Kevin over at Smallest Minority has yet another post about the non-issue of firearms in public (he's in AZ).
I served in the Marine Corps with a fellow from AZ (Pleasant Valley), and he told me stories of working with the sheriff's department the summer before he went to boot camp, open-carrying the whole time.
I also noted that when TN allowed permit-holders to carry in restaurants that serve alcohol, several TN bloggers were initially keeping a running tally of how many times armed individuals carried in said restaurants, with absolutely nothing happening.
Here in GA, there is still some confusion about open carry for GFL holders, and some unofficial opinions from the attornety general that it's legal (how can an attorney general opinion be 'unofficial'?).
I'll keep my eyes and ears open ........
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Sunday, August 9, 2009
And the children shall lead them
It's interesting that in places where citizens understand firearms, citizens having firearms are no big deal.
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Saturday, August 8, 2009
Short compilation - town hall
Michelle Malkin brings us this short compilation of some of the thuggery going on in town hall meetings around the nation.
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Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Need a little help .....
Help!
I've grown weary of the local news habit of referring to allowing holders of concealed carry permits to 'allowing guns'.
TN is now in the throes of having municipalities 'opting out' of the new law that allows ccw permit holders to carry in local parks. However, the local news media consistently says that the TN legislature has voted to 'allow guns' in local and state parks, and I just don't think this is a fair or accurate description.
Help me come up with a term that accurately describes a permit holder, and that flows trippingly from the tongue ..........
TIA
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Update: something like this ..... instead of 'the legislature has passed a law allowing guns in parks', how about 'the legislature has passed a law allowing licensed permit-holders to carry weapons in parks'.
I've grown weary of the local news habit of referring to allowing holders of concealed carry permits to 'allowing guns'.
TN is now in the throes of having municipalities 'opting out' of the new law that allows ccw permit holders to carry in local parks. However, the local news media consistently says that the TN legislature has voted to 'allow guns' in local and state parks, and I just don't think this is a fair or accurate description.
Help me come up with a term that accurately describes a permit holder, and that flows trippingly from the tongue ..........
TIA
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Update: something like this ..... instead of 'the legislature has passed a law allowing guns in parks', how about 'the legislature has passed a law allowing licensed permit-holders to carry weapons in parks'.
Am I making sense?
I've read some if my posts, and they don't make the kind of sense I'd like. Bear with me ...... that's part of why I'm doing this, to get better at it. I'll explain more later.
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Persecuted?
Journaling post.
Last night, the wife and I were discussing some carry issues. I have a permit to carry (it gives me a couple of other benefits), and I have been carrying for about a month .... around the house, the yard ..... on the few errands I run. My wife told me a few days ago about some thievery going on in our immediate area. We live in a rural area, and most of the problems have been of the I-left-my-weedeater-out-and-someone-got-it variety, but some have been broad daylight break-ins. We've also been warned about dogs ...... we've seen a couple, but nothing that's presented a problem so far. Still, I'm wary, especially when I take our 5-year old out to play.
So my wife's telling me all this, and I mention that I've been carrying ..... she was NOT happy. I'll admit that my communication skills are not the best, not to mention the problems I have with The Affliction (we're seeing a therapist for that ...... she recommended journaling), and this isn't the first time we've had disagreements about firearms. I didn't tell her that I had ordered my FAL, and though I seem to remember telling her I was looking for a handgun, I didn't specifically tell her that I'd found one.
Now, the males in the audience will note that I bought a handgun, and obtained a concealed carry permit ............... hmmmmmm, I wonder what he's got planned?!
Now I'll readily admit that my wife is much smarter than I am, but even though she's a girl, I figgered she'd understand what I intended. And this is not the first time in my life I've carried ..... I carried (illegally) in TN as a restaurant manager, taking deposits to the bank. At one point in my life, I held a federal firearms license (FFL). The therapist (I'll call her The Lesser Spirit, or TLS) has noted that as a former Marine, I'm wired this way, and that I probably have legitimate concerns, both in the specific and the general. And I've tried to follow her suggestions ........
So why do I still feel persecuted?
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Last night, the wife and I were discussing some carry issues. I have a permit to carry (it gives me a couple of other benefits), and I have been carrying for about a month .... around the house, the yard ..... on the few errands I run. My wife told me a few days ago about some thievery going on in our immediate area. We live in a rural area, and most of the problems have been of the I-left-my-weedeater-out-and-someone-got-it variety, but some have been broad daylight break-ins. We've also been warned about dogs ...... we've seen a couple, but nothing that's presented a problem so far. Still, I'm wary, especially when I take our 5-year old out to play.
So my wife's telling me all this, and I mention that I've been carrying ..... she was NOT happy. I'll admit that my communication skills are not the best, not to mention the problems I have with The Affliction (we're seeing a therapist for that ...... she recommended journaling), and this isn't the first time we've had disagreements about firearms. I didn't tell her that I had ordered my FAL, and though I seem to remember telling her I was looking for a handgun, I didn't specifically tell her that I'd found one.
