Of Arms and the Law

Brian Terry Memorial Act

Wed, 16 May 2012 08:51:47 -0700

A few days ago, David Codrea pointed out a dilemma for the administration: President Obama could hardly veto the Brian A. Terry Memorial Act, but if he signed it it'd be customary to hold a signing ceremony with Terry's next of kin, who had not been kind about Eric Holder's conduct in the matter.

The solution:

"On Tuesday, when Obama signed the bill into law, he did not hold a public signing ceremony with Terry’s family. The announcement that Obama had signed the memorial act into law was stuffed in the middle of a White House press release packed with other announcements not relevant to Terry.

The press release contained no quote from Obama or from White House press secretary Jay Carney about Terry."

D.C. holding onto serviceman's guns

Tue, 15 May 2012 12:07:06 -0700

The Washington Times has the story. While transporting his guns interstate (and thus likely within the protections of the Firearm Owners' Protection Act), he stopped at Walter Reed, inside DC. The story says he plead to a misdemeanor that was later dismissed, which sounds like pretrial diversion. But DC refuses to return his guns.

Getting squishy....

Mon, 14 May 2012 07:50:12 -0700

From Rollcall:

"Behind the scenes, Boehner, Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) and Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) have expressed reservations about the political impact of holding Holder in contempt.
. . . . .
A GOP aide also warned against a racial backlash if Republicans are seen as unfairly targeting the first black attorney general, who is serving under the first black president. “Especially after Trayvon,” the aide said, referring to slain Florida teenager Trayvon Martin."

Florida's no retreat law retains public support

Sun, 13 May 2012 17:45:06 -0700

A poll indicates approval, by 50% vs. 32%.

DC mayor holding up gun law reform

Sat, 12 May 2012 09:20:12 -0700

The Council unanimously passed a measure to reform its gun laws so they are merely unreasonable and unconstitutional, instead of being utterly insane. DC's mayor apparently has a problem with this.

20th anniversary of Ruby Ridge

Thu, 10 May 2012 19:41:33 -0700

Sara Weaver, then 16 years old, looks back.

Bill to ban lying to Congress

Thu, 10 May 2012 08:10:53 -0700

A budget amendment that would prohibit use of appropriated funds in lying to Congress. Its importance would be that any use of appropriated funds that is outside the purpose of the appropriation is a violation of the anti-deficiency Act, which bureaucrats worry about. Although since lying to Congress already is a crime, how much good this does may be doubtful.

An interesting problem

Wed, 09 May 2012 14:16:34 -0700

The Brian Terry Memorial Act, which among other things renames the Bisbee AZ Border Patrol station after the murdered agent, passed the Senate unanimously, and should easily pass the House. David Codrea and others point out the dilemma for President Obama at that point. Protocol would be to invite Agent Terry's family to the signing ceremony.... but they've uttered some "strong opinions frankly voiced" regarding his Attorney General.

Breitbart.com interviews McNulty about Fast and Furious film

Wed, 09 May 2012 10:37:56 -0700

Story here.

Fast & Furious heating up again

Wed, 09 May 2012 08:35:43 -0700

The House votes to cut a million dollars from the Justice Department budget over its stalling on release of documents -- that's pocket change to a big Federal agency with a $27 billion budget, but better than inaction.

In the meantime, more support for a contempt citation aimed at the AG, which would have a more direct effect.

50th anniversary: Battle of the Coral Sea

Tue, 08 May 2012 10:58:41 -0700

To be precise, of the last day of the battle, May 8, 1942. Its main significance was to set up the truly decisive Battle of Midway a month later.

The Coalition to Stop Gun Violence isn't always against gun violence

Mon, 07 May 2012 08:40:40 -0700

When gun violence is perpetrated by a government agency, then the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence thinks it's OK, or at least not very bad.

Issa circulating draft of contempt citation

Thu, 03 May 2012 11:24:55 -0700

Against Eric Holder. There have been indications that Memorial Day is the deadline.

"Trayvon and Zimmerman: the Structure and Elements of a Disinformation Campaign"

Thu, 03 May 2012 09:15:26 -0700

An interesting and provocative essay at The American Thinker. It would explain one things that had me wondering, which is why the story suddenly became hot weeks after the actual event.

Rogue police officer

Wed, 02 May 2012 17:38:36 -0700

A police officer goes rogue in New Jersey. All is under control now.