for IRS approval, Devereaux dipped into his own bank account, maxed out credit cards and even borrowed money from friends so his group could put on a civic-engagement training session at the Omni Shoreham hotel in Washington. His goal was to eventually set up a steady stream of revenue for a tax-exempt nonprofit.
The next time Devereaux heard from the IRS, they had requested details and credentials on every single speaker and all the educational materials provided in the 78 classes held at the hotel. The IRS also wanted information on all 45 vendors, their credentials and a donor list.
Devereaux refused.
Five rounds of IRS letters later, and United in Action’s tax-exempt status is still in limbo.
If they are denied, Devereaux’s group would owe the federal government “somewhere in the neighborhood of $70,000 in back taxes,” he said, referring to money he would owe the government on donations.
“It’s more than we have in our bank account,” he said. . . .
Waco Tea Party President Toby Walker said her group applied for a 501(c)(4) status in July 2010. She’d call the IRS from time to time to check on the progress but was basically told, ‘Don’t call us, we’ll call you,’ she said.
Then in February 2012, the IRS finally made contact.
Walker said she was asked questions that went well beyond the purview of the agency's authority. They wanted to know everything about the Waco Tea Party group, their relationships with public officials, lists of volunteers and every single news story the group had ever been mentioned in.
Walker said the request was so lengthy and intrusive that had she complied with the demands, she “would have needed a U-haul truck of about 20 feet.”
While Walker’s group was finally granted tax-exempt status in March 2013, she said a lot of damage has already been done. She said people were afraid to support her group financially because they had not received the IRS-stamped status.
Others were afraid that they might be targeted by the IRS if they supported Walker’s group publicly. Having one of the most powerful government agencies angry at them wasn’t a risk many people were willing to take. And so the group suffered, she said.
“We spent thousands of our own dollars fighting this,” she said. “If this happens to one organization in America, we should all be outraged.” . . .

20:20

Very liberal, pro-Democrat Google charged by Whistleblower with massive tax avoidance scheme [John Lott's Website]

Google execs are among the biggest supporters of Obama and other Democrats who are constantly pushing for higher tax rates, but they have no problem break the law to avoid paying taxes themselves.  Google execs have also benefited greatly from Obama's stimulus dollars.  From the London Sunday Times:

A FORMER Google executive has blown the whistle on a massive and “immoral” tax avoidance scheme that has “cheated” British taxpayers out of hundreds of millions of pounds over the past decade. 
Barney Jones, 34, who worked for the internet search giant between 2002 and 2006, has lifted the lid on an elaborate structure which diverts British profits through Ireland to the Bermuda tax haven. 
Although Google’s London sales staff would negotiate and sign contracts with British customers, and cash was paid into a UK bank account, deals were technically booked through its Dublin office to minimise its liabilities here. Jones, a devout Christian and father of four, is ready to hand over a cache of more than 100,000 emails and documents to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), detailing the “concocted scheme”. . . .

19:43

More than 8,000 French households income tax rates topped 100% [John Lott's Website]

And people are surprised that some of the wealthy are leaving France?  From Reuters:
More than 8,000 French households' tax bills topped 100 percent of their income last year, the business newspaper Les Echos reported on Saturday, citing Finance Ministry data. . . .
Les Echos reported that nearly 12,000 households paid taxes last year worth more than 75 percent of their 2011 revenues due to the exceptional levy. . . .

15:00

Something to remember if people with mental health issues are banned from owning guns: CDC claims 20% of children have mental disorders [John Lott's Website]

Why do I think that mental health experts have an incentive to keep expanding the number of people defined as having mental health disorders?

Nearly 1 in 5 children in the U.S. suffers from a mental disorder, and this number has been rising for more than a decade.
According to a study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, up to 20 percent of American children are suffering from mental disorders such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, depression and autism.
The CDC’s first study of mental disorders among children aged 3 to 17 also found that the cost of medical bills for treatment of such disorders is up to $247 billion each year.
“This is a deliberate effort by CDC to show mental health is a health issue. As with any health concern, the more attention we give to it, the better. It’s parents becoming aware of the facts and talking to a health-care provider about how their child is learning, behaving and playing with other kids,” said Dr. Ruth Perou, the study’s lead author. . . . .

13:29

Obama team conducts stealth war against conservatives [The Liberty Sphere]

The current IRS scandal during which IRS officials used the power of their office to intimidate, harass, and delay conservative and religious groups, is but the tip of the iceberg.

The deeper investigative reporters dig into the scandal, the more it becomes clear that Obama operatives used the IRS to conduct a "stealth war" for purely political motives during an election year.

IRS officials have attempted to absolve themselves of political harassment by claiming conservatives were not targeted but that other groups were included in the targeted scrutiny. Their common mantra is that only half of the groups targeted were associated with the Tea Party, the implied meaning being that the other half of the targeted groups were leftwing organizations.

Click here to continue reading at Anthony G. Martin's National Conservative Examiner.


05:00

Kansas: Bill to Prevent Taxpayer Dollars from Funding Gun Control Advocacy Sent to State House for Final Approval [NRA-ILA News]

As the state legislature’s veto session comes to a close, a vital pro-gun reform passed in the Kansas Senate yesterday by a 31 to 6 vote. House Bill 2162, which was recently amended to include the language in the NRA-supported Senate Bill 45, will now go to the state House of Representatives for a final vote which could be held as early as this Monday.

Friday, 17 May

13:25

U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly gets standing ovation after ripping IRS [The Liberty Sphere]

For several hours today, the acting commissioner of the IRS was grilled by a House committee concerning the scandal during which the agency targeted conservative groups for harassment and delays.

A highlight of the hearing was the questioning of IRS Acting Commissioner Steven Miller by U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-Pa., during which Kelly ripped into the agency for its unethical and possible criminal activity in targeting Tea Party groups, conservative evangelical Christian groups such as the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, and pro-Israeli organizations.

Click here to continue reading at Anthony G. Martin's National Conservative Examiner.

12:09

Brady sues over mandatory gun law [Of Arms and the Law]

Nelson, GA has enacted a law requiring every household to be armed, and Brady Campaign has filed a legal challenge. Since apparently there's no penalty for violation (a feature of the earlier Kennesaw ban, due to some advice I gave decades ago), I have trouble seeing "case or controversy." It would, I'd think, be a chance to trot out Framing era militia statutes, tho.

The Second Amendment's right to arms clause establishes that you may decide how many firearms to own.

Its militia clause, however, recognizes that "none" may be the wrong answer.