Now, the males in the audience will note that I bought a handgun, and obtained a concealed carry permit ............... hmmmmmm, I wonder what he's got planned?!
Now I'll readily admit that my wife is much smarter than I am, but even though she's a girl, I figgered she'd understand what I intended. And this is not the first time in my life I've carried ..... I carried (illegally) in TN as a restaurant manager, taking deposits to the bank. At one point in my life, I held a federal firearms license (FFL). The therapist (I'll call her The Lesser Spirit, or TLS) has noted that as a former Marine, I'm wired this way, and that I probably have legitimate concerns, both in the specific and the general. And I've tried to follow her suggestions ........
So why do I still feel persecuted?
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Please - unknot those panties!
Say Uncle has a note about yet another pack of bed-wetters in TN who are scared of those awful armed citizens.
Now, Tennessee has some requirements to get a concealed carry permit: gotta be 21; can't be a felon; have to take a safety course (cost varies); have to pay money ($115 to state); have to get fingerprinted and have a background check run.
Down in Georgia, you gotta pay a nominal fee ($65), and get fingerprinted and have a background check run. The parks-carry stuation is the same mish-mash that TN is going to have. Some of the cities that do NOT restrict carry in parks in GA are close to me, and I haven't heard of anything happening.
TN also just allowed concealed carry in restaurants that serve alcohol ..... GA has allowed that for over a year, and not a single incident has arisen because of it.
What has the NRA done about this?
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Now, Tennessee has some requirements to get a concealed carry permit: gotta be 21; can't be a felon; have to take a safety course (cost varies); have to pay money ($115 to state); have to get fingerprinted and have a background check run.
Down in Georgia, you gotta pay a nominal fee ($65), and get fingerprinted and have a background check run. The parks-carry stuation is the same mish-mash that TN is going to have. Some of the cities that do NOT restrict carry in parks in GA are close to me, and I haven't heard of anything happening.
TN also just allowed concealed carry in restaurants that serve alcohol ..... GA has allowed that for over a year, and not a single incident has arisen because of it.
What has the NRA done about this?
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Monday, August 3, 2009
It's been 3 yrs since my last confe ........
So, do I have a different calender than everyone else?!
It's been, wow ...... 8 months since my last post. One of my favorite bloggers (Vox) posted that the typical blogger timeline was 3 posts, spread out over a time period. I guess I'm there.
It has been a long time since I posted, and there's been a lot happening (besides the election). I've joined the ever-growing ranks of the unemployed .... no luck so far finding a new job. The extra time with my wife has shown that The Affliction is worse than we thought, so we've taken steps on that front.
And my reasons for this blog have ....... evolved. I think it will be some introspection, journaling, plus my take on things political (and with Obama in office, shouldn't be any lack of fodder). I'll see how it goes.
Well, that''s it for now ........ aren't you glad you stopped by?!
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It's been, wow ...... 8 months since my last post. One of my favorite bloggers (Vox) posted that the typical blogger timeline was 3 posts, spread out over a time period. I guess I'm there.
It has been a long time since I posted, and there's been a lot happening (besides the election). I've joined the ever-growing ranks of the unemployed .... no luck so far finding a new job. The extra time with my wife has shown that The Affliction is worse than we thought, so we've taken steps on that front.
And my reasons for this blog have ....... evolved. I think it will be some introspection, journaling, plus my take on things political (and with Obama in office, shouldn't be any lack of fodder). I'll see how it goes.
Well, that''s it for now ........ aren't you glad you stopped by?!
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Thursday, March 12, 2009
Levels
In the midst of one of his posts, David Codrea hits on a point I've held for a while:
Over my fair number of years, I've deduced that there are more than one level of firearms owner out there, and the ramifications, to me, are one of the reasons that gun control is allowed to happen. Here are the levels as I see them.
Level 1 - I own a firearm. I've never shot it, I don't know if it's loaded, my (insert family member here) gave it to me, I'd never use it.
These owners are the absolute minimum of what's required to be a 'firearms owner' - they simply own a firearm.
There is also the possibility that this owner is actually anti-gun, and ownership give him some sort of 'street cred'.
Level 2 - I have bought a firearm for self defense in the home. These owners have at least made a decision to own, even though they may not practice with their firearm. Note that they probably think (and rightly so) that the Level 1 owner should trade their weapon for a $50 gift card at the next buy-back, but otherwise will defend their right to own.
Level 3 - I shoot firearms for sporting/ hunting purposes. These individuals are generally more 'into' friearms than the Level 1 or 2, and they take their rights to own a firearm seriously - as far as they need them to go (hunt). They will defend their rights, and those of Level 1 and 2.
Level 4 - These firearms owners take a fairly literal view of the 2nd amendment, and are likely to carry a firearm (openly or concealed) for personal self-protection. They will defend their right to own firearms, as well as those in Levels 1, 2 and 3.
