by permission from Stephen P. Wenger
comments in () by the same
Finally, the Corroboration: Last week the Law Enforcement Alliance of America released a statement that AG Eric Holder, in testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee regarding the shootings at Fort Hood, had called for significant additional infringements of the RKBA. I delayed sharing that report for lack of corroboration of the actual statements he had made. That portion of the testimony was omitted from the official DOJ transcript I did find posted on one news source. Now we have the missing statements:
http://www.examiner.com/x-1417-Gun-Rights-Examiner~y2009m11d21-Holder-tells-Senate-committee-Justice-Department-supports-more-gun-control
---
Shall-Issue CCW Benefits Black Americans: New research shows that states with liberal concealed carry laws may be safer for Black Americans. previous article examined eight years of Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) data, finding that in states with shall-issue concealed carry laws (aka right-to-carry or RTC), Blacks successfully defended their lives more often. Now it appears that Blacks are less likely to be murder victims in these states as well… After extracting criminal homicide data from the FBI Supplement Homicide reports for 2000-2007, there are clear differences between Blacks and Whites in states which restrict the right of self-defense by not granting concealed carry permits to law-abiding citizens (non-RTC). This difference holds true in RTC states as well… (Contrast this analysis with John Ross's 2003 essay on the role of race in defeating an electoral initiative to create licensed CCW in Missouri - http://web.archive.org/web/20070706054607/www.john-ross.net/race&rtc.htm.)
http://www.examiner.com/x-2879-Austin-Gun-Rights-Examiner~y2009m11d23-More-evidence-that-concealed-carry-benefits-Blacks
---
Another View of the Lautenberg Decision: Since 1996, the federal government has been prosecuting individuals for possessing a firearm if they previously were convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence offenses, but a Janesville man's case has changed that. A federal appeals court in Chicago on Wednesday reversed Steven Skoien's conviction, finding the law he was prosecuted under might violate Skoien's constitutional right to bear arms. The government needs to prove that its interest in preventing domestic violence is related to the ban on firearms possession imposed on those convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence, according to the opinion… Writing for a three-judge panel, Judge Diane Sykes said the firearms prohibition is too broad… Sykes noted that the Second Amendment protects a law-abiding individual's right to possess firearms for self-defense and hunting. Laws that infringe on constitutional rights must do so in the least restrictive manner, which is lacking in the broad, permanent ban Skoien was prosecuted under, according to the opinion… Assistant U.S. Attorney Tim O'Shea said further appeal of the ruling was under review. He said he expected the government ultimately would prevail. (The federal ban on firearm possession by those who have been convicted of misdemeanors involving domestic violence is known as the Lautenberg amendment.)
http://gazettextra.com/news/2009/nov/21/man-wins-appeal-gun-case/
---
The Beat Goes On: As Fox Valley gun deer hunters hit the woods this weekend, some types of ammunition are in short supply. Meanwhile, in Madison background checks for handguns are running nearly 36 percent above last year, suggesting a big increase in gun sales. People on both sides of the gun control debate agree on this: People have been stocking up on guns and ammunition since President Barack Obama took office early this year… Since taking office, Obama hasn't taken any action on gun control issues, save lifting a Reagan-era ban on firearms in national parks. Gun control laws in Wisconsin haven't changed. So while gun control opponents may fear what the Obama administration might do, gun control supporters are disappointed with what the new president hasn't done… Fritts said the NRA has received calls from all over the country about the issue. She said instructors report that their training classes are full, ammunition makers are having trouble keeping up with demand and certain guns are backordered and have long waiting lists… In Wisconsin, statistics from the state Department of Justice suggest a big increase in handgun sales. From January to August this year, the agency performed background checks on 39,688 people who purchased handguns from licensed dealers. That's almost a 36 percent increase over the same time period in 2008. (It would be more accurate to say that Bush's Interior secretary lifted the Reagan-era ban on firearms in national parks, only to have the policy overturned by a Clinton-appointed judge. Then Sen. Coburn saw the opportunity to tack an amendment onto one of Big Brother's must-have bills, leaving him little choice but to legalize national-park carry, effective February 22, 2010.)
