Or why Phillip Morris supports federal regulation of tobacco.

Joe looks at Henigan’s new book, which repeats the old lies.

Jay has some gunnie pet peeves for you guys.

Or an advertising failure?

Reader Tim expressed his disappointment with Lamar Alexander’s recent anti-gun rights vote. The senior senator responded:

Thanks for getting in touch and letting me know what’s on your mind regarding guns in national parks.

I am a strong supporter of Second Amendment rights. So was President Reagan, who established rules allowing guns in national parks as long as they were unloaded. And so was President George W. Bush, who determined that gun owners with conceal-and-carry permits could carry guns in national parks – although this regulation was put on hold by a federal court. I supported these rules of both President Reagan and President Bush.

On May 12, 2009, the Senate approved an amendment to the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure (CARD) Act that would allow individuals to bring loaded firearms into national parks and wildlife refuges – including, for the first time, individuals without conceal-and-carry permits. I voted against this amendment because it goes too far – further than President Reagan, further than President Bush, and further than Tennessee law. I have consistently been a strong supporter of Second Amendment rights, but I also support the Tenth Amendment respecting the powers of the states.

I am grateful that you took the time to let me know where you stand. I’ll be sure to keep your comments in mind as this important issue is discussed and debated in Washington and in Tennessee.

The law would not allow those without permits to carry unless the states say so. And to imply Bush (either one) is some sort of stalwart defender of gun rights that we should compare ourselves to is laughable.

Update: A non-response to my post has been posted here and here:

Senator Alexander’s letter is correct where it states that the Coburn Amendment goes further than state law.

The new Tennessee state law allows ONLY those with conceal-and-carry permits to carry in a STATE park. The amendment that Senator Alexander opposed allows anyone who can carry a firearm generally in Tennessee (conceal-and-carry permit or not) to carry a loaded firearm openly in a national park in Tennessee.

I did not say that he was incorrect regarding the bill going further than state law, because at the time TN prohibited park carry. So, he’s not addressing what I stated. And the only folks in Tennessee who can carry a firearm are those with permits. And those who carry into National Parks must comply with state law. So, his original assertion was wrong and his follow up is also wrong.

When we were at Disney, we went to animal kingdom. There was some exhibit that had all kinds of stuff on critters in the US. One thing we learned there was that a bat could eat 12,000 mosquitoes a night. So, they said building bat boxes was a good idea and a natural way to kill the little buggers. Well, I never built a bat box but we have a group of about six that I see frequently. I guess there is a cave nearby.

I bring this up because, right now, I am on the back porch continuing my silent protest of the tobacco bill by enjoying a nice Gurkha Legend. When I came out, I marveled at how quickly the mosquitoes swarmed the screened-in porch. They can’t get to me because I’m behind a screen. But I guess they sense my presence somehow (from my carbon dioxide emissions, iirc). And within a few seconds, about four bats were putting on a nice aerobatic show while sucking down the mosquitoes.

Facing charges for the police officers’ mistake:

A father and son are furious after surviving a terrifying experience. They face criminal charges after police responded to their home by mistake.

[…]

The officers charged the Chilton’s with resisting arrest and aggravated assault for the incident.

Police did not drop the charges even after learning they responded to the wrong house.

Story is from February.

Why is it customary for a blog to grab a screen capture of a twitter post instead of just linking and quoting? Just curious.

I saw where PETA was upset that the president killed a housefly. Got me to thinking about pests and such. I am curious what the official PETA/vegan/animal rights groups’ position is on, say, termite control for your house. Or spraying your lawn for bugs. Or wasps nests. Mice in the attic. Etc. Anyone?

Man invited to airport to photograph Fathers’ day flight of a B24 Liberator. Photographer cuffed and held since we can’t have people taking pics of planes. Says one of the veterans:

It’s the U.S.A., not U.S.S.R. — I didn’t fight to protect this shit.

TSA agents harass Ron Paul supporter for carrying too much cash. Oh, did we mention he took an audio recording.

