A "Mental Health" Initiative That Discourages Seeking Treatment

From my conversations with mental health professionals such as Dr. Robert Young, a psychiatrist who is a member of Doctors for Responsible Gun Ownership, treatment is the key to allowing those suffering mental health issues to lead a full and productive life. A life that doesn't involve seemingly random acts of unspeakable violence.

There is a bill before the California Assembly that may be voted on as early as today (AB 2607) that would greatly expand the list of people who may secretly petition a court to restrain your rights to possess a firearm. The list includes employers, coworkers, mental health workers, and employees of a high school or college. Could you imagine having the police arrive on your doorstep to confiscate your firearms due to a petition from a school janitor? Under this bill it could happen as the bill just says "employees".

The bill is being opposed by a diverse coalition of groups including the Firearms Policy Coalition as well it should be. Their news release on the bill is below and it goes into more detail.

Sacramento,CA—Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) is proud to stand with mental health professionals and other civil rights organizations in opposition to Assembly Bill 2607, and is asking its members and supporters to contact the legislature to oppose this measure.

Authored by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco), the bill massively expands a controversial law that has only been in place for 4 months. At present, current law permits family members and peace officers to petition a court, in secret, in order to restrain an individual from possessing firearms. AB 2607 compounds this measure by adding, to the list of qualified petitioners, employers, coworkers, mental health workers, and employees of a secondary or postsecondary school.

This would add thousands of people (including complete strangers) to the list of people who could petition a court to restrain a person from possessing firearms, triggering a warrant and armed law enforcement raids—without trial, conviction, or opportunity to defend oneself before a court. The secretive nature of this process, as well as the broad expansions in the measure, lead the American Civil Liberties Union to call it a “significant threat to civil liberties” in a letter to the bill’s author.

Craig DeLuz, Director of Legislative & Public Affairs for the Firearms Policy Coalition commented, “Gun owners are being targeted for harassment in AB 2607 by virtually anyone they are connected to; disgruntled former colleagues or anti-gun college professors--but what is truly disturbing is that AB 2607 goes so far as to discourage gun-owners from seeking counseling or therapy--for fear of being raided by police and losing their gun rights. This bill causes a serious breach of trust between patients and healthcare professionals as well as students and instructors.”

Not only does this bill discourage free thought and free speech in places, such as University campuses, it actually discourages gun-owners from pursuing counseling due to fear of losing their gun rights in an unconstitutional surprise warrant service. “It's irresponsible, it's inexcusable, and it's a shameless attack on the millions of responsible Californians who choose to exercise their civil rights while also being a responsible citizen and taking care of their physical and mental health,” said DeLuz.

The earliest AB 2607 can be voted on is Thursday, April 28, as it will be heard on the floor of the California State Assembly. It is opposed by mental health professionals such as the California Psychological Association, American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) , Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) , National Rifle Association (NRA), and Gun Owners (GOC) of California. It is also opposed by the Public Defenders Association.

DeLuz concluded, “You know your bill is bad when FPC, NRA, ACLU and Public Defenders are all opposed. All of these organizations look out for the public good in their own way, and I'm proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with them in opposition to AB 2607.”

If you live in California and haven't contact your Assembly member, do it now!

Some Interesting British Rifle History

Ian McCollum of Forgotten Weapons returns with an interesting British rifle - the Pattern 13 Enfield Trials rifle. I never realized that my P-17 Eddystone rifle took so much of its design from the Mauser but looking at the bolt it is obvious.




This is quite an interesting rifle up for bid at auction. Currently, the high bid is only $1,800 for this rare piece of rifle history.

Colorado Bill To Repeal Standard Cap Mag Ban Fails

Earlier this month, the Colorado State Senate passed SB16-113 which would have repealed the ban on standard capacity magazines and would have repealed the requirement that standard capacity magazines manufactured in Colorado have a date stamp on them.

The vote to pass the bill in the Senate was 20 aye and 12 nay with two excused. It had previously passed out of committee on a 3-2 party line vote.

While the Senate is controlled by the Republicans, the House is the domain of the Democrats. While there was some hope that the Democrats might allow the bill out of committee, that hope was dashed last night.

The House State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee voted on the bill last night. The first vote was on a motion to send the bill to the House floor for consideration by the full House. This was defeated on a party line 4-5 vote. Then the committee voted 5-4 to postpone consideration of the bill indefinitely. This means the bill is dead for all practical purposes.

Coloradans can thank Committee Chair and House Majority Whip Su Ryden (D-Arapahoe), Rep. Mike Foote (D-Boulder), Rep. Dianne Primavera (D-Boulder/Broomfield), Rep. Max Tyler (D-Jefferson), and Rep. Susan Lontine (D-Denver) for this bill's defeat. These five were good little minions for Mike Bloomberg and did as they were told. I'm sure the criminal element, especially home invasion specialists, were pleased with this result. As to your average, law-abiding, tax-paying Colorado gun owner, that is another story.

I want to thank my friend Laura Carno as well as attorney David Kopel for taking the time to testify in favor of the bill before the Senate State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee when it held hearings.



H/T Jenna Meek

Sure To Drive Shannon, Mike, And Hillary Insane

I just saw this video on Facebook of a young girl getting I presume a birthday present. Obviously by the case it is a firearm.




A pink tiger-striped AR-15 with matching magazines!

That wailing and gnashing of teeth that you hear combined with sputtering indignation is the gun prohibitionists saying "how could they?!" meaning the parents of the young girl.

All I can say is good on the parents as a pink tiger-striped AR-15 is way better than a pink Cricket .22 rifle.

Good News On Ranges In North Carolina

To start out your work week, I want to highlight two positive mainstream media stories on new shooting ranges in North Carolina. One of these ranges is even in a high school!

The first story comes down east in Johnston County where Smithfield-Selma High School just installed an air gun range for their NJROTC program. Part of the money to develop this range came from the National Shooting Sports Foundation and the NC Wildlife Resources Commission.




The second story comes from Shelby where the Foothills Public Shooting Complex had its grand opening last week. The range was developed as a joint project between Cleveland County and the NC Wildlife Resources Commission.

The range features three 50-yard pistol ranges, two skeet/trap/pistol ranges, a 250-yard rifle range, and a 3-D archery range. The range can handle 60 shooters at one time.