11:00

Missouri: Self-Defense Bill Passes State House, Goes to Governor for his Signature [NRA-ILA News]

Today, the state House concurred on House Bill 533 and this critical self-defense reform bill now heads to Governor Jay Nixon (D) for his consideration.

10:45

Five reasons the NRA wins [Of Arms and the Law]

An insightful article by Amy Showalter. She notes the conventional media narrative is "NRA has lots of political money with which to scare politicians," but that's not the key. Keys are things like armies of well-informed volunteers, face to face contact, old-fashioned personal persuasion.

There may be a deeper issue here. NRA has members, Brady Campaign has customers, you might say. They have no voice in the organization, or its policies or leadership. It puts products (bills, messages, and (when it can get any) legislative successes) to them, and they send in contributions.

09:00

New Jersey: Gun Control Package Advancing in Trenton [NRA-ILA News]

The state Senate approved several gun control measures on Monday, May 13, and the New Jersey Assembly has placed them on their calendar for consideration this Monday, May 20 at 1:00 pm.  The Assembly floor agenda is subject to change.  The remaining bills passed in the Senate on May 13 may require action in Assembly committees before they can be taken up on the Assembly floor.  As of today, the Assembly is currently scheduled to consider the following bills, among others:

08:00

Maryland: Governor Signs Sweeping Gun Control Bill into Law [NRA-ILA News]

Yesterday, Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley (D) signed into law sweeping gun control legislation, Senate Bill 281.  Reported by NRA-ILA throughout the session here, S.B. 281 faced strong opposition by the people of Maryland throughout the legislative process. This sweeping anti-gun legislation will take effect on October 1, 2013.

Vermont: 2013 Legislative Session Adjourns [NRA-ILA News]

State lawmakers wrapped up their 2013 legislative session earlier this week in Montpelier with good results for Vermont NRA members.  Several anti-gun bills were introduced in Vermont this year, but none of them advanced beyond committee.  NRA members did a tremendous job of contacting their state legislators to express concerns about legislation that would attack the Second Amendment, and your telephone calls and e-mails made the difference.

07:00

Maine: Your Action is Needed to Halt Attacks on the Second Amendment [NRA-ILA News]

The Maine Joint Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee has been holding work sessions on numerous bills that, if passed and enacted into law, would severely restrict your Second Amendment rights.  Three anti-gun bills are expected to be considered on the Senate floor as early as next week.   We need you to contact your state Senator NOW in opposition to the following bills:

05:00

Colorado: Attend an Important Forum on Colorado’s Assault on the Second Amendment this Tuesday [NRA-ILA News]

This Tuesday, May 28, the Independence Institute is hosting a forum at the Freedom Financial Expo Center to discuss the assault that took place during the 2013 legislative session on your Second Amendment rights.

Thursday, 16 May

17:00

NRA Supports Lawsuit Against Gun Control in Colorado [NRA-ILA News]

Fairfax, Va. – The National Rifle Association is proud to support a lawsuit filed today in federal court by 54 Colorado county sheriffs, the firearms industry trade association, several firearms retailers, individuals with disabilities and other parties which challenges the State of Colorado’s recently enacted gun control laws.

Five reasons the NRA won the recent gun control debate that have nothing to do with politics [NRA-ILA News]

As an NRA leader who's worked there for over two decades told me, "I think our volunteers' passion and intensity cannot be matched. You can't pull a switch; your grassroots has to have sustainability and you have to train people. We might be happy with a recent legislative victory, but we examine why we won, we evaluate what we need to do better, and get our volunteers geared up for the next battle." But how do they foster that culture, that fervor?

The AP and the NRA [NRA-ILA News]

We have just gone through a period when scorn was heaped on the NRA for opposing new gun rules out of the very same logic that compels reporters to react so strongly against the AP subpoena. The NRA will not abide an infringement on anyone's legitimate right to bear arms, and it fears what could come of enhanced state power. Like the reporters, it casts a jaundiced eye on the reassurances of government. What they are to the First Amendment, it is to the Second.

Toomey is open to reviving plan to criminalize private transfers [NRA-ILA News]

Sen. Pat Toomey (R., Pa.) hasn't given up on his bill to expand background checks for gun purchases, he said Thursday, signaling more willingness to return to the plan than he had publicly shown before."If we could find a way to bring some more folks on board, then of course it would be worth bringing it up again," Toomey said in an interview.

Mike & Connecticut governor talk guns [NRA-ILA News]

Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy stopped by City Hall Wednesday and held a closed door strategy session on gun control with Mayor Bloomberg.Following the meeting, Malloy said three objectives should be pursued to reverse last month's setback, when the Senate voted down a bill to significantly expand background checks for gun purchases.

Concealed carry rules for Illinois emerge but face uncertain fate [NRA-ILA News]

A measure spelling out who can carry concealed handguns and where they can carry them emerged Thursday after months of contentious negotiations, a system with one set of rules for violence plagued Chicago and another for the rest of Illinois.Though the attempt at a compromise cleared its first hurdle in the Senate, it faces considerable opposition from gun rights advocates who derided it as an effort to greatly restrict where guns could be carried for self defense and argued that it gave too much leeway to law enforcement in denying permits."You put lipstick on a pig, and it's still a pig. That's what this is," said Todd Vandermyde, the National Rifle Association's Illinois lobbyist.

Maryland: Governor signs gun control bill with fingerprint licensing [NRA-ILA News]

Gov. Martin O'Malley signed a gun control measure on Thursday to give Maryland some of the nation's tightest gun laws and the National Rifle Association plans to challenge it in court.

California: Assembly advances bill to ban hunters using lead ammunition [NRA-ILA News]

Legislation that would make California the first state to ban the use of lead ammunition in hunting has cleared the state Assembly.The bill from Democratic Assemblyman Anthony Rendon of Lakewood would require hunters to use non lead ammunition.

NRA Supports Lawsuit Against Gun Control in Colorado [NRA-ILA News]

Fairfax, Va. – The National Rifle Association is proud to support a lawsuit filed today in federal court by 54 Colorado county sheriffs, the firearms industry trade association, several firearms retailers, individuals with disabilities and other parties which challenges the State of Colorado’s recently enacted gun control laws.

Obama Administration to Sign U.N. Arms Trade Treaty "In the Very Near Future" [NRA-ILA News]

As we reported last month, on April 2, the United Nations General Assembly voted 153-4 to pass the Arms Trade Treaty, with the United States voting in favor and several countries abstaining. The vote in the General Assembly pushed the treaty process forward after negotiations twice failed to deliver on the goal of developing the treaty by consensus. The Obama Administration is expected to sign the treaty soon after it is opened for signature on June 3.

