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June 21, 2023 by 2 Comments

The gun control industry is always pushing for new laws and regulations. You would think that they would also be interested in seeing existing laws being enforced as well as seeing equal justice under the law for “gun crimes”.

Given the release yesterday of news about Hunter Biden’s plea deal regarding his lying on the Form 4473 about his drug use, you would think that the major players such as Everytown, Giffords, and Brady would have something to say about it. Biden and prosecutors agreed to a Pretrial Diversion Agreement whereby the felony charge is dismissed if he complies with the agreement.

It seems that the gun control industry did have stuff to say yesterday but none of it involving the President’s wayward son.

Everytown said the shootings on Juneteenth highlighted the need “for action on gun violence (sic)”. On Twitter, they talked about stuff like so-called safe storage laws, urged the Senate to not to vote against Biden’s pistol brace ban, and touted the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. Nothing was said about Hunter Biden nor was anything said about how an African-American mom was facing a probable 2-year sentence for the same crime as Biden.

Moving on to the Cult of Personality known as Giffords, what did they have to say about Biden. Nothing. Rather they lauded the Oregon legislature for passing legislation against DIY firearms which they call “ghost guns” (sic). On Twitter, the only mention of Biden by them was to say they knew the President would make good on his promise to work against “gun violence” (sic).

Finally, there is Brady United. Their only press releases were to say they are suing a gun store in Michigan regarding a straw purchase and that they have a new initiative to “harness ad agency and media company talent” to change America’s “gun culture narrative.” Herr Goebbels was not available for comment on the new initiative. Their Twitter feed had nothing about either Biden but a few posts on “Ask Day” which demands that parents ask other parents if they have firearms. Personally, I think they should be pushing for 100% tax credits for gun safes with no dollar limit but that’s just me.

I should note here that both the National Shooting Sports Foundation and the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms issued strongly worded statements denouncing the plea deal. Both pointed out the failure of the Biden Justice Department to uphold the law when it involved the President’s son.

So to sum it up, when the gun control industry had a chance to speak out about the failure to keep a firearm out of the hands of a person under the influence of drugs, they punted. They did not want to upset their cozy relationship with the Biden Administration by casting any aspersions upon either Biden father or Biden son.

Hypocrisy today, hypocrisy tomorrow, hypocrisy forever is their motto.

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A Tale Of Two Prosecutions

June 20, 2023 by 3 Comments

This is the tale of two prosecutions for the same crime. The crime involves lying on the Form 4473 where the buyer is asked whether he or she is an “unlawful user of, or addicted to, marijuana or any depressant, stimulant, narcotic drug, or any other controlled substance.” This is a violation of 18 USC §§ 922(g)(3) and 924(a)(2). It carries a sentence of up to 10 years imprisonment plus fines.

The first prosecution is of a 26 year old African-American women by the name of Deja Nicole Taylor. She lives in Newport News, Virginia. According to a press release from the US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, police found marijuana and marijuana edibles in a search of her home as well as that of her mother where she was residing at the time of her arrest. She was charged with not only lying but being a user in possession of a firearm to which she has pleaded guilty. Combined she could face up to 25 years in prison.

Law Office of James Ellenson

Ms. Taylor’s real crime, in my opinion, was being negligent by leaving her Taurus pistol where her 6 year old son could take it to school and shoot his first grade teacher. She has been indicted under Virginia law for felony child neglect and a misdemeanor charge of “recklessly leaving a firearm so as to endanger a child.” She maintains she had a trigger lock on the pistol and had placed it on a high shelf. Even the Feds found a trigger lock when they search her home.

The Federal charges were a way of piling on to make an example of this young woman. Here are the comments by the US Attorney and the ATF SAC.

“It is clear from this case that enforcement of our existing federal firearm laws is critical to ensuring public safety,” said Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Federal requirements for firearm ownership are not optional and exist to protect owners, their family members, and the communities where they live. Failing to abide by those requirements when purchasing or possessing a firearm can have far-reaching consequences.”