500 people showed up on Tuesday for the grand opening.

Johnny Hutchins, a Cleveland County commissioner who came up with the idea for a shooting range seven years ago, believes it will become an economic driver for the county.

“I’m hoping we can attract a national archery and a national pistol match in the next 12 months,” he said. “We will see start seeing local matches coming up pretty quick.”

All told, 60 people can shoot at once from multiple stands. Safety officers oversee the ranges. The complex has an office and classroom, concession building and restrooms. Cost is $10 a day for adults; $5 for children 17 and under; seniors, veterans and law enforcement officers also pay $5. The public on Wednesday began bringing their own firearms for shooting.

“Man, this is nice,” said Larry Harrington of Claremont in Catawba County, waiting to shoot at the skeet range. Visitors shot for free Tuesday with provided firearms. “It would be a good place for new shooters to learn to shoot.”

Given the range is little more than an hour's drive away, I can see me taking more than a few day trips down there. It is hard to imagine a 250-yard rifle range available where you don't have to be a member of a club to use it.

Wasn't Brad Pitt Supposed To Be "Good" On Guns?

There is a myth going around that Brad Pitt is "good" on guns. He and Angelina Jolie own guns for self-protection.

Pitt tells British magazine Live, “I absolutely don’t believe you can put sanctions or shackles on what is made. Nor do I want to pretend the world is different than what we witnessed that night…

“America is a country founded on guns. It’s in our DNA. It’s very strange but I feel better having a gun. I really do. I don’t feel safe, I don’t feel the house is completely safe, if I don’t have one hidden somewhere. That’s my thinking, right or wrong.

Given this, I was a bit surprised and disgusted when I received an email from the Brady Campaign announcing that Brad Pitt and some guy I've heard of were inviting me to the 2016 Brady Bear Awards Gala to be held in Los Angeles.

Dear (fill in the blank),

Co-Chairs Adam McKay and Brad Pitt invite you to join us in saying #ENOUGH to gun violence. If you are near Los Angeles, join us for the 2016 Los Angeles Brady Bear Awards Gala on May 4th. We will gather with supporters, advocates and celebrities for an inspiring evening honoring co-president of Plan B Productions, Dede Gardner, and philanthropist and technology entrepreneur David Bohnett. Limited tickets and tables are available for purchase today.

If you can’t be with us in person, join all of us in saying #ENOUGH with your special donation or by placing a tribute ad honoring an advocate, community leader, or victim of gun violence in our digital journal that will be displayed at the event.

Ticket prices for this gala start at $500.

Brad Pitt - just another Hollywood hypocrite on guns.

Friday Follies

I grew up in Guilford County, North Carolina and lived there until I moved to the mountains. Thus, when I saw this story about a certain road sign being stolen all the time and steps being taken to prevent it, I knew I had a blog post.

Looking at the map of Guilford County below, you will see the major cities of Greensboro and High Point. You will also see smaller communities like Browns Summit, Pleasant Garden, and Whitsett among others. There are other place names that when connected together make an amusing combination. Take a look at the red line that goes from the county's south-western border through High Point and thence along the southern part of the county towards the eastern border.

Click on map to embiggen.

Guilford County: From Horneytown to Climax by way of High Point.

What If The Palestinians Were "State Representatives" To UNSCAR

A post on the Volokh Conspiracy by Eugene Kontorovich from Tuesday caught my eye. He was discussing the demand of 28 US senators that funding for the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change be stopped. The reason that they were demanding that US funding to this UN agency be stopped is that the Palestinian Authority has been accepted by that agency as a "state party".

Federal law bars any funding for U.N. agencies or affiliates that “grants full membership as a state to any organization or group that does not have the internationally recognized attributes of statehood.” In the official U.S. view, “Palestine” is not a state. Thus when the Palestinian Authority joined the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2011, it triggered federal defunding of that organization. Now, federal law requires a similar cessation of any funding to UNFCCC.

The purpose of Professor Kontorovich's article to speculate what might happen if the Obama Administration ignored the clear law that prohibits the funding. However, for my purposes, the article made me speculate how this law could be used to cut funding of the UN's gun control efforts.

The Arms Trade Treaty is administered by UN Trust Facility Supporting Cooperation on Arms Regulation or UNSCAR. While the United States has not ratified the treaty, it is a signatory to it. The Arms Trade Treaty seeks to control not only major weapons systems but also small arms and ammunition. As of now, the Palestinian Authority is not considered a "state representative" to UNSCAR insofar as I can tell. That said, UNSCAR has two current projects going in the Arab and Middle Eastern states.

It would be in the interest of gun rights NGOs like the National Rifle Association and the Second Amendment Foundation to lobby to get the Palestinian Authority full recognition as a state and full membership in UNSCAR. While neither organization nor its members usually have much love for the Palestinian Authority given its connections to Hamas and the PLO, getting them recognized as a state representative does cut potential funding for more international gun control efforts.

In my view, that is a good thing.

An Idea I Could Support

The Treasury Department announced today that they plan to replace the picture of President Andrew Jackson on the $20 bill with one of abolitionist, Underground Railroad conductor, and Union spy Harriett Tubman.

Tubman was no pacifist. Her pistol and ivory-handled sword were on display at Florida A&M University's museum back in 2013. As Comfortably Smug suggests in the Tweet below, the picture of Tubman on the $20 bill should feature her holding her pistol.

Republicans need to push for the portrait of Harriet Tubman on the $20 to feature her gun. A true American hero. pic.twitter.com/ChRshCRYld

— Comfortably Smug (@ComfortablySmug) April 20, 2016

I quite agree that Republicans - the party behind abolition in the first place - should push for this portrait of Tubman to grace the new $20 bill. Call your Representatives and Senators to demand this!

UPDATE: David Burge aka Iowahawk suggests another picture in this Tweet.

Breaking: Treasury throws founder of the Democratic Party off $20 bill, replaces with gun-toting Republican pic.twitter.com/G9dVXpTaXv

— David Burge (@iowahawkblog) April 20, 2016

Resilience

Today is the two-hundred-forty-first anniversary of General Gage's attempt at gun control that sparked a revolution. It is also a story of resilience and courage at the beginning of this nation.