NRA Supports Lawsuit Against Gun Control in Colorado [NRA-ILA News]

The NRA is proud to support a lawsuit filed today in federal court by 54 Colorado county sheriffs, the firearms industry trade association, several firearms retailers, individuals with disabilities and other parties, which challenges the State of Colorado's recently enacted gun control laws.

Confiscate! Confiscate! Confiscate! [NRA-ILA News]

Hell hath no fury like an anti-gunner who doesn't get her way on gun control.

NRA Succeeds Because of its Human Resources [NRA-ILA News]

Far too many ignorant and politically motivated observers wrongly attribute NRA's recent victories in Congress, as well as our past successes, to NRA's perceived financial might (which is dwarfed by that of billionaire anti-gun zealots like New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg).  Of course, financial resources, when spent wisely, are certainly crucial to any organization's success.  However, what makes NRA successful is our extraordinary grassroots efforts--and more specifically, those of our members and volunteers who typically make the difference between legislative success or failure through their continued activism.

Outrage of the Week [NRA-ILA News]

In March, we reported on the outrageous case of a seven-year-old Baltimore, Md. student who, according to a Daily Caller article, was suspended for two days for the "horrendous" act of shaping a breakfast pastry into what his teacher thought looked like a gun.

Country Star Kevin Fowler is an NRA Supporter [NRA-ILA News]

Rising country music star Kevin Fowler was the opening act for the "NRA Country Jam" at this year's NRA Annual Meetings in Houston.  Fowler is an unabashed supporter of NRA and the Second Amendment, and he'll gladly let you know that, graphically and in no uncertain terms.  Fowler recently weighed in on the gun control debate during an exclusive interview with TheBlaze.

16:56

Breaking: Central figure in IRS scandal now runs Obamacare [The Liberty Sphere]

A sleight of hand technique that is obviously designed to keep the perpetrators of illegal activity in cushy jobs within the Obama administration has been reported late this evening by ABC News.

The woman who is the central figure in the IRS scandal involving the targeting and harassment of hundreds of conservative groups during an election year is now running the Obamacare division of the IRS and is charged with oversight of the implementation and enforcement of the government's new healthcare system.

Click here to continue reading at Anthony G. Martin's National Conservative Examiner.

13:48

Top ways Obama has attacked guaranteed freedoms [The Liberty Sphere]



With so many scandals beginning to plague the Obama administration in recent days, some citizens may wonder, along with Hillary Clinton, what does it matter? What difference does it make?

But when viewed within the context of a free society, a Constitutional republic that guarantees the protection of certain rights, the seriousness and gravity of the current avalanche of scandals come into clear focus.

Click here to continue reading at Anthony G. Martin's National Conservative Examiner.

13:41

The Gun Rights and Liberty News Roundup for 5/16/2013 [The Liberty Sphere]


Way Up North posts a must-see video from Wild Bill.

Mike Vanderboegh reports that in spite of being under heavy fire, Eric Holder is pushing gun control.

Alphecca provides an update on the school boy who was the victim of a gross injustice at the hands of a hysterical and frankly asinine public school system.

Pamela Geller reports that the bumbling, incompetent, and dangerous Obama Administration has lost two more known or suspected terrorists in its witness protection program.

David Codrea give us a timely update on the continued woes of the Reese family.

Days of Our Trailers sets the record straight on reality vs. unreality concerning the anti-gun bigots.

Around O-Town highlights the truly great men of counterterrorism and contrasts them with what we see in the Obama administration.

Kurt Hofmann tells it like it is -- if armed resistance to tyranny is un-American, then America has died.

Tam has some interesting new info that science has discovered concerning the past and the demise of great empires.

The Smallest Minority celebrates his 10th year as a blogger. Congrats!

WRSA reports some of the most ominous news for freedom to date concerning the Pentagon and civil unrest. Read it all.

Nicki notes that Chris Matthews has lost that thrill running up his leg over Obama.

Traction Control asks, "Since the media is now paying attention, are they going to investigate these 20 other Obama scandals?"

Stand Up America has an interview with Darrell Issa on the fact that the DOJ conducted "black ops" on the Associated Press.

11:23

Video entries in the eternal debate [Of Arms and the Law]

Ammoforsale.com (which seems to actually have ammo for sale, a rare enough occurrence these days) is hosting a video debate:

9mm: the greatest cartridge ever made.

.45 ACP: the greatest cartridge ever made.

(You may have to click on the video tab to run the video in each). As far as I'm concerned, if the Lord had meant the 9mm to be the greatest cartridge ever made, he would have inspired John M. Browning to create it.

11:00

Missouri: Right to Carry Reform Legislation Passes State Senate, Goes to Governor for his Signature [NRA-ILA News]

Today, the Missouri Senate concurred on Senate Bill 75 by a 24-5 vote.  This critical right-to-carry reform now heads to Governor Jay Nixon (D) for his consideration.

10:00

Nevada: Concealed Carry Improvement Passed in Committee Today [NRA-ILA News]

Today, Senate Bill 76, introduced by state Senator James Settelmeyer (R-17), passed unanimously in the Assembly Judiciary Committee.  SB 76 will improve the concealed carry weapon (CCW) firearms application process by requiring qualification with a revolver or semi-automatic pistol if a CCW holder wishes to carry either.

06:00

Alabama: State House to Consider Critical Omnibus Firearms Bill This Monday [NRA-ILA News]

After the Alabama Senate and House of Representatives approved competing versions of Senate Bill 286, this critical pro-gun reform was sent to a conference committee to finalize its language.  Last week, the state Senate approved the conference committee report for SB 286 by a 25-5 vote.  This Monday, May 20, the state House will consider this conference committee report.

04:00

Delaware: State House Could Vote on Anti-Gun Legislation Today! [NRA-ILA News]

Today, the Delaware House of Representatives could vote on House Bill 67, which seeks to create a "gun-free zone" around ALL school property – including vehicles and property owned, used, or rented by any public or private school.  This legislation will put firearm owners and concealed carry permittees at risk of arrest and felony prosecution by creating an un-navigable maze of legal technicalities and “gotcha” laws.

Delaware Update: NRA Withdraws Opposition to House Bill 88 [NRA-ILA News]

NRA-ILA previously reported our opposition to House Bill 88.  Negotiations resulted in our concerns being addressed in the state House and at this point the NRA has withdrawn our opposition.

02:00

Nebraska: Pro-Gun Candidate Defeats Bloomberg Mayor in Omaha [NRA-ILA News]

The NRA Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) congratulates City Councilman Jean Stothert for winning the highly contested Omaha mayoral race on Tuesday.

