Posted by Seon
on July 08, 2009
Apparently this is a case where the local police are not paragons of firearms safety.
In a letter to Roanoke City Manager Darlene Burcham, Chambliss wrote that “the continued disregard for safety and resulting burden of liability resting upon the County, do not allow this program to continue.”
He was referring to the voluntary training session, in which officers took turns standing next to a target while another officer, a football field away, took aim and fired. No one was injured.
The instructor, Paul Castle, has defended the practice, saying that the situations a sniper encounters can’t be simulated with a paper target.
Is it really worth the risk of losing a life during a training exercise? To me this is a clear case where the probability of an accident occurring may arguably be low but the resulting cost of losing a life is too high a price to pay. Why risk it?
I am told now and again that the police are experts when it comes to firearms and gun handling. Pfft.
Posted by Seon
on July 07, 2009
Stumbled across this article (thanks Bill!) that attempts to make light-hearted fun of gun enthusiasts in Virginia while also in the process of discrediting anti-crime groups.
Let’s be honest, all these gun laws are pretty much bullshit. I shouldn’t be able to carry around a handgun any more than I should be able to carry around a bottle of cyanide. Guns are for killing, everyone knows that. Protection, my ass.
It takes place at the Blueridge Arsenal, a local gun shop and gun range in Chantilly, VA. Note that the photographer did an amazing job as anyone who has ever been inside the BRA building could tell you.
Although I enjoyed the pictures and some of the funny-making, the original author and his friends should take note that guns really are a serious business. There are safety rules in place and guidance on types of clothing to wear. This is all in the interest of your safety and the safety of others around you when handling firearms.
In the end, I couldn’t help but imagine this article was going to end in a disaster. Gather high heels, a loaded gun, a liberal scattering of empty casings on the floor. Toss in a muzzle flash or two, and a finger on the trigger. Lastly mix it all together with a small misstep while cavorting together for a group picture and voila! A negligent discharge and a wounded person or two.
P.S. I love the zombie targets also.
Posted by Seon
on July 07, 2009
Examiner.com has an article about the anniversary of Georgia House Bill 89 that allowed concealed carry in restaraunts that serve alcohol (one of the many places to be allowed).
A year ago there was much hand wringing and gnashing of teeth by the pro-crime crowd in Georgia regarding House Bill 89 which allowed firearms on MARTA and in restaraunts. The typical cries of drunken shootouts during family dinners was replayed and hashed out in the minds of anti-gunners in the news media.
Now fast forward one year later and the reality is that the fear mongering and protesting over HB 89 was overplayed by the pro-crime group. None of their fears came true.
If they are still waiting for bloodshed and chaos on the bus system due to HB 89, they are in for a long wait.
The sad truth is that these opinions and fears made by ill-informed anti-gunners are often repeated throughout past history. And probably will be used again in another state.
Florida adopted a right-to-carry law in 1987. At the time the law was passed, critics predicted increases in violence. The founder of the National Organization of Women, Betty Friedan stated: ”lethal violence, even in self defense, only engenders more violence.”
When the law went into effect, the Dade County Police began a program to record all arrest and non arrest incidents involving concealed carry licensees. Between September of 1987 and August of 1992, Dade County recorded 4 crimes committed by licensees with firearms. None of these crimes resulted in an injury. The record keeping program was abandoned in 1992 because there were not enough incidents to justify tracking them.
(Source: http://www.justfacts.com/guncontrol.asp)
Posted by Seon
on July 07, 2009
Showtime has a new series titled Lock ‘N Load and it promises to entertain the masses using the backdrop of a family run gun shop. I wonder if it will effect any positive change for pro-gun groups. It’s rare for any TV shows to examine right-to-bear-arms issue; I can recall an episode of 30 Days that dealt with anti-crime vs pro-crime subject matter. Come to think of it, I doubt it will seriously address any RKBA issues - this is the popular media after all. Don’t be surprised if they use this to mock and parody people who are not afraid to legally and responsibly own and use firearms.
Showtime presents a new original reality series about guns, and the people who buy them. Lock ‘N Load, coming soon!
Posted by Seon
on July 06, 2009
Interesting article detailing the thought process behind one person’s conversion to a pro-gun and anti-crime stance. It also has some interesting views on living in Berkeley, California. Too bad this article won’t get more exposure with the pro-crime/anti-gun crowd; I doubt many mainstream media outlets would be interested in hosting this article.
A neighbor, who had lived all over the world, once said to me, ”Berkeley is the most dangerous place I’ve ever lived.” Her husband was robbed at gunpoint as were almost all her friends. She couldn’t wait to get out of here.