Capt. John Parker had lost eight men killed and ten wounded to British Regulars on Lexington Green early on the morning of April 19th. Parker, a veteran of the Battles of Quebec and Louisburg during the French and Indian War, was also dying from tuberculosis and would succumb to it five months later at the age of 46.

One might have thought that Capt. Parker having just lost about a quarter of his militia company and dying from consumption would have retired home to lick his wounds. However, Parker showed a resilience that became a hallmark of the American colonists over the next eight years as they fought for their independence from Great Britain.

In what became to be known as "Parker's Revenge", he reorganized his men on a hillside overlooking a curve in the road between Lincoln and Lexington. There he and his men, many of whom were wounded, awaited the return of the British soldiers from Concord. The hillside was reported to be dense with brush and strewn with boulders behind which the militia obtained cover.

When Parker's men sprung their ambush, this time it was the British who paid the heavier price.

Parker waited until the regulars were directly in front his men, then opened fire with a volley that wounded Colonel Smith in the thigh and knocked him from his saddle. The front of the column stopped briefly under the fire, which was the worst possible reaction. As the rear of the column packed into its front, Major Pitcairn galloped up to get the regulars moving again. With Smith wounded, Pitcairn assumed active command of the column and sent troops up the hill to drive the Lexington militia away. The regulars succeeded, but this took time and allowed other militia and minute companies to get ahead of the column again and continue the ring of fire. The provincials were able to ambush the regulars again just a few hundred yards down the road.

Militiaman Jedediah Munroe, who had been wounded earlier in the day at Lexington Green, died in the ambush as did several British soldiers.

The site of Parker's Revenge has been the subject of recent archaeological studies as well as National Park Service research. One of the findings is that the two opposing sides were within 80 yards of one another.

The lessons from Parker's Revenge are obvious. We need to be resilient in the face of challenges from forces that on the face of it are stronger. Put in the context of gun rights, we face an enemy that is better funded due to Michael Bloomberg, that has a fawning and compliant mainstream media behind it, and that has the weight of many politicians behind it. We may lose a number of battles but, if we stay resilient, we will maintain and (hopefully) broaden our God-given rights.

Quote Of The Day

The Wall Street Journal ran a story this weekend entitled, "The Stigmatized Olympians". It was about the success of American shooters in the Olympics and the reluctance of some Americans to celebrate their accomplishments. American shooters have won more gold medals for the United States than in any other sport with the exceptions of swimming and track-and-field.

A good part of the story was about five time Olympic medalist Kim Rhode who is seeking to qualify for her sixth Olympics. Kim points out how the mainstream media treats competitive shooters and the shooting sports differently than other sports.

“Our sport has an unfortunate stigma attached to it,” says Rhode, a 36-year-old Southern Californian. Following December’s deadly shooting rampage in nearby San Bernardino, the media sought out comment from Rhode, who expressed sorrow for the victims and support for gun rights. Why should that crime have placed her in the spotlight? she asks: “You don’t hear them asking Nascar drivers to comment on crimes involving cars.”

Nor, I might add, do you see lawsuits brought against GM, Ford, Chrysler, Toyota, Nissan, Honda, and all the other automakers when a drunk driver runs into a school bus and kills children. Contrast that with the grasping at straws lawsuit against Remington Outdoor Company brought against them for making the AR-15 stolen by the killer in Newtown.

Haywood County Commissioners Are At It Again

The Haywood County (NC) Commissioners are at it again. They must have thought people would be mollified by their tabling of the carry restrictions on county property - some of which were illegal - so they have decided to bring up their proposal to regulate "commercial" outdoor shooting ranges.

As I noted in an earlier post, the range of the Haywood County Sheriff's Department would not meet the standards that the commissioners seem that they can require of "commercial" ranges. This range is also used by the Maggie Valley PD and the Canton PD. I'm not sure where the Clyde PD does their qualifications.

The Waynesville PD uses the Waynesville Police Association range off of Howell Mill Road in Waynesville. This range would most definitely fail the new standards if it was applied to them. My former residence was approximately a mere 100 feet beyond the distance required from the range to an occupied building. Many of my former neighbors would not be so lucky. Moreover, this range fails the 300 foot property line setback requirement.

I find it the height of hypocrisy to require a "commercial" range to jump through multiple hoops that the county by ordinance would exempt themselves from. As the alert from Grass Roots North Carolina makes clear, if you have a backyard private range and you allow a concealed carry instructor to use it, it becomes a "commercial" range. Likewise, if you sponsored an Appleseed shoot, it would become a "commercial" range.

If you live in Haywood County or WNC, if you travel or vacation in Haywood County, or if you just want to express your outrage at the commissioners' hypocrisy, please read the GRNC alert below and act on it.