“The safety of our communities is one of my utmost concerns and our efforts will always reflect that. I want to be clear, anyone that is an unlawful user of or addicted to controlled substances such as marijuana are prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition under federal law,” said ATF Washington Field Division Special Agent in Charge Craig B. Kailimai. “ATF will continue to collaborate with our local, state, and federal partners to ensure that people who violate this condition of firearm ownership are held accountable for their actions.”

The second person being prosecuted for lying about being an unlawful user was not young, negligent, poor, or Black. Rather he is a graduate of Georgetown University and Yale Law School who has the utmost in connections both here and abroad. You might even call him the “fortunate son”.

Despite the graininess of this photo, I think you know who the second person is being prosecuted.

That’s correct. It is Robert Hunter Biden and the photo of him passed out with the crack pipe in his mouth is from his own laptop.

During 2018 when he was a heavy user of crack cocaine, Biden purchased a handgun from a dealer in Delaware. His own memoir, Beautiful Things, acknowledges his drug use. The handgun was eventually tossed into a dumpster by Hallie Biden, his brother’s widow and his lover, and only returned after being found by a dumpster diver.

Today the US Attorney for Delaware David Weiss filed a plea agreement with the District Court.

According to the plea agreement, Biden will plead guilty to two misdemeanor charges of failure to pay income tax. In addition, he will enter a Pretrial Diversion Agreement on the felony firearm charges whereby the charges are eventually dismissed so long as he lives up to the terms of the agreement.

So the “fortunate son” will get a slap on the wrist, do no time, and have no felony record. Meanwhile, the young, negligent, poor, and Black woman is facing up to 25 years in imprisonment in addition to the state charges. I will grant you that her pistol was used by her son to shoot his teacher but that is why there are state charges.

If there were truly equal justice under the law, Ms. Taylor would have gotten the same plea deal that Mr. Biden received. One might hope the judge in her case sees the deal offered to Biden and sentences her to something similar. Frankly, I doubt that will happen.

In the meantime, I’ll let John Fogarty and Creedence Clearwater Revival have the last word.

It ain’t me, it ain’t me

I ain’t no fortunate one, no, no, no

It ain’t me, it ain’t me

I ain’t no fortunate son, no, no, no

It ain’t me, it ain’t me…

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Wicked Cool Retelling Of Battle Of Bunker Hill

June 18, 2023 by 1 Comment

There is a serving Army officer who blogs and podcasts as “Angry Staff Officer”. He also is active on Twitter. I just read his retelling of the Battle of Bunker Hill which may have been assisted by a bit of gin.

John Trumball’s The Death of Gen. Warren at the Battle of Bunker Hill

He might of been a little pissed when he wrote it but it is still wicked cool to use the local vernacular.

Click where it says “Read all 34 tweets….”

There is something to be said for “drunjhistory”.

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Happy Father’s Day

June 18, 2023 by

Happy Father’s Day to all the dads of whatever kind out there.

My own father died over 42 years ago. I can’t say I think about him every day but I do wish I had more time with him. He was 62 and 10 days old when he passed away. I had intended to hire a fishing guide in Maine that summer and take him fishing. He died before we could take that trip. That was a reminder to not put off stuff.

While I don’t have any biological children, I do have two wonderful step-daughters thanks to the Complementary Spouse. I have been in their lives and they in mine for over 20 years now. The best gift I ever received from them is the framed picture which the younger one crafted herself.

So to all the dads out there, biological or otherwise, Happy Father’s Day.

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Happy National Bourbon Day

June 14, 2023 by 3 Comments

It is fitting that the true American spirit – bourbon – is celebrated on Flag Day. Both represent something uniquely American.

So today I would suggest is a great time to have a nip of bourbon. It doesn’t matter if it is in a cocktail, on the rocks, or neat. If you don’t wish to partake of anything alcoholic, you could still use bourbon to make a great tasting sauce as the alcohol will evaporate as you cook it leaving you with the wonderful flavor of bourbon.

