Shotgun Blues Update

I wrote about an incident at a Denver gun show where a Perazzi executive (allegedly the grandson of the founder) was arrested and later released because of a "terrorism" tip from a cab driver. Now there's more. Or less depending upon your perspective.

Shotgun Blues

Ohdearvishnu.

Some folks are saying that Denver ain't that bad; that the new gun owner control laws won't be enforced that vigorously and that it won't be used against hunters not one nary bit, because Denver welcomes sportsmen (and sportswomen).

If the following tale of Eloi-centric behavior doesn't dissuade you of that notion and demonstrate that Denver hates you because gunowner, then nothing will.

(Updated 05-22-13 10:12 a.m. MST) - An update to this story may be found here.

A Full Court Press

The majority of Colorado sheriffs have filed suit to stop the recently passed gun control laws.

Michael Bane is all over it.

The folks over at Shall Not Be Questioned have videos up.

There's an article about the suit that deserves a brief fisking:

A Bayonet Would Have Helped

A Wisconsin lady used a shotgun to save her husband from a bear attack. Aside from a few stitches the husband received all turned out relatively well, but - and I hate to armchair quarterback this thing - the lady's technique was a bit lacking:

"His wife Marie Ninnemann rushed to his rescue. 'She came out of the cabin with a shotgun,' Gerre said. 'Unfortunately, she didn't know how to load it.'

Mrs. Ninnemann then hit the bear over the head with the shotgun, which the stunned the bear just long enough for the couple to run back in to the cabin, according to Albright."

Of course, if there would have been a real reporter, the article would have included what the energy in foot-pounds was of a 71 year old lady swinging a shotgun. Or at least mention if she hit the bruin with the muzzle or the buttstock...

This easily could have turned out badly. In the end a sheriff's deputy shot and killed the bear, which makes me wonder why the gentleman that was attacked didn't shoot the bear himself after his wife rescued him.

I doubt I'll have to remind many of you, but this is yet another good example of why you should make sure the women in your life know how to handle a firearm. By handle I mean load, aim and fire, not just swing. And by women I mean lovers, girlfriends, wives, daughters, mothers, aunts, nieces, grandmothers, etc. (And on the off chance that any ladies stumble across this post and don't know how to shoot, I or just about any other gun owner within driving distance will likely teach you the basics if you just ask, so ask.)

And I still contend that a bayonet makes any long gun more versatile and effective if for some reason shooting isn't an option. (Maybe they need to start making bayonets in pink too. Or at least purple...)

An Elk Sees The Light

An employee of the government of Colorado, a Parks And Wildlife Ranger no less, got caught poaching a trophy sized mule deer. After dark. With a spotlight.

So what happened to him? He was fined and demoted:

Quibbling

According to Shall Not Be Questioned, the SAF is backing gun owner control again. The specifics are that while Manchin is trying to drum up support for his and Toomey's universal background check bill, an SAF article is saying it's a mistake to oppose it. The article was in a magazine distributed at the NRA convention last weekend & was print only, so no direct links are available for it.

Alan Gottlieb, who heads the SAF and the CCRKBA, supported the Manchin-Toomey universal background check amendment until a restorative process for non-violent felons was dropped. That he wants to revive it isn't a surprise, as he likely sees something he can get in return, most likely the restoration of gun ownership for non-violent felons, or maybe some sort of national concealed carry law.

But it's quibbling and shouldn't be a shock to anyone. This is part of what compromise is, and this is why pragmatism is bad for gun owners.

IEBAG

That'd be Illegal Emotional Blackmailers Against Guns - a paid subsidiary of Illegal Mayors Against Guns:

Father of Sandy Hook victim faces criminal charges

He's facing five charges, all bounced checks, but two of them were written on accounts closed at the time.

I wonder if his support of the gun owner control was a confusion about the phrase "background check" versus "backdated check"?

"Since then, Heslin has been among the most visible of the Sandy Hook parents lobbying for gun restrictions, including an appearance in Washington that apparently resulted in him missing a recent court date.

Superior Court Judge Frank Iannotti has ordered Heslin to explain Wednesday why he was not in court on April 15."

I'm almost curious to see if the judge will give him a pass since he was out pimping gun owner control. I'm sure he's shameful enough to try to use that as an excuse.

Fighting Words

There are many differing perspectives on when it's acceptable to use force to protect one's Rights. For example I'm of the "shoot first, examine badges later" school when it comes to dealing with any type of home invasion, though for many reasons I'm in the minority on that. Most folks would advocate finding a judicial solution rather than resorting to protective violence against agents of the state. But I don't have to do any in depth analysis of "shoot/don't shoot" criteria to convince most readers here that there are some situations where agents of the state should be met with force. (h/t to Irons in the Fire)

Cops and a social services worker attack husband, threaten wife, and kidnap 5 month old baby.

“I’m going to grab your baby, and don’t resist, and don’t fight me okay?' one officer can be heard telling the mother in the video."

An Interlude Of Zen

I knew this whole taking over the world business would be a very hands on endeavor, I just had no idea it'd require so much overtime. So, in lieu of content, here's an oldie* from Incubus.

I'd not listen to it unless a pillow was both nearby and appropriate.

(*if you're not bothered by having something written and recorded entirely in the 21rst century as an oldie, you're likely under 30, ya whippersnapper)

What If You Threw An Orgy And Nobody Came?

That appears to be the result when anti gun owner groups try to rally the people to spontaneously demonstrate, claiming 90% of folk insist on harsher gun owner controls. The idea was that a visible demonstration of proletariat fury would spur those lawmakers cowed by the nefarious gun lobby into taking swift and decisive action to quell these rampant lax gun laws and finally establish some gun owner control in this country (cause they obviously failed in 1934, 1938, 1968, 1986, 1988, 1994 and 1998). So, they planned a march to "expose how the National Rifle Association subverts democracy".

How'd it turn out? Not too good. Crowd estimates of 100 or less, including news media (who may as well be counted amongst the protesters) does not bode well for a popular uprising on a national issue. If 98 folks show up to oust the local dog catcher, that's something. 98 protestors (some with cameras and on the clock for the MSM) on a national issue? As J.D. Clampett would say, pitiful, just pitiful. It doesn't help their cause any that at least one protester was fed up enough to denounce ol' Bloomie his damn self.

Alas, the masses did not harken to the call, perhaps because they didn't want to miss the latest episode of The View? Or possibly because there just aren't that many folks who get all that worked up about restricting Rights.

This doesn't mean we're out of the proverbial woods. Where we are winning is socially, or culturally if you will. Politically and legally it's still a battle. And like a bad sitcom idea, they'll be back.

(h/t's to Say Uncle, Alphecca, and Say Uncle)

Two More Slaps In The Face

The Colorado house will vote on the last two bills of the gun owner control package today.

Colorado SB 13-195 requires most training for a concealed carry permit to be conducted in person, as opposed to online. Here's a .pdf of the amended bill and it looks like it already passed. It'll go straight to the governor for a signature.

Colorado SB-197 sets up a process for confiscation of firearms by those convicted of domestic violence misdemeanors or subject to a restraining order involving domestic violence. Here's a .pdf of the amended bill. It's 29 pages and a right nasty piece of work at that, so be warned. It has been amended in the house so it'll have to go back to the senate after it passes today.

This should be a link to the Colorado Channel's streaming coverage of the house if you care to watch. Or I'll attempt to embed it here:

Updated 11:47 a.m. MDT: Nevermind watching the house for the gun bills - they've already passed. It was party line on the misdemeanor gun grab, but four republicans crossed the line on the online training bill. The training bill hits the governor's desk while the misdemeanor gun confiscation bill goes back to the senate for a final vote.

Patriots Day 2013

In the extended entry you'll find some links and embedded videos relating to events that occurred on Patriots' Day in years past.