VOTE MONDAY COULD RESTRICT RIGHT TO SHOOT ON PRIVATE PROPERTY

A public hearing will be held at 5:30 p.m. Monday, April 18th in the Haywood County Courtroom of the Historic Courthouse. In late March, the board took comment on restrictions on display and carry of firearms on county property and on a second ordinance restricting “commercial” shooting ranges. In what might be a deliberate distraction by what many now see as the “Haywood County Board of Dictators,” however, it appears that the restrictions on display and carry – which drew outrage from hundreds of citizens – might have been intended to let the commission slip through, with minimal opposition, restrictions to shooting on private property.  THE FEINT? Although the proposed ban on display and carry of firearms Haywood County property appears to have been removed from their website, you can see it at http://bit.ly/1RA6x1U. In response to withering opposition, the county seemed to blink in a March 31 press release saying the ordinance would not be voted on during their April 4 meeting. Interestingly, the item has not been returned to the agenda for the April 18 meeting. GRNC President Paul Valone spoke against the proposal at a meeting attended by more than 400 GRNC members and county residents who uniformly opposed it. You can view his remarks in this YouTube Video. Although the Haywood County manager attempted to justify the ban by claiming it had been on the books since 1995 and that the county was simply trying to comply with recent changes to the law, in truth their proposal would unlawfully ban concealed carry throughout Allen’s Creek Park. Rather than justifying prohibitions on lawful citizens protecting themselves against criminals and terrorists, Haywood County should join 12 other North Carolina counties which have recently removed such restrictions on county property. In a recent editorial, Robert A. Lovingood, Vice Chair of the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors, responded to the horrific acts of terrorism in his county by advocating that selected County employees and concealed handgun permit holders be allowed to carry on county property. Rather than sticking their heads in the sand, Haywood County commissioners should be looking to harden soft targets which are vulnerable to both criminals and terrorists. THE REAL POWER GRAB? The County Commissioners will vote Monday on an ordinance to define and restrict “commercial” outdoor shooting ranges. Unfortunately, if a private property owner were to build even a rudimentary structure for shooting on his property and then hired a concealed handgun instructor to conduct a class on the property for his family -- even once -- that property would become a “commercial shooting range”, requiring him to first obtain a permit from the county. Say you and a few friends just share the cost of a private club? Fuggedaboutit. No exceptions are made for private clubs. If shooting takes place and money changes hands, you are the proud owner of a “commercial outdoor shooting range.” As the owner of a “commercial” range, you would be subject to onerous restrictions, including requirements that shooting stations and targets be more than 300 feet from property lines and ¼ mile from occupied buildings. You would have to build 6 foot fences, post warning signs, store firearms and ammunition per BATFE regulations, and restrict shooting to within stipulated daylight hours. And if you liked those, you’re going to love this one, straight out of the proposed commercial range ordinance: “Liability insurance. The permitee [sic] shall be required to carry a minimum of two million dollars ($2,000,000.00 - USA) per occurrence of liability insurance. Such insurance shall name Haywood County as an additional insured party and shall save and hold Haywood County, its elected and appointed officials, and employees acting within the scope of their duties harmless from and against all claims, demands, and causes of action of any kind or character, including the cost of defense thereof, arising in favor of a person or group's members or employees or third parties on the account of any property damage, personal injury, or wrongful death arising out of the acts or omissions of the permittee, his/her group, club, or its agents or representatives.”

IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED!
EMAIL & CALL THE HAYWOOD COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. Urge them to vote against the gun-ban ordinance. Below, find a copy/paste email list, and under 'Deliver This Message,' you'll find a copy/paste email message to send.  EMAIL CONTACT INFO County Commissioners copy/paste email list:  markswanger@bellsouth.net; kirk@jwklaw.net; lkensley@bellsouth.net; sorrells@cbvnol.com; billupton@bellsouth.net PHONE INFO MARK S. SWANGER, Chairman                                    Phone: 828-627-6109 (h) Cell: 828-507-2315 J. W. “KIRK” KIRKPATRICK, III, Vice Chairman        Phone: 828-452-0801 (w) Fax: 828-452-1861 L. KEVIN ENSLEY, Commissioner                                                           Phone: 828-627-3765 (h) Cell: 828-734-8713 MICHAEL T. SORRELLS, Commissioner                                           Phone: 828-926-9549 (h) Cell: 828-506-2174 BILL L. UPTON, Commissioner                               Phone: 828-648-7469 Cell: 507-2129 ATTEND THE COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING THIS MONDAY, APRIL 18. Join GRNC President F. Paul Valone at this critical event. See details below:  WHEN:  Monday, April 18, 2016 5:30 PM WHERE: Historic Courthouse Haywood County Courtroom 215 N. Main St. Waynesville, NC HINTS: Dress for the press! Please no offensive signs, slogans or clothing. Be sure to arrive early, as seating may be limited.
DELIVER THIS MESSAGE
Haywood County Commissioners: I am outraged by what is either a deception or a two front power grab being perpetrated by the commission. First, you tried to restrict concealed carry in Allen’s Creek Park in violation of state law. And although other restrictions on County property might be permissible, creating “victim disarmament zones” invariably leads to predation of the lawful citizens by criminals, sociopaths, and terrorists.  Rather than justifying prohibitions on lawful citizens protecting themselves against criminals and terrorists, Haywood County should join 12 other North Carolina counties which have recently removed such restrictions on county property. In a recent editorial, Robert A. Lovingood, Vice Chair of the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors, responded to the horrific acts of terrorism in his county by advocating that selected county employees and concealed handgun permit holders be allowed to carry on county property. Rather than sticking their heads in the sand, Haywood County commissioners should be looking to harden soft targets which are vulnerable to both criminals and terrorists.  But now that proposal appears to be at least temporarily shelved in favor of onerous restrictions which could prohibit private property owners from shooting on their land. Under this proposal, if a private property owner were to build even a rudimentary structure for shooting on his property and then hired a concealed handgun instructor to conduct a class on the property for his family -- even once -- that property would become a “commercial shooting range”, requiring him to first obtain a permit from the county.  As the owner of a “commercial” range, he would be subject to onerous restrictions, including requirements that shooting stations and targets be more than 300 feet from property lines and ¼ mile from occupied buildings. He would have to build 6 foot fences, post warning signs, store firearms and ammunition per BATFE regulations, restrict shooting to within stipulated daylight hours, and pay for $2 million in liability insurance that would indemnify you!  I demand you immediately shelf this commercial range proposal, and I will be monitoring your actions through Grass Roots North Carolina alerts.  Respectfully,

In Slow Motion

I watched this on Facebook and was blown away (no pun intended) by the videography of this short video. It comes from Bullet Theory Films. You can see more of their work on their website.

Learning From The Masters

If you watched golf on TV this weekend, you saw 2015 Masters champion Jordan Spieth essentially melt down on his last 9 holes in this year's Masters. He was leading at the time and his meltdown allowed the steadier British golfer Danny Willett to win.

John Farnam had some comments on what we could learn from this in his Farnam's Quips that were published yesterday. He has graciously given me permission to reprint it here.

“Positive outcomes don’t necessarily demonstrate superior play. Superior play will lead to positive outcomes more often than will poor play, but even poor players sometimes catch lucky.

It is when you confuse catching lucky with playing well, that demons sneak in!”

John Vorhaus

Yesterday, I watched the final round of the four-day 2016 Masters Golf tournament in Augusta, GA.

Not being a golfer myself, I still love watching these consummate professionals play this game at the highest level. Their skill is a wonder to behold!

