Issa closes in
Letter here. He's taken a focus on the US Attorney's Office. The head of its Criminal Division has taken the Fifth, and Justice refuses to let the "line attorneys" testify, claiming it always keeps them out of Congressional investigations. But, the letter points out, there is a fellow who was under the head of Criminal, but was a supervisor rather than a line attorney, and Issa sets a deadline of close of business today to state whether he will appear voluntarily or have to be subpoenaed.
Via Dave Workman.
Permalink · BATFE · Comments (0)
VA considering repealing "one gun a month"
And as Alphecca notes, Bloomburg will be apoplectic!.
Permalink · State legislation · Comments (1)
Issa letter to Holder
Yesterday's letter is here. The most stinging part is on p. 2, where Issa asks how the Department of Justice can be continuing a man who has to plead the Fifth as head of Criminal Division in the US Attorney's Office.
Permalink · BATFE · Comments (1)
SoF endorsements
Col. Brown informs me that Soldier of Fortune has issued its endorsements on the upcoming NRA Board elections. At the top of SoF's list is Steve Schreiner, a major Colorado activist (head of Firearms Coalition of Colorado), who won the Silver Star for courage in Vietnam. SoF also endorses Scott Bach, Bob Viden, Joe DeBergalis, Wayne Anthony Ross, and Manny Fernandez.
Permalink · NRA · Comments (6)
Starbucks boycott
Some place called the National Gun Victims Action Council (probably three people with a big Joyce Foundation grant) is calling for a boycott of Starbucks coffee on February 14.
They say Starbucks "allows guns and assault weapons to be openly carried in its stores (in 43 states) and concealed and carried in its stores (in 49 states). Starbucks' compliance with the National Rifle Association's Pro-Gun Agenda was exposed in 2010 when members of the "open carry" movement began meeting in popular chains, such as California Pizza Kitchen, Peets, IKEA, Disney and Starbucks openly carrying their handguns and assault rifles. To protect their customers and employees, all of the retail chains—except for Starbucks— banned guns from being carried in their stores."
I generally brew my own, but think I'll have a cup of their fanciest on that day.
UPDATE: the PA Gunblog is pushing for it to be Starbucks Appreciation Day.
Permalink · antigun groups · Comments (12)
Tips for shooting an RPG
Do not stand behind the shooter. Followed by a first aid tip: dragging the guy around face-down is rarely a good first step.
AZ legislature to investigate "Fast and Furious"
AP reports the Arizona House has established a special committee to investigate "Fast and Furious".
Permalink · BATFE · Comments (1)
CCW customer kills robber
Story here. With all the permit holders, it's getting to where violent crime isn't safe anymore.
Permalink · CCW licensing · Comments (1)
Erin Simpson speaking for gun rights at the SHOT Show
Erin is a friend, and an attorney here in Tucson. Here's the interview she gave.
Great 4th Amendment case
U.S. v. Jones holds that attaching a GPS device to an auto constitutes a "search" within the meaning of the Fourth Amendment. 9-0, on the result. Scalia writes for the majority, The liberal wing concurs, with a rather confusing opinion, starting by denying this is a Fourth Amendment issue, and ending by agreeing that it is. I can see the reasoning (that the violation was not the attachment of the device, but its use to monitor) but the wording is a little hard to follow.
Permalink · General con law · Comments (2)
The times they are a'changing....
An interesting chart, from NSSF, of firearm sales (or at least NICS checks, which not quite the same thing -- CCW permit holders can skip them, and the number of those permits is rising, but the figures at least indicate minimal numbers for gun purchases). The 54% rise over a decade is impressive. I can remember when, in the 1970s, production numbers were more like 3-4 million, not 11 million. Equally interesting is that the first years of the Obama Administration do not show a surge. It's a long term trend, not something driven by political fears.
Equally interesting, it may be a global phenomenon. In Australia, New South Wales to be specific, gun control advocates are upset because gun permits are up about 25%, and uo about 80% over five years ago. It's also interesting that they have formed a "Shooters Party" in Parliament.
Permalink · shooting · Comments (0)
Yet another case of "gun walking"
It was reportedly named Operation White Gun. Not much detail yet, but the note that the agent in charge found firearms "relating to" her investigation in Mexican evidence lockers suggests that guns were flowing.