Victory You Say?

So Reid has shelved the gun control package after not securing enough votes to pass a background check amendment, or any other gun owner control amendments. Obama and his companions are visibly upset, blaming the nefarious "gun lobby" for interfering with their agenda. Some gun owners are reveling in this, seeing it as a decisive rebuke of the gun owner control movement, and a victory for our side.

Victory? Victory you say?

Pratt Behind The Lines

Here's Larry Pratt of GOA in an interview discussing the current push for gun owner control in the u.S. senate.

Here's a full segment from CNN that includes Mr. Pratt discussing the same issues with Wolf Blitzer (Pratt's interview starts around the 3:34 mark):

And here's Mr. Pratt talking with Chris Mathews:

I understand that Mr. Pratt and the GOA have not been viewed favorably by some gun owners in recent years. But in these clips Mr. Pratt was dealing directly with the enemy and he did a very good job in extremely hostile territory. Watch the clips if you get a few minutes and see for yourselves.

Just sayin'

Apropos of no date in particular, here's a clip for y'all, from a more civilized era:

Shame

The progressive pantheon has no higher deity than the Victim. Sacred, honored and often unquestionable as most true Victims are deceased. There are some living Victims, and it's arguable that the status of Victim is something the progressives wish to label a majority of their followers with, but the most sacred of the sacred would be the ones whose Victim status was recognized posthumously.

Since the most venerated Victims cannot speak for themselves the progressives elevate those that would speak for them to seemingly equal status. In most cases, it's a parent or relative or spouse of the Victim. Their prestige is akin to the High Priests of old, who would deliver the gods message to the mere mortals.

Waitin' For The Bus

A suspect in a fatal stabbing on a bus in Denver has been arrested. Witnesses say two men were arguing, and they next thing they knew one of those men got all stabbed. (I assume "transfer center" means "really big or important bus stop", but the article didn't elaborate.)

Cops are also looking for a man who used a boxcutter to attack a woman on a bus.

It is a class 6 felony to carry a loaded gun on public transportation (including bus stops) in Colorado without legal authority (C.R.S. 18-9-118, which can be looked up here). A state issued carry permit should satisfy the legal authority requirement. From what I gather (i.e. read on some forums discussing this issue), there are signs at the bigger stops stating that weapons are prohibited, as RTD (the Colorado Regional Transportation District, which runs public transportation) presumably hopes that'll discourage folks from packing on buses and light rail. I could not find anything about firearms on the RTD site except that employees seem to be prohibited from carrying weapons. I do not know if anyone has been hassled for carrying on a bus with a permit. I do assume that a Denver cop would arrest someone and let the judge sort everything out.

So while presumably legal with a permit, it doesn't seem that carrying defensive tools is encouraged. (Of course if you refuse to bow your knee to the state for a permission slip to exercise a Right, then you're out of luck altogether.)

I'll further speculate that most folks that use RTD's services are city dwellers, in mentality if not in geography, and are not inclined to carry weapons for protection. Coupled with the city of Denver's generally hostile climate towards gun owners I'd think it likely that most riders are not members of the gun culture.

Hence, in a single week, 2 people were attacked (one fatally) with blades. No meaningful resistance was or could have been offered by the victims or by anyone on their behalf.

That's what they want to replace the gun culture with? The Eloi culture? Have mercy, indeed.

Just cause, here's some ZZ top:

Self Defense For The Law Abiding

Michael Bane has a post up about Self-Defense in Non-Permissive Environments. It's a good write up for what it is but it's lacking in foresight. I mean he only covers what are good legal options for this round of legislative looniness. What about next year? I'm sure when they reconvene next year and get a new set of marching orders from D.C. via NYC put their heads together they'll realize that since they passed Darth Biden's their brand spankin' new gun owner control laws crime didn't decrease, it actually increased. And that right there is a call for action, lemme tell ya. So I'm gonna peer into my crystal ball and have a look at options to protect yourself whilst complying with Bloomie the Hut's Colorado's future gun owner control mandates:

Not Even In The Ballpark

A local TV station did a segment on what items are prohibited from being carried to a Rockies game. While they did point out that chainsaws were verboten and that baseball bats and brooms were permissible accessories they neglected to mention items more useful for defensive purposes.

This is the "R" section of Coors Field's "A to Z Guide". Scrolling down to the section entitled "Restrictions" I point out item number 11. Also under the "F" section they mention the ban of firearms and other weapons on the premises.

You'd think if they'd mention something as seldom carried as a chain saw* in an informative TV segment, they'd make note of firearms and knives. But I'm supposing that the staff at a local TV station centered in Denver would feel it was obvious that weapons were prohibited at any event not involving a duck stamp. They just don't understand, and therefore dismiss, our culture.

So just in case anyone was thinking of attending a Rockies game** be advised that the folks that own Coors Field would prefer you defenseless. Be further advised that after July 1rst, 2013 the gun owner control laws in Colorado will become intolerable, and avoiding the state is highly recommended. If you're stuck in the state after July 1rst, remember that even though your local sheriff may not forsake their oaths by enforcing these new laws, the Denver PD have no such qualms (or integrity) and will gladly arrest you and steal your property if they get a chance. So don't risk going into Denver if you can avoid it. (Plus the more cash you spend in Colorado the more you eventually feed the coffers of those who'd like to destroy the gun culture, and Denver is their epicenter within the state.)

*Course if someone would just start making a 3 point sling for the Husqvarna 60 cc model I'm sure chainsaw carry would be a useful addition to anybody's personal protection options.

** An uncle of mine, when asked how the Braves were doing that season responded thusly, "If the Braves get any worse I might as well start wearing a Rockies hat". So if you want to see a baseball game, why not go to someplace with a baseball team? While Turner Field prohibits firearms within the stadium, they'll ask you to stash it in your car if you forget you were packing when you enter the gates, rather than having a Denver SWAT team called in to your position as will likely happen at Coors Field.

Where The Devil Is

First, a grammatical pet peeve. Ages ago (during the Danian stage of the Paleocene to be specific) I had a girlfriend with one linguistic tick that drove me up the wall. She habitually eliminated "to be" from a sentence. For example "The cat needs fed", instead of "The cat needs to be fed" (or the more proper "The cat needs to be fed fresh salmon every day and twice on Sundays"). Which of course inspired much "to be or not to be" discussion, with me referring to it as her "Hamlet eccentricity". But when a Southerner takes issue with verbal shorthand you know you're on shaky ground.

In a similar vein the word "language" is commonly used as an abbreviation of a more concise phrase; "language of the bill". This kinda thing always grated me. It's easier to just type "language" but it just does not read correctly to me unless I mentally add in those three other words ("of the bill"). Again, when a Southerner (who's still having trouble with re-habing his ampersand addiction) takes exception to chopping off syllables it's worth re-examining the practice. Just sayin'

Another phrase I'm getting vexed at reading is "the devil's in the details". But in this case it's not a form issue, it's a context issue, and the context is the Toomey-Manchin "compromise" background check bill:

Dr Malcolm Call Your Office Please

This is an article from a few years back, about plans to build a new buffet line for predators attraction for tourists at a big game preserve here in Colorado:

"KEENESBURG — Operators of the Wild Animal Sanctuary are constructing a "Mile Into the Wild" elevated walkway to take visitors to the sanctuary's new lion house — home to 25 of the big cats rescued from traveling circuses in Bolivia.

The boardwalk, ranging from 22 feet to 40 feet above the ground, first will cross one of the older lion habitats and then traverse black bear, wolf and tiger habitats on its way to the new lion house, said sanctuary spokeswoman Katie Vandegrift."

When I first read that article I felt a great disturbance in the force - as if millions of Jeff Goldblums suddenly cried out in terror, and were suddenly ignored...