Jordan Spieth, last year’s winner, was the odds-on favorite, and no wonder! He was ahead of everyone else for the entire tournament. By the last nine holes of the final round, he was so far ahead, I thought, as did many, he was unbeatable!

Then, demons crept in!

And, I felt a kinship with Spieth, as he fell so suddenly, and so ignominiously, from glory, because I, and many of my instructors, have done the same thing- more that once!

The question is:

How much continuous, simultaneous bad news can you handle, and still retain your sanity? At what point do you unwittingly open the window, and let demons sneak in?

At its best, golf, like fighting, is a smooth, coordinated, orchestrated flow of events, a seamless whirlwind of motion. That is, until you:

1) Stray from the present tense

2) Get distracted and allow your concentration to dissipate

3) Start hesitating

4) Start getting in your own way

5) Try to alter an otherwise smooth-flowing technique right in the middle

6) Allow doubt an vacillation to consume you

7) Are swept-up in rapidly-compounding disasters and discover that you aren ’t recovering quickly enough!

During the final day of the tournament, there were three holes-in-one (by other contestants), and the media, of course, swooped-in to cover those. And, there were many other spectacular shots that also garnered the attention fo the media. These events were as melodramatic as they were irrelevant. None of them materially affected the outcome. They never do!

Then we had the humble Englishman, Danny Willett. A great champion to be sure, or he would not have been there, but I never heard of him until yesterday!

Willett’s game was devoid of “great shots.” He played steady, careful, solid golf. However, he had no bogies either! When Spieth blundered, and the door opened, Willett gracefully walked through, and never looked back!!

And, if you're wondering if there is a point lurking in the foregoing, it is this:

"It's not 'great shots' that save you. It's 'little mistakes' that kill you!"

True in fighting, as well as golf.

The Hollywood, overdramatized version of events always draws attention to occasional, glamorous (and irrelevant) "great shots." Like the cavalry arriving in the 'nick of time,' great shots always save the day, and we all live happily ever after!

Rubbish!

That manufactured nonsense only happens in movies!

When you're making little mistakes, episodic great shots won't save you, as we see!

So, we concentrate on correcting mistakes. It's not glamorous, nor entertaining, nor even interesting, at least to the shallow and self-centered.

In fighting, as in golf, the wise work to eliminate "little mistakes." The "great shots" will take care of themselves!

“Darling, my legs aren't so beautiful. I just know what to do with them!”

Marlene Dietrich

/John

Hyperbole And Lies

We have come to expect both hyperbole and lies from the gun prohibitionists. The email I received today from Mr. Gabby Giffords (aka Capt. Mark Kelly, USN (Ret)) of Americans for Responsible Solutions contained both. The letter was advocating the addition of people on the so-called terrorist watch list to the NICS banned list.

Kelly's lie was particularly egregious but not surprising.

Just a few years ago, al-Qaeda encouraged potential terrorists to to take advantage of loopholes in our laws, saying "America is absolutely awash with easily obtainable firearms. You can go down to a gun show at the local convention center and come away with a fully automatic assault rifle, without a background check, and most likely without having to show an identification card. So what are you waiting for?"

While this is a quote attributed to al-Qaeda, no effort was made to correct it. Just as I learned in catechism classes, there are sins of commission and sins of omission. This was a sin of omission as he knew full well that fully automatic firearms are covered under the National Firearms Act, that they are highly regulated, and that the supply of new firearms is constrained by the Hughes Act.

By repeating the lies of terrorists, he was trying to sow fear in the minds of the uninformed. He then blames the evil "gun lobby" for blocking efforts to expand the NICS banned list which conflates those of us who oppose using the terrorist watch list with terrorist themselves.

The reason Mark Kelly has to use lies and hyperbole is that his argument is weak. If he had a good argument, he could just state the facts. Since he doesn't, he can't.

Every Picture Tells A Story, Part V

Idaho Gov. Butch Otter (R-ID) signed "permitless" concealed carry (aka constitutional carry) into law on March 27th. It allows Idaho citizens age 21 and over to carry concealed without a permit within city limits. They already had this right outside city limits. This made Idaho the ninth state to have constitutional carry.

On Tuesday, the Mississippi House of Representatives concurred with the Mississippi Senate on amendments to HB 786. The Senate amendments expanded what was originally just a church carry bill into one that included that and constitutional carry. The amended bill passed both houses with veto proof majorities. The bill now goes to Gov. Phil Bryant (R-MS) who is expected to sign the bill. That would make Mississippi the tenth state to have constitutional carry and the third to pass it this year. Some have criticized the bill as also including "nullification".  Actually the bill doesn't include nullification as it merely states that Mississippi officials and law enforcement don't have an obligation to enforce Federal gun control laws which is in line with existing Supreme Court precedent.

Given that the number of states with constitutional carry has increased to 10, Rob Vance and I concluded it was time to update the graphic showing the spread of freedom. The graphic below shows how the United States has moved from no carry to shall-issue and permitless carry over the last 30 years. As I said a few years ago, shall-issue is the new norm. Maybe one day I'll be able to change this to constitutional carry is the new norm.

Here are the population statistics that accompany the above graphic:

0.4% No Issue, HI
27.0% May Issue, CA,DC,MD,MA,NJ,NY,RI
65.4% Shall Issue
7.2% Unrestricted, AK,AR,AZ,ID,KS,ME,MS,VT,WV,WY

At the same time that shall-issue and permitless or constitutional carry have expanded, violent crime has decreased. While correlation isn't causation, I do think this is significant. When this graphic was first developed, Rob noted that there was no positive correlation between carry and violent crime. Unfortunately, he also noted that a negative correlation has not yet been proved. Linoge at Walls of the City has been studying gun ownership and the incidence of violent crime for a number of years. His latest is posted here. He has a similar result. Thus, neither more guns or less restrictive carry means more crime.

Useful Map If You Are Attending The NRA Annual Meeting

I came across this US Whiskey Map today. With the growth of small craft distillers, it is not a complete map. For example, here in Asheville, we have the Asheville Distilling Company which produces Blonde Whiskey which is a mix of Turkey Red Wheat and White Corn.