Missouri: Right to Carry Reform Legislation Passes State House, Heads to State Senate for a Concurrence Vote [NRA-ILA News]

Late last night, the Missouri House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 75 by a 123 to 29 vote.  SB 75 seeks to reform Missouri’s existing concealed carry permit process.  Currently, the Missouri Department of Revenue (DOR) is responsible for issuing concealed carry endorsements, but after recently betraying the trust of the people of Missouri, legislators have demanded the permitting process be transferred to county sheriffs.

00:26

UCO Clarus LED Lantern Flashlight Review [About Hunting / Shooting]

I don't often give five-star reviews, but this handy little light earned one. It's a lightweight, compact LED flashlight that converts quickly into a "lantern" that serves as a fairly good area light for truck, camp, or tent. I've used it in my truck, in my UTV, in the woods, and at camp, and it's never failed me yet. I have used a number of expensive big-name lights that didn't meet that basic requirement. And without exception, every gal who has seen this light in my presence has declared it to be CUTE! So, check out my review of this well-made, well-designed light.

Read the Review of UCO Clarus LED Lantern Flashlight

Follow me on Facebook and Twitter!

UCO Clarus LED Lantern Flashlight Review originally appeared on About.com Hunting / Shooting on Thursday, May 16th, 2013 at 07:26:28.

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Wednesday, 15 May

21:19

Another Bloomberg mayor..... [Of Arms and the Law]

Jersey City mayor Jerramiah Healy is proud of his membership in Mayors Against Illegal Guns. At least he's escaped indictment so far (he's only been convicted of a misdemeanor after brawling with police), but there has been a ... little flap.

A while back, he was photographed sitting naked on his porch. Pressed to explain, he said he was drunk. (On 6-8 beers, and he's an attorney... such a lightweight). Now he's advancing a different claim. In it, he claims that he came to the door in a towel, and three young ladies, apparently bent upon taking advantage of him, snatched away the towel. He defended his virtue by repelling their "filthy" advances and driving them off, and while stopping to rest on his porch, was photographed.

You can't make this stuff up...

19:17

David Gregory and the illegal AR-15 magazine [Of Arms and the Law]

Emily Miller has the story. Gregory is the political reporter who, on NBC Nightly News, pulled out an AR-15 magazine... at a studio inside DC, where such magazines are banned. Of course, nothing ever happened. Ms. Miller and Judicial Watch are pursuing the matter, and DC has fouled up by withholding a document from Judicial Watch that it has already disclosed to Miller.

17:00

California Lawyer, Chuck Michel, Honored with NRA Defender of Justice Award [NRA-ILA News]

The National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA) honored California attorney C.D. "Chuck" Michel with the 2013 NRA Defender of Justice Award.  This award recognizes outstanding efforts by attorneys who defend the right to keep and bear arms, and particularly recognizes attorneys who make a significant contribution to those efforts pro bono.  Chuck received the prestigious award at the NRA's 2013 annual meetings in Houston, Texas.  It recognizes him for his extensive work, and particularly pro bono work, defending the right to keep and bear arms.

Personalized guns bill introduced [NRA-ILA News]

The bill, the Personalized Handgun Safety Act of 2013, mandates within two years that newly manufactured handguns be equipped with the technology that allows the guns to only work in the hands of their owners or other authorized users. Manufacturers that do not meet the standards could be held liable. And individuals or businesses selling older handguns must have them retrofitted with personalization technology within three years after the bill is enacted, at the expense of the federal government.

D.C. considers mandatory $250K insurance policy for gun buyers [NRA-ILA News]

The D.C. Council is considering requiring people to purchase liability insurance before they can get a license to own a gun.The bill would mandate that prospective gun owners maintain at least a $250,000 policy. The policy would cover damages from negligent acts or intentional acts that aren’t undertaken in self-defense.

N.C. House passes bill forbiding law enforcement from destroying operable guns [NRA-ILA News]

State House lawmakers voted Wednesday to forbid law enforcement officers from destroying fully-operating firearms, even if they were used in a crime.House Bill 714, "Disposal of Abandoned Firearms," says that, if a firearm is fully functioning and still has a legible identification number, sheriffs and other law enforcement officers cannot destroy it, regardless of its background.

Missouri lawmakers pass privacy bill protecting carry permit holders [NRA-ILA News]

Republican lawmakers began pushing for the measure after learning about the new license procedures early in the legislative session. The push accelerated in March after a Stoddard County man filed a lawsuit challenging the procedures. It said that scanning documents, such as birth certificates and concealed weapons permits, were an invasion of privacy.

Atlanta considers restrictions on gun ranges [NRA-ILA News]

The Atlanta City Council is considering a proposal that would make it more difficult to open indoor shooting ranges.

Maryland: Anne Arundel school officials decline to clear record of second-grader who made ‘pastry gun’ [NRA-ILA News]

The family of a second-grader suspended from his school in Anne Arundel County for chewing his Pop-Tart-like pastry into the shape of a gun has lost a bid to have the episode expunged from the child’s record, according to the family’s attorney.

13:49

The Gun Rights and Liberty News Roundup for 5/16/2013 [The Liberty Sphere]


PJ Media declares that immigrating to America is NOT an entitlement.

Free North Carolina posts a video of California police breaking into a home and attacking the homeowner who was filming the incident.

Every Blade of Grass blogs on precision guided firearms.

In the Middle of the Right adds his commentary to the ongoing IRS scandal.

Traction Control has a piece by a writer who says that Obama's legacy is now toast. 

The Stiletto lays out a pattern that shows something ominous afoot in the Obama administration.

Roberta X makes a very important point about the Associated Press/DOJ scandal.

CLO provides the must-read bombshell news of the day.

Gateway Pundit sends an urgent message to all Tea Party groups and similar grassroots organizations. NOW is the time to ACT!

CNS says that a bipartisan Congressional committee has laid down the law to the IRS--turn over all documents, emails, and exchanges between the agency and the White House, and they had better not be amended, redacted, changed, or tampered with!

The War on Guns notes the descriptive words used by the anti-gun bigots in describing gun rights activists. And make no mistake, my friends. Their words are mild compared to what they REALLY think and what they would do to us if they had a chance!

Karl Denninger declares that the economy is NOT getting better, and he has the proof. He also takes to task news media shills who claim otherwise.

WRSA points to a Matt Bracken must-read.

1 With a Bullet did some pricing of a firearm at a pawn shop. Here is what he found.

12:16

Public denials of scandal designed to hide private guilt [The Liberty Sphere]

Excerpt:

"The latest example of the denials is Attorney General Eric Holder's claim before Congress today, in sworn testimony, that he knew nothing of the scandal at the Justice Department wherein operatives secretly tapped the phone records of the Associated Press (AP) or the IRS scandal that targeted conservative groups. He also claimed to know nothing about Fast and Furious back during that investigation, in spite of the fact that he was held in contempt of Congress for failing to cooperate with Congressional oversight.