Risky Business

Here's a story from The Coloradoan about the hunting boycott of Colorado.

"...And I know people are frustrated. We understand that,” Hampton said. 'There’s an outrage, but these new bills will not have an impact on our existing hunting regulations and they will not affect a person’s ability to hunt in Colorado.

'I think people are missing out on a great opportunity.”

That'd be Colorado Parks and Wildlife spokesman Randy Hampton. And he's mistaken:

Break That Silence Girl

Public servant Degette (D-Plorable) had an intellect malfunction concerning the re-usable nature of magazines. She then doubled down by claiming it was noun confusion and she really meant clips. (I wrote about it here.) The Denver Post, which actually claims a side on the issue of gun owner control (hint: they're for it) even called her out on both the magazine and clip comments being wrong.

Diana Doesn't Get It

Via everybody's favorite gun news aggregator (Say Uncle) comes the startling revelation that public servant Dianna Degette (D-spicable) knows not about which she speaks. Here's a clip of the entire exchange:

A New Yorker On Guns

Take a few minutes to watch the video posted below. It's a young lady from New York discussing her views on gun control.

A Legislative Effort

In some states the republicans have went along with the gun owner control bills being pushed. Here in Colorado that hasn't been the case. Only 1 republican went along with any of the gun owner control bills proposed so far. And that was just 1 bill that hardly received any attention.

So what I suggest would only be workable where the republicans held firm.

McCanns Mentality

Colorado's representative McCann has delayed the introduction of her firearms and mental health bill. Weeks back she planned to introduce it but somehow that was quietly postponed, and now she's holding it up for "extensive revisions".

Since no bill is actually published, I can only go by summations. That being said, her idea is to give mental health professionals the power to put someone on the prohibited persons list, at least temporarily.

No jury, no judge, just the word of a psychologist, or psychiatrist, or counselor.

I think - and this is pure speculation - that they were hoping to get bipartisan support on this one, but the abandoning of due process is objectionable to the Colorado republicans, so she's trying to re-write it, or at least re-phrase it, to get at least a few republicans to vote yes.

Course, it could be that the delay was caused by the bill referencing New York City laws which would be amended, so she's taking some time to replace those with the numbers of Colorado statutes. Considering the sloppiness of the folks on Bloomie the Hut's staff who wrote the last half dozen Colorado gun owner control laws, it wouldn't surprise me.

At this point I wouldn't want the Colorado republicans to agree to anything the democrats here (and in NYC and D.C.) proposed, even something seemingly as harmless as a "task force" to "study" an issue (which is allegedly part of this bill). They should just say "Hell No!" to everything, even what to order for lunch.

With any luck time will run out and this bill will never be introduced. Considering how my luck usually goes though I'm not holding my breath. I would worry that the republicans somehow go along with some part of this bill, for some misguided sense of "doing something about violence".

Again, I can't say too much without having the bill in front of me, but as insolent and condescending a public servant as McCann is there won't be anything good to come out of anything she introduces.

An Indulgence

Gun owners (and those generally in favor of our gun culture) have tried for decades (millenniums if you take the general concept of owning weapons, not just guns per se) to use facts to persuade folks to not punish us or impose upon our way of life. That's generally an effective way to convince folks that are convincable that owning a weapon, such as a gun, is a Right. That the same tactic doesn't seem to work on our enemies leads us to think they're incapable of logic. In some instances I'm positive this is true, but there's another reason why facts being on our side really doesn't matter.

Yet More On Life Imitating Bad TV

Not only are there recent developments which may be related, but government incompetence (pardon the redundancy) was involved in part of this:

The Master Cometh

Obama is coming to town, and the press seems all a tither:

Obama to praise Colorado gun control laws Wednesday at Denver Police Academy:

"The landmark legislation has made Colorado, a state with a deep western heritage that’s also endured two horrific mass shootings, a symbolic vanguard for the country; but the legislative process at the Capitol has also exposed just how contentious and politically risky the issue can be."

Imagine

There's always some wistful thinking by the uninformed concerning the paradisaical nature of a firearms free world. Some have tried to correct this misplaced rhetoric through imagery. And have tried and tried again. But imagination isn't necessary to correct this error in logic, that a world absent firearms would be a kinder, gentler, mo' better place.

Just for the heck of it, let's see how peaceful and loving we all become when guns aren't used against people:

The NPE Files

Some folks buy into the illusion of civilization a bit too fervently.

Over at Tractor Tracks the most heavily armed twig on the planet tall for her weight and level of armament lovely and talented proprietress starts off discussing a man who was pinned by a bison and then expounds upon her experiences with folks who are less cautious in the natural world than the respective situations merited. (I should note, according to this story, the man initially mentioned by Farmgirl denies throwing rocks at the buffalo, but "shooing" a buffalo ain't exactly a bright idea either.)

Bison aren't the only danger to folks with less-than-adequate threat recognition capabilities. Much smaller creatures have been making the news lately:

Layers Of Fact Checking

I was talking with a friend a few months ago. She's in her early 20's, very bright, but new to the whole gun thing (I've been meaning to do a write up as her introduction to shooting makes for a good story & some useful insights - plus parts are just downright funny). The conversation went like this:

Pub: Well, the Mainstream Media is usually likes government control of most things (except the Mainstream Media of course) so look for them to help in the big push for gun control that's coming.
Scarlett: I have noticed there are a lot more stories about shootings lately.
Pub: What you haven't noticed yet is how often those stories get things wrong

I meant to go into detail about just what the political and mass media situation in regards to the gun culture was, but I really didn't have enough Maker's Mark for me to go through how bad things were, let alone explain the politics to a newbie.

But blog fodder need not be gentle nor ease into things, so let's take a look at a few examples of how thorough and strident journalists of today are in reporting firearm related facts:

More On Life Imitates Bad TV

My speculation was incorrect: a young lady has been accused of providing the pistol that Evan Ebel used to go on his murdering spree.

There's also an article giving an overview of Evan's life of crime. It tries to cast doubt on Evan being involved with a white supremacist prison gang after he was paroled, but this article focuses on the prison gang in question and how difficult it is to suppress their influence inside and outside of prison.

Here's a remembrance-style article on Clements, and here's one about the memorial of Nathan Leon. (Be sure to watch the video at that last link)

Mr. Leon was murdered while delivering pizza's, but that was his 2nd job. He worked full time at IBM, was married and had 3 little girls. I'm thinking his family could use some help. Bank of the West will accept donations for them at any branch around the Denver metro area from what I understand.

Yes There IS Gambling In The Building

US hunters begin boycott over Colorado gun laws

What'd they expect? American hunters would start throwing keggers because of more anti gun owner laws being in effect here?

You Can't Hide Your Lion Eyes

"We live in an area that’s wooded and secluded,' Biden said. 'I said, Jill, if there’s ever a problem just walk out on the balcony here … put that double-barreled shotgun and fire two blasts outside the house.'

'Buy a shotgun,' he said, lowering his voice almost to whisper."

That was of course the sage wisdom of notable defense attorney and firearms expert Joseph Robinette Biden Jr., Esq. However he never mentioned what to do if there were three prowlers:

It's rare to see one mountain lion, not because they're scarce, they're just stealthy. But 3? At the same time? And with nothing but glass twixt you and them?

I like cats, but I'd damn sure have had something mag fed while I admired them through the window. 2 rounds? Hell, 15 wouldn't seem like enough. And there'd be a bayonet involved, just 'cause.

A double barreled shotgun has its place, and can be used effectively for defense in a number of situations. It's certainly better than nothing. But just twixt you and me and the entire internets, a long gun that rhymes with Walashnikov capable of holding more rounds than you have fingers and toes is a much better option.