Nonetheless, if you are attending the NRA Annual Meeting in Louisville next month, it lists the major Kentucky bourbon distilleries. Many of these distilleries have tours that include a sample or two at the end. The Complementary Spouse and I are making the trip to the Annual Meeting a vacation which will include visits to a number of these distilleries. We plan to hit the Louisville area ones before the Annual Meeting and a number of the other ones afterwards.

Who knows? We may just run into you at one of these bourbon distilleries!

From Visually.

In Honor Of FireClean's Lawsuit Against Bloggers

I present without comment - so I don't get sued or something - a YouTube video that trainer Paul Carlson of Safety Solutions Academy (and the Gun Nation Podcast!) posted today.





If you liked this video, may I suggest you go to the GoFundMe page set up to support bloggers Andrew Tuohy and Everett Baker's legal defense against the Federal lawsuit brought by FireClean LLC. I have donated a few bucks to them and would urge you to do so as well. If a company feels so threatened by bloggers especially one who is an undergraduate chemistry student like Baker that they file a Federal SLAPP lawsuit, well I just don't think much of them regardless of the quality of their product.

April Gun Contests

Aaron at the Weapon-Blog.Com has released his monthly list of contests where you can win a firearm or firearm accessory.

This month's list includes 14 pistols, 15 rifles, and a ton of other stuff. If you enter one or more of these contests, please go over to Aaron's blog and thank him. Also if you know of a gun giveaway not on this list, please let him know.

I have made the links hot for your convenience.

Handguns

• Kimber Solo Carry
  Deadline: April 8, 2016
  Added to list: March 7, 2016
  https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/OTZjM2RiNTAzYTE1MDA1ODk4MDVhNDU1YmFjMTE0OjU=/
• Springfield Armory PX9110MLP 1911
  Deadline: April 8, 2016
  Added to list: March 21, 2016
  http://neville2016.com/1911-S.aspx?pid=0318
• Taurus Millennium G2
  Deadline: April 18, 2016
  Added to list: February 17, 2016
  https://www.facebook.com/ontargetmagazine1/?sk=app_359014544128821
• Brethren Armament MP-5K
  Deadline: April 19, 2016
  Added to list: April 4, 2016
  http://woobox.com/xjavij
• FMK 9mm
  Deadline: April 28, 2016
  Added to list: February 8, 2016
  http://floridagunsupply.com/free-guns
• Ruger GP100
  Deadline: April 30, 2016
  Added to list: April 4, 2016
  https://www.galleryofguns.com/about/GGGEntry.aspx
• Sig Sauer 1911 Tacops
  Deadline: April 30, 2016
  Added to list: April 4, 2016
  http://www.sigsauer.com/TeamSig/Sweepstakes.aspx
• Heckler-Koch VP9
  Deadline: April 30, 2016
  Added to list: April 4, 2016
  http://grabagun.com/giveaway
• North American Arms PUG-T
  Deadline: May 1, 2016
  Added to list: November 10, 2015
  http://gunsmagazine.com/giveaway/
• UA Arms M1911
  Deadline: May 15, 2016
  Added to list: February 8, 2016
  https://americanhandgunner.com/giveaway/
• Glock G40
  Deadline: May 31, 2016
  Added to list: April 4, 2016
  https://americanhandgunner.com/giveaway/
• Colt .380 Mustang
  Deadline: June 1, 2016
  Added to list: March 7, 2016
  http://gunsmagazine.com/giveaway
• Smith & Wesson M&P Shield
  Deadline: June 30, 2016
  Added to list: April 1, 2016
  https://www.secondamendmentgiveaways.com/
• NRA 24-Gun Collection
  Deadline: December 31, 2016
  Added to list: September 4, 2015
  https://www.nra.org/sweepstakes/

Rifles

• Ruger AR-556
  Deadline: April 15, 2016
  Added to list: April 4, 2016
  https://www.galleryofguns.com/about/GGGEntry.aspx
• Henry Big Boy Deluxe
  Deadline: April 15, 2016
  Added to list: April 4, 2016
  http://contest.gearfirehub.com/march/popover.html
• AR15.com Ultimate Giveaway
  Deadline: April 15, 2016
  Added to list: March 21, 2016
  http://www.ar15.com/giveaway.html
• F-1 BDR-15 3G
  Deadline: April 30, 2016
  Added to list: April 4, 2016
  https://www.nationalgunrights.org/press/gun-rights-news/item/962-version2-nagr-f1-giveaway
• Aero Precision M4E1
  Deadline: April 30, 2016
  Added to list: April 4, 2016
  http://aeroprecisionusa.com/ap/monthly-rifle-giveaway
• Palmetto State Armory AR-15
  Deadline: April 30, 2016
  Added to list: March 16, 2016
  http://beaufortgop.com/2016/03/07/gbrc-ar-15-prize-and-more/
• Henry .45-70
  Deadline: April 30, 2016
  Added to list: April 4, 2016
  http://www.alloutdoor.com/2016/04/01/henry-gun-giveaway-2-winners-with-your-choice-of-45-70-blued-steel-color-case-hardened-brass-or-all-weather/
• Slide Fire BFR-556A
  Deadline: May 21, 2016
  Added to list: March 28, 2016
  http://www.slidefire.com/freedom-unleashed
• Texas Black Rifle Company Bravo Series Rifle
  Deadline: May 31, 2016
  Added to list: February 17, 2016
  http://blog.defenderoutdoors.com/bravo-sweepstakes/
• Smith & Wesson M&P 22, M&P 22 Pistol, NRA Lifetime Membership, 1,000 Rounds of .22LR & More!
  Deadline: July 31, 2016
  Added to list: March 7, 2016
  http://www.cabelas.com/category/Sweepstakes-Rules/107155080.uts
• Smith & Wesson M&P AR-15
  Deadline: December 31, 2016
  Added to list: October 7, 2015
  http://www.buckeyefirearms.org/win-free-gun
• Silverback FA Billet Receiver Set
  Deadline: 2,000 Facebook fans
  Added to list: January 7, 2015
  https://www.facebook.com/SilverbackFA/photos/a.468683059888576.1073741827.467519963338219/590955340994680
• Savage MK II BTV
  Deadline: 5,000 Group Members
  Added to list: January 7, 2015
  https://mewe.com/join/pray_hard_shoot_straight
• Xena-15 GEN4
  Deadline: 100,000 Subscribers
  Added to list: February 18, 2016
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFY0jhhMw54
• CVA Muzzleloader
  Deadline: Recurring Monthly
  Added to list: January 1, 2015
  http://www.cva.com/CVA-Contest.php