"But a new pattern is developing within the administration's deep well of excuses, smoke, and mirrors."

Click here to continue reading at Anthony G. Martin's National Conservative Examiner.

11:00

Kansas: State Legislature to Vote on Pro-Gun Reform As Early as Tomorrow [NRA-ILA News]

As the state legislature’s veto session nears its conclusion, one of the few pro-gun measures still awaiting final approval will be eligible for final action as early as tomorrow.  In a procedural technicality, the language in the NRA-supported Senate Bill 45 has been added to House Bill 2162 by the Judiciary Conference Committee.  This conference committee report will be eligible for approval by the state House and Senate as early as tomorrow.

10:23

The ammo shortage is so serious.... [Of Arms and the Law]

That the chief of police of Proctor, Minnesota, is having to borrow ammunition from local shooters.

10:00

North Carolina: Bill to Prohibit Destruction of Firearms Easily Passes State House [NRA-ILA News]

Today, NRA-supported House Bill 714 passed the North Carolina House of Representatives by an overwhelming 91-22 vote.

08:00

Illinois: Senate Skirts Right to Carry Mandate by Contemplating Vote on Severely Flawed Bills This Week [NRA-ILA News]

This week in Springfield, anti-gun state Senators will attempt to derail Right to Carry by forcing votes on severely flawed Right to Carry legislation and a bill to ban magazines commonly used in carry firearms.  This faulty concealed carry legislation attempts to exempt Chicago and Cook County from any “shall-issue” mandate and allow individual towns to expand the list of places statewide that are off-limits to anyone concealed carrying.  If such exemptions are adopted, 40% of Illinois’ population could be denied the ability to carry a concealed firearm for self-defense based on their residency and the confusing patchwork of laws will put ALL gun owners statewide at risk of felony prosecution.  Call your state Senator TODAY:  Tell him or her that any compromise and vote in favor of this type of legislation to abandon 40% of the Illinois population is a vote against Right to Carry.

05:00

Indiana: Governor Pence Signs Pro-Hunting and School Security Bills into Law [NRA-ILA News]

Last month, the Indiana General Assembly adjourned after passing two bills of importance to gun owners and sportsmen.  The following bills were recently signed into law by Governor Mike Pence (R):

Indiana: Governor Pence Signs Pro-Hunting and School Security Bills into Law [NRA-ILA News]

Last month, the Indiana General Assembly adjourned after passing two bills of importance to gun owners and sportsmen.  The following bills were recently signed into law by Governor Mike Pence (R):

00:52

Review: Tipton Rapid Deluxe Bore Guide Kit [About Hunting / Shooting]

I've seen more exotic bore guides, but I've never used a kit as complete as this one. That's not to say it's all peaches & cream, though - and make sure you read the review before you pick this up to use on a rimfire gun. Personally, I'd rather see this kit sold at a price point commensurate with its quality - and that would be far below its MSRP of $34.99. A bore guide can be a good investment, but be sure you read this before you pull the trigger on a bore guide purchase.

Check out the Tipton Rapid Deluxe Bore Guide Kit Review

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Review: Tipton Rapid Deluxe Bore Guide Kit originally appeared on About.com Hunting / Shooting on Wednesday, May 15th, 2013 at 07:52:39.

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Tuesday, 14 May

17:00

Homeowner's son fights off home invaders, KHOU, Houston, Texas, 05/14/13 [NRA-ILA News]

A trio of home invaders entered a house in Houston, Texas, forced the homeowner’s son into a closet and ransacked the house. While the criminals were searching for valuables, the son left the closet, retrieved a gun and fired on the intruders, striking one in the leg and neck and causing all to flee. The wounded criminal only made it to a nearby home before collapsing, at which point neighbor Craig Gaddis discovered him and called the police. Following the incident, Gaddis showed support for the young man who was forced to defend himself, telling local media “The owner, thank God for rights, he shot one of ‘em.” Gaddis also addressed the criminal adding, “He got what he deserved… You want to come over here and rob houses? Those of us who carry guns in our houses, they are there for one reason – to keep you people out.”

Maine: Bill would criminalize traditional gun shows [NRA-ILA News]

A gun-control bill calling for background checks at gun shows has been temporarily set aside.The bill scheduled for debate Tuesday was tabled and could be taken up again as soon as Wednesday. It would require that a national instant criminal background check be performed prior to the sale or transfer of a firearm at a gun show. The bill would require gun show operators to post signs at gun shows to notify exhibitors of the background check requirement. Failure to perform a background check could result in a $2,500 fine, not $10,000 as initially proposed.

Texas: Senate panel OKs campus Right-to-Carry bill [NRA-ILA News]

The House passed House Bill 972 from Allen Fletcher, R-Tomball, which would allow concealed carry unless the university opts out every year after talking with students, faculty and staff. The bill then went to the Senate Criminal Justice Committee, where it passed 4-2.

12:35

Mainstream media begins spin of IRS scandal [The Liberty Sphere]

Although the discovery that the Obama Justice Dept. had tapped at least 20 reporters' phone lines at the Associated Press, including the main switchboard, the mainstream media continues to exhibit the fact that they are, as a whole, the water-boys of the administration.

The IRS scandal is a case in point. One mainstream outlet provided the administration with the excuse that the IRS is an "independent organization" and that it was only "low level officials" who targeted conservative groups for harassment and audits.

One cannot imagine any other reason for such an erroneous explanation to be given than to provide cover for a president who is being buried at multiple scandals all at once.

Click here to continue reading at Anthony G. Martin's National Conservative Examiner.

11:25

Cert petition: right of a soldier to self-defense in combat zone [Of Arms and the Law]

Petition here. We're getting to where we may have to field armies of lawyers. They'll do little good in combat, but will be able to comply with legal standards while being defeated. Petitioner is a platoon leader, appealing a court martial. His platoon was hit with an IED, suffered two KIAs.

He questioned a suspect, holding a gun on him, and finally threatening him. He testified that when he looked aside, the suspect threw a rock at him and rose up, reaching for his gun. This was disputed; the translator said the first shot was fired while the suspect was "semi-seated." Forensic experts said, however, that the first shot was fired when the suspect was either standing or nearly standing.

Disputed facts, but the court martial ruled that he had no right of self-defense, since he initiated things by pointing a gun at the suspect and threatening him. Thus, even if his story was true he was still guilty. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to 20 years.