http://www.thenorthwestern.com/article/20091122/OSH0101/911220460/1987/OSHopinion/Guns-sales-up-during-Obama-s-term
---
Bloomberg Campaign Encounters Opposition: Mayor Michael Bloomberg is a known gun control advocate, and has built a national platform to stem the flow of illegal guns into cities and towns. The group he co-founded in 2006, Mayors Against Illegal Guns, has grown from 15 to 526 mayors. Its success has raised the ire of gun rights groups, most notably the National Rifle Association. The showdown between the NRA and Mayors Against Illegal Guns is playing out across the country: in blogs, on the editorial pages of newspapers, and at countless gun clubs. At the Ridge and Valley Rod and Gun Club, in Coopersburg, Penn., Rick Hubrich is getting a little target practice. He says he loves animals and never hunts, but he does think gun owners help maintain the law. Today he's brought his tricked-out, AR-15 semi-automatic to the outdoor range, as well as a pistol fitted with a silencer…
http://www.wnyc.org/news/articles/144874
---
Illinois – Go to Hospital, Lose Your RKBA: The Illinois State Rifle Association has issued a warning to its members of a disturbing trend that is a direct threat to gun ownership. A new law (PA 95-0564) that requires health care providers to report patients to the state police is playing havoc with Illinois gun owners. The Law was passed by the Illinois General Assembly in a knee jerk response to the Virginia Tech shooting. The law requires mental health care providers to report patients that are deemed a threat to themselves or society to the Illinois State Police (ISP) but the new law has taken an unexpected twist. The ISRA has learned that during certain hospital admission procedures a short interview with a Psychologist maybe part of the admissions process. The admittance process that triggers an interview with a psychologist may include stress, alcohol treatment or other scenarios. These seemingly innocent hospital knock and talk interviews are being used by the ISP as a disqualifier for gun ownership. The ISRA has learned of gun owners being sent notices from the ISP that their FOID card has been revoked after a visit to the hospital…
http://www.infowars.com/go-to-the-hospital-in-illinois-and-lose-your-gun-rights/
---
Chicago-Style Gun Politics: Last week, the body of Chicago school board president Michael Scott was found in the Chicago River with a single bullet wound in his head. The big story was that this powerful, well-connected public official had, according to the Cook County medical examiner, committed suicide. The less-noticed story was that he did it with an illegal weapon. After all, handgun ownership is not allowed in Chicago, which has one of the strictest gun control laws in the country, and Scott killed himself with a .380-caliber sidearm. Unlike most Chicagoans, Scott could have been a legal handgun owner. Because he had it before the ban was enacted, he was allowed to register and keep it. But the police department says he never did. By having it in the city, Scott was guilty of an offense that could have gotten him jail time. Amazingly enough, he was not the first local public official to take the view that firearms restrictions are something for other, ordinary people to observe. Chicago politicians are zealously committed to gun control in law, but fairly relaxed about it in practice… (It would appear that Mr. Chapman defines "illegal weapon" as a firearm that has not been registered in conformance with local law.)