Shotguns

• None this month

Air Rifles

• None this month

Ammunition

• 420 Rounds of Federal 5.56mm 62gr SC FMJ
  Deadline: 10,000 Facebook fans
  Added to list: November 18, 2014
  https://www.facebook.com/110401449053847/photos/a.146920315401960.32510.110401449053847/715868778507108/
• 100 Rounds of Ammunition
  Deadline: Recurring Monthly
  Added to list: September 5, 2014
  http://www.freedommunitions.com/Monthly-Ammo-Drawing-s/49383.htm

Knives

• Microtech Ultratech OTF Knife
  Deadline: April 30, 2016
  Added to list: January 6, 2016
  https://gleam.io/Aqo6u/microtech-ultratech-giveaway

Constitution

• Pocket Constitution
  Deadline: Recurring Monthly
  Added to list: January 1, 2015
  http://www.nccs.net/us_constitution.html

Gun Rights Organizations

• None this month

Accessories

• $1,500 Blackhawk Gift Card
  Deadline: April 30, 2016
  Added to list: April 4, 2016
  http://tacticalgear.com/sweeps
• What Gets You Outdoors
  Deadline: April 30, 2016
  Added to list: April 4, 2016
  https://gleam.io/k1rwt/aimpoint-aco-giveaway
• Aimpoint Carbine Optic
  Deadline: April 30, 2016
  Added to list: January 6, 2016
  http://whatgetsyououtdoors.outdoorchannel.com/daily_prize
• ATN X-Sight Night Vision Scope
  Deadline: April 30, 2016
  Added to list: January 6, 2016
  https://gleam.io/eJl67/atn-xsight-night-vision-scope-giveaway
• Holosun Micro Red Dot Sight
  Deadline: June 28, 2016
  Added to list: April 2, 2016
  http://virl.io/Ntiqueqp
• Nemesis Gen 2 37mm Launcher
  Deadline: 5,000 Facebook fans
  Added to list: April 9, 2015
  https://www.facebook.com/WeaponsAddiction/photos/a.1419821288251446.1073741829.1400186636881578/1612004972366409/
• W.A.R 5k Giveaway
  Deadline: 5,000 Facebook fans
  Added to list: April 9, 2015
  https://www.facebook.com/WeaponsAddiction/photos/a.1419821288251446.1073741829.1400186636881578/1612004972366409/
• MO Legal Gun Owners 23K Giveaway
  Deadline: 23,000 Facebook fans
  Added to list: February 18, 2015
  https://www.facebook.com/Molegalgunowners/photos/a.580107512004706.153172.579909078691216/1045751045440348
• Rusty's Rags Cleaning Cloths
  Deadline: Recurring Weekly
  Added to list: February 11, 2015
  http://www.rustysrags.com/retailer_Info.html
• Dead Air Armament #MuzzleBrakeMonday
  Deadline: Recurring Weekly
  Added to list: June 9, 2015
  https://www.facebook.com/DeadAirSilencers/photos/a.574740122637686.1073741828.567415350036830/682580115187019/
• ATN SHot Trax-HD
  Deadline: Recurring Monthly
  Added to list: April 4, 2016
  http://lauraburgess.com/clients/american-technologies-network/ATN_VideoContest_0416.pdf
• Parker Compound Bow
  Deadline: Recurring Monthly
  Added to list: February 11, 2015
  http://www.parkerbows.com/giveawaynew.html
• Parker Crossbow
  Deadline: Recurring Monthly
  Added to list: February 17, 2016
  http://www.parkerbows.com/giveawaynewxbow.html

Raffles

• Havoc Tactical AR-15
  Deadline: 100 Tickets Sold
  Added to list: March 17, 2016
  https://www.instagram.com/p/BDDkYHExcQY/
• XP Family Support Group
  Deadline: June 4, 2016
  Added to list: March 7, 2016
  http://www.xpfamilysupport.org/2016/01/27/gun-raffle/
• Axelson Tactical Rifle
  Deadline: July 4, 2016
  Added to list: February 8, 2016
  http://sowwcharity.com/product/2016-axelson-tactical-rifle-raffle-ticket/
• NRA Truck Raffle
  Deadline: September 15, 2016
  Added to list: March 7, 2019
  http://truckraffle.nra.org/default.aspx
• Outdoor Mentors Gun A Week
  Deadline: December 31, 2016
  Added to list: January 6, 2016
  http://outdoormentors.org/content/2016-gun-week-drawing
• Hart's Fort Rifle
  Deadline: December 31, 2016
  Added to list: February 8, 2016
  https://www.youcaring.com/homeless-and-at-risk-military-veterans-516369
• 2016 50 Gun Fundraiser
  Deadline: Only 500 tickets sold
  Added to list: January 28, 2016
  http://www.pitstopbbq.org/#!2016-50-Gun-Fundraiser/cp5g/i2l12v0s1

Training

• Tactical Training Adventure
  Deadline: 60,000 Contest entries
  Added to list: August 17, 2015
  https://freedomfightersfoundation.org/sweepstakes/

Hunting

• None this month

Haywood County Commissioners Blink

Last week I did a post advising readers in Haywood County that the commissioners were considering three new gun ordinances ranging from prohibition of firearms in all county buildings to an ordinance regulating shooting ranges. I'm pleased to say that thanks to the efforts of Grass Roots North Carolina and others there was a very large turnout at the County Commission meeting last Monday. Not one person who spoke did so in favor of these ordinances.

As I heard unofficially on Friday, the Haywood County commissioners have tabled these proposals. Now, as the alert below from GRNC makes clear, they have officially tabled them for the time being.

The new proposed outdoor shooting range ordinance would have exempted police ranges from the restrictions of the ordinance. While a private shooting range would have had to have a 300 foot property line buffer, no such buffer was required of police ranges. This is probably because they would have failed to meet that standard.