Life Imitates Bad TV

“Life doesn't imitate art, it imitates bad television.” - Woody Allen

I wrote recently about a pizza delivery driver that was murdered. Turn out there's a lot more to it than just a simple robbery, and even ol' Hick is involved at least tangentially.

The Sow Returns To Her Mire

Hudak again. Perhaps you'll recall her apology after being chastised for being rude and inconsiderate to a rape victim? Her attrition didn't last long:

The vid was found at this link which was discovered over at Firehand's place.

"Flip a coin"? That's from page 14 of the Pelosi Parliamentary Guidebook I believe.

Hudak is term limited so sadly she won't get the trouncing in the general election she deserves. Nor can she be properly primaried. And Colorado lacks a civilized legal remedy, like tar and feathering or defenestration. But there is good news: there's a recall effort underway. Nothing says voter dis-satisfaction like recalling someone who couldn't be re-elected anyway.

In watching the Colorado legislature debate the gun owner control laws it recently (and still is in the process of) passing, this sort of arrogance and condescension was way too common. Hudak is not the only example of this disrespectful attitude emanating from public servants, but she certainly highlights it.

Practice During Droughts

As you may have noticed, there's an ammo shortage going on. I've heard reports of 550 round boxes of .22LR going for $100, and at the local Wal Mart the ammo shelves are barer than a cheerleader's midriff at a Spring Break kegger. Hell I've had more ammo in my car than I've seen on some dealers shelves, and I could probably carry more on my bike than most stores have in stock right now.

That makes practice an expensive proposition. But there are alternatives:

Godwin Damn It

A newspaper article attempts to provide a bit of fact checking to claims made concerning Nazi gun owner control laws.

"Objectively, it might have made things worse' if the Jews who fought the Nazis in the 1943 Warsaw ghetto uprising in Poland had more and better guns, said historian Steve Paulsson, an expert on the period whose Jewish family survived the city's destruction."

Paulsson doesn't stop there:

Brophy And Hill On Bad Checks And Mag Bans

Colorado state senator Greg Brophy talks with Jon Caldera about universal background checks. It's from before the passage of HB13-1229 in the senate and it was heavily amended since then, but it's still informative about why universal background checks are a bad idea. For reference, here's a .pdf of HB13-1229, the Colorado universal background check law.

While I'm at it, here's Colorado senator Owen Hill, speaking quite poetically against HB13-1224 (the magazine ban, which I wrote about here) on the senate floor.

And while I'm still at it, here's Senator Brophy again, this time on the floor of the Colorado senate, explaining why the magazine ban should not be passed and should not be obeyed if it does. He failed at the former, but I'm pretty sure he succeeded in the latter.

WW With JC

Walter Williams talks with Jon Caldera. I've posted about Prof. Williams before here. Mr. Caldera posted the vid on his site but I'll go ahead and post it here as well. It's just under 30 minutes and well worth the time. And by all means, pass this around, as folks should be reminded of some of the things spoken about.

Fundamental Scrutiny

Via David Hardy,I stumbled on this discussion at Prof. Volokh's place. It concerns a Louisiana court case, State v. Draughter (.pdf here) which involves an application of a recent Louisiana constitutional amendment mandating a strict scrutiny standard be applied to Right to Arms issues (on the state level at least). The new amendment is:

Snow Related Note Part Thirteen

Previous snow related notes can be found by following links like this one.

I always wondered; when the snow is a light dry powder & the wind blows it around, do Cocaine Anonymous meetings get more crowded than usual?

Hick

Some folks are a bit surprised at Hickenlooper's signing of the anti gun owner bills yesterday. Let's start with a look at what he's said in the past:

Dominos Offers Reward Instead Of Choice

Domino's, like Papa John's and Pizza Hut, have very simple self defense policies: they're against it. Any possession of a weapon, even in your own car while on their clock, or any attempt to resist a confrontational crime, will result in your dismissal. The official policy is to comply with any demands.

The body of a Domino's delivery drived was found 18 miles away from his last known delivery. He was married with three kids, twins age 4 and a 6 year old daughter. Delivering pizzas for Domino's was his second job.

Domino's has offered a reward for any info leading to the man's killer. No mention has been made of changing their anti-self-defense policy.

A vigil was held for him last night. In that story it mentions that he was shot several times. It does not mention that he was prevented by company policy from being able to defend himself.

Whomever shot him is responsible for his death. But Domino's has some culpability because they denied him, and all their other employees, any choice in how best to look after their own safety.

I always preferred DiGionro and Red Baron anyway.

Slippin' Into Darkness

Hickenlooper signed the magazine ban, the universal background check and the background check tax bills into law this morning. They'll become law on July 1rst.

Governor To Sign Bills On Wednesday

A spokesman said that Governor Hickenlooper will sign 3 anti-gin owner bills on Wednesday.

This is the contact form for his office email. This should be his email address: Governor.hickenlooper@state.co.us His office phone number is (303) 866-2471 This is his facebook page. This should be his Twitter account.

RMGO recommends contacting the governor's staff as well:

Roxane White - Chief of Staff
(303) 866-2471 Email: roxane.white@state.co.us

Lorez Meinhold - Senior Policy Advisor
(303) 866-5856 Email: lorez.meinhold@stat.co.us

Doug Young - Senior Policy Advisor
(303) 866-5465 Email: douglas.young@state.co.us

If you can, contact all of the above and make sure the governor knows you want him to veto all the anti gun owner bills: HB 1224 (the magazine ban) HB 1229 (the universal background check bill), HB 1228 (the background check tax), HB 1043 (changes definition of a deadly weapon to any firearm even when not being used) and any others that come across his desk.

Two If By Bell

Following the brilliant legal advice of Joseph Robinette Biden Jr., Esq., a man in Golden, Colorado fired two warning shots into the ground when plagued by a false doorbell ringer. Not once, but twice did the vicious doorbell tease commence his assault on the peace, tranquility and early morning TV watching habits of the kind sir from Golden. But thrice was never reached do due to the upright citizen recalling the heed of the vice president, realizing there was most assuredly a problem, and firing two blasts outside his house.

The man has been ticketed (three times in fact). Mr. Biden could not be reached for comment*.

(Likely the cutting edge legal scholar was busy assisting others that had taken his counsel)

29 Passes

Colorado HB 1229 passed both chambers, with all republicans in each chamber and one democrat per chamber voting against. It now goes to the governor's desk.

This is the contact form for the governor's office email. This should be his email address: Governor.hickenlooper@state.co.us His office phone number is (303) 866-2471 This is his facebook page.

Contact him. Tell him you want him to veto HB13-1229, (the universal background check bill) as well as HB13-1224, HB13-1228, HB13-1043 (The magazine capacity bill, the background check tax bill, and a bill that changes the definition of a deadly weapon to include any firearm even when not being used).

The article linked above says that on Thursday Governor Hickenlooper received 1,165 phone calls "related to the gun bills". I'm confident we can double that.

Remember, these bills may have passed the legislature, but they are not law yet. There's still a chance to persuade Governor Hickenlooper to veto them.

29 Round 4

Y'all know the routine by now. This link takes you to the Colorado Channel's general assembly page. Click on the senate live video (or senate live audio if you can't bear to watch but can't bear to not listen) to watch them debate HB 1229 - the universal background check bill.

Then if they re-pass it (you contacted your congresscritters and the governor didn't ya?) use that same link to hit the general assembly page and click on the house of representative live video (or audio) button, as they're supposed to take up HB 1229 the second the senate re-passes it. If, I say if, they re-pass it. (I know it's getting monotonous to read it, and trust me it's getting monotonous to type it, but call your senator and representative and urge them to vote no on HB 1229, and contact the governor to urge him to veto all the gun owner control bills that may hit his desk)

WW At IIFN

Walter Williams is a professor of economics at George Mason University. He was the keynote speaker at the Independence Institute's Founder Night Dinner this year. Here it is:

29 And Mental Health

Colorado HB 1229 (universal background checks) came out of the conference committee and will get voted on by the senate then by the house. All of that happens today. That'd be Friday, today. That means there will be 2 chances to stop it from being sent to the governor. Calling/writing/emailing/twittering/etc. your senator and rep would be a goo didea to make sure they oppose this bill.