http://reason.com/archives/2009/11/23/gun-control-chicago-style
---
RKBA Faces More Infringements in New York: Gun owners in the area could feel the impact of several anti-gun bills that have passed through the Assembly, including the possible ban of .50 caliber firearms. The summary for Assembly bill 3211A, sponsored by State Assemblywoman Patricia Eddington, outlaws all .50 caliber firearms and larger weapons. According to the proposed legislation, "The .50 caliber weapon is one of the most dangerous weapons in the U.S. military's arsenal. These weapons are used for long-range tactical assassinations and assaults in the U.S. military… "That would ban muzzle loaders that hunters use," Sen. Catharine Young said. "If it did pass, it would hurt our way of life and upset our economy." …There are also bills concerning five-year renewals for pistol licenses and requiring retailers to obtain liability insurance…Then there's Assembly bill 6468, sponsored by State Assemblywoman Michelle Schimel, which would ban the sale of all semi-automatic handguns not equipped with micro-stamping technology… "We already have the toughest gun laws in the country in New York state," Sen. Young said. "We need to enforce our existing laws and not create new laws." (As I understand it, the US military generally uses rifles chambered in .50 BMG on vehicles and equipment and will soon be using ones chambered in .300 Win. Mag. For long-range antipersonnel use. I was not aware that assaults were an inappropriate action by our armed forces.)
http://www.oleantimesherald.com/articles/2009/11/22/news/doc4b08ad8b27224107869791.txt
---
Strange Bedfellows in California: It may come as a surprise to many of his Democratic supporters, but Attorney General and gubernatorial hopeful Jerry Brown has gone to bat for the National Rifle Association. Last year, the high court struck down a ban on handguns in Washington, D.C., ruling for the first time that the Second Amendment's right to bear arms applies to individuals who keep a gun at home for self-defense. But the court made it clear the ruling applied only to the District of Columbia, a federal enclave. Now, gun advocates are challenging Chicago's handgun ban, asking the Supreme Court to rule that the Second Amendment equally applies to the states. And there was no shortage of states - 34 in all - jumping on the bandwagon in support of the court hearing the case. In July, before the court agreed to take the case, Brown went so far as to file his own friend-of-the-court brief asking that Chicago's gun ban be overturned - arguing that if the court doesn't act, "California citizens could be deprived of the constitutional right to possess handguns in their homes." His stance has angered a number of gun control proponents. (While most Californians are unable to obtain CWP's and the state imposes a multitude of restrictions on which firearms can be sold there, state law still recognizes the right to keep a "concealable firearm" at one's place of residence, even if it is a temporary residence, such as hotel room or a campsite.)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/11/23/BAFI1AO83D.DTL
---
Oops, Wrong House: An off-duty Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent shot a would-be truck thief inside the officer's Otay Mesa home Sunday. The agent was asleep around 2:30 a.m. in the bedroom of his home in the 3900 block of Palm Avenue, when the robber came inside, raised a hammer and a sharp object and demanded keys to a truck, according to San Diego Police Lt. Kevin Rooney. The ICE agent directed the man into the kitchen to get the keys, and then grabbed a gun, Rooney said. The lieutenant said the agent identified himself as a peace officer and fired when the suspect raised the hammer again. The wound does not appear to be life-threatening, he said. The suspect ran off after being shot and was found by officers in the 3800 block of Chanute Street, Rooney said.
http://www.sandiego6.com/news/local/story/Otay-Mesa-ICE-agent-shoots-intruder-hammer/kYmuxn8dPkG76EG1QM0R8A.cspx
---
Here We Go Again: Earlier this week, I was invited to be Benjamin Rockwell's guest on Digital Computer Talk, to record a segment for an episode of his nationally syndicated broadcast radio show (prior episodes here). The subject was "smart gun" technology and the discussion centered around whether an implementation of that technology could have stopped or minimized the carnage in the Fort Hood terrorist attack or any of the other mass shootings that have taken place in recent years. A hypothetical "what if" version of events was assumed, where civilian firearms - including Major Hasan's FN pistol - had been enabled with smart gun technologies. In that scenario, it was posited that responding law enforcement officers could end the massacre from a distance by broadcasting a fail-safe signal to the weapon, disabling it. We then spent the better part of a half hour discussing why that scenario will remain nothing but a pipe dream for the foreseeable future… (This is a new aspect of "smart gun" technology. In the past, I had only seen references to making the guns user-specific.)