Here's the government's opposition. It points out that he also stripped the suspect prior to questioning him, and that the translator said he said he killed the suspect because he was involved in several bombings.

11:00

Missouri: Self-Defense Bill Passes State Senate, Goes to State House for a Concurrence Vote [NRA-ILA News]

Today, an amended version of House Bill 533 passed in the Missouri Senate by a 26-7 vote. Sponsored by state Representative Jeanie Riddle (R-49) and state Senator Brian Munzlinger (R-18), HB 533 would protect the right of a state employee to store a firearm in his or her private vehicle on state property as long as the vehicle is locked and the firearm is not visible.  HB 533 will now return to the state House for a concurrence vote.  Please contact your state Representative TODAY and urge him or her to vote to concur with the Senate amendments to this critical pro-gun reform.

09:54

Thoughts on the Benghazi talking points [Of Arms and the Law]

Off topic really, but that entire process is so very typical of the Federal bureaucracy (and maybe of other ones, I was a Federal bureaucrat only). The most important thing to a bureaucrat is not truth or falsity, but The Position. The Position is the only reality, and ruling upon it settles every question. Determining it requires a collective effort, usually by people who have no direct knowledge at all. In this case, the final editing of the talking points appears to have been done at a meeting of Deputy Assistant Secretaries (I'm assuming that was the deputies meeting referred to, although State may have more than one Deputy Secretary, I'm not going to research it). None of them had any direct knowledge of anything. Quite likely, none of them talked to anyone with direct knowledge. The memo they were working on was itself probably drafted by people with no direct knowledge, and who may not have spoken to anyone with it.

To a bureaucrat, none of this was important. What is important is a collective determination of The Position. Once that is settled, it becomes collective reality and no one will even think of questioning it. And everyone higher in the chain of command will be told only The Position, not that there are questions about or differences of opinion on it.

I once wrote a one-page memo on what happened in a courtroom. It was very dry. We argued this, they argued that, and the judge ordered this. No policy statements, no recommendations, just what was said.I sent it to the client agency FYI. My boss's boss got a copy and became very worried. I'd told the client agency what happened, without making sure it was Our Position on it. I asked, how can we have A Position on what happened in a room? I was in the room, no one else here was, and it was a public proceeding, anyone who wants can buy a transcript. It did not reduce his fears.

At one point Secretary Lujan began calling individual attorneys to ask how interesting court cases were going. We got written orders to refuse his call! He must go thru the chain of command, so that every answer was vetted by the branch, the division, and then the Solicitor (who knew only what the division told him), and The Position would then be given to the Secretary. There would be no "oh, we had a hearing on preliminary injunction last Tuesday, I figure we have a 50-50 on winning."

09:46

History of California gun laws [Of Arms and the Law]

An interesting post at CalGuns Foundation. I just checked out the weapons section of the California Penal Code, and it runs over a thousand pages. Now, that's with annotations (short one-paragraph summaries of court cases interpreting each section), but it's still staggering.

03:00

North Carolina: Bill to Prohibit Destruction of Firearms on House Floor Tomorrow [NRA-ILA News]

Yesterday, the House Judiciary Subcommittee B reported an amended version of House Bill 714.  This NRA-supported legislation, sponsored by state Representative Jacqueline Schaffer (R-105), seeks to eliminate the option of destroying lawful firearms that are in safe working condition that have been seized or otherwise recovered by law enforcement.

00:48

Stinger Shotgun Bore Cleaner Review [About Hunting / Shooting]

This product isn't the most magnificent thing around, but it is cool and useful, and I can't help but like it. Cram one of these in your shotgun's chamber, and point the gun in a safe direction. Pull the trigger, and this shell goes bang and flings a string out the end of your shotgun's barrel. Glom onto the string and drag the cleaning stuff through the barrel, and you're done... depending on how dirty your barrel is. Check it out!

Read the Review of Stinger Shotgun Bore Cleaner

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Stinger Shotgun Bore Cleaner Review originally appeared on About.com Hunting / Shooting on Tuesday, May 14th, 2013 at 07:48:31.

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Monday, 13 May

17:01

New York resident charged for having 9 rounds in legally possessed handgun [NRA-ILA News]

State police have charged a 31-year-old Dutchess County driver with a misdemeanor after he was pulled over and found with two more bullets in his handgun magazine than allowed under New York's new gun control law. Gregory Dean Jr. of Hopewell Junction was stopped for an inadequate light on his license plate about 9:45 p.m. Sunday in New Lebanon, troopers said. Police said their investigation showed the semi-automatic on the passenger seat was a legally possessed, but its magazine contained nine rounds, not seven as required since April 15.

17:00

Deadline to keep N.Y. gun records private is Wednesday [NRA-ILA News]

New York's pistol permit holders are facing a Wednesday deadline to submit opt-out forms that would keep their records confidential. Some county clerks said they would not have all of the forms processed by the deadline.

With new momentum, Right-to-Carry on campus bill gets Texas Senate hearing [NRA-ILA News]

The Texas Senate is to hear legislation that would allow concealed handgun license holders to carry their weapons into college classrooms.The bill has failed in previous sessions but has gained new momentum since receiving state House passage two weeks ago. The Senate Criminal Justice Committee has scheduled a hearing for Tuesday afternoon that is likely to draw dozens of witnesses to testify.

North Carolina: Bill would prevent police from destroying confiscated guns [NRA-ILA News]

Police departments and other law enforcement agencies would not be able to destroy confiscated guns that are still in good working order under a bill passed by the House Judiciary Subcommittee B. The measure, House Bill 714, says departments may sell or auction weapons, use them for training or otherwise re-purpose them, but may not destroy a gun if it is legal to own and in good working order.

14:00

Tree Stand Safety [About Hunting / Shooting]

Hunting from tree stands gives deer hunters the advantage of height. This puts their scent above the noses of their quarry, and in some cases makes it less likely that the deer will spot them. But anytime you leave the ground, there's risk involved. Some stands shouldn't be used at all, and others are only safe under certain circumstances. Personally, I enjoy hunting from on high, and I've done a lot of it over the past few decades. I have managed to survive all of that without falling, so maybe I know a little about staying safe in tree stands...

Read About Tree Stand Safety

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Tree Stand Safety originally appeared on About.com Hunting / Shooting on Monday, May 13th, 2013 at 21:00:50.

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14:00

Delaware: Contact Your State Representative Immediately in Opposition to House Bill 88 [NRA-ILA News]

The Delaware House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on House Bill 88 tomorrow, and erroneous statements and reports in the media have led to the impression that the NRA has offered unqualified support for this bill. The NRA has sent a letter (which can be read here) to all Delaware legislators explaining the flaws in HB 88.  Call your state Representative and ask him or her to oppose HB 88 until all of the current issues with the proposed legislation have been corrected.