My friend Tim Glance of Old Grouch Military Surplus pointed out another interesting wrinkle. The range that the Waynesville PD uses for training and qualification is not owned by the town. It is owned by a private association of police officers. By the standards of the county's ordinance, it would not have been in compliance though it would have been grandfathered in.

I salute those who could attend the meeting, those like Paul Valone that spoke, and those that wrote in to the commissioners. During this election year, your voices were heard. We need to keep up the pressure on the commissioners to scrap these ordinances.

The alert from GRNC is below:

ARE HAYWOOD COUNTY COMMISSIONERS HAVING SECOND THOUGHTS ABOUT SNUBBING THE LAW-ABIDING?

What started as a proposed ordinance to ban ALL open and conceal carry has resulted in some potential backpedalling by Haywood County's commissioners. Last week's county commission meeting to discuss this proposed ordinance was a HUGE victory for gun owners like yourselves. Not only did nearly 400 gun rights activists pack the meeting and let themselves be heard, but the county has now announced that "The Haywood County Board of Commissioners will not take any action at their regularly scheduled meeting of Monday, April 4, 2016 on the proposed ordinances for Carrying of Concealed Weapons and Displaying of Firearms ..."   Scorched by hundreds of angry voter contacts, the Haywood County manager last week attempted to justify the commission’s actions as an attempt to bring the county’s 1995 ban on concealed carry in parks into compliance with changes in the law. In reality, the commission attempted to manipulate statutory definitions to continue gun bands which are no longer legal. In addition to banning open carry and concealed carry in all county buildings, their proposed changes would reclassify Allen’s Creek Park as a “recreational facility” and ban guns throughout the park in violation of recent changes which GRNC made that more narrowly define recreational facility to only athletic fields during scheduled events, swimming pools, and gymnasiums. GRNC president Paul Valone was the first to address the commission. In addition to noting that their parks restrictions were illegal and would result in a lawsuit which they could not win, he pointed out that just because they had had restrictions since 1995 in other county facilities didn’t mean they should continue those restrictions. Haywood County is slow to learn what twelve other North Carolina counties have discovered: that reducing restriction on the lawful concealed carry of firearms helps save lives and keep citizens safe. Despite what the naysayers would have us believe (more on them in a minute), county governments like that in Haywood County are being put on notice that law-abiding citizens will not tolerate being disarmed for their so-called protection.   The next meeting of the Haywood County Commissioners is tomorrow (Monday) evening, and we strongly encourage our members to remain vocal about their opposition to this proposed ordinance. These politicians need to be told, in no uncertain terms, that enacting these sorts of restrictive ordinances (especially ones that may put them in violation of state law) will have consequences at the polls and in the courts.   And speaking of the naysayers ... we thought you should also know that the astroturf group North Carolinians Against Gun Violence (a wholly owned subsidiary of Michael Bloomberg) had the audacity to plagiarize GRNC's March 26 alert and calling for its members to attend the meeting. The evidence of this group's ineptitude was clear: when asked by one of the speakers addressing the commission for a show of hands of all who supported the proposed gun ban, none of the attendees at last week's meeting identified themselves as a member of this shady organization. We know that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but this simply proves that astroturf will never equate to real grass roots support.

IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED!
EMAIL THE HAYWOOD COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. Urge them to scrap the gun-ban ordinance altogether. Below, find a copy/paste email list, and under 'Deliver This Message,' you'll find a copy/paste email message to send. Contact list: markswanger@bellsouth.net; kirk@jwklaw.net; lkensley@bellsouth.net; sorrells@cbvnol.com; billupton@bellsouth.net   Let North Carolinians Against Gun Violence know that plagiarism is stooping to a new low, even for them. We suggest leaving them a polite note on their Facebook page encouraging them to come up with their own material for alerts to their "supporters." Something short and sweet like "Hey gun grabbers, can you please stop plagiarizing Grass Roots North Carolina when you send alerts to your "supporters?"
DELIVER THIS MESSAGE
Suggested Subject: "Scrap the Gun Ban in Haywood County"   Dear Commissioners: I have recently been informed of the gun ban that is being considered by the Haywood County Commission, and I am writing to urge you to scrap bans on open and concealed carry on county property entirely. As the nearly 400 gun supporters in attendance at last week's meeting made abundantly clear, a patchwork of “gun-free" zones serve only to make accidental criminals out of otherwise peaceful, law-abiding citizens, while doing nothing to ensure anyone’s safety. A vote to close all county facilities to the lawful carry of handguns will only convey a disrespect for civil rights as they relate to the Second Amendment, and will ultimately endanger both the citizens and employees of Haywood County. You may be unaware of the new trend that is currently sweeping our state. In recent months, county after county, after recognizing the fallacy of "gun free" zones, has moved in the direction of more gun-freedom rather than less: Alamance, Ashe, Cabarrus, Cherokee, Craven, Forsyth, Lenoir, Pitt, Person, Rowan, Union, and Wilkes ounties, and the list continues to lengthen. This is a positive trend, and I would strongly recommend that Haywood County consider this course, rather than a sure-to-be fruitless and disrespectful gun ban. I will continue to monitor this issue through alerts from Grass Roots North Carolina.  Respectfully,

The Other Felons Just Did It More Illegally

Gabby Giffords and her Americans for Responsible Solutions are touting the success of Washington State's I-594 in stopping felons from purchasing firearms. The 50 felons were attempting to purchase a firearm through a private sale and not through a FFL.

Commonsense gun laws work: In its first 14 mos., WA's new background check law blocked 50 felons from getting a gun: https://t.co/O8Q7JGJGGk

— ARS (@resp_solutions) April 1, 2016

Given the Tweet was published on April 1, I don't know if this is an April Fools joke on their part or not.

Doing the math which I hope that even Gabby could do, 50 felons divided by 14 months equals 3.57 attempted purchases per month or less than one per week. If that is a measure of success, it is a dumbing down of the meaning of success. All this proves is that 50 felons were stupid enough to try and purchase a firearm from someone who submitted the sale to a background check. No word on how many sales were made on street corners of stolen guns being sold by criminal gangs.

According to the story that accompanies her Tweet, not one felon was prosecuted for attempting to purchase a firearm.

2015 violent crime statistics for Washington State have not been released by the FBI and should not be expected until mid-year or later.