http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/the-unrequited-dream-of-smart-guns/
---
Company Provides Models for Pro-RKBA Ads: Sniper Babes aka SniperBabesdotcom is America's only pro-gun promotions and modeling company. Sniper Babes strives to get more women and children involved in the shooting sports. Sniper Babes encourages the training, safe handling and proper storage of weapons by shooters and non-shooters alike. Sniper Babes is a rapidly growing company as evidence by the recent hire of more than 20 modeling / promotions specialist. Sniper Babes recently hired Nikki Bishop. Nikki is well known as a Playboy Cyber girl. She also boasts an extensive resume in modeling and promotions work all over the USA. Sniper Babes also welcomed Lori Adele to their ranks. Lori has a number of credits in modeling to her name. Not the least of which is her work in the 2007 Hooters calendar. These models actively support the second amendment… (It looks like it's primarily a T&A + G&A proposition. It also looks like at least one of the "babes" does not understand Rule Three.)
http://www.i-newswire.com/sniper-babes-hires-nikki-bishop/11952
http://sniperbabes.com/
---
Settlement Reached in Mistaken-Identity Shooting: Scotland Yard and the family of a Brazilian electrician mistakenly shot dead by police who thought he was a terrorist said Monday they had agreed a compensation deal after more than four years of wrangling and dispute. In return the family agreed to end legal action against the police… The 27-year-old Brazilian, Jean Charles de Menezes, died when officers cornered him on a subway train at Stockwell station in south London and shot him seven times at point-blank range. The case was contentious from the beginning because police officers' initial portrayal of events, suggesting that Mr. de Menezes had been acting suspiciously, was not borne out by subsequent evidence, including closed circuit television footage…
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/24/world/europe/24britain.html?_r=1&hpw
comments in () by the same
http://www.spw-duf.info
Finally, the Corroboration: Last week the Law Enforcement Alliance of America released a statement that AG Eric Holder, in testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee regarding the shootings at Fort Hood, had called for significant additional infringements of the RKBA. I delayed sharing that report for lack of corroboration of the actual statements he had made. That portion of the testimony was omitted from the official DOJ transcript I did find posted on one news source. Now we have the missing statements:
"Yes, we will support that legislation. It seems incongruous to me that we would bar certain people from flying on airplanes because they are on the terrorist watch list and yet we would still allow them to possess weapons. I think that the legislation that was initially proposed by the Bush administration was well conceived and we will continue to support that."http://www.rightsidenews.com/200911217408/homeland-security/attorney-general-holder-reveals-aggressive-gun-control-in-response-to-ft-hood-terror-attack.html
"The position of the Administration is that there should be a basis for law enforcement to share information about gun purchases. Fully respect the Second Amendment, fully respect the Heller decision. It does not seem to us that this is inconsistent to allow law enforcement agencies to share that kind of information, for that information to be retained and then to be shared by law enforcement."
http://www.examiner.com/x-1417-Gun-Rights-Examiner~y2009m11d21-Holder-tells-Senate-committee-Justice-Department-supports-more-gun-control
---
Shall-Issue CCW Benefits Black Americans: New research shows that states with liberal concealed carry laws may be safer for Black Americans. previous article examined eight years of Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) data, finding that in states with shall-issue concealed carry laws (aka right-to-carry or RTC), Blacks successfully defended their lives more often. Now it appears that Blacks are less likely to be murder victims in these states as well… After extracting criminal homicide data from the FBI Supplement Homicide reports for 2000-2007, there are clear differences between Blacks and Whites in states which restrict the right of self-defense by not granting concealed carry permits to law-abiding citizens (non-RTC). This difference holds true in RTC states as well… (Contrast this analysis with John Ross's 2003 essay on the role of race in defeating an electoral initiative to create licensed CCW in Missouri - http://web.archive.org/web/20070706054607/www.john-ross.net/race&rtc.htm.)