Indiana man walks right through an order of protection and stabs his wife to death. Good thing he was barred from gun ownership.

A bit odd:

An attorney claims that a pistol he bought from Cabela’s became “fully automatic” at a firing range, “uncontrollably spraying 9mm bullets.”

Robert Gardner claims that the outdoor catalogue store has failed to inspect the “aged” Steyr pistol he bought, and sent a dangerous “machine gun.”

Tam looks at guns and the terror watchlist:

If one gets to redefine “terrorist” as “person to whom we don’t sell guns”, as opposed to “person who commits actual, you know, acts of terror”, then this War on a Noun thing gets a lot easier.

The NYT: Occasional Smoker, 47, Signs Tobacco Bill

Article then turns to Obama’s smoking more so than the merits of the bill. In silent protest, I bummed a cigarette. Not enjoyable.

Reader Alchemyst emails regarding his Crimson Trace Lasergrips:

Finally they have come — thanks for your help. In case you forgot they’re for a Taurus model 450 five shot revolver in 45 Colt. Haven’t shot it with the new grips but before I forget I thought I’d pass along my initial impressions:

1. The fit and finish are excellent. Installation was a snap.
2. Crimson Trace grips feel comfortable and fit my fairly large hands well.
3. Crimson Trace grips are not as cushy as the std Taurus grips. I prefer relatively heavy loads so this may be a problem – don’t really think so but worth a mention since I haven’t shot it.
4. I’m still learning to keep my damn finger off the trigger (older than dirt, that just wasn’t taught back in the day) so it’ll take even more time to refine my trigger finger position. If I put it where I normally do (along the frame and above the trigger guard) it occludes the laser. Half way between appears to work but it’ll require some adjustment on my part. Where do others put their fingers?
5. The lifetime replacement battery offer is a nice touch. Apparently you register and then just call when you need a set – like I said, nice.

I shoot mostly semi-autos so I tend to rest my finger on the frame.

The word loophole tends to mean something we don’t like (see non-existent gun show loophole). But sometimes, it means what the law says and you’re just so beside yourself with your ability to read and understand. See the park bill.

The .gov has this watch list that is suppressing our civil rights, the media tells us. But the same list doesn’t suppress the right to own guns and the media gets hysterical. The list has had servicemen, babies, congressmonkies, bloggers, and grandmothers on it. The list is flawed, involves no due process, and you can’t even inquire as to why you’re on it when you’re on it. Robb takes the bootlickers to task.

Bob Krumm: 52 professional media outlets have asked to attend an arraignment hearing for some singer accused of beating his girlfriend . . . meanwhile the world depends on amateur footage to get honest reporting from Iran.

Ted Novin: The report, which NSSF is still reviewing, appears to be rife with error.

It looks like GAO may have hired a Violence Policy Center shill to write parts of it. Of course, it’s not like the VPC has anything else to do.

Happy birthday (belated) to Rusty.

Guav: BrokeNCYDE is what happens when freaks and geeks don’t get beaten up in high school.

That was awful and I couldn’t make it past about 30 seconds.

Todd Jarrett on pistol shooting:

Not look anachronistic at some shoots.

A look at why the the bill did not pass:

It seems gun lobbyists and the Republican Party realized that, if the records were closed, they, too, would no longer be able to use the database, which was valuable for marketing and fund-raising.

Remember we mentioned the multi-tool designed for the AR-15? Well, you can win one at ar15.com.

I was unaware that there was also such a tool for the 1911.

Meanwhile, the Glock multi-tool is here. Or you can go grab stick.

Pimped out guns.

Magpul ranger floor plates

Junk holsters are worthless. But my experience is that cheap does not always equal junk.

Man finds an heirloom that is short-barreled. Sends it to ATF for determination. ATF classifies it as a C&R firearm, making its possession lawful. See letter here.

Good. And not the first time either.

In a bit of irony, Jeff Woods thinks that perhaps sensitivity training would help curtail some bigotry. Yes, he writes for this alt weakly. Misspelling intentional.