I hesitate to even say this out loud but I probably have one too many bottles of bourbon in my collection. I know the Complementary Spouse would agree. I just can’t help myself when I see an interesting bottle that is not overpriced.

So tonight, after we get home, I think I will have a sip or two of the Parker’s Heritage Cognac Finished bourbon. It was the 5th edition of the special blendings of bourbon by the late Parker Beam who was the Master Distiller for Heaven Hill. What good is it to have a special bottle of bourbon if it just sits on the shelf lonely like an old dog waiting for its owner to give it some attention instead of playing with the new puppy.

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National Rifle Association and Implications for the Board of Directors By Rocky Marshall

June 14, 2023 by 9 Comments

Rocky Marshall, former NRA Director and business executive, sent out this opinion piece on the NRA’s finances. I published his earlier analysis on their finances back in February of this year as well as a guest post from January.

His post is below and is presented exactly as it was sent to me.

The following opinion presents an updated financial analysis of the National Rifle Association (NRA) by examining the correlation between US gun sales and NRA revenues. Based on the analysis, revenue projections are made, highlighting the potential catastrophe the NRA has created. 

The correlation analysis comparing US gun sales and NRA revenues reveals a consistent revenue coefficient of $12 per gun sold. Utilizing this coefficient, projections are made for the NRA’s revenues based on the number of guns sold from January to May 2023, which annualizes to 16.2 million units. Accordingly, estimated revenues for January to May are $81.4 million, with a forecast of $195 million for the entire year.

Estimated
Jan-MayJan-Dec
NRA 990 IRS Reports20202021202220232023
Total NRA Revenue282,030,375227,419,952205,314,00081,418,224195,403,738
US Gun Sales (in units)21,799,81318,868,92116,550,3406,784,85216,283,645
Revenue$/Guns Sold Ratio1312121212

However, these projections starkly contrast with the NRA’s budget of $230 million, which appears unrealistic given the current downward trends and decline in gun sales. This raises concerns about the organization’s financial sustainability, particularly considering the anticipated legal expenses that may further strain its finances.

The Board of Directors plays a critical role in overseeing an organization’s financial management, ensuring transparency, and upholding accountability. However, in the case of the NRA, there are indications of a lack of transparency, as financial information is being withheld from Directors. This lack of disclosure suggests potential complicity in deceptive practices.

During the most recent NRA board meeting, no Directors questioned the financials or expressed concerns about the possibility of insolvency. This negligence is concerning, as it reflects a failure to fulfill their core responsibilities in safeguarding the NRA’s financial health and future.

This level of negligence exhibited by the NRA Directors is reminiscent of the children’s nursery rhyme; “The Three Blind Mice,” wherein the mice run around aimlessly until being caught by the Farmer’s wife. Not only has the NRA Board lost not only it’s sight, but also the ability to speak and question the deceptions that are presented at Board meetings.

The NRA’s financial crisis demands immediate attention and action. The alarming revenue projections, coupled with the lack of transparency and negligence displayed by the Board of Directors, pose significant threats to the organization’s survivability. Unfortunately, the NRA Board inactions and wonted neglect suggests they do not give a damn!

Source Gun Sales Data: National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), run by the FBI

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Watches You Thought You’d Love But Hate

June 12, 2023 by 1 Comment

While I’m on a roll talking about watches, I thought I’d continue it. Just like with firearms, many of us have purchases a watch (or firearm) that we thought we’d love but ending up hating.

Mine is a Citizen Eco-Drive Air Nighthawk. I bought it used off of the Watchuseek.com forums. I liked the looks of it and you can see what it looks like below.

It is a stainless watch, charges the battery through sunlight, has big numerals at the 12 and 6 o’clock positions, tracks the date, is water resistant to 200 feet, and has a slide rule. What is not to like?

Well….