This should be a copy of the bill with all the amendments. But it's been amended so much I'm not positive what changes were made by the conference committee. I don't know whether this copy of the bill reflects those amendments or not. I do recall Rep. Fields was anxious that the language concerning corporations may allow someone to possess a gun without a background check. And the linked copy does clarify that every member of a corporation (or partnership, trust, etc.) must have a background check. Though I seem to recall something like that in the bill a few days ago.

Also on Friday, Rep. McCann is supposed to unveil her mental health bill. Until I see the language of the bill I can't say for certain what it will do, but it's supposed to mandate that mental health professionals notify the CBI if they think someone is too dangerous to possess weapons, and sets up a process for such a person to have their Right restored. I cannot see how it would be a cool thing given its description, and I'd be concerned that some repubs would cave on this one. But until it's actually introduced there's no telling how objectionable it will be.

Convertibles Will Be Outlawed

Jon Caldara, of the Independence Institute explains why almost all magazines are endangered* by the Colorado magazine ban (and by extension*, similar bans elsewhere). His original post is at this link*, but I'll go ahead and spring* his video on ya, in case any body wants to become a follower* of his on you tube*. The video is detachable*; just click the "watch on youtube" box* and it'll drum* it up in a separate window. (Sadly, his channel has no clips* of a stripper* - I guess it wasn't in the budget since he had to tighten his belt*.)

*And no, Freyja damn it, I'm rushed and I couldn't figure out how to work in floorplate or basepad into conversation. My pun-fu has failed me...

An Open Letter To Governor Hickenlooper

If y'all would be so kind, as many of you as possible please pass this on to Governor John Hickenlooper of Colorado. This is the contact form for his office email. This should be his email address: Governor.hickenlooper@state.co.us His office phone number is (303) 866-2471 This is his facebook page. Either pass on the link or copy and paste the text along with the link (http://publicola.mu.nu/archives/2013/03/14/an_open_letter_to_governor_hickenlooper.html) and send it to him. And be sure to tell him that you want him to veto HB13-1224, HB13-1228, HB13-1043 (The magazine capacity bill, the background check tax bill, and a bill that changes the definition of a deadly weapon to include any firearm even when not being used).

What HB 1224 Means To You

Here's a .pdf of HB 1224, the magazine ban, in its final form. It's on its way to the governor's desk.

Here's the governor's contact page. Especially if you reside in Colorado, it's important that his office hears from you. If you're outside of Colorado it's important that you let him know your vacation/hunting/business dollars will not be spent in Colorado if this bill becomes law.

In the extended entry I'll go over what the bill does...

24 And 29 Almost Final Votes

HB 1224 passed 34-30 with 1 rep excused. That's the magazine capacity limit bill.

HB 1229, had the senate amendments rejected and was sent to a conference committee of some sort. That's the universal background check bill. The dems were not happy with a senate amendment concerning corporate ownership of firearms, so the sponsors asked the bill be sent to committee instead of passing it outright. The committee will, if I'm not mistaken, be made up of 2 from the majority party in both chambers, and 1 from the minority party in both chambers. 4 dems and 2 repubs in other words.

HB 1224 now heads to the governor's desk. Again if I'm not mistaken, if the governor does not sign within 2 weeks of final passage a bill will become law. Hickenlooper can sign it into law, or just sit back and do nothing. He'd have to actively veto it to stop it. So if he does not veto it, Colorado will have a magazine ban effective July 1rst of 2013.

Update 03-13-13 14:07 MDT News article here.

Final Vote On 24 And 29

Today the Colorado house will have a final vote on two gun owner control bills: HB 1224 and HB 1229.

Here's the link to the Colorado Channel's general assembly page, if you care to watch the proceedings. The session will start at 9 a.m. MDT, but I'm not sure at what point they'll take up those 2 anti gun owner bills.

HB 1229 is the universal background check bill. It passed the house a few weeks ago 36-29. That'd be all the republicans and 1 democrats voting against it.
HB 1224 is the magazine capacity limit bill. It passed the house 34-31 a few weeks ago. That'd be 28 republicans and 3 democrats voting against it.

If I understand things correctly, there'll be some form of limited debate betwixt the representatives but no amendments can be offered; this will be a simple yes or no vote on each bill respectively. If they pass they'll go to the governor's desk to be signed or vetoed. If they fail they'll be gone.

Neither bill is acceptable to live under, but I still maintain that the universal background check law has the broadest implications nationally. A very similar universal background check bill is in the federal senate, and passage of this law in gun friendly Colorado may shore up wavering support for the senate bill at the federal level, or at least bolster similar efforts in other states.

Oh they'd try to do the same with the magazine capacity limit bill, but the background check idea would get more support from democrats in districts where gun owners vote, and perhaps even get some republicans to go along with it. The background check bill is the centerpiece; it's the camels nose trying to get further under the tent. That's why Obama and Bloomberg want it so badly, and it's why it's so important for us to stop it on the state level as well as federal.

So call/write/tweet/carrier pigeon/etc. the reps listed in the post below, as well as your own rep. Tell them to vote no on both anti-gun owner bills. Then do the same with the governor.

These bills are not yet law, so it's not over yet.

It Still Ain't Over Til It's Over

At least one Colorado house dem may change his mind on a gun owner control bill:

"...The Senate amended the bill, and it must go back to the House, where one Democrat who supported it earlier now says he's undecided on it.

'I haven't made up my mind on it,' McLachlan said."

That means it may be possible to sway him and 1 other dem to stop this bill (assuming everyone else votes the way they did when they passed it out of the house).

Rep Mike McLachlan HD59: (303) 866-2914
mike.mclachlan.house@state.co.us - Facebook - Twitter

(I'm not that familiar with facebook but from what I can see the comments on his page are running 11:1 against the mag ban. Just sayin')

RMGO (via email) has a list of reps to contact who they think may be persuadable:

Rep. Pete Lee –HD18- (303) 866-2932
pete.lee.house@state.co.us – Facebook - Twitter

Rep. Mike McLachlan –HD59- (303) 866-2914
Mike.mclachlan.house@state.co.us – Facebook - Twitter

Rep. Diane Mitsch Bush –HD26- (303) 866-2923
Diane.mitschbush.house@state.co.us – Facebook

Rep. Dominick Moreno –HD32- (303) 866-2964
dominick.moreno.house@state.co.us – Facebook - Twitter

Rep. Brittany Pettersen –HD28- (303) 866-2939
brittany.pettersen.house@state.co.us – Facebook - Twitter

Rep. Max Tyler –HD23- (303) 866-2918
max@maxtyler.us – Facebook - Twitter

Rep. Joe Salazar –HD31- (303) 866-2951
joseph.salazar.house@state.co.us – Facebook - Twitter

And I'd add another one to the list:

Gov. John Hickenlooper: (303) 866-2471 Contact page (with email form)

If I'm reading this .pdf calender right, the house will vote on HB 1229 - the universal background check bill - today. I couldn't find mention of any of the other anti gunowner bills, and checking the live feed it looks like the house is not in session as of this writing.

There is still time to write, call comment or tweet these reps and the governor. Tell them to vote no on all the gun owner control bills - HB 1229, the universal background check bill, HB 1224, the magazine capacity limit bill, SB 197, the "baby lauternberg" bill, and SB 195, the bill that prohibits online training for concealed carry permits. And tell the governor to not sign HB 1228, the background check tax, or any of the other anti gunowner bills.