http://www.examiner.com/x-2879-Austin-Gun-Rights-Examiner~y2009m11d23-More-evidence-that-concealed-carry-benefits-Blacks
---
Another View of the Lautenberg Decision: Since 1996, the federal government has been prosecuting individuals for possessing a firearm if they previously were convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence offenses, but a Janesville man's case has changed that. A federal appeals court in Chicago on Wednesday reversed Steven Skoien's conviction, finding the law he was prosecuted under might violate Skoien's constitutional right to bear arms. The government needs to prove that its interest in preventing domestic violence is related to the ban on firearms possession imposed on those convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence, according to the opinion… Writing for a three-judge panel, Judge Diane Sykes said the firearms prohibition is too broad… Sykes noted that the Second Amendment protects a law-abiding individual's right to possess firearms for self-defense and hunting. Laws that infringe on constitutional rights must do so in the least restrictive manner, which is lacking in the broad, permanent ban Skoien was prosecuted under, according to the opinion… Assistant U.S. Attorney Tim O'Shea said further appeal of the ruling was under review. He said he expected the government ultimately would prevail. (The federal ban on firearm possession by those who have been convicted of misdemeanors involving domestic violence is known as the Lautenberg amendment.)
http://gazettextra.com/news/2009/nov/21/man-wins-appeal-gun-case/
---
The Beat Goes On: As Fox Valley gun deer hunters hit the woods this weekend, some types of ammunition are in short supply. Meanwhile, in Madison background checks for handguns are running nearly 36 percent above last year, suggesting a big increase in gun sales. People on both sides of the gun control debate agree on this: People have been stocking up on guns and ammunition since President Barack Obama took office early this year… Since taking office, Obama hasn't taken any action on gun control issues, save lifting a Reagan-era ban on firearms in national parks. Gun control laws in Wisconsin haven't changed. So while gun control opponents may fear what the Obama administration might do, gun control supporters are disappointed with what the new president hasn't done… Fritts said the NRA has received calls from all over the country about the issue. She said instructors report that their training classes are full, ammunition makers are having trouble keeping up with demand and certain guns are backordered and have long waiting lists… In Wisconsin, statistics from the state Department of Justice suggest a big increase in handgun sales. From January to August this year, the agency performed background checks on 39,688 people who purchased handguns from licensed dealers. That's almost a 36 percent increase over the same time period in 2008. (It would be more accurate to say that Bush's Interior secretary lifted the Reagan-era ban on firearms in national parks, only to have the policy overturned by a Clinton-appointed judge. Then Sen. Coburn saw the opportunity to tack an amendment onto one of Big Brother's must-have bills, leaving him little choice but to legalize national-park carry, effective February 22, 2010.)
http://www.thenorthwestern.com/article/20091122/OSH0101/911220460/1987/OSHopinion/Guns-sales-up-during-Obama-s-term
---
Bloomberg Campaign Encounters Opposition: Mayor Michael Bloomberg is a known gun control advocate, and has built a national platform to stem the flow of illegal guns into cities and towns. The group he co-founded in 2006, Mayors Against Illegal Guns, has grown from 15 to 526 mayors. Its success has raised the ire of gun rights groups, most notably the National Rifle Association. The showdown between the NRA and Mayors Against Illegal Guns is playing out across the country: in blogs, on the editorial pages of newspapers, and at countless gun clubs. At the Ridge and Valley Rod and Gun Club, in Coopersburg, Penn., Rick Hubrich is getting a little target practice. He says he loves animals and never hunts, but he does think gun owners help maintain the law. Today he's brought his tricked-out, AR-15 semi-automatic to the outdoor range, as well as a pistol fitted with a silencer…