Hawaii: City Council Committee to Consider Resolution Tomorrow to Ease Compliance [NRA-ILA News]

Tomorrow, May 14 at 9:00 am, the Honolulu City Council Committee on Public Safety and Economic Development will be hearing Resolution 13-74 requesting the Honolulu Police Department (HPD) to open the Kapolei and Kaneohe Police Stations to firearm permitting and registration in an effort to make the process less time-consuming and more convenient.

13:43

The Gun Rights and Liberty News Roundup for 5/13/2013 [The Liberty Sphere]


Mike Vanderboegh points to a most interesting read focusing on the fact that the gun control movement is fueled by hate. It has nothing to do with "saving children."

Kurt Hofmann notes that the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence has suddenly decided that 3-D printable guns are all hype. They weren't saying that just a few weeks ago.

Want to see a perfect example of the "hope and change" of gun control? David Codrea says look no further than Egypt, and you will find it.

WRSA has an important message you need to see -- "you are not alone."

Way Up North posts the Alaska Digest for those of you who, like me, enjoy keeping up with what's going on in our northernmost state.

Standing By recommends a new book that he says is essential reading concerning gun rights.

Nicki adds her commentary to the Adam Kokesh armed march into D.C. on July 4.

John Jacob H lists the military officers who took an oath to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution but yet so far have remained totally silent on Benghazi. Whatever happened to "leave no soldier behind?"

Golden Geese News provides an interesting read on how government effects our personal lives, from the perspective of one citizen who has a message to convey.

Folks, our thoughts and prayers need to go out for Jim over at Every Blade of Grass. Jim suffered a heart attack Friday night and had three stents put in yesterday. He is doing well.

Days of our Trailers reports some good news for a change on the availability of ammunition.

Pamela Geller says that although Detroit is going bankrupt and their money woes are only getting worse, apparently they have enough money to fight her pro-Israel ad campaign.

Around O-Town has the scoop on the Saudi Muslim who was arrested at the Detroit airport carrying the type of pressure cooker used in the Boston massacre several weeks ago.

This is disgusting and highly troubling. Alphecca says that the Boston bombing suspect has become a star-like heart throb for teenage girls. I swear, I know I am old fashioned, but if children do stuff like this and glorify vermin, they belong in reform school doing hard labor.

Stand Up America provides the full report on "Extortion 17" -- the loss of American heroes in Afghanistan only to have a Muslim Imam damn them to hell in the official ceremony.

11:51

Obama administration targeted conservatives on multiple fronts [The Liberty Sphere]


Excerpt:

"Apparently Obama has a Nixonian 'enemies list.'

"These revelations were reported not only in the alternative, conservative press but also on liberal-leaning mainstream news outlets. The Washington Post, Time Magazine, CBS News, and others reported information that placed the administration in a terribly negative light, a fact that until now was conspicuously missing from the news stories the mainstream media allowed on the air."

Click here to continue reading at Anthony G. Martin's National Conservative Examiner.


08:00

Colorado: 2013 Session Adjourns After Historic Assault on Your Constitutional Rights [NRA-ILA News]

Colorado’s 69th General Assembly adjourned last Wednesday after a historic legislative session.  Unfortunately, the historic actions by majorities in both legislative chambers and Governor John Hickenlooper (D) will severely punish responsible gun owners and sportsmen in the Centennial State.

Sunday, 12 May

17:00

California: Update on Anti-Gun Activities in Sacramento [NRA-ILA News]

The assault on our Second Amendment rights continues with anti-gun bills moving through the California Legislature.  Unfortunately, there are several anti-gun bills that have been scheduled to be considered on the state Senate and Assembly floor with more anti-guns bills scheduled to be heard in their respective state Senate and Assembly committee.  Please call and e-mail your state Senator and Assemblyman, along with members of the respective state Senate and Assembly committee urging them to OPPOSE the anti-gun measures below.

64% who favor more gun control incorrectly believe gun crime has gone up [NRA-ILA News]

Most Americans recognize that there are more gun owners in the United States today than there were 20 years ago but don’t know that gun crime in the country has gone down in that same period of time.

Biden on guns: 'We're going right back at it' [NRA-ILA News]

Vice President Biden, in a new interview with Rolling Stone magazine, says the White House is jumping "right back" into the debate over guns, despite the recent failure to pass background check legislation.

Pro-gun advocates angry over N.J. lawmakers' hot-mic comments [NRA-ILA News]

As a committee hearing on new gun-control legislation began winding down Thursday, three state senators started chatting amongst themselves.What they didn't realize was the microphone was still on.A recording of the exchange — which appears to be between Democrats Loretta Weinberg, Sandra Cunningham and Linda Greenstein — ended up on YouTube, and gun supporters said today they were upset by the remarks.The recording opens with what sounds like a senator or staff member saying, "We needed a bill that was going to confiscate, confiscate, confiscate" — although it is not clear who is speaking or if this is what she is saying.

Children and guns: The fear and the reality [NRA-ILA News]

The CDC reports that for 2010 (the latest year available), one single six-year old died from a gunshot. For all children younger than 10, there were 36 accidental gun deaths, and that is out of 41 million children. Perhaps most important, about two-thirds of these accidental gun deaths involving young children are not shots fired by other little kids but rather by adult males with criminal backgrounds. In other words, unless you send your child to play at a criminal’s home, she is exceedingly unlikely to get shot.Indeed, if you are going to worry about your child’s safety you should check into other, perhaps less obvious dangers lurking in the playmate’s house: swimming pools, bathtubs, water buckets, bicycles, and chemicals and medications that can cause fatal poisoning. Drownings alone claimed 609 deaths; fires, 262 lives; poisonings, 54 lives. And don’t forget to ask about the playmate’s parents’ car and their driving records if your child will ride with them: After all, motor-vehicle accidents killed 923 children younger than 10.

Some Pennsylvania state schools respect Right-to-Carry amid review [NRA-ILA News]

At least five Pennsylvania state-owned universities are now allowing guns on campus after the state's lawyers concluded that an outright ban on weapons was likely unconstitutional.

California: Sen. Leland Yee proposes regulations on 3-D printers after gun test [NRA-ILA News]

A state senator is concerned about the possibility of someone creating a gun from a 3-D printer. Sen. Leland Yee (D-San Francisco) wants regulations that would possibly track the printers and who has access to them, though he’s not sure how he wants the legislation to work.