It's not over. These bills aren't law yet.

What Happens Next

5 gun owner control bills passed the Colorado senate today. For a recap of what these bills do look here.

HB 1228, the background check tax, heads straight to the governor's desk.

SB 195, the bill that bans complete online training for carry permits, goes to the house for 3 readings plus a committee hearing.

SB 197, the "baby launterberg" bill, which sets up a process for the surrender of arms by domestic violence misdemenants and folks subject to restraining orders, goes to the house for 3 readings plus a committee hearing.

HB 1224, the magazine capacity limit bill, goes back to the house, due to amendments, for what I believe will be a simple "yes or no" vote.

HB 1229, the universal background check bill, due to amendments, for what I believe will be a simple "yes or no" vote.

No; things ain't looking great. There's still a chance to stop 4 of them in the house, and a chance to have the governor veto all 5. Not a particularly good chance, but enough to justify the effort of making a call or penning an email to the governor and/or a state representative.

If those last ditch efforts fail, then it'll be the jury box and the ballot box, in that order. It is being said that recall efforts are underway for at least 3 of the dems who voted for these bills. RMGO has a pro-gunowner dem ready to primary senator Giron. RMGO also says they'll announce a plan within the next few weeks if thes elaws are signed, but encourage everyone in the meantime to keep putting pressure on the governor and the house dems. I would also imagine that lawyers are already going over the bills and looking up precedents for the inevitable legal challenges.

Things have definitely looked better, but there's still a chance (albeit a slim one) to stop some, maybe all, of these bills.

Support Your Local Sheriff

Henchman: Now Terry, what's this about you opposing those very reasonable proposals the boss is talking about?
Terry: I don't support them.
Henchman: Sure ya do. Ya just don't know it yet.
Terry: No I do not.
Henchman: Sure ya support them, and ya know why?
Terry: Why?
Henchman: Cause this is a nice little sheriff's station you got here - it'd be a shame if something were to happen to it.
Terry: What do you mean by that?
Henchman: Oh nuffin. Nuffin. Say, did you hear about the sheriff's salary bill my boss is going to be hearing soon?

That's not verbatim of course, but that's the gist of Sheriff Terry Maketa's tale during a radio interview; he received an email from the County Sheriff's of Colorado (CSOC) stating that the salary of all sheriff's would be affected by their stance on the gun owner control bills, and currently the dem leadership is none too happy about their opposition, so support SB 197 (the 'baby lauetneberg" bill). No one has said just whom passed along that message to CSOC, but they seem to take it serious enough to email at least one of their members about it. Go over to Billll's place for the audio.

Coming At You Live Yet A Damn Gain

This is the link to The Colorado Channel's general assembly page. Clicking the "senate live video" link on the page should open a new window & let you see the proceedings today in the Colorado senate. Today will be the final vote for 3 2 bills; If they pass they'll head straight to the governor for a signature or a veto. 2 3 other bills will be voted on, with one two going to the house and the other headed for some sort of reconciliation process due to it being heavily amended. To break them down for y'all:

Horsin' Around

A lady I used to know sent this to me a few years back. If you've seen it before go ahead and seen it again. After all, that is one bad-ass little horsie, and an extremely competent rider. (and I confess I still giggle a bit at the 1:03 mark - talk about "in yo' face"). It reminds me of some stuff I saw football players at my old high school do - and they prided themselves on being flashy as well as just plain good. I never knew a horse could do that though. Then again if ponies can teach about gun safety...

Anyway, y'all enjoy.

Oh and just cause, how about some Bad Horsie?

(Vai does all the horse sound effects on guitar. And the intro is the train as was played in the movie Crossroads in case it sounded familiar.)

It Aint Over Til It's Over

The Colorado senate gave preliminary approval to 5 anti-gunowner bills while shelving 2. But it's not a done deal; on Monday they'll take up the 5 remaining bills for a recorded vote. If the house bills pass they'll go to the governor for a signature. The bills that originated in the senate will, if passed on Monday, be sent to the house for 3 readings plus committee hearings.

Coming At You Live Again

This is a link to The Colorado Channel's general assembly page. Clicking the "senate live video" link on the page should open a new window & let you see the proceedings today in the Colorado senate. Having lived through barely survived endured most painfully watched these kinda things before, might I recommend a few things to keep handy?

A sponge. A big thick sponge. That way when you feel the urge to throw something (and you shall) you probably won't break anything too valuable.

80 quarters, unrolled. If you have a swear jar and a 1 quarter minimum you'll need all 80. Possibly more.

Beer or wine, if your drinking game revolves around the phrase "I support the 2nd amendment but..." you don't want to get too drunk too fast.

A nice liquore, such as Disaronno Originale amaretto if your drinking game revolves around the phrase "...no one needs.." you don't want to get too drunk too fast.

A bourbon, and by bourbon of course i mean Maker's Mark, or Knob's Creek or Woodford Reserve. This is in case your drinking game revolves around the phrase "...Right is absolute..." There won't be an occasion to drink because you actually hear that phrase on the senate floor, but you might as well sip on something tasty while waiting for hell to freeze over.

Morphine, if you can get it. The alleged "logic" - and I use that term ever so loosely - you'll hear the anti gun owners use is really that painful.

They haven't gotten to the gunowner control bills yet. They're still taking care of other senate business. But they'll be getting to that soon. Watch if you can.

(I take it back - they're starting the anti gunowner bills now)

A Bad Check

Colorado senate republicans are planning to filibuster the gun owner control bills being heard today. That ought to make for interesting viewing. If they attempt this they'll be under a lot of pressure, as there's a storm moving this way and no one wants to get snowed in.

I found the following in the above linked article:

More Things To Do

The Colorado Senate appropriations committee passed 3 bills to the senate floor. This will come as a shock, but the three bills all passed on party line votes. The other four bills didn't have to go through appropriations so they landed straight on the senate's calender. The appropriations committee was just a formality with almost zero chance of them halting any of those bills. So on Friday March 8th the Colorado senate will have a 2nd reading, debate and voice vote on all seven gun owner control bills. If any of the bills pass a voice vote, it will then be scheduled for a recorded vote in the senate, presumably next week, possibly on Monday.

I say if. Those that know me will testify that I'm not an optimist; I really think there's a chance of stopping at least some if not all of these bills. If the repubs hold the line we only need three dems to vote no to stop any one of these bills. Already, we have two dems expressing opposition to the magazine capacity bill, the ban on carry at college, and the "assault weapons" liability bill.

"Democrats Cheri Jahn of Wheat Ridge and Lois Tochtrop of Thornton, are opposed to all three. If another senator votes 'no,' those bills are dead."

Those senators need to be called, thanked and encouraged to continue their expressed opposition to those bills. If they could be swayed on the other anti gun owner bills that'd be cool too, but if ya can, take a minute to write or call and let them know you appreciate them opposing these bills that intrude upon your Rights and safety. Here's Senator Jahn's website, and here's Senator Tochtrop's page. You know damn skippy that Bloomie will be wagging his credit card at them to get them to fall back in line, so all the moral support they can get, they'll need.

Those on the fence about some of the bills include Senator Angela Giron (who also has a blog), Senator Andy Kerr, and Senator Linda Newell.

Michael Bane has a list of his own of senators to contact (complete with contact and social media links as well as phone numbers). Mr Bane (in another post) lists another senator to contact and explains why he thinks said senator could be persuaded. Billll has a list of his own. I'd suggest contacting everyone, including the governor.

And try to persuade everyone you know to contact these folks as well. The reality is there's a slim chance any lengthy emails will be read verbatim to any of the senators; a staffer will simply note how many emails are for or against something, and give those totals to their boss. By all means write eloquently and at length if you desire and your email might be read by the congresscritter you're trying to reach, but don't be disappointed if you receive a canned reply, or no reply at all. The reason to write is that quantity has a quality all its' own. The more people who reach out to these folks, the more of a chance they'll not be as susceptible to the pressure of a petty little billionaire a few thousand miles away.