http://www.wnyc.org/news/articles/144874
---
Illinois – Go to Hospital, Lose Your RKBA: The Illinois State Rifle Association has issued a warning to its members of a disturbing trend that is a direct threat to gun ownership. A new law (PA 95-0564) that requires health care providers to report patients to the state police is playing havoc with Illinois gun owners. The Law was passed by the Illinois General Assembly in a knee jerk response to the Virginia Tech shooting. The law requires mental health care providers to report patients that are deemed a threat to themselves or society to the Illinois State Police (ISP) but the new law has taken an unexpected twist. The ISRA has learned that during certain hospital admission procedures a short interview with a Psychologist maybe part of the admissions process. The admittance process that triggers an interview with a psychologist may include stress, alcohol treatment or other scenarios. These seemingly innocent hospital knock and talk interviews are being used by the ISP as a disqualifier for gun ownership. The ISRA has learned of gun owners being sent notices from the ISP that their FOID card has been revoked after a visit to the hospital…
http://www.infowars.com/go-to-the-hospital-in-illinois-and-lose-your-gun-rights/
---
Chicago-Style Gun Politics: Last week, the body of Chicago school board president Michael Scott was found in the Chicago River with a single bullet wound in his head. The big story was that this powerful, well-connected public official had, according to the Cook County medical examiner, committed suicide. The less-noticed story was that he did it with an illegal weapon. After all, handgun ownership is not allowed in Chicago, which has one of the strictest gun control laws in the country, and Scott killed himself with a .380-caliber sidearm. Unlike most Chicagoans, Scott could have been a legal handgun owner. Because he had it before the ban was enacted, he was allowed to register and keep it. But the police department says he never did. By having it in the city, Scott was guilty of an offense that could have gotten him jail time. Amazingly enough, he was not the first local public official to take the view that firearms restrictions are something for other, ordinary people to observe. Chicago politicians are zealously committed to gun control in law, but fairly relaxed about it in practice… (It would appear that Mr. Chapman defines "illegal weapon" as a firearm that has not been registered in conformance with local law.)
http://reason.com/archives/2009/11/23/gun-control-chicago-style
---
RKBA Faces More Infringements in New York: Gun owners in the area could feel the impact of several anti-gun bills that have passed through the Assembly, including the possible ban of .50 caliber firearms. The summary for Assembly bill 3211A, sponsored by State Assemblywoman Patricia Eddington, outlaws all .50 caliber firearms and larger weapons. According to the proposed legislation, "The .50 caliber weapon is one of the most dangerous weapons in the U.S. military's arsenal. These weapons are used for long-range tactical assassinations and assaults in the U.S. military… "That would ban muzzle loaders that hunters use," Sen. Catharine Young said. "If it did pass, it would hurt our way of life and upset our economy." …There are also bills concerning five-year renewals for pistol licenses and requiring retailers to obtain liability insurance…Then there's Assembly bill 6468, sponsored by State Assemblywoman Michelle Schimel, which would ban the sale of all semi-automatic handguns not equipped with micro-stamping technology… "We already have the toughest gun laws in the country in New York state," Sen. Young said. "We need to enforce our existing laws and not create new laws." (As I understand it, the US military generally uses rifles chambered in .50 BMG on vehicles and equipment and will soon be using ones chambered in .300 Win. Mag. For long-range antipersonnel use. I was not aware that assaults were an inappropriate action by our armed forces.)
