that Ron Paul’s campaign is advertising here.

Ok, we’re number ninety-one in The Most Important Blogs for Efficient Readers. I don’t know what it means, exactly but I did notice that in the data set, only one other blog in the top 100 links to me. I wonder who that is?

They do seem popular lately. I’ve always enjoyed them myself. Now that they’re popular, they’ve doubled in price at the local grocery store. And there’s all kinds of pomegranate juices these days. Here’s a handy tip on how to prepare them.

Also, don’t rule out the juice you buy at the store. Mix a bit of juice with vodka for Pometini (yummy) and (my favorite for a refreshing summer drink) is to mix some juice with a bit of vodka, a little sugar, and some carbonated water over ice for a pomegranate spritzer. Garnish with an orange slice.

Happy Birthday to You
Happy Birthday Dear Universe
Happy Birthday to You

You don’t look day over 5,000.

So we’re clear, I need to address something. When I say something to the effect of gun owners should get on the same page or support the NRA because they’re the only group that actually has political muscle, I’m not saying do only that. Nor am I saying that we ought not be critical. I am saying that we should remember that we’re on the same team. And that’s about it.

I’m reminded of this by Sebastian who notes:

I have been harsh on other gun rights groups lately, but not because I have any problems with their goals, but because they are actively engaged in undermining other gun rights groups out there, particularly the NRA.

Different groups have different goals and different strategies. As Joe said in comments:

I’m not convinced that “the same sheet of music” is the best way to accomplish things. For example, the JPFO can say things that the NRA can’t–guns as a defense against tyranny for example. And the NRA can address hunters issues better than the JPFO. That doesn’t mean that the NRA can’t support the same issues at the JPFO. It just means that one or the other is in a better position to “take point” on an issue. As long as the groups don’t stab each other in the back or get into public quarrels there shouldn’t be a problem. They need to have “back channels” of communication and coordinate some. Even if they don’t agree on the best way to address something they can say, “Okay, you try it your way and we’ll be quiet and see what happens, but if it starts to go sour we are stepping in to do it our.”

I concur. For instance, at the GBR, we were having a chat with NRA reps Glen and Ashley. I flat out told Glen precisely that philosophically I was more GOA than NRA. However, the GOA can’t win by merely issuing press releases with heated rhetoric designed to scare white people. The GOA, and I hate to say this, is using the exact same strategy that is used by The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Ownership. They use over the top, fear-mongering rhetoric to get a response. And, frankly, a lot of their criticisms of HR2640 are crap. But I do not actively wish for their destruction nor do I discourage people from joining. And I don’t ask people to quit. So, extend the same courtesy to NRA and its members.

By all means, be critical and challenge them. But leave the pointless infighting behind.

Concealed carry permits up in Colorado.

Rustmeister issues one to anti gunners.

Update: Oops. Link fixed.

Ok, I will: Excluding self defense, it’s illegal to shoot someone.

That about covers it all, don’t it?

Lies of omission.

Here.

All you need to know.

Yesterday being 10/22, Bruce was showing off various 10/22s. So, here’s mine, dubbed Mr. Plinky:

What, you don’t name yours?

More GBR pics here and here.

Greg:

Take someone to the range today! In a month, they may be standing by your side defending our rights.

He also notes an email:

Thought you might find this interesting… there is a student who wants to do her senior project on gun safety… she wants to do a video of herself demonstrating proper procedures… she has her father’s permission and the principal has signed off on it. The other coordinator doesn’t want to approve it because it would be easy for her to get hurt then it would be a liability for the school. I am lobbying. You should be proud.

See, here I thought that lowering the hunting age was so that parents and kids could enjoy an outdoor activity together. Little did I know it was all a conspiracy propagated by The Triangle of Death to get kids hooked on guns at an early age. I love the use of addiction language too.

As a Proud Member of The Triangle of Death, I must have missed that copy of my marching orders.

So, the ATF is going after Red’s Trading Post for willful violations of arbitrary record keeping laws. Such violations have occurred to the tune of about 0.4% and are things like writing Y instead of Yes. You know, retarded government monkey stuff. But what standards does the ATF hold itself to? Not many.

An OIG Audit of the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record (NFRTR), which tracks NFA weapons, found that the NFRTR was incomplete, inaccurate, and unreliable. Oh sure, .gov gets some data wrong, what’s new? Unfortunately, if you have a weapon lawfully and the ATF makes a mistake then you are looking at $250K in fines and ten years in jail. Oh, and they’ll probably kick down your door at 3 in the morning and shoot your dog.

Read some transcript info at Red’s.

Joe notes that, financially, the other side isn’t doing so well. Bitter’s noticed this before too.

Update: Whoops, wrong link. Here’s bitter’s page.

Heh. H undh K demotivational posters here, here, here, and here.

Well, I’d have put it more diplomatically but yeah:

gun rights groups need to pull their heads out of their ass and work together.

Even more GBR pics.

A new people of the gun.

Phelps: Ok, so you had an emotional reaction to a physical object your boyfriend obtained, and he’s the one that doesn’t make sense?

I think the fisking could have stopped there but there’s plenty more.

Me neither. On the puzzlement of supposedly declining gun ownership:

On firearms, the GSS states that the numbers of owners are decreasing when training courses are filled to capacity across the nation, are constantly being expanded, and sales are booming,. while the Gallup poll has a difference of nearly 20 million more owners in comparison and a similar number of respondents.

And some history: The Free World’s Right Arm.

In comments here, Rachel asks:

This is only vaguely related, but I’m interested in what you all think for situations where a workplace explicitly bans the presence of guns. Say you were considering something for self-defense, but technically you wouldn’t be able to carry a gun to and from work, and that to and from is when you’re most often out alone. Is there something else you recommend for self-defense? I’m puzzled as to how something like a carry permit would work when you’re not allowed to have a gun at the workplace, and what the alternatives might be.

Well, I don’t recommend dressing like a vending machine. As far as I am concerned, my car is my property. And I simply think that a handgun is likely best for self defense. I know some folks recommend various chemical weapons and Tasers. What say you?

Ahab interviews Shirley Katz, the teacher who wants to carry at school.

A look at pocket pistols. My personal pocket pistol is Kel-Tec P-3At.

Matt has tips for concealed carry.

How to ward off crime in Japan.

Received via email. This is an email circulating at the University of Florida:

TO: Deans

FROM: Dr. Patricia Telles-Irvin, Vice President for Student Affairs
RE: Protest Event Next Week

A national group known as Students for Concealed Carry On Campus, which advocates allowing students and others to bring concealed weapons to campus, plans an Empty Holster Protest all next week. Students who participate in the event are being urged to wear an empty holster to class in order to protest state laws and university policies that prohibit firearms on campus.

Neither state law nor campus policies prohibit carrying an empty holster, so anyone who participates in this event is within his or her rights. However, if any faculty member or student feels genuinely threatened, they should feel free to call the University Police Department. If you would, please pass this along to your department chairs and faculty.

I’m sorry but feeling threatened by an empty holster is beyond silly.

The folks at The Gun Shots want gun pics. And I dig the purple 10/22.