Throw those red light camera tickets in the trash?

People like Xrlqy Wrlqy in comments say to me that my definition of a loophole would pretty much render the term meaningless. I think that’s bullshit. The term loophole usually implies some attempt to circumvent a law. The non-existent gun show loophole does not. Therefore, the argument made by some (i.e., changed) is that the loophole must be that a flea market style venue where people could walk around with guns around their shoulders just waiting for someone to walk up and say ‘how much’? As such, exploitation of said market is a loophole. And because Sean is a good liberal, a market must equal exploitation of some kind. But, no. It’s still breaking the law if you unlawfully purchase a weapon whether it occurs at a gun show or somewhere else. A guy who buys illegal drugs from kid on a street corner where drug dealers are known to hang out is not using the street corner loophole. He’s breaking the law.

The other issue that I have with the non-existent gun show loophole is that now it’s called the gun show loophole and activists seek to close it. And by close it, they mean regulate private party transactions that occur at gun shows. This opens up the door to regulating all private party transfers. Because if such a law is passed, we will next have to close the gun show parking lot loophole (which would actually be a real loophole as people would simply step outside to avoid a background check or avoid paying a $10 background check fee – I would do the latter since $10 is $10). Shortly after that, they’ll want to close the in the sanctity of your own home loophole And I recently used this non-existent loophole to buy an Enfield from Les Jones.

That said, it’s not really a hot button issue for me. I do not like seeing it misrepresented as it often is in the press that gun shows are these mysterious places where all kinds of law-breaking occurs and criminals load up on guns. Neither is correct. Less than 1% of crime guns are obtained at gun shows and less than 1% of convicts report getting their weapons at gun shows.

The Op-Ed!

Bryan Miller lying? That never doesn’t happen!

against guns:

The anti-gun bias that exists in the Daily Herald, as well as most major news sources, is despicable. You will go to any lengths to promote gun control, and lying and deception are not below your standards.

The April 15 front page large print headline read, “Crowd split on gun laws.” That in reference to a forum in Naperville the day before sponsored by California-based Legal Community Against Violence (LCAV). Moderating the forum was gun control movement veteran Steve Young.

Of the 175 or so attendees, all but a handful were gun-rights supporters. And I mean a handful … maybe five. You call that “Crowd split on gun laws”? That’s a split? I’m glad you’re not my partner. I thought split meant roughly 50/50.

At least they printed the letter.

In defense of Pizza Hut.

The Christian Science Monitor (who is usually full of anti-gun PSH) proposes that the gun industry take a cue from the SCUBA industry and create its own licensing and registration system. No thanks. The firearm industry does plenty to promote safety and protect the rights of gun owners.

No need to hack into a media outlet to distribute propaganda when the media willingly put experts on who are shills.

If you’re in Indiana’s fifth district, Ahab has some news for you on your local congressional primary:

According NRA-ILA, Dr. Goff has/is a member of Indiana Partnership to Prevent Firearm Violence, which is a local anti-gun group with ties to the Brady Campaign. This doesn’t exactly square well with Dr. Goff’s stated position of “protecting” the 2nd Amendment.

Rebecca Aguilar, the reporter who was fired for ambushing a guy who had killed two burglars, speaks out on a radio show.

Hmmm, what’s missing in the description? Well, go see.

Nashville Mayor Karl Dean may join an anti-gun group:

A national movement among urban mayors against illegal guns and the so-called “gun show loophole” has made its way to Knoxville and Memphis. Nashville Mayor Karl Dean said he is exploring joining that cause.

Mayor Haslam and other Tennessee mayors have signed up with this anti-gun group.

Update: The Nashville City Paper gets the non-existent gun show loophole wrong. Sales at gun shows are subject to the same federal regulations as sales not at gun shows.

Update 2: In comments, Clint takes me to task for stating the paper gets it wrong. I took issue with the fact they called it a loophole when it is not. However, their description of the sales process is mostly accurate (a few nits aside).

Firearms and Freedom looks at the study that asserts that work places that do not prohibit employees from keeping guns in their cars are 5-7 times more likely to experience a work place homicide.

Via Sebastian who has more here.

and getting your feelings hurt.

Richard Daley has said that supposed assault weapons aren’t needed for protection. Why then is he buying some for the Chicago PD? Sebastian seems to think these are the full auto variety but I’m not so certain.

Obama Campaign Calls Racists Republican

So far, most of the racism I’ve seen comes from folks associated with Barack Where’s the Beef Obama.

Chicago Tribune Staff Report (and by that, probably Eric Zorn):

Gun-control advocates are weak. Whether they’re badly outnumbered by gun-rights advocates, lazier than gun-rights advocates or simply don’t have the statistical or philosophical ammunition to keep up with gun-rights advocates I’m not totally sure.

But the undeniable truth is that, whenever this subject bobs to the surface of the news pond, as it has lately, those who favor tough new laws to restrict access to guns prove to be no match for their passionate foes in the rumble-tumble of online debate.

Yeah, we know. Someone tell them how often the anti-gunners shut down comments on their own website.

Mike Adams:

But the same thing cannot be said of the UNCW political science professor who ultimately changed my views on gun control. He had really strong feelings and a willingness to face people who disagreed with his views. That’s why he came to visit our “Empty Holster Day” table last Tuesday.