Also, RMGO has printable post cards to mail to folks. And while you're there visit their home page, which has a tally of the votes in the senate committees this week, and a chance to win a pack of 10 PMags.

I'm not an optimist. Neither am I a pessimist (I find pessimism interferes with my cynicism). I'm a realist, and I think we have a realistic chance at stopping at least a few if not all of the gun owner control bills. So if you're in Colorado send an email or twelve, make a few phone calls, mail a postcard to get your 20th century activism on, send a carrier pigeon if'n ya have to. But let them know you oppose these gun owner control bills and so should they. If you're from out of state, let them know you'd like to spend your vacation and/or business dollars in Colorado, but you won't if these gun owner control bills become law. (And remember, if this works in Colorado, Bloomie and crew will try the same thing in your state sooner or later.)

Things don't look great, but they've looked worse. We still have a chance if we just keep fighting. What was it that Churchill said?

"If you will not fight for the right when you can easily win without bloodshed; if you will not fight when your victory will be sure and not too costly; you may come to the moment when you will have to fight with all the odds against you and only a small chance of survival. There may even be a worse case: you may have to fight when there is no hope of victory, because it is better to perish than to live as slaves."

Hudak Is Sorry Alright

That video speaks for itself. (h/t The Dana Show). In watching the committee hearings here in Colorado that sort of arrogance, contempt and disregard for the "peasants" has been all too common with our public servants. But there is more:

There's A Lady Singing

All seven of the bills heard in the senate committees yesterday passed. All on party line votes - 3-2. Democrats in favor, Republicans opposed. The next step for the respective house bills will be a 2nd reading on the senate floor, followed by a third reading and recorded vote (assuming they pass a voice vote at the second reading). If they pass the third reading, they'll hit the governor's desk and await his signature. If they become law, they'll take effect on July 1rst of this year.

The senate bills go through the same process, but if they pass the senate, they'll head to the house for the same routine: a first reading, followed by committee hearing, followed by a second reading with a voice vote, then a third reading before being sent to the governor's desk. With an exception or two, those would become law on July 1rst of this year.

If they pass.

We're still fighting. If any 3 democrats vote no on any particular bill, that bill does not go on to the governor. If the governor vetoes it, there won't be enough votes to over ride his veto.

No; things do not look good. But we're still fighting.

In the movie Gods and Generals, during the scene depicting the first battle of Manassas, the following exchange occurred:

Confederate private: "General, the battle is going against us!"
General Jackson: "If you think so, sir; you had better not say anything about it."

Tu comprends?

There are still senators to call. There's still a governor to write. And there are still representatives to instruct.

As the title of this post states, there is a lady singing, but she damn sho' ain't fat:

Coming At You Live

Via this link you should find a player. The default is the Colorado Senate State, Veterans and Military Affairs committee, which is hearing HB 1226 (the ban on concealed carry on a college campus), HB 1228 (The tax on background checks for firearm purchases), and HB 1229 (the universal background check bill).

If you right click on the screen and select "open menu" the feed will minimize and smaller feeds will appear at bottom. Mouse over until you find some mention of the Senate Judiciary committee. (As of this writing it was the first video thumbnail on the bottom left, but the hearing doesn't seem to have started yet, so keep checking back).

Assuming they start and you can find the feed, the Senate Judiciary Committee will hear HB 1224 (the amended magazine capacity limit bill), SB 195 (bans online training for concealed handgun permits), SB 196 (the "assault weapons" liability bill), and SB 197 (the "baby Lautenberg" bill, which deals with denying weapons to domestic violence misdemeanants).

If y'all have time, watch either of the committee hearings.

And while I have your attention, things look dire but it ain't over yet. So try to stop casting lots for MagPul - it's like watching relatives go through a favorite aunt's jewelry box before she stopped kickin'. Also, don't boycott Colorado yet (as this site seems to suggest.) Wait until July; that's when these laws will kick in if passed. Have I mentioned they haven't passed yet? So before we give up on Colorado, how bout we fight for it a bit? After all, if this strategy of the enemy's works here, they'll bring it to y'all when they can. Call the governor; tell him if these laws pass your cash will go elsewhere on your next vacation. Tell him if these laws pass you'll start doing business with companies in other states. But wait until these bills pass. After that I'll be right there with ya boycotting Colorado. Until then we're busy trying to keep these bills from passing. We'd appreciate any support you can give, and it is a help if folks ain't talking like we're a lost cause. Morale doesn't hurt ya know.

I'm not going to live blog this (not enough morphine) but some highlights - in the Senate State, Veterans and Military Affairs committee, so far they've had Mark Kelly, CBI director Sloan, a video - not a live appearance but a video - from Aurora police chief Oates, an ex revenuer (that's ATFEIEIO agent) named Chipman, and the sister of a teacher murdered at Sandy Hook elementary last year. All arguing for the universal background check bill. Of note the self proclaimed "operator", ex-revenuer Chipman, admitted he is now a consultant for Mayors Against Illegal Guns.

And the NRA is busing folks in? Hell, the gun owners opposed to these bills started lining up at 6:30 a.m. - for a hearing they knew wouldn't start until 10:30 a.m. ! I guaran-damn-teeya none of those folks had carpetbags, or thought sending a video would suffice, or needed to adjust their alarms for a new time zone.

Of the first 5 people testifying in favor of universal background checks, there's been 2 people from Colorado (although of note Oates is ex-NYPD), 1 from Arizona and 1 from Bloomies MAIG (presumably from somewhere north of the Masey-Dixie). I'm unsure if the Newtown teacher's sis lives here or traveled for the occasion.

And we're busing people in? My ass.

(If this is the Chipman in question - the slimy bastard was at Waco. That sums up his credibility now doesn't it? It doesn't say he was part of the siege on the church there, but he was a field agent at about that time if that link is accurate.)

Re: Morse

Oh now this is funny:

“I can’t tell you how much the work we’ve been doing in the state has really ginned up folks who are opposed to us,' Morse said. 'We’ve been getting an awful lot of ‘screw yous.’ I think now is the time for our senators to get some ‘thank yous.'

'I know everyone in this room has been hugely supportive of Democrats and the democratic process,' he said. 'But if you have an opportunity on Monday come down to the state Capitol. The NRA is going to be busing in a bunch of people on the other side. It would be so great to have you there to help us get this done.”

Emphasis mine. Audacious lying his.

Senate Hearings Tomorrow

Michael Bane as well as Billlls Idle Mind both have posts up concerning the Colorado Senate committee hearings tomorrow. As pointed out by Jed in a comment over at Billlls place, they're shipping in Mark Gifford's Kelly to testify in favor of the universal background check bill. Mr. Bane noted that the hearing time has been changed, from 1:30 p.m. MST to 10:30 a.m. MST.

Also the time allotted has been reduced from 2 hours per side to an hour and a half per side, which is the third change in so many days. This is pure abject speculation on my part but I would not be surprised if the time was reduced because they only had enough witness for the gun owner control bills to last an hour and a half at 3 minutes apiece, and it just wouldn't look good if they ran out of gun owner control supporters when there's going to be no shortage of gun owner control opponents ready to air their grievances.

The hearings will be split between two committees, but it should be possible for everyone who wishes to testify to sign up for both. Again it's speculation but it would seem to me that the hearings are being set up to add some measure of discouragement to those wishing to speak against the bills; changing the times then limiting the time allotted for testimony, etc.