I should say I’m right-handed and wear my watch on my left wrist. Look at where the crown or knob to operate the slide rule is located. It is on the lower left side. If you use the fingers of your right hand to operate the slide rule, you cover some, if not all, of the watch face including the slide rule. The only way to effectively use it is to either wear the watch on your right wrist or take it off your wrist altogether. That is problem number one.

The second issue for me is that the slide rule numerals are so small and I suffer from presbyopia (I need reading glasses!) that I virtually need a magnifying glass to read them.

When I get around to it, I need to sell this watch to someone who can appreciate it. I will note that Citizen has revamped this watch so that the control knob for the slide rule is now on the right side of the watch. Smart move.

So let me know in the comments what watch you bought that you grew to hate or dislike. Let me know the reason why if you don’t mind.

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Watches Versus Guns

June 11, 2023 by 9 Comments

I saw this meme on Reddit and found it amusing. It compares watch guys to gun guys and finds they are similar.

Even funnier to me is that I own or have owned watches from all three companies and two of the three handgun makers. I am going to presume that Ruger owners have the Citizen Eco-Drives and that guys with old Hamilton Automatic watches use 1911s. Not sure where I’d put the guys wearing a Casio G-Shock.

Of course, right now I’m wearing a Bulova WW2 commemorative military style watch that I picked up off of EBay for about $50 years ago. I’ve had to replace the original olive canvas band with a nylon Nato band because it wore out.

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Do As I Say, Not As I Do

June 10, 2023 by 2 Comments

Shannon Watts is always good for some snark about hypocrisy. First, she was against concealed carry on campus but her older daughter attended Colorado State University, at least for a while, where it is legal.

Now she has announced she plans to go on a cruise. Will it be to an area where guns are banned like much of the Caribbean? Nope, it will be to Alaska where not only are guns prevalent but they have constitutional carry.

Thanks to “Bad Gun Control Takes” for pointing this out in a tweet.

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Good News For A Friday Afternoon

June 9, 2023 by 1 Comment

I come bearing good news on this Friday afternoon. That is if you hold the North Carolina Concealed Handgun Permit. Both the states of Nevada and Minnesota now allow holders of the NC CHP legally to carry concealed in their states. Of course, if Nevadans and Minnesotans wish to carry in North Carolina, we will recognize that permit as well as the permit of any other state as we offer universal reciprocity.

At one time, Nevada had stopped offering reciprocity to North Carolinians. However, Grass Roots North Carolina worked with state level groups there providing information on the NC CHP and its standards which led to a re-evaluation by that state.

From the GRNC Alert:

We have some good news to announce, in that Minnesota and Nevada added North Carolina permit reciprocity. GRNC worked regularly for a multi-year period with the state gun rights organization in NV to help inform NV’s state attorney’s office on the rigor and standards involved in North Carolina’s permit process.

After thorough analysis, NV finally restored reciprocity for North Carolina’s Concealed Carry Handgun permit.

We can also tell you that we’re still working on Freedom to carry HB 189 and if you haven’t signed the petition please do so.

The relevant information on North Carolina permit reciprocity in these states is available here:

PERMIT TO CARRY RECIPROCITY

Minnesota

Under MN law, the Department of Public Safety (DPS) is required to publish a list of states which have handgun carry permit laws that are not similar to Minnesota’s permit-to-carry law.

Minnesota permit-to-carry law is M.S. 624.714. Subdivision 16 deals with “recognition of permits from other states.”

Out of State Permits Valid in Minnesota.

Reciprocity with North Carolina

Nevada gun laws apply to both in-state and out-of-state residents.

You are permitted to “open-carry” firearms, with certain limitations, whether you are an in-state or out-of-state resident.

If you are a non-Nevada resident, you can carry a concealed weapon only if you have a CCW from a reciprocal state.

Currently, Nevada’s reciprocal states for concealed carry of handguns.

Reciprocity with North Carolina


This brings to an exceptional 40 states in which lawful North Carolinians may exercise the fundamental right to carry concealed firearms. For a map of reciprocal states, go to: GRNC Reciprocity Map