But, unfortunately, the political science professor let his feelings get the better of him, which led directly to my change of heart on gun control. He began hurling epithets like “stupid, ignorant, and crazy” to the nineteen year old Millage. He so badly disrupted the event that the College Republican President called me in my office asking that I come over to try and calm him down.

I gladly complied with her request – largely because I know that these events generate intelligent debate until the first professor shows up.

It’s a recurring theme. Almost enough to warrant it’s own category!

NRA is encouraging folks to call their congress critters and tell them to support HR 4900 (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Reform and Firearms Modernization Act).

Ruger Single 6

Countertop ponders what to get.

Bruce got a new Kel-Tec err Ruger LCP.

Crayons.

Heh.

I may have to start doing that to junk mailers too.

So, tonight we got some friends over and we’re doing a beer butt chicken (more here). But that’s all preliminary as me and said male friend will get up at 0 early thirty and smoke about 55 pounds of Boston butts. And we’ll drink beer from about 0 early thirty until said butts are done.

Mmmm. I do like butts of all kinds.

Update: BTW, all this butt talk has Junior confused. We’ve told her that butt is a bad word. So, whenever I reference a butt she reminds me we don’t say that because it’s a bad word.

Barack The Outlaw Josey Wales Obama finally decided he’d stop pandering to gun owners since calling them bitter and went ahead and started advocating more gun laws. Actually, you wouldn’t know that from the headline that reads Laws alone can’t stop violence: Obama. But if you read the article, you’ll note he says:

We’ve got to tighten up our gun laws. I’ve said before we should have a much tougher background check system, one that’s much more effective and make sure there aren’t loopholes out there like the gun show loophole. [Or] The Tiahart (sic) Amendment [requiring destruction of gun-purchase records.] Here’s an example of something common-sense: The ATF [federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms] should be able to share info with local communities about where guns are coming from, tracing guns that are used in criminal activity. It’s been blocked consistently in Congress. As president, I’m gong to make sure we know if guns are being sold by unscrupulous gun dealers not abiding by existing laws. We should know about that.

So, he misrepresents the gun show loophole (McCain has too, btw). And he and the Sun Times lie about what the Tiahrt Amendment does.

bizgrrl notes the local religious fundies exercising their constitutional rights and scaring people (see here and here). I’m kinda curious who these ads are targeting too. They don’t seem very effective to me. I remember the ads a bit back that said:

Don’t make me come down there.

-God

They were at least funny. These are too preachy.

Mayor Bloomberg’s crony says more guns make us safer. Well, when you give them to anti-terror teams. I hope that team gets an armorer who can put their weapon sights on correctly.

Josh Sugarmann notes the NRA lost one million members. So did the Million Mom March, but who’s counting? Ok, the moms didn’t lose them they never had them.

In other news, The Violence Policy Center criticizing someone’s numbers? That’s awesome. They must have googled this up.

A lot of interesting stuff over at War on Guns regarding our old pals at the American Hunters and Shooters Association.

Says David:

Bottom line for the foundation: gross receipts just under $250K, and all the principles (Rosenthal, Vince, Shoenke, Hickok) say they work 5 hours or less per week for no compensation. But bear in mind this is the foundation, because Part VI, “Other Information,” asks if they are related to any other organization, to which they check “Yes,” and type in “See Statement 2.”

The name of that organization is American Hunters and Shooters Association, Inc., and they, too, are “exempt,” but to date no 990 has been posted (unless, as with the foundation, it is listed under another name?).

Also, the Freedom States Alliance (the shill group funded by the Joyce Foundation and runs Gun Guys) doesn’t seem to spend much of the $650K they get from Joyce. I wonder why? Like I said, I hope the Joyce Foundation kept a receipt since they’re not getting their money’s worth.

Some lame-ass alternative paper in Kansas City called The Pitch stole an image seen here. They used the image in a scare piece even though the law they’re shitting their pants over has nothing to do with the arbitrary construct known as assault weapons.

The owner of the image left them a comment them the image was not public domain and informing they did not have permission to use the image.

As of now, they are still showing the image.

Their contact info can be found here.

Update: Offending image is gone now.

In Chicago, they’ve gone from advocating things shown not to work to praying for thing that do not work:

Ministers To Fast, Pray For Gun Control, Hope Lawmakers Pay Attention

A group of inner-city ministers is calling for fasting and prayer the next three days — to dramatize the violence that targets Chicago schoolchildren.

WBBM’s Bob Roberts has the story.

Their goals are to try to protect children and move lawmakers to act on gun control legislation that is stalled in Springfield.

“It’s out of control. It’s terrorism on the streets of Chicago,” said Bishop Larry Trotter, pastor of the Sweet Holy Spirit Church.

Meanwhile, Mayor Daley blames his city’s shortcomings on everyone else.

Obviously, we need to make handguns and murder more illegaler.

Boy, you shoot one red light camera and everyone thinks you’re nuts.

A guy is selling Glocks and offering a discount to students. ABC news smears the guy.

Righteous indignation from the antis! Too bad some of them were cashing in on the blood of the dead.