Level 5 - These are the absolutists, and if they can afford them, likely NFA item owners. Such individuals believe that the individual should be allowed to own weapons of most any kind, as long as they behave and don't commit crime with said weapon. These individuals will also defend everyones' right to own a firearm, at all levels.
Note that the Level 5 owners already know that there is a 'war' on over firearms; it's the other levels that may or may not need to be convinced.
Also note that each successive level will advocate their rights, and the rights of the levels below them, but it's less likely that they'll advocate for levels above their own.
So why then, are the Level 5 owners the targets of all the arrows?
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Until gun owners get it in their heads that there is a war on guns in this country, and it actually requires them to do something, apathy and laziness will continue being our greatest impediment. By not making this a priority while things are easy, they're increasing the odds that things will get hard.Until gun owners get it in their heads ..... indeed.
Over my fair number of years, I've deduced that there are more than one level of firearms owner out there, and the ramifications, to me, are one of the reasons that gun control is allowed to happen. Here are the levels as I see them.
Level 1 - I own a firearm. I've never shot it, I don't know if it's loaded, my (insert family member here) gave it to me, I'd never use it.
These owners are the absolute minimum of what's required to be a 'firearms owner' - they simply own a firearm.
There is also the possibility that this owner is actually anti-gun, and ownership give him some sort of 'street cred'.
Level 2 - I have bought a firearm for self defense in the home. These owners have at least made a decision to own, even though they may not practice with their firearm. Note that they probably think (and rightly so) that the Level 1 owner should trade their weapon for a $50 gift card at the next buy-back, but otherwise will defend their right to own.
Level 3 - I shoot firearms for sporting/ hunting purposes. These individuals are generally more 'into' friearms than the Level 1 or 2, and they take their rights to own a firearm seriously - as far as they need them to go (hunt). They will defend their rights, and those of Level 1 and 2.
Level 4 - These firearms owners take a fairly literal view of the 2nd amendment, and are likely to carry a firearm (openly or concealed) for personal self-protection. They will defend their right to own firearms, as well as those in Levels 1, 2 and 3.
Level 5 - These are the absolutists, and if they can afford them, likely NFA item owners. Such individuals believe that the individual should be allowed to own weapons of most any kind, as long as they behave and don't commit crime with said weapon. These individuals will also defend everyones' right to own a firearm, at all levels.
Note that the Level 5 owners already know that there is a 'war' on over firearms; it's the other levels that may or may not need to be convinced.
Also note that each successive level will advocate their rights, and the rights of the levels below them, but it's less likely that they'll advocate for levels above their own.
So why then, are the Level 5 owners the targets of all the arrows?
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Sunday, November 23, 2008
I'm back, finally!
Welcome back!
I know it's been a while since I updated this space, but I've been busy, what with work, family and the election. Yes, Obama is the president-elect ..... a least for now.
Tell you a little about me .......
Male, libertarian-leaning, former Marine, Christian ....... that about sums it up. Married, two kids ...... happy. Can't get much better than that, unless I win the lottery.
I'm currently following Voxiversity II (see Vox Day's site) .... we're studying Murray Rothbard's study of the Great Depression. Rothbard is an Austrian economist, and it's pretty interesting. There's a reading assignment every week, followed by a quiz on Saturday (I'm holding on to an 80 avg). I'm learning a lot, even though it's fairly high-level theory (and despite never having taken economics).
Politically, I lean heavily towards the libertarians. Worked on Bill Frist's first campaign, and Sundquist's too. Became disillusioned with Republicans (Democrats, too), and have pretty consistently voted Libertarian in the last 3 or 4 elections. But don't expect any deep analysis of the political scene ..... I leave that to Vox, Hotair and Ace! And, yeah .... I'm disappointed that Obama won, and not just a little concerned.
Enough for now ..... got to get ready for Sunday dinner.
Later ........
I know it's been a while since I updated this space, but I've been busy, what with work, family and the election. Yes, Obama is the president-elect ..... a least for now.
Tell you a little about me .......
Male, libertarian-leaning, former Marine, Christian ....... that about sums it up. Married, two kids ...... happy. Can't get much better than that, unless I win the lottery.
I'm currently following Voxiversity II (see Vox Day's site) .... we're studying Murray Rothbard's study of the Great Depression. Rothbard is an Austrian economist, and it's pretty interesting. There's a reading assignment every week, followed by a quiz on Saturday (I'm holding on to an 80 avg). I'm learning a lot, even though it's fairly high-level theory (and despite never having taken economics).
Politically, I lean heavily towards the libertarians. Worked on Bill Frist's first campaign, and Sundquist's too. Became disillusioned with Republicans (Democrats, too), and have pretty consistently voted Libertarian in the last 3 or 4 elections. But don't expect any deep analysis of the political scene ..... I leave that to Vox, Hotair and Ace! And, yeah .... I'm disappointed that Obama won, and not just a little concerned.
Enough for now ..... got to get ready for Sunday dinner.
Later ........
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