Saturday, 11 May

14:54

D.C. chief: 'We will arrest armed protesters' [The Liberty Sphere]

Armed protesters who plan to march across the Arlington Memorial Bridge into Washington, D.C. on July 4 will have a special greeting committee awaiting them on the other side. The D.C. police department will be out in full force ready to arrest any and all who cross the bridge into D.C. with loaded rifles.

Metropolitan Police Chief Cathy Lanier stated to Politico that officers will be standing on the D.C. side of the bridge awaiting the protesters who plan to show their outrage over D.C.'s stringent gun control laws by carrying loaded rifles into Washington.

Click here to continue reading at Anthony G. Martin's National Conservative Examiner.

12:00

MSI sues Maryland Police over permit delays [Of Arms and the Law]

Maryland Shall Issue has filed a lawsuit against the State Police. The gist of it is that the police are taking an average of 55 days to issue permits, while the statutory command is that they do so within 7 days.

Friday, 10 May

17:00

California Lead Ammunition Ban (AB 711) Goes to Assembly Floor [NRA-ILA News]

Earlier this week, the California Assembly Appropriations Committee voted 11 to 5 to approve a proposed statewide lead ammunition ban for all hunting, Assembly Bill 711.  AB 711 would make California the first state in the nation to prohibit the use of all lead ammunition for hunting.  This bill now goes to the state Assembly floor where it is expected to be brought up for a vote soon.  The NRA urges all hunters, recreational shooters and gun owners to actively oppose AB 711.  We strongly urge you to contact members of the state Assembly.  Please forward this alert to your family, friends, fellow sportsmen and gun owners throughout California and urge them to do the same.  Contact information for all state Assemblymen can be found here.

14:35

Big trouble brews for Obama, Democrats [The Liberty Sphere]

Big trouble is brewing for Barack Obama and the Democrats on numerous fronts.
What is developing is the perfect political storm, a gathering of dark clouds on every corner, and in every direction.

First, veteran Democratic strategist and pollster Doug Schoen stated this week that the Democrats' heavily favored 2016 presidential candidate Hillary Clinton is in big trouble. Schoen stated that the Benghazi scandal will more than likely haunt Hillary right up until the next general election in 2016.

Schoen's words had best not be ignored by political partisans...

Click here to continue reading at Anthony G. Martin's National Conservative Examiner.

09:11

My series 'Musings After Midnight' indexed [The Liberty Sphere]

Some of you have asked if I could provide a link to the complete indexed list of all of my posts in the popular series "Musings After Midnight."

Yes, indeed, I can, and I have.

You will find it at the very top of the left column. Clink on the underlined link, and you will find a list of every post in the series, beginning with the first and going all the way through to the latest.

There are currently 25 posts in the series and counting.

Thursday, 09 May

11:34

The Gun Rights and Liberty News Roundup for 5/9/2013 [The Liberty Sphere]


Around O-Town links to three videos that show why our agencies cannot tell who the real enemies are.

Alphecca says that Democrats hope they can turn Texas blue. Sure they do. They are implementing the "Colorado Model" in Texas, North Carolina, and other states to do exactly that. But their success has been mixed.

Kurt Hofmann notes that although gun violence has plummeted, the gun control nuts want to change course anyway. Why?

Roberta X has an interesting story out of Columbus that focuses on BB guns and police officers.

From Mike Vanderboegh: "Will Tyranny Ever Come to America?"

CLO posts the latest on a Colorado Republican legislator who is trying to restrict gun rights.

WRSA declares that when injustice becomes law, resistance becomes our duty.

Brigid provides some words to the wise on safety.

David Codrea highlights an example of Chicago elitism...and hypocrisy, I might add.

Way Up North says Alaska has been buried under snow and record cold. Really, nearly the whole country has experienced the same thing this Spring.

Nicki shares her opinion on the Kokesh armed march on D.C. in July.

Standing By has "things that make liberals angry."

Traction Control correctly notes that there is only ONE OFFICE that could have given the stand down order to military personnel who were ready to help the diplomats slain in the Benghazi terrorist attack.

Pamela Geller posts some "Benghazi Bombshells."

The Twisters have a special message for Hillary Clinton on Benghazi.

09:58

Activists plan armed march into D.C. [The Liberty Sphere]

A group of gun rights activists led by Adam Kokesh plans to march across the Arlington Memorial Bridge into Washington, D.C. carrying loaded rifles on July 4, 2013.

The act of civil disobedience will break D.C.'s stringent gun control laws and is designed to send a signal to government and gun control advocates that a line has been crossed in the gun rights debate and that citizens will no longer obey government restrictions on firearms.

Although the march has been the subject of much controversy within the gun rights community, many believe that the act of civil disobedience is long overdue and is entirely appropriate.

Click here to continue reading at Anthony G. Martin's National Conservative Examiner.

00:03

Juicebar Mobile Chargers Multi-Device Solar Pocket Charger Review [About Hunting / Shooting]

When I learned of this portable solar charger, I just had to check it out. Like many hunters, I have found myself in the woods with a dead phone battery before, and being able to charge it and other portable electronic devices in the field would be great. Using the power of the sun would be even better. Read the review to discover how this solar pocket charger fared when I tried it out.

Read the Review of Juicebar Mobile Chargers Multi-Device Solar Pocket Charger

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Juicebar Mobile Chargers Multi-Device Solar Pocket Charger Review originally appeared on About.com Hunting / Shooting on Thursday, May 9th, 2013 at 07:03:07.

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Wednesday, 08 May

13:12

Obstruction of justice by State Dept.? [The Liberty Sphere]

Excerpt:

"Most of what the whistleblowers told Congress today had already been leaked to the media. But new information surfaced today indicating that the State Department has possibly engaged in obstruction of justice by attempting to thwart Congressional investigators who are charged with discovering the truth."

Click here to continue reading at Anthony G. Martin's National Conservative Examiner.

12:18

Gun Rights and Liberty News [The Liberty Sphere]

Sorry about the delay of the roundup for the last couple of days.

The Gun Rights and Liberty News Roundup will resume tomorrow, or at least that is the plan.

10:01

What is Your Favorite Pump Action Shotgun? [About Hunting / Shooting]

Pump (or slide-action) shotguns are popular, and the pump may be the most popular type of shotgun around. Pumps are reliable and don't cost too much - and what's not to like about that? Check out what folks have to say about their favorite pump scatterguns, and if you have a favorite pump shotgun, feel free to jump right in and tell us all about it.

Tell us About Your Favorite Pump Shotgun

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What is Your Favorite Pump Action Shotgun? originally appeared on About.com Hunting / Shooting on Wednesday, May 8th, 2013 at 17:01:57.

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