It should also be mentioned that the magazine capacity limit bill would ban most pump action shotguns. Even the press is noticing that the "assault weapons" liability bill has some serious legal as well as political problems. Hickenlooper is non-committal on it and a few democrat senators are not on board either. In the Senate we only need 3 dems to vote against any of the bills to stop them. But there's still pressure from D.C. (h/t Shall Not Be Questioned), so it's not a given that we have any dems on our side.

Which means it's important to contact your senator, especially if said senator is a dem. e-mail, call, hit them up on facebook, twitter, hell send a carrier pigeon if you have one. I expect the hearings will be just a show a la dog and pony, but don't let that deter you; if you're able show up and voice your opposition to all of these anti-gun owner bills.

Whatever bills get passed out of committee could be up for a floor vote as early as this week. If any bills are amended (either in committee or on the senate floor) there'll be some sort of reconciliation process, though admittedly the details of such a maneuver escape me. The point is, despite things looking dire, it's not over yet. So do what you can.

Update: 03-04-13 7:35 a.m. MST Somehow I typed the wrong surname for the astronaut that's coming to town to push for more gun owner control. Fixed. (This makes the second factual error I've made in the last few posts [typos excluded of course]. I suppose now I'm qualified for that editing position at the New York Times.)

SB 197

Here's a .pdf of Colorado Senate Bill 197. This bill concerns the possession of firearms by persons subject to restraining orders involving domestic violence or those convicted of misdemeanors or felonies involving domestic violence.

The short version is it makes crimes under the Lautenberg Amendment even more illegaler.

The long version is that it makes crimes under the Lautenberg Amendment even more illegaler and adds some new twists:

SB 195

Here's a .pdf of Colorado Senate Bill 195.

It's fairly straightforward; it requires concealed handgun permit classes be attended in person, not online or through any electronic device or in any other location except the instructor's classroom.

Classes to satisfy this requirement typically run anywhere from $75 to $150 around here. This bill will definitely prevent the prices from being any lower. I don't know of any instructors who offer to teach the class at someone's home, say in the event a person wishes to take the class but they have difficulty leaving their residence (injury, illness, etc) but this bill would prevent that, as well as a group of people asking to have a class taught at one of their homes instead of them all trekking to an instructor's locale. And of course if someone wished to receive instruction over the phone, but come in and take the test at the instructor's location, this bill would negate that as an option.

I'm opposed to this bill, but I'm also opposed to carry permit laws in general. Any law that requires you to wait for permission, or pay a tax or jump through hoops to exercise a Right is not treating that activity as a Right, but rather as a privilege. Even "shall issue" laws are gun control, even if a more pragmatic version than a may issue system or an outright prohibition. Eliminating the prohibition against carrying openly or concealed is the only consistent and moral approach.

But I'd still oppose this, simply because it places even more of a burden on folks who would comply with the carry laws. And that process is burdensome (and expensive) enough as it is.

SB 196

Here's a .pdf of Colorado Senate Bill 196. This is the "assault weapons" liability act. & it's a doozie.

Really, it's so ridiculous I had to stop reading to take a momentary incredulity break. But I'll try to give a summation of what all this entails:

Talk About Burden Of Proof

Anheuser-Busch accused of watering down beer

How could you tell?

Dwha?

We interrupt the normal gun owner control coverage here for an equally perplexing take on reality:

A transgendered student is in the middle of a civil rights controversy (warning: annoying auto-play vid at link)

From the headline it sounds a bit odd, maybe a bit 21rst century-ish or something right? You probably envision a high school student who is being made fun of for his/her switching up his/her gender role right?

Snowbound

Students stranded overnight at school during snowstorm.

I'm sure glad those teachers were unarmed aren't you? Especially since folks always have nothing but good intentions during snowstorms, so an overnight stay at a free parking for spree killers victim disarmament zone will help acclimate all concerned to the proper role of citizens in the world. (also look here and here).

The kids were okay, albeit a bit inconvenienced, but if just one person with harmful, violent intent would have stumbled onto them, he'd have been king of their world until the roads cleared, as the cops would have been hours away and by law all the guardians of said kids were disarmed.

No; being stranded at a government building overnight isn't the most compelling argument for arming teachers due to its rarity, but keep in mind we all carry weapons for hopefully very rare occasions.

Felonies Are In The Air

So, you want to keep people who "shouldn't have guns" from having them?

Releasing balloons can lead to felony charges. (h/t) Instapundit)

That's a 3rd degree felony, which could lead to a 5 year prison sentence. And as the federal law stands, any crime punishable by more than 1 year federal (or 2 years state, if a misdemeanor) gets you on the "prohibited person" class. You don't have to spend a second in jail or in prison, you just have to be convicted of a crime that could have gotten you over a year (or 2 years if a state misdemeanor) in prison.

Won't you be glad when this flagrant balloon releaser is not able to legally purchase or possess a firearm or ammunition? Now we just need to track down that criminal mastermind Jules Verne...

Might I suggest reading Absolutism 301: Felons? Just so when you hear someone say that background checks are necessary to prevent felons from acquiring firearms you know exactly how asinine that argument is.

Mag Nificent

MagPul is going to put Colorado orders first. (h/t Shall Not Be Questioned) The deal will be up to 10 standard capacity AR mags with a flat rate $5 shipping charge and being bumped tot he head of the line. (Also see this post for a similar offer from One Source Tacical).

It's very possible, but not predestined, that the Colorado magazine capacity limit bill will pass (though there's still a chance to stop it). Assuming it does Colorado will lose more than MagPul:

Video Killed The Bumper Sticker Star

Stephen Kruiser notes that whilst we type of fact laden arguments, the Chancellor's clones are making holograms videos to win over hearts and minds.

While a valid point in some ways, I'm not so sure that our video efforts would have the same effect. Partly because I don't think this is really a hearts and mind campaign that's being waged against us - that's just cover (which will have the benefit to them of snagging some low info voters). Also our ideas, while certainly capable of having emotional appeal, are backed up by logic, by reason if you will. That makes us reluctant to, shall we say, put a whole lot into the packaging when the product is the best on the market.

Still, that doesn't mean I don't think we should pursue that course. And in light of that here's one of the most persuasive vids I've seen in favor of our culture:

An oldie but goodie, but one that should make the rounds again, just in case someone missed it.

Minding Your Own Business

I'm sure most of you know how interesting it is to find standard capacity magazines or ammo nowadays. And don't even think of buying a new AR on lay-a-way. But there is some relief to folks behind the lines - or to folks who may be behind the lines soon.

Snow Related Note Part Twelve

Previous snow related notes can be found by following links like this one.

I just got outta jail. Seems the folks around here are real particular about which part of the snowman the carrot goes on...

Invisible Hands Do Leave Fingerprints

This story claims not a lot of cash has been spent in Colorado yet on behalf of the gun owner control bills. Of note:

"Mayors Against Illegal Guns, founded by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, spent $4,000 supporting both restrictions on high-capacity magazines and background checks for gun transfers. But Will Coyne, co-founder of Headwater Strategies, said his firm has a $25,000 lobbying agreement with the mayor's group and has not been paid yet."

Another thousand or so was spent by a local group, with undisclosed amounts spent by some other local groups who aren't exclusively gun owner control organization (the police chiefs association for example).

Meanwhile...

Things To Do

The Colorado Senate will commence its version of de show a la dog and pony the first week of March. Assuming the republicans hold fast, 3 democrats would have to vote no in the senate to stop any one of these bills.

Michael Bane has a list of Colorado senators to contact that he thinks could be persuaded to oppose one or all of the gun owner control bills.

Bluesun over at Deadman Dance has a list of senators to contact as well.

Rocky Mountain Gun Owners has a list of town halls being thrown by a 3 senators today, Saturday February 23rd. They ask that anyone who is able to show up at any one of these town halls to politely but firmly ask them to oppose the gun owner control bills in the senate.

RMGO has also sent out an email asking for volunteers, which I'll post in the extended entry.