http://www.oleantimesherald.com/articles/2009/11/22/news/doc4b08ad8b27224107869791.txt
---
Strange Bedfellows in California: It may come as a surprise to many of his Democratic supporters, but Attorney General and gubernatorial hopeful Jerry Brown has gone to bat for the National Rifle Association. Last year, the high court struck down a ban on handguns in Washington, D.C., ruling for the first time that the Second Amendment's right to bear arms applies to individuals who keep a gun at home for self-defense. But the court made it clear the ruling applied only to the District of Columbia, a federal enclave. Now, gun advocates are challenging Chicago's handgun ban, asking the Supreme Court to rule that the Second Amendment equally applies to the states. And there was no shortage of states - 34 in all - jumping on the bandwagon in support of the court hearing the case. In July, before the court agreed to take the case, Brown went so far as to file his own friend-of-the-court brief asking that Chicago's gun ban be overturned - arguing that if the court doesn't act, "California citizens could be deprived of the constitutional right to possess handguns in their homes." His stance has angered a number of gun control proponents. (While most Californians are unable to obtain CWP's and the state imposes a multitude of restrictions on which firearms can be sold there, state law still recognizes the right to keep a "concealable firearm" at one's place of residence, even if it is a temporary residence, such as hotel room or a campsite.)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/11/23/BAFI1AO83D.DTL
---
Oops, Wrong House: An off-duty Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent shot a would-be truck thief inside the officer's Otay Mesa home Sunday. The agent was asleep around 2:30 a.m. in the bedroom of his home in the 3900 block of Palm Avenue, when the robber came inside, raised a hammer and a sharp object and demanded keys to a truck, according to San Diego Police Lt. Kevin Rooney. The ICE agent directed the man into the kitchen to get the keys, and then grabbed a gun, Rooney said. The lieutenant said the agent identified himself as a peace officer and fired when the suspect raised the hammer again. The wound does not appear to be life-threatening, he said. The suspect ran off after being shot and was found by officers in the 3800 block of Chanute Street, Rooney said.
http://www.sandiego6.com/news/local/story/Otay-Mesa-ICE-agent-shoots-intruder-hammer/kYmuxn8dPkG76EG1QM0R8A.cspx
---
Here We Go Again: Earlier this week, I was invited to be Benjamin Rockwell's guest on Digital Computer Talk, to record a segment for an episode of his nationally syndicated broadcast radio show (prior episodes here). The subject was "smart gun" technology and the discussion centered around whether an implementation of that technology could have stopped or minimized the carnage in the Fort Hood terrorist attack or any of the other mass shootings that have taken place in recent years. A hypothetical "what if" version of events was assumed, where civilian firearms - including Major Hasan's FN pistol - had been enabled with smart gun technologies. In that scenario, it was posited that responding law enforcement officers could end the massacre from a distance by broadcasting a fail-safe signal to the weapon, disabling it. We then spent the better part of a half hour discussing why that scenario will remain nothing but a pipe dream for the foreseeable future… (This is a new aspect of "smart gun" technology. In the past, I had only seen references to making the guns user-specific.)
http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/the-unrequited-dream-of-smart-guns/
---
Company Provides Models for Pro-RKBA Ads: Sniper Babes aka SniperBabesdotcom is America's only pro-gun promotions and modeling company. Sniper Babes strives to get more women and children involved in the shooting sports. Sniper Babes encourages the training, safe handling and proper storage of weapons by shooters and non-shooters alike. Sniper Babes is a rapidly growing company as evidence by the recent hire of more than 20 modeling / promotions specialist. Sniper Babes recently hired Nikki Bishop. Nikki is well known as a Playboy Cyber girl. She also boasts an extensive resume in modeling and promotions work all over the USA. Sniper Babes also welcomed Lori Adele to their ranks. Lori has a number of credits in modeling to her name. Not the least of which is her work in the 2007 Hooters calendar. These models actively support the second amendment… (It looks like it's primarily a T&A + G&A proposition. It also looks like at least one of the "babes" does not understand Rule Three.)
http://www.i-newswire.com/sniper-babes-hires-nikki-bishop/11952
http://sniperbabes.com/
---
Settlement Reached in Mistaken-Identity Shooting: Scotland Yard and the family of a Brazilian electrician mistakenly shot dead by police who thought he was a terrorist said Monday they had agreed a compensation deal after more than four years of wrangling and dispute. In return the family agreed to end legal action against the police… The 27-year-old Brazilian, Jean Charles de Menezes, died when officers cornered him on a subway train at Stockwell station in south London and shot him seven times at point-blank range. The case was contentious from the beginning because police officers' initial portrayal of events, suggesting that Mr. de Menezes had been acting suspiciously, was not borne out by subsequent evidence, including closed circuit television footage…
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/24/world/europe/24britain.html?_r=1&hpw
--
